St. Patrick’s Before and After School Program
Philosophy, Goals and Eligibility:
This program has been created to serve all families with children in Preschool thru 8th Grade enrolled at St. Patrick’s School. As we strive in our efforts to help your children grow spiritually and academically, we will provide a safe, positive and enjoyable environment for your child.
Right to Amend:
The program director reserves the right to amend this handbook at any time. If amendments to the handbook are made, each registered family will receive a notice of the amendment and will be asked to attach it to their existing handbook. In the unlikely event that fees or hours of operation change during the school year, a 30-day notice will be given, (unless to extend hours).
Enrollment Procedures:
All school students must be enrolled in the program and must fill out the Before and After School Care Enrollment Form. Families need to enroll each year. There is no cost to enroll in the program.
Hours of Operation:
The program will be available to your child every day school is in session, from 7:00 to 7:45am. On a normal school day after school all students will go outside from 3:20 to 3:30pm and the program will begin upon their arrival back in school at 3:30pm and last until 6:00pm. On early dismissal days when students are dismissed at 1:00pm, after school care will begin at 1:10pm and go until 6:00pm that day. This will include unforeseen early dismissals, such as weather related closings. All students who are at school before 7:45am and after 3:30pm will be required to be in the Before and After School Care Program room.
The program will not be available for your child(ren) on the days school is not is session.
Program Structure:
Our program is a supervised play/recreational program. The type of play encouraged in our program is not structured. One of the goals for after school care is to foster language and social development of all children. There will be physical activity and down time. Students will be fed a healthy, nutritious snack, followed by physical activity outside on the playground when the weather permits. In case of inclement weather, students will go to the gym. After physical activity, students will engage in quiet games individually or in small groups. Students will be encouraged to work on homework, but we will not take the responsibility of the homework from the child.
The rules of discipline are the same as the school rules. If students fail to follow school rules, the situation will be discussed with parents and a solution will be determined.
When a serious offense occurs, your student will receive a written incident report written by the teacher who witnesses the incident. After 3 incident reports, your child will not be allowed to attend after school care for 1 day. If your child receives 3 additional reports, they will be suspended from after school care for 1 week. Any more additional reports after that will be reviewed on a case by case basis. Suitable disciplinary consequences will be administered up to and including the possibility of a permanent suspension from after school care. When having someone other than the parent pick up your child(ren), a written notice on the enrollment form, in person, or by email must be submitted to a staff member. This individual may be asked to present a photo I.D. to prove their identification.
Fees:
The fee for the program is $1.00 for every 15 minute period your is in the program (up to 2 children), and $2.00 flat daily fee for the third child in the same family. Subsequent children will not be charged. You will be charged ONLY for the minutes the child is actually in attendance in 15 minute increments. Children who do not regularly attend the program are welcome to drop-in any day.
A statement will be given to your child each Friday outlining the amount due for the care provided the previous Friday through Thursday. Payment is due at that time. If payment is not received before the next Thursday, your next statement on the subsequent Friday will show the “past due amount”, the “current amount” and a $10.00 late fee. On that Friday, your statement must be paid in full, including all late fees.
If your child is not picked up by 6:00pm, there will be an extra $5.00 fee for every 10 minutes you are late. The staff person on duty will stay with the child (ren) until parents arrive to pick up their child(ren). Please call the church office if there is an emergency and you cannot arrive before 6:00pm (402) 466-2752.
Center Policies:
ILLNESS: If a child becomes ill while in the care of the Before and After School Care Program, parents will be called to come and pick up the child right away. The child must be fever free for 24 hours before they are able to attend Before and After School Care. In the event of contagious infections/illness, children cannot attend after school care until released by a doctor.
DISASTER PLAN: In the event of a natural or man-made disaster, such as carbon monoxide, gas leak, fire, tornado, flood, etc. students will evacuate the building. Parents will be contacted to come and pick up their children based on information from their enrollment forms.
COMMUNICATION: In the event of a grievance, concern, or question about any aspect of the St. Patrick’s Before and After School Care Program, please speak to one of the staff members. If all other avenues of resolution have failed, contact Fr. Schweiger at the rectory, (402) 466-2752.