New $5 fee for city after school program
The El Paso Parks and Recreation Department After School Program is underway in more than 30 locations around the city.
Half of the locations are at elementary school campuses in the Ysleta and El Paso Independent School Districts for children ages 6-12.
The city now charges five dollars per week, per child. Program director, Jose Rodriguez, said it was no longer self-sustaining.
He said a majority of parents agreed to continue supporting the after school program.
“Very reasonable. They’re giving this program away, it’s awesome. You can’t go wrong with five dollars a week, and they give them a snack,” said Priscilla Tapia. Her son attends the after school program at Coldwell Elementary School.
Students are given time to complete their homework, play sports and board games, and participated in arts and crafts projects.
“I don’t have anyone to pick up my son and this is just perfect. It works out very well with me and my schedule,” said Tapia.
The after school program starts as soon as the last bell rings until 6:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday. On Friday, it ends at 6:00 p.m.
Coldwell Elementary had only three participants last year. That number has increased to nearly 50 students this year, one of the locations with the best attendance record.
Del Valle and Douglass Elementary Schools also have about 50 students in its programs.
During the 2013-2014 school year, the campus after school programs averaged about 17 students per school. This year, about 700 students are expected at the 13 school locations.
‘CONNECT’ PROGRAM
Rodriguez said he would like to see higher attendance numbers at the neighborhood recreation centers. It is now called the ‘Connect’ Program for children ages 6-14 volunteer opportunities for ages 15-17.
The after school program is free at 15 parks and recreation centers in El Paso.
‘Connect’ is a drop-in program and allows kids to use the recreation centers as hang out spots.
“The rec centers are more neighborhood-based, kids live around them and they’re able to go home and go back to the center,” said Rodriguez.
New curriculum was added to the program to keep kids active when they attend. Every week, staff will focus a particular sport and host a clinic to teach students the basic techniques.
The after school program is open until 6:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and closes at 6:00 p.m. every Friday.
Below is a list of the After School Program locations:
Burleson (EPISD) 4400 Blanco Ave. 544-0753
Coldwell (EPISD) 4101 Altura Ave. 544-0753
Cooley (EPISD) 107 N. Collingsworth St. 544-0753
Crosby (EPISD) 5411 Wren Ave. 544-0753
Douglass (EPISD) 101 S. Eucalyptus 544-0753
Dowell (EPISD) 5249 Bastille Ave. 544-0753
Paul Moreno (EPISD) 2300 San Diego Ave. 544-0753
Roberts (EPISD) 341 Thorn Ave. 544-0753
Rusk (EPISD) 3601 N. Copia St. 544-0753
Stanton (EPISD) 5414 Hondo Pass Dr. 544-0753
Travis (EPISD) 5000 N. Stevens St. 544-0753
Vilas (EPISD) 220 Lawton St. 544-0753
Ascarate (YISD) 7090 Alameda Ave. 544-0753
Del Norte Heights (YISD) 1800 Winslow Dr. 544-0753
Del Valle Elem. (YISD) 9251 Escobar Dr. 544-0753
Thomas Manor (YISD) 7900 Jersey Dr. 544-0753
Ysleta Elem. (YISD) 8624 Dorbandt Circle 544-0753
Connect Program
Armijo 700 E. 7th St. 544-5436
Carolina 563 N. Carolina St. 594-8934
*Chihuahuita 417 Charles St. 533-6909 (3pm – 6pm – Mon. – Fri.)
Don Haskins 7400 High Ridge St. 587-1623
Galatzan 650 Wallenberg St. 581-5182
Gary Del Palacio 3001 Parkwood St. 629-7312
Leona Ford Washington 3400 E. Missouri St. 562-7071
Marty Robbins 11620 Vista Del Sol St. 855-4147
Nolan Richardson 4435 Maxwell Ave. 755-7566
O’Rourke 901 N. Virginia St. 533-1611
Pavo Real 9301 Alameda St. 858-1929
Rae Gilmore 8501 Diana St. 751-4945
San Juan 701 N. Glenwood St. 779-2799
Seville 6700 Sambrano St. 778-6722
Veterans 5301 Salem St. 821-8909
