The once traditional two-parent family, with the working father and homemaker mother, has become the minority family unit in our society. Families with two working parents or with a single parent as head of household have become the norm. While working parents often feel they have no choice about leaving their kids home alone after school, they should not underestimate the impact on a nine or ten year old of being alone for three to six hours.
Many children feel fearful when they're home by themselves.
Latch key children are twice as likely to use cigarettes, alcohol and marijuana. Some children feel nervous and have family conflicts. The Community Advisory and Support Committee, in conjunction with Estacada Community School, has developed an in-school Extended Day Program. To provide educational, recreational, and social enrichment opportunities for children, Grades K-6, in a safe, caring environment during the before and after school hours. To be eligible for enrollment, a child must be enrolled in the Estacada School District in Grades K-6.