To the School Committee of Sudbury Public Schools,

We, the undersigned families and supporters of Sudbury Extended Day, are writing to express our strong support for the SED program and our deep desire for its continued stability and continuity. We also write to share our serious concerns regarding any potential changes that could disrupt the program, the long-standing relationships between SED and our families, or the model of care that so many families rely on.

For decades, SED has served as a trusted, high-quality, community-based extended day program for children and families in Sudbury. Many of us have chosen SED not only because it provides safe and reliable after-school care, but also because it offers something far more meaningful: a program created by and for Sudbury working families that provides a consistent and nurturing environment where children are known, supported, and encouraged to grow socially, emotionally, and academically.

SED is not simply “childcare.” It is a community of care.

Families depend on the program’s stable routines, experienced and committed staff, and long-standing relationships. For many children—especially those who thrive with structure, predictability, and trusted adults—SED has been an essential part of their daily lives and well-being. The community connection, individualized care, and culture of the program are what make it effective, and those elements cannot be replicated or replaced.

In a recent parent survey, we evaluated how SED is delivering on its mission and providing value to families. The responses from more than 250 families clearly affirmed that SED is a valued, trusted, and high-impact program that families care deeply about. Families shared not only deep appreciation for the program but also clear aspirations that it continue as the community’s extended day provider. A few survey stats to highlight:

• 100% of respondents strongly agree or agree that SED provides a safe and supportive environment
• 97% strongly agree or agree that SED is a nurturing and enriching experience
• 96% strongly agree or agree that SED is responsive to individual needs
• 76% were not aware of the competitive bid process this Spring
• 85% had negative views about the potential for change in an extended day provider

The survey indicated broad lack of awareness and strong opposition from the families who would be most impacted by change, and surfaced many concerns about honoring existing and waitlisted families and SED staff, and about involving community voices in decision-making.

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“I would be devastated and frankly am not positive I would make the switch if there was no continuity of care. I would likely seek out independent or family care.”

“The relationships our family has built with the SED staff are so important. They have seen our children grow and helped support us with neurodivergent diagnoses with care, knowledge, and love that you cannot get from any other program.”

“There is no way another provider could handle the scale of the current SED program. Many families would be without quality care options. It has taken decades to scale the program to its current size, relying on highly experienced caregivers, additional facilities outside of the school system, and quality programming and training programs.”

“We love the current SED program and strongly oppose any changes to the current after‑school childcare provider. The existing SED program, staff, and structure are exceptional and deeply valued by our family. Continuity of care and maintaining the current team are extremely important to us. I would be very upset if the Town replaced SED with a different provider, even if the alternative came with cost savings. Please prioritize stability and the quality of the current program when making this decision.”

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While we understand the need for thoughtful planning and long-term sustainability, we believe strongly that any potential changes must be communicated and approached with extreme care, transparency, and community involvement. Families deserve clear communication, meaningful engagement, and assurance that the best interests of our children are guiding decision-making. We respectfully ask that decisions about the future of SED be grounded in evidence and the lived experiences of participating families and our 625+ enrolled students, rather than assumptions, incomplete information, or the views of a vocal minority.

We respectfully urge the School Committee to:

• Protect the continuity and integrity of the SED program
• Engage families and the SED community transparently in the process
• Prioritize children’s emotional safety, consistency, and well-being in all decisions
• Make informed decisions grounded in evidence and the best interests of those most impacted

SED has earned the trust of this community over 40+ years. It has proven its value, and it continues to be a vital support system for working families. Today, it serves 625+ students across seven sites – capacity far beyond what a new organization could provide within the space constraints of five leased school sites.

We respectfully ask that the School Committee recognize the overwhelming public support for this program and act in a way that ensures SED can continue serving children with the same excellence and care that it always has.

Thank you for your time, your service to our community, and your attention to the voices of families who are directly impacted by these decisions and deeply invested in the outcome.

Respectfully,

The undersigned families and caregivers of Sudbury Extended Day