Temple Terrace Offers After-School Program

More than 1,800 children and their parents will have to make alternate plans by the start of the upcoming school year now that Hillsborough County Commissioners have voted 4-3 to eliminate the county’s after-school care program.

Commissioners who backed the program’s elimination said the county could no longer afford its $7.5 million cost. That money will now go toward the county’s $50 million budget shortfall.

Commissioners Les Miller, Victor Crist and Ken Hagan all voted against the elimination of the program, stating they had concerns regarding affordability and quality of other after-school programs.

Read more about the vote in this story by Mike Salinero, which appeared on TBO.com July 27: Hillsborough commissioners end after-school program.

There is good news for Temple Terrace families. The City is offering its own option for local kids.

Parents can register their children for the City’s upcoming Fall After-School Program. It’s being offered to students in kindergarten through eighth grade and will run Monday through Friday from 2:15-6 p.m., Aug. 23 through Dec. 16.

The program will take place at the . It will include a variety of activities for children, such as arts and crafts, group games, themed events and recreational sports and athletics, giving kids time to play outside.

The cost is $345, and after-school transportation is available at an additional price.

All program participants must have an annual Rec Center membership throughout the designated session. Session fees do not include the Thanksgiving or winter school breaks.

“Our goal is to provide children with a safe and enjoyable place to be during the after-school hours,” said James Chamber, director of the Temple Terrace Leisure Services Department.

For more information or to register for the Fall After-School Program, call 813-506-6600.