After School Care
Program Description
Latchkey is a childcare program for students in pre-k through 8th grade that provides care and education for children of working parents. The program is designed to be a link between the home and school. Located at Shenandoah Elementary School, the staff includes a director and assistants.
Times of Operation
The program operates after school until 6:00 p.m. on days that school is in session.
Fees
Daily Rate - $9.00; Prepaid Weekly Rate - $36.00
Enrollment Application
Prior to enrolling a child, parents should fill out the Latchkey Application (available here). Please notify the staff of any changes in address, phone numbers, health matters, pick-ups, and other pertinent information.
General Information
Payment Policy
Payment is due prior to services rendered and can be made daily, weekly, or monthly. Payment can be made by cash or check (include the child's name and dates of all services), as well as online through eFunds for Schools (after logging in, click on "Pay for Optional Fees" and you will see Latchkey as an option). Cash or check payments should be dropped off in the Latchkey Dropbox, located inside Door #4 at the elementary school. If fees are not paid on time, parents will be notified and the child may be dropped from the program. Each month, parents will receive a statement showing how much they have paid.
Multiple Sibling Discount
Families with multiple children in our Program will receive a discount. The first child will be charged at regular price with each additional sibling receiving a 50% discount off the regular price.
Snacks
Students will receive an after school snack – cost is included in the fees listed above.
Pickup of Child
Parents are responsible for picking up their child from the after school program. Parents should enter and exit through Door #4 (event/cafeteria door).
Children should be picked up in the cafeteria by an adult by 6:00 p.m and must be signed in and out by a parent or guardian. Please do not allow your child to walk in alone or leave him/her at the door. Your child’s safety is important to us.
No one but those registered by you will be able to pick up your child. Identification will be required of anyone with whom our staff is not familiar.
Late Pickup Policy
It is important to the operation of our program that all children are picked up before our closing time (usually 6:00 PM). We realize that, on rare occasions, traffic or weather conditions may prohibit you from arriving on time. However, a late fee may be assessed if students are not picked up by 6:00 p.m. This fee will help to offset the extra staffing cost when our staff stays beyond closing time. Local law enforcement officials may be contacted if the child is not picked up at a reasonable time.
Discipline
Every child is expected to behave and treat others in a respectful, kind, and courteous manner. The Latchkey Director has the authority to dismiss a child at any time when not complying with the rules and guidelines of the program. If you have a question or concern about the service being provided, your concern should be brought to the attention of the Director. This may be done verbally or through e-mail communication.
Communicating Attendance
It is important for you to communicate with our staff regarding your student’s attendance in the program. To ensure we know who is attending each day, we are asking that you follow the protocol below:
- Students who attend on a regular basis: As long at the Latchkey and Office Staff know the days your student(s) is/are attending, then you only need to notify them if they are NOT attending.
- Students who attend on an irregular basis: Contact the Latchkey and Office Staff when the student IS attending
This communication is very important since we have to identify who is riding the bus, being picked up, or going to Latchkey each day. To simplify this process, we have created an e-mail that will go to both the Latchkey and Office Staff - just send your information to [email protected]. You can also call the elementary office (765‐354‐6636), if that’s easier for you.
Weather Related Closings
The program only operates when school is in session, so if school is cancelled, there is no Latchkey for that day.
Contact Information
Tanya VanAlst - Latchkey Supervisor
Jake Wiese - Director of Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment