The loss of funding for after-school programs at a number of Lawrence elementary schools presents a major challenge to the community.

Yes, it’s an extra program; it’s not the responsibility of the school district to provide after-school care or activities. Whose responsibility is it? The community should have an interest in taking care of its children, and after-school programs are an important piece of that puzzle.

A number of after-school programs currently serve about 1,000 Lawrence elementary students. Four of those programs — at Woodlawn, Cordley, Pinckney and Kennedy schools — have been funded by a federal grant that is running out. The people overseeing these programs have about six months to secure about $300,000 in funding to keep them open.

They are looking to the community for help; hopefully the community will deliver.

There may be a tendency for some people to look back on their own childhoods for guidance on this issue. They may remember a time when most children were greeted by at least one parent when they arrived home after school. That parent usually was available to take them to piano lessons, Cub Scouts, choir practice or other organized activities. On other days they simply were available to provide some supervision for unorganized play among youngsters in the neighborhood.

Some children still enjoy that kind of safe, predictable after-school situation, but many do not. Many have no parent available to supervise after-school activities. Because many working parents find it difficult to afford care for their children, some may depend on their children to fend for themselves after school. Because they fear for their safety, they may instruct their children to stay inside with the doors locked. The research clearly shows that, despite whatever precautions parents may take, the after-school hours are a prime time for unsupervised children to be victimized or get into mischief.

It isn’t the kind of nurturing environment we should want for the children of our community. They need a place where they can relax, play outside or work on homework, a place where they can feel safe and comfortable. What better place to create such an atmosphere for our children than at the schools they attend every day?

Right or wrong, our school systems are being asked to take on more and more duties that once were the responsibility of parents or grandparents. Where will it end? Is the time coming when taxpayers will be expected to pay for schooling and care for all children from age 3 or 4 through junior high from early morning until early evening? It seems headed that way.

The local group that is working to sustain the endangered after-school programs has scheduled a community meeting for 6:30 p.m. Thursday at the Douglas County Extension Office, 2110 Harper. The group is looking for help and ideas. Anyone who has some of either to offer surely would be welcome.

We expect our schools to do so much for children these days. This is an opportunity for the community to step up and do its part to help.