YMCA CLOSES CENTERS AT 2 SCHOOLS DECLINING NEIGHBORHOOD ENROLLMENT BLAMED.Byline: ALEX DOBUZINSKIS Staff Writer NEWHALL -- In a sign children aren't as plentiful as they once were for the Newhall School District The Newhall School District is a school district in the Santa Clarita Valley that serves the Valencia and Newhall communities within the city of Santa Clarita, California, as well as the Stevenson Ranch community in unincorporated Los Angeles County. , declining enrollment has forced the YMCA YMCA in full Young Men's Christian Association Nonsectarian, nonpolitical Christian lay movement that aims to develop high standards of Christian character among its members. to close after-school centers at two schools. The YMCA centers, where students could get a nutritious snack and help with homework after the school bell, closed at Old Orchard and Peachland elementary schools elementary school: see school. . When school starts in the fall, students will be sent by van from those sites to another YMCA after-school center. ``As soon as the population grows in those neighborhoods we'd love to come back,'' said Melanni Loughrey, YMCA senior program director for child care. ``We're only leaving because there's just no kids there.'' Ten years ago, the Newhall School District had about 5,300 students. After years of rising enrollment, the student population has started to level off at about 6,960 students, and the upcoming school year could be the first time in years enrollment stays static. The homes around Old Orchard and Peachland elementary schools have been around longer than some newer neighborhoods. Children of the families that originally moved into the homes around the two schools have grown up, with few new families to replace them. ``It's just a natural cycle that takes place in neighborhoods,'' said Brian Skinner Brian Skinner (born May 19 1976 in Temple, Texas) is an American professional basketball player who currently plays for the Phoenix Suns of the NBA. A 6'9", 265 lbs. forward-center from Baylor University, Skinner was selected by the Los Angeles Clippers in the first round (22nd , assistant superintendent Assistant Superintendent, or Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), was a rank used by police forces in the British Empire. It was usually the lowest rank that could be held by a European officer, most of whom joined the police at this rank. for curriculum and instructional services. Enrollment has been declining at some schools, but that has been offset by growth at schools in the burgeoning neighborhoods west of Interstate 5, he said. As student enrollment decreases, the district has left several open teaching positions unfilled at some schools. ``It surprises people because everyone thinks of Santa Clarita Santa Clarita, city (1990 pop. 110,642), Los Angeles co., S Calif., suburb 30 mi (48 km) NW of downtown Los Angeles, on the Santa Clara River; inc. 1987. Situated in the Santa Clara valley and nearby canyons, Santa Clarita includes the former towns of Canyon Country, and they think all it's doing is growing by leaps and bounds,'' Skinner said. But other parts of Santa Clarita are growing. Unlike the Newhall School District, the Castaic Union School District expects future enrollment to increase. And the William S. Hart Union High School District is also bracing for growth. The YMCA's after-school program serves about 260 students in the Newhall School District and more than 500 students in the whole Santa Clarita Valley The Santa Clarita Valley is the valley of the Santa Clara River in Southern California. It stretches through Los Angeles County and Ventura County. Its main population center is the city of Santa Clarita. The valley was part of the 48,612-acre (19,672. . alex.dobuzinskis(at)dailynews.com (661) 267-5253 |
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