St. John the Evangelist School

CARES Program

Children Are Receiving Extended Services

GENERAL INFORMATION

St. Johnthe Evangelist School CARES Program will provide professional care, supervision, recreation and enrichment activities for students registered in the program. It serves working families who desire both parochial education and supplementary day care in a Catholic environment.  The program aims to create an atmosphere where Christian values are instilled through modeling and meaningful interactions. Also, the CARES program provides continuity in the education of SJES students and provides security and services to school children of working parents.

The CARES Program is staffed by experienced, devoted and committed teachers. These teachers 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 days that school is in session. On days when there is an early dismissal due to weather, etc. you are asked to make prior arrangements with a child care provider. CARES will be open most half days. However, on half days before a holiday there will be no CARES.

Only children who have been registered for CARES may attend the program. We cannot take responsibility for children who have not been formally enrolled. No exceptions will be made.

The most important thing parents must do is to advise the CARES director of any changes to the information given on the registration form. It is MOST important that we have a dependable phone number where the parent or guardian can be reached immediately if an emergency occurs. Also, two reliable emergency contact individuals must be provided.

A very important CARES regulation concerns the child leaving the premises of the CARES program. There is a sign out book which the designated person picking up a CARES student must sign. The person picking up a CARES student must indicate the time of pick up and sign his/her name. The clock in the CARES room will be the designated clock. This sign out book is a legal document and each child must be signed out before leaving the
program. Failure to sign out will result in your account being charged for the entire afternoon. NO CHILD MAY EVER SIGN THIS BOOK.

Parents or guardians of children attending AM CARES must sign their children in.

Parents or guardians should not send persons whose signatures are not on the registration form to ask for release of a child. For the child’s safety the release will not be granted. If you do need someone to pick up your child and they are not on the list a note must be written to the CARES director stating your request. A telephone request will not be granted. It must be in writing.

HOURS

Before School CARES Hours:  7:30 a.m. until 8:00 a.m.

After School CARES Hours:   3:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m.

STAFF

CARES Director – Mrs. Jean Lucci

Staff Members -    Mrs. Lauren Benjamin

                                 Mrs. Kathy Everlof

                                 Mrs. Tracey Lowell

                                 Ms. Cathy Lucas

                                 Mrs. Elizabeth Ryan

CHILD PICK UP

Staff members are employed only until 6:00 p.m. It is only common courtesy to respect the time of closure. If you pick your child up after 6:00 p.m. you will be charged a late fee of $5.00 PER MINUTE. This fee is to be paid by the next school day.  Again we will use the clock in the CARES room for the accurate time. The late fee check is to be made out to the teacher on duty.

BEHAVIOR

As members of a caring community the children will be expected to respect the staff, each other, and the materials and environment provided. CARES is a valuable program and it is expected that parents will stress good behavior on the part of their children when attending the program.  Any child who does not follow the rules and regulations of the program may be dismissed from the program.  If a student receives three behavior warnings from the CARES director or staff member, parents/guardians will have to find placement elsewhere for their child.

COSTS OF THE CARES PROGRAM

There will be a $25 non-refundable registration fee per student. This allows for the purchase of snacks and start up costs. The cost of this program is currently $6.00 per hour per student. There will be a $5.00 per hour fee for each sibling. Each month a calendar will be sent home and the parent is to fill out the days the child will attend CARES. Calculations are made for that month and payment is required. A bill will be sent to you by the 5th of each month.

The CARES tuition is the sole support of this program. It is not subsidized by the school or parish. If payment is late it becomes difficult to pay the CARES teachers. We ask that payment be made promptly. Students will not be permitted to attend the CARES program if the prior month has not been paid in full.

SCHEDULE OF THE AFTERNOON

At dismissal the children will be directed to Mrs. Lucci’s classroom and then will be escorted to the cafeteria where roll will be taken and snacks will be served. Daily activities include outside play (weather permitting), homework time and free play with game boards, computers, etc. Kindergarten and Pre-K will return upstairs for playtime. Grades 1- 8 will be in the art room.

HOMEWORK

Homework time is scheduled between 4:00 and 5:00 pm.  It is the child’s responsibility to have his/her assignments and books.  Students may not go back to their classroom for these items. The teachers will guide the children and go over homework but parents have the primary responsibility for children’s homework review and completion. If a child finishes homework early he/she is to have a book to read until all students are finished. Additionally, students are to have a pencil case with extra pencils to use at CARES; pencils disappear quickly from the CARES supply closet!