parent information packet · week of 7/22 – children’s museum (ages 3-5) week of 8/12 – busch...

Our Mission: Providing opportunities for building social

character, promoting healthy lifestyles, and developing creative

thinking through recreation and leisure activities.

Newport News Parks, Recreation, and Tourism ~

700 Town Center Drive, Ste. 320 ~ Newport News, VA 23606

757-926-1400 ~ www.redefiningplay.com

School name:

Center supervisor:

Center phone Number:

Parent Information Packet

Table of contents

www.redefiningplay.com

Welcome 4

Agreements 5

Licensing information 6

Your expectations 6

Rules of Conduct 7—8

Signing Up 8

Prices/fees 9-10

Late Fees 11

Absences 12

Waiting list 12

Receipt and taxes 12

Field trips and events 13

Inclement weather 14

Snack 15

Health information 15-17

Pick up times 18


Field trip schedule

Kids

Week of 6/24 – Suffolk train station (Ages 3-5)

Week of 7/8 – Doris Miller Pool (Ages 4-5 only)

Week of 7/15 – Norfolk Zoo (Ages 3-5)

Week of 7/22 – children’s museum (Ages 3-5)

Week of 8/12 – Busch Gardens [Parent Paid Trip]

(Ages 4-5 only)

SAP

Week of 6/24 – Captain Jack’s Pirate Ship adventures

Week of 7/8 – Fort Eustis aquatic center

Week of 7/22 – Children’s museum

Week of 8/5 – newport news park field day


Teen

Brittingham-midtown community center Pool Field Trips

every other week begins week of 7/1

Week of 6/24 - pirates cove mini golf

Week of 7/8 – fort Eustis aquatic center

Week of 7/22 – spirit of Norfolk [Parent pays part]

Week of 8/5 - newport news park field day


Page 27


Weekly themes

Week 1 (June 17 – 21)

Fantasy Land

Week 2 (June 24 – 28)

Pirate’s Cove

Week 3 (July 1 – 5)

This land is your land

Week 4 (July 8 – 12)

Water World

Week 5 (July 15 – 19)

Animal kingdom

Week 6 (July 22 – 26)

Tomorrow Land

Week 7 (July 29 – August 2)

imaginarium

Week 8 (August 5 – 9)

Treasure island


Get fit land


Adventure island


Missing a day 19

Ratio 20

General information 20

Meetings with rcs 21

Social services info 22

Assessments 23

Statement on inclusion 24

Photography release 24

Consolidation info 25

Weekly themes 26

Field trip schedule 27

Newport News Parks, Recreation and Tourism would like to take this

opportunity to welcome you and your child to Youth Programs (YP). We

understand that choosing a child care provider is a difficult decision to

make and we want parents to be involved every step of the way (including

joining in the fun any day, any time) as we provide care for your child.

Youth Programs is the ideal place for your child to develop socially. It is a

caring, compassionate environment that fosters ‗teachable moments‘

where your child learns how to interact in a group setting.

In Youth Programs, children don‘t just play, they learn important life

lessons as they create, play house, or get involved in a group game. By

interacting with other children their minds are stimulated creatively while

involved in responsible behavior such as sharing and playing fair. Not only

that, but children explore their needs, talents and abilities in stations with

activities in music, reading, home living, community exploration, science,

art and drama. We are passionately committed to your child‘s enjoyment

of their Youth Programs experience and we wholeheartedly know that by

understanding our policies and procedures you will be better equipped to

enjoy your child‘s satisfaction by knowing exactly what it is that we do.

WELCOME!



Consolidation information:

For the last week of summer 8/19- 8/23 we will be

consolidating at BMCC and DCC.

This final week requires a separate registration but will be

governed by all policies in this packet.

Registration for this week will open on 6/24 and will close

on 7/26. The cost will be $22/day.

Upon registration parents are required to put down a non-

refundable deposit of $22 (or one day of care).

The balance must then be paid in full on or prior to 8/9.

the balance must be paid all at once.

This program will operate from 6:50 AM until 6:30 PM.

On site registration (Space permitting) will be $27/day.

THERE WILL BE NO REFUNDS OR CREDITS GIVEN

FOR DAYS NOT USED. IF YOU DO NOT PAY IN

FULL BY 8/9 YOU WILL LOSE YOUR DEPOSIT AND

THE SPACE WILL BE GIVEN TO A CHILD ON THE

WAITING LIST.

No exceptions!

THANKS AND LET’S HAVE A

GREAT SUMMER!

Page 25


Statement on Inclusion

The City of Newport News Parks, Recreation, & Tourism encourages

everyone to participate and enjoy all programs and facilities. In this we

encourage all those parents of children with disabilities to be as

forthcoming with information as possible so that we may be proactive in

our approach to discipline and activity implementation. We feel it is

imperative to ensure that the City‘s organizational values of commitment,

caring, and collaboration are evident at all times. This is especially true as

we provide inclusive leisure activities to our citizens. We are committed to

providing accessible programs and facilities because we care about

improving the quality of life of our citizens.

We encourage participants with disabilities to register for any recreation

program currently offered. We will make reasonable accommodations, in

accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, to enable

participants with disabilities to participate in and enjoy recreation

programs. Those accommodations will be determined through an

individualized therapeutic assessment of abilities and strengths to ensure

the dignity and respect of each individual is preserved.

Photography Release

Throughout the program, there may be activities, events, or

media releases that could result in your child being

photographed. The Program may use these photographs in

promotions for the program, publish them with local articles, or

use them to produce center yearbooks or videos. If you would

NOT like your child to participate in activities such as these, you

must notify your RCS in writing, and they will ensure that your

child is not photographed in the program.


That is why it is important to know the policies that govern the program.

This packet consists of information regarding licensing, payment policies

and program guidelines. Please keep this booklet for your future

reference.

Agreements

By making the choice to be part of Youth Programs, you have agreed to

abide by the policies as stated in this packet. If you have any questions

regarding the program or policies, ask your Center Supervisor or contact

the administrative office at Department of Parks, Recreation, and

Tourism, 700 Town Center Drive, Suite 320, 757-926-1400. Thank you

for giving us the opportunity to serve you! As always, suggestions,

compliments, and concerns are welcome at all times.

Hours of Operation

YP Adventureland Summer Camp operates from June 17, 2013 to August

23, 2013. The Therapeutic Camp operates from June 24, 2013 to August

16, 2013. The hours of the program are from 6:50 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.

Monday through Friday. Programs may offer after hours care for special

events or for Parent‘s Night Out events. Please ask your Recreation

Center Supervisor for information about these events.

Children are required to be signed in and out of the program each day by

their parent or guardian. We do not accept children prior to program

opening at 6:50 a.m. and late pick up fees will be charged for children who

are not picked up promptly by 6:30 p.m. More information on pick up

times can be found on page 18.

Licensing

All Youth Programs sites are licensed by the State of Virginia. In addition

to providing technical assistance to improve program quality, Licensing

provides third-party oversight for the protection of your children. One of

the standards for Licensed Day Care Centers provided by the Department

of Social Services requires that each child be up-to-date on immunizations.

A copy of your child‘s immunization records must be provided at the time

of enrollment along with a copy of an original birth certificate. A physical

examination by a licensed physician using the School Entrance Physical

Examination form must be provided to your child’s center within 30

days of enrollment. Without these forms on file, our program will be

given a violation from our licensing agent. For this reason, if you haven't

provided us with current information, your child may be removed from

the program until such information is submitted. As licensed child care

providers all Youth Programs employees are considered mandatory

reporters of suspected cases of abuse or neglect.

Your Expectations

We understand that you have chosen us for your child‘s care and, for that,

you should expect no less than our best. When you walk into one of our

sites, there will be clearly defined areas of play with talented and capable

instructors helping the children have the best experience that they can.

Our goal is not only your child‘s satisfaction but yours as well. At the end

of the day, when you pick up your child, a waiting smile should tell you

that you chose us for all the right reasons.


If you miss a swipe, you have eight days to enter any missing transactions

on the point of sale device. If you miss a swipe during any day, and you

have exceeded the eight day back swipe grace period, you will be required

to pay for that day at the daily rate. Providers cannot be cardholders for

any reason. If the system is down, you will still be able to swipe your card

on the device. The device will store and forward your information when

the system is back on. Youth Programs provides a service to parents on

behalf of the Department of Social Services and we are expected to abide

by their contracts and agreements. Cases of suspected fraud will be

reported immediately to the social services agency.

Assessments

All those participants in Therapeutics must take part in an assessment.

The cost for an individual is $60.00 and for a family it is $100.00. For re-

evaluation (those currently enrolled in the program) these fees are $30.00

per child and $50.00 for a family.

These fees are non-refundable.


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Page 22

Local Service Providers

All participants in the Therapeutics Summer Camp or any Youth Program

that receive assistance from local service providers must provide their

funding approval prior to their assessment attendance. The approval form

must identify:

Fees covered by the agency.

Co-payment amount, if any.

Start and end dates for funding.

Case worker‘s name and phone number.

Fiscal agent to contact for verification purposes.

Any parent or guardian that does not supply this requested information at

the time of assessment will have to reschedule for a later date and may

incur penalty charges.

Virginia Department of Social Services uses an electronic child care system

to record the duration of child care services for payment. The system

requires swiping a DSS issued card into card readers at each site location.

It is the parent‘s responsibility to bring their card with them and to ensure

that their card is properly swiped during drop off and pick up of their

child or children. Parents/legal guardians must enter their personal

identification number and an identification number for each child when

their card is swiped. The card must be used to report attendance, absences

and holidays. Youth Programs staff CANNOT use the card, swipe the

card, or keep the card onsite.

You will be required to present your card each day your child is in

attendance. Should you fail to present your card for two consecutive days,

on the third day, your child will not be permitted t o attend the program

without payment at the regular daily rate.

Rules of Conduct

In light of our goal of having a safe out-of-school time community,

Youth Programs does not permit offensive conduct, threatening

behavior, fighting, the possession of weapons, including toy items, or

any other actions deemed inappropriate by the administration. On

the first incident the child will be suspended for a minimum of one

day. On the second incident the child will be suspended for a

minimum of one week while on the third offense, the child may be

dismissed from the program. Depending on the severity of the

offense, the administration reserves the right to suspend or dismiss

the child immediately. Each disciplinary action will be determined on

a case by case basis based on the severity of the offense. Our program

supports the Code of Conduct Rights and Responsibilities Handbook

for Newport News Public Schools. As such, if your child has been

suspended from Newport News Public Schools, they will not be

allowed to attend Youth Programs until such suspension is lifted.

Our program uses a ‗fighting-fair‘ approach, teaching children

problem-solving techniques and emphasizing ‗community building.‘

Youth Programs uses a positive approach to discipline in an attempt

to redirect negative behavior. However, flagrant disobedience and

destruction of property are not allowed. Children are given warnings,

time-outs, and privilege suspensions when warranted.

Incidents of misbehavior are documented, the parents are informed,

and the documentation is placed in the child‘s folder. Continuation

of bad behavior may result in a conference with parents and staff,

suspensions or dismissal from the program.


If your child‘s behavior is influenced by a disability we make all

attempts to work within those parameters and do take this into

account when structuring our discipline policy in correcting minor

behavioral challenges. In the event a participant becomes physically

aggressive towards himself or others, staff will physically restrain them

for safety reasons. If this happens, parents will be notified.

Our discipline guidelines are two-fold. We strive to help children learn to

make appropriate choices for their overall social and emotional well-being

as well as to maintain a safe environment for all children in the program.

Signing Up

A non-refundable registration fee of $40.00 per child and $80.00 per

family is required at the time of enrollment. This registration fee covers

accident insurance for your child plus the cost of your parent packets and

other supplemental parent memos. It also includes a 2013 Youth

Programs t-shirt or shirts if a family registration.

This registration fee is for the summer ONLY from June 17 through

August 23, 2013. (Therapeutics program is June 24th through August

16th). Registration for the school year begins in August of 2013. YP

Adventureland Summer Camp participants have priority for registration

but only if payment is received.

Registration should be completed online through the EZ Childtrack web

portal, and payment is required at the time of registration. Registration

assistance can be received at the administrative office and at select remote

locations to allow parents use of a computer if they do not have access to

one.

Registration is not complete until all steps have been completed, which

includes online registration, turning in immunization and physical

records and showing a valid birth certificate.


Children will be released to the responsible parents or those persons listed on

the child‘s form. If children are supposed to be picked up by someone other

than the parent, staff must have written notification with explicit instructions.

Picture ID is required for persons that Youth Programs staff are unfamiliar

with. Children will not be released without a proper ID. We will try to

enforce the ‗unauthorized persons‘ list however, in order to call authorities, a

copy of the court order must be kept on file.

Meetings and Discussions

Communication is an ongoing process in the care of your child. We

understand how hectic many days can be but ask you to be available to center

staff on a regular basis if things come up so that they can stay informed.

Constant communication can keep misunderstandings from arising.

Feel free to make an appointment with your RCS if you have any concerns.

Also, feel free to meet with your RCS for specific behavior issues such as those

arising from divorce, death of a loved one, attention deficit disorder, or the

like. We are there to help you, all you have to do is ask.


Page 21

Your Recreation Center Supervisor (RCS) is there to work with you on any suggestions or concerns

you may have. If you have anything you would like to discuss please feel free to

make an appointment with your Center

Supervisor.

Working together we can positively facilitate your

child‘s development.

Ratio

Supervision is provided by trained staff at all times with a ratio of no more

than (1) to (18) for School Age and Middle School; (1) to (10) for KIDS;

(1) to (4) for emotionally disturbed children; and (1) to (5) for those with

developmental disabilities. Staff utilizes sight, sound, and counting of

children to ensure that all are present and safe at all times. Children are

also assigned a primary staff member daily to ensure their whereabouts.

During field trips, an emergency identification file with emergency

numbers and pertinent medical information is located in the van or bus

being used for transport.

General Information

If your child is attending summer school, be sure he and his teacher

understand that he is going to Youth Programs after school. You may

wish to show him the Youth Programs room. This is especially important

for young children, for those who are new to the school and/or Youth

Programs, and those riding a bus to another center. For safety reasons we

suggest you make arrangements for your child‘s teacher to walk them to

the Youth Programs site. Also, we‘ve found it best if parents put these

arrangements in writing, especially if they change frequently.

Each child is assigned a basket for their personal belongings however, be

sure your child‘s belongings are clearly marked with their name. If in

Therapeutics, please provide a top and bottom twin sheet, clearly marked

with the child‘s name, if they are going to require a daily nap. We do not

recommend children bring personal toys from home. If you have a

suggestion for a type of toy or activity that you would like to see us offer,

we can entertain the idea. Newport News Parks and Recreation does not

accept responsibility for lost or misplaced items, including but not limited

to toys, clothing, tennis shoes, etc.


Page 20

Prices

Registration Fee: $40.00 Individual; $80.00 Family

Weekly: Full Time (4-5 Days) Part-Time (3 days or less)

School Age & Teen $90 $65

KIDS $96 $72

Therapeutics (please also see assessment pricing on page 22):

Discovery $150—Newport News Residents / $190—Non City Resident

(The first child is regular price while there is a $5 weekly discount for additional children. Additional fees apply for field trips/special events.


Payment Options

Auto Pay: Automatic debit of your credit/debit account or your

checking/ savings account can be established by completing the auto-

matic enrollment from online

Online Payments (EZ Child Track Parent Portal): Secure online pay-

ments can be made by visiting https://www.ezchildtrack.com/nnprt/

ParentLogin.aspx (Requires a registered Youth Program account)

Telephone Payments: Telephone payments can be made by calling

our administrative office at 926-1400 (Requires a registered Youth

Program account.)

In-Person Payments: In person payments can be made at our Admin-

istrative Office at City Center between the hours of 8:30am-4:30pm.

Payments may also be made at Drop Box locations (see hours and

locations page 10)

Youth Programs accepts Personal Checks, Cashier‘s Checks, Money

Order, MasterCard/VISA Credit/Debit cards, and E-checks using

checking or savings account payments. All checks and money orders

must be made payable to The City of Newport News. We do not

accept Discover Cards or American Express.

PAYMENTS ARE DUE IN ADVANCE; late fees will be applied to

payments received after deadline.

https://www.ezchildtrack.com/nnprt/ParentLogin.aspx

https://www.ezchildtrack.com/nnprt/ParentLogin.aspx


PAYMENTS

Youth Programs encourages the use of our online system to pay for

program fees. In order to focus center activities on relationship building,

children and to ensure safety of staff and participants, payments will no

longer be accepted at Youth Programs school locations or by Youth

Programs Center Staff. Payments will continue to be accepted by the

Youth Programs Administration at the City Center office. Payments made

by check or money order will also be accepted at ―Drop Box‖ locations at

Brittingham-Midtown Community Center and Denbigh Community

Center. These ―Drop Box‖ locations close at 6 p.m. on Saturdays.

Payments are due by Sundays at midnight. The Administrative office is

open from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Payment for the

program is due in advance. Please make the checks or money orders out

to the City of Newport News. Please be sure to put your driver‘s license

or social security number on your checks and all forms of payment should

have your child’s name in the memo section.

Administrative Office at City Center 700 Town Center Drive, Suite 320 - Tel: 757-926-1400 Hours: Monday - Friday 8:30 am – 4:30 pm Closed Sat- Sunday Midtown Community Center (Drop box Only) 570 McLawhorne Drive - Tel: 757-591-4853 Hours: Monday - Thursday 6 am – 9pm

Friday 6 am – 8 pm Saturday: 9am - 6 pm Closed Sunday

Denbigh Community Center (Drop Box Only) 15198 Warwick Blvd. - Tel: 757-812-7900 Hours: Monday -Thursday 6 am – 9pm

Friday 6 am – 8 pm Saturday: 8 am - 6 pm Closed Sunday

If the parent or emergency contact cannot be reached and the center has

not heard from you by 6:30PM then Child Protective Services will be

called. If you are consistently late in picking up your child other

arrangements will need to be made. Being consistently late is grounds for

dismissal.

Show and Tell

Youth Programs discourages children from bringing their best, most prized

toys from home to our centers. Items such as video games, i-pods, cell

phones, etc., are highly desirable and sometimes prove too tempting for

the other kids. More often than not, these pricey toys don't make it back

home. Youth Programs is NOT responsible for these items if they get lost,

broken, or stolen.

Skipping a Day?

If your child will not be participating in the program on a certain day,

please inform the program staff by calling the RCS or the voice mail

number for the center or you can notify us via email. When our staff are

off searching for children who were supposed to be in attendance it takes

them away from the interaction they should be having with your child.

Please keep us informed.

Information

Parent bulletin boards are located in each center to provide parents with

current information about the program, safety information, and child

advocacy issues. Please review the parent board regularly for important

and interesting announcements. We also distribute parent memos from

time to time and you MUST sign the memo distribution form for all those

that you receive.


Page 19

Just in Case

It is required by the State of Virginia that two emergency contacts be listed

on every child‘s registration form. Be sure that up-to-date phone numbers

are listed for your child‘s emergency contact persons. These people must

live or work locally in order to be of assistance in an emergency. Also, be

sure your contacts know you have given us their names and are willing to

come to the center with a picture ID to pick up your child in the event you

cannot be reached. You can update your contacts information anytime

with your RCS!

All Items on Board

When picking up your child at the end of the day, please check for items

to take home. Allow time for them to finish what they are doing and

encourage them to put away materials. Be sure the staff knows your child

is leaving and be sure to sign them out via the check out sheet.

Join in the Fun

We love parent involvement. Not only are our parents often asked to

donate time and everyday household items which are used for special

projects—you are also welcome and encouraged to join in the fun

whenever possible. Parents are welcome to attend and visit the program

during all operational hours. If you’d like to work or volunteer on a

regular basis, please contact our administration for further guidance.

On Time Pick Up

Youth Programs closes promptly at 6:30PM each day. If you are unable to

pick up your child, please make arrangements to notify the center

concerning who will be picking up your child. A penalty fee of $5.00 for

each five minutes will be charged after 6:30PM if the child is left at the

center.


Page 18


Late Fees

Payments for program services are due in advance. Check or money order

payments must be received by 6 pm on Saturdays at the Payment Drop box

locations. Credit Card, E-Check payments are due before 11:59pm on

Sunday.

Any check, money order, credit card, e-check payments received after the

deadline will incur an automatic late payment fee. This late payment fee

will apply to children who are in the program without payment having

been received in advance and will be in the amount of $25.00. An

additional $25 penalty fee will be assessed for each week the payment is

late. If payment is not received after the 2nd week, the participant will be

withdrawn from the program for the remainder of the year and the debt

is submitted to the City Attorney’s office for collection. To re-enroll, the

participant must re-register. The outstanding debt must be paid to

include tuition, late fees, and new registration fee.

Checks or E-Checks that are returned for insufficient funds will also incur

a penalty fee. There is a $35 returned check fee that is assessed per check.

Youth Programs will not accept future payments by check until old debts

are cleared, including returned check fees. We also reserve the right to

refuse payment by check if more than one check is returned for non-

payment.

The City of Newport News assumes no liability for children whose fees

have not been paid in full prior to attendance.

REMINDER—If you have not paid after the second week, the

participant will be withdrawn from the program for the remainder of

the year and the debt turned over to the City Attorney’s office for

collection.

Absences

Because we base supplies purchased and staff scheduled on the number of

children paid for the week-there are no credits or refunds for absences and

weekly fees will not be prorated for days not used. You can change from full

time to part time or part time to full time by notifying our administrative

office by Tuesday of the current week or prior. If you are going to miss a

complete week due to vacation–make arrangements to skip a week’s

payment by calling our administrative office at 926-1400 or sending us an

email to [email protected].

Waiting List

In the event of a waiting list, priority will be given to the those participants

opting for full-time care.

Receipt and Taxes

We do not give year end tax statements so please keep copies of your checks or

track your payments online. Our Federal ID # is 54-6022059. Receipts are

available online for those using EZ Child Track; all financial records are

accessible for print from this website.


The BEST way to pay is online through

our online payment system! Make it a

bookmark, schedule recurring payments

and never pay a late fee again!

https://ezchildtrack.com/nnprt/

ParentLogin.aspx

Parents must inform the center within 24 hours or the next business day

after your child or any member of the immediate household has

developed any reportable communicable disease, as defined by the State

Board of Health, except for life threatening diseases which must be

reported immediately.

Safety First

We take every precaution to make sure your child is safe. This includes a

comprehensive safety awareness program, frequent inspections of the

building and playground equipment, as well as fire drills and health

inspections. To ensure the safety of each child, no child is allowed to leave

the premises without a staff person. We require each child to be signed in

and out of the program each day by the parent or guardian. When picking

up we will require positive identification from parents not known to staff.

A picture ID is a must! The center will not be responsible for any child

dropped off outside the building.

All Youth Programs sites have an Emergency Plan which is posted near the

parent information area. We encourage all parents to be familiar with this

plan, which includes steps to take in any natural or man-made disaster.

The plan includes times to evacuate the site as well as when to ‗shelter in

place.‘ In the event that our program must take these measures a notice

will go out via our online system. This is one of the many reasons you

should be familiar with the system. If necessary, we will also utilize local

media to publicize actions taken in an emergency. In the event a natural

or man-made disaster prevents parents from picking up their children, our

program will carry out our Emergency Plan and will contact the

Emergency Management Team for Newport News.


Page 17

Youth Programs will administer sunscreen and insect repellant if the

following are met:

Parent/Guardian provides sunscreen and/or repellant labeled with

the child‘s name.

Parent/Guardian signs an ―Authorization to Apply Sunscreen &

Insect Repellant‖ on the registration form.

Parent will notify center if the child has ever had an adverse reaction

from either medication.

Parents should note the following:

Licensing requires that staff members apply sunscreen and insect

repellant for children under age nine (above criteria must be met).

Children over nine may apply their own sunscreen and repellant as

long as they are supervised.

Youth Programs recommends that parents apply sunscreen and

repellant prior to bringing children to the program, especially

before events or activities that will be held outside.

Chicken Pox, Fever, and the Common Cold

On days where your child is not feeling well, we ask that you to keep your

child at home to ensure that the illness does not spread. Please notify your

RCS when this happens. If your child becomes ill at the center, we will

contact you and you must come pick them up. In the event of any serious

accident or illness, an ambulance may be called. Your child must be fever

free for 24 hours in order to return to the program.

We will keep you informed of any instance of disease affecting children at

our program and we only ask the same of you in return. If a child is

absent because of a contagious disease they are not allowed to return to

the program without a note from a physician stating that the child’s

condition is no longer contagious.


Page 16

Field Trips and Special Events

We have limited seating on buses and all field trip deadlines are final. If your

child is not in attendance, arrangements need to be made for payment to be

received by the deadline. Children are taken on a first come, first serve basis;

only payment reserves your child‘s spot.

To participate in field trips, special events, or carnivals all children are required

to be registered and paid for the week of the trip. Newly registered

participants are required to attend a minimum of three days the week before

the trip to ensure that our staff is familiar with your child’s habits and

personality. Children are required to be at their center location by 8:00 AM

unless otherwise noted in order to ensure that the bus gets off on time! If the

bus has departed, we cannot be responsible for your child. Due to safety

issues—we cannot allow any child to be dropped off at our field trip locations.

You are responsible for making arrangements for your child to attend another

center if:

A trip is full.

Your child is unable to attend a trip due to summer school.

You do not wish for your child to attend a scheduled trip.

You woke up too late and missed the bus.

You don't want your teen or KIDS participant to go on the trip (there is no

alternative teen or KIDS center). If this is the case, YOU must make

other arrangements for the day.

2013 Newport News t-shirts are required on field trips and special events.

These shirts are just one of the many safety measures we take on field trips. T-

shirts need to fit true to size. If your child arrives without a Youth Programs t-

shirt parents will have the option of purchasing an additional shirt, bringing the

shirt before the bus leaves, or taking the child home. NO CHILD WILL BE

ALLOWED ON A FIELD TRIP WITHOUT A T-SHIRT!


Getting There

Transportation is the responsibility of the parents. However, for some summer

schools, transportation may be provided by regular school bus runs. For more

information, contact your school office. Youth Programs makes no arrangements

for bussing to or from summer school.

Inclement Weather

In case of inclement weather, the Youth Programs may change its hours. When it

is announced that Newport News City Offices will close, Youth Programs will

close as well. For more information or clarification of operations during a storm,

please call your center‘s voicemail or 926-7282 for general announcements.

Snack

Proper nutrition is very important for active and healthy children. Youth

Programs works with a partner agency to serve snacks and lunch. Snacks, lunch

and drink are furnished following USDA requirements by the program. A copy

of these standards can be obtained from your RCS. In the event that the partner

agency is unable to provide this free service, you may be required to bring a lunch

or snack for your child.

Happening Now

Our daily activities vary based upon the themes listed in the calendar section of

your packet. Each morning and afternoon will be broken up into stations like

―The Drawing Board,‖ ―The Arena,‖ ―Lights, Camera, Action,‖ ―Buggin Out,‖

and ―Where in the World?‖ Other activities and opportunities that will occur

include enrichment and literacy activities such as ―KidzLit,‖ community building

games, conflict resolution activities and open ended art, construction, and

creative outlets. Many of our activities will be child led so that your child can

have real input into their summer days. Giving children the opportunity to make

their own decisions in a safe environment prepares them for the more difficult

decisions that are just around the corner.


Protecting Their Toes

Keeping in mind that your child will be running around playing new

games and old favorites—tennis shoes or sandals with straps and rubber

soles are required daily. No flip flops please! Tennis shoes must be tied.

During consolidation at Brittingham-Midtown Community Center or

Denbigh Community Center, as well as those centers in gymnasiums,

tennis shoes ONLY will be allowed on the floor. Children will not be

allowed to wear dress shoes or hiking boots on the gym floor!

Doctor’s Orders

We know that there may be times when your child may need to take

medication while at our program. To make sure we administer

medication in a safe and healthy manner and in accordance with MAT

and licensing standards, written permission from the parent is required.

Medication MUST be in the original prescription bottle with written

instructions and given to your RCS. Please note that over the counter

meds must be in original containers and may not be shared amongst

siblings. Long term medication must be updated every six (6) months.

Staff must refuse acceptance of medication that do not meet specific

criteria. Please make sure that the medication has the child‘s first and last

name, the authorized prescriber‘s name, the pharmacy name and phone

number, the date the prescription was filled, the name of the medication,

the route the medication is to be taken, the dosage of the medication, how

often to give the medication, and the date to be discontinued. ALL of this

information needs to appear in writing for our staff to administer

medication to your children.

Nap Time

Both early childhood locations offer an afternoon nap time to full day participants.

Please provide a bottom sheet and blanket. Pillows and stuffed animals are

optional. These items will be sent home at the end of the week to be laundered. If

in Therapeutics, please provide a top and bottom twin sheet, clearly marked with

the child‘s name, if they are going to require a daily nap.


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parent information packet · week of 7/22 – children’s museum (ages 3-5) week of 8/12 – busch...

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