Before & After School Care

The Before and After-School Care Programs were designed to provide a comprehensive child-care program for its students.  Activities are non-academic in nature and include creative and recreational programming, e.g. arts and crafts, story-time, drama, music, physical education, science, games, snack, and homework time.  Our Before and After-Care Programs extend the day of the Public School System, and helps meet the needs of parents by ensuring a safe and supportive environment for their children.

The Sharon Public Schools does not discriminate on the basis of age, color, disability, gender identity, homelessness, national origin, race, religion, sex or sexual orientation.

All information concerning a child in the Before and After-School Care Program is of a confidential nature and will be treated as such. However, the Program Director or contractors may confer with school department employees, including teachers, principals, etc. to discuss matters concerning children enrolled in the program.

Before-School Care hours and days of operation are as follows:

• 7:15 AM until the start of the school day
• Before-School Care will be provided during the 180-day school calendar year. We will be closed on “No-School” days. (Refer to our Emergency Day Procedure.)
• You may not drop off your child before 7:15 AM, there is no one on site to supervise them before that time.

The After-School Care Program hours and days of operation are as follows:

Daily elementary school: dismissal until 6:00 PM

Early Release Days: dismissal until 6:00 PM

Children attending grades K – 5, are eligible to attend. The Kindergarten children must be attending either the all day program or the PM program at their respective elementary school, Cottage, East, or Heights. A minimum of a two-day per week commitment is required for the entire 2019-2020 school year.

Staff in the Before and After-School Care Program are well qualified. We offer a combination of licensed teachers and highly creative professionals. Our staff has been trained in CPR, First-Aid, Epi-Pen, AED, Chocking, and Stop The Bleed.

A wide variety of programs will be offered throughout the school year. Sample activities at After-School Care include:

• Arts and Crafts
• Technology
• Cooking
• Cooperative Games
• Music
• Physical Education
• Science/Nature
• Study Time
• Creative Play

In addition to those, we also have special interest clubs throughout the year. There are long-term projects where we learn about a topic of cultural and/or historical importance, or work on developing a skill.

Students will be officially accepted into the program only upon receipt of the deposit and completed registration documents. There is a 5% discount off your total bill for three or more siblings. There is a 5% discount for tuition paid in full for the whole year, before the start of the school year.  Discounts cannot be combined.

FEE SCHEDULE FOR BEFORE SCHOOL CARE
The tuition is based on a yearly enrollment fee (180 days), which is divided into ten equal payments and due the first of each month:

5 Days = $1,100 total; $110.00 per pay period
4 Days = $880 total; $88.00 per pay period
3 Days = $660 total; $66.00 per pay period
2 Days = $440 total; $44.00 per pay period

FEE SCHEDULE FOR AFTER-CARE
The tuition is based on a yearly enrollment fee (179 days), which is divided into ten equal payments and due the first of each month:

5 Days =$3,700 total; $370.00 per pay period
4 Days =$2,950 total; $295.00 per pay period
3 Days =$2,250 total; $225.00 per pay period
2 Days =$1,500 total; $150.00 per pay period

A. A $50 non-refundable registration fee per child is required with each enrollment. This fee is waived for completed paperwork submitted prior to noon on Aug 1.

B.  First month’s tuition is due at the time of registration.

C. All who register prior to the week before school starts, will be able to begin their participation with the After-School Care Program on the first day of school, if we have not reached our capacity before that date. Any registration submitted after a week before school starts is made with the understanding that the earliest the child(ren) may begin the program is one week after all registration is received, and on a space available basis.

D. When enrollment limits are reached, waiting lists will be established if all our space is filled regardless of date, and parent(s)/guardian(s) will be notified if openings arise.

E. Tuition has been established for the ten (10) month period, September through June, and has been divided equally over that time in the tuition schedule.

F. Neither financial reimbursement, nor credit, will be given for a child’s absence due to: emergency days; family trips; illness; religious events; snow days; vacations; or failure to make full use of the program.

G. In the event a child becomes totally unable to participate in the Before-School Care or After- School Care Program due to illness, disability or otherwise, upon written request the Program Director may refund or abate tuition fees. Tuition fees will not be refunded in the case of a child’s absence, delayed attendance, early departure, or withdrawal from the program.

H. In the event a student enrolls for classes in the Sharon Public Schools’ Enrichment Program, neither credit nor adjustment will be given to either After-School Care or Enrichment tuition.

I. The Sharon Public Schools’ Before-School or After-School Care Program reserves the right to terminate a child’s participation in the program if there is a delinquent tuition balance in excess of 30 days.

J. If a student has an outstanding tuition balance, he/she will not be eligible to participate in any other Community Education Programs, e.g. Early Release Day Activities, Enrichment Programs, Family Trips, Summer Programs.

K. Tuition in arrears of 60 days or more will result in a referral to legal counsel to begin collection proceedings.

L. There is a $5 late payment fee for all tuition payments not received on time. Three late payments may result in termination from the program.

M. Parents/Guardians occasionally find it necessary to register their children for additional Before-School and After-School Care Program days. Because it may be necessary to obtain supplemental staff, a minimum of one-week’s notification is required. Payment of $20 per day for After-School and $6.50 per day for Before-School, for any extra day(s) must be made in advance. It is very important that parent(s)/guardian(s) notify their child’s classroom teacher in writing, as to what days their child will attend the After-Care Program in general, as well as any additional days, change of plans, or attendance. This accommodation is dependent upon available space. In the event that a week’s notice is not possible, we will offer emergency care at the rate of $35 for After-Care and $12 for Before Care. Emergency care may only be used twice in a school year.

N. Schedule changes for attendance commitment must be given a minimum of one-week’s notice. Please use email to communicate all changes. You are financially obligated for the first pay period, even if there are changes in your child’s schedule. Two or more changes to your child’s schedule will result in a schedule change fee of $25 per change.

O. For After-School Care our staff workday concludes at 6:00 PM, as they too have personal and home obligations and must be free to leave at the agreed upon time. Nevertheless, a staff member will remain with your child if you are late. Regrettably though we must impose a “Late Fee,” regardless of the circumstances creating the delay, so that we can appropriately compensate our staff. Parents failing to comply with the 6:00 PM pick-up schedule, will be assessed an additional $5.00 for each five (5) minute interval after the first five (5) minute (one time only) grace period. You will be billed for these additional charges.

P. Parent(s)/Guardian(s) who are significantly late four times, that is twenty minutes or more, will be subject to the removal of their child(ren) from the After-School Program. Parent(s)/Guardian(s) who are late six times or more will be subject to the removal of their child(ren).

Q. Tuition assistance is available on a limited basis, depending on financial eligibility. Qualification is based on the Federal Guidelines regarding Free and Reduced lunch. Parent(s)/Guardian(s) must provide a copy of the approval form with your registration material. All information is confidential.

Q. The Tax I.D. number for the Town of Sharon is: 046 001 295. Please make note of this for your records.

A. The Community Education Office must be notified a minimum of 30 days in advance of your intention to withdraw your child from the program. Withdrawal with less than 30 days written notice, results in an obligation to pay full tuition for that pay period.

B. Registration fees are non-refundable, and are not applicable to any tuition balance.  Our programs incur staffing and other expenses based upon the total number of individual student enrollments, and operating costs associated with them projected for the full year.

C. The Before-School and After-School Care Program reserves the right to terminate or limit a child’s participation in its program when, in the judgment of the staff, the child’s behavior is inappropriate. Incident report(s) documenting the event(s) will be filed with the Director of the Program, and parents/guardians will be notified (Refer to our Discipline section). The regular rules and policies, as detailed in the respective elementary school handbooks, are also followed in all Community Education Programs.

A. The After-School Care Program will begin immediately upon dismissal from school on scheduled Early Release Days and continue until 6:00 PM. There are in-school events and activities provided by the YMCA. YMCA staff will be on hand to support the programs on Early Release Days.

B.  On Early Release Days we will provide coverage for your child from their school dismissal time, until 6:00 PM, if it is a day on which they normally attend the program. There is no additional charge for the extra hours that your child will be attending the program.

C. In the event that an Early Release Day falls on a day that you do not attend the program, if space and staffing allow,  you may sign your child up to attend the program until 3:30pm. There is a fee associated with this extra day.

D. Staff development will occur one day a year on an Early Release Day.  Traditionally this day is in December.  We will notify families at least two months in advance that After Care will be closed on this day.

A. All Community Education Programs including Before-School Care, After-School Care, are CANCELED on “SNOW DAYS” and for other system-wide emergencies. There will be NO Community Education Programs when school has been canceled.

B. Because some of our Enrichment Programs are held in locations other than school, Enrichment classes may still be held. Check the Community Education website to find out if class is held.

C. During the regular school day, if students are dismissed early from their elementary school due to a storm, impending storm, or other emergency, there will be After-School Care as soon as the children are released to us until 4:00 PM, unless the Superintendent determines that for safety reasons we close at an earlier time.

D. In the event of an impending storm or other emergency while After-Care programs are in session, we will stay with your child until you arrive.

E. In the event of a school opening delay, Before-School Care will also be delayed. If school is delayed an hour, Before-School Care will open at 8:15 AM, if a 90 minute delay the program will open at 8:45 AM, a two hour delay and the program will open at 9:15 AM.

F. Should you decide not to send your child to a program due to inclement weather or for any other reason including illness, early dismissal, appointments, family trips etc., it is imperative for you to notify the Community Education Office directly at (781) 784-1574. Informing your child’s teacher, nurse, or their school office, will not guarantee that the message will be forwarded to us. Parent(s)/guardian(s) making arrangements to have someone other than themselves pick up their child must contact the Community Education Office at (781) 784-1574. All emergency telephone numbers and the names of contact people for your child should be kept current, e.g. employment changes.

G. Parent(s)/guardian(s) making arrangements to have someone other than themselves pick up their child must update their online transportation release. All emergency telephone numbers

H. Official school cancellation announcements will be carried by radio station WBZ (1030); network television channels 4(WBZ), 5(WCVB), 7(WHDH); and Sharon Cable Channel 08.

A. HEALTH CARE PROCEDURE
In case of illness or serious injury, parent(s)/guardian(s) will be contacted by using the telephone numbers recorded on the student’s Registration Form. If a parent/guardian cannot be reached, we will contact the people listed as an emergency contact. Children will be released only to those individuals listed on that form unless other arrangements are made by the parent(s)/guardian(s).

In an emergency situation where parent(s)/guardian(s) cannot be reached, the child’s doctor will be consulted when possible. If the emergency is life threatening, the child will be transported to the nearest hospital and parent(s)/guardian(s) notified as soon as we can make contact.

Our staff members will administer simple first aid for minor injuries, e.g. bruises, bumps, cuts, and scrapes. Our staff has been trained CPR and First-Aid, Epi-Pen, AED, Choking, and Stop The Bleed. Any accidents or applications of First-Aid will be reported on an Accident Report. Parents will be asked to sign the report and then will immediately be given a copy of the report.

Parent(s)/Guardian(s) are encouraged to arrange distribution of medications so that their child can take the required dosage during regular school hours. EPI-PENs and inhalers must be sent to our Before and After-School Care Supervisor, regardless of whether the same medication has been submitted to a school nurse. We do not have access to the school health office after regular school hours. Children subject to anaphylactic reactions due to bee stings or other allergies must bring EPI-PENs to be kept with us at school, with special instructions by the attending physician for its administration. Only in an emergency situation will our trained staff be permitted to use the EPI-PEN on previously DIAGNOSED children.

Parent(s)/Guardian(s) of children with allergies must submit a complete list of substances, including food, which trigger allergic reactions, and a written description of the type of reaction usually experienced. The list will be shared with appropriate staff members to help limit exposure.

If a child is absent from school, or sent home early due to illness, then similar to procedure for after school sport activities, the child will not be able to attend the After-School Program later on that same day.

B. SAFETY
In the case of fire or other emergencies, children will be evacuated from school buildings in accordance with the fire drill plans posted in each room.

Sharon Public Schools is an ALICE district. In the event of a violent critical incident, we will follow ALICE protocol. A copy of the School Department Emergency Response Plan can be found on the Sharon Public Schools website.

The Community Education Office must have up to date contact information during the term of the child’s enrollment in the program. This would include changes in home or work telephone, as well as those people authorized to pick-up your child(ren). Changes can be updated online in your Community Pass Account.

You must notify the Community Education Office each time your child will be absent from our program. Please call 781-784-1574 before 2:30 PM to report the absence. Many parents wrongly assume that by notifying the school we will also be told of the absence. For every child we do not see on their assigned day we must confirm their whereabouts. Precious time is wasted in locating students who we were not told in advance would be absent or dismissed. In the event of a true missing child we need every second to locate the child.

Parent(s)/guardian(s) are responsible for providing transportation to Before- School Care and home from After-Care at the end of the day at 6:00 PM. It is important that your child is picked up on time. Those parent(s)/guardian(s) picking up their children after the five (5) minute (one time only) grace period will be subject to additional fees. (Refer to our Financial Obligations section, N). Children are released only to those listed on their Community Pass Account. Proof of identification is required.

Before-School Care students may bring breakfast/snack to eat during the program. The school department does not provide food and beverages. Please refrain from sending nut products, out of consideration for those with allergies.

The After-School Care Program provides a mid-afternoon snack to its students. Daily items served on a rotating basis include: portion controlled packages of crackers and cookies, fruit snacks, baked chips, cereal bars, cereal bowls, yogurt, cheese sticks, fresh fruit and vegetables, frozen fruit bars. Children will need to bring their own water bottles for water.  Gluten-free snacks may not meet Sharon Public Schools dietary guidelines. If a child has a specific food allergy; e.g. nuts, berries, lactose intolerance etc.; it is mandatory that we be informed of the allergy by the parent(s)/guardian(s) in writing. Students may bring a snack from home, we do however request that it be nut free.

Parent(s)/Guardian(s) should park legally, not in a Fire Lane or designated handicapped parking spot, walk into the cafeteria, show identification to staff, and sign-out their children on a daily basis. Cottage families using Before-School Care will drop off at the gym. Heights and East families using Before-School Care, will drop off at the cafeteria.  The Transport Release Form on Community Pass indicates who has your permission to pick-up your child in your absence or in an emergency.  The age of that individual must be at least eighteen, regardless of relationship to child.

At each school there is a buzzer to allow access into the building. We ask that parents do not hold the door open for others, so that we may screen each person who enters our buildings.

Our programs include: cooking, art activities, sand and water play, and time at the outdoor playground. Sometimes spilling or staining occurs.

In cold weather, please make sure that your child has a hat, mittens, and a warm coat. In snowy weather, boots are requested. Children are not allowed to play outside in snowy weather without appropriate clothing. We follow the Child Care Weather Watch chart to determine the suitability of outside play. Those guidelines suggest it feel like 32 degrees or higher for winter, and feel like 90 degrees or lower for summer.

For our Kindergarten families it is a good idea to send an extra set of clothing to keep with us, including a sweatshirt or sweater for very cold days. Additionally, there are times where toileting issues require that an extra set of clothes be kept in school, just in case.

Lost and found collections are kept at each school. Any item not claimed by days end will be turned into the school’s lost and found. If the item is of value, it will be locked in either the nurse’s office or the school office for safekeeping. Cottage and Heights lost and found are located outside the cafeteria entrance. East’s lost and found is located in the main hallway opposite the main office.

We follow the regular school rules and policies as outlined in the elementary and middle school handbooks. Many negative situations can be avoided by good supervision and by making connections with students. We believe that the best discipline comes from having positive nurturing relationships between students and staff.

Students respond well to rules that are consistent and appropriate for their developmental age. Child voice is extremely important to us and we will always try to work with your child to reach a mutual understanding about discipline.

Sometimes conflict will arise between students that require a student to take a break. If a child is asked to sit out for a period of time from an activity, an incident report is written up and the Lead Instructor will be speaking with you at pick-up time. We ask parents to sign the Incident Report and then they are immediately given a copy. Incident reports are kept at the Community Education Office.

If an incident occurs in Before Care, and your child does not come to After Care, the report will be placed in a sealed envelop and put in your child’s backpack. Staff will attempt to contact you to discuss the incident. In some cases it is necessary to inform the child’s teacher or principal of what occurred so that they may process with the child, to ensure they can have a safe and productive day.

In the case of a physical altercation between children, parents will be notified and given a choice of picking up their child immediately, or having their child serve a detention. Detentions involve staying at the program, but not being allowed to participate in the afternoon activities. Students may read, do homework, or draw, but they will not be allowed to socialize. This decision will be made between the Lead Instructor and the parent.

In the case where a child is very intentional in their harming (physically, verbally, or mentally) of another child, or it is a repeated offense; parents will be notified that the child will serve a suspension. Multiple suspensions will result in termination from the program.

Students who make credible threats of violence against themselves or against others, will be asked to obtain a safety evaluation by a licensed doctor or social worker, before they may return to the program.

The Before and After-School Care Program abides by the same policies and mandates in reporting child abuse and neglect (Chapter 119, Section 51A), which are followed by the Sharon Public Schools.