Wellston Intermediate School

I.-W.R.A.P.

Intermediate Wellston Rocket Afterschool Program

Handbook

Academic Support

Educational & Cultural Enrichment

Family Events

Table of Contents

Wellston Intermediate School I.-W.R.A.P.

  • I.-W.R.A.P. of Wellston City Schools...... 1
  • Philosophy ...... 2
  • Goals ...... 2
  • Enrollment Eligibility...... 2
  • Special Needs Children ...... 3
  • Hours of Operation ...... 3
  • Facilities...... 3
  • Staffing ...... 4
  • Child Supervision ...... 4
  • Curriculum ...... 4
  • Daily Schedule ...... 4
  • Snacks...... 5
  • Sign-In & Sign-Out...... 5
  • Irregular Arrival/Departure ...... 5
  • Absences ...... 5
  • Behavior Management/Discipline ...... 5
  • Child Development ...... 7
  • Safety Practices ...... 8
  • Communicable Diseases ...... 10
  • Medications...... 10
  • Emergency Contact...... 10
  • Emergencies and Accidents...... 10
  • Wellston City Schools Crisis Plan ...... 10
  • Missing Child...... 11
  • Sharing of Information for Project Evaluation . . . . .11
  • Photographs and Recordings ...... 12
  • Use of Computers and Online Services ...... 12
  • Fields Trips ...... 12
  • Walking Trips ...... 13
  • What to Send and What Not to Send ...... 13
  • Parent Participation & Communications ...... 13
  • Volunteering and Advisory Committee ...... 14
  • Communications with the School ...... 14
  • Fees, Scholarships & Payments ...... 14
  • Educational and Cultural Enrichment Opportunities 15
  • Academic Support Programs ...... 16
  • Family Events ...... 16
  • Withdrawal Procedures ...... 16
  • Partners ...... 17
  • Mission ...... 18
  • Student Code of Conduct ...... 19

Wellston Intermediate School

I.-W. R. A. P.

(Intermediate Wellston Rocket Afterschool Program)

The Wellston Intermediate School I.-W.R.A.P. program was developed through collaboration between Gallia-Vinton Educational Service Center, Wellston City Schools and community partners to serve intermediate school students from Wellston Intermediate School and their families. The program title is Wellston Intermediate School I.-W.R.A.P. (Intermediate Wellston Rocket Afterschool Program). In addition to the middle and high school programs, there will be adult programs scheduled each semester at Wellston Intermediate School.

The I.-W.R.A.P. program of the Wellston City Schools is located in the Wellston Intermediate School building.

I.-W.R.A.P. is comprised of a network of extended learning opportunities and enrichments programs for children and families throughout the Wellston City School district. The I.-W.R.A.P. program will strive to provide a variety of quality enrichment programs for children and families making beneficial use of out-of-school hours.

An array of enrichment programs promote social development and academic success for students, as well as opportunities for families to engage in meaningful activities together. The scope of supervised activities includes: literacy education programs; art; music; dance; theater; other cultural education activities; tutoring services; telecommunications and technology education programs; expanded library hours; drug and violence prevention programs; wrap-around services for truant, suspended or expelled students; reading and family literacy activities; field trips; games and recreational activities; problem-solving skills, 4-H Clubs and Girl or Boy Scouting tailored for “after” school programs; and much more.

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Wellston City Schools Afterschool Program

I.-W.R.A.P. (Intermediate Wellston Rocket Afterschool Program)

Philosophy______

An after school program should provide a safe and nurturing environment for students to continue their educational process under the direction of qualified educators and other responsible, caring adults who also provide stimulating and enriching activities.

Goals______

To provide a safe, well supervised environment.

To provide experiences that will help a student maintain or increase his/her level of literacy in reading, math and science.

To support and complement a student’s regular education experience.

To provide time, material and personnel for an effective program of individual and group guidance academically, vocationally and personally.

To provide enriching activities that allow a student to learn through active experiences.

To provide group activities that will increase a student’s social and group skills.

To provide activities and information that will lead a student to seek a healthy lifestyle.

To project an attitude of caring and concern for students to enable them to develop a healthy self-concept so that they will view themselves as a person with worth-a positive self-image.

To provide activities that will promote habits of responsible citizenship.

To provide parents/guardians with information concerning where to receive help with additional child care, parenting skills, employment, clothing and food supplies.

To provide parents/guardians with educational opportunities.

To promote family literacy, health and stability.

Enrollment Eligibility______

The after school program is open to all Wellston Intermediate School students as staffing permits. If student numbers must be reduced due to lack of sufficient staff, students will be selected by academic needs.

All families wishing to enroll their children in the Bundy ElementaryB.-W.R.A.P. program must complete a registration form for each childat the beginning of each session (3 sessions) and return it to the school office. A registration form is sent home at the beginning of each session with every student. Families may also pick them up in the school office. There is no fee for enrolling your student into any of the programs.

The emergency medical authorization information will be copied from the emergency medical card that you complete for each of your children. However, there is additional space on the back of the registration form for you to write any additional health, contact or emergency medical information that the site coordinator needs to know.

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A custodial parent or legal guardian must sign all forms. If there are questions about custody or shared parenting agreements, a copy establishing legal custody may be requested.

Special Needs Students______

“Special Needs” is a term that refers to students who have special needs in the areas of academics, social/emotional behavior and/or health.

Enrollment of students with special needs will be considered for those whose age and developmental functioning level is within our age range. The needs of each student will be accommodated to the best of our ability. A student requiring an individual aide or who has severe or chronic health and/or behavior problems will necessitate coordination with the special education supervisor. Special education staff and/or parents will be consulted to assist in making program modifications for the admission of special needs students. A Special Needs Supervision Plan will be written and signed by the parents and site coordinator if necessary. This plan will include but is not limited to, conditions for enrollment, hours of attendance and special restrictions or requirements for proper care of the student.

Hours of Operation______

The morning I.-W.R.A.P. program will operate from 7:15-8:15 Monday-Friday. In the afternoon, the I.-W.R.A.P. program begins at 3:15 p.m. and closes at 5:15 p.m., Monday through Thursday. The intermediate school I.-W.R.A.P. program operates 8 hours after school Monday through Thursday.

The after school I.-W.R.A.P. program will begin as soon as the regular school day ends at 3:15 p.m. and will close at 5:15 p.m., Monday through Thursday. There is no afternoon I.-W.R.A.P. program on Friday. Students being transported by bus will be loaded no later than 5:15 p.m. Parents picking studentsup are asked to be there by 5:05 p.m.

The after school I.-W.R.A.P. program follows the Wellston City School calendar and will NOT be open for school vacation days, teacher workshop days, weather delays/cancellations or early dismissals.

Additional weather related cancellations often occur during the winter months. On those days the students will be sent home on their regular school buses at the end of the normal school day. We ask that you inform your child, the school site coordinator and your student’s regular bus driver of a cancellation plan—another drop-off site, location of a house key, etc.—for those evenings when you may not be home. Please be responsible for providing a plan for your child’s safety during these unscheduled cancellations. Cancellation of the I.-W.R.A.P. program will be on the Wellston City School’s website (

Facilities______

The I.-W.R.A.P. program is located in designated areas at Wellston Intermediate School. The I.-W.R.A.P. program uses the cafeteria, library, classrooms, the gym and outdoor play areas. During the I.-W.R.A.P. program hours, the students will have access to restrooms, sinks and drinking water. The I.-W.R.A.P. program has appropriate equipment or use of Wellston City Schools’ equipment for outdoor and indoor sports, games, TV, DVD, computers and learning aides. All equipment must be returned to the designated storage areas provided by the school principal. Student’s personal belongings must be kept in their backpacks or carriers provided by parents and these are left either in the student’s homeroom or another area in the school provided for I.-W.R.A.P. use by the school principal.

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Staffing*______

The Wellston Intermediate School I.-W.R.A.P. program is administered by Dr. Denise Shockley, superintendent; and Jill Baldwin, Program Manager from the Gallia-Vinton Educational Service Center. All staff are screened by the above Program Manager and approved by Dr. Denise Shockley, Superintendent of the Gallia-Vinton Educational Service Center and the ESC Board. The I.-W.R.A.P. program at Wellston Intermediate School has a sitecoordinator in addition to Jill Baldwin, Program Manager, who supervises the students, staff, and educational enrichment programs.

*Non-Discrimination Policy: It is the policy of the Gallia-Vinton ESC that educational programs and other activities be conducted in adherence to Title VI of the Civil Right Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 assuring nondiscrimination with regard to race, color, national origin, sex and disability.

Child Supervision______

A maximum staff ratio of 1:18 (can be lower according to the needs of the students) and a small group ratio of up to 36 are maintained, following licensing guidelines. Many activities operate with a lower adult/student ratio. For high-risk activities the staff ratio is lowered to insure safety of the students. For example, for special field trips, volunteers or additional staff will accompany the group to bring the ratio to 1:10 or fewer. Students are allowed to briefly run errands and/or use the restroom inside the building individually or in groups of not more than four as long as they are within hearing distance of a staff member.

Curriculum______

All academic curriculums in the I.-W.R.A.P. program are aligned with Wellston City Schools’ curriculum. The school’s regular teaching staff sends their monthly syllabi and/or weekly homework schedules to the “home base” grade-level tutors stating the daily homework assignments or the classroom teachers write the daily homework assignments on the board.

A rolling cart or small crates are provided by the program so that classroom teachers can send student books and other learning aides necessary to complete the daily homework assignments. Most of the intervention help comes directly from students’ classroom teachers who bring the necessary materials for instruction into the centers.

Computer room monitors (certified staff) mentor the students while they continue the skill practices begun during the school day on required programs.

The I.-W.R.A.P. program will provide additional books, puzzles, educational board games, art and music materials, sports equipment and any materials necessary for educational and/or cultural activities and projects.

Daily Schedule______

The following is a general schedule that demonstrates the variety and extent of daily plans for the I.-W.R.A.P. program:

3:15 p.m.Attendance, restroom/drink break, snack

3:30 p.m.Homework assistance & intervention help

As NeededRestroom/drink break

4:30 p.m.Activity (Student choice) or additional academic help

5:10 p.m.Sign-out for students being transported by parents

5:15 p.m.Center closes for the evening

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Snacks______

A nutritious snack, complying with the guidelines of the Ohio Department of Education Child Nutrition Services and the nutritional requirements of the United States Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service, is prepared and served on site by the Nutrition Aide.

Parents of students with special dietary needs or specific food allergies (for example, peanut butter) are asked to make these needs known to the site coordinator and nutrition aide in writing on the registration form so these students can receive an alternate snack that would not make the student sick or trigger an allergic reaction.

Staff and students will follow standard hand-washing procedures before and after eating a snack. Hand-washing procedures are posted in appropriate areas.

Sign-In & Sign-Out______

When picking up students prior to the end of the I.-W.R.A.P. program, an approved adult must come into thefacility to sign-out a student. Only a parent/guardian or previously authorized adult may sign a student out of the I.-W.R.A.P. program. All adults must be approved in writing on the “registration form.” Non-custodial parents must be on the list authorized by the custodial parent/guardian, or a child will not be released to the non-custodial parent.

If an adult, who appears to be under the influence of drugs or alcohol, arrives at the center with the intent of taking a student in a car, the staff may request that alternate transportation arrangements be made. If the adult refuses to contact another authorized person to pick up the student or if no one else can be reached, the site coordinator or staff attending the checkout list can contact the local police or sheriff to come to determine the adult’s ability to operate a vehicle.

Please remember the I.-W.R.A.P. program closes promptly at 5:30 p.m. and that all students should be picked up by then.

Irregular Arrival/Departure______

Irregular arrival/departures are discouraged but if you know that your student will be arriving late (for example: returning from a doctor’s appointment), please notify the site coordinator in writing that morning or the evening before.

If a student is to be picked up early by anyone other than a parent, please send a note stating who is picking your student up and when. If your student is leaving early for some type of practice (for example: a coach will pick up him/her), please give the site coordinator a written plan indicating who will be picking up your student, why and what time.

Absences______

If a student is scheduled for the I.-W.R.A.P. program but will not be staying, parents should contact the school office in writing.

Behavior Management/Discipline______

The I.-W.R.A.P. program helps students improve and succeed socially, emotionally, cognitively and physically to promote positive citizenship. Behavior management in the program is one of the most important elements

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in helping students grow in these areas. Students are supported and encouraged to conduct themselves in a socially responsible manner and consistent with the school’s Student Code of Conduct. A student who attends any after school program that is sponsored by the Gallia-Vinton ESC is subject to Wellston City Schools’ code of conduct and sanctions imposed by school personnel.

Proactive management practices are used within the I.-W.R.A.P. program. Staff actively promotes desired behaviors with positive reinforcement and recognition. This is achieved through:

clearly defined boundaries, rules and expected behaviors

verbal praise of desirable behaviors

modeling of responsible social interaction

verbal reminder of expectations and choices

redirection to another activity or course of action

use of effective problem-solving skills

recognition of behavioral improvements and privilege reinforcements of pro-social behavior

Staff guidance and safe behavior limit-setting is important at all times. Modifications to problem behavior will be conducted whenever possible on an individual, face-to-face basis. Each staff member is responsible for the guidance, limit-setting and safe behavior of the students in his/her care.

As stated by the Ohio Department of Education Rules for School Child Care Programs, section 3301-32-09, “The program’s actual methods of discipline shall apply to all persons on the premises and shall be restricted as follows:

1)There will be no cruel, harsh, corporal punishment or any unusual punishments such as, but not limited to, punching, pinching, shaking, spanking or biting;

2)No discipline shall be delegated to any other student;

3)No physical restraints shall be used to confine a student by any means other than holding a student for a short period of time, such as in a protective hug, so the student may regain control;

4)No student shall be placed in a locked room or confined in an enclosed area such as a closet, a box or a similar cubicle;

5)No student shall be subjected to profane language, threat, derogatory remarks about himself/herself or his/her family or other verbal abuse;

6)Discipline shall not be imposed on a student for failure to eat;

7)Techniques of discipline shall not humiliate, shame or frighten a student;

8)Discipline shall not include withholding food, rest or toilet use;

9)Separation, when used as discipline shall be brief in duration and appropriate to the student’s age and developmental ability and the student shall be within sight and hearing of a school-age child care staff member in a safe, lighted and well ventilated space.”

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Unsafe behavior will be interrupted by staff. Unsafe behaviors will be recorded on the Wellston Intermediate School Discipline Form and copies given to the school principal and faxed to the Wellston City Superintendent on the day of the incident.

Parent/Guardian InvolvementIf there are recurrent behaviors that are disruptive, an individualized intervention plan will be developed by the site coordinator focusing on targeted behaviors. The plan will define desired behaviors to replace the problem behaviors and will establish frequent recognition for desired behaviors.

Individualized intervention plans are tailored to the needs of individual students and are not necessarily the same from student to student. Display of the desired behaviors will result in added recognition and may include special reward privileges that are desired by the student. These plans will be discussed and reviewed

for refinement at behavioral consultations with Center staff and the school’s counselor/social worker.

If the special effort on the part of the program staff does not bring desired results and the student continues to exhibit disruptive or disrespectful behaviors, the parent will be notified by phone or in writing that the

student is suspended for a reasonable amount of time (a week, a month). During this time, we suggest that the parent and the student decide if the I.-W.R.A.P. program is benefiting that student.

In the event a student violates the safety of another student and/or staff through an act of physical aggression, the parent or another emergency contact will be called to pick up the student immediately. Any act of aggression will be recorded on an Incident Report. Further acts of physical aggression may result in suspension from the I.-W.R.A.P. program. The I.-W.R.A.P. Program Manager will be called immediately when a student is suspended.