Burlington Area School District launches Spark Squad summer care at Karcher Middle School

Jill Ochsluager, superintendent of the Burlington Area School District, said the district will run a renamed summer childcare program called Spark Squad from June 1 through Aug. 14 at Karcher Middle School.

Spark Squad is intended to replace the former Summer Rec program and provide flexible, drop-in care for families who need seasonal assistance, Ochsluager said.

"We are excited for Spark Squad to start at Karcher Middle School this year," Ochsluager said.

Lauren Summers, the district's child care coordinator, described the schedule and scope of the program. She said Spark Squad will operate Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., starting June 1 and ending Aug. 14. Summers noted the program will pause the week of June 29 through July 3 so employees can observe the Fourth of July holiday.

"We already have 60 children signed up," Summers said. She added, "We do not fill up for this program. We are entirely drop in based," noting families can enroll as needed rather than committing to the full summer.

Summers outlined flexible payment options to accommodate family schedules: "You can pay per day, you can pay per week, you can pay for the month, or pay for the entire summer. Whatever works for your needs."

The program accepts children who have completed 4K or are entering 5K through sixth grade. Summers said children do not need to live in the district to attend; several enrolled children are from outside the Burlington Area School District.

Ochsluager directed families seeking more information to the district website under the Family tab for registration details and sign-up instructions.

The district did not announce a cap on enrollment; Summers reiterated that the drop-in model is intended to accommodate families who need care for varying periods of the summer.