Kids’ compan y s
g 25 Year
n Celebrati
family handbook 2014-2015 School YeaR Office Phone 952-226-0090
2007
2014
Edgewood Program Five Hawks Glendale Grainwood Jeffers Pond Redtail Ridge WestWood
952-217-1262 952-217-1258 952-217-1260 952-217-1263 952-217-1257 952-217-1259 952-217-1262
Welcome Kids’ Company families, The Kids’ Company staff would like to welcome you. Kids’ Company is a place where each child is a cherished and unique member of the team. Children will be nurtured, kept safe, and encouraged to pursue their own interests. Children will develop friendships, independence and confidence as they explore, play and learn this year. They will be offered choices that promote their social, emotional, physical and cognitive growth through activities in science, math, literacy, art, music, drama, environmental learning and much more. Kids’ Company is sponsored by the Prior Lake - Savage Area Schools Community Education Services. Like all other district programs, we are governed by the policies and guidelines of the Prior Lake - Savage Area Schools Board of Education. We have an amazing school year planned that we are sure your children will love! Sincerely, Kelly Vossen Kids’ Company Coordinator
Kristi Gaudette Kids’ Company Specialist
W E L C O M E 2
2006
2009
Sites Edgewood Program
Site Leader: Renee Hogen Ages 4 + & Opposite Preschool Phone: 952-217-1262
Five Hawks
Site Leader: Ashley Kruse Grades K-5th Phone: 952-217-1258
Glendale
Kids’ Company Office District Services Center 4540 Tower St. SE Prior Lake, MN 55372 Fax: 952-226-0099
Coordinator: Kelly Vossen Phone: 952-226-0092 Specialist: Kristi Gaudette Phone: 952-226-0093
Site Leader: Arif Khan Grades K-5th Phone: 952-217-1260
Secretary: Danielle Kleist Phone: 952-226-0091
Grainwood
Secretary: Lisa Kraft Phone: 952-226-0084
Site Leader: Eileen Hanson Grades K-5th Phone: 952-217-1263
Jeffers Pond
Site Leader: Sara Pasek Grades K-5th Phone: 952-217-1257
Redtail Ridge
Site Leader: Kris Ziskovsky Grades K-5th Phone: 952-217-1259
WestWood
Site Leader: Renee Hogen Grades K-5th Phone: 952-217-1262
Hours and Days of Operation Kids’ Company is open Monday through Friday, 6:30 a.m. until the start of the school day and from the end of the school day until 6:00 p.m. Each site will be open from 6:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on designated release days. See information regarding Release Days. Kids’ Company will be closed on designated district holidays and for emergency school closings.
S I T E I N F O 3
General Information Registration Registrations are completed online using FeePay available on our district website under the Community Education tab. An ACH account, MasterCard, Visa or Discover card are requried to pay the $50 non-refundable family registration fee and a $100 deposit. This deposit will go toward your tuition and is refundable if you cancel care by the specified cancellation date. Registrations must be received by the Kids’ Company office at least 2011 1 week in advance of the start date. La ola del lago - Spanish Immersion Kindergarten Parents drop off and pick up at the WestWood Kids’ Company room. Staff will walk all kindergarten students to and from their classrooms each day. Snacks A light breakfast and afternoon snack including a beverage will be available daily.
G E N E R A L I N F O 4
Lunch Students attending the Edgewood Program may utilize the WestWood school lunch system. Payments for this lunch service must be separate from payments to Kids’ Company. To set up a school lunch account contact food service at 952-226-0009. All children will be required to supply a disposable bag lunch on all release days unless otherwise specified. Apparel/Personal property Children must be adequately dressed for outdoor play (coats, boots, hats, gloves, snow pants, socks) since we try to go outside daily-weather permitting (based on district-wide recess policies). All items brought to Kids’ Company should be labeled. We encourage students NOT to bring their own toys to Kids’ Company unless notified to do so for special activities. The program is not responsible for lost or damaged personal belongings. iPad Sign In/Out Kids’ Company utilizes iPads for families to sign students in and out. After locating your student’s name on the list, a pull down of Authorized Pickups will appear. You must choose which person you are and sign with your finger on the iPad. In an effort to expidite this process, please keep your Authorized Pick up list up to date on your account.
General Information Afternoon transportation Kids’ Company and the Transporation department discourage students being placed on a bus on days scheduled to be at Kids’ Company after school. Students wanting to ride a bus home on a scheduled Kids’ Company day are asked to notify their classroom teacher, their school office, the transportation office and their Kids’ Company site. Families will still be charged for the afternoon. School Closings For information on emergency school closings or delayed starts, please reference any of the following broadcast stations: WCCO radio (830 am), WCCO TV (channel 4), KARE 11 TV (channel 11), KSTP-TV (channel 5), KMSP/FOX TV (channel 9). Emails and phone calls are also used to keep families informed. If you do not have an email listed with the district, please contact your building’s secretary. The district website will also be a source of information for any school closure information. If Prior Lake-Savage Area Schools are closed due to snow, Kids’ Company will also be closed. If schools close for other reasons such as extreme cold, information about Kids’ Company will be available from the following sources: phone message, district website and metro television channels. Kids’ Company will follow the same late start as the Prior Lake-Savage Area Schools. For example, if school starts two hours late then Kids’ Company will open at 8:30 a.m. instead of 6:30 a.m. In the event school is closed early, Kids’ Company will make every effort to remain open until 6:00 p.m. If early dismissal occurs on a day when your child is not scheduled to attend Kids’ Company, they will be sent home according to the instructions you have given the school. Due to staffing and space considerations, we are not able to accommodate extra children at Kids’ Company. Please have other arrangements in place in the event of an early closing and inform the school of these arrangements. If you choose to pick up your child early due to bad weather conditions, please notify your Kids’ Company site as well as the school office.
G E N E R A L I N F O 5
Non-School Days and Holidays Tuesday, September 2 -Tuesday, September 9, 2014 – Non School Days Thursday, Friday & Monday, October 16, 17 & 20, 2014 – Non School Days Friday, November 7, 2014 – 2 Hour Early Release Day Monday, November 10, 2014 – Non School Day Monday, Tuesday, Friday, December 22, 23, 26, 2014 – Non School Days Monday, Tuesday, Friday, December 29, 30, 2014 and January 2, 2015– Non School Days Monday, January 19, 2015 – Non School Day Thursday, January 29, 2015 – 2 Hour Early Release Day Friday, January 30, 2015 – Non School Day Monday, February 16, 2015 – Non School Day Monday-Wednesday, March 16-18, 2015 – Non School Days Thursday, April 9, 2015 – 2 Hour Early Release Day Friday, April 10, 2015 – Non School Day Thursday, June 11, 2015 – 3 Hour Early Release Day
Kid’ Company is CLOSED on the following Holidays
N O N S C H O O L D A Y S
Monday, September 1, 2014 Wednesday-Friday, November 26-28, 2014 Wednesday-Thursday, December 24-25, 2014 Wednesday-Thursday, December 31, 2014-January 1, 2015 Thursday-Friday, March 19-20, 2015 Monday, May 25, 2015
Sites will be open from 6:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on non-school days as long as each site has the minimum of students enrolled for the day to remain self-supporting. Kids’ Company may combine sites for a release day or emergency purposes. Disposable bag lunches and beverages will also be necessary on release days unless otherwise stated. Registration for non-school days is availble online at priorlake-savage.ce.feepay.com. Please note, there is at least a 15 day deadline before each set of non-school days. The cost is $35 per child, per day. Early Release days are $16 per afternoon, in place of your regular charges. 2013
6
Communication Based on school district policy, communication between parents and other visitors to the school with school personnel is expected to be appropriate and respectful. Conferences, phone calls and written communication will be held to that standard of respect and appropriateness. All records and information shared by parents and staff is regarded as confidential. Data privacy provisions will be maintained according to the school district policy. Ways of communication A key fob lists the phone numbers for each site. Staff will return calls as soon as possible during Kids’ Company hours. If your child is ill or not attending Kids’ Company on a particular day, please phone your site using the numbers listed on the key fob, website or the cover of this handbook. Email communication The Kids’ Company office plans to use your email addresses as our main form of communication. We hope to 2004 use this form of communication for field trip info, invoices and any emergency notifications that may arise. Please remember to visit our web site www.priorlake-savage.k12.mn.us click on the Community Education tab and then the Kids’ Company tab. Our web site will include links to staff email, printable forms and field trip information. Please keep us posted of any email changes you may have. Parent concerns Concerns or questions that are not related to billing or account status can be addressed to the Site Leader. If not satisfied, call the Program Coordinator at 952-226-0092. Unresolved concerns can be brought to the Director of Community Education. Submit all concerns in writing as well as verbally.
2006
Online Parent surveys Parents are surveyed to assess how well the program is meeting their needs and areas to improve. All comments and suggestions are valued and taken into account when planning for the next school year.
C O M M U N I C A T I O N 7
Payment Policies Registration Fees are nonrefundable and due at the time of registration for each school year and summer session. The school year fee is $50 per family and summer is $40 per family. Deposits of $100 are required with all registrations. This deposit will be applied to your tuition at the beginning of the School Year session. If you decide to cancel your registration with Kids’ Company and notify the Kids’ Company office by a designated date this deposit will be returned to you. If you cancel after that date, Kids’ Company keeps the deposit to cover our costs. Tuition Fees are charged on the basis of enrollment, not attendance. Payments are due in advance of attendance. Automatic payment using credit cards or ACH accounts is prefered. Payments are not accepted at the sites. If you wish to pay by check, please mail your payments to our office. Kids’ Company, 4540 Tower St. SE, Prior Lake, MN 55372.
All families with a balance of $300 or more will be contacted either by phone, email or in writing to notify them of their balance and date by which it must be paid. Failure to make payment by the specific date may result in a cancellation or suspension of childcare services. Accounts may be turned over to a collection agency. Fees are subject to change. Discounts are available for families with more than one child who are scheduled to attend full time both morning and afternoon. A $5 discount will be taken off the tuition of each additional child on every full week of care provided. This excludes weeks including release days. Child Care Assistance from state and county subsidies is accepted at Kids’ Company. Please call our office for additional information.
P A Y M E N T 8
Non-School days are a separate charge of $35 per day in place of weekly tuition. Please note, there will be 4 Early Release days this year and are $16. Registration for all Nonschool days and early release days are required and available online. Miscellaneous charges NSF Fees are $35.
2013
2007
Late Pick Up Kids’ Company hours of operation are 6:30 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. Fees are assessed based on the number of minutes your child/ren is in our care after 6:00 p.m. and will be determined by the Site Leader and/or Coordinator. The fees are per family and are as follows:
6:01 p.m. - 6:10 p.m. $20 $40 6:11 p.m. - 6:20 p.m. 6:21 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. $60 6:31 p.m. or later - Local authorities may be called. Parents/guardians are strongly encouraged to have a local person designated to drop off/pick up your child/ren in the event you are unable to arrive within our hours of operation. List this person with their phone number under your emergency contacts in your feepay account. We will continue to use the clock on site as the official time. A phone call from a parent/guardian notifying the site of a late arrival is greatly appreciated. If late pick ups become chronic (more than 3 incidences), continued enrollment in the program will be at the discretion of the Coordinator. If it is determined the program is not a good fit for the needs of the family, a two week notice of termination from Kids’ Company will be given. 2004
2008
2006
2009
P I C K U P 9
District Policies Kids’ Company is part of ISD 719 and follows all district policies and procedures. Policy 501 - Schools Weapons The purpose of this policy is to maintain a safe learning and working environment that is free from weapons of any type. No student, or non-student, including adults, visitors, and employees shall possess, use, or distribute a weapon when in a school location except as provided in this policy. Independent School District No. 719 will act to enforce this policy and to discipline or take appropriate action against any student, teacher, administrator, school employee, those offering services on school premises, volunteer, or member of the public who violates this policy.
P O L I C Y 10
Policy 506.1 - Bullying The purpose of this policy is to assist ISD 719 in its goal of preventing and responding to acts of bullying, intimidation, violence, reprisal, retaliation, and other similar disruptive and detrimental behavior. A safe and civil environment is needed for students to learn and attain high academic standards and to promote healthy human relationships. Bullying, like other violent or disruptive behavior, is conduct that interferes with a student’s ability to learn and/or a teacher’s ability to educate students in a safe environment. ISD 719 is committed to fostering and maintaining a safe and civil educational environment in which all members of the school community are 2012 treated with dignity and respect. The school district prohibits bullying, harassment, and any other attempts to victimize others. ISD 719 cannot monitor the activities of students at all times and eliminate all incidents of bullying between students, particularly when students are not under the direct supervision of school personnel. However, to the extent such conduct affects the educational environment of ISD 719 and the rights and welfare of its students and is within the control of the ISD 719 in its normal operations, ISD 719 intends to prevent bullying and to take action to investigate, respond to, and to remediate, and discipline for those acts of bullying which have not been successfully prevented. Visist www.priorlake-savage.k12.mn.us for a complete list of district policies.
Behavior Guidance Children are entitled to a pleasant, harmonious and safe environment. Kids’ Company supports the Responsive Classroom’s behavior guidelines as established at each elementary school. The Responsive Classroom is an approach to teaching and learning that seeks to balance the teaching of academic skills with the teaching of social skills as an integral part of everyday school life. It is an approach to curriculum, classroom organization and management, and parental involvement grounded in the rich theory of child development, learning theory and developmental psychology. It is research based, highly practical, and based on the following 7 principles: 1. How children learn is as important as what they learn. 2. The social curriculum is as important as the academic curriculum. 3. The greatest cognitive growth occurs through social interaction. 4. There is a specific set of social skills that children need in order to be successful academically and socially. 5. Knowing the children we teach individually, culturally, and developmentally is as important as knowing the content we teach. 6. Knowing the parents of the children we teach is as important as knowing the children. 7. How the adults at school work together to accomplish their mission is as important as individual competence. If these techniques prove unsuccessful for your child, a conference will be held with the parent/guardian. If undesirable behavior persists, a written notice of dismissal may be given. Depending on the severity of the behavior, a family may be given up to two weeks to make other arrangements for their child. Physical violence, verbal threats, bullying or harassment of any nature directed toward children or adults may be grounds for immediate dismissal. NOTE: Behavior expectations are posted at each individual site. *SUSPENSION/DISMISSAL Children may be given an immediate three-day suspension from Kids’ Company if any form of physical violence or verbal threats are directed toward another child or staff member. A conference with the Kids’ Company Coordinator and Site Leader is required within 3 days of the suspension, before the child may be readmitted to the program. All ISD 719 school rules apply to Kids’ Company. Parents/guardians accounts will be charged the normal scheduled fees even for days out on suspension.
B E H A V I O R 11
Health Issues
Always keep your child’s emergency information up to date by updating your child’s account on FeePay. If your child appears to be ill, you will be contacted and asked to pick them up. The child will rest in a quiet area until you arrive. Kids’ Company will follow the school district policies listed below: 1. If a child has had a fever of 100° F or more, the child should stay home for 24 hours after the temperature returns to normal. 2. If a child has vomited or had diarrhea, the child should stay home for 24 hours after the last episode. 3. If a child has a rash that may be disease-related or the cause is unknown, check with the family physician before sending the child to school or Kids’ Company. 4. If a child has had a throat culture, please keep the child home until the lab report is negative or until 24 hours after antibiotic treatment is started and the child feels well. District 719’s Administration of Medication form needs to be completed and on file before staff may administer any medication, both prescription and nonprescription. Contact the Site Leader for a form. Kids’ Company must have written authorization from the parents as well as a licensed physician before dispensing any medications. The medications must be brought in by a parent, in the original container, and given directly to the Site Leader.
H E A L T H 12
Inform the Site Leader of any Special Health/Behavioral Concerns such as asthma, serious allergies, diabetes, heart problems, seizures, medications needed, etc. Please provide staff any information that would help to ensure the child’s safety at Kids’ Company. Kids’ Company complies with State and Federal data privacy laws. Information gathered from registration materials is shared with program staff to serve 2008 your child properly. In case of medical emergencies Kids’ Company staff are certified to administer CPR and basic first-aid immediately. In the event of a life threatening emergency, the staff will call “911”. The child will be transported to the nearest hospital. Parents will be notified as soon as possible and will be responsible for all medical charges.
Helpful Reminders √ Read the Parent Handbook and know the agreement terms and program policies. Failure to follow program policies may result in termination of childcare services. √ Sign your child in and out daily. The child must be signed in and out by an authorized individual over the age of 16. √ Check your child’s folder for statements and other communications on a daily basis. √ Notify program staff if your child will be absent, picked up early, or by someone else. Call your site using the phone numbers listed on the key fob and cover of this handbook.
√ Provide written notice of changes in agreement information or withdrawal from the program at least two weeks before the effective date. √ Please model respectful behavior when interacting with staff and students. √ Pay all costs incurred for your contracted days whether your child attends or not, unless you have turned in a schedule change form. 2007 2009 2012
R E M I N D E R S
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