Two days before school was out for the summer, I was informed that the Fayette Middle School's After-School Program (ASP) was in jeopardy and may not be offered next year. Upset, I spoke with Ms. Julie Simpson, Fayette County's ASP coordinator and was told that only three parents preregistered their kids and the program needed 15 in order to fund it.

I explained that the parents were not informed of this fact and consequently did not preregister. Many parents thought (such as myself) that this would be done during open house. Since this information didn't reach all of the ASP parents due to an internal mix-up, Ms. Simpson and Ms. Babb, Fayette Middle School's principal, both graciously agreed to re-offer the program next year as long as 15 parents preregister, which brings me to the purpose of this letter.

Because I fall into the vast league of working moms across the country, I have come to rely on this program. My daughter has participated in after-school programs since she was in kindergarten. When I learned that the middle schools were offering this program, I can't tell you the relief I felt.

I know many kids at this age typically don't want to go to ASP. They argue that they are too old or embarrassed, and convince their parents to let them ride the bus home. Many of these kids come home to an empty house or supervised by an older brother or sister, usually in high school. I know several people who opt to do this. Fortunately for me, last year I had another option — ASP.

As parents, we naturally trust our kids and believe they are responsible enough to stay home alone. Why not? When we were their age we stayed home alone and turned out okay. But you and I both know that the world was more idealistic then and kids weren't exposed to sex and violence on a daily basis through music lyrics, TV shows, movies, Internet sites, and video games. When the cat's away the mice will play, and they usually do. Even the best of kids give in to temptation and curiosity.

In fact, there are more than five million latchkey kids, and more than three quarters of them experience their first sexual encounter after school. According to one University of Southern California study, eighth graders looking after themselves are more likely to smoke, drink and use marijuana, and most juvenile homicides occur in after school fights (Newsweek, April 27, 1998).

When kids are home alone, they have access to all sorts of things in the house including: inappropriate shows, movies, Internet sites, alcohol, cigarettes, and let's not forget guns. There is a great deal of truth in the old adage “an idle mind (and idle time) is the devil's playground.” Not to mention that kids entering a home alone are in danger to all sorts of predators.

This isn't a new revelation; it's something we all know as parents. It's what we fear the most. But the fact remains that millions of our kids come home each day to an empty house, which leads me to this question, why?

Why, when there are currently programs such as ASP offered to elementary and middle schools? Is it because we think our kids are too old and we don't want them to be embarrassed? Is it because riding the bus home is more convenient than having to go by the school and pick them up? Or is it because riding the bus home is free? It may be more convenient, but it is certainly not free. It is not free of anxiety or worry, especially those afternoons when you call home to check on the kids and they don't pick up the phone right away.

When bad things happen, the community as a whole is quick to point to the school and the school to the parents. But we are all responsible. Parents can do a lot by taking advantage of the after-school programs that already exist or trying to encourage schools to offer more of these programs to older kids. The schools have a bigger challenge, though. Their challenge will be to provide support and funding to these programs, to offer better activities and programs that will attract kids' interest.

I am so thankful that Fayette Middle School offers this program. I can't say enough about the program and how much it has helped me. The thought of losing it gravely disturbs me.

My daughter really likes going ASP and pleads with me to pick her up later. It has helped me with providing resources for homework assignments that I currently cannot afford. It gives her an environment that encourages her to do her homework. And it allows her an opportunity to participate in after-school activities and meetings such as band rehearsals, the art club, sports activities and school dances, where she would not, otherwise, get to participate. But most of all, when she is in ASP I know she is safe and I have peace of mind.

I hope other parents who read this letter will feel the same and consider enrolling their kids. Remember that the school needs 15 parents to commit to this program in order to keep it. This is relatively a small number when you consider the benefits.

L. Callahan

Fayetteville

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