You might want to consult with the principal in a friendly manner about the reasons why he/she wants to eliminate the after-school programs, then put together a letter from a group of parents asking that the program be continued and present it to the principal.

I think you're probably incorrect in thinking the after-school activities don't cost the school anything. They incur electricity bills, and the may have to carry an insurance bond for the activity. I know our after-school art program was required to have such a bond, and it was taught by the school art teacher in her own room on her own time.

At our old elementary school the principal wouldn't allow any after-school activities in the building. There were no Girl or Boy Scouts, nor sports -- nothing. As the building administrator he had that right, but he never did give anyone a decent reason.

It's frustrating, but sometimes you just have to make do in other ways. Perhaps the chess club could be moved to the local library or another elementary school if your principal won't budge. Remember, while it's extremely frustrating to have to deal with this, the school is not obligated to provide meeting space for non-school activities.

No disrespect, but I think going to the media is overkill. They wouldn't cover something like this. As I said, the school has no obligation to provide after-school activity meeting space for non-school activities.

Your school has to provide the approved curriculum by your district. Contact your local school board and get a copy of it. You and other parents might want to write the superintendent and inform him or her about this situation!! Let us know what happens!
Good luck

The school also probably has to pay its teachers overtime for the time they spend in the after school programs.

It's unfortunate the principal is pulling these after school programs. You can also try to make contact with the other parents of the kids in the chess club, and try to get together with them at a different location.

Our local papers love theses stories. I can even picture the story with a picture of a boy looking all sad in front of his empty chess board. Headline: Checkmate for after school program.
We have these articles all the time where I live.

Does the school stay open for sports though?

The school does stay open for after school sports but they are run through a different program and the chess program is taught be a chess master that the parents pay for. A PTC parent stays at the school during this time although most teacher's and the office staff are still on school grounds during this time too for other responsibilities.

Another point -- In our schools, as long as there's any kind of event going happening at school property (clubs, sporting events, evening conferences, kids staying after for help), an administrator has to be on the premises. That isn't so much of a problem at the high school, since there is a principal plus three vice principals, but the elementary schools have just a principal and maybe a VP. If they can't be there, no one can be in the school. This could be a factor in your situation.

I still don't like the media angle, because it's manipulative. I could see that route being taken -- maybe -- if all other options were exhausted. Going to the media prior to talking directly with the principal is a back-stabbing tactic to me.

I'm a big advocate of going the proper routes when it comes to dealing with people. Don't go over someone's head until you've dealt with them face-to-face first.

wendyt:

You say the parents pay for the after school class. Do you pay as you go, or have the parents paid all monies up front for a semester's worth of classes?

Also, the after school program is probably funded through the school district. As kayrom pointed out, school personnel should be on the premises while programs are going on.

You should speak to the principal and find out why he wants to nix the after school chess club. Does he also want to stop other after school clubs as well, including other clubs that parents are paying for?

If the parents from each club sign and present letters to the principal requesting that their clubs not be closed, then the parents will have shown the principal that these clubs are very important to the students and should not be discontinued.

We definantely want to approach her and ask her if there is anything we can do to change her mind. The parents are willing to stay during the class to help. I'm also going to check our local library or even our jr. high to see if we could hold the classes there. I understand that it is not the schools obligation for extracurricular activites but they sure do make a difference. When sports, art, music, carnivals, enrichement programs, and honor roll banquets all get cut it makes me wonder what all the fundraisers are for.

I am confused...is the issue in school curriculum - or after school activities? They are both so important. When a school is well used after hours it is a tribute - parents and children alike feel comfortable and served!

Kayray- the going to the media was a recourse action if the issue isn't resovled. I took it from the orignal post that they already have cancelled the program and this is why she wanted further suggestions on what to do. I guess I was assuming the obvious that the principal would have been contacted first of course.
As for manipulative - maybe but who cares, this is the only angle that worked when they refused help for my brother with severe dyslexia. The mention of bringing in the media and he was offered full services that week.

If you have some time maybe you and others can volunteer for the things you want your child involved in.

volunteer in her classroom look forward to talk with the board of Education that may help