Bring Back Beyond the Bell

Before the pandemic, the Township of Langley offered a 2 hour after-school recreational program called Active Beyond the Bell (ABTB) at the following schools:

Alex Hope
Coghlan Fundamental
Dorothy Peacock
James Kennedy
James Hill
Langley Fundamental
Lynn Fripps
Noel Booth
Parkside Centennial
R.C. Garnett
Richard Bulpitt
Shortreed

ABTB provided good union jobs to rec staff, a more active lifestyle for children enrolled in the program, and an after-school childcare option for working parents and guardians.

Unfortunately, ABTB has been on hiatus since the pandemic struck. But, now that vaccines are being rolled out and there is a light at the end of the (pandemic) tunnel, parents and guardians are wanting to see this essential program come back. Unfortunately, the Township has not yet committed to bringing the program back - even for the Fall. The problem is parents and guardians need to start thinking about Fall childcare options now. Waitlists aren’t getting any shorter and, in many cases, ABTB was the only option. Needless to say, this is leaving many in the Township stressed and without a plan.

Of course, bringing back ABTB is not a cure-all.

Mayor and Council, and all levels of government, have a lot to do beyond just bringing ABTB back to address the need for accessible and affordable daycare spaces in the Township.

That's why, in addition to bringing ABTB back for the Fall, Township Mayor and Council should continue to support staff participation on the Langley Children Committee, and approve the proposed Child Care Action Plan at their earliest opportunity.

If you agree, I would ask you to go to change.org and sign my petition calling on Mayor and Council to do exactly that. Together we can fight against cutbacks that would do further harm to our children, our public education system, and our community.