Wauwatosa School District is partnering with a new before- and after-school and JK wrap-around care provider this school year.
Blue Door Academy, a new academic enrichment and before- and after-school care program by the Boys & Girls Clubs of America, officially opened its first site at Underwood Elementary School on Aug. 21 with a special ribbon-cutting ceremony. The event was attended by leaders from the district, the Boys & Girls Clubs of America, and the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Milwaukee. In September, Blue Door Academy will launch sites at the remaining nine Wauwatosa School District elementary schools, along with more than 20 additional sites throughout the United States.
“This is a historic milestone for the Boys & Girls Clubs, our mission, and our enterprise movement across the country,” said Boys & Girls Clubs of America President and CEO Jim Clark. “It’s designed to provide … high-quality out-of-school time, before-school [and] after-school support programs, and services to young people. To me, this is an extension of fulfilling our mission.”
Families can expect “caring, trained, professional staff” and a “safe, supportive environment,” Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Milwaukee President and CEO Jeff Snell added.
This summer, Blue Door Academy piloted its program at Underwood, serving more than 100 children. Before the ribbon-cutting ceremony, these students decorated the walls of Underwood’s cafeteria with colorful, hand-drawn posters recounting their favorite Blue Door moments, which included playing kickball, water play, and a field trip to the Slick City indoor playground.
“I know, as a school superintendent, that the great gap that we continue to see in our school system is because there are certain families who don’t have access to the opportunities and programming that other families do,” Wauwatosa School District Superintendent Dr. Demond Means said. “Blue Door Academy is closing that gap, and I’m excited about what is going to happen to our children and how their futures are going to be changed.”
Wauwatosa School District Director of Recreation Ted Martin serves as the family liaison for before- and after-school programs. He said Blue Door Academy’s impact will reach far beyond the classroom.
“Safe, reliable childcare and enrichment programs are huge for our families, who need to build routines and structures,” Martin said. “That builds a healthier, happier, more connected Wauwatosa.”
For questions about Blue Door Academy registration, enrollment, program offerings, or site-specific information, please contact Jennifer Raymond at Jennifer.Raymond@bgcmilwaukee.org.