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.
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.
