. LVCS Dragon Zone Family Handbook Before and After School Extended Care and Camps Programs
LIVERMORE VALLEY CHARTER SCHOOL DRAGON ZONE BEFORE AND AFTER SCHOOL EXTENDED CARE AND CAMPS PROGRAMS Family Handbook Our mission is to enrich children s lives through a high quality child development program. We have a commitment to developmentally appropriate practice. Our program puts children at the center of an integrated circle of families, teachers, and community.
Welcome Thank you for choosing Dragon Zone Extended Care and Camps Programs. It is our sincere hope that we will work together in a partnership with your child s wellbeing as our mutual goal. This handbook is intended to answer most of the questions families may have concerning our policies and program. Please take the time necessary to read this handbook and save it for future reference. If at any time you have questions, concerns, or suggestions, please feel free to share them with program staff. DragonZone@lvcs.org 925-960-9866
program Dragon Zone is a before and after school extended care program offered for families of the Livermore Valley Charter School. Dragon Zone offers full and part time- extended care programs for TK-5th grade students, Monday through Friday 7:00AM-8:00AM, 2:40-6:00PM (Closed during regular school or DZ camps hours) All children in Dragon Zone s care will be supervised, in a safe, caring and developmentally appropriate learning and recreational environment. Dragon Zone strives to provide meaningful enrichment to the children s education in collaboration with the Livermore Valley Charter School administration and staff. Kinder Zone is an after school program from 11am-3pm for TK and Kindergarten students from LVCS. KinderZone kids may be enrolled in Dragon Zone extended care at a discounted rate. The Zone is a drop-in style, supervised hangout for 6th-8th grade students. The Zone is available Monday- Friday afterschool until 6:00pm during the school year. D Z Camps and Dragon Zone Extended Care are available to 6th-8th grade students during school vacations. Students who are exiting from 8 th grade in June will no longer be eligible for Zone/Dragon Zone Camps. DZ Camps are offered Monday through Friday 9:00AM-3:00PM during school holidays and breaks. Dragon Zone extended Care is available during camps from 7:00am-9:00am and 3:00 pm-6:00pm. LVCS students entering Transitional Kindergarten through 8 th grade are eligible to sign up for DZ camps in June of each year. PHILOSOPHY Our philosophy is in line with Livermore Valley Charter School. We provide a seamless transition between the two organizations. We believe that it is not only our similarities but also our differences that bring us together in a rich community. We believe that each child grows and develops in a predictable and sequential manner at his or her own pace. We believe that children s intelligence is demonstrated in many ways and that each child has a uniquely different learning style and temperament. We believe that family members are the most important people in children s lives and our program and staff, work to support those relationships. We believe in the wonder of childhood and in giving children the opportunity to discover new things and to express their curiosity. We use a whole child approach to planning our curriculum, activities, and projects, keeping all of the major domains of development (cognitive, social/emotional, and physical) at the center of what we offer children.
HOMEWORK We provide a homework room each day during the regular school year. Students are encouraged to use the homework room as they need it. Homework room is a quiet space designated for working. Students may choose to work on homework in the regular Dragon Zone/Zone classrooms as well. FIELD TRIPS AND SPECIAL EVENTS Field trips and events are an integral part of our programs and your child is encouraged to participate in them. Parent/Guardians are welcome to attend any field trips or special events once the clearance procedure of LVCS has been completed. You will be notified in advance of any field trip and asked to fill out a permission slip prior to the day of the trip. A child may not leave the facility without a permission slip. Buses may be chartered or parent drivers may assist in a trip. Public transit may also be utilized. Some field trips may include walking to the destination. DISCIPLINE GUIDELINES The main forms of discipline at will be natural and logical consequences, redirection and positive reinforcement. All children will be free from any type of corporal punishment per legal standards. If a child s behavior threatens the immediate safety of other children, staff, or him or herself, a parent/guardian will be notified and expected to pick up the child immediately (within one hour). If a child is suspended from LVCS, he/she may not attend childcare for the duration of the suspension. The following behavior is not acceptable: Disrupting the program Endangering the health or safety of children, staff, and other adults. Continuous refusal to follow acceptable rules of behavior. Habitual use of profanity, vulgarity, or obscenity. Leaving the premises without permission. Theft or damage of school property. Possession or use of illegal substances, medication, or possession of drug paraphernalia. Inappropriate sexual conduct. Possession of any weapon. Please refer to your LVCS family student handbook for the discipline procedures and policy our program will also implement.
Enrollment Admission into our programs is open to children enrolled in the Livermore Valley Charter School from Transitional Kindergarten to 8 th grade. An initial new family orientation meeting is required to acquire appropriate forms, discuss policies and procedures of the program and answer any questions you may have. If you are unable to attend a scheduled meeting, please make an appointment with a Dragon Zone Staff member for an individual orientation. It is the responsibility of the enrolling parent or legal guardian to accurately complete and sign all enrollment forms and keep information updated as needed. By signing the enrollment forms, the enrolling individual is also certifying that they have legal authority for the child. California law is clear that parents who have joint legal custody have equal access to all information regarding the child including enrolling the child and making changes to the enrollment information. Court orders are required to prevent a parent or legal guardian from certain activities such as picking up the child or visiting the child at KinderZone, Dragon Zone, Zone or DZ Camps. We reserve the right, however, to prohibit individuals from being on Campus if the health and safety of any child is threatened or compromised. Further, Dragon Zone staff will not be permitted to make copies of forms and other documents or provide testimony, verbally or in writing, about any child, unless subpoenaed by court order. Designated personnel in the Dragon Zone Programs office may review subpoenas. It is not in the interest of any child for the staff to act with partiality to one parent or the other. Young children with special needs may be enrolled in our programs upon collaborative planning and agreement between the family, LVCS and the Dragon Zone Program Director. Each individual child s unique needs will be considered on a child-to-child basis. To support inclusion, specific adaptation and logical accommodations solutions will be examined and reasonable alternatives explored. Modifications to policies and procedures can be made if they do not fundamentally alter the nature of the program and services the programs provide or adversely affect the operation of a program. Services will be offered in the most integrated setting appropriate to the needs of the child. If you have any questions please speak with the Program Director. After all enrollment forms are completed, please make an appointment to meet with a staff member to go over paperwork and discuss any questions about enrollment you may have. Dragon Zone phone number: 925.960.9866 Dragon Zone email: dragonzone@lvcs.org
FORMS The following forms need to be submitted prior to your child starting Dragon Zone: Admission Agreement ID and Emergency Form ER and Consent for Medical Treatment Cards Health History Medication Administration Policy Family/Social History Form Permission to View PG Movies Family Handbook Receipt Accounting Information Form ADMISSION Incoming Transitional Kindergartners/Kindergarteners of students new to LVCS may be enrolled in Summer Camp programs and Dragon Zone Extended Care effective with the first day of Summer Break. 8 th Graders promoting in June, will no longer be enrolled in the DZ Camps, Dragon Zone or Zone programs effective with the first day of Summer Break HOURS Dragon Zone is open Monday through Friday 7:00AM-8:00AM and 2:40-6:00PM (closed during regular school hours) and 7:00AM-9:00AM and 3:00PM -6:00PM (closed during regular Camp hours). KinderZone is open Monday through Friday 11:00AM-3:00PM Zone is open Monday through Friday after school-6:00pm DZ Camps run Monday through Friday 9:00AM-3:00PM (during school holidays and breaks) NOTIFICATION OF CHANGE It is important that the program maintain current and accurate records for each child so that parents or guardians may be contacted in case of an emergency. Parent/guardian will fill out two Emergency Cards prior to enrollment. Two cards are necessary as one is always kept with your child in his classroom and one is always kept in the Program office. These forms must be kept current at all times.
attendance SIGN IN AND OUT It is a requirement that each child must be signed in and out by a parent or authorized adult representative every day in the Sign In and Out binder located in your student s program classroom. We require a full signature and the time to be written on the sign in and out sheet. Failure to do so may result in termination of services. Children will be released only to those authorized persons (16 years of age or older) designated on the child s Identification Form. It is the Parent s/guardian s responsibility to notify Program staff of any changes on the Identification Form. Written notification is required to release a child to another adult not listed on the Identification Form. Individuals, other than the parent or guardian, will be required to show picture identification prior to release of the child. If your child is to be involved in any on site activities or clubs, that are not a function of our program, we will need a signed Activity Release Form filled out and signed. Note: Once your child is released from our program, we are no longer responsible for their supervision and care until they return from the activity or club. ABSENCES Please notify the Program Director by phone at 960-9866 or by email dragonzone@lvcs.org as early as possible if your child is not going to be in attendance. Notification to LVCS is not notification to our program. We will expect your child at KinderZone or Dragon Zone unless we receive notification from you. If we cannot locate your child or reach you in a timely manner, it may result in our notifying the police to file a missing person report. Failure to notify us when your child is absent more than 3 times may result in the removal from the program. Holidays The Following Holidays/Staff Development Days Will Be Observed (programs will be closed) New Year s Day Martin Luther King Day President s Day LVCS Open House Easter (1 day) Memorial Day Independence Day Labor Day Veteran s Day Thanksgiving Holiday (Thursday and Friday) Christmas Holiday (typically 2days ) Two Staff Development Days (TBD) All Programs will be closed two days before Summer Camps (for Summer Camp Prep) and two days at the end of summer break (to allow the LVCS teachers full access to their classrooms to prepare for the first day of school). We will give you at least one month advance notice for any additional closures. Tuition will remain the same.
Fee Policies ANNUAL REGISTRATION An initial fee of $75 dollars is charged at the time of your family s enrollment. An annual registration fee will then be charged each year, to re-enroll your family and to guarantee your family a continuing place in the program for that school year. Registration fees pay for some of the program activities; field trips, administration, and material costs associated with the programs. All registration fees are non-refundable. A re-enrollment fee will be charged any time your child leaves and then re-enters the programs. FEES Fees are established prior to admission according to your child s schedule. Please see the current Fee Schedule online, or request a copy from a staff member. Fees are calculated on monthly basis and payments include minimum days and holidays that the programs are closed. Students enrolled in KinderZone, Dragon Zone, or Zone receive Dragon Zone Camps and extended care at discounted rate. Dragon Zone Camps are held during school holidays and breaks and are available to all LVCS students. Payments are made on a monthly basis, but a biweekly option is available under special circumstances. Payment of fees guarantees a child s place in a program; therefore, no credits or makeup days will be given for any reason. Fees remain the same whether or not the child attends. FEES ARE PAYABLE IN ADVANCE. Monthly payments will be processed by on the first of each month. Please make checks payable to LVCS Dragon Zone. If funds are not available at the time of debit, a $25 fee will be assessed. Accounts 15 days past due may be sent to collections. The contracting parent/guardian will be responsible for all costs incurred for collecting fees. Service may be terminated for non-payment of fees. If services are terminated for non-payment of fees, a family may become ineligible for reinstatement to the program (for one year from date of termination), and the balance due must be paid in full prior to readmission. No credit will be given for illnesses or vacation days. Please see Program Director for extended absences. A 30 day written notice from LVCS Dragon Zone, will be given for changes in fees. If a family is using a program on a part time basis and exceeds their agreed upon number of days, a daily rate will be charged for each extra day services were provided. Dragon Zone is not responsible for billing prior to service. We do, however provide a monthly statement. WITHDRAWAL FROM THE PROGRAM If you wish to withdraw your child from the program, you are required to notify the Program Director by giving a written notice at least two weeks in advance of your child s intended withdrawal from the program. After your notice is given you are responsible for full payment of fees through the final date.
RETURNED CHECKS Checks returned from the bank will be subject to a $20.00 service fee charge. If a check is returned, you will be notified by phone and/or mail and will be expected to write a new check with the service charge added before the child attends the program(s) the following week. If two checks are returned from the bank, cashier s checks or money orders will be required for a period of one year following the last check returned. If a check is returned due to a bank error, a letter of explanation from the bank will be accepted and service charges will be waved. LATE PICK UP FEE Our policy requires that a parent/guardian pay a fee of $30.00 for any part of each 15- minute period that they are late picking up their child(ren) after the program closes. Three late pick ups in a fiscal year may result in termination from center. The late pick up fee does not apply for tuition credit. Health and safety HEALTH We value the health and safety of all the children in our care. Our programs have several policies and procedures to support the wellbeing of each child and to create healthy and nurturing places for children, teachers, and parents. Please read this information carefully and talk to the Program Director if you have any questions. The State of California requires documentation of current immunizations to be kept in every child s school file. Children should be kept at home if they exhibit the following symptoms: high temperature (99 or higher), diarrhea, signs of infections, etc. please contact the Center if your child will be out sick from the program. Notification to the school is not notification to the Childcare Program. If your child displays signs of illness while at Dragon Zone, KinderZone or Zone, we ask that you child be picked up within an hour of parents/guardians being notified. If your child stays home from school, they may not attend any Dragon Zone program SYMPTOMS OF EXCLUSION Diarrhea (two or more times in a 24 hour period) Vomiting (one or more times in a 24 hour period) Fever Eye discharge or pinkeye. Lice or nits. Green mucus from the nose. A draining or contagious rash. Too tired to participate in the daily activities. (Lethargic) If your child is too sick to be in school then he or she is too sick to be at Dragon Zone, KinderZone, or Zone. Dragon Zone policy requires a child to be free from symptoms for 24 hours before returning to childcare. THERE WILL BE NO REFUND OF CHILDCARE FEES DUE TO ILLNESS.
MEDICATIONS If your child requires medications, please complete the Medication Release form provided to you by the Staff. PRESCRIPTION AND NON PRESCRIPTION MEDICATION: All medication MUST be in the original container and properly labeled with the child s full name, date, and expiration date. Legible instructions must be included. INCIDENT/ EMERGENCY If your child has a medical injury at Dragon Zone, KinderZone, Zone or DZ Camps an incident Report will be completed and you will receive a copy. The staff will administer the appropriate first aid. If it is determined that a physician s care is needed, the parent will be notified immediately and instructions from the Emergency Card will be followed. If the parent/guardian or other designated parties listed on the Cards are unavailable, the child will be taken to the nearest hospital for treatment. NUTRITION Our program will provide nutritious and healthy food choices for the children. A balanced morning snack and afternoon snack will supply a combination of food in the amounts children will eat and enjoy. All children must bring lunch from home during the summer and other days when the LVCS school lunch program is not available. Please send lunches that are NUT Free to help our students who are allergic to tree nuts. We provide a foundation for developing positive attitudes towards food; understanding good nutrition and forming healthy eating habits. Children with severe food allergies or special nutritional needs will be accommodated. It is the responsibility of the Parent/Guardian to notify the program(s) of such condition. A physician s note is requested if a child requires special food or is unable to participate in regularly served snacks. Substitutions will be provided when possible. Child s rights In our Program, each child shall have personal rights, which include, but are not limited to, the following: To be accorded dignity in his/her personal relationships with staff and other persons. To be accorded safe, healthful, and comfortable accommodations, furnishings and equipment to meet his/her needs. To be free of corporal punishment or unusual punishment, infliction of pain, humiliation, intimidation, ridicule, coercion, threat, mental abuse, or other actions of a punitive nature, including but not limited to: interference with the daily living function, including eating, sleeping, or withholding of shelter, clothing, medication, or aid to physical functioning. To leave or depart the facility at any time by parent permission and under the supervision of a recognized guardian or designated individual.
DISASTER PLAN In the event of an emergency or disaster, the following procedures will be implemented: (911 will be called) Please do not telephone the Dragon Zone Office. The telephone will be used for outgoing calls only. Parents will be notified and provided instructions via the school s emergency telephone system when possible. Children can remain with staff members on the premises at the designated emergency evacuation site for up to 72 hours unless an injury requires release to an emergency medical facility. We will have a designated emergency evacuation site if LVCS is uninhabitable, this information is given to you so that you recognize that if there is an emergency, plans have already been made to take care of your children. Signs will be clearly posted at the School giving designation of the relocation site of the evacuated children. Appropriate news media will be informed if possible of the evacuation so information can be broadcasted and printed. There will be a specific area for claiming and signing out children at the evacuation site. Only adults previously authorized on the emergency cards will be able to sign out children. Parent/Guardian Communication Open communication is vital to your child s successful experience at Dragon Zone, KinderZone, Zone or DZ Camps. We welcome your comments, suggestions, and concerns. Several communication channels have been established and we encourage you to take advantage of these or make suggestions. We have an open door policy. Parents/guardians are welcomed visitors at any time; however they do need to follow the check in procedures of LVCS. Communication between parents/guardians and staff is vital in achieving and maintaining a high quality program. We encourage parents/guardians to have informal daily communication with their child s Dragon Zone KinderZone, Zone or DZ Camps teacher. If an issue remains unresolved or needs urgent attention, the Site Supervisor or Program Director may be contacted. Staff is available and open to your comments and suggestions. They are there for you and your child, so do not hesitate to communicate with them frequently. Please check with the Site Supervisor or Program Director as to the best time for extended conversation. Meetings may be scheduled as needed during the year. CONFIDENTIALITY POLICY The use or disclosure of all information pertaining to the child and his/her family shall be restricted to purposes directly connected with the administration of the program. At times it may be in the best interest of the child, for Dragon Zone staff to communicate with the child s LVCS teacher or Administration.
CONCERNS Families who have concerns should discuss them with the appropriate Dragon Zone employee. For many concerns, the first person you will contact is your child s Dragon Zone teacher. Depending on the nature of your concern you may wish to schedule an appointment with the Site Supervisor or Program Director. If initial discussion with the appropriate employee does not result in satisfactory resolution, families may choose to follow the uniform complaint procedure. UNIFORM COMPLAINT PROCEDURE It is the intent of Dragon Zone, KinderZone, Zone and DZ Camps to fully comply with all applicable laws and regulations. Individuals, agencies, organizations, students and interested third parties have the right to file a complaint regarding a Program. Complaints should be addressed to LVCS Dragon Zone in written format. A response will be given within 30 days of the initial written complaint. Other ADULT RULE OF CONDUCT We consider the following adult behavior to be in conflict with school philosophy, which respects every individual adult and child. Any parent or parent representative who displays any one of the following behaviors may be prohibited from participating in a program related activity. No child or adult will be physically abused, including shaking, grabbing, hitting, pushing, etc. No child or adult will be verbally abused or harassed and no adult will use profane or obscene language at LVCS, Dragon Zone, KinderZone, Zone DZ Camps or -related activity No Adult will discipline any child other than their own (including, speaking with a child about an incident without the permission of program staff). No alcoholic beverages will be allowed at LVCS or -related activity. No child will be released to anyone who appears intoxicated. No illegal drugs will be allowed at LVCS, or -related activity. Any prescribed or over the counter medications must be out of reach of children at all times. No child will be released to anyone who appears to be under the influence of drugs. Smoking is prohibited on LVCS, school grounds, or -related activity. Theft or damage of school, LVCS or private property is prohibited. Failure to follow the adult rules of conduct will result in termination from our program. If you have any questions, please contact the Program Director for clarification.
MANDATED REPORTING LVCS Dragon Zone s child care professionals are required by law to report child abuse of any sort. California Child Protective Services shall have the authority to interview clients, including children or staff and inspect records as needed. This may be done without prior notice. The facility is required to make provisions for private interviews with any client, including children, or any staff member, and for the examination of all records relating to the operation of the facility. NONDISCRIMINATION POLICY LVCS Dragon Zone shall actively seek to hire and promote individuals, recruit volunteers and not deny services to individuals with regard to race, color, ethnic group identification, national origin, height, ancestry, weight, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, familial status, mental or physical disability, veteran status or human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) status. With respect to the diversity of children and families that we serve, and in compliance with state law, LVCS Dragon Zone refrains from religious instruction and/or worship. LVCS Dragon Zone prohibits sexual harassment as a form of sexual discrimination. All sexual harassment complaints should be directed to the TVLC Board. CLOTHING While at Dragon Zone the children are encouraged to participate in a variety of activities both inside and out. These activities include running, jumping, painting, water and sand play. During camps we encourage each child to have an extra set of clothes in his/her backpack. All items including jackets should be clearly labeled with the student s name. All sandals must have a back strap for the safety of the children. No Flip-Flops will be allowed. Transitional Kinder and Kindergartners are encouraged to bring an extra complete set of clothes to keep in their backpacks year-round. Place in a large Ziploc bag and labeled with your child s name. This will save us from phoning you at work and requesting a change of clothes for the rest of the day. Dragon Zone, KinderZone, Zone and DZ Camps follow the LVCS dress code policy. (With the exception of allowing wide strap tank tops during summer program) PERSONAL BELONGINGS Dragon Zone is not responsible for any toys, books, jewelry, money, or other personal belongings brought to the programs; this includes clothing items. Please leave toys, electronics, and prized possessions at home. We will have game days, but for all other normal days, it is best to leave these personal items at home.
Dragon Zone OUR TAX ID NUMBER Tax Identification numbers are provided to those who wish to use the childcare credit on their personal income tax returns and to assist individuals in ordering copies of our public benefit corporation tax returns. The IRS requires us, and all other tax-exempt organizations, to permit any individual to review our tax returns upon request at our Administrative Office. The tax return can also be viewed at www.guidestar.com. Our Federal Tax ID# 34-1984585 CONTACT 3142 Constitution Drive Livermore, CA 925.960.9866 dragonzone@lvcs.og Website: lvcs.org