More than 15 percent of Manteca Unified’s nearly 26,000 students spend as much at least 9 hours a day in school.

They are part of the growing number of families where parental work schedules don’t jive with the final dismissal bell.

And among those 3,600 students, roughly 400 are on campus for nearly 10 hours every school day between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m.

That’s not a particularly startling number for communities like Manteca and Lathrop that are part of the Northern San Joaquin Valley — the fastest growing region nationally for super commuters who spend at 90 minutes or more traveling one way.

Programs Manteca Unified offers for such students — as well as classmates that aren’t latchkey kids before or after school — are part of the expanded learning opportunities.

That effort covers not just the 9-hour day before/after school program offered between 6.a.m. and 6 p.m. but intercession (break weeks during the school year), and summer school.

Essentially, expanded learning opportunities cover anytime outside of the instructional day.

“It’s not child care,” emphasized Candace Espinola, who serves as coordinated for expanded learning opportunities.

As such, the focus is on developing the academic, social, emotional, and physical needs of students.

The programs include Summer Academy for kindergarten through seventh grade, Summer Bridge to High School for eighth graders, enrichment clubs/activities, and tutoring.

There are more than 400 clubs district wide from cricket to jewelry making that reflect the diversity, cultures and needs of the neighborhoods elementary schools serve.

And just because there is an opportunity in the community through an organized non-profit or business doesn’t preclude a club from the list.

At French Camp School, as an example, the soccer club is huge.

It clearly is a sport that thrives in the greater Manteca Unified community through youth sports organizations such as Manteca Area Soccer League. That said, participating in such a recreational sport is not be feasible for a number students based on financial commitments, timing, and/or transportation issues.

Manteca Unified also works with community organizations such as the Boys & Girls Club, Give Every Child a Chance, and the parks recreation departments of the cities of Manteca, Lathrop, and Stockton.

“Students need to flourish and achieve,” noted Assistant Superintendent Victoria Brunn.

It’s that philosophy that drives how the “bonus time” students spend on various campuses are shaped.

The 9-Hour Day School program is a Manteca Unified endeavor, managed by trained distrust staff.

That staff participates in ongoing professional development.

The extended before and after school offerings have poised additional challenges the distrust has addressed.

Included is the need to feed participants.

That means Nutritional Education literally serves breakfast, lunch, snacks, and dinner.

The more extensive use of facilities requires even more coordination with custodial and maintenance services.

To contact Dennis Wyatt, email dwyatt@mantecabulletin.com