Thank you for allowing your child to participate in the Clark Sports Center Afterschool Program! We are excited to provide a safe, positive, and engaging environment where students can learn, grow, and have fun. To help ensure a successful and safe experience for everyone, we ask that you review the following expectations and safety procedures with your child.
Our Shared Expectations for Students
We encourage students to:
- Treat staff, fellow participants, and Clark Sports Center property with kindness and respect.
- Follow staff guidance and program expectations.
- Use positive language and demonstrate good sportsmanship and teamwork.
- Participate in activities and be respectful of others’ participation and interests.
- Keep their hands, feet, and personal belongings to themselves.
- Help care for shared spaces by cleaning up after activities.
- Stay with their assigned group and communicate with staff when assistance is needed.
Our staff is committed to helping children develop confidence, responsibility, and strong social skills while creating a welcoming and responsible environment for everyone.
Keeping Students Safe
The safety and well-being of every child in our program is our highest priority. We appreciate your partnership in helping us maintain consistent safety practices throughout the afternoon.
To support a safe experience:
- Students are expected to walk when traveling through the building or on Clark Sports Center grounds. Feel free to run and be active when it is appropriate for the activity or program.
- Students remain under staff supervision until they are properly dismissed.
- Children who walk or bike home must have written parent or guardian permission on file.
- To ensure student safety and accountability, we ask that parents and guardians do not pick up students along the walking route between school and the Clark Sports Center.
- Please notify program staff of any changes to transportation or dismissal plans before dismissal whenever possible.
- Only individuals listed as authorized pick-up contacts may pick up a child. Identification may be requested when necessary.
- Keeping emergency contacts and authorized pick-up information up to date helps us care for your child effectively and safely.
For questions or changes to dismissal arrangements, please contact Heather Henderson at (607) 547-2800 ext. 108.
How Families Can Support a Positive Program Experience
Families play an important role in helping children have a successful after-school experience. We appreciate your support in:
- Arranging for students to be picked up by 6:00 PM. The Afterschool Program operates Monday through Friday from 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM, when school is in session.
- Keeping emergency and authorized pick-up information current.
- Communicating transportation or pick-up changes with staff.
- Sharing questions, concerns, or information that may help us better support your child.
- Encouraging respectful behavior and positive interactions both at home and within the program.
- Using the designated parking lot during pick-up times. To help maintain a safe and efficient traffic flow for all visitors and members, parking in the circle is not permitted.
Supporting Positive Choices and Growth
Our goal is to help students learn, grow, and develop positive decision-making skills. When challenges arise, we view them as opportunities for learning and working with students in a supportive, age-appropriate manner.
Depending on the situation, staff may use:
- Gentle reminders and redirection
- Reflection and problem-solving conversations
- Communication with parents or guardians
- Temporary loss of privileges when appropriate
- Meetings with families and program administration for recurring or significant concerns
When concerns arise, we are committed to partnering with families to identify solutions and support each child’s success.
Thank You for Your Partnership
Thank you for the trust you have in our team. We are excited for the year ahead and look forward to building positive relationships with both students and families. Together, we can create an afterschool experience where every child feels welcomed, supported, challenged, and encouraged to thrive.
If you have any questions, please contact Heather Henderson at (607) 547-2800 ext. 108.
We look forward to a wonderful year together.
Sincerely,
Heather Henderson
Director of Afterschool Programming and Bowling Operations
Clark Sports Center