St. Jude's to open Summer Child Care Program

This summer, working parents of the community will have another option for child care as St. Jude Thaddeus Catholic School will be opening up its Summer Child Care Program.

“Our mission is to provide the youth of Havre and surrounding communities with summer child care to enhance your child’s development of life.” Extended Care Director Alicia Richmond said in a letter to prospective parents.

St. Jude’s Principal Jolene Christensen said that the school decided to open a summer day care because after First Lutheran Preschool closed their summer program she feels there is a lack of day care for working parents in the community, especially for the parents of younger children.

The program will run the same hours as the extended care, from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m, and provides care for potty-trained children ages 2 and older.

Christensen said it will include aspects of the school-year extended care program like arts and crafts but will also provide more chances to get outside the school including park days, field trip days and swim days.

Lunch service will be provided to the kids through the free lunch program at Lincoln- McKinley Primary School or children are free to bring a sack lunch. Morning and afternoon snacks will be provided.

Most of the school extended care staff will return for the summer, as well as one of the preschool teachers, Christensen added, and they are also looking to hire a few more employees for the program.

All employees of the summer program are CPR and first aid certified and will receive Safe and Sacred Training before the beginning of the summer.

Spaces are available and registration is now open to the general public; Christensen said that everyone is welcome to apply. Parents can call the school at 265-4613 with any questions and registration forms and information packets can be picked up from the school office.

The program will run Monday through Friday June 4 through Aug. 17, with an Independence Day holiday from July 2 to 6.

The weekly fee will be $110 per child. A $20 weekly deposit is required with registration. This $20 deposit will be applied to the weekly fee.