FOREWORD

 

Dear Parents and Guardians:

Welcome to the After School Program of PAN AMERICAN - The International School of Porto Alegre!

This handbook is designed to give parents and guardians a helpful insight into the After School Program offered by Pan American. It includes detailed information about After School Program activities, procedures, and policies. Please read this handbook carefully and keep it in a safe place for easy reference during the school year. The After School Program strives to provide an atmosphere where children can enjoy, grow, and learn. The staff always welcomes suggestions and ideas that will help us to make your child’s time at the After School Program beneficial and rewarding. We encourage you to share your thoughts and ideas with us at any time. The children benefit greatly from the many special qualities contributed to the After School Program by so many wonderful and caring people

 

Best Regards,

After School Program Team

 

THE AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM INFORMATION

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The After School Program team is based at the Physical and Health Education Office - Sports Gym. PAS POA´s João Obino site at Av. João Obino, 110.

 

For concerns about your child and/ or questions about schedule, calendar, tuition, policies or staffing, please call the Program Director Daniel Brauner at 3334.5866 Extension 232.

 

THE HUSKY SPIRIT

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Welcome to the Husky family! From now on we encourage you to embrace our school ́s spirit and push forward as a community to lead the way.

Our mascot is symbolic for us. Means resilience, teamwork. Represents the power of embracing changes; to face the challenges and overcome difficulties, whilst staying connected to your loved ones.

The journey can be long and exhausting, or quick and easy, but you should always be ready to make the journey worthwhile.

The Husky spirit also speaks about making the best choices so that you can have the best experiences. Doing this will also help you resolve conflicts and overcome hardships.

We invite you to live PAS POA Huskies ́ community and enjoy the journey.

Huskies, raised by wolves

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ATHLETIC DIRECTOR MESSAGE                           

 

Dear Husky family, 

 

We are very proud to launch the New After School Program in our school. The present Parent Handbook is an important tool for understanding all procedures and rules in order to build a safe, organized and healthy environment for our students to develop their physical, cognitive, social and artistic skills.

 

We encourage participation in the After School Program because it provides PAS POA students important life lessons, such as teamwork, self-discipline, and commitment; improving their learning profile as a whole. 

 

We also believe that the After School activities can help promote academic success, supporting our students’ development as a complement to the formal IB curriculum. 

 

We offer athletic opportunities for students from Preschool through Secondary School. This includes four different team sports, competing in local

and International Schools Sports Leagues, such as the ISSL. Through these opportunities, our students can find an environment where they can apply their personal talents and skills as our school continues to grow its athletic tradition. 

 

With regards to arts, music and other activities, we have many options for students who want to excel their talents in many different areas.
 
Our community has high standards with regards to quality, conduct and academic achievements and we see the After School Program as an extension of these core values. 

 

GO HUSKIES!!

 

Daniel Brauner

Athletic Director

                  

 

MISSION STATEMENT

 

The goal of the After School Program (ASP) is to provide high-quality and diverse activities that help PAS POA achieve its mission of inspiring global, life-long learners to build their future. The activities offered aim to develop children’s physical, cognitive, social and artistic skills.

 

O objetivo do After School Program (ASP) é oferecer atividades qualificadas e diversificadas, contribuindo assim com a missão da PAS POA de inspirar seus alunos a construírem seu futuro como aprendizes globais por toda sua vida. As atividades oferecidas visam ao desenvolvimento físico, cognitivo, social e artístico.

 

THE AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM

 

The After School Program has been in operation for 13 years now, and our main goal is to provide a good service and a safe environment for the School community. The program uses most of the School areas, including the Gym, Side court, Rooftop, Cafeteria, Kitchen, Classrooms, Science Lab and others. Our partners Grêmio Náutico União and PUCRS are other locations used by the School Teams practices (suspended temporarily due to COVID-19).

Our amazing STAFF is comprised of college students, qualified child providers, and assistants.

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ADMISSION PROCEDURES

 

The After School enrollments will be made at the beginning of the semester. This is done by filling up an enrollment form on the ASP Website. The enrollment form link will also be shared via Bloomz. Enrollments will be accepted at any time during the semester, depending on the availability of vacancies in the specific activity.  

If maximum enrollment in one specific activity is exceeded, all who apply by the deadline will participate in a randomized selection (draw). After the draw, the remaining students (who did not get the vacancy in the class) will be added to a waiting list and contacted as soon as more vacancies become available or another class of the same activity is created.  

 Once a student is admitted to an After School Program activity, the student is guaranteed a place in the chosen activity until the end of the semester.  Any changes requested by the family once the places are confirmed will be analyzed and a decision will be made according to the availability of vacancies in that particular activity.  

 

Waiting List: 

A waiting list will be created once an activity reaches its maximum capacity. Depending on the size of a waiting list, the space availability and other specific needs for each activity, the ASP may create an extra class of a particular activity. 

All students in the waiting list will be contacted once there are vacancy openings.

All enrollment requests must be made through the online form sent via Bloomz or available on the ASP website. 

*Students that wish to participate in the School Teams also need to complete the enrollment process through the website. Otherwise, they will not have a guaranteed place in the teams. The School Teams has a fixed price and once enrolled the student can play all sports offered, paying only one fee.  

 

ENROLLMENT CANCELATION

 

The enrollment for any activity is done for the semester and each activity requires a minimum number of students in order to take place. Therefore, any cancellation done after an activity is confirmed may result in the cancelation of the activity for all other students enrolled. 

 For example: an activity that requires a minimum of five students and has only five students enrolled. If one of the students cancels participation, the activity may be canceled for the whole group for the remainder of the semester. 

 

NOTE: It is your responsibility to cancel your child’s enrollment in any activity by formally notifying us via e-mail (asp@panamerican.com.br) 30 days in advance. For example: if a parent sends an email canceling his/her child´s enrollment on April 20th, he will be charged for that specific activity until May 20th (30 days later). 

Any new enrollment made after the beginning of the semester or after the beginning of a month will be charged proportionally according to the number of days attended in this activity. 

EXPERIMENTAL CLASSES: each student will have the chance to use their first two classes to try the activities, without being charged the whole monthly fee. In case of a withdrawal in the first or second class, the monthly fee of the specific activity will be charged proportionally. Once the student attends the third class, the full price of the activity will be charged.

 

SCHEDULE CHANGES 

 

Although every effort will be made to accommodate schedule changes, any modification in a child’s attendance at the After School Program is subject to availability. Fees will not be refunded due to a child’s absence or withdrawal from the Program. Written notice of any schedule change should be submitted to the Program Director or ASP Team in advance.

 

COMMUNICATION - BLOOMZ

 

The school utilizes Bloomz as the official tool to facilitate communication between parents and staff. A week after the child’s enrollment in the ASP, parents will receive an invitation to participate in the Bloomz group of that specific ASP activity. 

We will also be sharing news, pictures, videos, tournament information, presentations and any other announcements made by the teachers of each specific activity via Bloomz and ASP website.
 

TUITION 

 

The After School Program tuition is charged monthly along with the School’s invoice. Please note that each activity has its own fee that will be specified in the enrollment form. 

Our Middle-school and High-school sports teams have only one flat fee, that allows the student-athletes to play all team sports (Futsal, soccer, basketball and volleyball) and represent PAS POA in games and tournaments. 

For a breakdown of all costs and fees for each activity, please check the ASP website and the enrollment forms.

 

SCHOOL HOLIDAYS & HALF-DAYS

 

On half-days, when the school closes at 12:00 p.m. for Teacher Professional Development Day, the After School Program will be canceled. 

Activities will be canceled during public holidays and the school vacation period when our school is closed.

 

RAINY DAYS

 

On rainy days, the activities that take place on the Rooftop will take place at the School´s Gymnasium or any other indoor area.

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PROGRAM SCHEDULE

 

Activities are offered at three different time blocks at João Obino. The first block is from 3:30 p.m. to 4:15 p.m. , the second from 4:15 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. and the third block from 5:00 p.m. to 5:45 p.m.

Elementary students will be dismissed from curricular class at 3:00 p.m. and have snack at the cafeteria, where will meet our ASP Team and workshop teachers from 3:00p.m. to 3:25 p.m.

Secondary students will be dismissed from curricular class at 3:25 p.m, and have snack at the cafeteria, where will meet our ASP Team and workshop teachers from 3:25 p.m. to 3:45 p.m.

 

ATTENDANCE PROCEDURES

 

The safety of each child is paramount to the staff of the After School Program. If a child is not attending the After School Program as scheduled, it is essential that the parents send a message to ASP via Bloomz to report the child’s absence. To avoid miscommunication, please be sure to inform the After School Program staff whenever there is an absence.

 

EXTENDED DAY ACTIVITIES

 

The extended day activities is a new service that provides families with the opportunity to have their kids remain at school supervised from 3 p.m. to 5:45 p.m. after the end of curricular classes. This service features unstructured indoor and outdoor activities aimed at promoting social and emotional well-being through student’s choice and safe, respectful interactions with their peers. This service is available from Monday to Friday, except on the online day. 

The Extended Day service is a good option for students who need to stay at school and do not wish to join the workshops or school teams offered on a specific day(s). 

The scope of outdoor activities involves fun, recreational, cooperative and free activities, using our rooftop area and sometimes the gym. Indoor activities involve reading/storytelling, homework/study time, free drawing, dance/rhythmic activities, rest, and board games

In this service, parents may pick up their children at their convenience, without any formal dismissal time. For that reason, is important to emphasize that the student will be called via radio and may take a few minutes to arrive at the front door. 

 

PICK UP PROCEDURES

 

In our new ASP PILOT 2021, parents can pick up their children at their convenience. From 3:30 p.m.  to 5:45 p.m. Extended Day Activities and Workshops will be available for the families to enroll their students. 

After our third period is over, parents will have a maximum of 15 minutes to pick up their child, from 5:45 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

 At the end of each ASP period, the teacher responsible for the activity will escort the students who are leaving school to the School´s reception hall to wait for their parents. If the child has another activity in the next period, she/he must go straight to the area/classroom where the activity will take place (to be informed by the ASP team during snack time).

Children will not be allowed to leave the After School Program unattended. 

Children will not be allowed to leave the school premises with anyone other than a parent, guardian, or person listed on the child’s permission form unless the child’s parent notifies the After School Program prior to pick-up time. 

 

LATE PICK UP POLICIES

 

The After School Program closes at 5:45 p.m. at João Obino site .

We kindly ask parents to arrive at least five minutes before closing time, in order to allow the children enough time to tidy up and gather their belongings. If the parent is running late to pick up the student, please inform the ASP Team or to the PAS POA site´s receptionists by telephone, in order that a staff member can speak to the child about the delay. 

If the student has ASP class only in the first period (from 3:30 p.m to 4:20 p.m), parents must pick up the child until 4:30 p.m. It is not allowed for any child to remain alone or without any supervision in the reception hall. The same rule is applied for the second period (from 4:20 p.m to 5:00 p.m) where the pick-up must be until 5:10 p.m. In case a parent is more than 10 minutes late the student will be sent to the Extended Day Activities and this service will be charged for that specific day. 

NOTE: In case of recurrences in the late pick up of a particular student, the family will be notified by the ASP Program and the student may be removed from participating in that ASP activity. 

 

SPORTS UNIFORMS & CLOTHING REQUIREMENTS

 

Students should wear appropriate clothing to participate in the After School Program activities. Some classes require specific clothing (shoes or shirts) such as Gymnastics and Roller Skating. If the student is enrolled in any of these activities, the parents or guardians should contact the teacher in charge of the activity for more information about the requirements of special equipment. 

In 2021-22 school year, Huskies Sports Uniforms will be available for purchase by all PAS POA community members. A form will be shared via Bloomz and ASP website and will be available at any time during the year for placing orders. Families will be able to choose colors, styles and sizes for shirts, shorts, and hoodies from our Huskies sports gear through this form. 

Orders placed until the 10th day of each month will be delivered 30 days later. For example: if an order for sports uniforms is placed on August 9th, it will be delivered until September 9th and should be picked up at the school´s reception with Ms.  Natália (Obino site). The cost will be charged in the school´s tuition invoice of the month when placed the order.

NOTE: After School Program sportswear will be accepted as an OFFICIAL UNIFORM from PAS POA for either regular classes in the curriculum or After School Program activities. 

 

SNACKS

 

At João Obino students are released from school hours at 3:00 p.m. (Elementary) and 3:25 p.m. (Secondary) and are escorted directly to the Cafeteria where they have an afternoon snack. Students can bring their own snacks from home or purchase a snack offered by our food supplier at the Cafeteria. The snack is offered at a cost stipulated by the company itself. The value of the snack is included in the school's monthly invoice.

   After snack time, all students are taken to their respective activities by their teachers and under the supervision of ASP assistants.

 

HEALTH POLICY

 

If a child becomes ill or injured while attending the After School Program, a parent or emergency contact person will be notified as soon as possible. 

Children who attend the After School Program should be well enough to follow the normal routine of the Program, and the School´s COVID-19 Safety and Health protocols. If the student missed the curricular class due to any health issues, illness, or COVID-19 symptoms, he/she must not attend the ASP activities on that specific day. 

Any medical or special health conditions should be notified to the ASP Team in advance, so the situation can be addressed with the school´s nurses.

Regarding the safety procedures in the daily activities of the ASP, it is important to emphasize that social distancing will be respected at all times, and students and teachers must be wearing masks all the time. 

The nurse team will be available Monday to Friday from 3:00 p.m to 6:00 p.m to support our ASP.

Health Policy 2021/2022 (ENG) I Política de Saúde 2021/2022 (POR)

For any further questions regarding our Health and Safety policies and procedures, please contact our nurse office at 51- 98600.5851 (Ms. Ana Ripoll).

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EMERGENCY DISMISSAL PROCEDURES

 

Whenever a child is discharged early from a class during the regular classes hours on the day of an After School Program activity, please make sure to contact the ASP Team. We count on the family’s collaboration in that sense, in order to prevent any confusion with regards to a student’s attendance.

 

Please report any changes in emergency contact information, employment, 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 in order to facilitate communication with parents or guardians in emergency situations.

In the event of an accident or acute illness, every effort will be made to notify the child’s parents and physician prior to treatment. If a situation requires immediate attention the medical services will be called and the child will be transported to the hospital by ambulance.

 

BEHAVIOR MANAGEMENT POLICY

 

The After School Program is a privilege extended to the students that display good behavior in regular classes in the curriculum. Therefore, the same good behavior is expected in extra-curricular activities.

The children and staff of the After School Program are asked to treat each other with respect, tolerance, kindness, and consideration. The rules and behavior expectations applied by the After School Program will be explained to the students clearly and reinforced in a consistent manner. Students 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 it for a short period of time. Any bullying, or situations where participants purposely exclude other students will not be allowed. 

When a child is disruptive or needs time to regain self-control, he/she will be removed from the group for a while. After a time out, the ASP staff and child will discuss behavior options before returning to the group. Under no circumstances will a child be subjected to neglect, physical punishment, verbal abuse, or denial of restroom facilities. Parents will be notified if a child exhibits unusual emotional or physical behavior that threatens the wellbeing of the child or others in the After School Program. 

If a child has specific behavior issues, every effort will be made to implement a behavior management program consistent with efforts being made at the child’s home and school. If a child’s behavior indicates that the program is not able to meet his/her needs, the Program Director will contact the child’s parents to decide what will be the best solution to the situation. 

The Program Director can decide on a suspension depending on the gravity of the behavioral issue. Parents will be notified about the suspension via e-mail and by phone. Once suspended, in case of recurrence the student may be removed from the ASP Program. 

 A parent or staff member may also request a meeting. With the parent’s permission, school staff, and other professionals providing services to the child may be asked to attend the meeting. If the Program Director understands that the Program cannot accommodate the needs of the child, or if the objectives established for the child are not met, the Program Director reserves the right to terminate the child’s participation in the Program. In this case, the family will be notified two weeks in advance, in order to allow the family to reorganize their weekly routine.

 

COMMUNICATION

 

The After School Program maintains an open door policy. Please feel free to direct questions or concerns related to any aspect of the After School Program to the Program Director at any time.

Any questions regarding tuition, policies, staffing, activities, or a child’s participation in the program may be directed to the Program Director by e-mail at dbrauner@panamerican.com.br or the ASP team by e-mail at asp@panamerican.com.br or Bloomz.

Important information about the After School Program (dates, enrollment information, friendly games, tournaments, presentations, holidays, teacher absences, students behavior) will be sent preferably by Bloomz and ASP website. 

IMPORTANT: According to our School´s policy, it is not allowed to use any other communication tools (WhatsApp, phone message, etc.) to contact teachers or families.

The ASP Assistant or Program Director will be available to answer all other questions that may arise. Please feel free to call us at any time at 51 3334-5866 extension 232. 

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ACTIVITIES OFFERED AT JOÃO OBINO SITE/ MAIN CAMPUS

 ASP PILOT 2021

 

SPORTS:

• Futsal 

• Gymnastics

• Basketball

• Volleyball

• Roller Skating 

• Karate

 

MUSIC, ARTS & OTHERS:

• Piano

• Guitar 

• Dance

• Handcraft

• Robotics

• Games & Programming

• Extended Day Activities