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Students, alumni and staff urge Lynwood Unified to keep Educare after-school program
Summary
At the June 4 Lynwood Unified board meeting, students, alumni and a former program coordinator urged the board not to cut Educare/expanded learning supports, citing clubs, mental-health supports and a petition with 666 signatures.
Students, alumni and staff pressed the Lynwood Unified School District Board of Education on June 4 to preserve the district's Educare/expanded learning program, saying the program's snacks, supervision, arts and mentorship keep clubs and vulnerable students engaged.
Fatima Marquez, vice president of Firebaugh High School's theater club, told the board Educare is a safe space for students who would otherwise be at risk after school. "If Educare leaves, the clubs will suffer, the sports teams will suffer, but who will suffer the most? The kids whose only safe space is EduCare," Marquez said.
Student Sequeli Rosales, president of Firebaugh's theater club, described Educare's role in supporting music and theater instruction that otherwise would be unavailable to many students. "Educare has built its own community," Rosales said, adding that paid tutors and site coordinators helped students form bands and put on school festivals.
Alumna Sofia Regoza, now attending UCLA, said Educare changed her trajectory and presented a petition she started that drew 666 signatures calling for the program to be kept. "I 1 of my PI Qs is actually about Educare and how they benefited me," Regoza told the board, saying the program provided "snacks, equipment, emotional support" and chances to lead clubs.
Magali Barajas, a former Educare coordinator and founding expanded-learning coordinator at Firebaugh High School, urged the board to allocate funds or pursue other funding sources so the program can continue. "Consider allocating funds or seeking other funds to make sure that these programs stay in the community because they're needed," Barajas said, describing work that began in 2015 and expanded districtwide.
Board members acknowledged the speakers and thanked them for their presentations. A board member said the board would direct staff to continue dialogue with the community about the concerns raised during public comment.
Why it matters: Educare programs provide after-school academic enrichment, supervision and supports that district speakers and community members said reduce youth involvement in crime and sustain extracurricular activities. Several speakers tied Educare to student safety and postsecondary opportunities.
Next steps: Speakers asked the board to pursue funding options and to provide updates; the board acknowledged the request and said staff would be directed to engage in further dialogue with the community.
