R.C.L.S. School Age Care provides developmentall appropriate activities, and allows children to make many of their own activity choices. Some of these activities include:

About SAC - School Age Care
Preschool-Kindergarten Care: School Age Care offers morning and afternoon care for preschool and kindergarten children. The hours for the first session are 7:30 am - 11:45/12 pm. The hours for the second session are 10:45/11 am -2:45 pm. Additional before school and after school care can be added. Your child will be taken to preschool or kindergarten when it is time for class to begin and picked up when class is finished. On days when they do not have preschool or kindergarten, your child may spend the entire day at SAC. Print preschool handbook (doc pdf)

Before and After School Care: School Age Care offers two morning care sessions beginning at 6:30 am and at 7 am. These sessions end at 7:30 am, when students are dismissed for school. (School begins at 7:45 am). Three afternoon sessions are available, beginning at 2:45 pm when school is dismissed. These sessions end at 4 pm, 5 pm, and at 6 pm. The RCLS SAC program also offers care on most non-school days and also has a summer program available.

Days and Hours

Opens for the 2007-08 school year care on August 29,2007

SAC operates Monday - Friday from 6:30 am - 6 pm except for the following days:

• November 22 & 23, 2007
• December 24 & 25, 2007
• January 1, 2008
• March 22, 2008
• May 26, 2008
• June 6, 2008

Registration

Parents may register their child for school year care beginning in August.  Registration will be offered during the RCLS School Registration Days and during Preschool Orientation.  Parents may register at any time during the school year by contacting the Director or Assistant Director.

The following must be completed, signed, and submitted prior to your child’s participation in the School Age Care program:  
           
            ___  Non-refundable registration fee of $35.00 per family
            ___  Contract Form or the first Weekly Schedule Form
            ___  Student Identification Data Sheet *
            ___  Authorization Form *
            ___  Arrival/Departure form (if bussing)

* Return families may simply update this information.

**Drop in care will be handled on a space permitting basis

Daily Activities Schedule

  Tuition Policies

RCLS School Age Care is self-supported by user fees.

Contracts: A contract stating what days your child will attend
SAC must be submitted to SAC. Contracts may be changed by motifying the director. Contracted parents' fees are pro-rated during weeks when school is in session less than five days. Contracted parents are allowed to use 10 sick days and 5 vacation days at their discretion. If a child is involved in extra-curricular activities, there will not be a charge IF you have submitted to SAC, a calendar of practice/performance times.

Drop-in Fees: Drop-in care will be available to children only if they: 1) are registered, 2) there is room available for additional children (our staff to child ratio needs to be maintained at all times). Drop in children will be charged an extra $2.00 per day/$1.00/half day.

Late Pick-up fees: You will be charged for additional time that your child remains at SAC. If a child is picked up after 6 pm, our closing time, a fee of $1.00 per minute will be charged to that parent. This will then be given to the staff person whose shift has been prolonged. Please remember that our staff people have evening jobs, sitters, and families for which they are responsible. Parents should plan ahead for emergency pick-ups by having a friend or relative who is on the authorized pick-up list, prepared to cover for them. Consistently being late in picking up children may result in termination from the program.  

Non-School Days  
School Vacation / Holidays: The R.C.L.S. School Age Care program will be open on most non-school days. Refer to the list for days when SAC will not be open. To assist in the scheduling of staff persons on those days, it is important that parents notify the S.A.C. Director of their child care needs one week in advance of the vacation days so that SAC will be staffed appropriately. Parents will be charged for all nonschool days for which they have registered their child. Reminders for non-school days will be posted on the SAC calendar as well as printed in the RCLS "Paw Print" newsletter.

Snow Days: The R.C.L.S. School Age Care program will be open on most inclement weather days, but will not open until 8 am and will close at 4 pm. Parents need to notify the SAC staff if their child will be attending during the snow day by calling 289-3267 ext 209. Please bring a lunch for your child--the cafeteria will be closed. If school closes after children have already arrived, lunches will be provided and a $3.00 per child fee will be assessed. Appropriate outdoor clothing is required.

If school is dismissed early due to inclement weather, your scheduled child will receive care one hour after the time of dismissal, at a cost of $3.20. Parents whose children have not been scheduled for the early closing day will need to notify SAC if their child will be attending. Parents of children who are scheduled for that day will need to notify SAC only if their children will NOT be attending.

Emergency Closings: In the event that school is closed because of inclement weather or a utility emergency, the following procedures will be implemented:

A. When RCLS is closed for the entire day, S.A.C. will open at 8 am and close at 4 pm.

B. When RCLS opens late, SAC will open at 8 am and close at 4 pm.

C. When RCLS is dismissed early, SAC will remain open for one hour after close.

D. If the Governor closes all Minnesota schools, S.A.C. will also be closed.

E. If RCLS is closed due to a utilities problem, (no heat, no electricity, etc.) SAC will also be closed.

Attendance Information
Parents may enter the building using the call box on the right outside wall of the school entrance to dial #209 (SAC room).

Early Arrivals: Parents, and children enrolled in School Age Care, are asked to not enter the program prior to 6:30 am. No child is to be left in School Age Care without an adult staff person present to supervise. Children must be walked into SAC.

Signing In and Out: Upon arrival as well as at pick-up, parents must sign their children in and out on the attendance sheet located at the Parent Information Table outside the Main SAC room. Children will be signed in and out by staff when going to or coming from class. Do not send any children in to SAC unaccompanied. Parents are responsible for their child's transportation to and from School Age Care. If your child is being transported by some way other than by you (i.e. bus, sitter) please notify the staff at SAC and fill out an Arrival Departure form.

Release of Children: Upon registering, the name of persons authorized to pick up your child(ren) must be given. Unless notified in advance by a parents, children will not be released to anyone whose name does not appear on that list.

Any person who is picking up a child and is not recognized by the staff will be asked to present identification to verify that the individual's name is listed on the Authorized Pick-up list. If a person not on the list attempts to pick up a child, the parent will be called. If the parent cannot be reached, the alternate on the Emergency Card will be contacted. The child will then be held at School Age Car until the proper person arrives to get him/her. If a parent is unauthorized to pick up a child, legal documentation must be submitted to the director.

These rules and precautions are to ensure the safety of the children in the program.

Delinquent Accounts: Payments must be made weekly to the School Age Care program. You will be notified monthly of any overpayment or amount due. Payment must then be made in full within 10 days. Accounts more than 30 days past due will result in termination from the program unless arrangements have been made with the director. A new registration fee will be assessed upon re-enrollment. In the case of a personal or financial emergency, please contact the director.

If a check should come back from the bank due to non-sufficient funds, it is the responsibility of the parent to bring the amound of the check (in cash) to the director within one week of notification. A $5.00 service fee is charged for all returned checks.

Withdrawal Notification: If you are withdrawing your child(ren) from School Age Care for any period of time, you must notify the director in writing at least one week in advance. If notification is not received, you will continue to be charged. Leniency will be given for personal or financial emergencies.

Dismissal from the program: If a child is experiencing difficulty in the program, the directory will speak with the parent/guardian. A conference with the director and principal can be scheduled upon request. The needs of the child will be discussed, and action plans created. Children who experience continual difficulty in adapting to the program will be asked to withdraw. Children who display aggressive, disruptive, or threatening behavior toward others may be asked to withdraw. For the good of all the children, we reserve the right to disallow service at anytime. This wil be discussed with the child's parents in advance.

Absent or Sick Children
Absenteeism: The school age care program assumes the responsibility for children before school begins and when school is over each day. Attendance is taken daily, and a missing child is a cause for concern. If your child will not be attending School Age Care on a given day, please notify the staff in writing, by telephone, or by indicating the absence in advance on the sign-out sheet. If a bussing child does not come to the program as intended, the parent will be notified immediately.

If your child is absent on a scheduled/contracted day, you will be charged for that day because the program has already been staffed. However, contracted children will be allowed four sick days without being charged per school year, and weekly scheduled children are allowed two sick days without being charged per school year. To be credited for an absence due to illness, you must submit a 'sick day' form to the director.

Sick children: Children attending SAC will be expected to participate in the daily activities (gym time, outside...) Children who are feeling ill should not be brought to School Age Care. Bringing a sick child to the program results in further inconvenience to the parent who has to pick him/her up again, and possible exposure of illness to the other children. Children need to be “symptom free for 24 hours”, before they can be brought to School Age Care. Any child who has a fever greater than 100 degrees F., has eye or ear discharge, or has become sick while at School Age Care will be sent home immediately.

Meals and Snacks
Snacks: A snack with juice will be offered to the children during the morning kindergarten/preschool session. A snack and beverage will be given all children attending SAC in the afternoon and after school sessions. Water is available in the SAC room, and children may also use the drinking fountain in the hall.

Lunches: Rochester Central Lutheran School participates in the National School Lunch Program. Children attending School Age Care during the school day may set up a lunch account in the school office or they may bring a cold lunch from home. Milk may be purchased separately.

On days when school is not in session, the lunch program will not be available. Children will need to bring a sack lunch from home. On those days only, staff can heat the children's lunches in a microwave if needed. Milk or juice will be made available for lunch.

The staff must be given pertinent information by parents whose children have any allergies, or modified/therapeutic diet needs. If these needs require a rigid diet, foods must be supplied from home.

General Guidelines
Clothing/Dress: Children need to dress appropriately for outside activities-especially during cold and winter months. Please send them in coats and boots. Children must adhere to the RCLS dress code.

Kindergarten and Preschool Children are encouraged to keep an extra set of clothing and shoes in their cubbies for any accidents that may occur. We do not always have extra clothes on hand.

During the school year, all personal property including coats, bags, lunch sacks, boots, etc… must be taken home from School Age Care at the end of each day.  If items are left behind, they will be placed into “Lost and Found”. Please label all items (especially snow pants & boots) that are brought to SAC.

 Toys from Home: Children may play with toys brought from home prior to the start of school, and at 5:00pm. Toys or books that promote violence in any way are not allowed.
R.C.L.S. School Age Care will not assume the responsibility for loss or damage to any items brought from home.

Medications: If it is necessary for children to take any type of medication during the hours that School Age Care is in operation, a parent /guardian must fill out a Prescription Medication Form.  This form, along with the medication in its original container listing the prescription and dosage, must be given to the director or a staff person.
If non-prescription medication is to be administered, a Non-prescription Form must be completed and given to the staff.  Non-prescription medication would be medication such as cough drops or aspirin. The staff at School Age Care is not allowed to dispense any medication without written approval (forms) from the parent or guardian.

Responsibilities
The Children Are Responsible For:

1.  Respecting the work of the program staff and other children
2.  Not willfully harming other persons, property, or materials
3.  Sharing supplies, games, and materials with other children
4.  Returning materials, games, etc. to their proper locations
5.  Notifying a staff member if they need to leave the SAC room
6.  Using only acceptable language
7.  Following the school’s dress code
8.  Listening to, and obeying all staff persons         
9. Knowing and respecting the rules of R.C.L.S. School Age Care

  Parents Have the Responsibility to:

1. Observe the rules and policies of the School Age Care program
2. Inform the staff if their child will not be attending on a scheduled day
3. Sign each child in and out of the program daily
4. Share their concerns with the director, if they feel that the program is not                    meeting the needs of their child
5. Listen to concerns that a staff person may have about their child, and help to     work through to a solution
6. Inform the staff if their child has been exposed to, or has contracted any contagious diseases 
7. Keep their child’s records up-to-date
8. Notify the Director at least one week in advance of any vacations, contract changes, or withdrawals.
9. Pay tuition on time, and turn in weekly schedules in advance
10. Be knowledgeable of, and plan ahead for, all non-school and non-S.A.C.                   vacation days (listed in the Parent Handbook)  

R.C.L.S. School Age Care Program and Staff Responsibilities:

1. Provide a stimulating, caring, Christian environment that meets the developmental needs of all the children enrolled
2. Notify the parents in case of any emergency
3. Notify parents if their child is experiencing any difficulties while attending the program
4. Notify the parents of any changes in the School Age Care program’s policies, procedures, or schedules.
5. Report suspected cases of child abuse to the authorities as required by Minnesota Law
6. Use positive guidance for
• Helping a child learn to play cooperatively with other children
• Teaching a child to behave in an agreeable manner
• Helping a child to learn self-control
7. Keep parents informed of events by means of a calendar/newsletter

The Following Procedures for Behavior Problems will be Implemented:

1. A staff person will talk to the child about the problem behavior, explaining why the behavior is inappropriate
2. Upon continuation of the behavior, time-outs are given and the child may be removed from some activities.
3. Upon continuation of the behavior, the director and staff person(s) will conference with the child, and will speak directly to the parent.
4. Upon continuation of the behavior, the director, parent, and child will meet to determine if the child needs to be removed from the program.

Reporting Policy for Programs Providing Services to Children

Who should report child abuse and neglect:

• Any person may voluntarily report abuse or neglect.
• If you work with children in a licensed facility is legally required or mandated to report and cannot shift the responsibility of reporting to your supervisor or to anyone else at the licensed facility. If you know or have reason to believe a child is being or has been neglected or physically or sexually abused within the preceding three years you must immediately )within 24 hours) make a report to an outside agency.

Where to report:

• If you know or suspect that a child is immediate danger, call 911.
• All reports concerning suspected abuse or neglect of children occurring in a licensed facility should be made to the Dept. of Human Services, Licensing Division’s Maltreatment Intake line at (651) 297-4123.
• Reports regarding incidents of suspected abuse or neglect of children occurring within a family or in the community should be made to the local county social services agency at (507) 285-7009, of local law enforcement at (507) 285-8580.
• If you report does not involve possible abuse or neglect, but does involve possible violations of MN Statutes or Rules that govern the facility, you should call the Department of Human Services, Licensing Division at (651) 296-3971.

What to report:

• Definitions of maltreatment ar5e contained in the Reporting of Maltreatment of Minors Act (MN Statutes, section 626.556) and should be attached to this policy.
• A report to any of the above agencies should contain enough information to identify the child involved, any persons responsible for the abuse or neglect (if known), and the nature and extent of the maltreatment and/or possible licensing violations. For reports concerning suspected abuse and/or neglect occurring within a licensed facility, the reports concerning suspected abuse or neglect occurring within a licensed facility, the report should include any actions taken by the facility in response to the incident
• An oral report of suspected abuse or neglect made to one of the above agencies by a mandated reporter must be followed by a written report to the same agency within 72 hours, exclusive of weekends and holidays.

Retaliation Prohibited:

An employer of any mandated reporter shall not retaliate against the mandated reporter for reports made in good faith or against a child with respect to whom the report is made. The Reporting of Maltreatment of Minors Act contains specific provisions regarding civil actions that can be initiated by mandated reporters who believe that retaliation has occurred.

Failure to report

A mandated reporter who knows or has reason to believe a child is or has been neglected or physically or sexually abuse and fails to report is guilty of a misdemeanor. In addition, a mandated reporter who fails to report maltreatment that is found to be serious or recurring maltreatment may be disqualified from employment in positions allowing direct contact with persons receiving services from programs licensed by the Department of Human Services, and by the MN Department of Health, and unlicensed Personal Care Provider Organizations.

These reporting policies and procedures must be provided to parents of all children at the time of enrollment in the child care program and must be made available upon request. The Division of Licensing recommends that parents with children currently enrolled in your child care program are informed of the development of the reporting policies and procedures, and provided with an opportunity to request the information.