Extended Day Program
Welcome
Benjamin Stoddert Elementary School Extended Day Program (the “Program”) welcomes your family to another fun filled year! In order to make sure that everyone knows all about the program, how it works and how it is run, we have put created this handbook for the parents to keep and review for the school year.
Objective
The objective of the Program, as it has been for the past 30 years, is to provide an enriching, relaxed and educational experience for kids. A variety of activities and clubs are offered, such as games, arts and crafts, languages, field sports, karate, computer technology, homework club, basketball, soccer, science, drama and plenty of outdoor free play. Children are encouraged to explore their interests. Snacks are provided.
Staff
The Director of the Program and the staff are chosen first and foremost for their dedication to children and their desire to create a unique, respectful and fun learning environment. Many have their own children, and/or are teachers, in the school and, therefore, have a real stake in seeing that the Program is a success.
Enrollment Options
The Program offers Morning Care (from 7:30am to 8:40am), After Care (from 3:15pm to 6:00pm), and Part-Time After Care (2 days/week). We also have a drop-in option. Your child must be pre-registered to attend one of these Program options. For registration information, click here to access the forms you must submit in order to enroll your child in the Extended Day Program.
Also available is Morning or Afternoon Drop-in Care for children who are already registered in the program. This is for those of you who may only need service occasionally. Please let the Director know if your child will be attending either program. Do not send your child in the building unescorted on a drop-in day.
Payment Options
The program runs from September through June. Payment must start in September. Morning Care is available for $65 per month. Your child will be able to attend every morning that month.
After Care is available for $160 per month. Your child will be able to attend every afternoon for that month. (Please note that after 6:00PM there will be a $1 per minute late fee. This needs to be paid when you pick up your child.)
Part-time After Care is available for $80 per month. Your child will be able to attend TWO days per week. Please let the Director know which days those will be so we know when your child will be with us.
Morning Drop-in Care is $10 each morning, After Care drop in is $15, payable that day.
All fees (with the exception of Morning/Afternoon Drop-in Care) are due on the fifth of the month whether or not you receive a bill. After the fifth of the month a $25 late fee will be assessed. In the past, too many families have paid late, which makes bookkeeping for the Program very difficult. Due to problem, if your monthly fees are not paid in a timely manner your child may be dropped from the program.
If you are having difficulties paying your fees, please speak to the Director as soon as possible.
There will be a $25 bounced check fee for any check returned from the bank, and a $25 fee will be accrued for a declined credit card.
There will be no refunds or pro-rata reductions due to family vacations or dropping out on a given month. A refund, or a pro rata reduction may be possible, at the discretion of the Director, if your child has a prolonged (i.e., more than a week) illness.
Schedule
The Program is open on all regular school days. On half days we are open from 12:15 to 6:00PM. There is an extra $20 fee for those days should you chose to have your child attend.
If the District of Columbia Public School (DCPS) system closes the schools for any reason during the day (e.g., snowstorms) the Program will also be closed. If the DCPS system has a late opening there will be no Morning Care; however After Care should not be affected.
Breakfast Program
The Extended Day Program is not affiliated with the DCPS breakfast program. If your child is enrolled in the Extended Day Program you must pay for breakfast with the cafeteria personnel. Breakfast does not start until 8:00AM, if your child is not part of the Extended Day Program you must escort your child in for breakfast and monitor them. The Extended Day staff can not be responsible for any children who are not registered. This is an insurance issue.
Security and Safety
It is of utmost importance that your child be safe and secure while in the Program. For this reason, the following security measures have been implemented:
1. Only the person who is named on the registration form can pick up your child and may sign the sign-out sheet. If your child will be leaving with someone other than you on a particular day, you must submit a note to the Director of the Program, signed and dated by you, to that affect. We cannot release a child to anyone unless they have been designated by the parents. If you need more space to add names on your registration form you can add them on the back.
2. Your child may not leave the Stoddert School grounds without a signed and dated permission letter from you.
Discipline
The Program tries to create a caring environment where the children feel safe and protected. In order to foster an appreciation of their rights as well as the rights of others we will follow certain guidelines regarding discipline. Inappropriate language or fighting is unacceptable. On the first violation, the staff will make every effort to resolve the situation through communication with the children involved. On the second violation the parent or guardian will be notified. On the third violation a mandatory conference will be arranged between the Director and the parents. If a fourth violation occurs the child will be removed from the program. Our main goal is to maintain a harmonious environment.
Dress
As the bulk of our time is spent outside, please dress your child appropriately for the weather. Send in extra clothing and we will put it on them before going outdoors.
Please label all clothes, backpacks and lunch boxes.
Toys from Home
We have had a problem in the past with lost or broken toys, for this reason we do not recommend children bringing toys from home. Hand held electronic devices are only allowed on rainy days. No cards are ever allowed. Extended Day will not be responsible for lost or broken toys.
Communication with Staff
Please let us know of your concerns, suggestions and anything you think we need to know regarding your child. The staff of the Program is dedicated to keeping your child happy and safe.
Contact Information
For additional information about the Program, please contact the Director, Maria McKitterick, at (202) 255-7701 or maria.mckitterick@gmail.com.
