Volunteer efforts are an essential ingredient to our success here at Saint John the Evangelist. We depend upon the efforts of the Home & School Association Board as well as the countless parents who support our many events and activities. One of our most effective ways to solicit your support is through the bi-monthly Parent Participation Activities Update. We strongly encourage you to take the time to complete these forms and to spend time at our school supporting our students. The success of the Home & School Association depends upon your dedication to our children.

 
 

CARES Program
Children Are Receiving Extended Services

St. John the Evangelist School CARES Program will provide professional care, supervision, recreation and enrichment activities for your child.  It serves working families who desire both parochial school education and supplementary day care in a Catholic Environment.

Our aim is to create an atmosphere where Christian values are instilled through modeling and meaningful interaction; to provide continuity in the education of your children; and also to provide security and services to school children of working parents.

The CARES Program is staffed by experienced, devoted and committed teachers and parents.  These teachers and parents work together to help each child grow in maturity and self-respect, as well as to maintain an atmosphere wherein respect and understanding for others is realized.

This service will be provided only on school days.  On days when school is in session but closes early due to weather, etc. you are to make prior arrangements with a child care provider.  Once your child comes to school we take on the responsibility until pick up time.  On half-days before a holiday or holidays, it will be your responsibility to take care of your child’s placement elsewhere.

Before School CARES hours 7:30 am until 8:20 am
After School Cares hours 2:45 p.m. until 6:00 p.m

FACULTY

   Mrs. Jean Lucci  CARES Program Director
  Mrs. Nancy Marlin CARES
  Mrs. Tina Polizzotti CARES
 

EARLY CLOSING DUE TO SNOW

The CARES program will not remain open on days that the students are sent home early, due to inclement weather.  The telephone tree will call you at your home or work to notify you that school is letting out early.  Please make arrangements for your child to go home with another child care provider, student, etc.

COSTS OF THE CARES PROGRAM

There will be a $25 non-refundable registration fee per student. Registrations are taken on the 1st of the month only.  No student may begin this program except at the beginning of a month.  This allows for purchase of snacks and start up costs.  The ongoing cost of this program will be $4.00 PER HOUR per student.  There will be a $3.00 PER HOUR fee for each sibling.  We ask that this fee be paid by the first of the month.  A reminder will be sent to your home the week before your payment is due.

CREDITS

There are no refunds or credits for an occasional missed day.  Extended absences for illness will be handled on an individual basis.  If you know in advance of payment that your child will not attend a particular day, you may subtract that amount from your bill.  Do not subtract fees from a previous month.  Unexpected school closings will be adjusted for you the following month.

*** credits are not given for picking your child up early,
or before your noted time.***

PAYMENTS

Fees are the sole support of the CARES Program.  It is not subsidized by the school or parish.  If payment is late, it can sometimes be difficult to pay our teachers.  We ask that payment be made within five days of the due date on your bill.  Any payments that are sent in late will be charged a ten-dollar late payment fee on your next month’s bill.

Only the children enrolled in the CARES Program are allowed to stay in the classrooms.  We cannot take on the responsibility of children who have not been formally enrolled in the program.  No exceptions can be made.

AFTERNOON SCHEDULE

The children will be assigned to the Music/Art Room and, if additional space is needed, the Honors Math Room.  They will be dismissed from their classrooms and directed to those room(s).  Daily activities include:  snack time, outside playtime (weather permitting), free play with board games etc. and homework time.

HOMEWORK

A scheduled homework period with the teacher will be provided.  It is the child’s responsibility to have his/her assignments and books. Children may not go back to their homeroom to get these items.  The teachers will guide the children and go over some of their work but this does not take your place in doing homework with your child.  Your responsibility will be to go over written work and make sure it is done neatly before signing it as well as reviewing all studied work for the day.  We remind you that this is Homework.  It is your responsibility, not the teachers at the CARES Program.  The teachers are there to help but not to take the place of the parent.  Homework time will be from 4:00 p.m. to 5 p.m.  IF your child does not attend the program until 6;00 p.m. completion of homework cannot be guaranteed.  IF you prefer to have your child do homework at home, we need a note stating that.
 

IMPORTANT PARENT RESPONSIBILITIES

EMERGENCIES AND SAFETY

With the children’s safety and well being in mind, it is MOST important that the parent fills out an emergency card, and advises us immediately of any changes to the information supplied.  It is most important that we have a dependable number where the parent can be reached immediately if an emergency occurs with their child.  Also, two reliable emergency contact individuals must be provided.

One of the most important regulations concerns the child’s leaving the premises of the CARES Program.

· We will have a sign out book which you or the designated person picking up your child will have to sign….name of adult, and time of pick-up using the designated clock.

· The sign out book is a Legal Document and every child must be signed out before leaving the program.  NO CHILD MAY EVER SIGN THIS BOOK.

· Parents or guardians should not take children from the schoolyard or other areas without notifying the CARES Program staff and signing out the child.

· CARES Program personnel will not permit children to leave in taxis presumable sent by the parents.

· Parents or guardians should not send persons whose signatures are not on the Emergency card to ask for the release of children.  For the child’s safety, the release WILL NOT BE GRANTED.

Parents or guardians may wish to telephone the CARES Program Director, asking that their child be directed to go to various places after school.  As there is always the possibility that a person, other than a parent or guardian might telephone, such requests cannot be granted.

ABSENCES

· If a child is absent from the CARES Program for any reason, the parent is asked to send a note upon the child’s return.

· If you know in advance that a child will be absent from the center for any amount of time, please notify the Director in writing.

· If a parent takes a child from the school for any reason, the CARES Program Director should be notified that day.

If you send any notes or payments, please have your child give it to his/her teacher first thing in the morning so it can be given to the school office.  Have your child’s name and room number as well as CARES Program written on the envelope.  We do not want to have anything get lost during the school day.

CHILD PICK-UP

Staff members are employed only until 6:00 p.m.  IT is only common courtesy to respect the time of closure.

A late fee of $5.00 will be charged for every minute after your indicated pick-up time.

The late fee must be paid by the next day.  We will use the clock in the room where the sign out book is being held for accurate time.

ILLNESS OR ACCIDENT

In cases, which appear to be of minor nature, First Aid will be administered on the premises.  Medication will not be administered by mouth unless both a written statement from a physician detailing method, amount, and time schedule, and a written statement from the parent authorizing the staff to assist a child in taking such medication are on file.

In cases which appear serious, the Program Director will make an effort to carry out the instructions as given on the Emergency card.

Parents who do not wish their child treated in any way should indicate such on the Emergency Card, and give directions to be followed in the space, Special Instructions”.

If the parent does not supply adequate emergency instructions, or if the instructions given cannot be followed at the time of the emergency, the CARES staff will act according to their best judgment for the welfare of the child.

EXPECTATIONS FOR CHILDREN'S’ BEHAVIOR

As members of a caring community, the children will be expected to respect the staff, each other, and the materials and environment provided.  We realize how important this program is to you and we hope that you will stress good behavior on the part of your children.  We want them to be happy and to enjoy their time spent with us, but not at the expense of causing injury or making life unpleasant for everyone else.

Any child who does not conform to the set of rules and regulations of the CARES program is liable for dismissal.  The parents will receive two warnings from the Program Director and/or teacher.  If the behavior is not corrected by the third warning, the parents will have to find placement elsewhere for their child immediately.

NOTES:

1. If you prefer to have your child do homework at home, we need a note stating that.

2. If children are in school, but not attending “After School”, please send a note so we know not to look for them.

3. If Children are to be picked up by someone other than the designated person, send a note stating that.