Aftercare
Mater Dolorosa Catholic School
Parent-Student Aftercare Handbook
509 Pine Street Independence, La. 70443
Phone: 985-878-4295 Fax: 985-878-4888
www.mdeagles.org
The Mater Dolorosa Catholic School’s Aftercare program provides a safe and engaging environment for students. This handbook is designed to give parents and guardians a helpful insight into the Aftercare Program offered by Mater Dolorosa Catholic School. It includes detailed policies and procedures. Please read this handbook carefully and keep it in a safe place for easy reference during the school year.
AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM CONTACT INFORMATION
The AfterCare Program is located in Mater Dolorosa School’s cafeteria from 3:00-5:30 p.m.
To report a change of pickup information, or a pickup delay, please call (985) 878-9556.
Admission Procedures
A one-time registration fee of $30 per child will be charged to the parents’ FACTS account after their child has attended aftercare for the first time. Parents must exit their car, ring the doorbell of the cafeteria, and sign their child out upon entering.
Schedule of Operation
On regular school days, the After Care Program operates from 3:00 p.m. until 5:30 p.m. Please refer to the Mater Dolorosa Catholic School’s calendar for the list of holidays since there will be no After Care on those days. Also, depending on early dismissal from school due to weather conditions, After Care will be canceled.
Fees
Students who are not picked up by the end of the afternoon carpool line will be sent to the Cafeteria for After Care at 3:00.
**AFTERCARE FEES BEGINNING 2025-2026 SCHOOL YEAR**
Flat Rate of $10 per child per day
Sibling Discount:
$3 off for 2nd child
$5 off for 3rd child
Example:
First child - $10
Second child - $7
Third child - $5
Total for 1 day - $22.00
Pick-up Procedures
The After Care Program utilizes a checkout system where each child is dismissed to the proper person at the end of each day. Children will not be allowed to leave the After Care Program unattended. Parents or Guardians must walk into the cafeteria building and sign out their child with the After Care director or staff member. The person picking up the child must have an ID number to enter into the sign out kiosk. ID numbers are provided to the parent or guardian at the beginning of the school year. Each person on a child’s authorized pick up list has their own unique ID number. It is the parent’s responsibility to inform the authorized pick up persons of their ID numbers. Only those with an ID number will be allowed to pick up their child. The children may not go into the hallways or classrooms. If a child leaves items or homework in their classroom, they will have to receive them the following day.
Upon arrival, parents and guardians must sign out their child immediately.
Homework Policy
The Aftercare Program stresses the importance of homework and sets time aside every day for the children in 1st through 8th grades to complete their assignments. Staff members are available to supervise the homework area and to assist the children with their work; however, a child who needs individual help with his or her homework must ask. Because of the number of children who require assistance during homework time, the staff members are unable to check each child’s homework for accuracy.
Emergency Dismissal Procedures
In the event of inclement weather, parents and/or guardians will be notified of school closure through our Parent Call Notification System. In case of emergency dismissal, parents or authorized persons are requested to come to the school to pick up their children. If buses are running, students that normally ride the bus home will be released to their assigned bus. Students will be held in designated areas until a parent or authorized person arrives.
Lost and Found
The school is not responsible for lost property. Personal items likely to be lost, such as book sacks, gloves, jackets, lunch boxes, sweatshirts, pencil boxes etc., should be clearly marked with the student’s full name. This will ensure that your child gets a lost item returned to him/her in a timely manner.
Possessions from Home
Since we cannot guarantee the safe return of personal belongings, the Aftercare Program asks that any personal possessions be left in backpacks during a child’s time in the Aftercare Program.
Health Policy
If a child becomes ill while attending the Aftercare program, a parent or emergency contact person will be notified. A child who is not feeling well should be picked up in a timely manner.
Children who attend the Aftercare Program should be well enough to follow the normal routine of the program. Children who have a contagious condition, eye ailment, head lice, rash, fever, vomiting, or diarrhea may not attend the Aftercare Program and must be fully recovered before returning to the Aftercare Program.
Please report any changes in emergency contact information, employment information, telephone numbers, or addresses to the Program Director as soon as they become available. Although this information will be kept confidential, it will be shared with appropriate staff members to facilitate communication with parents or guardians in emergency situations.
Behavior Policy
The children and staff of the Aftercare Program are asked to treat each other with respect, tolerance, kindness, and consideration. The rules and behavior expectations utilized by the Aftercare Program will be explained to the children clearly and reinforced consistently. Children will be given reminders and redirection in order to encourage positive behavior. A child who is unkind verbally will be asked to apologize. A child who uses supplies or equipment inappropriately will be restricted from using the supplies or equipment for a short period of time. Any activities where participants purposely exclude another child will not be allowed. When a child is disruptive or needs time to regain self-control, he or she will be removed from the group. After a time-out, the teacher and child will discuss behavior options before the child returns to the group. Under no circumstances will a child be subjected to neglect, physical punishment, or verbal abuse. Parents will be notified if a child exhibits unusual emotional or physical behavior that threatens the well-being of the child or others in the Aftercare Program. The principal will be contacted for any unacceptable behavior. Staff members give multiple warnings, meet with the student, and try to contact a parent/guardian when the student is unruly. However, please be aware that your child may earn an infraction for inappropriate behavior. Security cameras are in use in the cafeteria and footage will be monitored and reviewed if necessary.
Emergency Information
If there is an emergency at Aftercare or if your child is ill or injured, we must be able to contact you or other emergency contacts on your child's profile. Parents are responsible for keeping this information current at all times. In the event that phone numbers, email addresses, addresses, places of employment, or family information change, please make the necessary changes in your Family Portal or notify the office if you need assistance.