Snow Days (When School Is Canceled) / Snowy Days (Stormy Days When School Is in Session) RREDP does not operate in the event of a snowstorm or other weather-related emergency. The Public Schools of Brookline informs parents of school cancellations and delays via an automated system. WBZ AM 1030 is also a good source of information for school cancellations. In the event of an intense snowstorm that begins after the start of school, the Superintendent may issue a directive that all after school activities are canceled. If this happens, you will receive a computer generated call from his office. You or the designee named on your Parent/Child Information Form must come to pick up your child as soon as you are able, but no later than 4PM. RREDP staff will remain in the building until all children are safely in the care of a previously authorized caretaker.

As our calendar outlines, RREDP will operate on some days even though the school does not. Children may attend the program on these days from 8:00 A.M. to 5:45 P.M. Parents must register for and pay in advance for childcare on the days of full care when school is not in session holidays. Parents must also sign up their children approximately three weeks in advance for February and April Vacations so staffing and appropriate activities can be planned. Children not signed up before the deadlines expire will not be able to attend on longer and school vacation and other full day programs. Fees for these programs are not included in the regular annual tuition. The rates will be announced at the time of registration.

Parents need to provide a lunch and snack if their children are enrolled at RREDP during vacation days and other full day programs. Items that are suitable for lunch include sandwiches with meat, cheese, eggs, soup, sliced fruits and vegetables, leftover pasta and rice dishes, pizza, etc. The typical lunch contains a sandwich, a piece of fruit or vegetable and a cookie for dessert. Please do not send candy or soda with your child, as we try to emphasize the importance of more nutritious fare. The food amounts should be consistent with your child's appetite.

Caregivers should pick up their child from their designated pick-up areas prior to 5:45 p.m. If parents arrive after 5:45 p.m., the program will charge a late fee.

The person who picks up a child must sign out the child each day. When signing out, parents and sitters must make contact with a teacher as well as initial and indicate the time of sign-out on the clipboard. Children may not sign themselves out unless they have written parental permission to leave Extended Day alone. This is a privilege reserved for 4th & 5th graders only. If children have permission to leave without an adult, they may not wait for their parents on school property or in extended day area. They must have parental permission to walk home by themselves. The sign-out sheets for K are located with the K teachers. The 1st & 2nd grade sign-out sheets are located in the 1-2 Rooms. The 3rd 4th & 5th grade sign-out sheets are located in the cafeteria. Our sign-out procedure is critical to maintaining children’s safety. The staff must know if children have left for the day. In the event of a fire or other emergency, the sign-out sheets become a principle method of checking on children's whereabouts. Please adhere to this procedure always, but especially when picking up children early from their classrooms and from the playground.

Parents are required to inform the program, no later than 12 Noon, when your child will not attend Extended Day if he/she has attended school. If a child does not come to Extended Day and is not absent from school, teachers will try to locate the child and will notify a parent if this is not possible. If your child is visiting a friend, has gone home ill, or is attending another activity, please call or send us an email indicating that he or she is absent from Extended Day. Please use our general email rredpmail@gmail.com to communicate absences.

If you arrive after 5:45pm to pick up your child, you will be charged a late fee. The late fee is $10.00 for every 15 minutes or fraction thereof that a parent is late. For example, if a parent arrives at 6:05 P.M., the late fee incurred by that parent is $20.00: $10.00 for the period between 5:45 and 6:00, and $10.00 for the period between 6:00pm and 6:05pm.

If you would like someone besides a custodial parent to pick up your child, the parent s need to submit names of via their account on the Upbup.com platform. We ask that a minimum of 24hour notification is given. This allows the for us to process and inform the onsite staff of the update. Our teachers cannot release a child to a non-custodial person based on telephone phone or email permission.

On the school's early release days, RREDP begins earlier to accomodate the change in schedule. Caregivers should follow the usual pick-up procedure and pick up children no later than 5:45pm on these days.

Children who have not attended school may not attend RREDP on that same day. Exceptions are made for anticipated absences such as a doctor's appointments (as long as the child is not ill) or other similar situations. This must be discussed with the director prior to the expected absence. RREDP is a school-based program and our attendance policy is in support of the Public Schools of Brookline. An occasional extra day may be added to the schedule of a part-time child if enrollment numbers permit. The fee is $45.00. Please make a request to the director in advance of the date.

When you enroll your child in the Ruffin Ridley Extended Day Program, you commit to pay for your child to attend the program according to a particular schedule for the entire school year. In most cases, families will not be allowed to reduce the number of, or choice of days on which their child attends the program after signing an enrollment agreement. You should think carefully before selecting a schedule for your child at enrollment time. Occasionally, an unforeseen event during the year will make it difficult for a family to complete the year on the schedule they selected. In such a case, you may petition the Parent Board in writing to request a change in schedule. The Parent Board will consider the reasons for the request and the needs of the program before deciding whether to grant it. If your petition to change the number or choice of days on which your child attends the program is granted, you will be required to pay a $100 schedule change fee. Families who intend to withdraw from the program must provide thirty-days (30) written notice.

Ill children generally require extra care and attention and may pose a threat to the health of others. When a child becomes ill at RREDP, the parents will be contacted, and the child sent home for the following reasons: Persistent diarrhea Appearance of acute illness or complaint of severe pain Temperature of 100 degrees or more Persistent and uncontrollable cough Vomiting

It is very important that we be aware of your child's allergies. Especially critical are bee sting and severe food allergies. We must be provided with the proper medications and protocol for handling allergic reactions. Space is provided on the Parent/Child Information Form, but in the case of a severe allergy (or other medical condition), a conference with the director is indicated and the formulation of a health care plan may be necessary.

Medications, prescription or non-prescription, will not be administered without written permission of the parent and the signature of a health care provider. Prescriptions must be labeled by the pharmacy. Non-prescription medications must come in their original containers. In other words, if your child needs to have a Extended Day teacher administer medication, we must receive documentation specifying the name of your child, the name of the medication, the dosage, directions for administration and your signature. Forms are available on the website and at your request. Children are not allowed to be in possession of medication at Ruffin Ridley Extended Day Program. The only exception to this will be made for asthmatic children who, with written parental permission, may self-administer their medication. It is important to alert us by telephone that your child has medication that we will need to administer. Medications will be stored in areas off limits to children and should arrive at the program in containers with childproof caps. We maintain a written record of the administration of medication including the data contained in your note with the addition of the name of the staff member who administered the drug. Unused medications will be disposed of or returned to parents.

If a child exhibits inappropriate behavior or fails to respond to a teacher’s direction, the following steps will be taken: The child will be given verbal warnings by a teacher that he/she has one more chance to behave as requested. As part of these requests, the teacher will fully explain the reason for the request. If the instance is a dispute between two children, teachers will model effective conflict resolution skills. If a child fails to honor a teacher’s request, the child will be removed from the activity for further conversation. In the event that there has been a disagreement between two children, the children will be given an opportunity to peacefully resolve the matter. If this fails, the children will be separated from one another until they are able to converse with a teacher who will assist in resolving the conflict. If negative behaviors are not ended, children may need teacher assistance in choosing a different space or activity to facilitate productive engagement. If the behavior is such that it inflicts harm on others, it will be stopped immediately. A child may be isolated to create a safer environment for himself and others, a parent may be called, etc. In no case, will a child be subjected to abuse or neglect, cruel, severe, or corporal punishments, punishment which subject a child to ridicule or humiliation, denial of food, rest, outdoor time or bathroom facilities.

When the incident or behavior is serious, other steps may be warranted. Behavior that is considered "serious" includes: Behavior which interferes with the daily routine of the program Behavior that requires constant adult supervision Behavior that inflicts physical or emotional harm on other children or staff Leaving extended day spaces without teacher permission Deliberate destruction of school or program property "Other steps" may include intervention by program administrators, a phone call to a parent, a parent conference, suspension and, finally, termination from the program. Prior to instituting the final step, the Director will attempt to refer the parent to the appropriate outside agency to assist the parent in dealing with the child. An outside agency referral may include referring the parent to the school guidance counselor, contacting a child's DSS case worker or therapist, suggesting the parents avail themselves to private counseling. If the child's behavioral issues are "serious," professional counseling is a condition for remaining in the program. If the child is in need of medical evaluation or assistance, an administrator will initiate a referral to the school nurse for consultation. The program will maintain a written record of any referrals, including the parent conference and results. A referral checklist will be kept in the child's folder. The contents of a child’s folder will be kept confidential pursuant to DEEC regulation 7.04 (8).

In rare instances, a child may be temporarily suspended from the Ruffin Ridley Extended Day. Examples of disruptive behavior that could lead to suspension include physical aggression against other children or teachers, the leaving of Extended Day spaces without permission, or repeated refusal to obey teacher direction. A child will be suspended after standard disciplinary measures and meeting with the child's parent(s) fail. A child might also be suspended temporarily, without warning to parents, due to an act of extreme aggression resulting in injury to another individual or a child's failure to remain within Extended Day spaces. A temporary suspension could be for any time period from one day to one week. Immediately upon suspending a child, a conference will occur to discuss the reasons for the suspension and any steps that will be taken to prevent such behavior in the future. Hopefully, the director and parents working together can improve the disruptive behavior that led to the suspension. We will put a behavioral plan in place in the program. Extended Day, with parent cooperation, will also help develop a plan for behavioral intervention at home. However, if disruptive behavior continues, the procedure for termination of the child from Extended Day may be initiated.

If the director decides that termination is warranted for a particular child based upon that child's disruptive behavior, the child's parent(s) will be contacted to arrange a meeting to discuss the problem, the steps which have been taken to alleviate the problem, and why termination is necessary. At this time, conditions may be outlined such as the timing of termination. The program will provide the parents with written documentation for the proposed suspension or termination of the child, and the circumstances, if any, under which the child may return. When any child is terminated from the program, teachers will prepare the child for termination in a manner, which is consistent with the child's developmental level. If the parent(s) is (are) dissatisfied with the decision or any conditions placed upon that decision, s/he (they) is (are) entitled to meet with the Board of Directors of Extended Day. The child's parent(s) and the program administrators may each explain their position at the meeting. The Board of Directors will decide to uphold, modify or overrule the director's decision. In rare circumstances, the program administrators may conclude that the parent(s) of a child in the program is (are) being so uncooperative and unsupportive of the goals of the program; disruptive, or abusive of staff, other parents or other children that continued participation of the family is not in the best interests of Extended Day or the child. In such instances, they may initiate a suspension or termination of that family from Extended Day, or may decline to re-enroll the child. Prior to instituting such steps, the director will meet with the parent(s) to review, and hopefully resolve, the problem behaviors. The chairperson of the Board of Directors and/or the parent liaison may attend this meeting. If the parent(s) is (are) dissatisfied with the director's decision or any conditions placed upon that decision, s/he (they) have the right to meet petition Board of Directors of Extended Day. The parent(s) and the administrators may each explain their positions at that meeting. The Board of Directors will decide whether to uphold, modify or overrule the decision. All of the above procedures are followed in the event that the behavior of a child or parent(s) is such that the director determines that re-enrollment for the following year would not be in the best interest of the Ruffin Ridley Extended Day Program.

Each child needs a complete change of clothes to be left at the program. Parents are asked to check frequently to make sure the set is complete and dry, still fits and is appropriate to the season. It is also a good idea to keep a sweater or sweatshirt for chilly days. Children must wear sneakers or appropriate rubber soled shoes while playing in the gym. Boots, widely open sandals, flip-flops, clogs and party shoes are not acceptable for safety reasons. Children should be dressed in clothing that is appropriate for outdoor play. Hats, mittens and rubber, waterproof boots; pants and/or snow pants are required in the winter.

Employees that chose to provide child care services to families outside a program hours will abide by the following policy that was approved by parent board on May 3, 2017. Full policy can be found in the RREDP Parent Handbook

Caregivers should pick up their child from their designated pick-up areas prior to 5:45 p.m. If parents arrive after 5:45 p.m., the program will charge a late fee.

Children will be able to participate in a wide range of activities that teachers plan depending on their age group. These activities include arts and crafts, card and board games, outdoor play, gym games, free choice, club meetings, and much more.

If a child exhibits inappropriate behavior or fails to respond to a teacher’s direction, the following steps will be taken: The child will be given verbal warnings by a teacher that he/she has one more chance to behave as requested. As part of these requests, the teacher will fully explain the reason for the request. If the instance is a dispute between two children, teachers will model effective conflict resolution skills. If a child fails to honor a teacher’s request, the child will be removed from the activity for further conversation. In the event that there has been a disagreement between two children, the children will be given an opportunity to peacefully resolve the matter. If this fails, the children will be separated from one another until they are able to converse with a teacher who will assist in resolving the conflict. If negative behaviors are not ended, children may need teacher assistance in choosing a different space or activity to facilitate productive engagement. If the behavior is such that it inflicts harm on others, it will be stopped immediately. A child may be isolated to create a safer environment for himself and others, a parent may be called, etc. In no case, will a child be subjected to abuse or neglect, cruel, severe, or corporal punishments, punishment which subject a child to ridicule or humiliation, denial of food, rest, outdoor time or bathroom facilities.

It is very important that we be aware of your child's allergies. Especially critical are bee sting and severe food allergies. We must be provided with the proper medications and protocol for handling allergic reactions. Space is provided on the Parent/Child Information Form, but in the case of a severe allergy (or other medical condition), a conference with the director is indicated and the formulation of a health care plan may be necessary.

Medications, prescription or non-prescription, will not be administered without written permission of the parent and the signature of a health care provider. Prescriptions must be labeled by the pharmacy. Non-prescription medications must come in their original containers. In other words, if your child needs to have a Extended Day teacher administer medication, we must receive documentation specifying the name of your child, the name of the medication, the dosage, directions for administration and your signature. Forms are available on the website and at your request. Children are not allowed to be in possession of medication at Ruffin Ridley Extended Day Program. The only exception to this will be made for asthmatic children who, with written parental permission, may self-administer their medication. It is important to alert us by telephone that your child has medication that we will need to administer. Medications will be stored in areas off limits to children and should arrive at the program in containers with childproof caps. We maintain a written record of the administration of medication including the data contained in your note with the addition of the name of the staff member who administered the drug. Unused medications will be disposed of or returned to parents.

On the school's early release days, Extended Day begins earlier to accomodate the change in schedule. Caregivers should follow the usual pick-up procedure and pick up children no later than 5:45pm on early release days.

Snow Days (When School Is Canceled) / Snowy Days (Stormy Days When School Is in Session) RREDP does not operate in the event of a snowstorm or other weather-related emergency. The Public Schools of Brookline informs parents of school cancellations and delays via an automated system. WBZ AM 1030 is also a good source of information for school cancellations. In the event of an intense snowstorm that begins after the start of school, the Superintendent may issue a directive that all after school activities are canceled. If this happens, you will receive a computer generated call from his office. You or the designee named on your Parent/Child Information Form must come to pick up your child as soon as you are able, but no later than 4PM. RREDP staff will remain in the building until all children are safely in the care of a previously authorized caretaker.

As our calendar outlines, RREDP will operate on some days even though the school does not. Children may attend the program on these days from 8:00 A.M. to 5:45 P.M. Parents must register for and pay in advance for childcare on the days of full care when school is not in session holidays. Parents must also sign up their children approximately three weeks in advance for February and April Vacations so staffing and appropriate activities can be planned. Children not signed up before the deadlines expire will not be able to attend on longer and school vacation and other full day programs. Fees for these programs are not included in the regular annual tuition. The rates will be announced at the time of registration.