Annual Town Meeting - June 15 at 9:00 AM - Mount Vernon Elementary School
Special Town Meeting - May 21, 7:00 PM Community Center
Click here for details on Special Town Meeting
After School Care Program
Hello Mt. Vernon friends,
In an effort to support young families in our community, a group of passionate citizens, in partnership with the Steve Deangelis Community Fund, has formed a committee to develop a quality after school care program at Mt. Vernon Elementary School.
Our town currently has no affordable and accessible aftercare options for families. Many students ride the bus after school for up to two hours each day just to attend the closest childcare facilities. This results in long days for children and limited work options for parents. We propose that the town initiate an aftercare program at the elementary school to provide safe, engaging, nature-based care. You will see this request on the town warrant under Parks and Recreation.
The aftercare program would operate from school dismissal at 2:30 pm until 5:30 pm, 5 days a week, for 40 weeks of the school year. It would be housed at the school, using the gym, playground, and some classrooms.
One paid Director position would oversee daily activities. The budget allows for healthy snacks, equipment/supplies, and other miscellaneous costs. The fee is estimated at $10 per day per child, with discounts for multiple children. Revenue from fees would offset most expenses. Additional fundraising could help close any budget gaps.
Benefits
An aftercare program offers many benefits:
- Provides a much-needed care option for families in our community.
- Saves children from spending hours on the bus when care is unavailable locally
- Supports working parents and benefits local businesses
- Keeps children engaged in a safe environment after dismissal
- Promotes healthy lifestyles through nature-based outdoor play
The program will provide a safe place for kids to be after school where they can enjoy a healthy snack, play games, go outside, hang out with their friends, learn new skills, get help with homework and just have fun!
With interest and support from the town, this program can meet a vital community need. The school is an ideal space. Let's take steps to offer this program to local families!
To ensure the success of this program, we need the help and support of the people of our community. This work is starting at ground level and is a collaborative effort between RSU#38 and the Town of Mt. Vernon. We are currently in need of financial and human resources support.
If you are willing to help make Mt.Vernon a more vibrant community that attracts young families and are able to donate time and or money in an effort to offer more opportunities for our kids, then please contact one of us or go to the website below to make a donation.
This won’t happen without you! We all know it takes a village to raise a child. Let’s make Mt. Vernon that village!
Thank you,
Cathy Jacobs (207)-491-1305 or cathyjacobs72@gmail.com
Bo Jesperson (207)-512-5411 or bojen2018@gmail.com
Monetary donations can be made directly to https://www.every.org/steve-deangelis-community-fund/f/mtvernon-after-school
Mount Vernon is now a member of the Community Resilience Partnership!
Please be sure to slow down and stop for school buses as required by law. Our children’s safety is important!
Selectboard meeting recordings are now found under Documents/Selectboard/Meeting Recordings.
Welcome to your town web site!
Our goal is to provide relevant information about the town and to make it easier to find information on the site. We welcome your suggestions on how we can improve the site. Please send your ideas to selectboard@mtvernonme.org