James DeVita I would oppose mid-week days off unless there is a really good reason and try to reduce these. If the County is going to continue this practice, it should provide coverage for working families.

Julie Farnum Yes, it should be. Parents work and children need to be cared for while the parent(s)  are working. As a single mother, I know the importance of having reliable childcare. It  is incredibly disruptive to have to find childcare that’s outside of a normal daily  schedule, especially if there are many other children who also need care on these days  off or early release days. Parents are competing for limited resources and it’s stressful  and expensive. As a County, we must do more to support children and parents and as  a County Board member, I would work to find affordable options not just for OST, but  also for summer camps. 

Tenley Peterson  As the mother of two elementary-aged APS students and a future APS student, I personally understand the impacts on working families from the added midweek and early release days included in the APS calendar. I know how challenging it can be to find childcare for these days off. As a County Board member, I would work directly with my colleagues on the School Board, as well as with the County’s Department of Parks and Recreation, to support working families through additional camp and childcare offerings. As a candidate, I have focused my policy platform on supporting Arlington parents and their children. It is particularly important to me that our most vulnerable communities are supported with childcare during these frequent but sporadic days off.

Natalie U. Roy Yes, I would support expanding OST and Extended day coverage to support working  families. As someone who relied on Extended Day services during my daughters’ elementary and middle school days, I know how valuable these services are to working  parents.   

I understand that APS has a structural budget challenge and that the County budget is also  challenged. Getting our fiscal house in order is a major priority as is evaluating APS  operational efficiencies and inefficiencies. 

Working within the confines of the current fiscal climate, we need to be proactive and  explore more creative ways to provide critical OST and Extended Day services for working  families.  As a County Board member, I would look into how we can partner more cost effectively and efficiently with APS to deliver these types of essential OST and Extended  Day programs.  This could include exploring the shared use of jointly owned facilities such  as community centers, for OST and Extended Day services (where it is not already being  done). The CB could also explore the feasibility of the County shouldering the costs of some  programs to take the pressure off APS, etc. 

Julius D. “JD” Spain, Sr. It has come to my attention that certain families require childcare services during  expanded inclusive holidays when students are off from school. While I  understand that APS has been making efforts to address this need, it is possible  that the demand may exceed the availability of such services. As a helpful and  concerned member of the community, I would like to offer my collaboration with  APS to explore ways in which the County and the school system can work  together to assist families who are unable to secure childcare during these  holidays, while also ensuring that those who celebrate these occasions are not  required to compromise.