South Mntn Y Prepares for After-School Care

As students count down the days until school, staff at the South Mountain Y are preparing for after-school care. The, sent out letters and packets to enrolled families with information.

When Patch readers raised a few questions, Karen Robson, Senior Director of Programs and Camps, was kind enough to answer. 

Will students or their families need to join the Y?

 The Y is a membership organization.  As such, membership is required for participation in all programs.  Since the SMY is not a full-facility Y, we offer a program membership which costs $80 per year for each child ($150 for family).  Families who were previously-registered before the ASP/Y transition period were given a “gift of membership” as a pre-registered participant.  Those registering after September 1st will be required to join as a member.  Any families who are struggling to afford this fee or are registering late should contact the Y about being flexible during this transition period as the Y is learning many families have a history of registering late.  

Will students and their families participate in Y fundraising events?

The Y’s only fundraising efforts will focus strictly on donations to our Strong Kids Campaign which enable the Y to never turn anyone away, regardless of their ability to pay.  The Y will ask all members to make donations to support their community members so other children might be able to attend the After School Care programs rather than go home to an empty home everyday. The Y offers assistance for any Y program and has made an impact on several thousand families over the past few years alone with funds raised through the Strong Kids Campaign.  

Does the pre-payment discount still exist? (In previous years, parents could pre-pay either half the school year or all ten months to receive a discount on tuition)?

We will not be offering this option to the less than handful of parents who used this service during ASP administration of the program.  The Y does offer automatic monthly credit card drafts which was not an option under ASP administration.  

The snacks are now provided by the Y, instead of by ASP supplemented by parents. What kind of snack can we expect?

All children will receive a healthy snack each day as part of the After School Care Program.  These snacks will be healthier options such as pretzels, crackers or low-sugar cookies and occasional fruits or vegetables which are more challenging to deliver and store appropriately at all sites.  We will be looking into storage to provide fresher produce-type snacks as the school year progresses.  

Robson encourages parents to get in touch. She can be reached at:  

973.762.4145 ext. 116  

or krobson@metroymcas.org  

www.smountainymca.org