East Suburban YMCA Hopes to Bring Another Before- and After-School Program to Plum School District

When The Plum School Board convenes for their meeting next Tuesday, May 31, the board is expected to vote on a request from the to add a before- and after-school program at Plum’s – making this potentially the third YMCA-run program in the Plum School District.

According to Sarah Johnston, a school-age child care director at the East Suburban YMCA, there currently is a before- and after-school program at that busses students from Adlai Stevenson to Holiday Park, and that for more than four years there has been a waiting list for students interested in participating in the YMCA’s program.

“The more we talked about it, we felt that by proposing the program at Adlai Stevenson that we will be able to help families at both schools,” Johnston said.

Johnston said the proposed program at Adlai Stevenson would follow the same format as their other before- and after-school programs.   Students who are signed up to participate in the program would begin attending at 7 a.m. until the start of the school day.  The 7 a.m. start time is concrete, even during two hour delays, which Johnston said is a huge benefit for parents.

“Students can play with the games and toys on hand and they can also buy breakfast through the school during the morning session,” she explained.

The after-school program begins at the end of the school day and lasts through 6 p.m.  Johnston said at this time and dependent upon the site director, students will each receive a snack and drink; they can have homework time and help; or they may participate in arts and crafts, sporting events, group games, educational activities or even science experiments.

“We also focus on character development in four areas – caring, respect, responsibility and honesty," Johnston said. "We try to help kids understand the importance of these values and the whole staff works to focus on this.”

She said that while there are many benefits to the before- and after-school program, one huge one is the convenience factor.

“Students who participate in a before- and after-school program in their own school do not need to be bussed back and forth to another school, plus they know where everything is in their own school so it is very reassuring to their families,” Johnston said.

The program would accept 20 students, with one staff person on hand for every 10 students.

If approved, YMCA members would pay $310 per month for the program, while nonmembers would pay $355.  There would be a cost breakdown should students participate in just the morning session or just the evening session.

Johnston said that she hopes that the Plum School Board chooses to accept the YMCA's request because the organization currently has success with programs at both Holiday Park and , and it would give them an opportunity to reach out to so many more families.

“It’s such a benefit to the school’s families and we just want to help as many people as we can,” Johnston added.