ENSURE A BRIGHTER FUTURE 2020 - 2021 Before & After School Care YMCA of the Shoals Parent Handbook

ENSURE A
                BRIGHTER
                 FUTURE

                     2020 - 2021
                     Before & After
LOCATION WILL BE
 OFFSITE DUE TO
                     School Care
 CONSTRUCTION.       YMCA of the Shoals
    St. Michael’s    Parent Handbook
  School Building
2751 County Rd. 30   Contact: Brooks Canup
Florence, AL 35634

Dear Parents/Guardians,

Thank you very much for choosing the YMCA of the Shoals After School Care Program.
You are helping us in our quest to fulfill our mission “To put Christian principles in
practice through programs that help build a healthy spirit, mind and body for all.”

YMCA Afterschool Care is designed to help kids in every community succeed
developmentally and academically. At the Y, kids are cultivating the values, skills, and
relationships that lead to better achievement in the classroom, positive behaviors, and
social skills.

The YMCA of the Shoals makes sure our children are provided with a snack, an
opportunity to complete homework, and guided activities. We have an underlying goal,
which seeks to provide a happy atmosphere, develop positive self-esteem in children,
strengthen self-discipline, stimulate self-expression, and to help build strong kids,
families and communities.

Lane Vines, CEO
YMCA of the Shoals

Brooks Canup
Youth Development Director

Mission Statement
To put Christian principles into practice through programs that build healthy spirit, mind
and body for all.

Character Values
We strive to integrate our four core values in everything we do. These values are:
caring, honesty, respect and responsibility. We hope to help build these values in your
children by serving as an example, doing activities to promote them and encouraging
your child to exhibit them in their behavior.

Program Hours
Our Before & After School Program will coincide with the Florence City School calendar.
Before School Care is available between 5:00-6:30 a.m., Monday-Friday. The bus leaves
at 6:30. Morning bus runs to Weeden, Harlan, Forest Hills, and Hibbett. No county
schools.

After School Care for children enrolled in Weeden, Harlan, Hibbett, Forest Hills,
Underwood, Wilson, and Brooks will be provided at the YMCA until 6:00 pm Monday-
Friday. Transportation to St. Michael’s is provided through partnership with NACOLG at
no additional charge.

Age Requirements
Summer Day Camp is for children who have completed kindergarten through 6th grade.

Payments
ALL FEES ARE DUE FRIDAY BEFORE THE WEEK OF SERVICE
A $15.00 late fee will be added to your child’s account if fees are not paid by Friday.
When registering your child for any week of care, we reserve a space just for your child.
We make a commitment to staff, space and materials based on your registration. If your
child is absent from services, NO REFUND will be given. The YMCA will not deduct
individual days missed, for any reason, from your weekly fee. Weekly fees will not be
refunded in the event of severe weather.

Caring and Trained Staff
The Youth Development Director is responsible for the management of the YMCA After
School Care program. Counselors have been carefully selected and put through
background and reference checks prior to employment. The counselors have also
participated in the YMCA Child Abuse and Prevention Safety courses as well as
additional hours of training to prepare for camp. Counselors are also CPR and First Aid
certified.
Program Activities
Children will participate in a variety of activities during the week. These activities will
include: swimming, arts and crafts, sports, nature and science, math, reading,
gardening and free play. All children are encouraged (but not required) to participate in
all activities. If a child is unable to participate in activities due to illness or injury, they
may need to be picked up by the parent/guardian for the day.
Personal Belongings
We encourage children to learn responsibility for their own belongings. Please do not
send toys, Legos, phones, video games, Pokemon cards, fidget spinners, etc. These
items can be expensive and the YMCA is NOT responsible for lost, stolen or broken
items. If these items are found at camp, they will be taken up by staff and returned to
the parents/guardians at pick up. If you are unsure about bringing an item to St.
Michael’s, please err on the side of caution and leave all personal items at home.
Snacks
A snack is provided each day by the YMCA of the Shoals. There is no charge for snack.
You may also send a snack. There is NO MICROWAVE/REFRIGERATOR for
children’s use. Please pack snacks that require no heating/refrigeration. CHILDREN
ARE NOT ALLOWED TO USE THE VENDING MACHINES TO PURCHASE SNACKS
AND DRINKS.
Christmas Break/Spring Break
During school breaks, children K-6 may play at St. Michael’s from 6:00 am until 6:00
pm each day as a part of Vacation Camp. Campers should bring a sack lunch each day
that does not require refrigeration or microwaving.
   If schools close for inclement weather, child care will not be available
   County school pick up is subject to change based on enrollment demands

Food Allergies
Food allergies can be life threatening. The YMCA is NOT nut/peanut free. If your child
has a food allergy, please instruct them never to trade food with other kids, not to eat
anything with unknown ingredients and to tell their counselor immediately if a reaction
seems to be starting. Parents, make sure you have identified your child’s allergy to
camp staff on their application. It is important that our staff knows what your child’s
allergic reaction is so we can help efficiently in the event of an emergency.

Medication
If your child needs medication, we will need written permission. Medicines cannot be
given by the YMCA Counselors without a written, signed and dated request from the
child’s parent or guardian. Any prescription sent to the YMCA must be in its original
container and clearly labeled with the child’s name and directions for administering the
drug. No over-the-counter medication will be given. Blanket permission to give over-the
-counter drugs will not be accepted.

Illness
The YMCA cannot provide care for sick children. Due to the concern and well-being of
the other kids and staff, you will be required to pick up your child as soon as possible in
the event he/she becomes ill while in our program. We ask that children that are ill do
not return to the YMCA until they have been symptom free without medication for 24
hours.

Program Fees
Fees are due the Friday prior to the week your child attends.
Before & After School Program:       $44 per week per child for YMCA Members
                                     $55 per week per child for Non-YMCA Members
Vacation Camp—Weekly Fees:           $80/member               $90/non member
Daily Fees with Before/After         $18/day member           $21/day non member
A $25 registration fee is required for each child enrolled in the program ($10 each
additional child from same family)
Register at YMCA of the Shoals (2121 Helton Drive, Florence) or St. Michael’s
(2751 County Road 30, Florence).
The registration fee plus the first week’s fee is due at time of registration.

Financial Assistance
A limited amount of Financial Assistance is available for those who qualify. Applications
will be taken on a first come basis. Federal and state funds covering up to 70% of
child care costs are available to parents meeting income requirements.

Keeping Us Updated
It is the responsibility of the parents to keep proper registration information and
phone numbers current in your child’s records. A child will be released only to persons
who are listed on the Authorized Pick Up section of the registration form. In emergen-
cy situations, changes in authorization may be taken by phone or email at the discre-
tion of the Director.

We Live by Three Simple Rules
1. Keep your hands and feet to yourself.
2. If you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything at all.
3. Stay with your group.

Behavior Management
It is the goal of the YMCA to provide a fun, healthy, safe and secure environment for
all our participants. The Y teaches core values of caring, honesty, respect and
responsibility. Children who attend the program are expected to follow the behavior
guidelines and to interact appropriately in a group setting.

Behavior Guidelines
1. Children are responsible for their actions.
2. We respect each other and our environment.
3. Honesty will be the basis for all relationships and interactions.
4. We will care for ourselves and those around us.

When a child does not follow the behavior guidelines, we will take the
following steps:
1. Counselor will redirect the child to a more appropriate behavior
2. The child will be reminded of the behavior guidelines and the YMCA rules. A
   discussion will take place. The child may also be placed in time out.
      A. The child will be removed from the activity he/she is currently participating in
         and will sit out for a certain period of time.
      B. When placed in time out, the child will sit out in minutes equivalent to his/her
         age (7 years old = 7 minutes in time out)
3. If the behavior persists, a parent will be notified of the problem. The staff will
document the situation. The written document will include what the behavior problem
was; what provoked the problems and the corrective action taken.
4. Director will schedule a conference with the parents so they can determine the
appropriate action to take.
5. Director will schedule a progress check or follow-up conference if needed.
6. If the problem persists, the Director will schedule a conference that includes the
parent, child, staff and Director.
7. If a child’s behavior at any time threatens the immediate safety of that child or
other children and staff, the parent may be notified and then expected to pick up the
child immediately.
8 If a problem persists and the child continues to disrupt the program, the YMCA
reserves the right to suspend the child from the program. Expulsion from the program
will be considered in extreme situations.

The following behaviors are not acceptable and may result in immediate sus-
pension of a child for up to three days:
   Endangering the health and safety of children, staff, members or volunteers
   Stealing or damaging YMCA property, or personal property
   Leaving the program without permission
   Continuing to disrupt the program
   Refusing to follow the behavior guidelines or YMCA rules
   Using profanity, vulgarity or obscene language
   Acting in a lewd manner
   Fighting
   Bullying
   Pantsing (pulling someone’s pants or shorts down)
   Spitting

If any of these behaviors persist, your child may be expelled from the Before & After
School program. No refunds will be given for time missed due to suspensions or
expulsions.
Immediate expulsions may occur if a child is in possession of and/or using tobacco,
alcohol, illegal drugs, explosives, firearms or weapons of any kind.

ENROLLMENT PROCEDURE
In-House Registration
1. Read, complete and sign Program Registration form/packet for each child. Forms/
   Packets can be obtained at the Front Desk of the YMCA and St. Michael’s.
2. Along with the completed registration form, application fee and first week’s
   payment must be paid at registration.
3. Be sure to look over the form/packet carefully and make sure all areas are
   completed.

NOTE: By signing the registration form, emergency medical authorization, swimming
-wading authorization and field trip authorization, you and your child agree to abide
by the policies set for by the YMCA.

St. Michael’s School
2751 County Road 30, Florence, AL 35634
Please follow the arrows for drop off/pick up. The star symbolizes where we will be.
Sign in will be inside the school, and sign out will be underneath the awning (weather
permitting).

Important Dates
August 17, 2020           First Day of County Schools / Vacation Day
August 20, 2020           First Day of City Schools
September 7, 2020         LABOR DAY CLOSED
September 8, 2020         City Schools E-Learning / Vacation Day
October 12, 2020          County Schools Out / Vacation Day
October 13, 2020          County Schools E-Learning / Vacation Day
October 15, 2020          City Schools Out / Vacation Day
October 16, 2020          City Schools E-Learning / Vacation Day
October 19, 2020          City Schools Fall Break / Vacation Day
November 11, 2020         Veterans Day / Vacation Day
November 23-27. 2020      Thanksgiving Break / Vacation Days
November 26, 2020         THANKSGIVING CLOSED
November 27, 2020         DAY AFTER THANKSGIVING—NO CHILDCARE
December 18, 2020         City Schools Early Dismissal
December 21-23, 2020      Winter Break / Vacation Days
December 24, 2020         CHRISTMAS EVE NO CHILDCARE
December 25, 2020         CHRISTMAS CLOSED
December 28-30, 2020      Winter Break / Vacation Days
December 31, 2020         NEW YEARS EVE NO CHILDCARE
January 1, 2021           NEW YEARS DAY NO CHILDCARE
January 4-5, 2021         Winter Break / Vacation Days
January 6, 2021           County Schools Resume / Vacation Day
January 7, 2021           City Schools Resume
January 18, 2021          Martin Luther King Jr. Day / Vacation Day
February 12, 2021         City Schools E-Learning / Vacation Day
February 15, 2021         Presidents Day / Vacation Day
March 19, 2021            City Schools E-Learning / Vacation Day
March 22-26, 2021         Spring Break / Vacation Days
April 19, 2021            County Schools E-Learning / Vacation Day
April 23, 2021            City Schools E-Learning / Vacation Day
May 27, 2021              All Schools Out / Vacation Day
      **APRIL 2nd & MAY 7th NO SCHOOL OR WEATHER DAY FOR COUNTY SCHOOLS**