The majority of some 4,000 District 46 students either stayed at home or their parents found alternative daycare for them on the first day of the teacher strike Wednesday.
District 46 Supt. Ellen Correll reported to Patch that as of about 9 a.m. Wednesday, the headcount for the Champions program being offered at Prairieview School from 6:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. was just 25 students.
Attendance was even bleaker at the Grayslake Park District's "Strike Camp," which runs 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. through Friday and next Tuesday if necessary. Monday is a holiday in observance of Dr. Martin Luther King Day Jr.'s birthday.
"We only have a handful (of students) today, four right now," park district director Jeff Nehila told Patch Wednesday morning.
"My guess is a lot of parents may have taken the day off today. Based on the number of phone inquiries we’ve had his morning, I do anticipate the number of attendees growing in the next few days as parents seem to be making plans for the rest of this week and next week as well."
The Round Lake Area Park District is also advertising its full-time daycare at a cost of $8 to $26 per day or $39 to $148 per week.
"Regardless of whether your child currently attends our Kindergarten Club or School Age Club, we have space to accommodate your needs," wrote marketing manager Marlon Rodas in a press release. Patch has attached the park district PDF to this post for those interested in learning more.
The cost to attend Champions is $20 for up to four hours (lunch is another $3) or $33 for the full day.
The cost to attend the Grayslake Park District's strike camps is $30 per day and $25 per additional sibling.
D46 Childcare Plans in Case of Teacher Strike
D46: 'Fiscal Reality' Won't Allow for Teacher Raises
POLL: D46 Board and Union to Negotiate Again Sunday. What will be the Outcome?
Gallery: From the District 46 Picket Lines
District 46 Residents Turn Out for Citizens' Strike Forum
UPDATED: No Agreement Reached in D46 to Avoid Strike
Tell Us Parents: What arrangements did you make for your students on the first day of the strike. What are your plans going forward?
Angela Sykora
5:33 pm on Wednesday, January 16, 2013
Note: Another student activity option that came in to Patch: Julie J Art Studio in Libertyville has set up special painting classes from 9 a.m.-noon Thursday and Friday for kids ages 7-12. Call (847) 984-0971 to reserve a spot.
saddened parent
6:34 am on Thursday, January 17, 2013
Wow, another organization looking to profit from this sad situation. I am glad to see so few families taking "advantage" of these childcare "opportunities".
Brad Faxton
8:45 am on Thursday, January 17, 2013
Sweet mother of god - grow up.
Lennie Jarratt
6:50 am on Thursday, January 17, 2013
It appears they are trying to help the community through this unfortunate strike,
Wishful Thinking
9:09 am on Thursday, January 17, 2013
All companys are trying to do is help the working parents that dont have anyting to do with there kids while they have to go to work. Or for the parents that have children and Are bord they are trying to find things for them to do. I think that it is a great Idea what companys are doing. Still there is always someone out there to complain about what is going on. I dont think that it has to do with making a profit from this sad situation, it is more like they are opening there door for more kids to have fun,. That is the way that I look at it.
saddened parent
6:58 am on Thursday, January 17, 2013
The park districts and childcare company already at the school, make sense, even if the charges are very high. This company is opening up to gain business. They would normally not be open during these hours. Most families who need care, will need it all day. It is not a full day option, it is a drop off class. There are plenty of places to take kids to do activities that are already open (bowling, movies, skating, museums...) This is for pure profit. They saw an opportunity and are taking it for their advantage.
saddened parent
7:04 am on Thursday, January 17, 2013
Direct from Julie J's website:
Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday
Drawing 9:30am to 1pm Runs 4 Sessions (1 hour each) for $105
Water Color 9:30am to 1pm Runs 4 Sessions (1 ½ hour each) for $115
Acrylic Painting 9:30am to 1pm Runs 4 Sessions (1 ½ hour each) for $130
These are clearly not options for children. They have added to their offerings to make money, not help out.
Brad Faxton
8:46 am on Thursday, January 17, 2013
Dear lord you sour puss
Kristin H.
8:00 am on Thursday, January 17, 2013
Julie is a Grayslake mom with kids at D46. I think it is great that she is offering this. It is something out of the box. I don't need full time care during the strike, but I would love to find something else for them to do rather than watch movies all day. This is perfect and out of the box. I doubt very much that Julie is even making money from these offerings. The supplies need to be paid for, I say good for Julie and my kids will be coming over today!
Kristin H.
8:02 am on Thursday, January 17, 2013
Sad when you cut and paste you neglected to put that she offers kids classes on Sat, so this is not something new. It is just moved to another day to give kids something to do that uses brain cells. Class Offerings *All supplies included
Saturday Mornings – Kids 7 and up
Drawing Classes 9-10am, 4 Saturdays for $70
Painting Acrylic 10-11:30am, 4 Saturdays for $90
Brad Faxton
8:47 am on Thursday, January 17, 2013
It's the tea party way - report on only what "feels" right, not the truth. Trust me, they aint gonna be burdened by facts. Facts get in the way.
Wishful Thinking
8:43 am on Thursday, January 17, 2013
Everyone finds something to complain about. In a parents mind these are ood ideas in others you think about the company wants to make money, think of it this way, it is something for your child to do, if thy are intrested then sign then up , if they are not then thy can stay home, stop complaining about it is a way to make money. Think about it, for everything that we do everyday I is a way for a company to make money.
j
9:23 am on Thursday, January 17, 2013
Higher taxes scare residents and businesses away. We are stuck in a vicious cycle.
Brad Faxton
10:48 am on Thursday, January 17, 2013
That comment doesn't even make any sense.
Forethe Community
12:57 pm on Wednesday, January 23, 2013
350 people showed up Sunday in the freezing cold to support the teachers of their district. That’s:
• 10 times the number that showed up for either of the For Our Children’s Future town halls.
• 10 times the number, on average, that shows up to BOE meetings.
• 5 times the number that have ever shown up for a BOE meeting (in recent history).
30 local business showed their support for the teachers by supplying food, providing parking, providing warming shelters, allowing access to their bathrooms, and donating cash to help teachers that might need it in a prolonged strike. Residual benefits went to local food banks through excess donations. That’s:
• 10 times the number of local business’s that spoke at any levy hearing.
• Equal to the number of attendants at any For Our Children’s Future town Hall.
• Equal to or greater than the average attendance at a BOE meeting.
Actions speak louder than words. I applaud the board for listening to the public. I only wish the silent majority had been more vocal at the levy hearings. It’s too late to do what the public really wanted.