Greetings from the Parent Board of the Janney Extended Day (JED) program. We are
writing to re-introduce you to the JED program, which has served the Janney community for more than two decades.
JED offers children an enriching after-school experience while giving their parents the security of knowing that their
children are under the care of experienced, responsible adults. The afternoon program’s regular hours are from 3:15 to 6:00 p.m., with extended care available until 6:30 p.m. for an additional fee when needed. A typical day at JED goes something like
this:
·
When school ends at 3:15 p.m., children going to JED meet in the Janney auditorium. Janney teachers
know which kids go to JED and will walk Kindergarten students to the auditorium.
·
In the auditorium, JED staff check in the children and
then accompany them to the playground (weather permitting), where they play for about 45 minutes. JED maintains
a staff-child ratio of no more than 1 to 10, so children are carefully supervised on the playground.
· During playground time, the staff and children split up and some stay at Janney
while the rest walk across the street to Iona Senior Service, located at the corner of Albemarle and 42nd Street. JED has three quiet rooms for homework, a room for arts and crafts, a computer room, and a dance/aerobic room for
classes or special events.
· All of the children enjoy a mid-afternoon snack and then move into a structured activity. Younger children
often are engaged in very popular and creative arts and crafts projects. Older children are strongly encouraged to finish
their homework before shifting to other activities, and they receive homework help from JED staff as needed.
· Parents
can pick their children up at any time – but many of us are greeted with howls of protest when we arrive “too
early” and try to pull our children away from the fun! A sign-out procedure ensures that children
leave only with parents or other authorized adults.
What’s unique and wonderful about
JED is that it offers students a chance to interact and to forge relationships with caring adults in a non‑school setting.
Many of the younger children love getting to know and making friends with older kids they see every day at school. They also
love JED’s field trips, holiday parties, and special events – the annual JED Fashion and Talent Show is always
a big hit!
At the same time, JED helps parents with the daunting challenges of balancing work and family responsibilities. In
addition to reliable after-school care, JED offers full‑day and half‑day programs on days (typically once each
month) when D.C. public schools are closed, or close early, for professional development activities and teacher conferences.
For parents who need coverage prior to the start of school each day, JED also provides before-school care beginning at 8:00 a.m. Finally, JED has frequently arranged for special
enrichment classes during normal JED hours that JED children can attend without additional fees.
