In the fall, Highbridge Hill Elementary School will begin to host a new before- and after-school option run by the Brookline Aftercare Program.

The program will be a satellite operation of the existing Brookline Aftercare Program, and while it will be housed in the school, it is separate from Highbridge Hill. The program will have its own registration paperwork, emergency contact lists, payment and permission sign-offs. It is a licensed and insured program, with staff required to be fingerprinted and undergo a background check. 

Mascenic Superintendent Liz Pogorzelski said there has been a high amount of demand and interest about before- and after-school care. In a recent survey done at a parent-teacher night, where about 120 parents responded, about 70 said they were at least interested in learning more about a before- and after-school care option. In a separate, electronic survey in April, with about 48 respondents, about 43 indicated an interest in a care program. 

“Last summer was my first as superintendent, and I had a number of new families that were calling and asking about child care and before- and after-school care,” Pogorzelski said. “They were moving from districts that had a Boys & Girls Club, or a Y[MCA] or other programs. It’s something that’s important to them, and it can be prohibitive for people trying to move into the district. If you’re a working parent, or a single parent, we don’t have a ton of options.”

The morning program will open for Highbridge Hill Elementary School-age children at 6:30 a.m., and run until dismissal at 8:45 a.m. The afternoon program will be available from school dismissal at 3:20 p.m. until 5:30 p.m. Depending on interest and need, there may be adjustments to the time as the year progresses. 

Prior to August, the district will host a Parent Information Night for parents to learn more about the program.

The cost of the program is $135 per week for one child to attend all five morning and afternoon sessions. Just morning sessions would be $65, and just afternoon sessions would be $85. A second child who is attending all five days a week receives a 10% discount.

For part-time attendees, the cost is $15 per day for mornings, and $20 per day for afternoons. During a delayed school opening, the program will open at 7 a.m., and there will be an additional charge of $15 for the additional time. 

Registrations for the program are open, and will continue through Aug. 15. After that, registration will not reopen until Sept. 15. People can register at brooklineasp.org. A registration fee of $50 is required, and can be made through online banking or by mailing a check to the Brookline After School Program at 55 Route 13 in Brookline. For checks, indicate child’s name and HHES in the memo section.

Tuition payments will be due Monday for that week of service. A $10 late fee will be applied if payment has not been received by Wednesday of the week of service. Payments can be made in person at the program, or through the program’s website. 

Pogorzelski said the program will be run entirely based on user fees, will not receive financial support from the district and will be charged a fee for use of the building. She referred to the program as “school-supported, but not school-sponsored.”

“I'm very excited about this, I think it's something that is needed in our community,” Pogorzelski said. 

Ashley Saari can be reached at 603-924-7172, Ext. 244, or asaari@ledgertranscript.com. She’s on X @AshleySaariMLT.