2023 KOOL Summer Program Application

Important Information! PLEASE MAKE SURE TO READ ALL OF THE FOLLOWING:

Spaces are limited so be sure to apply ASAP!

Program Details:

Location: Human Services Center Mon Valley, 519 & 413 Penn Avenue, Turtle Creek, PA 15145

Time: 9AM-4PM, Monday-Friday 

Dates: June 26— August 11, 2023 *CLOSED Tuesday, July 4th*

Grades: Going into 1st-5th grade in the Fall 2023

Cost: The Progam is offered completely free of charge! 

The Facts:

• Enrollment is first come, first served so apply ASAP (however those that fit into the income guidelines may be considered first)!
• Masks optional (The Human Services Center Mon Valley has the right to change the status of masks at any time.)
• Educational and fun activities
• Math and reading lessons and daily practice 
• Lots of physical recreation time outside
• Arts and crafts, science, social and emotional learning, and cultural activities
• Breakfast and lunch WILL NOT be provided. Students must bring a packed lunch. A snack will be provided.
• A few feild trips will be provided, free of charge, with transportation to and from included
• Transportation to and from the Program is NOT provided.
•  They will enjoy various educational and recreational activities in our classrooms, playground, and other outdoor HSCMV spaces as the weather permits.

Orientation Materials - An acceptance letter and all details about the behavior system, daily schedule, logistics, and staff will be sent home via email and US Mail if your child is accepted. PLEASE READ THE MATERIALS THOROUGHLY BEFORE YOUR CHILD ATTENDS ON THE FIRST DAY. Any additional questions families have after reviewing the materials can be answered by contacting Nikki Polliard, Out of School Time Coordinator at npolliard@hscmonvalley.org or at our offices M-F 8:30-4:30 at 412-829-7112.

After submitting your application, Program staff will reach out via phone or email confirming your child's enrollment status. If it has been longer than 2 weeks since you submitted your application, please reach out to Nikki at npolliard@hscmonvalley.org or at our offices M-F 8:30-4:30 at 412-829-7112.

Applicants will be accepted first come, first serve, however, families that fall below the following guidelines will be given enrollment priority. Grade of students will also play a role in enrollment in order to maintain appropriate classroom sizes. 

Emergency Contacts

Please note, in the event the youth programs staff needs to contact a parent regarding the child, we will first call parents.  If we cannot reach the parents we will contact emergency contacts and they will be responsible for resolving any issues or emergencies that need immediate attention. You MUST list at least one emergency contact or your child WILL NOT be accepted.  Please keep all contact information UP-TO-DATE!

2023 KOOL Summer Program Rules and Expectations
Please read and review with your child.  You will receive a copy of these rules if accepted into the Program. 

General Rules and Regulations

1.       MASKS will be OPTIONAL. 

2.    If your child is sick during Program hours, staff will contact parents/emergency contacts immediately for the child to be picked up.  Promptness is required when picking up a sick child in order to avoid any spread of illness.

3.       Please do not allow your child to bring valuables or any other personal items to the Program (Cell phones, books, craft supplies, card games, etc.).  The Human Services Center Corporation is not responsible if valuables are lost or stolen.

4.       The only items children will be allowed to bring with them to the Program are a water bottle and lunchbox. 

5.       DO NOT send your child to the Program with an infectious disease or ailment.  If your child has an infectious disease or ailment they will be sent home from the Program immediately and will NOT be allowed to return without a doctor’s note.

6.       Children must be potty trained before start of the Program.  No staff member is permitted to change and/or assist children with soiled pants under any circumstances.  In the event of an accident, a parent must either pick up their child promptly or must bring clean clothes and assist the child with changing.                                  

7.       Participants are responsible for their own items at the Program.  At no time will HSCMV staff bear responsibility by holding any child’s possessions.

8.       Before your child leaves, an authorized adult (18 years or older only) must sign the child out with a staff member.  Under no circumstances will your child be released to a sibling, while a parent waits in the car!!

9.       If your child is absent for more than two weeks, a staff member will contact you and your child’s spot may be forfeited; there is a waiting list and this Summer Program is in high demand.

10.    Each day, please dress your child appropriately for both indoor and outdoor activities. 

11.    Please read all papers and materials sent home.  Hang up the calendar for you and your child to see as a reminder of special events, activities, and Friday events/trips.

12.    Please provide CORRECT and UP-TO-DATE contact information (addresses and phone numbers).  Emergency contacts listed in your application should not be the parent/guardian information.

13.    Parents must support the Rules of the Program and act in a cooperative, respectful manner with KOOL participants and staff.  Excessive and/or unrealistic complaints/requests by parents as well as negative behavior towards HSCMV staff are grounds for your child to be removed from the Program.

14.    NO Cell Phones.  Parents must call 412-829-7112 or Ms. Nikki (412-537-8826) if you need to get a hold of your child.

Behavioral Rules and Expectations:

1.       Dangerous, disruptive, or disrespectful behavior towards children or staff will not be tolerated. Such behavior will be grounds for suspension or permanent expulsion!                

2.       Fighting will not be tolerated. You will be suspended and could be expelled from the Program if caught fighting!  The very minimum penalty for hitting of any kind will be an automatic 30 points off and a two day suspension.

3.       Children MUST stay with their class at all times. Children leaving the designated area without prior permission creates a safety hazard and will result in loss of points.

4.       Classroom, courtyard, and hallways rules need to be followed at all times. These rules are detailed later in this packet, and are reviewed with all student when the program begins.

5.       Use of inappropriate language will result in loss of points, and potential suspension. No cursing or abusive language of any kind will be tolerated.

6.       Bullying, gossiping, and aggressive behavior will NOT be tolerated at the Program. It is unacceptable for students to name call, harass, intimidate, or make fun of another student. This type of behavior is taken very seriously by the staff and will result in the loss of points and the potential suspension or removal from HSCMV Youth Programs. 

7.       MUST attend 2-days (Monday-Thursday) in order to attend Friday! If something comes up, open communication from families is required and will be the only way for exceptions to possibly be made for being allowed to come Friday.

Point System Regulations

1.       At the end of the week, your child MUST have 75 or more points to participate in the Friday activity scheduled. If your child does not have enough points, your child will not be permitted to attend that day, regardless of what day the field trip is scheduled, Friday or otherwise. The participant must attend at least two days during the week, not including Friday, to be eligible to participate in the Program on Friday.

2.       If your child is ineligible to attend three Fridays due to behavior issues, the participant will be placed on probation for the remainder of the Program and a letter notifying you of this change will be mailed home. If the child is ineligible for a fourth Friday your child will automatically be removed from the KOOL Program.

3.       If your child loses 30 points or more within a day they are subject to up to a two day suspension from the Program and will not be eligible for that Friday’s field trip OR Fun Activity. They WILL NOT be permitted to attend the Program at all that day.

4.       The Human Services Center Mon Valley has the right to remove a child for severe behavioral problems at any time. If it is shown that a child needs excessive or special accommodations and/or cannot function safely in a group setting, the child will be removed from the Program.

Probationary Status

If a participant violates the rules and does not change his or her behavior, that student may be placed on probationary status for the remainder of the Program. Probationary status means that the student may be removed from the Program if the behavior persists, AND/OR he/she will not be accepted into future HSCMV Youth Programs.

Lunch Policies and Procedure

• Parents MUST pack a well-balanced lunch for their child daily. If a child does not have a lunch packed he/she will not be permitted to stay at the Program unless a parent brings a lunch right away. If a child comes without a lunch three times, the child will be removed from the Program.
• Children must bring their lunch with them daily when they come in the morning. Parents are not permitted to drop off lunches throughout the day.
• Lunches must be packed in a sturdy container and labeled with the child’s first and last name.  Do not use paper or plastic bags.
• Please make sure ice packs are in the lunch if the meal needs to remain cold. 
• Lunches will not be stored in a cooler or refrigerator.
• Do not pack glass bottles.  
• Students must eat half of their lunch by the end of their lunch period.
• Students will eat lunch with their class in their classroom without coming into contact with other students or staff. 

Late Fee Regulations

• Students must be DROPPED OFF no EARLIER than the opening time (9AM) and PICKED UP no LATER than the Program closing time (4:00PM).  Failure to do so will result in a charge of $1.00/minute/child for each minute dropped off early or picked up late.  The designated fee must be paid before your child is permitted to return.  
• If a child is dropped off on a CLOSED Program day, or on an INELIGIBLE day, a $2.00/minute/child fee will be assessed for each minute an ineligible student is in our care (10 minutes = $20.00).  You must pay the designated fee before your child is permitted to return.
• If your child is picked up late or dropped off early THREE times, the child will be removed from the Program – no exceptions. 

Classroom Rules

• Enter the building quietly.
• Follow directions and raise your hand to ask/answer a question.
• Ask an adult if you need to be excused.
• Remain in your seat during classroom activities.
• Listen to the staff and volunteers.
• Be respectful and kind to other students, staff, and volunteers.
• Use appropriate language at all times (No swearing or abusive language).
• No standing or sitting on the picnic or classroom tables.
• No climbing up or on the slides. No hogging, twisting, or jumping off of the swings.
• No standing on the top of the playground railings and hanging over.
• No taking yours or anyone else’s shoes off.
• No bringing slime with you to the Program.
• Computer tablets are used daily at the program and they are not to be taken out of the classroom. They MUST remain at the Center.
• No viewing community Internet sites (Facebook, Tik Tok, youtube, etc.), send emails or chat while on the tablets or in the computer lab.
• No roaming the building, hallways, or on field trips by yourself, or run/make noise in the hallways.
• No stealing, destroying or touching things that are not yours. Vandalizing or destruction of HSCC or any other organizations’ property will be grounds for removal from the program.
• No food or drinks in the computer lab, in the gym, or on the bus.
• No using the vending machines.No hanging, swinging, leaning, shaking, or sitting on any parts of the basketball hoops.
• No gossiping about friends and others in the KOOL Program.
• No crossing the street at the Program or on field trips without an adult. If an attempt to cross the street without an adult is made, you will be removed from the Program.
• Clean up after yourself (classrooms, cafeteria, field trips, and outside).
• Keep your hands to yourself.
• Do your best on all activities, academic work, and Study Island. :)

Parents and child/children have read the KOOL Summer Program, General Rules and Regulations, Behavioral Rules and Expectations, Lunch Policies and Procedure, Late Fee Regulations, Point System Regulations, Classroom Rules and Probationary Status. By signing, both my child/children and I acknowledge that we understand the rules and regulations of the KOOL Summer Program as well as Probation Status.

Due to the increasing demand for the Program, it is essential that ALL students behave and follow the Rules, Regulations, and Probationary Status as negative behavior is not tolerated.

KOOL 2023 Daily Procedures/Policies

Child Drop-Off and Pick-Up Policies:

·         Drop off will be from 9AM – 9:30AM each day.  Families are able to drop off their children at their convenience between these times.

·         Pick up will be from 3:30PM – 4PM each day.  Families are able to pick up their children at their convenience between these times.

·         Drop-off and Pick-up will take place from the classroom.

Sick Policies:

·         Students are required to stay home if they are feeling ill or having any symptoms of Covid-19. If any staff, student, or volunteer begins to develop symptoms while at the Program, they will be sent home immediately. 

·        Any student that has a confirmed diagnosis of Covid-19 will not be permitted to return to the Program for 5 days. If the infected individual is able to provide proof of a negative Covid-19 test before the 5 days, they will be permitted to return. After 5 days, if no other symptoms have appeared the student may return, but must stay masked for an additional 5 days.

·         There will be an attendance requirement of 2-days (Monday-Thursday) in order to attend on Friday. 

·         The KOOL Summer Program will have back up staff people and one supervisor available to cover any staff absence due to illness. 

Mask Policies:

·       Masks will be optional.

·       If a child develops a cough while at program but has no other symptoms, they will be asked to wear a mask. 

Cleaning/Sanitation Procedures:

·         Building and Program staff will clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces and objects within the building at least daily, including door handles, sink handles, and drinking fountains.

·         Drinking fountains will only be available for filling water bottles. No staff, students, or volunteers will be permitted to drink directly from water fountains. PARTICIPANTS MUST BRING A REFILLABLE WATER BOTTLE WITH THEM DAILY. They can be easily refilled at the water fountains. Bottles must have the child’s name on it.

Classroom Procedures:

·         All classroom supplies will be provided and items from home will not be permitted.

·         Classes will rotate through communal spaces (such as computer labs) and staff will be given time to properly disinfect between groups. 

·         Cleaning supplies and hand sanitizer will be provided and utilized often in each classroom.

Outside Time

·         Time outside will be prioritized whenever possible. 

·         Please have child wear appropriate attire & durable shoes. 

Meal Times

·         Staff will utilize gloves when serving snack or assisting students with their food.

Visitors and Field Trips

·         The KOOL Summer Program will be taking some field trips this summer (Wave Pool). Fridays where we are not attending field trips, will be water games at our site and students must pack a swim suit, towel and appropriate shoes (water shoes or shoes that can get wet) each time.

·         We will have guest presenters throughout the summer (STEMCoding lab, Adagio and more)!!

KOOL 2023 Daily Procedures/Policies

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT CONTRACT

Parents and child/children have read the KOOL 2023 Daily Procedures/Policies. By signing, both my child/children and I acknowledge that we understand the KOOL 2023 Daily Procedures/Policies.

 

I grant permission for my son/daughter to participate in all scheduled activities of the KOOL Summer Program. In addition, I grant authorization for my son/daughter to be taken off-site by Human Services Center Mon Valley staff for field trips and other special events. I release the Human Services Center Mon Valley and its insurers from any and all liability, claims, causes of action, damages, cost expenses or demands of any kind which may arise in connection with his or her participation in the activities of this program.

Occasionally, KOOL Summer Program staff members wish to photograph, videotape, or otherwise record the activities of Program participants for the purpose of recording, promotions, and reporting outcomes of the Program. We sometimes provide local newspapers with information about the KOOL Summer Program participants, such as the student’s name, grade, school district, and what the student has done during the Program.

I hereby give permission for my child to be photographed, videotaped, or otherwise have their image or voice recorded, in connection with the KOOL Summer Program. I allow the Human Services Center Mon Valley to use the photographed, videotaped, and/or recorded materials in any publications, promotional materials, reports, websites, CD’s, DVD’s, social media, other media for publicity, reporting purposes, or in any other non-commercial manner that it chooses. I hereby waive and release any rights that I may have to the said videotaped, recorded, and/or photographed materials.

I further grant permission for the Human Services Center Mon Valley to provide local media, school districts, and foundations with information about my child. Moreover, I release the Human Services Center Mon Valley and its insurers from any and all liability, claims, causes of action, damages, cost expenses or demands of any kind which may arise in connection with his or her participation in the activities of this Program.

 

I wish to have my child participate in the KOOL Summer Program. I understand that there are risks and hazards, in addition to benefits, associated with my child’s participation. I, on behalf of myself, my child, our heirs, executors, administrators, and other personal representatives, do hereby irreversibly and unconditionally remise, release, settle, compromise and forever discharge any and all manner of suits, actions, causes of action, damages and claims, known and unknown, that I or my child, have or may have against the KOOL Summer Program and the Human Services Center Mon Valley arising from or connected with my child’s participation in the Program, including the securing of medical treatment for my child. I give permission for the KOOL Summer Program and Human Services Center Mon Valley to secure medical treatment for my child in the event that such treatment is required during my child’s participation in the Program. I will be financially responsible for the cost of such treatment.

All medication taken at the KOOL Summer Program must have parental consent for administration and must be self-administered by the child (or administered by, or with the assistance of, the child’s parent or other adult designated by the parent). Any child in possession of or taking medications not previously approved by a parent/guardian and Program staff will need to be immediately sent home from the Program until such time as necessary approvals have been provided. Staff are not permitted to administer any medications to children. In the event of an emergency, 911 will be called. In the event of an emergency requiring the administration of a child’s personal Epinephrine Auto Injector, the Epinephrine Auto Injector will be administered to that child in accordance with the KOOL Summer Program Epinephrine Auto Injector Policy provided that the child’s parent/guardian has signed that Policy.

I have read and understand the terms of this release. I sign this document voluntarily, knowing that I am legally bound by it. I am over eighteen years of age, and competent to sign this document. I release the Human Services Center Mon Valley and its insurers from any and all liability, claims, causes of action, damages, cost expenses or demands of any kind which may arise in connection with his or her participation in the activities of this program.

I hereby give permission to the Human Services Center Mon Valley to share information on my child with funders, emergency care providers, counselors, medical professionals, schools, and other human service agencies on an as-needed basis. All information will be kept strictly confidential.

I authorize and instruct the KOOL Summer Program to obtain my son/daughter’s report card, attendance records, assessment tests including but not limited to the PSSA, Terra Nova, 4Sight, DIBELS, OLSAT test scores, and diploma and/or final transcript for the purpose of tracking academic and social progress. In addition, I do hereby approve and instruct my child’s school and/or district to release to the Human Services Center Corporation any pertinent and/or necessary behavioral reports of my son/daughter for the purpose of mandatory tracking and reporting.

I release the Human Services Center Mon Valley and its insurers from any and all liability, claims, causes of action, damages, cost expenses or demands of any kind which may arise in connection with his or her participation in the activities of this Program.

*For those parents with joint custody, BOTH parents must sign this release. Failure to do so will result in your youth being prohibited from participating in the KOOL Summer Program.

I give permission to KOOL Summer Program staff to administer my child’s prescribed Epinephrine Auto Injector in case of an emergency.

• KOOL Summer Program staff and volunteers are not professional medical personnel.
• We do not provide Epinephrine Auto Injectors. They must be prescribed by a physician for a specific child and brought to the Program before the given deadline. The child’s Epinephrine Auto Injectors will be kept on site for use in case of an emergency.
• If a child requires the possible use of an Epinephrine Auto Injector it should be indicated on the Permission for Medical Treatment and Release form and signed by the parent/legal guardian.
• Epinephrine Auto Injector must be properly and clearly labeled with:
         o the child’s first and last name;
         o the dosage of Epinephrine; and
         o the expiration date (We will not accept expired Epinephrine Auto Injectors).
• KOOL Program staff will only administer an Epinephrine Auto Injector in the event of an emergency where the child is unable to self administer. In such event, staff and volunteers will administer the Epinephrine Auto Injector in accordance with this Policy provided that the child’s parent/guardian previously provided permission by signing below. If an Epinephrine Auto Injector is administered, 911 and the parent/guardian of the child will be notified immediately.

In addition, I hereby authorize and instruct KOOL Summer Program and Human Services Center Mon Valley staff to administer the following medication (ONLY inhalers and/or Epi pens) to my child in the appropriate dosages outlined below, if applicable. I release the Human Services Center Mon Valley and its insurers from any and all liability, claims, causes of action, damages, cost expenses or demands of any kind which may arise in connection with his or her participation in the activities of this program.