EAST LAKE FAMILY YMCA. After School Parent Handbook. East Lake Family YMCA 275 E. Lake Blvd. Atlanta, GA

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1 EAST LAKE FAMILY YMCA After School Parent Handbook East Lake Family YMCA 275 E. Lake Blvd. Atlanta, GA

2 Mission Your YMCA, reflecting its Judeo-Christian heritage, is an association of volunteers, members and staff open to and serving all, providing programs and services which develop spirit, mind, and body. Assistance is available based on need. The YMCA actively wants to identify and involve those in need. What Is YMCA Afterschool Program? It is an after school child care program which is held at your elementary school and/or branch. It is administered by your local YMCA in partnership with City of Atlanta Schools. Afterschool YMCA provides children with the opportunity to participate in a variety of activities which benefit them emotionally and physically. The program is designed to accommodate children from different age groups. Ages: 4 years old - 12 years old Hours: School dismissal 6:30pm What are the Goals of the YMCA Child Care? We, as YMCA employees and volunteers have the capacity, creativity, and imagination to respond to the complex needs of families today. Through the Afterschool Program, we are acting on our commitment to family, life, not as a special project, but rather as a core program of the future. Our daily practice and interaction with children reflect to the YMCA purpose and goals for the after school program. Our Purpose: The East Lake Family YMCA strongly believes that the purpose to our Afterschool program is to develop self-esteem in all children who participate in the YMCA program. We do this by providing quality child care in a safe, creative environment that provides opportunities and experiences which stimulate the child s spiritual, physical, social, intellectual and emotional growth. Our Goals 1. To help children develop to the fullest of their potential 2. To strengthen the family unit 3. To provide a fun, safe and caring environment 4. To provide a growth-oriented experience based on each child s needs and abilities Contact Person: Youth and Teen Director, Diane Armstrong-Stuckey Youth Coordinator, Demetria Troy Afterschool Central Office East Lake Family YMCA 275 East Lake Blvd. Atlanta, GA

3 Days Schools are CLOSED: Afterschool DOES NOT provide service on days that school is closed or on early release days. Holiday Camp: Holiday camp will be provided during Winter and Spring Break at the East Lake Family YMCA, However, there must be at least twenty (20) participates in order to have Holiday Camp. Holiday camp is a different program and fees vary. Please inquire at East Lake YMCA for the cost of this program. Afterschool School Site *Toomer Elementary Transportation There is no transportation provided. Fees: A safe reliable after-school program doesn t have to cost a fortune. AFTERSCHOOL is affordable to everyone. To enroll there is an annual non-refundable program membership fee of $40. The standard fee is $69.00 per week. Parents may apply for Sliding Fee rates based on the rate schedule listed below. All individuals who choose to register for the Reduced Sliding Fee rates MUST provide information to verify household income (i.e. 2 current check stub, W-4) SPACES ARE LIMITED. ANNUAL INCOME WEEKLY FEE Under $20,000 $59 $20,001 - $25,000 $64 $25,001 - $30,000 $69 $30,001 and above $74 Withdrawals: The Afterschool Program requires a one (1) week written notice of a child s withdrawal. Upon Directors verification, your letter will authorize billing, if any, for the unpaid balance of fees. Families not giving two (1) week notice will be billed for any outstanding balances. FEES: Weekly fees are due in advance. Payments are due on Friday before the week of service. Families for whom payments are received after 5:00pm on Monday will be charged a late payment fee of $ PAYMENT OPTIONS; Check or money order only, Please make payable to East Lake YMCA (you may pay on site to the East Lake YMCA staff). Always indicate the name of your child, the week of the service, and the school they attend in the memo-section of the check or money order to assure proper credit. A current phone number must written on all checks received. You may also pay with credit card at the East Lake YMCA location. For your convenience, we encourage you to take advantage of our automatic draft. An automatic draft can be set up from your bank or credit card account. Please contact East Lake YMCA today to take advantage of this great easy payment option. You may also setup an online account to pay online. 3

4 CASH: For your protection, please DO NOT pay weekly fees in cash CREDITS: The FULL weekly rate is required if child attends at least 3 days in the week. A $20 per day rate applies if child attends 1 or 2 days. Credits are not given for 1 or 2 days not used. PICK-UP AUTHORIZATION: Participants must be signed out by an authorized person listed in enrollment pack. Individual must be at least 18 years old to pick up child. LATE PICK-UP: The after school program ends promptly at 6:30pm, there will be a late fee of $1 per minute for late pick up. Emergency Information: On days when Atlanta Public School System CLOSES EARLY BECAUSE OF HAZARDOUS WEATHER or any other emergency situation, the YMCA Afterschool Program is NOT OFFERED. It is the parent / guardian s responsibility to be aware of the early school dismissal and to make suitable pickup arrangements. For further information regarding weather and other emergencies, consult your school s registration information. Illness: The East Lake Family YMCA is concerned about the health and welfare of each child. Unfortunately, we are not equipped to provide for sick children. Please do not send children to afterschool if they are ill. If your child becomes ill while at afterschool, we require that the child be picked up as soon as possible. ACCIDENT: Our goal at each Afterschool site is to minimize accidents through various safety program, routine good maintenance, and consistent supervision of children. However, should an accident occur, we request your understanding and cooperation in this way. IT WILL BE THE PARENT S RESPONSIBILITY TO CARRY PRIMARY ACCIDENT INSURANCE FOR THE CHILD. Drop In Care: We do not encourage this service, because our goal is developmental care and not custodial. If space is available and service is needed, we will provide service at a cost of $20 per day. However, child MUST become a program member prior to utilizing the service. Fee for program membership is $40. Homework / Study Time: A period of time is scheduled each day for children to prepare and study homework. Assistance is provided as needed, when staff is made aware that the student does have homework. Students are encouraged but not forced to complete homework during the Afterschool program. Children are required to work on something academic during this time. Snacks: Snacks are prepared by each School Dietitian and served by the Afterschool staff daily, usually between 3:00pm and 4:00pm. 4

5 Field Trips: When field trips are scheduled, you will be made aware at least one (1) week prior. In some cases an additional fee may be charged. Conduct Policies: Our goal is for each child to enjoy the activities planned by understanding that he/she is responsible for his/her actions. With prior knowledge of our rules of safety and good conduct, each child should be made aware of the importance of exercising self-discipline that the Afterschool Staff is here to help. Inappropriate behavior of a few children can spoil the experience for the entire group. Therefore, the following conduct policies apply directly to each child and will be used in determining his/her eligibility to continue as a participant is approved by the Director of the program only. In accordance with the severity of the infraction and the number of times it occurs, a child may (a) lose the privilege of participating in a specific activity; (b) be denied special event privileges; (c) be suspended from the program; and (d) be terminated from the program for: 1. Intentionally and repeatedly going to unauthorized area of the facility, or leaving the YMCA s premises without permission 2. Using foul language and/or being rude and discourteous to staff and peers. 3. Defacing school/ymca property or the property or facilities visited during excursions. 4. Engaging in fighting as his/her only means of solving an issue regardless of who is at fault for starting incident. 5. Bringing or using any illegal substances, including cigarettes, and chewing tobacco. 6. Refusing to follow basic rules of safety while being transported to or from school during field trips or moving from one location to another on school property. 7. Stealing or defacing other children s property. 8. Refusing to remain with his/her specific group in specific areas or on outings; intentionally and repeatedly leaving his/her group and activity. 9. Repeatedly not following rules 10. Not arriving to the Afterschool Program area within 15 minutes of school dismissal. 11. Not respecting afterschool staff. WHY IT MATTERS WHY It Matters Campaign is an annual effort carried out by local YMCA branches across Metro Atlanta to raise funds that support programs for deserving youth. These programs are made possible through the generous donations of YMCA Members and Friends. All dollars raised go directly toward: Supporting the YMCA s Financial Assistance Program, thereby assuring that no child desiring to participate in YMCA Programs is turned away due to lack of funds, Facilitating the continuance and development of school age child care programs, Underwriting the cost of youth physical education and sports Facilitating volunteer leadership and teen development opportunities. The Purpose of the campaign is more than a monetary one. It also helps: Build a broad base of community support among organizations and individuals who believe that the YMCA is important in their community, Enlist a significant amount of Y members and friends who will support our work in the community and the opportunities we have to render services to others, Interpret YMCA values of CARING, HONESTY, RESPECT, AND RESPONSIBILITY in the community, Improve and broaden our programs and services for youth and families. 5

6 The WHY It Matters Campaign can only be successful with your help. You will be called upon the beginning of the calendar year to support the campaign. Please consider making a contribution, then volunteering as a fund-raiser. If you would like to volunteer your time with the campaign, please contact the YMCA office at (404) Thank you for choosing the East Lake Family YMCA as your afterschool provider. 6