FAIRMONT– This coming school year the Fairmont Area School District will be offering a new before and after school program. Cardinal Prime will include enrichment opportunities for students grades K-6.

Superintendent Andy Traetow said that the idea of a before and after school program has been a consideration for the past few years. He said the district has looked at some other models that schools in the region have implemented, as well as what some schools in the community offer for before or after school programming.

“Ultimately, we have the facility, we have the resources and we want to be able to offer an opportunity for families that need support before or after school,” Traetow said.

He stressed that the program is not child care, but rather a before and after school program for students in grades K-6. Students in these grade levels who attend the public school system will have access to the program.

The number of spots available will be based on staffing ratios. Right now, it’s looking like there will be about 60 spots available.

“We’re still in the process of working out those final details,” Traetow said.

As for how the program is funded, Traetow said that when the district had to complete an application two years ago to receive the third round of federal relief dollars in response to the Covid-19 pandemic– ESSER III funds– one of the allowable expenses was for a program outside of the regular school day. The district applied with the idea in mind of using the dollars to run the program.

“Going into the 2023-24 school year, we are running this as a pilot program. For the first year, registration will be at no cost,” Traetow said.

However, it will only be free for the first year. Moving forward, Cardinal Prime will operate on a fee-based system. Tentative fees for year two would be $4 per hour– or $14 per day– but these prices are subject to change.

Traetow said the district has had conversations with representatives of the YMCA in the event that they would solidify a presence in the community because the program could turn over into their oversight.

For the first year, the program will be run by Fairmont Community Education and Recreation (CER) staff member, John Bartscher.

Bartscher joined the CER office about a year ago. He came from Nashville, where he had spent seven years running a before and after school program, as well as a summer camp. Prior to that, he spent 15 years out East leading camps.

Through this he has extensive experience organizing activities, planning events and games. He said Cardinal Prime will be the culmination of what he’s done.

“Everything I’ve learned in my life of working with kids, I’m bringing to this,” Bartscher said.

He said that this summer he’s tested out a few programs through CER to see what the kids have liked.

“We’ll be doing things from science experiments to laser tag to scavenger hunts,” Bartscher said.

One of his main passions is social and emotional learning so he said a lot of the program will surround that.

Bartscher, who has family in the area, said he was aware of the need in Fairmont for before or after school programming and/or care, which is one of the reasons he moved here.

“I thought, ‘this is what I do,’ it lets me move home and spend time with my family and be able to do what I love, which is start something like this. I didn’t think it would start so soon but Andy gave me a chance to do it,” Bartscher said.

Cardinal Prime will be held at Fairmont Elementary School from 7 a.m. to 8 a.m. and from 3 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. with pick-up available at any time after school. A snack will be provided after school. Along with various activities, there will also be quiet time for homework after school.

In the event of school being cancelled due to weather, Cardinal Prime will also be cancelled. On days where there is no school, there will not be Cardinal Prime.

“I think it’s something that the district needs. It’s a win-win for not just parents but for kids. What we’re going to be able to offer for kids, it’s not that they don’t want to offer in school, but it’s hard to offer in school. I’m excited for these kids to do things they might not otherwise have the opportunity to do,” Bartscher said.

Information on Cardinal Prime was given out to parents with students in the school district during back to school registration. At 6 p.m. on Friday an informational session will take place at Fairmont Elementary School for those with questions about the program. Registration for Cardinal Prime will open on Monday, Aug. 14 and remain open until Aug. 28 or until full. People can register online through the CER website.