Elmhurst Program Now Enforces Kid Dropoff Policy

ELMHURST, IL – A newly enforced policy for dropping off children for a before-school program in Elmhurst is drawing criticism from a parent.

Now, parents must walk their children into the schools where the Elmhurst Park District's Rec Station program is offered. They can no longer drop them off at the curb and watch them enter.

In recent messages to the park district, resident Amy Lippert, who drops off a child at Conrad Fischer Elementary School, said the previous practice was better for all involved. She said now parents must park, crowding out faculty and others who need spots.

In an emailed response, Rogers said that after recent staff changes at Fischer's Rec Station, the park district realized the long-established dropoff policy was not being followed.

The policy, he said, requires adults to drop off their children inside the school and that staff must be aware of each child's presence before the parent leaves.

"This process should have been followed previously at Conrad Fischer as it is to be at all other Rec Station sites," Rogers said. "I apologize that advance notice was not provided that the established policy is now going to be followed."

The policy is meant to ensure that children are always accounted for, he said.

But Lippert, who made her emails available to Patch, said no one is leaving their children unattended outside the Rec Station door.

"Not having to park and navigate the parking lot is, in fact, the safest possible means by which our kids can get to Rec Station each morning – not to mention the most efficient for us parents trying to catch morning trains to work," Lippert said.

She also said busloads of children are dropped off at schools without any escorts.

Rogers said the policy would continue.

"While you indicate that no (one) is leaving children unattended outside the Rec Station door, I can assure you that, over the years, things like that and much worse have from time to time occurred, leaving the welfare of children in question and putting our staff in a very precarious position," he said.

Rec Station is a cooperative program between the park district and Elmhurst School District 205 for kindergarteners through fifth graders.

The program, the park district says, is recreational, including arts and crafts and indoor and outdoor games.

The one-hour Rec Station in the morning costs $194 a month, while the three-hour one in the afternoon has a $387 monthly fee.