Community Partnership Charter School

Parent & Family Handbook

TASC AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAM

The CPCS/TASC After-School Program 241 Emerson Place, Brooklyn, NY, 11205 (718) 228-2067 TABLE OF CONTENTS

I. INTRODUCTION...... 3 A. Program Overview B. Program Philosophy C. Important Phone Numbers

II. PROGRAM DATES...... 4

III. ARRIVAL, DISMISSAL & ABSENCES...... 5 A. Arrival B. Early Dismissal/Appointments C. Dismissal D. Absences

IV. PROGRAM ACTIVITIES...... 7 A. Activity Schedule B. Homework Center C. Activities/Curriculum

V. RULES & RESPONSIBILITIES...... 9 A. Parent/Guardian Responsibilities B. Student Responsibilities C. Inappropriate Student Behavior

VI. OTHER USEFUL INFORMATION...... 11 A. Staffing B. Emergency/Accident Procedures C. Medications and Special Needs D. Parent and Family Involvement E. Field Trips F. Miscellaneous

V. DISCIPLINE CONTRACT...... 13

2 3 I. INTRODUCTION

A. Program Overview The After-School Corporation (TASC) and the Community Partnership Charter School received a grant from the New York City Department of Youth and Community Development Out of School Time initiative to support an after-school program at our school. Currently, we receive funding from TASC, Beginning with Children Foundation, and the Out of School Time initiative.

Our program typically serves 150 students in grades K through 5. Students attend the program five days a week from 4:00 PM until 6:00 PM. The program’s primary objectives are to assist students with their homework as well as to enrich students’ lives with an assortment of recreational and cultural activities. During program hours, students will have time allotted for snack, homework assistance, and recreation -- all provided by dedicated staff members.

B. Program Philosophy All children are unique having different experiential backgrounds, needs, skills, talents, abilities, interests, learning styles and rates. Our purpose is to provide a safe, caring, creative and challenging learning environment that will support and encourage each student to develop to their fullest potential intellectually, emotionally, socially, and physically. Education is a partnership of school, home and community. All players have both rights and responsibilities within that partnership to support our students in order for them to become independent and contributing members of their community and of the global society.

C. Important Phone Numbers Please feel free to contact us at any time. We look forward to getting to know you and making the after-school program a wonderful experience for you and your children. If we are unable to answer the phone, please leave a message with a telephone number where you can be reached.

TASC Office...... 718 – 228 – 2067 TASC Cell Phone...... 917 – 863 – 2784 CPCS Main Office...... 718 – 339 – 3824

4 II. PROGRAM DATES

The TASC Program begins September 10, 2007 and is expected to end on June 20th, 2008. A typical day at the TASC Program begins at the end of your child’s regular school day. Our teachers will meet your child in their classroom and escort him/her to their activity or their homework classroom, which will be designated by grade level. Under no circumstances is a child in our program to leave the building to go to the store, ice cream man, etc.

Monday through Friday the schedule is as follows: 4:00 – 4:45: Greeting Activity/Cold Supper/Sports for All activities in gym 4:45 – 5:45: Homework center or Enrichment Activity (Student Choice) 5:45 – 6:00: Dismissal Please note: the homework center is closed on Fridays.

The TASC program will also be open from 8am-6pm (CPCS is closed) on the following days:

Wednesday, October 3rd, 2007: CPCS closed due to Professional Development Monday, October 8th, 2007 Columbus Day

Tuesday, November 6th, 2007: Election Day Monday, November 12th, 2007 Veterans Day Wednesday, November 21st, 2007 CPCS closed due to Professional Development

Thursday, December 20th, 2007 CPCS closed due to Professional Development Friday, December 21st, 2007 CPCS closed due to Professional Development

Monday, January 21st, 2008 Martin Luther King Jr. Day Thursday, January 24th, 2008 CPCS closed due to Professional Development

Monday, February 11th, 2008 CPCS closed due to Professional Development Monday, February 18th, 2008 Winter Recess Tuesday, February 19th, 2008 Winter Recess Wednesday, February 20th, 2008 Winter Recess Thursday, February 21st, 2008 Winter Recess Friday, February 22nd, 2008 Winter Recess

Monday, March 24th, 2008 CPCS closed due to Professional Development

Tuesday, April 15th, 2008 CPCS closed due to Professional Development

Tuesday, May 13th, 2008 CPCS closed due to Professional Development Friday, May 23rd, 2008 CPCS closed due to Professional Development

Thursday, June 5th, 2008 CPCS closed due to Professional Development

5 III. ARRIVAL, DISMISSAL & ABSENCES

A. Arrival Staff members from the TASC program will meet the children in the front courtyard during CPCS dismissal. TASC staff will escort them to their first TASC activity. Attendance will be taken at this time.

B. Early Dismissal/Appointments If you want your child to leave school at 4:00pm, he/she must bring a note to either the Site Coordinator in the TASC Program Office or to Ms. Minerva Rodriguez in the Main Office that morning. You may also call the Site Coordinator at 917 – 863 – 2784 before 2:00pm.

If you are picking up early (between 4:30-5:45pm), please follow these procedures: 1. Enter through the Dekalb/PS 270 entrance 2. Give the Security Agent at this entrance your name and your child’s name 3. The Security Agent or a TASC staff person will contact your child’s classroom and your child will meet you at the security desk (You may not go to your child’s classroom). 4. Sign your child out with the Security Agent

To keep our children safe, it is very important that we follow this procedure and minimize the numbers of adults walking throughout the school building. Be prepared to wait! Your child will need to clean up his/her activity before leaving the classroom and depending on the activity, this can take time.

C. Dismissal Your cooperation during dismissal is needed to ensure that you and your child(ren) are safe. Dismissal from our program starts at 5:45 sharp as follows:  Please enter at the Dekalb entrance.  Check-in with security staff and then proceed to the cafeteria.  All children must be signed out by a designated parent/guardian in order to ensure they are in the custody of you or a designated adult.  Dismissal is completed at 6pm.

We understand that there are times when emergencies arise and that you may not be able to pick up your child in a timely manner. If you know that you will be late for dismissal, you must call the TASC Site Coordinator at (917) 863-2784.

The following are the consequences for late pick up: 1 st Late: verbal warning to family member reiterating our dismissal policy; notation is placed in the late book; red letter is given to family restating late policy 2 nd Late: verbal warning plus 2nd letter given to family 3 rd Late: student will be suspended from the program 4 th Late: student will be dismissed from program.

6 Every effort to contact the parent/guardian or their Emergency Contact(s) to inform them that the child has not been picked up will be made. In the event that no one can be found, the 88 th Precinct will be called and the child will be brought there for the family member to pick up.

D. Absences If your child is absent from the regular school day, he/she is not allowed to attend the TASC Program. We ask that you please send in an absence note with your child on the day that they return to school. We will place the notes in his/her file, which is kept along with the application in the TASC Program Office. Absences from the program due to a religious holiday and/or religious instruction are considered excused absences, however, still require a note. If we see a pattern of absences, we will make a phone call home.

Students are not permitted to leave at 4:00pm without prior written consent or without a phone call to either Ms Rodriquez or the TASC Site Coordinator. If your child is present in regular day school but missing from after-school without a note, we will contact you. If you son or daughter leaves the school building without a note, it will be considered an “unexcused” absence. If a child has more than five (5) unexcused absences, he/she will be dismissed from the Program. Also, we will not release your child to the bus without prior notification from you!

Please note: Our funders require us to enroll students who can commit to being here every day from 4:00 – 6:00pm. Every child must attend the TASC program at least 85% of the year (approx. missing one day every two weeks). Unfortunately, if you wish to enroll your son or daughter in another outside activity, he/she will not be able to continue in our program. We understand that this may seem like an unfair policy, however, there are many students who are on our waiting list who would love to attend out program full time. If your child no longer wants to attend our program, please let us know as soon as possible so that we can make room for a child who does wish to attend.

7 IV. PROGRAM ACTIVITIES

A. Activity Schedule The following activity schedule will be in place September 24th through December 21st, 2007:

MONDAY: 4:00 – 4:45pm Greeting Activity/Cold Supper/Sports for All activities 4:45 – 5:45pm K – 1: Choice 2: Dance 3: Tribes 4 – 5: Girls group/Boys Group Homework Center 5:45 – 6:00pm Dismissal

TUESDAY: 4:00 – 4:45pm Greeting Activity/Cold Supper/Sports for All activities 4:45 – 5:45pm K: Homework 1: Homework 2: Homework 3 – 5: CHOICE: soccer, basketball, step, yoga, technology, library (book club), homework center 5:45 – 6:00pm Dismissal

WEDNESDAY: 4:00 – 4:45pm Greeting Activity/Cold Supper/Sports for All activities K: CookShop 1: CookShop 2: Tribes 3 – 5: CHOICE: dance, animation/comic book, stop animation, drama, world art, homework center 5:45 – 6:00pm Dismissal

THURSDAY: 4:00 – 4:45pm Greeting Activity/Cold Supper/Sports for All activities K: Tribes 1: Tribes 2: CookShop 3 – 5: CHOICE: soccer, basketball, step, yoga, technology, library (book club), homework center 5:45 – 6:00pm Dismissal

FRIDAY: 4:00 – 4:45pm Greeting Activity/Cold Supper/Sports for All activities K – 2: CHOICE: games, art, puzzles 3 – 5: CHOICE: dance, animation, Comic Book, stop animation, drama, world art

8 B. Homework Center The homework center is open Monday – Thursday, 4:45-5:45pm. Students will have the opportunity to start and hopefully complete their homework assignments. To make this time successful, please send your child to the program prepared (pencil, paper, etc). Our program supplies are limited and need to be shared by all students.

Although class sizes are small compared to the regular school day classes, our staff does not always get the opportunity to work one on one with every child. If a staff person sees that there is a small group of students who do not understand a particular concept, then he/she will pull together those students to work as a group. Students primarily work alone on their homework and have the staff person there to guide and assist them if they are having difficulty. Grades K – 2 will begin their homework on Tuesdays when the children receive their homework in their Tuesday Folders. It is your child’s responsibility to bring their homework assignments to the TASC program. It is also your child’s responsibility to bring completed assignments to their day-school classes.

After they have completed their homework, students will join the rest of their group for that day’s activity. Please note: the TASC program is an enrichment-based program. There are many activities for your child to learn from. Please see the above schedule and discuss with your child the exact days of the week you wish your child to attend the homework center.

If you have any questions, comments, or concerns about your child’s progress with their homework, please speak with the Site Coordinator at dismissal time or call the after-school office.

C Activities/Curriculum Our curriculum is based on project-based learning. Project Based Learning is a comprehensive approach to instruction where students participate in projects and practice an interdisciplinary array of skills from math, language arts, arts, geography, science, and technology all surrounding the same topic. For example, throughout the year we will be focusing on the theme “Peace”, and all unit activities will support the theme of the time period and end with a culminating event. At each culminating event there will be a program wide celebration, activity, or performance that all families and friends are invited to attend and volunteer. The following are a few examples of activities your child will be participating in:

 World Arts: Students will learn about art appreciation as well as the different mediums that are used in the area of art. They may also have the opportunity to learn about various artists and how they contributed to the world of art.  Dance/Drama/Music: Students will learn how to express themselves though the use of role- playing, etc. They may also have the opportunity to put on short performances through out the eight-week cycle and of possibly being part of our holiday performance or end of the year performance.  Sports for All: During this activity, students will learn the concepts of sportsmanship, fair play, getting along with other, as well as how to work together as a team. They will learn a brief history of specific sports as well as their rules. Of course, they will have the opportunity of playing a variety of sports and have a chance to get some all-important exercise!  CookShop: Students learn how vegetables are grown by different area farmers. They explore each vegetable, using all of their senses. The following week’s lesson uses this same vegetable in a recipe. All students help in cooking the recipe and eating it!

9  Metro Soccer: Students learn how to play the game of soccer using teamwork as a base and expanding to ball handling techniques and team play.

We are continuously trying to develop our program, and hope to add exciting activities to the program during the year. These opportunities will expose your children to exciting new experiences and enriched curriculum.

V. RULES & RESPONSIBILITIES

A. Parent/Guardian Responsibilities There are many aspects of the after-school program in which we need the cooperation and patience of the parents. As you know, the quality of parents’ relationships with both the day school and after school is a good indicator of students’ success. We ask that parents take responsibility for monitoring and checking homework. Another area that will require your attention is the preparation of your son/daughter for our program. Please send your child to school with the proper materials such as extra pencils, notebooks, etc. We also want to encourage you to volunteer and be involved in the after-school program. Please fill out and return the attached forms and feel free to talk to group leaders and the site coordinator about ways you can be helpful and stay connected to the program.

B. Student Responsibilities We aim to create an environment where every student feels safe and is able to express his/her ideas and learn. All enrolled students are expected to conduct themselves appropriately during program time. We want parents and families to be aware of how we will respond to disruptive behavior if and when it occurs. All discipline contracts must be signed by both parent/guardian and student, and then returned to the Group Leaders. Students are expected to:  Follow the TASC Program & Beginning with Children Charter School rules as well as the rules of each of my group leaders and teachers  Be prepared each day with their homework, pencils, notebooks, and at least 2 books to read  Respect the Rights and Property of other students  Resolve conflicts peacefully without fighting or name-calling  Be respectful and courteous to all After-School Staff and fellow students  Never leave the classroom without the permission of the group leader  Never run in the hallways or within the classroom  Take proper care of all classrooms, the contents of the rooms, and all property belonging to the TASC program  Enjoy and appreciate the opportunity of being in the TASC Program and to have fun and learn!

Please note: The teachers in our program have had extensive training on how to work with students to support positive classroom. They also know how to deal with difficult behaviors when they arise. However, once any of these behaviors occur and our teacher cannot resolve the situation, then your child will have a conference with the site coordinator. In most cases, this conference will resolve the problem. At times we may ask parents or guardians to come meet with the site coordinator and or group leader. 10 C. Inappropriate Student Behavior There will be no tolerance of certain inappropriate behavior. This includes, but is not limited to, the following:  Not following the directions of the coordinator, assistant coordinator, group leaders within our program, security personnel, or any adult affiliated with our program  Harming another child in any way: (i.e. fighting, hitting, pushing, shoving, arguing, bullying, etc.)  Leaving BWCCS grounds without prior written consent of a parent/guardian  Defacing school property, including (but not limited to) teacher desks, student desks, hallway walls, bathrooms, gymnasium/cafeteria property, as well as TASC program property  Cursing, profanity, or any type of racial slur towards anyone involved in our program  Running in the hallways or around the classroom.

Behaviors that disrupt the class but do not call for immediate dismissal, such as yelling, talking back, leaving the room, etc will be dealt with in the following manner:

First Offense: Discussion with child – possible time-out if deemed necessary

Second Offense: Discussion with child- time out

Third Offense: Discussion with child, time-out, notice sent to family, Site Coordinator, and BWCCS Director to keep on record, and a privilege taken away

Fourth Offense: Discussion with child, child sent to the Program Coordinator’s office, privilege taken away, and parents or family members are notified to create a behavior modification plan.

The following acts will be cause for IMMEDIATE DISMISSAL from the TASC Program:  Falsely setting off fire alarms  Stealing another person’s property  Physically assaulting another student or staff member

11 VII. OTHER USEFUL INFORMATION

A. Staffing We have compiled a strong group of professional men and women who will work with your children on a day-to-day basis and who are committed to the success and education of your children. Without them, Community Partnership Charter School would not have a successful program after school. Many members of our staff are Department of Education employees at Community Partnership Charter School. These individuals bring their experience and dedication with them to our after school program, which is definitely a valuable asset of the program. Some staff is local artists and musicians who share their talents with the children in their community. Other staff members are college students who are attending local colleges, pursuing their degrees in education, art, dance, and/or music. Finally, a group of five Reservists will be joining the TASC staff. The Reservists are people over the age of 65 that are interested in working in community after-school programs sponsored by TASC.

B. Emergency/Accident Procedures In the rare instance that your child is hurt in any way or there is an emergency, he/she will be brought IMMEDIATELY to the Main Office or the TASC Program. The Site Coordinator will take care of your child. Further, several program staff has been certified in CPR and first aid. Any injuries, whether small or more serious type, the parent/guardian will be immediately notified by phone. If the parent/guardian cannot be reached, the emergency contact from the application will be called. If no one can be reached, a letter will be sent home in the child’s book bag. The Site Coordinator will fill out an accident report. These accident reports will be kept on file in the child’s personal file in the after-school office. For serious medical problems, staff will call 911 immediately.

C. Medications and Special Medical Needs (MAT licensed sites only) In order to responsibly care for your children, we require parents to inform us of their children's special medical needs. We will meet with parents to create an individual health care plan. Should medications need to be provided during the hours of the after-school program, we are required to keep dosage information, permission forms and a separate full, unopened prescription in a locked cabinet only for use and distribution during after school by our certified personnel. If you prefer for your child to administer his/her own medication (i.e. Asthma pump), a specific health form must be completed. These forms are available from the Site Coordinator. We want to support your needs and will be glad to advise your medical providers regarding the state laws that govern our certification to administer medications.

D. Parent and Family Involvement We encourage all parents/family members/guardians to become involved with After-School Program. Research has shown again and again that students with involved parents are more successful. Even though some students might not admit it, kids want their parents to be concerned and involved with their education and life. This gives them a sense of security because they know that their parents care enough to go that extra mile. If you would like to donate your time, please let the Site Coordinator know. You will receive a short preliminary interview and training. Please note that you may not volunteer in your own son or daughter’s class. We could definitely use your help the transition time from day to after-school, distribution of snacks or tutoring during homework

12 help. There are many other ways you can be involved in the after-school program, please read and turn in parent commitment and involvement sheets at the end of this guide so we can work with you to make this partnership a success!

E. Field Trips We anticipate taking a number of field trips this year. Parents/Guardians will be notified will in advance about the details of the trips. Field trips will be educational, worthwhile additions to the curriculum your children are covering. Snacks will be provided for all students going on the trips. Family members are encouraged to volunteer to chaperone field trips. Students should not bring any valuables with them on the day of the trip. Reminders will be sent home a few days prior to the day of the trip and announcements will be posted in the monthly calendar. Permission slips will be sent home prior to the trip. ALL STUDENTS MUST HAVE A PERMISSION SLIP FILLED OUT BY A PARENT/GUARDIAN IN ORDER TO GO ON THE TRIP!!

F Miscellaneous  Supper: Snacks are provided free of charge every day by the Board of Education. These snacks are nutritious and provide the students with the necessary energy they need to do their homework and to participated in their activities.  Dismissal from Program: If you wish to remove your child(ren) from the TASC Program, we ask that you make the request in writing.  Students Personal Files: Each student will have his/her own personal file which will include their application, any absence notes, a copy of any “Time Out” letters, permission slips and accident reports.  Valuables: We strongly encourage all students to leave all valuables at home. Valuables include, but are not limited to: large amounts of money, IPods, Game Boys or any other type of electronic game or any other types of toys. We encourage this policy because it is not only distracting to your child, but also to the students around him/her and because we will not be able to reimburse you if the item is lost or stolen.  Lost and Found: If at any time your child loses anything, they should go to the lost and found in the Teacher’s Resource Room, room 320. If the item is not there, please check the lost and found at PS 270.  Donations: If any parents would like to donate any used books, games, or other items that are in good condition, please contact the Site Coordinator.

13 DISCIPLINE CONTRACT

UNACCEPTABLE BEHAVIOR LEVEL OF SEVERITY Failure to follow an adult’s directions 1-3 Defiance or talking back to adults Repeated talking out of turn Distracting other students Running 1-3 Loud voices and shouting Destruction of student work Play fighting or wrestling Theft/Unauthorized barrowing 4-5 Littering, graffiti or defacing of student, school, or TASC property Misuse of school equipment (including computers) Being in unauthorized places without permission or 3-4 supervision Lying or deceiving to adult 2-4 3-5 Disruptive behavior while traveling to TASC program and while on field trips Violating the CPCS code of conduct while on public transportation, school buses Using electronics (games, music players,etc) without adult Property will be confiscated and permission returned to parent Making or receiving calls or text messages Property will be confiscated and Turning on or checking cell phone without adult permission returned to parent Using profanity 3-5 Using slurs based on race, ethnicity, color, gender, sexual orientation, religion or disability Distributing defamatory materials Discriminatory comments Bullying, harassment, or threats 3-5 Sexual or crude remarks or obscene gestures Inappropriate touching 3-5 Inappropriate displays of affection Leaving school grounds without permission 4-6 Fighting for any reason 4-6 Physical violence of any kind Threatening physical violence Using, selling or distributing tobacco, alcohol, or illegal 6 substances Bringing or threatening to bring knives, guns, or other weapons to school or related events 14 Falsely activating a fire or other alarm or discharging a fire 6 extinguisher Arson

SEVERIT CONSEQUENCE Y 1 Reprimand/Verbal Warning from TASC staff 2 Time-out/removal from activity 3 Note home to parent and/or phone call home 4 Suspension from TASC after-school 5 Suspension from TASC after-school (cannot return until meeting with parent) 6 Expulsion from TASC after-school and potential of criminal charges

*PARENTS ARE NOT PERMITTED TO APPROACH STUDENTS ENROLLED IN THE TASC PROGRAM REGARDING INCIDENTS INVOLVING THEIR CHILDREN. ALL CONCERNS SHOULD BE ADDRESSED TO TASC STAFF.

*TASC AFTER-SCHOOL RESERVES THE RIGHT TO DISMISS ANY STUDENT WHOSE BEHAVIOR CONTINUALLY DISRUPTS THE EDUCATIONAL PROCESS OR CONSTITUTES A DANGER TO HIM/HERSELF OR OTHERS.

Print Child’s Name ______

Child’s Signature ______

Print Parent’s Name ______

Parent’s Signature ______