YMCA has a plan in place to continue operating Shooting Stars, a preschool program the Superior school district will no longer operate after this year.
The YMCA is taking over the program after the school board voted to eliminate it as an offering earlier this month.
When the board made its decision, the YMCA had not decided how the program would operate or what it would cost. Those decisions have been made now.
The program offers some traditional preschool concepts such as circle time, and letter and number recognition. Students also participate in gym, music and art, said Michelle Starry, the YMCA's Shooting Stars teacher. The goal is to maintain the program currently used by the school district. Classes run during the school year and students get time off for winter and spring vacations.
The Shooting Stars program at the YMCA includes a character building skills component to teach students the YMCA's core values, said Jackie Minor, YMCA program and operations director.
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The YMCA is attempting fill the unmet need left by the school board's decision. YMCA's version of the program will be good for all Douglas County residents who can now participate, Minor said.
"We work hard not to duplicate services," she said.
Unlike the school district program, however, Shooting Stars at the YMCA will feature a rolling registration. Students who turn 3 during the school year can start at any time after their birthday.
The YMCA is adding a swimming component to the program on Thursdays in October.
The YMCA is now outfitting the classroom for Shooting Stars and will hold an open house in August.
Shooting Stars will be held 9:15-11:45 a.m. Monday-Thursday at the YMCA's main facility on North 21st Street. Parents can chose to send their children for as many days as they like. The cost is $9 for YMCA members and $10 for nonmembers per day. Scholarships are available.
Minor said she encourages anyone who cannot afford the cost of the program to apply for a scholarship.
The YMCA will do whatever it can to help them; cost doesn't have to be a limiting factor, she said.
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The program is open to any child between ages 3 to 5, but students must be potty trained. Registration is now open. Shooting Stars applications and scholarship applications are available at the YMCA, 9 N. 21st St. For more information, call Minor at 392-5611.
Anna Kurth covers education. Call her at (715) 395-5019 or e-mail akurth@superiortelegram.com .
