HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda Report - June 4, 1997 (65)cg�
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CITY OF LODI
COUNCIL COMMUNICATION
AGENDA TITLE: After School Playground Fees
MEETING DATE: June 4, 1997
PREPARED BY: Charlene Lange, Community Center Director
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
That the City Council review options for After School Playground care at five sites and give staff
direction as to what level of service the City should provide.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
Since 1940 the City of Lodi has provided summer playground programs at a low or no cost fee,
staffed by high school or college age students. The programs have evolved over time with a
significant growth spurt when Lodi Unified Schools moved into the year-round school system.
In 1993 the After School Program migrated to indoor space at the school sites on rainy and hot
days. Indoor space is rotated at each school site depending on the availability. Principals are
reluctant to assign one room to the program since they often are in need of that space for their
own uses and programs after hours.
The school district has been very generous in providing the school facilities at no cost to the
City and has also underwritten the expense of janitorial services and restroom supplies. The
program does experience some problems with security because we have no secured facility that
is completely off limits to the public. The playgrounds present the biggest problem since the
outside space is considered "public" after the last school bell rings.
The After School Program does provide care for children after school at a very reasonable cost.
We have consistently added 'safety features', including cell phones and staff training in an
attempt to maintain a safe environment.
There are other after-school programs available in the area. However, in comparison to other
area after school care situations, the City offers an on-site program at a fraction of the private
program cost.
FUNDING:
None.
Charlene J. Lange
Community Center Director
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APPROVED:
H. Dixon Flynn -- CityrManager
AM
E12�SCHOOL I. ,.YRQUIVD,IIT9RY = .
1940-1992 II 1990 II 1993
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Program,. Monday -Friday
Free to kids
Drop-in only
Fee only for special arts
projects
Schools helped with buses
for weekly Lodi Lake field
trips
Staffed by high school and
college students
asphistmpd
• 31:110016 IIIUVU to
Concept 6
scheduling
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'round
♦ Five school sites
♦ Operate, Monday -Friday
♦ 2:45 p.m. - 5:15 p.m.
♦ Tuition charged $1.00 per day
♦ Sold snack to kids (dismal failure)
♦ Staff remains same
♦ Added annual registration fee of
$10.00; asked for emergency phone
numbers
♦ Schools subsidizing indoor room,
janitorial costs and supplies
♦ Public access on site an increasing
problem and concern
1995 -Present
♦
Program cost increases to
$2.00 per day with
addition of snack
♦
Day lengthened 45 minutes
to 6:00 p.m.
♦
All staff now fingerprinted
♦
Cellular phones added for
emergencies
♦
Staff certified in CPR and
first aid techniques
♦
Supplemented staff
training
♦
Signing/Sign out
implemented
♦
Cost recover only 70%
♦
Schools subsidizing indoor
room, janitorial costs and
supplies
♦
Public access on site an
increasing problem and
concern
♦
Bumped registration fee to
$15.00
OPTION 1
Traditional Recreation Program
OPTION 2
After School - No Snack
OPTION 3
After School with Snack
OPTION 4
Cancel & Refer to Private Uses
♦
Five city sites
♦
Five city school sites
♦
Five city sites
♦ Lodi Boys & Girls Club
($10 annual membership
♦
Afternoons 3p.m.-5 p.m,
♦
Afternoons 2:45 p.m. -
♦
Afternoons 2:45 p.m. -
fee, otherwise free after
6 p.m.
6 p.m.
school care)
♦
Playground Games
4
Games & homework time
♦
Games & homework time
♦ Creative Kids Preschool
and Day Care
♦
$1.00/day; $5.00/week
♦
$2.50/ day; $12.50/ week
♦
$3.00/day; $15.00/week
($50.00/week
No reduced sibling rate
No sibling rate
No sibling rate
before & after care,
transportation)
♦
Informal drop-in
4
Maximum 40 kids
♦
Maximum 40 kids
♦ Edu-Camp Preschool
•
No guarantee on located
♦
No guarantee on located
($3.50/hour)
space
space
♦ La Petite Academy
4
No Lake trips
♦
No Lake trips
($67.00/week
before & after care,
♦
No limit on size, outdoor
♦
1/20 ratio
♦
1/20 ratio
transportation)
only
• Latchkey -Children's
Center
(Sliding scale, federally
funded, Transportation)
Reference: Family Resource &
Referral Center
aspopt2.wpd
Memo
To: Charlene Lange
From: Sue Ducato
CC: Lisa Rudloff
'E.'rodi City Council Members
Date: May 18, 1997
Re: After School Program
What is going on?
I am writing to you because I am an extremely concerned and upset parent. I read in Saturday's Lodi
News Sentinel that you are reviewing the After School Program to determine what should be done
with it.
Your ideas range from leaving the After School Program as it is, to canceling the program completely.
I do not recall being asked what I, as a parent of a child that has attended the After School Program
for four years, would like to see changed or remain the same. From the article in the paper, it doesn't
seem to matter what 1 think or what my child thinks. It seems that you alone are making that decision.
What are our options?
You also stated that "there are a number of child care opportunities for children 6 to 12 in Lodi." I
would like for you to list those child care opportunities for me. I only know of one other after school
care - the Boys and Girls Club. I am sure there are many private homes that "baby-sit", but I do not
want that for my daughter.
What 1 think?
I feel you should survey the parents and the children that are enrolled in the program. What has
caused you to consider closing the After School Program? I know of nothing wrong with the program.
My daughter completes her homework and plays with her friends.
• She has the opportunity to be with children from other grades and tracks.
• 1 don't have to worry about transportation from school to day care.
e The staff is great, they help her with her homework and they teach good
communication skills.
I look forward to the opportunity to meet with you to further discuss this issue. I feel I am not alone in
my thinking and believe many other parents would like to voice their opinions also.
Thank you for your time,
1
Sue ucato /
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