Design at Advent Summer Program Policies & Procedures
Program Staff
● Stephanie Foland, Director of Enrichment
● Samantha Gold, Associate Director of Enrichment
Contact Information
● enrichment@adventschool.org
● (617) 742-0520 x 18 (During the school year)
● (617) 742-0520 x 72 (Starting June 18, 2025)
Registration
● Registration opens to students who attend The Advent School and children who participated in the summer program for the past two consecutive years on Tuesday, January 7, 2025.
● Registration opens to the greater community on Monday, January 13, 2025.
● Email enrichment@adventschool.org to be added to our mailing list.
About Design at Advent Summer Program
Each summer, The Advent School’s campus is transformed into a makerspace where children become designers, tinkerers, and builders. The Design at Advent Summer Program (The Program), offers three completely unique two-week sessions for children ages 5 through 12.
Designers begin each session by sorting through recycled materials, learning proper tool use, and engaging in the design process. Each day, the designers and faculty set out to explore the city, play games, and gather inspiration. On the last Friday of each session, the designers share their creations and prototypes with friends and family with a Design Expo.
The Program sees Boston as an extension of the classroom. We take advantage of our city location by making frequent trips to the Esplanade Playground, Boston Common, Public Garden, and other outdoor spaces.
In order to get the most out of the program, Design at Advent strongly recommends that your child attend all days and hours of the program. The curriculum is planned to unfold over the full two weeks, with content that builds and develops over the course of the session. If your child is unable to participate in all the days, they may not have the complete learning experience expected.
Families will receive a link to access a private blog when the program begins. On the blog we post images and entries related to the day’s activities.
Our Philosophy
Advent’s Summer Program is grounded in the School’s mission. We believe:
1. All children are creative problem solvers
2. In the importance of collaboration
3. Boston is an extension of the classroom, which helps children identify the needs of their communities and find inspiration.
2025 Sessions and Themes
Session One, June 16 - June 27, Theater Engineering (no programming on 6/19)
Inspired by the students of the 2023-24 summer program, this session will combine the designers’ love of theater and the engineering design process for this one of a kind behind the scenes view of theater production. In this session, the designers will develop characters, create skits, design props, and backdrops to put on an original show.
Session Two, July 7 - July 18: Urban Agriculture
In this session, designers will take a deep dive into understanding and exploring where our food comes from, how it gets to us, and what our responsibility is as global citizens to ensure sustainable practices. Using the design process, the designers will ask questions, research, collaborate and create possible solutions to food insecurity, reducing our carbon footprint, and promoting farm to table practices in an urban setting.
Partnership Program for Third-Sixth Graders with Guineafowl Adventures!
Families with 3rd - 6th grade aged students will have the opportunity to either enroll in our full 2 week design and engineering program or join our one-of-a-kind partner program with Dave Fatula, founder of Guineafowl Adventure Company, and Kyle Browne, founder of KBCreative. For the first week of this program, July 7 - July 11, designers will travel to different habitats across northeastern Massachusetts and southern New Hampshire, exploring the natural world and creating art focused on their surroundings.
Drawing upon their experiences and observations from the first week, the designers will spend the second week, July 14 - July 18, diving into the design process and creating “Agritecture” inspired spaces that reflect the community's needs and the surrounding natural environment.
Session Three, July 21 - August 1: Cardboard Carnival
Inspired by Caine’s Arcade, designers in this session will step into the world of play based learning to create their own carnival games out of cardboard and found objects. Designers will explore potential and kinetic energy, simple machines, mechanical engineering and simple circuits to bring some of our favorite games to life.
Additional Programming: 1 week Hiking with Guineafowl Adventure Company 6/23 - 6/27
For this first time, The Advent School is offering a one week hiking program in collaboration with Guineafowl Adventure Company This program is for students in 3rd grade - 6th grade. Students will travel to different habitats across northeastern Massachusetts and southern New Hampshire, exploring the natural world and creating art focused on their surroundings. Students will meet at 99
West Cedar Street when the program opens at 8:30 am, head off campus around 9:00am for a day of hiking and exploring. Students will then return to 99 West Cedar Street at 3:45pm for a snack and downtime before dismissal begins at 4:00pm.
Program Fees and Hours
Program Hours: 8:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Program Fee:
● Theater Engineering (two week program w/ no programming on 6/19): $1250.00 per child (no programming on 6/19)
○ Includes all program materials, field trip fees, and a program t-shirt.
● Urban Agriculture and Cardboard Carnival (two week programs): $1,350.00 per child, per session
○ Includes all program materials, field trip fees, and a program t-shirt.
● Partnership Programs with Guineafowl Adventure Company: (3rd - 6th graders ONLY)
○ One Week - Hiking Program
■ Dates: June 23 - 27
■ Fee: $800.00 per child
■ Includes:
● round trip transportation from the program to the nature destination each day
● hiking daypack equipped with a 2-liter hydration bladder and tube, with room for extra food and art supplies
○ Two Week - Arts, Exploration, and Design Program
■ Dates: July 7 - July 18
● Week 1, July 7 - July 11 - Daily off-campus hiking and drawing excursions
● Week 2, July 14 - July 18 - On campus engineering to coincide with Urban Agriculture
■ Fee: $1,550.00 per child
■ Includes:
● round trip transportation from the program to the nature destination each day
● hiking daypack equipped with a 2-liter hydration bladder and tube, with room for extra food and art supplies
● All necessary art supplies (sketchbook, watercolor set with travel paint brush and sponge, graphite pencils, sharpener and eraser, viewfinder, pencil pouch.
Extended Day: 4:00 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.
Extended Day Fee: $20 per child per day
The Advent School is currently moving all payments to an online system. After registration goes out in January, we will send a separate email explaining how to navigate the payment process.
Deposit: Payment of a deposit of $200 per child per session is required and is non-refundable or transferable to another session or child.
Deposit must be received by January 31, 2025 in order for your child’s registration to be accepted. If a deposit is not received by January 31, 2025, your child’s spot will be given to the next student on the waitlist.
Balance Due: Payment of the balance due, which is the session fee less any deposit paid, must be received by March 3, 2025. If the balance is not paid in full by March 3, 2025, and the School has not received notice of your child’s withdrawal from the program by that date, you will be responsible for the full balance of the program(s) fees in which your child(ren) is/are enrolled.
*Full payments must be made for all registrations received after the March 3, 2025 due date.
All fees are non-refundable or transferable to another session or child unless we can fill the spot.
Refunds: A family may receive a refund of all monies paid under certain circumstances, if the School, prior to the start of any Summer Program Session, does the following:
● Cancels any program session
● Changes any program session dates
● Changes a program session’s theme
● Alters the instruction format from on-campus to remote instruction
If a child is enrolled in a program session that is affected by one of the School’s actions listed above, a family may withdraw their child from that session and receive a refund of all monies paid by the family for that session, provided the family notifies the School of their intent to withdraw their child from that session within 14 days of the School’s notice of change of that session.
Financial Aid: Financial aid may be available to eligible families. Please email BOTH enrichment@adventschool.org and tuitionassistance@adventschool.org to apply
Location
Design at Advent Summer Programs, drop off, program, pick up, and extended care will take place at:
● West Cedar Street Campus: 99 W Cedar St., Boston, MA 02114
Eligibility
Ages 5 - 12, youngest designer must turn five by September 1, 2025
Design groups at the 2024 Design at Advent Summer Program will be assigned after all registrations come in. Student groups will be based on grade level, peer relationships and room capacity If your child is signing up with a bud, please let us know and we will work through placing them together
Junior Designers
Reggio-inspired, the Junior Designers program provides ample opportunities for the exploration of scientific concepts and creation of new theories. Open-ended questions invite the Junior Designers to engage with materials in innovative ways, while the design process helps extend their thinking through problem solving.
Student to Staff Ratio: 9:1 + three administrators and one teacher’s assistant
Senior Designers
The design process is a central focus for the Senior Designers. Identifying the problem, generating solutions, and exchanging feedback are all steps that aid in the building, testing, and creation of a final prototype. Senior Designers learn proper tool use and create with a vast array of materials.
Student to Staff Ratio: 10:1 + three administrators and one teacher’s assistant
Design Leaders
Combining the principles of design with leadership skills, the Design Leaders teach and support others on their journey through the design process. As they create, the Leaders share their knowledge with the younger designers. Trips into the community and visits from guest speakers extend the learning and provide material for new leadership opportunities.
Student to Staff Ratio: 10:1 + three administrators and one teacher’s assistant
Drop Off & Pick Up Procedures
Drop Off: 8:30 a.m. to 9:00 a.m.
Program: 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Pick Up: 4:00 p.m. to 4:15 p.m.
Extended Day: 4:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
Drop Off: Will take place between 8:30 am - 9:00 am
● West Cedar Street Campus: 99 W Cedar St., Boston, MA 02114
If a child is reluctant to leave their family, the family must stay with the child until they are emotionally and physically ready to enter the building on their own.
99 West Cedar Street: A summer staff member will be outside the building each morning. Cars can park for up to 15 minutes in select spots on Cambridge St. in front of the CVS pharmacy The Charles/MGH T stop is located across the street.
The main door to 99 West Cedar Street will be locked at 9:00 a.m. If your child will be dropped off after 9:00 a.m., please let us know in advance by emailing us at, enrichment@adventschool.org or by calling The Advent School at (617) 742-0520 x 72.
Pick Up: Will be between 4:00 p.m. - 4:15 p.m.
Only those who have been authorized by a parent/guardian will be allowed to pick up children from the summer program. Everyone who picks up is required to show their photo ID. This includes parents.
If someone not on the authorized pick up list is picking up your child, please let us know in advance. This may be done in person, by emailing us at enrichment@adventschool.org, or by calling The Advent School at (617) 742-0520 x 72.
Early Pick Up/Late Drop Off: Please note that off campus field trips can make it a challenge to accommodate early pick up and late drop off times. If your child needs to be picked up or dropped off outside of the set times, notify us in advance so that arrangements can be made. Contact us at enrichment@adventschool.org, (617) 742-0520 x 72.
Late Pick Up: Children who have not been picked up by 4:15 p.m. will join the Extended Day Program at a rate of $20 per day. All children must be picked up by 5:30 p.m. There is an additional $20 fee for families who pick up after 5:30 p.m.
Families who habitually pick up after 5:30 p.m. may jeopardize their participation in the Extended Day Program.
Extended Day Program
Extended Day is available Monday to Friday from 4:00 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. at a rate of $20 per day Note: There is NO extended day programming on the last Friday of each session. Please do not pay for
this in advance. You will receive an invoice for the total amount of extended days attended at the end of the program.
Extended Day takes place at 99 West Cedar Street. Children will have the opportunity to play and engage in free choice time (LEGO/block building, drawing, reading, etc.) You can let us know the day of or email us in advance at enrichment@adventschool.org if your child would like to join.
Daily Flow
8:30 a.m. - 9:00 a.m. Drop off and Morning Exploration
9:00 a.m. - 9:15 a.m. Morning Meeting
9:15 a.m. - 9:30 a.m. Morning Snack
9:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. Design Challenges/Skill Building/Free Design
11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. Lunch and Recess at The Esplanade
1:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. Design Challenges/Free Design/Collaborative Projects
3:30 p.m. - 3:45 p.m. Afternoon Snack
3:45 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. Design Videos
4:00 p.m. - 4:15 p.m. Dismissal
4:00 p.m. - 5:30 p.m. Extended Day (additional fee)
What to Bring
The Advent School’s facilities are nut-safe.
Please send your child to Advent with the following items everyday:
● Backpack: Your child will carry their items with them on outings
● A nut-free nutritious lunch and at least two nut-free snacks with any necessary utensils. The Advent School campus is entirely nut - peanut and tree nut - safe.
● Refillable water bottle
● Closed-toed comfortable walking shoes: We work with tools and messy things!
● Sunscreen already applied for the day, and for application throughout the day.
● Weather appropriate clothing that can get dirty
● Change of clothes - accidents happen.
Please make sure that all clothing is labeled with your child’s or family’s name. There is a lost and found bin at the main entrance to the program. Items noted claimed by 4:30 p.m. on the last day of each program will be donated. Additional items may be needed for a special event (i.e. swimsuit, towel). This information will be sent in advance by email.
Program & Family Partnership
A strong program and family partnership is key to a child's academic and social-emotional success. The Program is committed to building a culture of shared goals and mutual respect with students and the mission at its center. To strengthen this partnership, the Program has outlined the following expectations:
WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT FROM ADVENT WHAT ADVENT EXPECTS FROM FAMILIES
Communication on an established schedule. Families read and stay current with the Program's communications, including the daily blog.
Communication methods (Blog, email, surveys) that allow families to ask questions.
An invitation to deepen the partnership with families to ensure the best possible program outcomes for the community
An informed and well-prepared faculty and staff who have the best interest of children at heart.
Campus Visitors
Families use the program staff as their primary resource when a concern arises, and engage in a conversation that keeps students and mission at its center.
An understanding that we are in this as one community and the community's needs outweigh the needs of the individual.
Trust in the Advent Summer Program that it is making the best decisions for children with the information it has.
Visitors are allowed on campus between the hours of 8:30 a.m. - 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. - 4:15 p.m. The Program's visitor policy may change anytime to maintain a safe and healthy environment.
Health & Wellness
The Advent School is committed to the health and wellness of the entire community. Keeping the Advent community healthy requires everyone's efforts and is built on a strong partnership between families and the school.
Lunch & Snack
The Program does not have a cafeteria or meal program. Students must bring their own ready to eat lunches, a drink, a mid-morning and afternoon snack each day Please do not pack lunches that must be heated in a microwave or be refrigerated. There are water coolers on each floor for students to access; please send your child to the program with a reusable water bottle.
If a student forgets their lunch, families can drop off lunch. If that is not feasible, we are happy to provide an emergency lunch for your child. The emergency meal may include a bagel with cream cheese, a cheese stick, and a banana.
Please do not arrange for delivery from a food delivery app, as these deliveries are challenging to coordinate with movement throughout the program.
Students eat in their design spaces. We ask that you are thoughtful about the food you pack for your child and avoid including candy, soda, or fast food in their lunch box.
Food Allergy Policy
The Program is a nut-safe campus. We ask for your help to keep classrooms free of all nuts and products containing nuts or nut oil. Please do not send your child to the program with any foods containing nuts, nut oils, or nut butter If a child has a snack containing nuts, they will not be permitted to eat it at the Program.
We do not allow students to share food with their classmates, as some foods may contain nuts or other allergens. This policy also reduces potential exposure to germs. Please talk to your child about this policy and explain that the Program has made this decision on behalf of children with allergies.
Student Illness
Please keep your child home if they are sick or exhibiting symptoms (cough, diarrhea, fever [temperature of 100.4℉/38℃ or greater], runny nose, sore throat, vomiting, etc.) of any illness. Children must be symptom-free for 24 hours from the time they left campus before returning to school.
Student Illness During Program Hours
If a student exhibits symptoms after arriving at the program, caregivers will be called to pick up the child within the hour An Administrator will call any listed emergency contacts if the School cannot reach a parent/guardian. Children must be symptom-free for 24 hours from the time they left campus before returning to school.
First Aid
A student with minor injuries will be treated at the School by teachers and administrators, all of whom are trained in CPR and first aid.
A MedBag is in every room. It contains basic first aid material, and any emergency medication/medication plan for specific students. Within the classroom setting, teachers will oversee minor injuries that call for the need of a bandage or comfort. Students will be seen by administrators when they are complaining of being ill, when they need an injury cleaned and wrapped, if they require an ice pack, or if there are other pressing medical concerns.
Serious Injury
In case of serious injury, the student is taken immediately to the emergency room of Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) or to an emergency room that the EMTs deem appropriate.
Emergency Contacts
Emergency Contacts are individuals - other than the child's parent/guardian - who families authorize to make decisions about their child’s care if a parent/guardian is unavailable. The Program requires families to list at least one (1) Emergency Contact who is NOT the parent/guardian.
In the event of an emergency (e.g., unexpected program closure, early pick up due to fever or vomiting, emergency room visit) and if the Program cannot reach a parent/guardian, the Program will call the Emergency Contact/s.
By listing an individual as an Emergency Contact, you authorize the Program to release your child into their care and make medical decisions for them. Emergency Contacts are listed in FamilyID when registering. If adding additional emergency contacts or authorized release individuals please email enrichment@adventschool.org
Health Forms
Families must submit an annual medical record of their child’s immunizations and physical exam before the first day of the program by emailing it to enrichment@adventschool.org.
Students will not be permitted to attend the program without these forms. These forms are confidential and are only for use by faculty and staff.
Immunizations & Vaccine Requirements
Immunizations for DTP (diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis), MMR (measles, mumps, rubella), hepatitis B, polio, and varicella (chickenpox) are required for a student to attend The Advent School.
Proof of immunizations, or a medical or religious exemption, must be submitted before the first day of the program for the student to be allowed to attend.
Should there be a report or incidence of a case of any of the above illnesses, all susceptible children, including those with medical or religious exemptions, are subject to exclusion until further notice.
Asthma & Allergy Action Plans
Before the first day of the program, an action plan is required for children with asthma or allergies. You must have your child’s rescue medication (e.g., inhaler, EpiPen) available to them at all times. Inhalers, EpiPens, and other rescue medication must be sent with your child on the first day of the program.
Prescription Medications
Families are asked to inform the administrative team at enrichment@adventschool.org of any medication a child takes during program hours.
Form available HERE
The following forms are required for prescription medications to treat chronic or short-term illnesses (e.g., antibiotics):
● A physician order must be provided for any and all medication
● A signed Consent for Medication Administration form
● An action plan, if not included in the physician's order, that details the dosage, timing, and any additional information needed to administer the medication
All medication must be sent in its original container and may contain only the amount needed by the child while attending the program.
Over-the-Counter Medication
The program does not keep over-the-counter (OTC) medications like Tylenol, cough drops, or cough syrup on hand for student use. If your child needs to take these medications, please submit an OTC Medication form before sending your child to the program with any over-the-counter medicine.
Form available HERE.
Communicable Diseases
Communicable Diseases
The Program notifies the community when cases of communicable diseases occur at the Program. These types of illnesses may include, but are not limited to:
● COVID-19
● Influenza
● Measles
● Meningitis
● Pertussis (whooping cough)
● Pinworms
● Rubella
● Streptococcal Pharyngitis (strep throat)
● Varicella (chicken pox)
An email may be sent to the community that provides the pertinent information including the type of illness, a list of common symptoms, and information about next steps when necessary We strive to maintain the anonymity of an affected student, but families should be aware that that might not be possible in all cases.
Head Lice
A case of head lice is a common problem that can affect anyone, but is especially common among elementary school children. Lice are spread through direct contact with an infested item such as a hairbrush, hat, or helmet. The major symptom of head lice is itching. Persistent scratching of the scalp and back of the neck may be a sign.
If a student is suspected of having an active case of head lice during program hours, the Program will:
● Remove the student from class for inspection
● Perform an inspection of the student’s hair
● Notify the student’s family if nits or lice are found
In keeping with revised recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), a student may stay in school if head lice are found. Once the Program is dismissed, Design at Advent strongly recommends that the student be taken to their healthcare provider to be diagnosed and treated.
Student Device Policy
Students are discouraged from bringing to the program any device that can make or receive calls and texts and/or connect to the internet, including:
● Cell phones
● Smartphones
● Tablets
● Smartwatches
● Cameras*
● Video game systems and any device with games
● Any electronic device with call, text, or internet capabilities If any of these devices are brought to the program, they must be kept in a backpack, powered off, and have their call/text capability (for smartwatches) off for the duration of the program. The Program is not responsible for lost or damaged devices.
*All cameras, including film, instant (i.e., Polaroid, Instax, etc.), and digital cameras, are included in the policy They are a distraction during the program and the recess and could be used to record people without their consent.
Valuables
The Program does not have secure storage for student possessions. Students are advised to bring to the program only those things necessary for projects and sharing. Valuables such as toys, treasured items, money, etc. should be left at home.
Safety Guidelines for Field Trips
Safety during field trips is our first priority. Teachers, students, and chaperones must observe our safety guidelines at all times. Parents are notified ahead of time by an administrator if students will ride the T or take a bus.
Children are expected to be respectful and listen to instructions from faculty, chaperones, and staff at the field trip destination. Children are given one warning for negative or unsafe behavior during the field trip; continued unsafe and/or disrespectful behavior is grounds to exclude a child from the next field trip. Children wear wristbands with Design at Advent’s phone number whenever they leave the building. Children wear their summer program t-shirts on field trips.
Safety Drills
Design at Advent practices fire drills and Silent Safety Alert (SSA) drills on the first day of each session.
Fire drills and SSA are initiated using the School’s telephone intercom system.
The Program may call for a (SSA) for a variety of reasons. These reasons include:
● A developing emergency situation, either inside of the Program or in the neighborhood
● Threat in the neighborhood (e.g. active shooter, bomb threat, chemical spill, etc.)
● A person or persons have entered the building with the intent to do harm
Teachers discuss the reason for each drill with their children using developmentally appropriate language for each grade. During a SSA drill teachers and students will shelter in place in a designated area of their classroom until the “all clear” signal is given.