Geneva's Kids Zone could start in fall

A plan to offer before- and after-school care to Geneva public schoolchildren is gaining steam, with the school board having approved it this week.

If approved by the Geneva park board, the program would start this fall.

The Kids Zone program was proposed by the park district and the park district would run it.

It would offer supervised activities from 6:30 to 8:15 a.m. and 2:30 to 6 p.m., at Harrison Street, Williamsburg and Mill Creek elementary schools. Students from other schools would be bused to and from the sites to their schools. If Harrison Street ends up temporarily relocating to Coultrap Elementary next school year, as was proposed Monday night, the care program would move along with it.

Children in first through fifth grade could attend.

Fees are anticipated to be $80 to $95 per week per child, depending on how many sessions they are registered for (mornings only, afternoons only, all of them, certain days of the week, etc.).

The agreement with the school district is for one year. School and park officials intend for the program to be supported by user fees, not taxpayer dollars. The park district will pay the school district rent for the use of the schools, similar to what it does for open gym and other park district activities.

"This was a very exciting thing," said school board president Mary Stith, after the board approved the contract and the procedures and policy manual for the program.

Homework supervision would be available, but the program would be primarily recreational, according to Sheavoun Lambillotte, the park district's leisure services superintendent.

If the park board approves the plan, a letter about the program will be sent home to parents at the end of the month. The program will also be listed in the park district's spring program brochure.

The park board is scheduled to meet at 7 p.m. Monday at the Geneva Community Center, 710 Western Ave.