SMARTE Online Clubhouse - Starting April 6!
What a whirlwind we have been living in over the past several weeks. Our staff and families are working from home, helping children with distance learning, deciding when it is the safest time to hit the market for the much needed groceries, hand sanitizing like crazy, as well as trying to help our youngest learners understand why we can’t go to school anymore. It has been a difficult time for us all, and yet we are so struck by the resilience and compassion that we see around us here in San Carlos.
Due to your generosity in March, we have been able to keep our staff on paid status throughout this month. Thank you so very much! We know how much our staff members mean to you and your children, and they are equally valued by us. We have committed to keeping our staff paid through the duration of this COVID-19 outbreak and shelter in place order so that they can quickly return to your child’s site when the order is lifted.
Obviously, this comes at great expense to the district. As we look at the long term financial impact of this commitment, we want to make sure that we avoid budget cuts next year and retain our amazing staff to the greatest extent possible. Your continued SMARTE fees are essential to make this possible, and we have news about programming and reduced fees to share with you.
As your partner in learning, we have a plan to support you and your child during this time. We have designed a remote, online program to keep our students learning and engaged while you are working and supporting your child during the day.
Our SMARTE afterschool program is moving into a virtual Zoom Clubhouse online! Students will be able to have real-time interaction with our staff via Zoom. We took our most popular activities and created a fun, engaging schedule that includes STEM activities, art, music, play, movement, yoga/meditation, read alouds, and social interactions with friends for up to 3 hours per day. Your child can choose to join us from 10:00 am-1:00 pm or 3:00 pm- 6:00 pm, we will be repeating the programming twice per day, students can join us for either block of time. The reduced cost is $300/month, per child.
Registration
- Current families will be automatically enrolled in the new, virtual model and charged the new reduced rate on Monday, April 6. If you DO NOT want to continue to be enrolled in our online program, please email us immediately. If you are facing an extreme financial hardship, please reach out to us so we can help you on a case by case basis. This will not affect your placement in our program for the next school year.
- If you are not a current family and are interested in signing up during this at-home learning time, please email the SMARTE office at smarteinfo@scsdk8.org for more information.
Thank you so much for your understanding and support during these extreme times. We appreciate your partnership and patience as we leverage all the tools at our disposal to continue to support the growth and development of your child, while maintaining the health and safety of our community through the duration of the shelter in place period.
Attached is a welcome video from Miss Nellie at Brittan Acres!
All sites will be welcoming your child to our online Clubhouse with a video soon.
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2019-2020 SMARTE Afterschool Program
The SMARTE program is dedicated to enriching children's lives after school. We provide a fun, safe and welcoming place to spend time each day. Our programs are available to students at our four elementary schools - Arundel, Brittan Acres, Heather and White Oaks. Each program offers age-appropriate educational and enriching activities in a warm and inviting atmosphere. Families can choose a five-day, three-day (M,W,F) or two-day (T,TH) program to best fit their scheduling needs.
Afterschool Hours of Operation
The SMARTE Program is open from the end of the school day until 6:00 pm, Monday through Friday. Parents may pick up children from the program at any time. Children must be signed out of the program by an approved adult. There is no additional charge to accommodate children for additional hours for early dismissal time on parent conference days and minimum days. Our program follows the school district calendar and is closed on non-student days.
K-Play Program Hours of Operation
The K-Play Program is open from "Early Bird" dismissal until full school dismissal of upper grades. Specific Early Bird dismissal times vary at each elementary school. K-Play students must be picked up by a parent or authorized adult BEFORE full school dismissal of upper grades, otherwise, after school fees apply. K-Play is open Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday.
Program Fees - Monthly Rate
5-Days (Monday-Friday) - $600
3-Days (Monday, Wednesday, Friday) - $400
2-Days (Tuesday, Thursday) - $300
K-Play (One hour of care for TK/K students who are on the Early Bird schedule - Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday - 1:30-2:30 pm - exact time varies by site) - $100
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Additional Before and Afterschool Options
San Carlos Belmont Afterschool
Begun in 1981, San Carlos Belmont After School is a private school-aged childcare company with a fully-licensed staff that meets California State Department of Social Service requirements as well as advanced training in early childhood education, safety, and health-related issues. Each center has its own 2400 square foot classroom and unlimited access to the playground area of the school it serves.
Children come to the After School program directly after their school day ends and stay until their parents can pick them up after work. After school closes at 6:00 pm. After School also offers a Breakfast Club program from 7:30 am until the beginning of the school day. Late bird kindergarten students can attend until their day begins at 9:25 am.
Need kid coverage during summer and school holidays? You don’t have to be in After School during the academic year to attend either the summer program (Kamparama) or any Holiday program (Spring Break, Presidents’ Week, Winter Break, Thanksgiving week.) Click here to visit the After School website.