Program facing funding concerns

OGDENSBURG — As the Advantage After School Program enters its 10th year in the city school district, it faces uncertainty as funding is set to expire at the end of December.

"We're waiting to hear if we're funded beyond that," program Director Betty J. Mallott said. "We're waiting on the state budget."

Mrs. Mallott said that if funding is not secured, canceling the program would be a last resort.

"We're going to try perhaps to raise parent fees, fundraise and look for other kinds of grants," she said.

She said the program will begin the first day of school as usual.

"We're a very important program in the community," she said, noting that approximately 150 elementary school children participated last year.

The program has a staff of 20 teachers and aides and four site directors.

"It's very well staffed," she said.

The program, which starts with a snack and playtime either in the gymnasium or playground, runs from the close of school to 6 p.m. After playtime, children are divided into age groups and move through a variety of stations, including arts and crafts and a computer lab.

"There's something different every day," Mrs. Mallott said.

The program has special guests from such groups as Cornell Cooperative Extension, its sponsor, Claxton-Hepburn Medical Center and Ogdensburg Command Performances.

Also, Mrs. Mallott said, "We try to get their homework done before they go home, so then the kids can have the whole evening to spend with their parents."

"They're not bored, that's for sure," she said. She said children sometimes object that parents arrive to take them too soon.

While Mrs. Mallott said that the program is holding out before setting its rates for the year, a fee will be set prior to the first day of school.