PROGRAM
The After School Care Program at Dante B. Fascell Elementary School offers a variety of activities, including homework assistance, indoor and outdoor games, music, and arts and crafts. If we can be of assistance, please do not hesitate to call us at (305) 380-1901. Our fax number is (305) 380-1912.

STAFF
The program managers supervise group activity leaders that have been screened by Miami-Dade County Public Schools to work directly with your children in smaller groups. All activity leaders receive a minimum of 30 hours of Department of Children and Families training.

HOMEWORK
Students in After School Care classes will have time for doing homework assignments. The After School Care activity leader is only responsible for providing a time for homework. Even though the students frequently receive help and encouragement, it cannot be assumed that our workers know the expectations of the classroom teachers or the instructional methods used in the classroom.

SNACKS
Each day a snack will be provided for your child after the end of the regular school day. Please notify staff of any food allergies upon registration.

ALTERNATE NUTRITION PLAN
If your child is unable to eat the snacks provided by the after-school care program, please contact our office. There is a form to complete that is kept in your child's file stating that the parent will provide a nutritious snack.

REGISTRATION
No registration card is considered complete without EMERGENCY CONTACT INFORMATION. All information on the card must be filled in. It is EXTREMELY IMPORTANT that you notify the program manager if there are any changes in the parent contact and/or emergency contact.

INSURANCE
Upon registering your child, it is mandatory to obtain the student accident insurance. No child may attend before-school care or after-school care programs without insurance. This is supplemental insurance and DOES NOT take the place of family or individual medical insurance coverage. It is the responsibility of each parent to become familiar with any insurance limitations and other information provided in the brochure.

FEES
Fees must be paid in advance based on the enclosed payment schedules. Fees may be paid by check, cash or money order. There is no partial payment for partial use of services. NO CHILD WILL BE ALLOWED TO BEGIN A SERVICE PERIOD FOR WHICH PAYMENT HAS NOT BEEN MADE.
Late Pick Up Fee
A late fee of $10 per 15 minutes per family will be charged for children not picked up on time from the After School Care Program. A late fee of $5 per 15 minutes per family will be charged for children not picked upon time from Story Hour Program. Consistent late pick up may result in the child being withdrawn from the program.

Late Payment Fee
A late payment fee of $10 will be charged for payments not received prior to the first day of the service period.

Some program costs may be deducted from your federal income taxes and you should save your canceled checks and/or receipts from the program, no copies can be issued.

NON-SUFFICIENT FUNDS/RETURNED CHECKS
If a check is returned for any reason to us for non-sufficient funds, we WILL NOT redeposit it. We will ask that you bring cash for the amount of the check and the additional service charge made by the bank within 24 hours of notification. Should this happen more than once, we will ask that all payments be made in cash.

For information about fees and payment schedule, please call 305-380-1910.

BEFORE-SCHOOL CARE ARRIVAL PROCEDURES
Each child must be signed in daily within the school building by an authorized person listed on the child's registration card.

RELEASE OF CHILDREN
Children may be picked up any time prior to 6:00 p.m., but they must be picked up NO LATER than 6:00 p.m. If an emergency arises, you are expected to make arrangements so that your child will be picked up before 6:00 p.m. and to notify the program manager accordingly. Parents who are unable to pick up their children on time, on a regular basis, may lose the services of the program.

IMPORTANT: IF THERE IS AN EMERGENCY, PLEASE CALL THE SCHOOL AT (305) 380-1901 AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

DISMISSAL PROCEDURES
Pick up
Each child must be signed out from the after-school care office by an AUTHORIZED PERSON listed on the child's registration card. Any other person not listed must have permission in writing from the parent or legal guardian and present photo identification before the child will be released.

Authorized Persons
ONLY those persons listed on your child's registration card are considered authorized.
Even family members, if not listed, are not considered authorized to pick up your child. We encourage you to list several emergency contact persons to be prepared in case you should have any emergency. Verification by the program manager will be made with you before any child is released to a person not listed on the registration card.

Walk Home
A written notification must be kept on file or sent the same day that your child is to walk home. Time of departure from the program must be listed. This must be sent by the child's parent or guardian. Permission must be obtained directly from the program manager.

Changes in Procedures
If there are any changes in the dismissal procedures for your child, daily or continuous, please notify the office in person or in writing immediately. This will help to ensure the safety of your child. If you pick up your child early from the regular day school program, please contact the after-school care program office.

ILLNESS/ACCIDENTS
Should your child become ill or injured during the program, you will be notified immediately and you must make arrangements to pick up your child at that time.

MEDICAL AUTHORIZATION
Should your child require medication during the hours that he/she attends the program, a permission form must be filled out and kept on file. Please notify the program manager should that occasion arise.

BEHAVIOR/DISCIPLINE POLICY
Your child will be under the supervision of qualified personnel familiar with his/her school. Guidelines and rules for the program are the same as the regular school program and will be explained to your child. Rough conduct, disrespect to leaders, destruction of property or equipment, vandalism, use of profanity, or any other undesirable act will result in disciplinary action and, if necessary, removal from the program. You will be contacted about serious and/or repeated misbehavior. If your child continually misbehaves, he/she may be withdrawn from the program.

REFUND/CREDIT POLICY
A student absent for 5 OR MORE CONSECUTIVE DAYS from the after-school care program as well as regular school, may receive credit for the amount of paid days absent. At the request of the parent, this amount may be deducted from the amount of the payment for the following service period.

WITHDRAWAL
A student withdrawing from the after-school care program after payment has been made may be given a refund for the paid unused days. Parents are responsible for notifying the after-school care manager or secretary in WRITING as to the date of withdrawal.


For more information about the after school care program in Miami-Dade County Public Schools.