Program Details
Kidventure has provided after school programs since 2002! Patterned after our summer camp program, the Finale After School Program provides a safe, wholesome, and fun environment during the school year. Curriculum will include homework assistance, arts and crafts, science, and indoor and outdoor games.
Finale Staff
The most important part of your child’s after school experience is our staff. We pride ourselves on selecting experienced, active and caring individuals for our programs. We require the following of all our counselors:
- First Aid and CPR Certification
- Virtus (Sexual Abuse Awareness) Certification
- Extensive Background Check
- Adults Age 18 or Older
- Wear Professional Finale Uniform Daily
- Attendance at Ongoing Trainings
In addition to our counselors that are counted “in ratio” (1 counselor per 10 children for 1st-8th grade, and 1:8 for Early Childhood), we have a Lead Counselor that maintains day-to-day operations at each Finale After School location. Furthermore, the After School Program Coordinator, Rachel Plympton, creates the program curriculum, ensures that all supplies are on site, and is ultimately responsible for the successful operation of Finale.
Our staff is committed to your children and encourages you to offer your comments, compliments and suggestions.
Contacting Finale Staff
You may call the Finale program coordinator, Rachel Plympton, at 832.967.7517 who can then relay any necessary information to Finale staff members at your child’s school. You may also email Rachel at rachel [at] kidventure.com. For time-sensitive communications, please call.
Pick Up Procedures
When is pick up?
You may pick up any time during Finale After School normal operating hours.
Where will my child be?
| Child’s Age and School | Pick Up Location |
|---|---|
| Regis EC – K | Spanish Room, Lower School |
| Regis Grades 1-8 | Kidventure Room, Lower School |
| St. Michael EC – K | K Room |
| St. Michael Grades 1-8 | Cafeteria |
| St. Theresa EC – K | Pre-K Room |
| St. Theresa Grades 1-8 | Community Center |
What if I’m running late?
A $1 per minute late fee will be charged after 6:00 pm, payable directly to the Finale staff members that have remained with your child. Finale staff will never leave a child unattended.
Who can pick up my child?
Parents and legal guardians are authorized to pick up their child. Persons listed on your child’s registration form as additionally authorized will also be able to pick up your child. Please be prepared to show ID to Finale After School staff to ensure the safe release of your child.
If it is necessary for someone not listed on your registration form to pick up your child, please alert the Program Coordinator, Rachel, in advance so they can be added to your list of authorized pick-up persons. Finale After School staff will need to know the name of the person who will be picking up your child, and will need to see their ID at pick-up.
Finale: Encore!
What is it?
We are excited to bring Encore! to Finale. These once-a-week clubs are an added benefit for the children and families of the school. Encore! is open to Finale After School participants as well as non-participants throughout the school interested in simply attending Encore! offerings weekly.
What is included?
You have multiple Encore! club options, below.
Power ATA Karate: Offered at St. Michael and St. Theresa (Fall 2011, Spring 2012)
For the program price, students will receive:
- Weekly Instruction from Power ATA Martial Arts instructors who are CPR and First Aid Certified, have undergone background checks, and have taught 300+ hours of martial arts classes. Credentials have been verified by Kidventure and a copy is kept on file at our main office.
- Karate Uniform
- Pair of Nunchucks (end of semester)
- Opportunity to test for Orange Belt (end of semester)
“You’re a Star” Dance: Offered at St. Michael and St. Theresa (Spring 2012)
For the program price, students will receive:
- Weekly Instruction from “You’re a Star” Dance instructors
- Spring Costume
- T-Shirt
- End-of-semester performance
How does it work?
Finale After School participants enrolled in Encore! will be dismissed from school to Finale, and will return to Finale after their Encore! class. This will not disrupt pick-up deadlines. Encore!-only participants will be dismissed to Finale on Encore! days and will be provided with a snack prior to participation in the class. For Encore!-only participants, pick-up after 5:00 pm will result in the daily rate charge, where available (monthly rate charge where not available).
Your child must wear their Karate uniform to each class. They may wear their school uniform underneath, or bring more comfortable clothes to wear underneath.
Please note that Encore! instructors will never be left alone with children. Encore! instructors will lead the weekly classes and Finale After School staff will be there to assist in any way necessary.
When is it?
| Child’s School | Power ATA Karate | “You’re a Star” Dance |
|---|---|---|
| St. Michael | Mondays, 3:00 – 5:00 pm | Wednesdays, 2:00 – 4:00 pm |
| St. Theresa | Wednesdays, 3:00 – 5:00 pm | Mondays, 3:00 – 5:00 pm |
Encore! is not available at The Regis School at this time.
Parent Visitation
Parents are welcome to visit the Finale program at any time during normal hours without prior notice or approval to observe their child, observe the operation and/or program activities.
Discipline and Conduct
We understand that children are tired after a long day of school, but the same courtesy and respect practiced throughout the day should remain consistent in the After School Program. Kidventure’s disciplinary action is a three strike system, which is age appropriate.
Strike 1: Warning, Explanation of Possible Consequence.
Strike 2: Consequence.
- Time out of 1 minute per age, sentences, sit out of activity, etc.
- Explanation of parent call if rule broken again.
Strike 3: Call Home.
We work closely with the school and principal when handling discipline and conduct issues, in order to coordinate and universally enforce the same standards for and expectations of all students.
Medication
If your child will be taking medications of any kind* during Finale, you must complete and submit a Finale After School Medical Dosage Form. The form must be submitted to the Lead Counselor on-site with the medication in its original container before medication can be dispensed. This includes over-the-counter medicines to be taken as needed, such as Tylenol or Benadryl.
All medications will be dispensed only by the Lead Counselor per doctor instructions and your instructions.
*Kidventure does not administer shots. If your child needs medication or insulin injections during Finale After School, you or another authorized party must come to the school to administer them when needed. We will aid in checking blood levels with retractable needles.
Monthly Communications
In order to communicate with you about your child’s activities at Finale, we publish a monthly newsletter. It contains each day’s activities, special notes, schedule disruptions, any changes in policies, and other pertinent information. Printed copies of each month’s newsletter are available on-site. They will also be posted on this website.
Emergency Procedures
In the event of severe weather or any other potentially threatening situation, Finale will make every effort to notify you immediately regarding your child(ren)‘s safety. Please ensure all contact information you provide us with is correct and up-to-date. If cancellation of Finale After School owing to these circumstances becomes necessary, we will announce any cancellations in conjunction with the school via email.
Sick Children at Finale
From time to time, children may become ill or may not feel well. We maintain a designated First Aid/Sick Station where the sick child will be isolated from the other children and allowed to rest. If your child is sick, we will notify you, and in some cases we will ask you to pick up your child.
Medical Emergencies
All Finale staff members are First Aid and CPR certified and will follow appropriate protocol according to the Kidventure Emergency Operations Plan and their First Aid and CPR Certifications. Parents will be notified by phone immediately of major medical incidents. Minor injuries and incidents will be communicated to parents either by phone or upon pick up.
Texas Dept. of Family and Protective Services Certification
Kidventure’s Finale After School program is licensed by the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) as a Before and After School Program. We adhere to the Minimum Standards set forth by DFPS, which outline all minimum standards that Before and After School programs must follow. We are also subject to random inspections throughout the year by DFPS. Parents are welcome to review the Minimum Standards for School Age and Before or After School Programs here. A copy is also available at all Finale After School sites for parents to review. You may also view a copy of Finale After School’s most recent inspection report on-site.
Note: The Finale After School Program at The Regis School and St. Michael Catholic School are exempt from licensing through the Department of Family and Protective Services. The exemption falls under Human Resources Code Sec. 42.041.7.
Local Licensing Office
Texas Dept. of Family and Protective Services
2221 W. Loop S.
Houston, TX 77027
Phone: 713.940.3009
Fax: 713.928.7644
Child Abuse Hotline: 800.252.5400
Snack
Finale After School provides a snack and drink to every child every day. Snacks are purchased through Labatt Food Services and are peanut and peanut byproduct free.
Discouraged Items
Computers and calculators are allowed in the After School Program for purposes of completing homework. However, we strongly discourage the possession of Nintendo DS, cell phones, iPods and any similar electronic devices not used for educational purposes.
Clothing
Children can bring a change of clothes for athletics and games.