Services to fill those days off
POSTED: Sunday, October 18, 2009
Many groups in Hawaii are offering daylong alternative programs—from robotics to martial arts—for public school students losing 17 days of instruction a year due to state budget cuts.
But the groups said while they've received many inquiries, they haven't enrolled a lot of children, even though more than 170,000 students are scheduled to be out of public school on furlough days. The first furlough day is Friday.
“;I think a lot of the parents are unsure what they're going to do,”; said Jim Gagne, chief operating officer for the Boys & Girls Club of Hawaii. “;I think ... (this) week will be really busy.”;
Several groups said they have waiting lists of teachers who want to work on the 17 furlough Fridays to make up for some of their lost wages.
But the groups said they haven't hired many new teachers and won't until they figure out the demand for student programs.
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City, Kama'aina Kids team up for Furlough Fridays![;[Preview]](./%3Bhttp:/media.starbulletin.com/images/20091018_kitv_furlough2.jpg.html)
The City will allow Kama'aina Kids to use Kaneohe District Park for activities for children on furlough Fridays.
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Gagne is doubtful there are enough groups to provide the services.
“;I just don't think all of our programs together are enough to make up for the kids who will be looking for something to do,”; he said.
Gagne said his group's challenge has been to put together a program that's affordable to parents, including those facing reduced work hours such as state workers.
Gagne said his group, serving youths 7 to 17 years old, hopes to design a curriculum to provide for the students' academic needs.
YMCA of Honolulu President Larry Bush said his group as well as others are looking at ways to provide services for the students.
“;There are a myriad of organizations looking at filling the need,”; he said. “;The question for us all is how will this grow?”;
Yesterday, city officials and child care providers announced that parks in Kaneohe and Manoa would also be available for use by YMCA Honolulu and Kamaaina Kids for child care programs on Furlough Fridays. Depending on interest and demand for the services, additional city parks may be used.
The programs will serve children in kindergarten through sixth grade. Program activities will include recreational and educational components. Care will be provided from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Kama'aina Kids President Ray Sanborn said his group is also working with a couple of companies interested in providing child-care services for their employees during furlough Fridays.
“;They're going back and talking to the employees,”; he said.
Sanborn said if businesses are able to provide enough for 20 children, his group is willing to start a program.
The offerings range in cost from free online credit courses provided by the Myron B. Thompson Academy to the $755 program in robotics offered by isisHawaii.
Lynn Fujioka, president and founder of isisHawaii, said the program is aligned with public school curriculum and helps to provide students with marketable skills.
Meanwhile, military officials in Hawaii said they have been having discussions and assisting armed forces families who have more than 15,000 children attending public schools in the state.
Pacific Command spokesman Marine Maj. Brad Gordon said programs are being developed at the base and station level for military families.
Gordon said with furlough days scheduled over the next two years, there are bound to be changes and adjustments.
Jeff Piontek, head of school at the Hawaii Technology Academy, said there's been no shortage of teaching applicants for furlough days.
Piontek said he posted an advertisement online this past week. “;We got four applicants within the first hour,”; he said.
WHERE TO SEND YOUR KIDS
The following is a list of some of the programs offered as alternative activities for students who will be out of public schools on furlough days starting this Friday:
Boys & Girls Club of Hawaii YMCA
Kama'aina Kids
Moiliili Community Center Children and Families Program
Hawaii Technology Academy (Public Charter School)
Bishop Museum
Honolulu Academy of Arts
Hawaii Nature Center
Gymboree Play and Music
Science Playground at Children's Discovery Center
Chinese Language School, Chinese Lutheran Church of Honolulu
isisHawaii and Hawaii Children's Discovery Center
Honolulu Zoological Society
Oahu Discovery
Vim N' Vigor/Island Monkeez
The Cole Academy
Epic Foundation
Myron B. Thompson Academy (Public Charter School)
Applause Performance Academy LLC
The Studio by Egan Inoue
Patrick Ching's Naturally Hawaiian Gallery
Imiloa Astronomy Center in Hilo
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