Richmond District

Daily Afterschool Programs for K-3rd Grade

Our after school programs strive to enhance what they have learned in school through activities, homework assistance and providing opportunities for creating long term friendships. The Richmond District YMCA provides after school programs at Lafayette and Argonne Elementary Schools.  We focus on character building, enrichment, homework help, relationship building, and good old-fashioned fun, all in an environment of health and safety. 

Argonne Elementary are now accepting participants.

For more information on program registration, please contact Raquel, Youth & Family Director at 415-666-9605.

Summer Session and Fall 2010 Registration is open for Argonne Elementary School only.

Activities

A typical day includes homework help, recreational or art activities, Character building and a nutritious snack. To encourage a healthy lifestyle, our afternoon snack includes a minimum of two food groups. Homework help lasts up to 1 hour per day (depending on child’s age) and staff & child developed daily activities that focus on Health & Fitness, character building, academics and recreation.  All the children will have the opportunity to experience field trips throughout the year. All trips are optional and families will be notified in advance and asked to sign up.  All of our programs strive to make your child a citizen of the world.

Homework Assistance

Our trained staff spends up to 1 hour per day (depending on child’s age) on helping children complete their homework.  They are there to guide the children through assignments and offer support where needed. They also serve as a great resource for families and frequently consult students’ teachers to provide the best support possible.

Healthy, Nutritious Snacks

Afternoon snack is provided by the YMCA and always includes a minimum of two food groups. We teach kids how to keep themselves healthy through our variety of nutritious foods at snack time.

Activity Time

At the YMCA, one of our main focuses is teaching balance.  Along with input from the youth, staff creates a calendar of activities that focus on Health & Fitness, Math, Science, History and Language Arts that are fun and educational. 

Field Trips

Crissy Field, Lobos Valley Creek & the deYoung are just a few of the fun places we visit throughout the school year.  All trips are optional and families will be notified of any field trip at least 5 days in advance. 

Community Service Learning Projects

The YMCA is all about community. In the past, we have raised funds to support the SPCA, helped with Watershed restoration and recycled Capri Suns to help out the environment.  We are always interested in more ideas on giving back to the community so feel free to pass them along to staff.

Character Bound

All of our programs strive to make your child a citizen of the world.  The characteristics of Kindness, Integrity and Citizenship are infused into all of our programming. Check out our “Character Bound” bulletin boards and you’ll get a real sense of growth and empowerment amongst the youth. 

Family Night

We work towards having an environment where families grow and learn together.  During our first family night in the fall, we encourage parents to come in and participate in activities with their child (ren)and enjoy dinner together.  Our spring family night is a time where the students are able to highlight their successes from the program and can include a film.

2010-2011 School Year

Registration packets can be found at the front desk. Deposits of $160 are required on all applications are applied to the last 2 weeks of care—May Fees)

Argonne Fees

5 days a week $370/mo

3 days a week $255/mo

Lafayette Fees

5 days a week $395/mo

3 days a week $280/mo

2 days a week $210/mo

Priority Registration

Registration for the fall begins in March for returning afterschool families & kindergartners and April for new families.  Priority for the Fall 2010 year will include Kindergartners.

Payment Dates

Fees are due on the 20th of each month for the following month. You will receive a payment booklet which will provide you with the payment schedule for the coming year and the option to do an automated draft from your credit card. There are also Payment Boxes at each site for easy drop off. Please DO NOT drop cash in the Payment Boxes.  Fees are subject to change with the approval of the Board of Managers for the YMCA with one month written notice.  Fees are based on a monthly cycle. The after school tuition cannot be adjusted for absences or vacations. A $25 fee will be applied to accounts that are not paid by the 20th of each month.  Participants will be dropped from the program if payment is not received by the 1st of the month of service.

Withdrawal Policy

To withdraw your child from the program, you are required to submit a two-week advanced written notice to the Site Director.  Deposits will be applied to the last two weeks of care.  Refunds on deposits will be made to families in good financial standing.

Refund Policy

We will gladly refund any pre-payments or deposits upon receiving your two-week advanced written withdrawal notice. 

Financial Assistance

Financial assistance, to the extent possible, is made available through the generosity of our members and donors.  Be aware that incomplete applications will not be considered for financial assistance and that 4-6 weeks must be allowed for processing the application. Parents will be asked to pay the entire program fee until the application is processed.  If you are granted financial assistance, the YMCA will credit your net month of care for payments that require retroactive adjustments. Financial assistance must be renewed at the beginning of each school year.

Children’s Council

All monthly timesheets must be completed by the last day of the month of service.  If a timesheet is not completed by the last day of the program, the parent/guardian will be responsible for the full tuition. If payment/timesheets are not received, your child will be dropped from the program.  Payments for fees or receipts must be attached to the timesheet by the last day of the month.

Our staff is dedicated to ensuring the safety and well being while in our care. They are trained in CPR/First Aid, Child Abuse Prevention as well as youth development throughout the year. Our ratios of 1 staff to 14 comply with the state licensing standards and ensure the safety of all youth in the programs.   

~Staff Bios~

Devon

This is Devon’s first year as an after school teacher at Argonne YMCA after school program. He was a strong candidate for the position because he wanted to explore the possibility to become a teacher. However the kids and staff have found out the Devon will never cease to surprise you. He is highly active and opened minded which supports his spirit of adventure. Devon has experience in break dancing, Capoeira, theatre, and gardening. This jack of all trades truly imparts the joy of learning and adventure to the kids he works with.

Maureen George aka “Mo”

Mo has also been working at Argonne for three years, and primarily with the kindergarten groups. Her easy going nature makes it especially comfortable for new kindergarteners to warm up to their role at “the big kid school.” Mo is also one of the rare individuals who finds comfort and joy through cleaning (a blessing to have on staff)!

Katie

Katies is currently a student at City College of SF and was worked our camp programs for the past three years.  Her favorite TV show is House and her hobbies include going on bike rides, watching movies and attending SF Giants games.

Karlynn aka “Kar”

Argonne YMCA would not be the same without Kar! Kar single handedly brings the spirit of fun and joy to after school program. She loves playing all types of games, from board games to tag games, but she always keeps the focus on fun! Over the past three years, Kar has role modeled for the 3-5^th graders, that even as you grow older, you can always be playful.

Ra

Ra has her B.A. in Child and Adolescent Development Concentration- School-Age Children.  Currently in Multiple- Subject Teaching Credential Program. She has worked with kids in many capacities. (Summer camp counselor, paraprofessional, instructional aid, and student teacher) Her favorite TV shows are Trueblood and The Office. On her free time, she loves attending comedy shows and concerts.  

Jasmine

Jasmine just completed her B.A. in Child in Adolescent Development (Winter-09) Concentration- School Age Children.  She has worked at Lafayette for 4 ½ years.  Half a year as a volunteer, 1 year as a teacher’s aide, 1 ½ years as a teacher, 2 months as the interim site director, and lastly director.  Has worked some camp, full days, and child watch.  Tutored elementary school children and worked as a Sunday School teacher.  Her favorite TV Shows are Sponge Bob Square Pants, iCarly, Trueblood, Wipeout and loves Twilight. In her free time, Jasmine loves making chocolate covered strawberries, watching movies, hanging out with family and friends, and working on all sorts o crafts.  (LOVES the Giants!!!!)

Jordan

Jordan makes up one part of the dream team at Argonne YMCA after school program. He brings patience and consistency to our program. He has worked in the program for three years, and models a true team player to the kids. On his free time, Jordan loves to explore his passion of technology and hip hop. Every once in awhile he can also be spotted studying as he finishes up his Bachelors degree in Business from San Francisco State University.

Erin

Erin is our favorite substitute teacher at Argonne YMCA after school program. She was an after school teacher last year, but became a sub so that she could finish her Bachelors Degree at the University of San Francisco in Media Studies with a minor in music. She is a very talented musician and loves to share her love of music and instruments with the kids. 

Megan

Megan has been working at Argonne YMCA after school program for five years; she started as a teacher’s aid and now is the Site Director. She has a Bachelors degree in Child and Adolescent development from San Francisco State University, and some day she hopes to continue her education into the field of special education and/or child therapy.

On-Site Care

All Children in our after school programs must be attending either Lafayette or Argonne.

Sign In & Out

There are no in/out privileges in our program. Once your child is signed out, they are considered gone for the rest of the day. Parents/guardians are required by State Licensing to sign their child out or have an authorized representative sign a child out every day.  This is for your child’s safety to prevent unauthorized pick-ups. There is a sign-in and out sheet at each site.

Release Policy

For your child’s protection, we must have a current release and participant information form on file at the site.  We will not, without your prior consent, release your child to any person other than the individuals authorized by you on your registration form. You must have at least two emergency contacts listed on the application form.  It is your responsibility to keep this information current, along with changes in address and phone numbers.

Late Pick-Ups

Please keep in mind that our after school programs close at 6 p.m. All children must be picked up by this time, otherwise the program will ask parents to pay $1.00 per minute after 6 p.m. The following procedure will be followed in the event that your child is not picked-up on time:            

We will attempt to call you and all of the people on your child’s release form until we can contact someone that can pick up your child.

If contact has not been made by 7 p.m., the Police and Child Protective Services (CPS) will be notified to pick-up your child.

For safety purposes, we may need to transport your child to the Richmond District YMCA branch.  We will leave a message by phone and will post a notice on the door of the after school program if this is necessary.

Discipline Policy

For the benefit of your child, the YMCA would like to collaborate with you, your family and your child’s school.  Any difficulties that your child is having at home or school is likely to affect their behavior at the YMCA.  Keeping us informed of any problems will help us to be sensitive to your family’s needs.  This will also enable us to provide the best possible environment where everyone (children, family, and staff alike) have the potential, support and resources needed for success. Our approach to discipline utilizes positive reinforcement and preventative measures.

The YMCA is committed to providing safe programs in which all children can be successful and where all children are safe.  In the event that a child’s behavior cannot be improved through the above steps, the following steps will be taken:

• Staff will inform the parent/guardian of the behavior and will seek additional suggestions on how to handle the child’s behavior.  If the behavior continues, the parents/guardians will be asked to come to the YMCA to meet with staff to work out a resolution plan.
• The YMCA will attempt to provide the necessary additional support (i.e. volunteer staff) and/or will make a referral to an outside agency to make success possible.
• If none of the above measures are effective, your child will be asked to leave the program.   

**In order to protect other families and participants, children who exhibit extreme violent behavior may be asked to leave the program after only one incident and without additional attempts to resolve an issue.**