BUILD LEARN GROW TEEN AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM Parent and Participant Handbook ANN ARBOR YMCA

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1 BUILD LEARN GROW TEEN AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM Parent and Participant Handbook ANN ARBOR YMCA Abigael Davis Teen and Volunteer Director P F adavis@annarborymca.org ANN ARBOR YMCA 400 West Washington Street Ann Arbor, Michigan

2 TEEN AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM The Teen After School Program provides teens with a safe and nurturing environment where they can develop healthy relationships and learn foundational skills through the Y core values of honesty, caring, respect and responsibility. Come join us daily for great activities focused on leadership, teamwork, individual growth and healthy lifestyles. We also offer academic assistance and plenty of free time for your teen to relax in a safe and fun environment. Indoor and outdoor activities, field trips, and service learning are all a part of the regular schedule. Transportation is provided for as many participants as possible and is limited based on capacity. Abigael Davis Teen & Volunteer Director Ann Arbor YMCA adavis@annarborymca.org 2

3 Teen After School Program Welcome, Snack & Attendance Health & Wellness Academic Support Global Learning Leadership Enrichment Dear Parent/Guardian Welcome to the Ann Arbor YMCA s Teen After School Program. We are looking forward to your participation and believe you and your teen will find the program to be engaging, fun and rewarding. Please review the following information to assist you through the registration process. Program Goals Provide a safe environment with caring adults The Teen After School Program is staffed with caring, trained and qualified adults. Staff are trained in the policies and procedures of the Ann Arbor Y and are instructed in caring for the well-being of all participants. Teen After School Curriculum Components Age-appropriate activities are available daily and determined by teens interest and direction for program. Staff works directly with participants to create curriculum and provide activities for all. Welcome, Snack & Attendance - Participants will be welcomed each day to the teen center with announcements, warm-up activity and a healthy light snack. Health & Wellness - Participants will be encouraged to engage in 30 minutes of movement each day. Options and activities will vary daily with access to studios, gymnasium, pool, track, equipment, outdoor games and more. Promote character development The Ann Arbor Y Character Development program plays an intricate part of every Y program. The core vales: caring, honesty, respect and responsibility are modeled by staff and encouraged within all participants. Develop personal discipline and time management skills The Teen After School Program fosters responsible behavior and self management by creating an environment in which activities are presented, but not dictated, and in which guidance is offered to promote self-confidence and youth empowerment. Teen Center rules, activities and curriculum are created with a collaborative effort of both participants and staff. Time management skills are exercised through planning and delegation of time by each participant. Provide social development and emotional well-being Achievement, Relationships and Belonging are three areas of focus that Teen Center Staff are intentional about providing. Participants are provided the opportunity to socialize freely, participate in planned activities and partake in service-learning projects to further community engagement. Academic Support - A designated homework time and rea with academic support from staff will be provided on a daily basis. Resources are available to complete homework, such as computer time, printer and various other needs upon request. Please notify Teen Center Staff in advance should your teen need additional resources. Global Learning - Participants will learn about global issues as they become champions of diversity, inclusion and global engagement. Leadership - The Ann Arbor YMCA is committed to ensuring passionate cause-driven leaders of the future. Participants will gain leadership skills to help individuals grow and achieve their greatest potential. Enrichment - Participants choose, create, and participate in club options on either a weekly or monthly basis contingent upon TASP participants and staff planning. 3

4 TASP TUITION & FEES TUITION Tuition for members: $170 per month Tuition for non-members: $230 per month Tuition is not pro-rated based on attendance days. The Ann Arbor YMCA Teen Membership (ages ONLY) is offered at a rate of $15 per month. With a teen membership, the member tuition rate would be granted to all Teen After School Program participants. The Teen Membership will also give teens affordable access to all YMCA membership opportunities including gym, pool, weight room, work-out equipment and reduced rates on all classes. FEES AND FEE COLLECTION POLICY We ask that all participants pay with using either a debit or credit card. Payments will be made on the 20th of each month for the following month of care. It is the responsibility of the parent to notify Teen and Volunteer Director if there are any changes to the card on file. Fees are due on a pre-pay basis, due on the 20th of the month for the following month s care. For example, a payment for October is due on the 20th of September. Payments are considered late on the 1st of the month. Payments not received by the 2nd of month may result in termination of services. LATE FEES Late payments - if a payment is not received by the 1st of the month, an additional $25 late fee will be charged. Late pick up - Parents may be charged a late fee of $10 at 6:15 p.m. After that, an additional $1 per minute may be charged until the teen is picked up by a parent or guardian. If a parent has not arrived by 6:15 p.m., and has not contacted the Teen Center Staff, staff will contact the emergency contact of participant and inform them to pick up the child. No call/no show - A $10 fee may be charged each time your child is absent from a scheduled pick up by Teen Center transportation and notification is not received via phone call or prior to 2:30 p.m. REGISTRATION & ENROLLMENT PAPERWORK Teen After School Program registration packets are available at the Membership Desk, downloadable from the website and sent via electronic mail upon request. Please contact the Teen & Volunteer Director, Abbey Davis if you have any questions about the registration process. Please complete and return all enclosed documents to the Membership Desk with Attn: Teen Department or Abbey Davis. Confirmation is sent to the address indicated on registration form. Forms to be completed: Registration Form Parental Acknowledgement Form Participant Code of Conduct - Behavior Policy Acknowledgement Form Parental Sign Out Consent Form Monthly Automated Payment Agreement Behavioral Code of Conduct (signed by participant) Permission & Health Form (back and front) First month s payment attached to registration ENROLLMENT The Ann Arbor YMCA Teen After School Program is open to all students in 5th through 8th grades. Teens are enrolled on a first come, first served basis. Others are placed on a waiting list and accommodated as space becomes available. ATTENDANCE POLICY Parents will be asked to submit a schedule for their teen before beginning the program to ensure proper care and supervision of participant. Any changes to submitted schedule must be made aware to Teen Department Director in advance. Absences should be reported to Teen Center by either phone ( ) or (adavis@annarborymca.org) prior to 2:30 p.m. on the day of absence. (Please see Late Fees section of this handbook). Returned or declined credit card fee - There is a $25 fee for all returned forms of payment. WITHDRAWAL/CANCELLATION OF PROGRAM PARTICIPATION Written notice of intent to withdrawal your teen from the Teen After School Program must be submitted prior to your automatic draft date (20th of the month). Payments will not be refunded after a draft has been completed. Please contact Abbey Davis to confirm cancellation. 4 TAX INFORMATION The tax identification number for the YMCA is Annual tax letters are available upon request.

5 TASP LICENSING, SUPERVISION, AND SAFETY LICENSING The Teen After School Program is licensed by the Department of Human Services. The rules of the license are available for review in the YMCA s Child Care office. The program s licensing records are available upon request from the DHS. Our license sets the number of participants allowed in the Child Care/Teen Department. The Teen After School Program is mandated by the Child Protection Law and is required to report to the Department of Human Services with any suspected cases of child abuse, neglect, child sexual abuse or sexual exploitation. Should you have any questions or concerns regarding the Child Protection Law and the program s reporting guidelines, please contact Abbey Davis at SUPERVISION/SAFETY POLICIES No teen will be left alone or unsupervised at any time under the care of Teen After School Program Staff. Participants will inform staff should they need to leave the room at any time and be granted dismissal. Parental consent is necessary for staff to release participant from program to attend a registered class, utilize facility or sign out. In accordance with Michigan State Law, school aged programs hold seasonally scheduled fire drills. It is crucial to the safety of participants that the proper emergency evacuation procedures are identified and practiced. In our effort to simulate emergency conditions, during fire drills, participants are required to exit the building. The fire emergency evacuation plans are posted in each room. In the unlikely event that the Ann Arbor Y is ever severely damaged or declared unsafe, the staff will evacuate participants to a designated emergency shelter to await arrival of parent/guardian. A lifeguard will be supervising the pool at all times of operation. An incident or accident report form will be completed when injury or accident occurs. A copy of completed form will be held at the Y and available upon request by parent/legal guardian only. Administration and employees are required to immediately notify the local public children services agency when they suspect that a Teen After School Program Participant has been abused or neglected. Program policies are created to prevent and protect children from abuse or neglect while in the care of the Ann Arbor Y. TRANSPORATION & DAILY RELEASE TRANPORTATION TO ANN ARBOR Y TASP Transportation availability will be limited to schools in which the majority of enrolled participants attend. This decision is based on the number of teens being picked up, availability of buses, location of school and other logistical factors. In previous years, the Ann Arbor Y Teen After School Program has offered transportation from Ann Arbor Open at Mack, Bach Elementary, Forsythe and Slauson Middle School. Families will be informed of bus transportation sites prior to first month s payment deadline (August 20th) or upon registration to determine if transportation is provided by the Ann Arbor Y from participants school of attendance. Seats on the Y bus are limited and are available upon request on a first-come, first-served basis. Availability is decided based on order or registration and request of bus transportation. Permanent or foreseen temporary changes to your child s schedule should be reported to the Teen Center Staff before the start of a new week. Please instruct your teen to arrive to the bus in a timely manner. In most cases the buses pick up from multiple locations and punctuality is crucial to receiving transportation. If your child does not arrive to the Y bus by the time of departure, the staff will notify parent of absence and continue route. The Ann Arbor YMCA is not responsible for teens prior to them stepping foot into the Y bus. Behavior prior to checking in on the bus is not the responsibility of our drivers. Observing this fact, the Y bus will wait 15 minutes and leave with or without participants. The YMCA staff will notify parent/guardian, but will not return to pick up participant. DAILY RELEASE OF PARTICIPANT Release of participants from Teen After School Program requires written authorization and completion of Sign In/Out Consent Form located in the TASP Parent Handbook & Registration Packet. Participants will only be released to those identified on the registration forms. VALID PHOTO IDENTIFICATION must be presented before participant release. No child will be released without prior written authorization. The option to have TASP participant to sign themselves out is provided in the registration packet and must be signed by parent/guardian. Please read the Sign Out Consent Form. 5

6 TASP A DAY IN THE TEEN CENTER A typical day in the Teen Center at the Ann Arbor Y consists of laughter, creating meaningful relationships, teambuilding, a healthy snack, fun planned activities by both participants and staff, ample time to complete homework and receive help from program staff, and the option to participate in some form of physical activity (dance, cycling, martial arts, gym time, walking on the track and/or walking to nearby local destinations). Each participant plays an active role in creating and implementing new ideas for club activities and curriculum development. Monthly meetings take place between Teen After School Program participants, Teen Center Staff and Program Director to ensure happiness of all. It is our goal to work together and create a space where teens thrive, grow and belong. Cell Phone Usage We understand that at this point in time, cell phones have become an extension to the human form and are used widely amongst all teens and adults. With that said, our cell phone policy states that there is a time and place to use a cell phone. Should a cell phone be used at an inappropriate time, Teen Center Staff will ask participant to put it away. If the phone becomes a hindrance to program goals, objectives and/or create behavior not suited for the Teen After School Program, Teen Center Staff do reserve the right to confiscate a device that will be returned upon check out. All participants will receive explanation of confiscation and agreement to correct behavior for the future will be expected. All concerns will be voiced to parents. We ask that all parents take an active role in monitoring cell phone usage and the risk involved. Bullying of any kind will not be tolerated in any program at the Ann Arbor Y. Should there be evidence that your child has been a victim and or perpetrator, proper action will be taken. DAILY SCHEDULE (EXAMPLE) Time Activity 3-3:30 p.m. Arrival & Snack 3:30-4 p.m. Wellness Activity 4-5 p.m. Activity/Club 5-6 p.m. Homework & Choice Time Resources for Success The Teen After School Program is committed to academic success of each participant. Should your child need resources to complete homework, please ask the Teen Center Staff for assistance and we will do our best to meet accommodations. Clothing We ask that all participants arrive to the Teen After School Program dressed comfortably, appropriately and ready to move around! Shirts with tobacco, alcohol, offensive language or sexually explicit logos or wording will not be permitted. Clothing should be modest; extremely short shorts, skirts and dresses are not considered appropriate and the Teen Center Staff does reserve the right to send a participant home or for a parent/guardian to provide a change of appropriate clothing. Developmental Assets All teen programs at the Ann Arbor Y incorporate as many Developmental Assets as possible. We believe that the more Developmental Assets we can introduce and contribute to the lives of youth, the more successful and happy they will be. According to the latest research, a young person requires 31 of the 40 assets to grow into a healthy, caring and responsible adult. We take this research very seriously and do our best to introduce elements into each program. Swimming: Participants have the opportunity to swim on designated swim days, please supply your teen with proper swim attire and a towel. 6

7 TASP SPECIAL NEEDS & MEDICAL ISSUES TEENS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS It is the intent of the Ann Arbor YMCA to include people of all abilities in current programs and activities to the greatest extent possible. Recognizing limitations due to an individual s ability is important and, with this in mind, the YMCA will make every attempt to adapt program activities, staffing, and facilities through reasonable accommodation, unless the accommodation imposes hardship on the YMCA. If your child requires an accommodation, please contact Abbey Davis. MEDICAL ISSUES Any participant that requires distribution of medication during hours of operation of the Teen Center, has severe asthma or potential life-threatening allergy, please notify Teen Center Staff and Program Director and provide detailed process of distribution in written form. We will do out best to make your child s experience accident and illness free. However, in the event something does happen, we are prepared. Our staff members are trained in CPR and First Aid. We treat minor cuts and scrapes at the YMCA, but guardians will be notified in cases where a teen may need more medical attention than our staff can provide. In all cases of injury, an incident form will be completed and available upon request of parent/legal guardian. If medical needs are extreme and parent/guardian cannot be reached, your signature on the health form authorizes us to secure proper medical attention. A teen who is sick should refrain from program participation on the day of illness to decrease exposure to other participants and staff. Participants with any form of contagious infections or conditions (lice, fever, pink eye, vomiting, etc.) will be sent home and able to return once symptoms subside. Request for doctors permission by Teen Center Staff to return to regular programs may be required. EXTENDED CARE PROGRAM COVERAGE AND EXTENDED CARE Your monthly fee covers 3-6 p.m. on all AAPS scheduled school days within participating month. As an added benefit the Teen Center offers extended care on school days off, half days and snow days. All arrangements to utilize the Extended Care Program must be made 48 hours in advance. Cancellation of Extended Care Program will be made 48 hours before date should the minimum number of participants not be met. Those registered will be notified. SCHOOL DAY OFF As an added benefit, the Ann Arbor YMCA Teen After School Program offers full day care on all AAPS days off (8 a.m. 6 p.m.). This service is open to all TASP participants, as well as Teen Members for an additional fee of $25 per day. This additional fee covers 8 a.m. 3 p.m. timeframe not included in the TASP participants monthly fee. HALF DAYS The Extended Care Program provides care on AAPS scheduled half days. Transportation will be provided from designated schools at time of early dismissal. An additional fee of $15 per half day is required upon registration. SNOW DAYS Snow days are also offered in our Extended Care Program. Should a snow day arise, care will be provided from 9 a.m. 5 p.m., provided Teen Center Staff can arrive safely to work and the Ann Arbor Y is open. Please call the Teen Center at PRIOR TO 8 a.m. to notify staff of attendance. Should the minimum number of participants not be met by 8 a.m., cancellation of care may result. 7

8 TASP BEHAVIOR & EXPECTATIONS BEHAVIOR MANAGEMENT POLICY The Ann Arbor YMCA Teen After School Program takes a positive approach towards discipline. This means that Teen Center staff, Director, parents and participants work together to prevent behavioral issues through positive and cooperative expectation setting, as well as role modeling. Boundaries and rules are determined by both the staff and participants to promote a sense of ownership within the Teen Center. All Teen Center Participants will be notified of rules and regulations on the first day of participation. Should participants have any questions about what they can or cannot do, please direct questions to Teen Center Staff. The Ann Arbor YMCA Teen After School Program provides a safe environment for teens to develop a healthy spirit, mind, and body. The overriding principle of the YMCA s discipline policy is to assist teens in becoming responsible individuals who make good choice and take responsibility for their actions. The primary basis of this policy is that discipline is a function of engaging teens in meaningful and stimulating activities, focusing on positive role models, promoting youth empowerment and actively carrying out the core values of the YMCA: Honesty, Respect, Caring and Responsibility. Though participants are involved in the process of setting boundaries with the Teen Center, there are certain rules that are non-negotiable. These specific policies are listed below. Participant will respect the rights and feelings of all Teen Center participants, Ann Arbor Y staff and members, as well as community members. Disruptive behaviors that interfere with program activities will be addressed immediately and in a professional manner. Aggressive behavior such as physical violence of any kind, verbal put-downs, inappropriate language, and disrespectful behavior will not be tolerated. Participant will follow directions given by Teen Center and Ann Arbor YMCA Staff regarding safety procedures, program rules and regulations. The use and/or possession of illegal substances (drugs, alcohol, tobacco) is strictly prohibited. The Ann Arbor YMCA has authority to terminate or dismiss any person in the building whose behavior classifies as any kind of harassment or abuse to either themselves or another person. Participants and Staff will respect private property and privacy of others and understand that stealing or vandalism will not be tolerated. All participants must try something at least once in order to be excused from future participation. BEHAVIOR MANAGEMENT PRACTICES Should a Teen After School Program participant fail to abide by Behavior Management Policy and/or threaten their own health or safety to others, Ann Arbor Y Staff may carry out the following practice: Take immediate action to discontinue behavior. Separate or isolate individual from situation and promote calm. Debrief with each individual involved to understand all sides of the situation. Staff will initiate conversation as to why choices were made and give a detailed explanation as to why choices are not acceptable. Redirection from activity or situation may be needed. If necessary, a discussion of consequences will also take place and parent/guardian will be notified. If necessary, parents/guardians will be notified of the situation and informed with details and future plan of action. If the severity of inappropriate behavior warrants or participant refuses to stop behavior when asked, parent/ guardian will be asked to pick up teen from program and assessment of continued participation will be made. Additionally, staff will attempt to learn the causes of behavior and do everything in their power to help and understand participants actions and reasoning. TERMINATION OF SERVICES The Ann Arbor YMCA reserves the right to discontinue services under any of the following conditions: Failure to abide by any of the registration agreement conditions as itemized in the Parent Statement of Understanding, or failure to fulfill any of the responsibilities or conditions included in the Parent Handbook Behavior by teen which disrupts program goals and objectives. This includes, but is not limited to, repeated instances of failing to listen to staff, refusal or repeated failure to follow program rules and regulations, or physical/ verbal abuse towards other participants or staff. Failure of parents/guardians to treat staff, other parents or participants respectfully including inappropriate or abusive language, behavior of threats. Teen After School Program follows a zero-tolerance policy in regards to weapons. Any person that uses, possesses or threatens will be permanently expelled from use of the Ann Arbor YMCA facility and programs. 8

9 YOUTH DEVELOPMENT All kids deserve the opportunity to discover who they are and what they can achieve, under the guidance of adults who care about them and believe in their potential. We see every interaction with youth people as an opportunity for learning and development. 9

10 ANN ARBOR YMCA Teen After School Program Parent handbook Academic year Ann Arbor YMCA 400 West Washington Street Ann Arbor, MI, P F Fax www,annarborymca.org EDIT DATE: 1/5/2015