NATCHEZ — YMCA officials are meeting with the Natchez-Adams School District administration to discuss the possibilities of an after school program.

Metropolitan YMCAs of Mississippi liaison for Natchez Casey Custer said the group wants to do more for the community than simply run the pool and recreation fields facility near the high school. In other communities where this after school program is offered, Custer said it’s gone over well.

“We’ve found this is a huge benefit for parents, especially for single working parents who will be able to pick their children up every day and know their homework is taken care of,” Custer said. “And they know their children are being taken care of in a structured environment and not home alone.”

For less than $10 a day, Custer said children would be in an environment that has emphasis on play, both outdoor and indoor. Custer said the Y would also offer holiday and summer camps for students.

The Y is looking to start a pilot in three schools — McLaurin Elementary School, Robert Lewis Magnet School and on the Morgantown academies campus. Custer said the three schools were chosen for location and elementary-aged children who attend other schools but live close to one of the three schools could potentially be bussed there.

“We may not have a lot of seventh and eighth graders in the program because they may not need as much supervision,” he said. “I talked with (Natchez High School Principal) Tony Fields, and he thought these three schools would provide a good central geographical location to the district’s children.”

The Y would hire teachers, teacher’s aides and counselors from the schools to help administer the program, along with a site director. To cover cost of these hires, along with providing a daily snack time, 12-15 students would be needed to sign up. The program would start at the school at the end of the final class and go until 6 p.m.

Custer said the Y does not do corporal punishment, but it would handle any discipline issues that might come up including using timeouts or conferences with parents.

Interim Superintendent Fred Butcher said he believed this program could be a way to help engage students after school.

“Recreational activities are very much needed in this area, as well as affordable child care,” he said. “So, we will continue to discuss our options with the YMCA.”

Butcher said he’s looking forward to meeting with the YMCA officials to continue discussions on the program.

“The district is always seeking partnerships that are going to enhance the quality of life for our students and providing them opportunities to learn and grow in safe and nurturing environments,” he said. “I believe that the YMCA program is going to be beneficial for our students if parents allow their children to participate in the program.”