At Charlotte Latin, we believe in educating the whole child. That means providing opportunities that extend beyond the traditional school day to help students grow in mind, body and spirit. Due to the generosity of our foundational donors, the Extended Day program kicked off the 2018-19 school year in their new, permanent space.
Located next to the Claudette B. Hall Lower School, the Extended Day building offers a home for our current programming and meets the after-school needs of a growing number of Latin families. Featuring four permanent classrooms with flexible space for a broad range of activities, the new building provides a safe, engaging place where students can unwind, study and be creative after the school day ends. The ability to expand this programming will help students gain a deeper understanding of themselves and their schoolwork as they discover new skills, spark new interests and broaden their talents.
We spoke with Freya Hamilton, Latin’s director of after-school programs, to understand the impact of our Extended Day program on Charlotte Latin.
What does the new building bring to the Extended Day program?
The double-wide modular unit that we were previously in had only two classrooms. We had to be very creative and time things accordingly to make it all work. Our Grade 3 through Grade 5 students were in a different building sharing cafeteria space with all other divisions on campus. The new Extended Day building houses all TK through Grade 5 students who use the program. There is also office space, teacher workspace and a large storage area. Our hallway has a welcome/reception area, and hooks used to store children’s belongings. Each room has ample cabinets and counter space as well as new flex furniture, allowing us to arrange the classroom based on our activities and the number of children attending.
We are so fortunate to have a building used exclusively for our Extended Day program. The new facility provides increased opportunity for growth and better serves our students and parents. The building benefits the Lower School and other divisions, as they have access to the classroom spaces in the morning when not in use by Extended Day. During the summer, our summer day camps office will use the space classrooms for additional camp classrooms.
How does this new facility better serve our Latin families?
The facility houses all of our Extended Day students under one roof. Parents appreciate not having to walk to multiple locations throughout campus to pick up their children! The building is conveniently located next to the Lower School building, making it easy for children to transition from the regular school day into their after-school routine. We’re also adjacent to our beautiful woodsy playground that is the children’s favorite. The new building gives us the ability to increase enrollment in Extended Day and receive more daily drop-ins. Lastly, we may host more TK/K enrichment activities during the 1:30 – 3:10 p.m. times, when classrooms are not in use.
What is your favorite feature of the new facility and why?
I am most excited that our Grade 3 through Grade 5 students now have a space of their own. In the past, they were in Founders’ Hall. Their space is now in the largest classroom in the building, giving them ample hangout space. This classroom will have an “older kid” feel to it, much like a playroom space would be in their own home. Here the kids can unwind, relax and socialize on the couch, play board games at the coffee table, and work on homework.
Read the full Q&A with Freya Hamilton in the Fall issue of LATIN Magazine
