'Crash Zone' Offers After School Activities For Families Who Need It Most

With a desire to better serve their community, the West Valley Presbyterian Church once again offers a free after school program for middle school students called “Crash Zone”, which meets Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 3 to 5:30 p.m.

Registration for the 2012-2013 school year has begun, and it’s as simple as sending in the attached registration form into the program’s office.

Crash Zone begins Aug. 21 and follows the Cupertino Union School District's schedule. Don't worry about the short notice as parents can bring registration form when dropping off their student and the Crash Zone staff will welcome them into the program that day.

Launched in January, the goal of the program was to provide child care to all interested families but, as church’s press release stated, the church found itself “particularly aware” of the needs of families during a career and personal transition.  

“Childcare can be expensive and these families are often the most in need of this service,” read the church’s release. “Our hope is that this free program will provide relief to these families, even if only reducing their childcare cost through other programs to two days a week.”

Located on the church ground, next to Cupertino’s Hyde Middle School and across the street from the Safeway on Miller/Wolfe, Crash Zone offers both the facilities and guidance for Middle-Schoolers to do their homework and participate in active games and engaging crafts. The program also has video games and board games for those rainy days when they come.

All members of the staff have gone through a background check and some are former educators or healthcare professionals.

Since timing can be tricky for both students and parents, Crash Zone offers a flexible check-in system that gives parents a sense of security but also allows students to drop-in, and out, when they can.

"Many other programs are very rigid about their attendance policy and this often can place a burden on families," said Matt Hall, director of youth ministries. "We try to be as flexible as possible because we believe that it best serves families."

Simply indicate if your child will be participating on a drop-in basis at the time of registration and let the church’s program director know via email by noon of that day if the child will be dropped off. The program also allows for parents to be notified with either a call or text when their child is released so parents know when to expect their kids home.

Parents are also encouraged to email the program director with a list of assignments if their child needs extra accountability.

"Last year I had parents e-mailing me their child’s homework assignments so we could provide accountability," Hall said.

And the program is open to everyone, not only members of their church.

"Because we are a church there is an assumption that this program includes Christian Education," said Hall. "Students are made aware of our Christian Education and Youth Ministry programs but there is no pressure to attend."

Hall elaborated that his church believes strongly in both children and community service and this program "falls within our sweet spot."

Registration information can be found on the church’s website at www.wvpc.org/crash.

For more information about the program, contact Matt Hall by phone, 408.252.1365 or email, matt@wvpc.org