KidZone Handbook

KidZone The Evelyn Rubenstein Jewish Community Center Afterschool Program 2026-2027

Parent Information Packet For more information contact:

Kelsey Crowder, Youth Program Coordinator kcrowder@erjcchouston.org Leslie Holmes, Director of Children and Camp lholmes@erjcchouston.org Rachel Bohanan, Children and Camp Member Services Coordinator rbohanan@erjcchouston.org

WELCOME TO KIDZONE WHAT IS KIDZONE? KidZone is our safe, convenient, and innovative after school program for kids in kindergarten through 5th grade. We will pick up your students from school and bring them to the J for activities and homework help while keeping their safety as our top priority.

We provide trained staff and a supportive environment, perfect for developing friendships and building self-esteem. We work closely with your child’s school to coordinate a daily pickup. Registration will be first come first served, and bus space is limited. * There is a minimum number of students required to consider or maintain a school pick up. These may vary with each school year.

WHAT HAPPENS AT KIDZONE? • • • •

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CLASSES AT THE J

Once children arrive at the J, they put away their things in their dedicated cubby and have a J provided kosher snack.

After school participants will enjoy a variety of activities including crafts, board games, Judaic, sports, and free play on a rotating schedule so that kids can try new things.

Children registered for after school classes will be escorted to the proper location at class time.

Monday through Thursday we offer a dedicated “homework” time where kids will be supervised while they complete their homework. Please note our staff is instructed to help children stay focused and complete their homework but are not responsible for correcting homework or reteaching a lesson learned in school. This will allow for more family time in the evenings at home.

As we are a Jewish Community organization, we will celebrate Shabbat each Friday. We share our week’s successes with each other and enjoy the blessings over the candles, grape juice, and challah together. We do not require all kids to participate in the prayers, but we do ask that everyone be respectful and join us in celebrating friendship and community as a group.

One of the greatest conveniences KidZone offers is the ability to have a Kidzone team member to escort your child to any of the J’s after school programs. The J offers recreational classes in culinary, chess, STEM, dance, art, gymnastics, swim, theatre, and tennis. For any class that ends after 5:30 PM (Monday-Thursday), a parent must pick up from the class.

WHAT IS TRANSPORTATION ONLY? Our transportation only option allows students that are registered for after-school classes and teams to be picked up from their school and brought to the J for their activities. When they arrive at the J, they are provided a kosher snack and will be escorted to their activity. Parents must pick their child up directly from their activity. The J program they are registered for must start by 4:15 PM to be eligible for this service. If it starts after 4:15 PM, they must be registered in our KidZone program.

WHAT INFORMATION DO I NEED TO SUBMIT FOR MY CHILD? All participants in KidZone must have a completed enrollee detail form on file.

Some information required to be on file includes: • Parent/guardian phone numbers/emails • Emergency contacts | Authorized pickups • Photography consent • Allergy, emotional health, social health and behavioral health information

DO I NEED TO BE A J MEMBER TO PARTICIPATE IN KIDZONE OR TRANSPORTATION? While we recommend families have a membership to the J, we do have public pricing available. This will allow non-J members to enroll in KidZone. There is a 40% differential between a member and public price.

WHO SHOULD I CONTACT WITH QUESTIONS? Kelsey Crowder – kidzone@erjcchouston.org Rachel Bohanan – rbohanan@erjcchouston.org

KIDZONE DATES The program will begin Monday, August 10 and go through to Friday, May 28th. Your monthly fee below is calculated based on the number of days per week that you use KidZone at the J and/or Transportation only services.

ARE THERE ANY DAYS THAT KIDZONE IS NOT OPEN? There are days that we do not offer KidZone because of no religious and secular holidays.

For Fall 2026/Spring 2027, KidZone will be closed: • Monday, September 7 | Labor Day • Friday, September 11 | Rosh Hashanah • Monday, September 21, Friday, October 9, Friday, November 6 | Teacher Development Days • Monday – Friday, November 23 – 27 | Thanksgiving Break • Monday, December 21 – Monday, January 4 | Winter Break • Monday, January 18 | Martin Luther King Day • Monday, February 15 | President’s Day • Monday – Friday, March 8 – 12 | Spring Break • Friday, March 26, Friday, April 16 | Teacher Development Days • Wednesday – Friday, April 21 - 23, Wednesday, April 28 | Passover Holidays

WHAT IF I NEED CARE WHEN SCHOOL IS OUT? Our KidZone families will be the first to receive details and secure a spot for our School Days Out programs. We will be sending out additional details regarding the camps and registration.

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November 23 – 24 | Thanksgiving Break Camp December 21, December 22, December 28 – 30 | Winter Break Camp Monday, March 8 – Friday March 12 | Spring Break Camp Fall 2026 October 9 | Spring 2027 January 4, February 15, March 26, and April 16 | School Days Out Camp

PRICES KIDZONE

TRANSPORTATION ONLY

All pricing is based on an individual having a current J membership.

(Classes must start by 4:15 PM to take advantage of this option. A parent/guardian must pick their child up from class once it is over.)

Fall Semester Pricing 1-Day Option - $700.00 ($140.00 per month) 2-Day Option - $1,400.00 ($280.00 per month) 3-Day Option - $2,100.00 ($420.00 per month) 4-Day Option - $2,800.00 ($560.00 per month) 5-Day Option - $3,000.00 ($600.00 per month) Spring Semester Pricing 1-Day Option - $700.00 ($140.00 per month) 2-Day Option - $1,400.00 ($280.00 per month) 3-Day Option - $2,100.00 ($420.00 per month) 4-Day Option - $2,800.00 ($560.00 per month) 5-Day Option - $3,000.00 ($600.00 per month) Annual Package 1-Day Option - $1,120.00 ($112.00 per month)) 2-Day Option - $2,240.00 ($224.00 per month) 3-Day Option - $3,360.00 ($336.00 per month) 4-Day Option - $4,480.00 ($448.00 per month) 5-Day Option - $4,800.00 ($480.00 per month)

Fall Semester Pricing 1-Day Option - $400 ($100 per month) 2-Day Option - $800 ($200 per month) 3-Day Option - $1,200 ($300 per month) 4-Day Option - $1,600 ($400 per month) 5-Day Option - $2,000 ($500 per month) Spring Semester Pricing 1-Day Option - $500 ($100 per month) 2-Day Option - $1,000 ($200 per month) 3-Day Option - $1,500 ($300 per month) 4-Day Option - $2,000 ($400 per month) 5-Day Option - $2,500 ($500 per month)

PAYMENTS •

For the Fall semester, payments begin in August (For KidZone) and in September (For Transportation only). Payments will be drafted on the first of each month. For the Winter/Spring semester, payments for both KidZone and Transportation Only begin in January.

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If you choose to pay by credit card, there will be a 3% service fee with each payment.

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If you choose to pay by ACH, there is no service fee.

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These monthly fees do not include Thanksgiving/ Winter/Spring Break Camps, days that HISD is closed, or days that the J is closed.

CANCELLATIONS/CHANGES A minimum of 30 days written notice is required for all cancellations or changes to KidZone registration.

Requests received with less than 30 days’ notice will remain financially responsible for the upcoming month’s tuition and fees. All cancellation or change requests must be submitted in writing to the KidZone office.

ARE THERE ANY ADDITIONAL FEES NOT INCLUDED IN THE PACKAGES? • • •

We ask you to please keep us informed when your child is not at school and does not need to be picked up. If our buses are delayed because we are not informed of your child’s absence more than once per semester, we will charge a fee of $10 per incident.

We ask you to please pick up your child on time and notify us if you will be late. If you are late more than once per semester, we will charge a fee of $10 + $1 per minute.

LATE FEE: Parents will receive a warning on the first occurrence of a late pickup. After the first occurrence, a late fee of $10.00 plus $1 per minute after 6:00 PM (5:30 PM on Fridays) will be charged on the next business day using your saved online payment method. If excessive lateness becomes a problem, your child may be removed from the program.

CONTACTING US If your child does not need to be picked up or is out sick, please email us at kidzone@erjcchouston.org by 1:30 PM so we can update our list with each school.

WHAT TO BRING TO KIDZONE Students should bring the following items with them each day: • Water bottle • Supplies/clothing for any after-school activity they are registered for

WHAT NOT TO BRING TO KIDZONE: • • •

Electronics: We strive to provide a program free from video games, cell phones, audio players.

Toys/Trading Cards: Students should not bring any toys or trading cards (such as Pokemon) to KidZone.

Money: Students will not need money while at KidZone. Children will not be permitted to purchase food items from Laykie’s Cafe.

LOST & FOUND The JCC does not assume responsibility, beyond reasonable care, for the personal property of campers. Children are responsible for their own items. Please label all items with your child’s first and last name so they can be returned to your child’s counselor when they are found. Every effort will be made to return lost items if they have been labeled.

Misplaced items will be gathered each day. Unclaimed or unlabeled items left or found will be placed on a Lost & Found table on the second floor. Any items left at the end of the semester will be donated.

HEALTH & WELLNESS The safety and health of our students, families, and staff is our number one priority. Our facility is cleaned, disinfected, and sanitized daily.

STUDENT HEALTH AND WELLNESS POLICY At KidZone, we are committed to maintaining the health, safety and well-being of all students and staff. This policy ensures compliance with the highest standards of health and safety, including addressing special health needs to create an inclusive environment for all.

Parents/guardians will be contacted as soon as possible under the following circumstances: • The student has a fever, vomiting or symptoms of a contagious illness.

• The student experiences an injury that may require medical evaluation, such as a possible fracture, head injury or severe sprain.

• The student requires medical treatment beyond basic first aid.

• The student must leave early due to illness or injury.

• Emergency services (911) are called or the student needs to be transported to a medical facility.

• The student has a significant allergic reaction or asthma episode.

• For minor issues (small scrapes, minor bumps or brief complaints that resolve quickly), our staff will provide basic first aid and continue to monitor the student. These minor incidents may be communicated at pick-up or through email rather than an immediate phone call.

Please ensure your contact information and emergency contacts are current so we can reach you quickly if needed.

EMERGENCY EQUIPMENT AND PROCEDURES KidZone ensures access to required healthcare equipment, including automated external defibrillators (AEDs), within the recommended timeframe and staffed by trained personnel. Emergency healthcare procedures are shared with all necessary personnel.

FIRST AID KITS Stocked first aid kits, including personal protective equipment, are readily available in KidZone classrooms and activity areas.

ACCIDENT AND INJURY Program directors and some additional staff are certified in first aid, CPR and AED use. If a student is injured, first aid will be administered on-site and parents will be notified by the program director. If the injury requires more than basic first aid: • 9-1-1 will be called and the student will be transported to the hospital at the discretion of emergency responders.

• Parents will be notified immediately.

• If you cannot arrive before the ambulance leaves, a J staff member will accompany your child to the hospital.

FOOD ALLERGIES KidZone is a nut-free program. Please do not send food containing nuts for snacks.

• Complete the allergy section of the KidZone forms.

• If your child requires an EpiPen, send it to camp in a labeled container.

DISCIPLINE POLICIES KidZone is committed to providing a safe, supervised and fun experience for all participants. While minor behavioral issues are a normal part of KidZone, more severe behaviors—such as intentional kicking, unprovoked hitting, biting or bullying—will result in the following steps: • First Incident: Parents will receive a phone call from the KidZone director explaining the situation and reviewing the behavior policy.

• Second Incident: Parents will receive another call and a behavior modification plan will be developed.

• Third Incident: A third incident may result in suspension or immediate expulsion from KidZone.

Parents of all participants involved in an incident will be contacted to ensure transparency and proper handling. Please discuss appropriate KidZone behavior with your child.

CARPOOL Carpool will begin at 5:40 PM Monday - Thursday and at 5:15 PM on Friday. Your child will be outside with their belongings for carpool. Please see the carpool map below with the pick-up location.

• Things happen (like traffic) and we understand, but please keep us informed if you are running late.

• After 6:00PM Monday through Thursday or 5:30PM on Friday, a parent or emergency pick-up person will be contacted.

• LATE FEE: Parents will receive a warning on the first occurrence of a late pickup. After the first occurrence, a late fee of $10.00 plus $1 per minute after 6:00PM, 5:30PM (Friday) will be charged on the next business day using your saved online payment method. If excessive lateness becomes a problem, your child may be removed from the program.

EARLY PICK-UP If you are picking up before carpool time, please come inside the building and check in at the front desk. The front desk will contact the KidZone staff, and we will bring your child to you.

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Parents picking up early must arrive by 5:30PM Monday-Thursday and by 5:00PM on Fridays. If a parent arrives after that, they must go to the carpool line for pick up.

AFTER SCHOOL AT THE J TRANSPORTATION BRIT (COVENANT) We all have responsibilities to make sure that After School at the J is successful for everyone. We want to work together to make sure that our kids are safe, having fun, getting their homework done, and getting to their activities on time.

We share this Brit with you so that we can work together to have a wonderful year together!

J’S CHILDREN & CAMPING DEPARTMENT RESPONSIBILITIES • • • • • • •

Communicate effectively and efficiently with parents and kids.

Keep the kids, staff, and bus drivers safe.

Maintain health and safety protocols as outlined in our health and safety guidelines.

Ensure the kids have fun and stay busy with activities.

Escort kids to all their activities.

Keep our classroom environment safe and clean.

Provide appropriate supervision for all our kids.

PARENT RESPONSIBILITIES • • • • • • • • •

Complete all forms prior to the first day.

Provide current information (phone/address/medical) Provide staff with information about major events in your child’s life that may affect his/her behavior and/or attitude.

Provide J staff with information about classes that the child is enrolled in and any changes in the class schedule.

Inform the J when a child will not attend or ride the bus by 1:30 PM. Inform the J, in writing or via email, if anyone other than parent will pick child up.

Support staff in working with your child.

Keep the J staff informed of school closure days in advance.

Pick up child by 6:00 PM (Monday-Thursday) and by 5:30 PM (Friday).

CHILD RESPONSIBILITIES • • • • • • • • •

Meet the bus on time each day.

Check in to the assigned classroom directly from the bus or upon arrival.

Be respectful of others in the building by walking (not running!) and keeping noise down in office areas.

Behave appropriately on the bus and in the building.

Be respectful of fellow students in the program.

Listen to their counselors’ instructions.

Adhere to rules and regulations of program including health and safety protocols.

Take care of equipment and supplies.

Do not purchase snacks/drinks at the café.

HAVE FUN!