Big response for Wildcat after-school program2 min read

Kids participate in a summer session at West Sedona School in June. David Jolkovski/Larson Newspapers

So far, a proposed before- and after-school program is exceeding expectations.

Recently, Sedona-Oak Creek School District Superintendent Dennis Dearden was a guest at the Sedona Lodging Council and Sedona Chamber of Commerce board meeting to discuss the Wildcat Kid’s Club. He was there to gauge interest and possible financial support from both groups for the program. The plan is to have a program prior to school for West Sedona Elementary students in the morning beginning at 6:30 a.m. and available after school until 6 p.m. Dearden stressed that the program is both free and is more than a baby-sitting service. Students will engage in a variety of activi­ties and will also have time for homework. WSS has offered an after-school program previously but it ended at 4 p.m.

“I want it to be free for our parents,” Dearden told the Lodging Council last month. “I want them to feel good about dropping their kids off. I want the kids to come home with excitement that they were able to do all these things and get their homework done.”

According to WSS Principal Aaron Coleman, as of Monday, Aug. 9, they had a list of 43 students — many of whom are siblings — where families have indicated interest in before- or after-school support. He said the school had planned on 30 students for the program to be considered viable.

The school has two district employees so far who will serve as coordinators that are committed to staffing the program.

While this program may be free to parents, it’s not free to run. Thanks to a generous dona­tion of $100,000 by Village of Oak Creek resi­dents Basil and Mimi Maher to run during the school year, there will be no cost for students to attend. But, the donation was made with a caveat. The donor wants assurance that the program will continue after the first year by showing that the district is seeking grants and community financial support.

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That’s why Dearden met with the Lodging Council and Chamber to see if there’s not only the interest of the employees but if busi­nesses would be interested, as time goes on, in helping support the program financially.

For more information on the program, contact Coleman at 204-6600 or coleman@sedonak12.org.

Ron Eland

Ron Eland has been the assistant managing editor of the Sedona Red Rock News for the past seven years. He started his professional journalism career at the age of 16 and over the past 35 years has worked for newspapers in Nevada, Hawaii, California and Arizona. In his free time he enjoys the outdoors, sports, photography and time with his family and friends.

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Ron Eland has been the assistant managing editor of the Sedona Red Rock News for the past seven years. He started his professional journalism career at the age of 16 and over the past 35 years has worked for newspapers in Nevada, Hawaii, California and Arizona. In his free time he enjoys the outdoors, sports, photography and time with his family and friends.