ASES Parent Handbook Information

Program Overview:

Fillmore Unified School District is honored to provide a high-quality after-school enrichment program at all elementary sites and the middle school in Fillmore, free of charge!  Our program operates Monday - Friday from dismissal until 6 p.m. on all regular school days. Please note that students must be potty trained to participate in the program.

 

ASES is free because it is funded by the government. To participate in ASES, students need to be able to meet programmatic requirements and expectations.

 

Our program is academic, fun, safe and staffed by skilled, caring staff members. Each day, all students receive:

 

For 2023/24, our areas of focus are to maintain and improve:

 

Vision Statement
The ASES Program (After School Education & Safety) provides a safe and structured after-school learning environment that will enrich the lives of Fillmore Unified School District students.  ASES staff members positively influence students by being the best versions of themselves each day.  In doing so, they build long-lasting and positive relationships with parents and help children succeed academically and socially, while making learning fun.

 

Hours of Operation:

Our program operates Monday - Friday from dismissal until 6 p.m. on all regular school days. The program will be closed for staff professional development on Friday, October 6; Thursday, December 21; and Friday, March 22. Please make alternate arrangements for your child’s care on these dates.

 

Parent Collaboration:

All parents, guardians, and family members are encouraged to approach staff and other parents, guardians, and family members with respectful conduct:

• Parents/guardians are expected to collaborate with the program staff by encouraging their children to follow program rules.
• Parents/guardians are expected to cooperate in resolving issues and must acknowledge and return all required paperwork promptly.
• Parents are to notify the Site Coordinator immediately, in writing, of any changes in emergency information, residence, telephone numbers, or person on the pick-up list.
• Parents/guardians should never attempt to discipline children other than their own. If your child is having problems with another student, please discuss the matter with the site coordinator and/or site staff.
• Appropriate behavior is expected from ALL adults at ALL times. Vulgar language, threats, verbal and physical intimidation, and physical violence will not be tolerated. We all serve as role models for young children. Inappropriate or unacceptable behavior towards ASES staff or children may result in the loss of Expanded Learning Program services.

Attendance

The ASES grant (Education Code 8483) requires that programs stay open until 6:00 pm and for a minimum of 15 hours per week. Students are expected to stay for the entire program each day. A conversation with parent/guardian shall occur for students with five or more unexcused absences or early-releases in a month. The conversation will help determine if the program is a good fit and whether the student should be exited from the program.

 

Early Release Policy:

The ASES grant (Education Code 8483) requires that programs stay open until 6:00 pm and for a minimum of 15 hours per week. ASES programs are required to have an Early Release Policy to identify why students are leaving before the end of the program.

 

Requests to leave early must be made in advance and in writing. A parent must complete an “Early Release Form” which specifies the dates and times. If a child needs to leave early “on all Tuesdays” for example, the form may be filled out for specific days instead of dates. This form will then be kept on file with the Site Coordinator.

 

Only  individuals whose names are on file will be allowed to complete an “Early Release Form” and check the child out from the program.

 

If a student is leaving prior to 5:30 pm, parents/guardians must indicate on the sign in/out sheet the reason based on the following numerical release codes.

 

• Extra-curricular Activities/Parallel Programs: Students participating in other recreational programs, such as soccer, basketball, dance, music lessons, tutoring, etc.
• Medical Appointment: From time to time, it is expected that children will have routine appointments (doctors, dentist, etc.) that cannot be scheduled at another time of day. Parents may pick up their students early from the after-school program for these necessary, routine appointments. It is expected that these appointments are the exception rather than the rule.
• Safety: At certain times during the school year, sunset can be as early as 5:00 pm. Children who walk home will be allowed to leave the program 30 minutes before sunset. Weather conditions may also apply.
• Illness/Injury: If a child becomes sick or injured during the program, the coordinator will call home for him/her to be picked up.
• Family Emergency: When family emergencies such as a death in the family or catastrophic incidents, etc. occur and students are absent, students will be excused. In such cases, please send a note as soon as possible to the ASES Site Coordinator so that staff me be sensitive to the student’s feelings and needs.
• Best Interest of the Child: This applies to activities such as visiting family members from out of town, religious activities, custody related requirements, etc.

Student Pick up and Dismissal:

 Our staff signs students into ASES. Elementary students are picked up by a parent or guardian between 5:30 p.m. and 6:00 p.m.; Middle School students between 5:30 pm and 6:00pm. Students must be signed out by an adult at least 16 years old, who is listed on the enrollment form. An adult who is unfamiliar to ASES staff will be asked to show identification. Students who walk home will be signed out by the ASES staff when the student leaves.

 If your child is not picked up by 6:00 p.m., and we have been unable to contact anyone on the enrollment form, we may contact law enforcement. For safety reasons, students should always check into the ASES Program directly after school. 

 

Walkers:

These are students in grades 3 and above who are able to walk home alone safely.  They are released at 5:30 p.m. and must walk straight home.  During daylight savings time, walkers may be released as early as 4:30 p.m.  The first day following spring break or when daylight savings time ends, walkers are again released at 5:30 p.m. Bike riders must wear a helmet. Parents/guardians must indicate in writing or on the enrollment form that their child will be walking home.

 

Snack/Afternoon Supper:

An afternoon meal will be provided for every child in attendance. The meals follow nutrition standards and are provided by the Child Nutrition Services Department. If your child has a dietary restriction or food preference, please send an additional snack from home that does not require heating or refrigeration. Please refer to monthly supper menu that is posted at your child’s site and also available on the district’s website.

 

Homework:

The ASES Program strives to provide balanced after-school program that includes homework support, academic enrichment, nutrition, and physical activity. We are committed to providing appropriate space and time for students to work on homework during program hours.

 

Homework is an important part of the home-school connection and it provides parents with insight into the lesson content and an opportunity to see what their child is learning. Our staff provides support, guidance, and clarification when needed. However, we do not provide one-on-one tutoring. Parents will still need to review student homework to ensure that it is complete and accurate.

 

Illness:

To protect the health of your child and others, if your child appears sick, or complains of sickness while participating in the program, the staff will notify the parent/guardian immediately.  Staff will ask you to pick up your child from the program to prevent the risk of infection. If we are unable to contact you or you cannot pick up your child, we will contact the person(s) listed as alternates on your child’s emergency card. The program is not equipped to care for sick children.

 

Medical and Emergency Information:

The emergency contact information you have completed is extremely important.  Please be sure to notify the staff of any changes in your child's medical needs, as well as any changes that might occur to your home and work numbers, and the emergency contact numbers you have supplied.

 

Injuries:

If your child is injured, the program staff will take whatever steps may be necessary to ensure that your child receives emergency medical care.  This can include, but is not limited to, administering emergency first aid or CPR, attempting to contact you or your emergency contacts, calling an ambulance or paramedic, calling your family doctor, and/or accompanying the child to an emergency hospital.

 

Note: Neither FUSD nor the ASES Program will assume any financial responsibility for this action.

 

Discipline:

It is our goal to be able to share something positive about your child with you each day we have an opportunity for a conversation.

 

ASES staff will make every effort to try to intervene and offer positive alternatives and solutions to problematic behavior. However, if ASES student participants continually engage in disruptive behavior or do not follow program rules and expectations, disciplinary measures will be utilized. The same rules and expectations that students follow at school apply to ASES. For more information about the district’s policies and regulations related to student discipline, please refer to the FUSD Parent’s Rights and Responsibilities and the Student Code of Conduct. (Spanish version)

 

If ASES staff determines that your child is jeopardizing the safety and quality of the program, he/she will be sent to the Site Coordinator. The Site Coordinator shall determine the appropriate course of action on a case-by-case basis.

 

• Generally, on a 1^st offense, you will be contacted, and a referral (which details the offense) will be written up. Also, the program director and school principal may be contacted.
• Should a second offense occur during the school year, you will again be contacted, and a referral will be written up. Also, the program director and school principal may be contacted.
• A third offense may result in your child being dis-enrolled from the program. If your student is dis-enrolled from the program, he/she may be eligible to re-enroll the following school year, but he/she is not guaranteed enrollment.

*Depending on the severity of a student’s behavior issue, you may be asked to pick up your child immediately. For severe infractions that cause significant safety issues for your child, other children, or staff, you may receive notification of a suspension or removal from the program, even if occurring on a first offense.

 

*One or more steps in the progressive discipline steps may be skipped at the discretion of Site Coordinator or Program Director in situations that are considered an emergency or are extreme disruptions to the program.

 

In the ASES program, students are expected to always behave appropriately. Fighting, pushing, shoving, and horseplay are prohibited. Also prohibited are verbal comments that may, in nature be perceived by the program director as intimidating, harassing, or intended to provoke a conflict.

 

Students who are cooperative respectful, and demonstrate good behavior and citizenship are rewarded in several ways. These may include celebrations, reward box trinkets, or special treats. Please encourage your child to follow the rules and regulations for the purpose of being a good citizen. The rewards are meant to reinforce this.

Behavior Expectations: 1) Be Safe 2) Be Respectful 3) Be Responsible

 

Personal Belongings:

Children should not bring money, electronics, personal items, etc. to the ASES program. We are not responsible or liable for any personal items that are broken, lost, or stolen. If a child has an item that is causing a distraction to the program, we will ask him/her to put it away and take it home. Items that continue to be a distraction may be returned directly to the parent during pick-up.

 

Program Withdrawal

To withdraw from the program, please email the Program Clerk, Nicole Acosta [email protected] to withdrawal. You may also notify the site coordinator.

 

Re-enrollment:

Transferring your student to a different school within the district does not guarantee enrollment in the ASES Program. It is likely your child will be placed on the waiting list for ASES until a spot becomes available at the new school.

 

Each year, you will need to re-enroll your child in the ASES program by completing the intent to return form. Students are not automatically enrolled into ASES for the subsequent school year. Intent to return forms are sent in May.