When Oakley Union Elementary School District (OUESD) officials launched their Extended Day Learning Centers program at the start of the school year, the plan was to provide parents with affordable, local daycare options at the primary-school level.

“We really wanted to offer parents a safe and positive after-school option,” said Maryann Hussey, OUESD assistant superintendent of Student Services. “And I think we did. This year we had approximately 175 to 200 students enrolled in the program. It’s been very successful.”

So successful, in fact, that when students return to the classroom in August, families will have an additional after-school option, this time for their middle school students.

It’s called Extended Day Youth Centers, and beginning Aug. 1, middle school students at O’Hara Park and Delta Vista will be eligible to participate in the after-school-only program. Operating on the same premise as the Extended Day Learning Centers with an emphasis not only on extended days but extended learning, the middle school version will cater to the pre-teen mindset.

“There will be the same elements as the elementary program, such as tutoring, enrichment classes such as art, music and some drama,” said Hussey. “But there will also be options such as community service and career exploration; especially as they get ready for high school. Right now when I talk to students about the future, they think I’m talking about Friday night. We want to get them thinking about setting some goals.”

The program will be offered after school (noon on Wednesdays for the district’s minimum days) starting at the end of the school day until 6 p.m. Students will attend the program at their regular school site and, as with the elementary program, be served by OUESD employees, teachers and staff.

For those looking down the road, such as Laurel Elementary Librarian Lauri Seeno, the middle school program is a nice option. “This (elementary) program has been a wonderful option for us,” said Seeno, whose 9-year-old son participates in the after-school program. “The program is great and they have a wonderful curriculum. When he gets to middle school we’ll probably take advantage of that, too.”

Sign-ups are currently underway and copies of the Extended Day Youth Centers handbook and applications are available online at www.ouesd.k12.ca.us. The monthly cost of the program is $235 for five days, $144 for three days and $25 for Wednesdays only. For more information, call 925-625-0700.