Hours of Operation

The Aftercare program is not available during scheduled holidays, in-services, or administrative days.  Please note, a $1.00 per minute late fee will be charged to accounts for each minute a child remains in Aftercare after the 5:30 p.m. closing time.  Any student not picked up by 3:15 (2:15 on Wednesday) will be placed in Aftercare.

			Registration

			Program Overview

St. Mary's School is pleased to have a State of Tennessee accredited AfterCare program. 

The AfterCare program is available from 3:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. each Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday and every Wednesday from 2:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.  AfterCare is not available on days when the school is not in session, closed due to inclement weather, observed holidays, early dismissal days, and staff development days.  Reminder announcements are always posted on the SMS school website as well as in the weekly Family Bulletin.

Students who stay for AfterCare are expected to report to the caregivers of the program after school ends.  Coaches and Scout Leaders are not to be used in place of going to AfterCare.  If a practice or a meeting occurs during this time, children will be dismissed to participate then they should return to AfterCare.  No child will be permitted to "hang-out" on his/her own on the Parish or school grounds in place of going to AfterCare.  Tennessee State Law requires the parents of children in the AfterCare Program to sign their child(ren) out of the program daily when they pick them up.

The SMS Aftercare program reinforces the social, motor and academic skills children learn in the classroom.  The staff provides for the academic and social needs of children in a safe and nurturing environment.  There is time, space, encouragement, and support for learning good study habits. Skills are developed in the following areas:

• Cognitive Development: homework assistance and computer-assisted learning.
• Physical Development: small and large motor skills, non-competitive games, and playground use.
• Social: emotional development, cooperative learning, group participation, conflict resolution, and peer interactions.

			Discipline

All St. Mary's students are accepted into the Aftercare program. All students will be expected to follow the same behavioral code of conduct as required during school hours. We are committed to positively reinforcing desirable behaviors and we support our students in any way that we can. Aftercare staff will work with students and parents regarding misbehavior, however, continual behavior problems will result in the student being prohibited from the program.

			Arrival and Pick-Up Procedures

Parents should come to the Aftercare room to pick-up their children. Children will not be allowed to go look for their ride or leave on their own. If we are not in the Aftercare room at the time, there will be a note on the door. Parents can help children end their day in a positive way by:

• Allowing time for their child to finish the activity in which they are involved.
• Encouraging their child to put away equipment, toys, and supplies.
• Making sure their child has all of their personal items before departing.

Children will only be released to the persons listed on the registration form.

			Illness and Medication

Aftercare is not staffed to provide for a sick student. If your child becomes sick while in attendance, we will notify you and request that you pick him up as soon as possible. If, for exceptional circumstances, your child is required to take medication during Aftercare hours, and the parent or guardian cannot be at the school to administer the medicine, only the principal or Aftercare Director will administer the medication with doctor's written directions. Written doctor's orders are required for any prescription medications brought to the school. Medical forms are available in the School Office. Non-prescription medication, such as aspirin or Tylenol, will not be administered without written permission from the parent or guardian.