As a downtown school, we consider ourselves an "Urban Campus" --- meaning we are within areas with both rich cultural resources and diverse populations. In light of this, it is up to parents to determine how to have their child head home from school in the best way for their own family.
All students who are NOT in After School are expected to leave the building for pick-up, carpools, walking home, heading to the bus/Trax stops, or taking their skateboards, scooters & bikes, and be on their way. We expect students to continue to model respectful behavior out in the community and take responsibility for their actions whether they are walking along the neighborhood sidewalks or on public transportation.
All students may NOT wait in the Main Office or hallways until their ride arrives. We ask that you refrain from telling your child to "wait in the Office" unless they have been directed to do so by a teacher or school Administrator. (This includes rainy days, too; sorry!) We will ask them to leave if we have not worked out an appointment or reason to go to the Main Office beforehand. They may wait in front of the school at the top of the stairs or in another public location determined by your family. Children waiting for rides are not considered part of the After School program. Please be timely when picking up your child or carpool! We also -- beg you -- to refrain from double parking! Or swinging around in U-turns while dozens of cars are trying to pick up their kids, too. Let's all be kind, responsible drivers.
Here is our timeline in the AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM ---
At 3:00 p.m. Monday-Thursday -- our regular school day ends.
On Friday the day ends at 12:35 p.m.
Students who are enrolled in After School should head outside to the north field. Please do not give them permission to walk somewhere else around the block, across the street, off to get their own treats. Since we are responsible for your kiddos, we expect them to come outside, check-in that they are attending, and choosing a snack provides. They remain out on the field until Instructors come to take them to their respective classes. When those classes end, we have the same dismissal policy as the end-of-day routine. This does not alter while the daylight savings time changes, nor necessarily with inclement weather. If you know you would like to have your child wait inside, please know the end time of your child's class and be available for pick-up on or before that time.
If you know you will be later than 5 minutes on a regular basis, or you simply want to have them inside or with our extended group, please simply sign up for our Extended Day program. This is an unstructured time AFTER THEIR ENROLLED ENRICHMENT CLASS ENDS, where kids can hang out together, play games, chat, listen to some music, and generally relax. We do NOT allow phone use at this time.
Late fees will be assessed after 5:30 p.m. while we attempt to contact your child's ride and make sure someone is on their way. You will be charged $10.00 after 5:40 pm, with $5.00 for every 10 minute following incremently. Late fees will be Invoiced.
Parents are welcome at any time to pick up their children early, however, we ask that you come in to retrieve your child should it be prior to the end of class time. We do not allow students to use their cell phones during Homework Hall or other After School classes.
There is no Extended Day on Fridays after 3:00 when classes and clubs end, so it is important to arrive at the school before or by that time, or have your child know how they should be getting home that day. Students may leave with carpools, or on their own for walking, biking, bus, Trax, etc. as usual.
Please make a plan with your child for Friday afternoons after 3:00 p.m.!
Discipline Policy
We follow our 'RISE' model from our school day of Respect, Inclusion/Integrity, Safety Empathy. We hold students accountable and responsible for their actions and their treatment of themselves and others. We expect a willingness and ability for students to do their very best to abide by these values. Unsafe, disruptive behaviors detract from the focus, engagement, and enjoyment of our classes, of each other, and of the environment. If the program director must intervene to manage student behavior and a parent needs to be called, students may be dismissed from after school at that time, with a consequence commensurate to the behavior or incident. Depending up the nature of the behavior and only when absolutely necessary, they may be suspended from the program until the end of the term, the semester, or the year. This decision will not be arbitrary or capricious.
There is a ZERO tolerance policy for tobacco, liquor, weapons of any kind, theft, violence, or illegal drugs sold, used or possessed during attendance of any after school program activity. (This includes zero tolerance for any smoking or any vaping materials.) Students may be dismissed for disciplinary reasons and/or safety of the other children and staff. If a child is suspended or expelled from after school for any reason, no refund will be issued. To reinforce this point, the Salt Lake Arts Academy agrees that such suspension/expulsion will not be arbitrary or capricious.
