Parents of middle schoolers in the Madison Metropolitan School District (MMSD) have a new set of circumstances to plan around this year with the recently announced Wednesday early release times. According to posts on blogs and letters to editors, some parents were none to happy about the announcement. Yet we are here to say, "Never fear parents! You have options!"
Madison School & Community Recreation (MSCR) has been working with school staff, and will provide afterschool options for students during every early release day associated with the district's Professional Collaboration Time initiative.
On early release days, students will have the opportunity to participate in a variety of special interest enrichment and recreation "mini courses." Examples may include arts & crafts, cooking, community service clubs, juggling, large motor games, and more.
"Early release days will be an extension of the afterschool programming MSCR does at school sites all year," Diana Miller, MSCR Middle and High School Supervisor, said. "The mini-course format gives students the chance to check out a variety of interests, and has been popular with students during the summer months."
Registration is required for participation to ensure MSCR has proper staff-to-student ratios and available transportation. (See the link below.)
Registration choices for the first session will be available and distributed to registered families beginning the second week of school. Programs begin at school dismissal time, which can vary. (See the MMSD website for precise details.)
MSCR has customized program times and transportation schedules to meet individual school needs. Detailed time schedules and information can be found at the MSCR website.
MSCR reminds parents and students that they need to pre-register to participate in afterschool programs. Registration forms can be found at the MSCR website or at their school office.
This story is written and presented by Madison School & Community Recreation, a department of the Madison Metropolitan School District. MSCR has been providing residents of Madison with recreation options for more than 80 years.
