HYDE PARK — Bret Harte Elementary is racing to raise money to restore its after-school programs.
All of the school’s after-school programs were lost due to budget cuts and the loss of a key grant, and the principal and teachers are looking to the community for help.
“We still want to keep the programs we had, I don’t want the children to feel the impact of any cuts,” said Principal Shenethe Parks on Friday.
For the first time in 10 years, the school at 1556 E. 56th St. did not get the Chicago Public Schools After-School All-Stars grant this year, zeroing out an expected budget of $15,000 for dance lessons, chess, culinary and science clubs.
Parks said the school of 380 students is now turning family-engagement and school beautification events into fundraisers to try to restart the programs.
“Right now, we’re just hoping to get the funding and have the programs start a little later than normal,” Parks said.
From noon to 3 p.m. on Saturday, parents and students will come out to decorate the sidewalk in front of the school in pastels, but the school is now asking for $10 for each sidewalk square families want to decorate.
The proceeds from a candy sale by students later in the year that normally funds field trips and instructional programming during school hours, will partially go toward bringing back the after-school programs.
“I’m thankful we don’t also have to deal with staff or personnel cuts,” Parks said.
The school’s enrollment is up this year to 380 and Parks said she expected to be spared any additional cuts in money from CPS that is calculated on enrollment numbers.
She said the school will hold additional car washes this year and is looking for other ways to raise money.
Parks said volunteers would be greatly appreciated, but the school needs funds to keep consistent programs running for kids after school.
She said all of the programs were provided for free to families.
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