Registration slow for PAC after-school program

The good news is that the inexpensive and popular PAC after-school program, operated by the city of Phoenix, still has openings at five Kyrene schools for the upcoming year.

The bad news is that there are so many openings, the program may be cancelled at several sites if enrollment doesn’t improve by the Aug. 21 cutoff date.

In February parents lined up to sing the praises of the Phoenix Afterschool Center (PAC) program: how it cost less than other day care options and the quality of the program was outstanding. Parent after parent begged that the program in Ahwatukee Foothills not be slashed as the city was pulling out the budget knife to make $70 million in cuts.

And for parents like Chris Gibson, the PAC has been perfect for her daughter, Meagan.

“You have a nice little community, with kids who treat each other respectfully,” Gibson said of the PAC program at Kyrene de los Lomas Elementary School.

The PAC program is also one of the least expensive programs in the area at $180 for each nine-week session.

“Our closest alternative is Kids Club at $2,200 per year, verses PAC at $720 per year seems like a no-brainer,” Gibson said.

Private after-school care can cost even more.

But according to the city’s Park and Recreation Department, as of Monday, there were still 41 openings available at Esperanza; 40 at Lagos; 47 at Monte Vista; 27 at Lomas and 11 at Sierra.

According to Steve Turner, a spokesman for Parks and Recreation, each site needs a minimum of 40 children enrolled by Aug. 21 or the site will be shut down. So far, only Sierra and Lomas have hit the mark.

“We’re not trying to be mean, but we have a date we have to cut things off,” Turner said.

Still, he is optimistic that the sites will all fill to the maximum of 70 children.

“Parents are still on vacation … it’s always a last-minute rush,” Turner said.

The PAC program is offered by the city on a cost recovery basis, and is open to all Kyrene students in the first through fifth grades, regardless of financial status. The program operates each school day from 2:35 to 6 p.m., making it perfect for single parents like Gibson, who work downtown.

For more information, visit the Parks and Recreation office at Pecos Park or log onto www.phoenix.gov/PRL/teens.html.