Home
News
SUMMIT COUNTY - Parents of Summit Cove and Silverthorne elementary school students who rely on after-school childcare got an unwelcome surprise the first day of the new year, when they learned that there were no counselors available at the two schools to cover the day camp program.
A notice on the front door of Silverthorne Elementary School announced the temporary suspension of the program, but officials with the school district and Summit Day Camps scrambled Thursday to find staff. By the end of the day, they were able to fill the Silverthorne position, and day camp staff will cover the Summit Cove shifts to make sure the care is available right from the start of the school year.
"Our doors are open," said day camp program director Melinda Henry, who will cover at least some of the shifts at Summit Cove until a permanent staffer is hired. Henry said it was the notice on the door at Silverthorne that spurred a part-time employee from last year to apply for the job on short notice.
"It's something we have to provide for our families," Summit School District's Karen Mason said after Superintendent Millie Hamner discussed the situation with Henry.
The annual budget for the after-school program is $261,600, with Summit County kicking in abut $15,000. Mason said that, with the fees collected, the program is self-sustaining.
"We're desperately looking for someone to fill the Silverthorne spot," Mason said. The 20-hour per week, $10 per hour jobs have been advertised since the beginning of August.
"We just haven't had any applications," said Henry, who filled in at Summit Cove on an emergency basis Thursday afternoon. "The problem is, there is an employee shortage in Summit County."
As many as 20 children used the program at Summit Cove last year, said principal Crystal Miller, who said she just found out about the suspension at a meeting Wednesday evening.
The Summit School District is scrambling to try and find a substitute teacher who might be interested in the part-time position, or to at least fill in until someone permanent can be hired, Mason said. Another option is to have one of the part-time para-professional teaching assistants at Summit Cove fill the slot.
Meanwhile, parents like Kathy Marshall, who works for the town of Silverthorne, were relieved that the after-school program will be maintained.
"It's really important. It provides good activities for the kids before and after school so they're not just hanging out," Marshall said, adding that local school hours don't exactly accommodate a normal working schedule.
"What are we supposed to do? I guess one spouse could go to work late and the other spouse can take off early, or maybe we could all start working a 32-hour work week," Marshall said.
Bob Berwyn can be reached at (970) 331-5996, or at bberwyn@summitdaily.com.
A notice on the front door of Silverthorne Elementary School announced the temporary suspension of the program, but officials with the school district and Summit Day Camps scrambled Thursday to find staff. By the end of the day, they were able to fill the Silverthorne position, and day camp staff will cover the Summit Cove shifts to make sure the care is available right from the start of the school year.
"Our doors are open," said day camp program director Melinda Henry, who will cover at least some of the shifts at Summit Cove until a permanent staffer is hired. Henry said it was the notice on the door at Silverthorne that spurred a part-time employee from last year to apply for the job on short notice.
"It's something we have to provide for our families," Summit School District's Karen Mason said after Superintendent Millie Hamner discussed the situation with Henry.
The annual budget for the after-school program is $261,600, with Summit County kicking in abut $15,000. Mason said that, with the fees collected, the program is self-sustaining.
"We're desperately looking for someone to fill the Silverthorne spot," Mason said. The 20-hour per week, $10 per hour jobs have been advertised since the beginning of August.
"We just haven't had any applications," said Henry, who filled in at Summit Cove on an emergency basis Thursday afternoon. "The problem is, there is an employee shortage in Summit County."
As many as 20 children used the program at Summit Cove last year, said principal Crystal Miller, who said she just found out about the suspension at a meeting Wednesday evening.
The Summit School District is scrambling to try and find a substitute teacher who might be interested in the part-time position, or to at least fill in until someone permanent can be hired, Mason said. Another option is to have one of the part-time para-professional teaching assistants at Summit Cove fill the slot.
Meanwhile, parents like Kathy Marshall, who works for the town of Silverthorne, were relieved that the after-school program will be maintained.
"It's really important. It provides good activities for the kids before and after school so they're not just hanging out," Marshall said, adding that local school hours don't exactly accommodate a normal working schedule.
"What are we supposed to do? I guess one spouse could go to work late and the other spouse can take off early, or maybe we could all start working a 32-hour work week," Marshall said.
Bob Berwyn can be reached at (970) 331-5996, or at bberwyn@summitdaily.com.
