Before and After School Care Parent Handbook 2012-2013

Serving Homewood & Flossmoor School Districts 153 & 161

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General Information Pg. 3 Programs and Locations Pg. 4 School District and Site Specifics Pg. 5 Drop Off/Pick-Up and Late Pickup Pg. 6 Behavior Expectations Pg. 7 Illness & Medication Pg. 8 Payment Information Pg. 9 Days Off and Emergency Closings Pg. 10 Day Offs and Early Dismissal Pg. 11-12

Table of Contents

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Our Goal To create a safe and nurturing environment that stimulates the social, emotional, physical and intellectual development, where children can express themselves, build friendships, grow and have fun.

H-F Park District Mission To improve the quality of life for the residents of the Homewood-Flossmoor Park District community through exceptional recreational op-portunities, facilities and parks while practicing environmental steward-ship.

Staff Our Site Directors have experience in education and recreation. Several staff members have worked with A.M. Club, Kindergarten Adventures & Extra Innings for a number of years. All team members are CPR certified and have completed orientation in preparation for the school year. Our goal is to maintain a maximum student to staff ratio of 8:1.

Registration Enrollment is open to any child in kindergarten through sixth grade in School Districts 153 & 161. It is on a first-come, first-served basis. All children must be enrolled 72 hours prior to starting the program. Wait-lists are started when available space is filled. A registration form and emergency information form must be filled out upon registration. A non-refundable registration deposit and the first month’s payment will constitute registration. Your child is registered for the program only when this is paid in full. This process is completed for each individual child every school year. Participants must be registered no later than Monday, August 20th to begin the program on the first day of school. All registration taken following Monday, August 20th will be subject to a 72 hour wait period. This time is necessary for the Park District to process your registration and communicate with the School Districts, School Offices and Site Di-rectors about your child’s enrollment in the program. The School Dis-tricts also use this time to ensure that your child’s teacher and/or bus supervisor know that they are a part of A.M. Club or Extra Innings.

Office Hours and Information

Goldberg Administration Center

708-957-0300

Monday – Friday 8:00am – 5:00pm

Irwin Center 708-957-7275

Monday – Thursday

8:00am – 7:30pm

Friday 8:00am – 6:00pm

Saturday

9:00am – 12:00 noon

General Information

NEW Parent Orientation

Wed., August 15th Irwin Center

District 161 6:30pm

District 153

7:30pm

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A.M. Club Each A.M. Club Site develops a standard weekly schedule that is distributed to the parents at the beginning of the school year. The schedule will include the planned activities for each day of the week and note anything your child should bring. Activities may include read-ing days, arts & crafts and sports and games. On warm days, children may spend mornings enjoying the school playgrounds and outdoor play areas.

You are welcome to send your child to A.M. Club with a small breakfast from home; the H-F Park District and A.M. Club Staff do not provide morning meals outside of occasional events or activities. Western Ave-nue and Parker students attend Flossmoor Hills A.M. Club and are bused to school.

Programs and Locations

Kindergarten Adventures Join us for afternoon enrichment and fun! Children attending extended-day kindergarten at Willow School are bused to the Irwin Center for a snack and afternoon activities. Your child will enjoy structured activi-ties based on unique weekly themes. Activities vary each week and in-clude singing, art, science, counting, crafts, cooking, story-time and recreational games. Several activities will have both educational and recreational values. We are committed to providing a well-rounded enrichment program for your child.

All kindergarten parents have the option of enrolling their child in both Kindergarten Adventures and Extra Innings. Please see the Extra In-nings section below for more detailed information.

Extra Innings

Extra Innings includes a variety of fun and recreational activities for your child to encourage both active play and creative thinking. Each day of the program will follow a similar schedule that your child’s Site Director will provide at the beginning of the school year. This will in-clude a snack and time for homework every day in addition to varied activities such as art projects, group games and enrichment. A calendar will also be distributed on a monthly basis and will include the weekly or monthly themes, note specific enrichment activities and field trip days and include any reminders for the month.

A.M. Club Locations and Times

Churchill School 6:30am-8:00am

Room A

Flossmoor Hills School 7:00am-8:30am

School Gym

Heather Hill School 7:00am-8:30am

Room 29

KA/Extra Innings

Locations and Times

Irwin Center

1:30-3:30pm—KA 3:00-6:00pm-EI

Multipurpose Room

H-F Sports Complex

3:00-6:00pm Complex Gym

Flossmoor Hills School 3:30-6:00pm School Gym

Heather Hill School 3:30-6pm Room 29

Western Avenue School 3:30-6pm

School Gym

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District 153

Irwin Community Center (Willow Students): All Willow school participants are transported by bus to the Irwin Community Center. Students can be picked up until 3:30pm for Kindergarten Adventures and 6:00pm for Extra Innings in the Multipur-pose room in the basement of the Irwin Center.

H-F Sports Complex (Churchill & Millennium Students) Churchill students are transported by bus to the H-F Sports Complex and arrive around 3:15pm. Millennium students walk from their classrooms to the Sports Complex. Pick-up is available until 6:00pm at the H-F Sports Complex Gym. ATTENTION: If you live within a one-mile radius of the school your child is attending, there will be an additional cost for the bus transportation. School District 153 will contact you regarding this payment. This fee is not associated with the cost of the Extra Innings program. Any questions regarding the fee should be directed to the School District office at 708-799-8721.

District 161

School District 161 children walk from their classrooms to the gymnasium for Extra Innings; please notify your school office in writing of your child’s participation in Extra Innings, especially if your child receives school district bus transportation. Western Avenue and Parker 6th grade students are bussed from Flossmoor Hills A.M. Club to school. Parker 6th graders are bussed from school to Floss-moor Hills Extra Innings. All school entrances will be locked after the schools close. Pick-up is avail-able until 6pm at the following locations:

Flossmoor Hills: Enter the front door, ring the doorbell to the right on the wall

Heather Hill: Knock on door H, located at the front of the school

Western Avenue: Ring the doorbell outside door H at the rear of the school

District and Site Specifics

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Drop-Off Each child must be walked into A.M. Club and checked in with the Site Director. A.M. Club starts at 6:30am in District 153 and 7am in District 161. No child may be dropped off prior to that time.

Pick-Up All children must be signed out with his or her Site Director at the end of the day. Children will only be re-leased to parents/guardians or individuals listed on the Child Information Form. If you wish to authorize addi-tional people to pick up your child, his or her contact information must be provided on the completed infor-mation form. Any additions must be made in writing. Staff will ask to see a picture ID at pick-up the first three days your child attends the program. Following the first three days, please inform any new parents, family members or friends who pick up your child that they will be asked to show photo identification. While we will always attempt to follow parental wishes, the Park District cannot stop a parent from picking up their child unless there is a restraining order in place. Please provide the Recreation Supervisor or Site Di-rector with any custody information so that we are aware of any problems that may arise.

Late Pick-Up If you are running late, please call the Goldberg Administration Building or the Irwin Center. If you are stuck in traffic or unable to pick up your child for any reason, please contact someone on your Child Information Form to pick them up. The H-F Park District late fee is $10 beginning 10 minutes after dismissal time and $1 for each additional min-ute. This fee must be paid within 24 hours at the Irwin Center or the Goldberg Administration Building. After four late pick-ups of 15 minutes or more, the Recreation Supervisor will dismiss the student from the program. This policy is enforced for the entire school year for all program locations.

Emergency Closings A.M. Club & Extra Innings will not operate when schools are closed for snow days. Check the following resources for school district closings:

Local radio stations School district’s website Emergencyschoolclosings.com

If school is closed for an emergency, Extra Innings will not meet. If children are dismissed from school during a regular school day due to an emergency, Extra Innings will not meet.

Drop-Off and Pick-Up

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First Infraction: Warning, timeout, parent notification

Second Infraction: One day suspension, parent conference with Site Director

Third Infraction: Two day suspension, parent conference with Recreation Supervisor and Site Director

Fourth Infraction: One week suspension (no refunds)

Fifth Infraction: Dismissal from program

Parent Conferences If a child consistently dis-plays unacceptable behav-ior during camp, parents may be asked to attend a conference with the Site Director and/or the Rec-reation Supervisor. Parents may also request a confer-ence to discuss any con-cerns. Please feel free to ask questions at any time. We believe that open com-munication between par-ents and staff is essential to your child's success and happiness.

Specific Needs If your child has any spe-cific needs, check the ap-propriate box on the Child Information Form. Depend-ing on the specific details, special arrangements may be made to best serve the needs of your child. Our goal is that everyone fully enjoys their experience.

Behavior Expectations

Behavior Expectations The goal of the Homewood-Flossmoor Park District is to create a safe and nurturing environment where children can build friendships, grow, play and have fun. It is at the discretion of the Site Director to imple-ment the discipline procedures and the discretion of the Recreation Su-pervisor to suspend a child in violation of the behavior expectations. The H-F Park District appreciates your cooperation and understanding of our behavior expectations. Please direct any questions to your child’s Site Director or the Recreation Supervisor.

1. Respect others Listen to staff and guests

Keep hands to self

Give other campers personal space

2. Respect Property

Use supplies, playground equipment and facility space appropriately Use respectful language Use manners Use kind words Talk through disagreements

3. Respect the environment

Pick up after yourself and others

4. Respect yourself and your time in the program Make good choices so that you are able to enjoy all that the

program offers

Discipline Procedures

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Child Illness Make sure you have a plan in place in case your child gets sick while at A.M. Club or Extra Innings. If you are unable to leave work yourself, please have someone who is able to care for your child lined up. This is for the well being and comfort of your child as well as all of the other students and staff. It is the parent’s responsibility to verify their child’s daily health is adequate before bringing him/her to school. A child who shows signs of illness should be at home for the benefit of all. If your child is exposed to a communicable disease, you must notify us immediately for the protection of the stu-dents and staff. If a child becomes ill or injured while on the site, his or her-parent will be notified immediately. Staff will follow the di-rections stated on the Child Information Form concerning your physician and others who are to be notified if a parent or guardian is unavailable. A doctor’s note will be required for readmitting after the fol-lowing illnesses: Strep Throat, Ringworm and Pink Eye. A physician should diagnose any child who experiences symp-toms of a contagious disease. If you have any questions re-garding an illness, please call in advance before dropping off your child.

Medication Dispensing If your child requires medication during the time they are in our care, please notify the Park District and complete the Medical Information Form. Our staff is not authorized to han-dle any medications. If needed, a staff member will verbally assist your child with taking his or her medication. The Medical Information Form is available on the Park District website at hfparks.com/about/forms.aspx

Health Care Policies

A.M. Club & Extra Innings is not licensed for the care of sick children. Staff have the authority to refuse any child who shows signs of illness using the follow-ing guidelines:

Temperature of 100 degrees: A child who is ill may not be at A.M. Club or Extra Innings, even if controlled by medicine.

Vomiting: A child who vomits will be sent home immediately.

Strep throat: A child must take antibiotics for 24 hrs before returning

Diarrhea: A child who has diarrhea twice in one day will be sent home.

Chicken Pox: A child must remain home until all blisters have dried and formed scabs. This usually is 7-10 days after the pox began.

Ringworm: Children may return 24 hours after starting treatment. The ringworm must be covered until no longer visible.

Pink Eye: A child with pink eye or con-junctivitis will be sent home. Children may return after 3 doses of drops for re-admittance.

Head Lice: A child must remain at home until the first treatment is com-pleted, with no further active lice or nits seen.

Illness and Medication

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Payments for A.M. Club and Extra Innings must be mailed, called-in or dropped off at the Goldberg Center or Irwin Center. Monthly install-ments are due on or before the 20th day of the month, prior to the start date of the program. Exact dates for the 2012-13 school year are listed in the box to the right. If you prefer to have a credit or debit card charged each month you may complete and submit an Installment Con-tract available on our website at hfparks.com/about/forms.aspx. Pay-ments are charged to this card on the 20th of the month. Due dates and guidelines were created for the safety of your child. They are essential so the Park District can process your registration, and com-municate with your child’s School District, School Office, Transportation Coordinator and Site Director. Monthly installments are the same throughout the school year. Program costs are added for the entire year and divided evenly between Sept.- May. Even if your child misses days, you are still responsible for the regular rate. The Park District makes preparations based on the number of students enrolled.

Late Payment A late fee of $25 per child, per program is assessed on the 21st day of each month for late registration. Late payments must be made before the last business day of the month. Late payments made on or after the last business day of the month are subject to a one-business day (Monday-Friday) wait period before the child can attend the following month’s program. For example: If October’s payment is made on Wednesday, Sept. 30, the student may attend beginning on Friday, Oct. 2. If November’s payment is made on Friday, Oct. 30 or Saturday, Oct. 31 the student may attend beginning on Tuesday, Nov. 3.

Important Reminders The Goldberg Center mail slot should never be used when installments are due on the weekend or after the office closes on the evening of the 20th – they will be considered late. Payments should never be put under the Irwin Center’s front doors – payments left under the door on the evening of the 20th will be considered late.

Parents/caregivers using DCFS funds to pay for the program are respon-sible for any fees that DCFS does not cover.

Payment Due Dates

Thursday, Sep. 20th

Saturday, Oct. 20th

Tuesday, Nov. 20th

Thursday, Dec. 20th

Saturday, Jan. 19th

Wednesday, Feb. 20th

Wednesday, Mar. 20th

Saturday, April 20th

Please note: Registration is only taken until noon on Saturdays at the Irwin Community Center and all offices are closed on Sundays. If your child will not be attending the program for the following month, please let us know by the above payment deadline at the email below. afterschool@hfparks.com

Payment Information

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Full Days Off

On teacher institute days, parent-teacher conferences and most school holidays the Park District holds care for A.M. Club, Kindergarten Adven-tures and Extra Innings participants. Students should bring a sack lunch and drink. They will receive an afternoon snack. Full day off programs are free of charge for all Extra Innings partici-pants from 8am-6pm. There is a $6 early drop-off fee if your child needs care before 8am. Kindergarten Adventures and A.M. Club Par-ticipants must register and pay for full day off programs. Fees are listed in the box to the right.

The A.M. Club & Extra Innings Staff plan field trips or special activities for the children on these days. The Extra Innings monthly calendar highlights the days off of school and the planned trips or special activities. A list of all days off for your child’s school district is included on the next two pages. On full days off participants meet at the locations listed in the box to the right. Please make sure to walk your child into the facility and sign in with the Site Director at drop-off and sign-out your child at pick-up.

Early Dismissals On days when there is an early dismissal, Extra Innings will meet at its regular location. Please send your child to the program with a sack lunch and drink. A list of all early dismissal days for your child’s school district are included on the next two pages.

No School—No Program A.M. Club & Extra Innings will not operate during certain school holidays. Alternate programs are sometimes available through the park district over holidays such as Winter Break and Spring Break. Please take note of these “No School—No Program” days on the calendar on the next two pages and plan accordingly for your child.

Locations and Times

District 153 H-F Sports Complex

18211 Aberdeen Street A.M. Club—6:30-8am

Field Trip and Extra Innings 8am-6pm

District 161 H-F Auditorium 2010 Chestnut

A.M. Club 7:00-8am

Field Trip and Extra Innings 8am-6pm

Day Off Fees

Early Dismissal A.M. Club Only: $19

Kind. Adventures: Free Extra Innings: Free

Full Day Off A.M. Club: $26

Kindergarten Adv.: $26 Extra Innings: Free (8am-6pm)

To register for Early Dismissal or Day Off Programs Call 957-0300 or 957-7275. Extra Innings Par-ticipants in need of care before 8am must register and pay a $6 early drop-off fee.

Day Off and Early Dismissal

AUGUST August 23 - Early Dismissal

Meet at Normal Extra Innings Site

August 31 - Early Dismissal Meet at Normal Extra Innings Site

SEPTEMBER

Sept. 3—No School Labor Day

NO PROGRAM

September 26—No School Yom Kippur

Meet at the Sports Complex

OCTOBER October 5—Early Dismissal

Meet at Normal Extra Innings Site

October 8—No School Columbus Day

Meet at the Sports Complex

NOVEMBER November 6—No School

Teacher Institute Meet at the Sports Complex

November 19, 20, 21– No School

Conferences Meet at the Sports Complex

November 22 & 23—No School

Thanksgiving NO PROGRAM

DECEMBER December 21—Early Dismissal

Meet at Normal Extra Innings Site

Dec. 24-Jan. 7—No School Winter Break

NO PROGRAM Register for Camp Frosty!

JANUARY January 21—No School Martin Luther King Jr.

Meet at the Sports Complex

FEBRUARY February 15—Early Dismissal

Meet at Normal Extra Innings Site

February 18—No School Presidents’ Day

Meet at the Sports Complex

MARCH March 1—Early Dismissal

Meet at Normal Extra Innings Site

March 4—No School Casimir Pulaski Day

Meet at the Sports Complex

March 25-29—No School Spring Break

NO PROGRAM Register for Spring Breakin’ Camp!

APRIL April 9—No School Staff Institute Day

Meet at the Sports Complex

April 26—Early Dismissal Meet at Normal Extra Innings Site

MAY

May 24—Early Dismissal Meet at Normal Extra Innings Site

May 27—No School

Memorial Day NO PROGRAM

District 153 Early Dismissal and Day Off Calendar

SEPTEMBER Sept. 3—No School

Labor Day NO PROGRAM

Sept. 21 –Early Dismissal

Meet at Normal Extra Innings Site

September 26—No School Yom Kippur

Meet at the Auditorium

OCTOBER October 8—No School

Columbus Day Meet at the Auditorium

October 19—Early Dismissal

Meet at the Auditorium

NOVEMBER November 6—No School

Teacher Institute Meet at the Auditorium

November 19, 20, 21– No School

Conferences Meet at the Auditorium

November 22 & 23—No School

Thanksgiving NO PROGRAM

DECEMBER Dec. 24-Jan. 7—No School

Winter Break NO PROGRAM

Register for Camp Frosty!

JANUARY January 18-Early Dismissal

Meet at Normal Extra Innings Site

January 21—No School Martin Luther King Jr.

Meet at the Auditorium

FEBRUARY February 15—Early Dismissal

Meet at Normal Extra Innings Site

February 18—No School Presidents’ Day

Meet at the Auditorium

MARCH March 4—No School Casimir Pulaski Day

Meet at the Auditorium

March 22– No School Conferences

Meet at the Auditorium

March 25-29—No School Spring Break

NO PROGRAM Register for Spring Breakin’ Camp!

APRIL

April 26—Early Dismissal Meet at Normal Extra Innings Site

MAY

May 24—Early Dismissal Meet at Normal Extra Innings Site

May 27—No School

Memorial Day NO PROGRAM

Last Day of School TBA

District 161 Early Dismissal and Day Off Calendar