Parent Guide EXL

The staff in our programs are individuals passionate about working with youth. Staff participates in training prior to the start of and throughout the school year that provides them with the tools needed to create consistent, safe, and welcoming spaces for youth. The inclusive spaces created by staff help youth develop a sense of belonging. We believe in supporting all children as they develop skills in academics as well as supporting their social, emotional, and personal growth.

Our staff plan engaging activities each day for our participants as well as help them with their homework and provide them with opportunities to play and have fun in a safe place. 

It is our goal that everyone participating in our programs have a safe place to go during out-of-school time. If a participant poses a risk to the emotional or physical safety of other participants or themselves, reasonable interventions will be implemented. If behaviors continue to risk the safety of others despite the reasonable interventions in place, the decision may be made that the participant be dismissed from the program. Our program values are respect, responsibility, kindness, safety, and accountability. We expect our youth to use kind language, keep their hands to themselves, follow instructions, and stay with their group to create a safe and engaging environment for all. Please go over these values and basic expectations with your child(ren) before the first day of Expanded Learning so they are prepared to join the program.​There is a general expectation that all students participating in Expanded Learning programs follow the same rules of conduct as written in the East Maine School District 63 Student Handbook. All weapons, including that firearms, are prohibited on the premises.

If a student is unable to meet these expectations, parents/guardians will be notified. Continued disregard of or demonstrated inability to follow  rules and expectations will result in a meeting between the Director and the parent/guardian and possible dismissal of the child(ren) from the program.

In any event, where a child is posing a safety risk to themselves or others, where reasonable accommodations are not disrupting the behavior, parents/guardians must be prepared to pick up their child from the program within a reasonable amount of time, but no more than 30 minutes from the initial notification.

A breakfast snack will be provided to those participating in Before-School programs. Snacks will be provided to all participating in the After-School programs. All snacks will be consumed in the cafeteria.

For full-day programs (Early Dismissal Days, School's Out Days, Break Camps), participants should bring their own lunches/snacks (we do not provide lunch service) as well as a reusable water bottle. It is always recommended that participants' items be labeled with their full names.

Bus shuttle service to/from the Family Resource Center is included in the Before-School, After-School, and Early Dismissal Days fees. There is no bus service home at the end of the day or to the FRC in the morning. 

Our program values are respect, responsibility, kindness, safety, and accountability. When on the bus, we expect our youth to use a level-one voice, use kind language, keep their hands to themselves, follow instructions, and stay with their group to create a safe and engaging environment for all. Please go over these values and basic expectations with your child(ren) before the first day of Expanded Learning so they are prepared to ride the bus safely.

If a student is unable to meet these expectations, parents/guardians will be notified. Repeat disregard for or inability to follow the rules & expectations for riding the bus will result in suspension from bus service. The child may still attend the Expanded Learning program, however, the parent shall assume responsibility of transporting the child to the program.

Safety protocols will be followed to the extent possible and as required by governing agencies. 

DROP OFF 
Students arriving for Before-School programs, School’s Out Days, or Break Camps:  
In the morning, parents/guardians may park their vehicles and walk into the building through door #1B (the front door) to sign their child(ren) into the program using their unique PIN number. Your PIN number can be found in your EZChildTrack Parent Portal.
 
PICK UP
Parents/guardians will enter through door #1 and sign out their child(ren) using their unique PIN number. Your PIN number can be found in your EZChildTrack Parent Portal. Parents/guardians may wait for their child(ren) in the lobby. Staff may verify the identification of adult(s) picking up the student by checking their ID against our records. 

Parents/guardians must be aware of the pick up times for the programs they are registered for and pick up their children on time. Staff are scheduled to work a fairly rigid schedule, please be mindful of this and pick up your children on time.

Fees will be added to accounts for any late pick-ups at the rate of $1/minute. Continued disregard for the program's schedule will result in suspension of childcare services. 

Students will play outdoors as long as it is within the safety guidelines for weather, air quality, and temperature as outlined in the Child Care Weather Watch. Please send your child(ren) with weather-appropriate clothing, including rain clothings, to ensure their safety outdoors. 

If a participant requires prescription or over-the-counter medication, a parent must complete this form and provide our office with the medication.
Both prescription and non-prescription medication shall be accepted only in its original containers.

• Prescription medications shall be labeled with the entire pharmacy label.
• Over-the-counter (non-prescription) medication shall be clearly labeled with the child's first and last name. The container shall be in such condition that the name of the medication and the directions for use are clearly readable.

Medication shall be administered in a manner that protects the safety of the child.

• A specific staff person shall be designated to administer and properly document the dispensation of the medication each day.
• Prescription medication shall be administered as required by a physician, subject to the receipt of appropriate releases from parents, which shall be on file and regularly updated. Prescription medication shall be used only for the child named on the label.
• Over-the-counter medications may be dispensed in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions when provided by the parent with written permission.
• The daycare center shall maintain a record of the dates, times administered, dosages, prescription number, if applicable, and the name of the person administering the medication.

Medications shall be safely stored.

• Medication containers shall have child-protection caps whenever possible.
• All medication, whether refrigerated or unrefrigerated, shall be kept in locked cabinets or other containers that are inaccessible to children and designated and used only for this purpose.
• Medications shall be kept in a well-lighted area.
• Medications shall be kept out of the reach of children.
• Medication shall not be kept in rooms where food is prepared or stored unless refrigerated in a locked container.
• Medication shall not be used beyond the date of expiration.
• When a child no longer needs to receive medication, the unused portion or empty bottle shall be returned to the parent.

Any topical products, such as sunscreen, whether supplied by the parent or the child care center, shall be approved by the parent in writing before use on the child.

Safety Protocols and Procedures in place 

• Handwashing
• All students, staff, and visitors will be required to wash hands (or sanitize if soap and water are unavailable) upon arrival to the building. Students and staff will be encouraged to wash their hands frequently throughout the day and to wash hands before and after eating, after coming back from outdoor activities, when switching activities, after using the bathroom, and whenever re-entering the classroom.
• Cleaning & Disinfecting
• The FRC custodial staff will clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces throughout the day. Doorknobs, switches, water bottle filling stations, push bars/plates on doors, and other frequently touched surfaces in common areas and bathrooms will be disinfected throughout the day. Each evening, the building will be cleaned and disinfected. 
• Groups
• Students will be in groups based on their grade level with a ratio of staff to students 1:20.
• Each group will have a designated space with a locker assigned to each student.
• For anyone who tests positive for COVID-19 or any other communicable disease, we will be following the IDPH protocol. 

AFTER SCHOOL
Students arrive from their home school and begin their day with Expanded Learning. Each group will have different activities as they are planned by the staff assigned to their group; however, all will be following this basic schedule:

• Elementary School Students:
  • 2:35-2:45 PM | Arrival at the FRC
  • 2:45-3:10 PM | Snack for Grades K-2 and Recess for Grades 3-5
  • 3:10-3:35 PM | Snack for Grades 3-5 and Recess for Grades K-2
  • 3:40-4:15  PM | Homework Help
  • 4:15-5:00 PM | Project
  • 5:00-5:20 PM | Clean Up
  • 5:20-6:00 PM | Choice Centers
  • 6:00 PM | End of Day
• Middle School Students:
  • 3:40 PM | Arrival at the FRC
  • 3:40-4:00 PM | Snack
  • 4:00-4:20 PM | Free Play
  • 4:20-4:50 PM | Homework Help
  • 4:50-5:30 PM | Project/Choice
  • 5:30-6:00 PM | Clean Up & Choice
  • 6:00 PM | End of Day

BEFORE SCHOOL

• 6:45 AM | Doors Open
• 7:00 AM | Breakfast Snack
• 7:00-7:8:05 AM | Choice Centers
• 7:20 AM | Elementary School Bus Departs for Home Schools
• 8:05 AM | Middle School Bus  for Gemini

EARLY DISMISSAL DAY

• 11:05 PM | Elementary Schools Arrive at the FRC (11:35 for Middle School)
• 11:05-11:45 PM | Lunch
• 11:45 AM -12:15 PM | Recess
• 12:15-3:30 PM | Activities (Field trips depart at 12:30 p.m. and return at 3:15 p.m.)
• 3:30-4:00 PM | Snack
• 4:00-5:00 PM | Choice Activities - FINAL pick up at 5 PM to accomodate for Staff In-Service Training

For a full refund, a parent/guardian must provide written notification of cancellation to Expanded Learning a minimum of two full weeks before the date of the selected program. Partial refunds are available if the cancellation notice is provided a week in advance. We cannot refund fees for programs if a parent/guardian cancels the program less than a week in advance of the date of the selected program.

For example, if a family wants to cancel an Early Dismissal Day program, they would need to cancel two weeks in advance of the program to receive a full refund. For example, if the Early Dismissal Day is on September 10, 2024, written notification of cancellation will have had to be provided by August 26 at the lastest.  Cancellation less than two weeks, but more than one week will result in a partial refund. If a parent/guardian cancels the program less than a week in advance they are not eligible for a refund and fees for the program will still be applied to their account. 

If you need to cancel a program, please be sure to do so at least two weeks in advance to receive a full refund. 

All refunds are processed through our Business Services Department and may take up to six weeks.