Tulsa Public Schools Offering Before And After School Program Through Lottery System

Tulsa Public Schools parents are also scrambling to find affordable before and after school care for their children. The district's free, lottery-based program for elementary kids has a limited number of slots available.

Tulsa Public Schools says it has the funding, the space, and the heart to help. It says the real issue is the nationwide labor shortage. Students are heading back to school for another semester of uncertainty, and some parents are wondering about childcare.

"So, my husband and I still work full time," said Deborah Helms. 

Deborah Helms' daughters are starting at Emerson Elementary this semester. She learned Wednesday that her family was not selected for Tulsa Public Schools' lottery-based "Before and After Learning Care" program. Helms said she's tired of the nationwide labor shortage.

"It's not for a lack of resources. It's literally just a lack of people who are able to do the work," said Helms. 

Tulsa Public Schools is expanding its program at the elementary level from 15 to 36 sites at schools.

"Part fun, very student-driven, hands-on experiential," said Paula Shannon, TPS Deputy Superintendent.

Deputy Superintendent Paula Shannon said there are between 40 to 90 slots at each site, depending on demand.

"Council Oak or Emerson, where we know that there's more demand, work with community organizations as well to help expand the number of seats available," said Shannon. 

Shannon said the pandemic has been unforgiving to families and the district hopes to help to lift the financial burden.

"We committed to making this program free and leveraging some of our stimulus dollars to do so," said Shannon. 

Helms is grateful to TPS for its efforts. She just wishes everyone had access to the resource.

"It's a lot of money to have to invest to have a couple of hours a day of childcare in a place where you know your child is safe and they're being engaged. On top of that there's the issue of transportation," said Helms. 

TPS is holding a career fair next Tuesday in an effort to find workers for its "Before and After Learning" program.

The district said it's working closely with "community partners and The Opportunity Project to rapidly identify high-quality, low, or no-cost options for families and caregivers."

TPS sent the following additional external childcare resources to families in an email:

1. Oklahoma Child Care Locator
2. YMCA of Greater Tulsa
3. Boys and Girls Club

In the email to parents, Shannon also wrote:

"We are continuing to hire full- and part-time youth service workers to support Before and After Learning Care Programs across the district. These fun and flexible week-day job opportunities are a great option for recent graduates, retirees, and anyone who is interested in making a difference in the lives of Tulsa children!"

The positions available include:

1. Site Coordinators: earn a minimum of $18 per hour working 8 hours per day (Mon. - Fri)
2. Group Leaders: earn a minimum of $12 per hour working 6 hours per day (Mon. - Fri)