Community Corner
What's a Kid to Do on Wednesday Afternoon?
Early Wednesday dismissal has always proved to be tricky for parents and after-school care providers. Barrett Community Center and the Belmont Library offer some great options for students.
On a recent unseasonably warm Wednesday afternoon, my husband and I had an alfresco lunch at Cafe Bliss in the Carlmont Shopping Center. It was about 1:00 p.m., and shortly after we were seated, a throng of kids poured into the shopping center---it was as if a San Francisco tour bus had delivered a new group of sightseers to one of the area's peak tourist attractions.
In this case, the attraction was a place to gather and do what middle school kids do--socialize, eat, laugh, check smartphones for text messages.
The happy group seemed to ebb and flow through the center--gaining momentum while awaiting a signal from someone about where the winds of a free Wednesday afternoon would blow them next.
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Wednesdays in the Belmont-Redwood Shores School District are minimum days, meaning the students are dismissed at 12:30 so teachers can have planning and staff development time. For younger students, after-school care is available at the elementary schools, or their parents or caregivers pick them up.
But for the “tweens” of middle school, finding something constructive to do in those hours between school dismissal and home can be a challenge. They are too old to go to aftercare, yet too young to be allowed much freedom.
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Before long, a friendly but stern Belmont police officer pulled up and reminded the kids that they're not to hang out at the shopping center.
"You guys can go over to Barrett," the officer told the group, and off they went.
directly across from the Carlmont Shopping Center on Ralston Avenue has become a safe and sanctioned “hangout” for students of all ages on Wednesday. And the Belmont Library offers activities and snacks for early dismissal days.
Matt Nestor, recreation specialist for the City of Belmont’s Parks & Recreation Department explained that the city has made Barrett a hangout of sorts for students.
“We know the kids don’t want a structured program,” said Nestor, who supervises activities at the center from 12:30-3:30 p.m.
“We asked kids what they wanted and basically they just want to socialize.”
Nestor said that for the kids who do want some activities, the city provides basketballs and footballs as well as a lacrosse set, complete with goals, sticks and nets.
“The younger kids are having a good time playing lacrosse,” said Nestor.
He explained that Footsteps aftercare program for younger students is also on site and the kids share the field and equipment just fine.
“It seems to be working out well, and we’ve had several compliments from parents,” Nestor added.
For a complete listing of Belmont Park & Rec programs for youth and teens, click here. And for summer camp opportunities, click here.
The Belmont Library is another option for those early dismissal days.
Like Matt Nestor, the teen librarian, has zeroed in on what middle schoolers like to do during their free time.
“On alternating Wednesdays we currently have XBOX 360 movement gaming (with Dance Central, Kinect Sports and more) and or a "nourishment snack hub" where middle and high schoolers are invited to create free, quick and healthy snacks after school,” said Goyal.
“Teens accessing the hub regularly get a pedometer to measure activity levels from January-June and log in their progress during each Hub visit. The most active teen will win a $50 gift card to Amazon.com at the kick-off party for the 2013 Summer Reading Program!
For elementary school students, we have a Homework Club where they can visit and get help with their homework from a volunteer high school student,” Goyal added.
As the school year winds down and the weather warms up, it’s great to know kids in Belmont and Redwood Shores have some fun and safe options for those carefree Wednesday afternoons.
What do your kids do on early dismissal days? Tell us in the comment section below.
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