To the Editor:
My name is Heather Tremblay-Croteau and I am the mother of Colton Tremblay-Croteau. Colton is 7.5 years old and is in first grade at Berne-Knox-Westerlo Elementary School.

Colton attends Bulldog Club, which is a free after-school program run by the school that meets in the elementary building after regular dismissal at 2:30 p.m. The Bulldog Club runs for an hour after school and the children have the option to be picked up by their parents at the school or ride the late bus home.

While attending this afterschool program the children receive a snack, have outdoor/indoor play time (weather dependent), receive help with their homework, and are read a story by the teachers that are supervising.

There are many reasons we love Bulldog Club and why it is necessary for our family. Colton loves going as he can spend extra time playing with his friends and with the teachers whom he loves.

He enjoys the activities they do outside and stories they read. We love that Colton can attend Bulldog Club with the teachers we already know, respect, and trust in taking care of our child.

This is so needed for our family as my husband and I commute 50 and 30 minutes away for our jobs. As a doctor of physical therapy running my own practice, the Bulldog Club allows me to see two additional patients each of those days he attends.

My husband works full-time for the Army National Guard and has year-long deployments every few years. If this is to happen, I would be acting as a single parent for that year to two children. Pick-up and drop-off responsibilities would fall solely on me in addition to all other family, work, and home responsibilities.

We have no family/child support in the area and there are no other after-school programs available either at other businesses or in-home. The Bulldog Club relieves just a little bit of that stress and pressure.

The Berne-Knox-Westerlo Bulldog Club is crucial for our family. It allows me to work a longer work day, it is free and does not take a toll on us financially by needing to hire someone to watch our child, and it allows for a little bit more support and flexibility if a time were to come when my husband deploys.

It gives extra time for Colton with his friends, which fosters greater social skills, builds stronger relationships and deeper bonds with the teachers at the school, gives time and expert help with homework, and continues to build that love for learning that is so vital for young children.

My husband, Colton, and myself would be devastated if the Bulldogs program were to be canceled. 

Doctor Heather Tremblay-Croteau, PT, DPT, CSCS

BKW parent