As the Seattle teacher strike continues, the city has been increasing options for students until school starts. Seattle Parks and Recreation has increased the number of children they can accommodate to 3,000, more than tripling the total number of available spots offered to students last week. A group of 84 AmeriCorps volunteers have stepped in to help with supervision at the centers. Nearby locations are Ballard, Bitter Lake, Loyal Heights, Magnolia community centers.
For this week, Seattle Parks says families do not have to be enrolled in their before- and after-school program. They ask that students bring a sack lunch; the centers will provide breakfast snacks. Seattle Human Services Department will provide sack lunches and afternoon snacks for those who don’t bring lunch. Seattle Parks says parents can register online or in person at a community center.
All preschool programs are still cancelled until the strike ends. Families will receive a pro-rated credit for the days missed, according to Seattle Parks. They say displaced families can call the City of Seattle’s Childcare Hotline at 206-386-1050 for assistance in finding alternative child care.
The program starts at 8 a.m. and finishes at 5 p.m., offering outdoor games, story time, quiet time, and other small group activities.
