Like almost anything new, West Sedona School’s Wildcat Kid’s Club is taking a while to hit its stride. The program, which began a few weeks ago, offers before-and-after-school programs for students at the school.
The program begins at 6:30 a.m. and is available after school until 6 p.m. Superintendent Dennis Dearden has said that the program is both free and is more than a baby-sitting service. Students engage in a variety of activities and also have time for homework. WSS has offered an after-school program previously but it ended at 4 p.m.
But according to WSS Principal Aaron Coleman, they have averaged under five students in the morning session and slightly more than 20 in the afternoon.
“We anticipated lower numbers in the morning but not as low as they are,” he said. “We planned for 30 in the afternoon.”
More than 60 students signed up for the program but it turned out that number was a bit misleading.
“There may have been some confusion, meaning that some of those signatures were intended for the after-school clubs that end at 4 p.m.,” Coleman said. “I cannot say why the numbers are lower than expected. I am told that similar before/after care programs all discontinued for reasons of insufficient attendance and therefore were unsustainable or not viable expenditures.”
Over the years, various organizations like the Boys & Girls Clubs of Northern Arizona, YMCA, Sedona Parks & Recreation and school-based groups have begun after-school programs that eventually ceased due to lack of participation.
The maximum number of students Coleman said WSS would be comfortable with, without adding to their staff of two, would be 40.
While this program may be free to parents, it’s not free to run. Thanks to a 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.
For more information on the program, contact Coleman at 204-6600 or coleman@sedonak12.org.
