Because of several groups working together, Los Alamitos Unified School District students will have a place to go on a day where they were expected to be in class.
As part of contract negotiations, teachers in the LAUSD agreed to take two unpaid furlough days, Friday, April 2 and Friday, May 28 to help the district in its current budget crunch. The Youth Center will be open full days April 2 and May 28 to help out the district with what was scheduled to be a full school day.
Youth Center Executive Director Lina Lehecka said she was approached by Los Alamitos Unified School District Superintendent Dr. Greg Franklin about the issue.
Because of a number of cost-saving measures by the district, its teachers and staff, no layoffs will need to be made.
The Youth Center usually doesn’t open for students until after 12:30 p.m. because it is also home to the Senior Meals program until about 12:30 p.m. each day, Lehecka said. If The Youth Center were to open, some provisions would have to be made for the more than 100 seniors that take part in the program daily. Lehecka went next door to talk to city staff about a resolution to the problem.
“I went next door to talk to Angie at Rec and Community Services to see if we could move the seniors over there,” Lehecka said. “They were so kind and willing to work with us. So for those two days, the seniors will be next door at the Rec Center.”
On those two days, Lehecka said the Youth Center will be open from 7 a.m.-6 p.m. for the cost of $10. Opening early and staying open late gives parents the opportunity to still work a full day and know their kids will be taken care of.
“It’s a difficult situation for the parents and this way we can make it easier for everyone,” Lehecka said. “We have the resources to help and we’re happy to do so.”
The Youth Center runs a day-long summer camp each summer, so Lehecka said it’s just an opportunity to start summer camp early. Kids five and up are invited to sign up for the day, which will have several activities including painting, movies, a number of sports, games, a coloring contest as well as a talent show.
“It’s going to be a long day, so we’ll have a lot of contests as well with prizes and such,” Lehecka said. Children will be required to bring lunch and snacks but Lehecka said pizza will also be ordered at some point during the day.
Parents are encouraged to sign their children up for the two days as soon as possible. For information, call (562) 493-4043.
