Visitation BVM Elementary School

What hours will the program be available?

The hours will be 2:30 PM until 5:30 PM for full-day students and from 11:15 AM until 5:30 PM for half-day kindergarten and preschool students.

What grades are being invited to use the program?

All the grades at Visitation BVM (Pre-Kindergarten through 8) are invited to use the program.

Are there any days that C.A.R.E.S. are not available?

The only half-days that we will not provide after-school care are:

• Thanksgiving early dismissal
• Christmas early dismissal
• Easter early dismissal

At this time, we will operate from the first full-week of school until the last full-week of school.

Will you be open during the summer?

No, we will not be open during the summer.  Legally, the program can only operate when school is in session.

Will there be a registration fee?

Yes, we will have a registration fee of $50 for one child, $75 for 2 or more children to insure your child a place in the program.  There will be limited enrollment.  The registration fee is non-refundable.

What will you offer in the program?

We offer a program of outside play, snack, homework time (for children grades 1 - 8), and free play activities that will keep your child active and safe until you arrive.

Will you allow occasional use of the program such as in the case of a babysitter’s sickness or a parent’s occasional overtime?

No, at this time we feel a consistent enrollment will allow us to schedule activities and determine our needs for foodstuffs and other supplies.

Will the chidren be allowed to attend after-school activities while enrolled in C.A.R.E.S?

Yes, the children may attend Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts, Choir, Drama Club, cheerleading, basketball, football, etc.; provided that we know that they will be doing this activity and the approximate time that they will report back to us.  If any field trips are taken with the group, we should be notified. 

Is there a discipline policy?

Yes, there is a discipline policy.   We expect the child to adhere to the following rules:

1. Accept responsibility for his/her own actions.
2. Respect the rights and feelings of others.
3. Maintain habits of personal cleanliness (no spitting, etc.).
4. Respect Visitation property and help to keep it free from damage.
5. Recognize that the teachers are the disciplinarians at Visitation.
6. Profanity or unacceptable language will not be tolerated.

The child is to understand that he/she is responsible for his/her own behavior and that he/she must cooperate and participate in the planned activities.

Three warnings for misconduct will mean a suspension from C.A.R.E.S.  Three suspensions will mean dismissal from the program.

Will the children need to be picked up?

Yes, they will need to be picked up and it is essential that they be picked up on time.  Staff members are employed only until 5:30 PM.  It is only common courtesy to respect the time of closure.  A FEE WILL BE ASSESSED FOR LATE PICK-UPS.  The fee is $1.00 per every minute late, payable in cash to the staff member who stays with your child.

Will the parish fund this program?

No, this program must be totally self-sufficient.  Therefore, all fees will be payable on the 15th of each month for the months of September through May.  If a parent does not make adequate arrangements with the director, a child will not be allowed to continue in the program.

Will the children be allowed to change their clothes?

The children will be allowed to change into play clothes if they wish.  We would appreciate it if their NAMES WOULD BE MAKRED INSIDE OF ALL UNIFORM CLOTHING INCLUDING TIES.  We have found that a duffle/sports bag recognizable to the child and with the child's name clearly marked on it is best for carrying the change of clothes. 

What will happen in cases of emergency?

It is MOST important for all parents to fill out a separate emergency card for C.A.R.E.S. and:

In cases that appear to be of a 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 a parent authorizing the staff to assist a child in taking such medication are on file.)

In cases that appear serious, the program Director will make an effort to carry out the instructions as given on the C.A.R.E.S. emergency card.  Parents who do not wish their child treated in any way should indicate this on the emergency card and should give directions to be followed in the space “Special Instructions.”

If the home does not supply adequate emergency instructions, or if the instructions given cannot be followed at the time of the emergency, the C.A.R.E.S. staff will act according to their best judgment for the welfare of the child.

ALSO, these things should be noted in the interest of SAFETY:

• Parents or guardians should not take children from the schoolyard or other areas without notifying the staff and SIGNING OUT THE CHILD.
• Parents or guardians should not send persons whose signatures are not on the emergency card to ask for the release of children.  For our children’s safety, the release will not be granted.
• Parents or guardians may wish to telephone the C.A.R.E.S. Director, asking that their child be directed to go to various places after school.  As there is always a possibility that a person other than a parent might telephone, such requests will not be granted.

Will the children be allowed to do all of their homework?

The children WILL BE REQUIRED TO DO ONE-HALF HOUR of written homework Monday through Thursday, with the teachers/aids supervising.  It is the child’s responsibility to have his/her homework assignments and books.  Children will not be allowed to go back to their classrooms for missing items and will not be allowed to return books after assignments are completed.  Parents are still responsible for checking the child’s homework and supervising study homework before they return to school the next day.  Fridays are a free day to play. 

What happens if a child is absent or leaves school early?

If you know in advance that your 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 school for any reason, during or immediately following the school day, or a child is in school but will not attend C.A.R.E.S. that day, please call the C.A.R.E.S. Director Ellen Giammarco at 610-539-6080, option 5 and leave a message.  If you need to speak to Mrs. Giammarco directly, her home number is 610-539-1796, after 6:00 PM please.   

If a child is sick for an extended period of time or a parent notifies us in advance that they are taking vacation time, an adjustment can be made in the fees that have been paid or are payable.  A maximum of ONE WEEK of parental vacation is allowed each year without fees.

Should I pay in cash or by check?

Please pay by check.  When paid by check, you will automatically have a receipt for the child care credit on your income tax.  However, if a check is returned by the bank, there will be a charge of $10.

How will emergency closings be handled?

You will be notified directly if there is to be an emergency closing.  We will be closed if the school is closed for snow.  If there is a two-hour late opening of school, C.A.R.E.S. kindergarten may report at the same time and the C.A.R.E.S. teacher expects to be there.  If school closes in the middle of the day for snow, we will be at school, but please come as soon as possible!