Community Matters Messenger - Extended Care Fall issue

The Community Matters

Welcome.

MESSENGER: Extended Care Welcome to “The Extended Care quarterly Newsletter”. These newsletters are designed to give you insight on what your children are working on, thinking about and creating while participating in the Extended Care Program. Aware that it is difficult to keep up with all the happenings, due to your busy schedules, consider this one way we can help you remain informed of the happenings in the Extended Care Program.

This “Messenger” updates as well as provides tidbits of information to keep you up to date on all of the Extended Care happenings. Featured on p.2, Active Power Kids, provides information on the benefits to keeping kids active. Sharing space on p.2 is Social Junction, which offers you events for your child as well as parents and the family to participate and be a part of. Parental Pathways, on p.3, highlights subject matter on a variety

Fall Issue

of parenting topics. And where would we be without the kids?! Shaping My Future is a small feature section populated by the thoughts of the participants. Here you will find photos, arts and crafts and insight straight from your children!

Thank you for taking a moment to catch up on the Extended Care Program and please don’t hesitate to contact me at any time via email at s.jurjevic@manassasparkva.gov or by phone at 703.335.8872.

Sincerely,

Sue Jurjevic

Active Power Kids

Many times being active is associated with a child’s weight management. Although that is important, being active has many more benefits. Check out the list of reasons why being active is good for kids:

• It promotes healthy growth and development.

• It builds strong bones and muscles.

• It improves balance and develop skills.

• It maintains and develop flexibility.

• It helps achieve and maintain a healthy weight.

• It improves cardiovascular fitness.

• It helps relaxation.

• It improves posture.

• It provides opportunities to make friends.

• It improves self-esteem.

www.goodforkids.nsw.gov

Quick Start Tennis Wednesdays 5p-6p $30/M; $35/R; $40/NR Biddy Ball Registration is OPEN Registration Ends Last week of Nov.

$65/M; $70/R; $75/NR

Biddy Ball Cheerleading is OPEN Registration Ends Last week of Nov.

$65/M; $70/R; $75/NR

The Department of Parks and Recreation offers a variety of activities to provide children the opportunity to join in an activity that interests them or activities they want to learn or know more about.

Remember back when you were a kidyou never had enough time with your friends; we would play until dark!

The Extended Care Program provides an environment where your child can learn new skills, be creative, use their imagination, explore new activities, have fun, and most importantly, interact with other children their age.

We offer activities throughout the week and on weekends. When friends participate in our activities it also provides an opportunity to connect with other parents in the community, and let’s face it - you could use a break, too!

Social Activities For Kids: Little Artist Watercolor Ages 6-12. Saturdays 11/3-12/15; 11:30a-12:30p $39/M; $44/R; $49/NR 2

Physical Activities

Biddy Ball

Ages 6-12. M-F; S 12/3-3/21, 6p-9p;8a-6p $65/M; $70R; $75/NR

Social Junction Social Activities For Families: Fall Cornucopia

Cupcake Decorating

Sat 11/17 - 9a-2p at MPCC

Biddy Ball Cheerleading

Thurs 12/6 - 7p at MPCC $3/Participant

Ages 6-12. Saturday 12/22, 11a-1p $10 before 12/21; $12 day of

Dough Ornaments

Ages 6-12. M-F; S 12/3-3/21, 6p-9p;8a-6p $65/M; $70R; $75/NR

Thurs 12/6 - 7p at MPCC $3/Participant

Social Activities For Parents:

Gingerbread House Decorating

Parent’s Day Out

Saturday 12/15 10a-12p $18/M; $20/R; $22/NR

Light Parade

Thurs 12/13 - 7p at MPCC $5/Participant

Breakfast with Santa

Sat 12/15 - 9a-11a at MPCC $5/Participant 703.335.8872 • www.ManassasParkCommunityCenter.com

Parental Pathways Staying healthy throughout the Fall and Winter seasons can pose quite the challenge. Here are some helpful hints on a variety of topics that tie into staying healthy.

The Fall weather is cool in the morning and warms up by the afternoon. It helps to dress children in layers (short sleeve with a light jacket or sweater). Be sure to adjust outerwear as the weather changes.

Keeping children healthy throughout the Winter months: - Make sure to dress children appropriately with hats, gloves and coats.

Shaping MY Future

- Make sure they drink plenty of water.

- Exercise is important for any healthy lifestyle.

- Encourage them to eat fruits and vegetables.

- Cough or sneeze into your elbow, not your hands!

- Wash hands frequently.

Seasonal changes also bring about poor weather. Do you know our Inclement Weather Policy? Avoid the Winter blues and be prepared.

Snow Policy: If Manassas Park City Schools do not open, Extended Care WILL NOT OPEN. If Manassas Park City Schools open late, then Extended Care will open as follows: 1-hr delay - Open 1-hour late (7:00 a.m.)

2-hr delay- Morning care will not open.

In the event Manassas Park City Schools open but close early, Extended Care will

remain open 2 hours after the school closing time.

Staff will call parents to inform them of the early and immediate closure of the schools, and will ask parents to pick up their child within 2 hours from the program. In the event a parent cannot pick up a child, a local authorized pickup person must pick up the child. Late pick up fees will be assessed on any child picked up after the 2 hour pick up time.

Should inclement weather occur on a scheduled Full Service Day for Extended Care, the Parks & Recreation Director will determine if the program will open. If it is determined that the Extended Care Program will not open for business, Extended Care Staff will begin calling parents at their homes at 5:45 a.m.

Meet Jaidyn!

Meet Keller!

When asked what Jaidyn’s favorite thing that he liked about Extended Care he said that he loves going to the gym and playing with friends.

Keller’s favorite thing that he likes about Extended Care is playing in the gym. He likes playing games and sports with all of his friends.

He also enjoys playing hangman and TRASH with Ms. Jacquelyn a lot!

Keller also loves to swim. He likes when Extended Care has swimming days so he can go in the pool and have fun.

When Jaidyn grows up he wants to be a fireman. He wants to save people from danger.

When Keller grows up he wants to be a wrestler.

When asked how much he likes Extended Care - he said We love having Jaidyn in our “THIS BIG” and held his arms program! out wide!

703.335.8872 • www.ManassasParkCommunityCenter.com 3

Need to Know Extended Care FAQ’s What is Extended Care?

Extended Care is a licensed program regulated by the State of Virginia Department of Social Services. It is open to Manassas Park residents whose children attend either Cougar Elementary or Manassas Park Elementary. We provide before and after school care, drop-in care, full-day care on some holidays and teacher workdays, as well as summer care. (K-5) What information do I need to get my child enrolled in the Extended Care Program?

You will need a completed registration form, your child’s most recent physical, immunization record and a copy of their birth certificate. You will also need to attend a brief orientation.

How much is Extended Care?

Tuition is due on a bi-weekly schedule.

Annual Registration Fee- (mandatory) $55 Before School Care- $95 After School Care- $145 Before & After School Care- $195 Full Service Days- Included Summer Care $260 Is there a discount for having more than 1 child in the program?

1st child- Normal rates apply.

2nd child- 15% discount 3rd child- 20% discount.

(Does not include punch card.)

What do the kids do in Extended Care?

The children participate in a variety of activities including crafts, gym time, outdoor play, swimming and organized

play. The curriculum emphasizes recreation with creative programs and materials that encourage and invite participation. The activities allow the children to learn; choosing independent activities or participating in group activities that are fun, safe, and challenging.

What are the programs hours?

Morning Care is from 6 am- 7:15 am.

Afternoon Care is from 3:10 pm-7:00 pm.

Full Service Days are from 6 am-7 pm.

Extended Care 2012-2013 Full-Service Days & Closings Full Service Days- Care is provided from 6 am- 7 pm. Your child needs to bring a lunch everyday as well as swim attire on the designated swim days. You do not pay extra for this service, it is built in to your payments.

• Nov 5- Teacher Workday • Nov 6- Conferences • Nov 21- Thanksgiving Break • Dec 26-28 & 31- Winter Break • Jan 28- Teacher Workday • Jan 29- Professional Development Day • Mar 25-29- Spring Break • Apr 1- Teacher Workday

What is a punch card?

Punch cards are for parents that need Extended Care on a limited basis. You may purchase an 8, 12, or 16 punch pass for before or after school care.

This allows you to bring your child on Closings- Extended Care is closed on days of your choosing if it is not suitable the following days. Please be sure to to utilize full-time care. find alternate arrangements if any of these closings pose an inconvenience.

What if I want my child to participate in • Nov 12- Veteran’s Day other programs you offer at the Com- • Nov 22- Thanksgiving munity Center? i.e. swim lessons, • Nov 23- Day after Thanksgiving karate, biddy ball etc.

• Dec 24- Christmas Eve We highly encourage this. We simply • Dec 25- Christmas Day ask that you provide your child’s Leader • Jan 1- New Years Day with a schedule of their lessons. We will • Jan 21- Martin Luther King Jr.s’ Birthday be responsible for getting your child • Feb 18- President’s Day changed, to their lesson, and back as • May 27- Memorial Day long as it is within the Extended Care Program’s hours.

Fall Payment Schedule My child is going to Kindergarten; can Session Session Date Payment Due they attend Summer Extended Care?

6 11/12-11/23* ** Nov 9 Unfortunately your child needs to have 7 11/26-12/7 Nov 23 completed Kindergarten in order to 8 12/10-12/21 Dec 7 attend Summer Extended Care. We only 9 12/24-1/4* ** Dec 21 accept rising Kindergartners for Fall Extended Care. However, the Commu- * There are Full Service days during this nity Center does offer preschool camps. session. ** There are closings during this session.

703.335.8872 • www.ManassasParkCommunityCenter.com