Our vision is to provide learning

opportunities, increase healthy behaviors,

and to expand the schools role as a
community resource.

Union
Community
Connections
Parent
Handbook
Contact Information
Phone: 225-8259
Fax: 223-9219
Union CC Program Director:
Diadel Ortiz
diadelo@mpsvt.org

Dear Families:
We would like to take this opportunity to welcome you and your children to Community
Connections after School Program. CC is the only after school provider to be hosted at Union
Elementary School.
Our mission: We are a diverse community, with a strong hold on educating our children inside
the classroom and after school. We are all equipped with the knowledge, support and enthusiasm
to help our students strive for success.
Our vision: to provide learning opportunities, increase healthy behaviors, and to expand the
schools role as a community resource.
The goal of CC is to provide a quality program that is safe, fun and affordable. Our programs
offer age appropriate activities under the supervision of a competent, trustworthy, caring and
qualified staff that understand and meet the needs of the children in our care. To meet the
physical, intellectual, social, emotional and recreational needs of children, our program will:

Offer fun, enriching, academically oriented and recreational activities that help promote
confidence, self-esteem and responsibility
provide children a safe and secure environment staffed by warm, friendly child care
professionals
Provide a relaxed atmosphere where children can socialize and make new friends
Provide nutritional snacks

At Community Connections, we believe that during the hours that the children are away from
home they should be provided with a quality program of well supervised activities that stimulates
new interests, encourages creativity and builds self-confidence, while providing their parents
with peace of mind.
This Parent Handbook outlines what you may expect at CC and summaries our policies and
procedures. We hope it will be helpful. We look forward to providing you and your child with a
quality after school program.

Sincerely,
Diadel Ortiz
Program Director@
Union Community Connection

Programs
Union Community Connections provides a variety of programs for students in Kindergarten
through 4th grade.

Kinder Creation- at Kinder Creations your child will learn, develop skills and play in a safe
and happy environment. Children will grow socially and emotionally. They will develop their
fine motor skills through play, art, dance, music, movement and interacting with others. Most
importantly, your child will be learning to become an effective learner as they develop and
extend their communication skills, build their self-confidence, learn to be creative, and develop
skills that assist them with reading, writing and mathematics.

1st Graders- First grade is a year to explore and introduce a number of different concrete
building blocks of math, writing, reading and games. Mostly, your child will be engaged in
group play, building vocabulary words and becoming pioneers of the world. These activities are
inspired and driven by childrens interests and natural curiosities.

2nd Graders- At CC, 2nd graders will work together to solve problems, learn to express their
ideas clearly, and learn to appreciate differences. Children will model C.A.R.E.S. through group
activities. Art activities are done in a variety of media such as clay sculpture, painting, sketching,
and collage. Students work daily on developing physical skills. Activities range from organized
games, to hiking through the woods, and playing games with younger students.

3rd and 4th Graders- CC will be packed with exciting activities, team-building games and
new programs geared for our 3rd and 4th graders. Programs will be fun and enriching, promoting
self-confidence, self- esteem, and responsibility. Community Service will be a big part of this
group. Students will be working together, learn to solve problems, make decisions and
successfully contribute to their community. They connect local concerns with global issues and
gain an awareness of others.

Enrollment Sign-up
In order to enroll a child in any of our programs, we require the following:
1)

A completed Registration Form

2)

Current Copy of Immunization Record

3)

A signed Parent Contract (back page of this book)

4)

A signed Behavioral Contract (back page of this book)

5)

Payments due every Friday.

All forms are available from the CC Program Director, CC blog or in the main office at Union
School.

Fee Information/Schedule of Payments

Payment for Community Connections is expected the first Friday of every month. For large
balances, we will require that your payments be received weekly or bi-weekly in a timely
manner. If you have an outstanding balance, you must pay by the due date in order to
continue to send your child to our programs.

All payments are due the first Friday of every month.

If payment is received late, a $10.00 late fee will apply.
If we continue to receive late payments, the child will be dropped from our enrollment.
No child may attend the after school program if payment has not been made.
The child must be re-registered in the program and an additional registration fee must be
paid in order to return. (When space is available).
Payments may be made by check or money order, and should be made payable to
Community Connections.
Please make sure your childs full name appears on the memo portion of the check.
If a check is returned, you are responsible for a replacement check or pay in cash/ Money
Order.
You can speak with the Program Director any time about a payment plan.

Policy on Refund and Credits

Community Connections requires parents and/or guardians to enroll the students prior to
attending any activities. All CC activities require payment before the activity begins. CC hires
and trains staff according to the group size expected.
After school programs:

No refunds for sick days, snow days or school closing.

No refunds for days the child does not attend.
If the session schedule needs to be adjusted, Community Connections will keep 2 weeks
worth of the fee you paid for activities, for administrative fees and will refund the
balance.

Attendance Procedures
Attendance is taken daily of all children attending the after school program. Parents/guardians
are responsible for notifying the program staff if their child will be absent from the after school
program, if they have attended school during the day. For your convenience, please call 802-2258259 between the hours of 7:30 A.M. and 3:00 P.M. to report your childs absence from the
program or you may email the Program Director.
If a child is registered to attend the after school program and does not report to the program and
is not on the official school absentee list or early release sign out sheet, the parent, guardian or
emergency contact will be notified to verify the childs absence. This helps ensure the safety of
all the children attending our program.
Students enrolled in the After School Program are expected to attend on all days identified by the
parent/guardian during the initial enrollment process. Changes to the schedule must be
submitted to the Program Director as soon as possible in order to make the proper
accommodations for the staff and student. We ask you to let us know in a timely manner.
*If you have paid in advance for a day of programming that your child misses due to absence or illness,
we will not refund credit or on your payment. *

Sign Out Procedures

Your child must be signed out, when picked up each day, with your initials. Only persons
authorized in writing by you, the parent(s) and/or guardian(s), may remove your child from the
program. Staff members will request photo identification if the person picking up the child is
unfamiliar. Please be aware that we do this for the safety and protection of the children in our
programs.

Your child will not be released to anyone without prior written notice and/or a telephone call.
Students can be dismissed from CC at any time between 3:30-5:30 into the care of a
parent/guardian or a person who has been designated on the childs registration form as a pick-up
person. However, we prefer to dismiss students at the end of enrichment classes, which is
generally at 5:00.
We use the sign-out sheet to track attendance and keep a record of which children are in our care
at any given time. Make sure you sign your child out. *After a reminder, children who are
picked up without parent initials will be charged a sign-out fee of $5.00*.

Late Pick Up Policy

The after school program closes promptly each evening at 5:30. All parents and/or guardians are
expected to pick up their children on time. If you are unable to do so, it is your responsibility to
notify the CC Staff or Program Director that you will be late or are sending an alternate to pick
up your child. If the alternate is not on your emergency list, the Program Director or staff may
ask the person to show photo identification.
After the site closes at 5:30, a staff member will attempt to contact the parent, guardian or
emergency contact person by telephone. If a child remains at the after school program after
closing time and neither parents, guardians nor emergency contacts can be reached, the local
police department will be contacted and the child will be released into the custody of the
appropriate law enforcement official. A $20.00 late fee will be charged after 5:30 with an
additional $5.00 for each 15 minute the child is in CC custody. This fee is due upon picking up
your child or the next day.
*Three Late Pick-Ups will result in your child being dismissed from the program.*

Sliding Scale Fee

Over $60,000

$50-$60,000

$40-$50,000

*Below $40,000

$17.00 per day/per

child

$15.00 per day/per

child

$13.00 per day/per

child

$10.00 per day/per

child

*Families at this level should explore whether they qualify for assistance through the Vermont Child Care Subsidy Program.
If you cannot pay within the sliding scale, you will be asked to apply for subsidies.

Financial Assistance- We are a licensed child-care program. Subsidy can assist in paying
for your child to participate in all of our programs, especially if you also qualify for free and
reduced lunches. If you are unable to pay, your first step will be to apply for state subsidy. You
can obtain an application yourself by going online at www.brightfutures.dcf.state.vt.us. You
must fill out the forms; mail them to Bright future before the child can attend the CC program.

Emergency Drop-in/ Unschedule day - *If we have space in the program*, we will
accept students on an emergency drop-in (with 24 hour advance notice). Student must have all
forms completed and on file for any emergency drop-in. The fee is $20/ per child.

Extra fees- Occasionally there will be additional fees to cover transportation or materials
for specific after-school classes. Details will be noted during specific programs. These
extra fees will be due at the beginning of the session.

Health/Safety/Medications
Every site is equipped with a first aid kit. There are at least 3 staff members that are CPR/First
Aid Certified. The Program Director or CC Staff will notify parents if there is evidence of
serious injury or illness. A written record will be kept of all injuries and accidents requiring first
aid. A copy of the accident report will be sent home to the parent/guardian with the child, and a
copy will be kept on file.
In case of emergency, illness, or injury to a child, the parent or guardian will be notified
immediately. If the parents/guardian cannot be reached immediately, the emergency numbers on
the registration form will be called.
In the event of an emergency warranting medical attention or considered life threatening, the
Program Director will call 911 or take other necessary emergency procedures. Parents/guardians
and/or emergency contacts will be contacted as well.
If your child must take a prescription medication of any kind, you must notify the Program
Director, leaders and complete a Medical Authorization Form. Over the counter medication will
not be dispensed without a doctors written authorization. All medication should be given to the
Program Director to ensure proper usage. Children are not permitted to have medication in their
possession to take on their own unless authorized by the doctor.

Medication will never be given to a child by a staff member without the proper written
authorization. No medication will be dispensed unless it is in its original container.
*Please inform us of any medical / behavioral issue your child is experiencing. We want to
ensure, your childs experience at Community Connections is a positive one. From time to time,
we may want to communicate with school personal (classroom teacher, guidance counselor,
special education) to collaborate on how to help your child. For this reason, we ask that you
inform us of any changes in your childs behavior.*

Personnel
We hire highly qualified staffs that are dedicated to providing an enriching and safe environment
for the children in our programs. Whenever possible, we hire people who have experience
working with elementary aged children. As a whole, our staff is committed to evaluating and
improving the way we work with children and run our programs. The professional child care
staff of CC will be provided with a variety of educational training throughout the year.
State regulations dictate our ratio of staff to children, and we strive to stay slightly below the
mandated ratios. We must have a ratio of 1:10 any time when there is a Kindergartener included
in the student group and 1:13 if all children present are in grades 1-4. We will only turn children
away for program if/when we find ourselves in a situation where we would exceed our staff:
child ratios.
We run background checks on all of our staff and volunteers, according with state regulations.
Our staff members are all mandated reporters under the law, and we are required to report any
time we suspect abuse or neglect of the children in our care. There is a copy of the licensing
regulations available on our bulletin board at all times if youd like further information.

Daily Activities
Upon dismissal from school, all children report to the CC designated classroom which will be
posted outside the main office and The CC classroom upstairs by the art room. Children are
grouped according to their current grade, and are provided with a nutritious snack. Programs may
vary, but children are then dismissed for organized outdoor games, sports and playground. At
CC, our staff understands the importance of homework. *Parents may choose whether they wish
their child to do their homework while in after care.* Our schedule blends educational and
recreational activities between the hours of 3:00 P.M. and 5:30 P.M. that may include: foreign
language, computer technology, reading, writing, math, science, drama, cooking, arts and crafts,
and physical education programs.
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Sample Afternoon Program Schedule

Programming varies, depending on the day. However, our general schedule for after-school
program is as follows:
2:45-3:00
Dismissal from classroom, student walk to CC classroom/
assigned classroom
3:00-3:10
Welcome Activity
3:15-3:30
Snack*
3:30-4:00
Recess*
4:00-5:00
Program, Skill Building, Specials
5:00-5:30
Skill Building, Homework, **5:30 Pick-up**
Snack and recess time may be switched depending on the classroom. *

Snack
A mid-afternoon snack is provided for all children in the after-school program. We strive to
provide healthy snacks each day, consisting of a fruit or vegetable, a grain, and a drink (usually
water). We provide local produce when available and opt for whole foods when choosing which
snacks to offer. If your child has special dietary needs or any food allergies please let us know.
You can send in extra snack for your child.

Weather
We follow the same guidelines for weather contingencies as Union School. We aim to spend
time outside every day-at recess and/or some program classes. Please make sure that your
child comes with appropriate clothing and gear for the weather.

*Extra Change of Clothes*

Parent in K, first and second grade, sometimes children have accidents after school; please make
sure your child has a small bag of extra clothes for those unfortunate after school days.

School Holidays/Early Release Day/School Closing

All after school programs will be closed on the following holidays: Labor Day, Thanksgiving
Day, and the day after Thanksgiving, Christmas Break, New Years Day, and Memorial
Day.
Community Connections Camp will be open on special in-service days, winter and spring
breaks. Parents/guardians will receive CC Camp information and registration. Space may be
limited and registration is on a first come, first served basis.

When Union Elementary is open for a full day of school, CC will offer after-school care.
On scheduled half-days, CC will not offer After-School Care unless otherwise noted.
In the case of unplanned school closures when there is no school, CC will be closed.
If its a normal school day but the Superintendent cancels all afterschool Activities- CC is
canceled.
You will receive an Alert Now phone call on all numbers you have supplied at the
beginning of the year. I will also send a group email conferring CC is closed. You will
need to make alternative pick-up plans.

Exceptional Student Registration

Exceptional Students may enroll and participate in the after school program. However, CC staff
may not be trained in special education. To ensure that there is adequate and safe supervision for
all children in the program, the following procedures will be followed before a child may enroll:

The parent or guardian must contact the Program Director to set up a pre-enrollment
conference, within 10 school days from the date of application. The purpose of this preenrollment meeting is to determine if this environment is the right place for your child
and for availability in the program.
At the conference, a discussion between Program Director, the parent and/or guardian
and school personnel will help determine if the after school program is a good fit for the
student.
We will also discuss if the child will need additional personnel. If training needs exceed
the expertise of the CC staff and if its fiscally possible, we will discuss obtaining
appropriate staff. This is determined on a case by case basis.

Students Belongings
All personal belongings, including jackets, lunch boxes, backpacks, etc. should be clearly labeled
to help avoid loss. Lost and Founds are available in the Cafeteria area, in case your child does
lose something. Please note that children are not permitted to bring any items to after care
(such as toys, games, trading cards, electronics etc.) Community Connections cannot be
responsible for any lost, damaged or stolen belongings.

Parent Communication
Communication between our staff, school teachers and your families is crucial to your childs
safety and enjoyment at Community Connections. To make it as smooth as possible, please
communicate any changes in writing (email or send in a note) or phone calls. During pickup/drop-off times we are glad to check in with you quickly about your childs day.*If at any time
you would like to have a conference about your child, please email, send in a note, or call us to
schedule.* Our contact information is listed on the Parent Handbooks front cover. Commination
is very important and we want to always be informed.

Email
In order to enhance our ability to communicate with families, we will make an effort to send
more information via email. If you have supplied an email address on your childs registration
form, we will use that email address periodically to send out reminders, session and other
program information. If you wish to receive emails but you did not supply an email address on
your registration form, please contact the Program Director or a leader and we will add you to
our list!
We also have a Community Connections blog: http://uescc.blogspot.com/

Notification of Changes
It is extremely important that you notify the Program Director immediately of any changes in
parental, home address, employment phone numbers, pick up procedures and behavioral issues.
We want to make sure your childs information is always current.

Income Tax Information

Tax statements indicating the payments made to CC after school care will be emailed to you via
PDF file. This document includes the school year not camp days. If your child attended camp
please contact:
Alex Rob-Executive Director
802-223-3456

arob@u32.org

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Healthy Behaviors
Our mission is to increase childrens healthy behaviors and positive decision making. Our
programs are designed to foster academic enrichment and expand schools role as a community.
This behavior plan ensures that every member of our CC Community is respectful of themselves
and others.
Multi -Tier Support System (MTSS) is a state-wide effort designed to help school teams form a
proactive, school wide system, approach to improving social and academic competence for all
students. CC has adapted MTSS formerly know as PBIS, along with Responsive Classroom
approach to bring a positive, and effective teaching service to all children. The Program Director
works closely with the classroom teacher, guidance counselor, special education teacher, and
uses validated intervention to the extent availability when needed.
A child with a consistent behavioral problem who is not responding to the policy and procedures
at Community Connections and who exhibits extreme or dangerous behavior will be sent to the
Program Director, who will notify the childs parents and/or guardians with a Behavior Report.
In extreme cases of behavior such as running away, fighting, extreme disruption, stealing, threats
of violence, or destruction of school property, the parent and/or guardian may be called to pick
up their child immediately and the child may be immediately suspended or dismissed from the
after school program.
If the problem persists, a parent/guardian conference will be scheduled at which the areas of
concern will be discussed and reviewed. If the situation does not improve, the child may be
suspended. Three Behavior Reports will result in dismissal from our program. If you have paid
in advance for the program, a refund will be issued.
*It is important that you inform us of any medical / behavioral issue your child is
experiencing. We want to ensure, your childs experience at Community Connections is a
positive one. From time to time, we may want to communicate with school personal
(classroom teacher, guidance counselor, and/or special education) to collaborate on how to
help your child. All information will be kept confidential.*

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Community Connections
Berlin, Calais, East Montpelier, Middlesex, Montpelier, Worcester

Bringing School and Community Together

After School Program
Policies, Rules, and Procedures
BEHAVIOR CONTRACT

Dear Parent/Guardian:
While attending Community Connections after School Program, all children are asked to comply
with the already existing rules of their school, as well as the After School rules. In order to
maintain a safe environment, we ask that you please review them with your child.
Students-Code of Conduct

1. Community Connection Staff and other students must be entirely respected.

2. Students must respect and appreciate diversity of the CC Staff members, teachers and
students, regardless of their race, culture, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation,
age and ability.
3. Children must understand and follow C.A.R.E.S.
4. Promote positive behavior through the avoidance of all types of violent acts.
5. Use respectful language at all times, using inside voices. Children can express
themselves with socially acceptable language and gestures.
6. Treat school property and the property of others with a reasonable standard of care.
7. Students must stay in assigned area with CC Staff and group.
8. Students are not permitted to leave after school before scheduled time without proper
advance notification from a parent or guardian to an after school staff member.

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As with any zero-tolerance policy, there will be consequences for the following types of misconduct:

1. Constant failure to follow CC rules, policies and procedure.

2. General misconduct, including loud or boisterous behavior that tends to disturb other
students, and includes running in the classroom/halls, minor defacement of property, and
pushing or shoving others.
3. A students persistent refusal to follow the instructions of program staff and program
administrators.
4. Use of obscene, vulgar, profane, disrespectful, demeaning or threatening words and/or
actions or gestures directed to or in the presence of any student or after school employee.
5. Mutual physical confrontations between students (fighting).
6. Possession and/or use of any tobacco or drug related items or look alike items this
may include cigarettes, chewing tobacco and other tobacco-related products, lighters,
alcoholic substances, drug-consumption devices, and any substance suspected of being a
drug.
7. A behavior that may result in physical or mental abuse to ones self or others.
8. Committing an act of indecent exposure in the presence of any other student or CC staff.
Disciplinary Actions
1. Verbal warning
2. A Think Time away from the group. While student is in Think Time he/she is encouraged
to talk about the incident, fill out a Think Time sheet or draw a picture of the scenario
leading up to the time away. We will also go over the behavioral contract the students
signed at the beginning of the year.
3. A call to parent/guardian will be made if behavior persists.
7 day suspension from Community Connections will result.
4. Before returning to the program, a Parent/Staff conference needs to be scheduled to
determine continued enrollment.
Choices that involve potential and or actual harm to self and others will be immediately
evaluated and a plan of action will be developed by Program Director. This may result in
immediate parent contact and consequences will be evaluated on an individual case by case
basis. In situations where children significantly pose a threat and or leave the school grounds
without permission the Montpelier Police Dept. will be notified. A meeting between Program
Director, staff and parents must occur before student is allowed to return to the program. The
Program Director has every right to terminate a child who has displayed characteristics that are
harmful to self and/ or puts others at risk.
We are here to work with you and your child. We ask parents to thoroughly inform us if your
child has any social, emotional, behavioral or health conditions that we should be aware of.
Please let us know what methods your child responds best to include any helpful tactics used by
their teacher or at home. This is to help us provide a more successful after school experience for
your child. All information will be confidential.
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This has been written so students and family members know what behavior is expected and
prohibited at Community Connections. It is helpful if parents are aware of all school and after
school rules so they can help support them from home.
In signing this contract you are agreeing that your child fully understands and respects the
conditions and expectations stated above.
Childs Name: ________________________________________________________________
Parent/Guardians Name: ______________________________________________________
Parent/Guardians Signature: ___________________________________________________
Date: ________________________________________________________________________

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Community Connections
Berlin, Calais, East Montpelier, Middlesex, Montpelier, Worcester

Bringing School and Community Together

Handbook Policy
PLEASE READ AND INITIAL EACH OF THE FOLLOWING:
*I understand that positive behavior is expected at Community Connections. My child must follow the rules,
policies, procedures set out in the CC Code of Conduct and that he/she will be subject to consequences under the
Code for misbehavior. Initial *
*I understand that all payments are due in advance and on time each week. There will be no refund or credits issued
for unused days, sick days, and school cancelations. If enrolled, your childs slot is reserved and the program is
staffed accordingly-parents/guardians are still required to pay. The individual who completes this paperwork is
financially responsible for all fees and tuition. I understand that the financial responsibility exist regardless of my
students attendance. Initial*
*I understand that cancellations/rescheduling must be done seven days in advance and must be approved by the
Union Community Connection Director when space in the program is available. All payments must be in order
before any arrangements are made. Initial*
*By initialing, you authorize Community Connections to use your childs name and photograph(s)/video in CC
publication which could include but are not limited to: Website listing, flyers and newsletters. Initial*
*All Children must be picked up no later than 5:30 Monday through Friday. Initial*
*I have disclosed all known health problems, behavioral issues or conditions of my child. Initial*

I AGREE TO ABIDE BY ALL THE OPERATIONAL POLICIES AS WELL AS THOSE OUTLINED IN THE
PARENT HANBOOK AND WILL NOTIFY STAFF MEMBERS IN WRITING OF ANY CHANGES MADE TO
THE INFROMATION ON THIS FORM. I RECOGNIZE IT IS MY RESPONSIBILITY TO MAINTAIN
CURRENT INFROMATION WITH THE PROGRAM AT ALL TIMES. I AM RESPONSIBLE FOR READING
THE PARENT HANDBOOK.

I understand that Community Connections policies have been developed to ensure the safety and
well-being of all children attending the program. I understand that failure to return this
acknowledgment will not relieve me from knowing and following the policies of Community
Connections After-school Program.
CHILDS NAME_____________________________________________ DATE_______________
PARENTS NAME____________________________________________ DATE______________
PARENT/GUARDIAN SIGNATURE
________________________________________________________________________________

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