After School Adventures Program

 

Coordinated by St. Stanislaus Tri-Parish School

 

PARENT HANDBOOK

 

      The primary purpose of After School Adventures is to provide a high quality school age care program for children.  Within this framework, the program seeks to provide an educational and recreational environment conducive to learning. 

       To fit the developmental requirements, cultural backgrounds, and characteristics of each child, After School Adventures makes provisions and plans for a caring, compassionate, and challenging environment.  The program design includes group experiences, self-selected activities, and an environment to meet the health, safety, and nutritional requirements to strengthen the child. 

PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT

      The program aims to increase children's fine and gross motor coordination through the use of arts and crafts, movement and various educational/recreational activities, games and sports. 

INTELLECTUAL DEVELOPMENT

      By providing challenging and interesting activities, the program facilitates a learning environment where the child is actively involved. 

SOCIAL/EMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENT

      The program provides a secure and nurturing environment where children can develop self-confidence and learn to relate positively to other people.  

 A huge developmental task for children during middle childhood is the development of moral reasoning skills.  The five-year-old does things because "teacher says".  Between 6 and 8, children begin to understand better the reasons for rules, and to understand that other people have separate feelings and needs which motivate their behavior.  During the primary years, children still need a lot of direct supervision, and adult reinforcement of the rules through reasoning and consequences.  Children during the primary years usually do not question whether adults have the right to impose rules, but they are very sensitive to the concept of fairness or just application of the rules.  Children between 6 and 8 tend to think of rules as absolute. 

Between 9 and 12 children begin to understand that rules are a social convention, and that they can establish rules with their peers.  They are at an age when they can be expected to follow rules even when there is no one around to "catch" them.  They begin to be able also to understand motivation as a factor in the rightness or wrongs of behavior.  They are aware that "adults are not always right" and begin to test the authority of adults.  They are developing the ability to think logically, a skill they also employ in making moral judgments. 

One of our basic goals at After School Adventures is to provide a secure and nurturing environment where children can develop confidence in self and learn to relate positively to other people.  During the elementary school years it is important for children to learn to accept and express their feelings, and to develop a self-concept that is based on their feeling of competence.  It is also very important for children at this age to learn some basic social skills, especially how to negotiate and cooperate, and how to accept differences in others.   

 At After School Adventures we offer a balanced menu of interesting activities to meet children's developmental needs.  The children for the most part choose the activities themselves from the selection offered. All experts agree that the most rapid and significant learning occurs when a child is actively involved, highly motivated, and allowed to repeat and vary an experience, all of these characteristics of the "play environment" are offered at After School Adventures. 

·        Active play options help children develop physically and help them learn to devise and follow rules.

·        Expressive art, storytelling, and music help develop imagination.

·        Crafts and constructive play help children develop small motor coordination and develop a sense of competence as they learn new skills.

·        Dramatic play gives children a chance to practice roles, examine feelings and gain a better understanding of a sometimes-confusing adult world.

·        Strategy games and puzzles challenge a child's emerging logical and symbolic development.

·        Science experiments and discovery play appeal to a child's curiosity about the world and encourages them to ask questions and look for their own answers.

·        Reading improves a child's facility with written language and provides fantasy as well as an avenue of knowledge about the world. 

 Enrollment in After School Adventures constitutes an understanding that all parties will abide by the listed policies. 

1.   Their children are cared for in a safe, supportive environment.

2.   They may visit with the staff about concerns related to their child or the program.

3.   They will be briefed about any misbehavior on the part of their child, and will be able to conference with the staff in order to bring about improvement in the situation.

      4.   They will be informed promptly if their child does not arrive at the program according to his/her enrollment information.

5.      The staff will regularly inform them about program activities. 

      1.   Pay fees on time.

2.   Keep the child's records up-to-date.

3.   Pick up children on time.

4.   Follow health policy.

5.   Contact the staff if their child will not be attending on a scheduled day.

      6.      Pay attention to any communications from the staff regarding their child's behavior, and cooperate in efforts to bring about improvement in the situation. 

1.   To have a safe, supportive and consistent environment.

2.   To use all the program equipment, materials and facilities on an equal basis.

3.   To receive respectful treatment.

4.   To have discipline that is fair and non-punitive.

5. To receive nurturing care from staff members who are actively involved with them.

 

 

1.   Be responsible for their actions.

2.   Respect the rules that guide them during the day and while at the program.

3.   Remain with the group and program staff at all times.

4.   Take care of materials and equipment properly and return them to their place when done, or before taking out new ones.

5. Arrive at the Program promptly after school.

 

      After School Adventures is designed to serve students in grades Pre K through 6^th.

 

      After School Adventures provides educational and recreational opportunities in a group setting.  One-on-one care is not within the capabilities of the program.   

 

      Available space will be filled on a first-come, first-serve basis with preference given to full-time participants.  Children enrolled for full time have priority for enrollment, provided the necessary forms are completed and the pre-registration fees are paid where due.  All enrollment forms must be returned before a child can attend.  Registration forms will be completed each time a child is re-enrolled.  Forms are available from the staff or at the office.

 

 

ADMISSION CONFERENCE

 

      Prior to the first day of attendance, parent(s) and children have the opportunity to visit the site for an orientation.  Program personnel will discuss policies, fees, schedules, and needs of individual children.  Parents must have all enrollment forms completed and submitted.

 

      Children will be allowed to attend After School Adventures only after all forms have been completed and returned.

 

FEES & PAYMENT

 

After School Adventures fees help support salaries, supplies, and administration expenses.  Daily Tuition Rate is $6 per child per school day or $95 per month. (2 days/week minimum enrollment)

                                

1.   Families participating in the Idaho Child Care Program (ICCP) will have to notify the program of these arrangements.

2.   If a child withdraws or is discharged from After School Adventures, tuition will be due for the balance of the month.

 

      In case of a financial emergency, please inform the school immediately at 743-4411.  We will try to assist in finding a solution.

 

LATE PICK-UP

      Parent(s) are expected to pick up children by 6 PM, which is closing time.  If a parent will be picking up a child later than 6 PM, the staff must be notified.  Failure to pick up children by 6 PM will result in a $1 per minute, per child fee.  A second occurrence will result in an immediate conference with the program coordinator.  Repeated failure to comply with the pick-up policy will result in dismissal of the child from the program.  If we are not able to contact the parents or emergency people listed on the enrollment form, Family & Children Services at the Department of Health and Welfare will be contacted.

 

 

 

 

 

 

      As the weather allows, the children will play outside every day.  They should be dressed appropriately for both inside and outside activities.  All clothing should be labeled to avoid mix-ups and confusion.

 

      Children’s personal property (coats, clothing, bags, etc.) must be cleared from the site after each day.  Any personal property, which remains after each day, will be taken to the lost and found box.

 

 

In the event of an emergency or natural disaster, the following procedures will be initiated:

 

1.   All children in the program will be kept at the site until a parent or authorized person picks them up.  Staff members are to remain with children until all are checked out.

2.      Should it be necessary to evacuate the children from the site, staff will follow the Emergency Evacuation Plan posted at the school.

 

 

      If a child is on medication which must be taken during his/her stay at After School Adventures it will be necessary to have on file a signed medication authorization form.  All medication must be in the original container with the doctor and/or pharmacist's instruction label.

 

 

      In the case of someone appearing on the premises with a firearm or other destructive instrument, the emergency number (911) will be called and children taken out of danger and given aid.

 

      Staff members are to make every effort to keep a child from getting into a car with a parent/guardian under the influence of drugs or alcohol.  A staff member will not, under any circumstances, give transportation to a parent who appears to be impaired by drugs or alcohol because the program insurance does not cover transportation related to the program in a personal vehicle.

 

      Staff members are to report suspected cases of child abuse and neglect.

 

Although the After School Adventures staff attempts to help the child stay organized, the program cannot be responsible for any broken, torn, or lost personal property.

 

      Children should not bring money, toys, food, or other items not necessary for the program without checking first with the staff.

 

 

      The parent or other individual who signed the After School Adventures contract will be responsible for providing health insurance coverage and paying any medical charges incurred when the child is attending this program.  The school insurance is a secondary insurance that may cover some costs not covered by parental primary insurance.

 

 

RELEASE OF CHILDREN

      Upon registration, the names of the persons authorized to pick up children must be given.  Children will not be released to persons who are not listed on the registration forms as authorized to pick up the child unless the After School Adventures teacher is notified in advance and in writing with the specific date by a listed authorized person stating that another individual will be picking up children.  That individual will be asked for identification at the time the child is picked up.

 

      Parents are expected to sign the Sign-In/Out Sheet daily and to give any additional instructions or special needs of the child to the staff.  Children will be allowed to leave with persons other than the parent only if permission has been given to the staff on the enrollment form or in writing by the parent.

 

ABSENCES

      If your child will not be attending After School Adventures because of scheduled appointments, vacations, or other planned absences, please notify the staff in advance.

 

      If your child is ill, please call the site to inform the staff.

 

      Absentees without prior notification may be mistaken for a missing child and unnecessary concern and time spent in searching for the child.

 

      If a child does not arrive at the program as intended, the staff will contact the parents.  If the parents cannot be reached, the child’s emergency persons will be contacted.

 

 

 

      After School Adventures is open Monday through Friday, school release until 6 PM, from the first day of school to the last day of school. After School Adventures will be closed All School Holidays and early release days.

 

     

      The discipline philosophy of the program is based on the worth and dignity of each child.  The staff’s role is one of strong leaders helping children gain self-confidence and direction.  Limits are necessary to maintain safety, protect health, and guard the rights of others.

 

      Our philosophy of discipline is to take a preventative stance.  Staff will keep order and actively use methods to encourage appropriate behavior by maintaining and establishing a pattern, changing topics, redirecting students' attention, or engaging students in a quiet activity or conversation.  Staff will also be aware of the time students can maintain attention on a project and reinforce positive behavior.

 

      Chronic disruptive behavior is defined as verbal or physical activity which may include, but is not limited to, such behavior that: requires constant attention from the staff, inflicts physical or emotional harm on other children, abuses the staff, ignores or disobeys the rules which guide behavior during the day.  If a child cannot adjust to the program setting and behave appropriately, the child may be discharged.

 

      Reasonable efforts will be made to assist children to adjust to the program setting.  Disruptive behavior will be dealt with in the following manner:

1.      The misbehaving child will be given a 5-minute time-out in order for him/her to cool off and think about his/her actions.

 

2.      If a second, 10-minute time-out is given to the child in a single day, an incident report will be written by the staff member involved with the child.  This report is to be given to the parent/guardian to read and sign.  That report will be returned to the staff where it will remain with the child’s enrollment information.

 

      3.   If a child receives three written behavior-related incident reports, the child may be suspended effective at the end of the day of the third report.  During the first week of the suspension, the parents, staff, program coordinator, and school administrator will meet in a conference setting in order to determine the conditions for reinstatement.  Parents will be responsible for the payment of tuition during the period of suspension, or until the child is withdrawn from the program or is discharged by action of the program coordinator and school administrator.

 

4.      If the child is reinstated in After School Adventures and receives a fourth behavior-related incident report, the program coordinator may suspend the child immediately, including, if necessary, notifying the parent to come and get the child.  The program coordinator and school administrator will decide the appropriate action, including discharge without the right of reinstatement if deemed necessary.  Parent will continue to be responsible for the payment of tuition during the period of suspension or until the child is withdrawn from the program, or is discharged by action of the program coordinator and school administrator.

 

      5.   If the severity of a problem is great enough that it could endanger the safety of the child or other children in After School Adventures, discharge will be effective immediately upon decision of the program coordinator and school administrator who will notify the parent.

 

      A child may be discharged if he/she is picked up late three times.

 

      A child may be discharged for nonpayment of fees.

 

 

      Nutritious snacks are provided.  An attempt is made to encourage fruits and vegetables and to discourage sweets.

 

      Parents may wish to provide a treat in honor of a child’s birthday.  In this case, please contact the staff to determine the number of children to be served and to plan the date. 

 

 

      Parents and community members who are screened by the program coordinator are welcome to observe at the site.  For liability and supervision reasons, it is not possible for visiting children not enrolled in After School Adventures to take part in activities.

 

 

 

      Unscheduled Facilities Closure:  After School Adventures is not available when the school facility is closed due to water main breaks, cooling/heating failure, electrical problems or severe weather conditions. 

 

 

      Television and videos viewed by the children at the site will be consistent with appropriate and responsible role modeling for youth.  Most videos must be directly related to the current curriculum.  If any parent objects to the video, it may not be shown.

 

 

DEVELOPMENTAL REPORT:

 

      A developmental report for your child will be filled out once a semester.  Copies of the developmental reports will be kept in the child’s file and the original will be given to the parent(s).  An example of this report is included at the back of this booklet.

 

ACCIDENT REPORT:

 

      An accident report will be filled out whenever a child is injured.  The report will be written immediately so the parents will receive it the same day.  A copy of the accident report will be kept in the child’s file.

 

INCIDENT REPORT:

 

      An incident report will be filled out to describe any unusual behavior displayed by the child.  Unusual behavior would include items such as passive or withdrawn behavior as well as destructive, aggressive or verbally abusive behavior.  A copy of the report will be kept in the child’s file.

 

      An incident report will be completed for each serious incident.  The staff will discuss problems, as they occur, with the parent(s) and have the parent(s) sign the incident report.  If a child needs to be removed from the program, the staff, coordinator, and administrator will make the decision.  The coordinator will notify the parents of the final decision. 

 

 

      If your child has a known medical condition (asthma, diabetes, seizure disorder, etc.), please be sure the staff knows what to do if a problem should occur during program hours.  Be sure any medication is available and that the appropriate forms for medication usage has been completed.

 

 

      To protect everyone's health and wellness, children who are ill or exhibit any of the following symptoms will not be admitted to After School Adventures:

 

Fever or Chills	Undiagnosed Rash
Watery Eyes or Nose	Severe Cold
Inflamed or Sore Throat	Contagious Disease
Vomiting	Diarrhea

 

      If a child becomes ill, the staff will have the child rest in a quiet area, isolated from the other children, and will contact the parent(s).  The parent(s) will be expected to make arrangements to pick up the child, as soon as possible.  If parent(s) cannot be reached, staff will call the alternate contact person.

 

      A child who does not appear to be fully recovered from an illness shall not be readmitted to the site unless there is a statement by an attending physician indicating that the child is able to return and participate in the activities.  If children have been exposed to a communicable disease, the staff must be notified.  Parent(s) of enrolled and incoming children will then be notified.

 

      If a child has an accident that is serious enough to require any special attention, the staff member attending the child will send home an accident report.  If an accident occurs which might need medical attention, the staff member will contact the parent immediately so he/she can take the child to the doctor or dentist.

      In an emergency, when immediate attention is needed, the staff will call (911) and then contact the parent.

 

      After (911) has been called, it is up to the paramedics to decide what to do.  If they and/or the parent(s) decide the child needs emergency treatment, they will take him or her to the hospital, and the parent or other individual who signed the After School Adventures agreement will be responsible for the medical charges.

 

There must be a current, signed permission form for emergency

medical treatment on file at all times.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The City of Lewiston has approved the program site with a Certificate of Occupancy.

 

 

The North Central District Health Department has completed a Health Inspection for the program site.

 

The program coordinator must have a current teaching certificate.  Teachers and assistants must have experience in elementary education, early childhood education, youth development or related fields and have completed First Aid/CPR training.

 

STATEMENT ON NON-DISCRIMINATION

 

St. Stanislaus Tri-Parish School has a policy of non-discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, disability, or status as a Vietnam-era veteran.  This policy applies to all programs, services, and facilities, and includes, but is not limited to, applications, admissions, access to programs and services, and employment.  Such discrimination is prohibited by titles VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972, sections 503 and 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act of 1974, the Age Discrimination Act of 1975, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act Amendments of 1978, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, the Civil Rights Act of 1991, and other state and federal laws and regulations.  Questions and concerns about the application of these laws and regulations may be directed to the affirmative action officer, 208-885-6591, to the director, Office of Civil Rights, U.S. Department of Education, or Office of Federal Compliance Programs, U.S. Department of Labor.