The Public Schools of Northborough and Southborough

SNOW DAYS AND SCHOOL CANCELLATIONS

 

School, Full Day Program, Vacation Week Closures

• If the Southborough Public Schools are closed due to weather conditions, Extended Day will be closed also. You will receive a one-call or text from the school.

 Delayed Opening

• If Southborough Public Schools delay the opening of school, the SEDP Before School Program will be closed. Afternoon sessions will be open as usual.

 

Early Dismissal

• If the Superintendent decides to dismiss school early due to severe weather, Extended Day will not be open. You will receive a phone call from the school department updating you with the new dismissal time. Extended Day staff will not be in the building. Please be sure you have an emergency back-up plan in the event you are unable to get to the school.

Should weather conditions worsen throughout the day with regular dismissal, extended day reserves the right to close early to make sure that staff and students get home safely. Families will be emailed and texted to be made aware of the early dismissal. Please develop a contingency plan for picking up your child during inclement weather should you not be able to accommodate the early dismissal.

 

PROCEDURE FOR MISSING THE DISMISSAL TIME

 

It is critical that students be picked by 6:00 PM. If there is an unavoidable emergency, please contact the Site Coordinator or site staff.

 

If a parent/guardian is late in picking up a student, staff will initiate the following procedure:

 

The Southborough Extended Day Program closes promptly at 6:00 PM each day. Please plan your commute and pick up schedule to ensure that you are able to pick up your child by this time. The Southborough Public Schools are separated by grade level, and it is important to realize that if you have children at multiple schools, it can take as long as 15 minutes to get from one school to another. With this in mind please make arrangements to arrive at your final pick-up destination by 5:55 PM to pick up your child/children and their belongings. 

 

If a 5:55PM arrival is unlikely (weather, traffic, etc.), you must contact us at: 

Finn Extended Day – 508-481-9354*

Woodward Extended Day – 508-481-4701*

Neary Extended Day - 508-480-8214*

 

*Make these numbers a favorite in your phone

 

After receiving your call, a staff member will speak with your child/children about your delay.

By 6:00 PM, children are fatigued after a long day. Additionally, children can become anxious when they are the only child remaining, and all other kids have left. Also, SEDP staff give their best to your children each day. However, they also have responsibilities and personal commitments and need to know they can end their day reliably at 6:00 PM.

 

Some helpful tips:

• When a 6:00 PM arrival is unlikely YOU MUST CONTACT SEDP.
• SEDP families should create a contingency plan for those rare emergencies when a 6:00 PM pickup is unlikely. 
• SEDP families should list a Southborough Contact to pick up in case they are not able to. For Example, grandparent, aunt, babysitter, parents of another child in the program.
• If you have not been in contact with SEDP by 6:05 PM, SEDP Staff will attempt to reach a parent by phone. 
• If you have not been in contact with SEDP by 6:15 PM or the SEDP Staff has been unable to reach you, an emergency contact person (the person/people you identified as emergency contact(s)) will be called. 
• If we are unable to reach an emergency contact and/or the SEDP Staff have not heard from you, we will attempt to reach a parent ONE FINAL TIME at 6:30 PM.  
• At 6:45 PM, the Southborough Police Department will be called to resolve the situation and for custody. Should you need to contact the Southborough Police Department to pick up your child/children from police custody, the non-emergency number is 508-485-2147.
• SEDP staff are not permitted to transport your child/children home.

          

Late Pick Up/Additional Fees Structure:

We do understand that every now and then a circumstance may arise that is beyond your control, making you late to pick up your child. Should you be late the following will happen:

 

1^st time late for the school year – late pick-up will be documented but fee will be waived. *Parents will be required to sign late pick-up slip

 

2^nd through 4^th times late for the school year:

*After School:

A $10 late fee will be assessed for the first 5 minutes between 6:00 PM and 6:05 PM From 6:05 PM-6:15 PM an additional $1.00 per minute fee will be assessed.

After 6:15PM the late fee will be increased to $5.00 for each additional minute. 

*Parents will be required to sign a late pick-up slip and will be given a copy of the pick-up policy as a reminder of the policies and fees.

**** If you have children at multiple schools and you are on time for one and late for the other, this will also count as one late day, and you will be charged accordingly at the late school. However, if you are late to both on the same day, you will be charged at both locations, but this will count as one late day for the family. 

5^th through 9^th times late for the school year: 

The late fee listed for the 2^nd through 4^th times late will be DOUBLED. 

*Parents will be required to sign late pick-up slips, and a warning letter will be sent from the Executive Director and the Business Manager informing families that are now approaching the limit and risk being dismissed from the program. 

10^th time late for the school year: 

Once your family has reached a total of 10 late picks for the school year your child/children will be dismissed from the program for the remainder of the academic year including summer camp and will be permitted to re-enroll in the fall based on availability. 

 

*Should you fail to contact SEDP by 6:05 PM and a staff member needs to contact you, a $10.00 contact fee will be imposed.

 

*Late Fees will be recorded on the following month's tuition bill, if incurred before the bill is sent. Otherwise, they will be recorded on the following month’s tuition bill. If the late fees are not paid within the billing cycle, then they will be doubled next month. If doubled late fees are not paid within the billing cycle for the first tuition bill on which they appear, the parents/guardians will be required to meet with the Executive Director and their child/children may be suspended from the program.

 

For example, if you incur late fees during the month of March, and those fees are recorded on your April tuition they will be due April 1^st. If the late fees are not paid by April 1^st, they will be doubled on your May tuition bill. The doubled late fees are not paid by May 1^st, the parents/guardians will be required to meet with the Executive Director and their child/children may be suspended from the program. 

 

HOMEWORK POLICY

 

We understand that families lead busy lives and that many families find it helpful to have their students start their homework during Extended Day.  SEDP staff are available daily to answer questions, provide supplies, and help children stay on task.  SEDP is not able to provide individual tutoring services to students, or to correct a child’s homework.  If you would like your child to work on homework during Extended Day hours, please speak with your Site Coordinator.  We will remind your child of your expectations and provide encouragement and support, but ultimately homework is the responsibility of your child.  SEDP staff cannot be responsible for ensuring completion of assignments.   Each site handles homework slightly differently.

•        Neary: 30-60 minutes of designated homework time is offered Monday-Thursday at the Neary Program, beginning at approximately 3:30.  During this time all students are working on homework, reading or doing other quiet activities.  After this period, other activity choices become available, though students are welcome to continue working on their homework for as long as they like.   

•        Woodward:  Woodward offers an optional “homework club” and provides quiet space for students to work on homework from 3:30-4:15 PM, Monday-Thursday.  Staff are available to help your children complete their homework. Please speak with the Site Coordinator directly to communicate your child’s homework status.

•        Finn:  At Finn, there is no designated homework time, but children are welcome to work on assignments at one of the tables during free play.  

 

SUMMER CAMP, VACATIONS, HOLIDAYS, EARLY DISMISSAL, AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT DAYS

 

Summer Camp

Summer Camp is offered from late June through mid-August at the Neary School. The summer program is available for students in grades K-8. Camp allows SEDP to offer enrichment opportunities that do not exist during school year programming.  Each winter a brochure and communication from the Director of SEDP will be shared so that families have the opportunity to enroll in summer camp.

School Vacations, Some Holidays, & Professional Development Days

The program will support students and families during most school vacations, most holidays, and professional development days.  An updated Extended Day Calendar will be distributed at the start of the school year and can be found on our website. 

 

Full day programming is a combination of all three of the schools with Neary as our home base for all full-day programming and Summer Camp. Correspondence for full-day programs will come via email two weeks before, and enrollment will close one week before the full-day program OR when the spaces have been filled. SPACE IS LIMITED on these days and spots will be filled on a FIRST COME FIRST SERVE basis. Full day programs will either be held in house at our Neary location OR off-site. As mentioned, pick-up and drop-off takes place at Neary on field trip days and will be our home base on days where we do not go on field trips. Due to staffing and ratio constraints, we do not offer both a field trip and on-site programming simultaneously on the same day. 

 

School Vacations supported include:

• February and April Vacations - Tuesday through Friday

 

The holidays supported include:

• Yom Kippur
• * Good Friday
• Day before Thanksgiving (AM ONLY)
• Day before December Break (AM ONLY)

 

The holidays not supported include:

• Labor Day
• Columbus Day
• Day before Thanksgiving
• Thanksgiving
• Day after Thanksgiving
• Day before Winter Break  
• Christmas Eve
• December Break
• New Years Day
• Martin Luther King Day
• President’s Day
• Patriot’s Day
• Memorial Day
• Juneteenth
• Fourth of July

 

* Day will be supported based on enrollment. 

** Election Days will be supported as determined by the Superintendent’s Office

 

Early Release Days

The program operates from the early release time to 6:00 PM.  Early Release Days include:

• Parent Teacher Conference Days
• Curriculum Night

 

* Early release days are only available to students enrolled to attend on that day. Due to staffing we are unable to accommodate additional students.

 

*Early Release Days will not include the days connected to the Thanksgiving and December holiday breaks. 

 

FIELD TRIPS

If students participate in a field trip, the staff to student ratio will not exceed 1:8. Therefore these days space is more limited than on our on-site days. Parent/guardian permission is required for all off-campus programming. The permission form will include all necessary logistical arrangements, medical/allergy information, and transportation required.  

 

Ample time will be given to the families to understand the change in programming, potential fees, and all other topics pertaining to a successful trip.  All off campus activities will require the approval of the Assistant Superintendent of Operations who will follow the District’s Field Trip Policy.

 

 

PROGRAM FEES 

Program fees are approved annually by the Southborough School Committee.  Enrollment options and fees are: 

*Includes early release day coverage

Credit is not given for snow days because those days will be made up in June. Families who qualify for free or reduced lunch are eligible for a discount. Please contact the program’s director if you meet these qualifications.

Tuition Policy

Registration:

• There is a $25.00 non-refundable registration fee per family. This fee is waived if you qualify for financial assistance.
• If your family is already enrolled in SEDP, you do not have to pay the registration fee. 
• This fee will only be for new families that do not or have not had another child enrolled. 

 

Payment Policy:

• Tuition payments are due the 1st day of each month from September until June.
• A $25.00 late payment fee will be assessed if payment is not received by the 10th of the month.
• Students whose tuition remains in arrears after 30 days are subject to removal from the program.
• Payments may be made online through ProCare or by check.
• If you use an online bill paying service through your bank, you may set us up as a payee and your bank will transmit the funds to SEDP in the form of a check. 
• Please make sure that your child’s name is included with the payment to ensure that the proper account is credited. 
• Checks or money orders are payable to Southborough Public Schools and checks may be dropped off or mailed to the Central Office:

Southborough Extended Day Program

53 Parkerville Road

Southborough, MA 01772

• A $25.00 fee will be charged for returned checks.

 

Late Payments:

• Any payments not made by the 10th of the month are subject to an automatic $25 late payment fee. 
• If tuition payment cannot be made on time for any reason, the parent/guardian must call the Finance Director to discuss the situation and payment options.
• Failure to respond and/or adhere to the options agreed upon will result in the child’s suspension from the program, which will occur on the 15th day of each month.
•  The child may return to the program once all financial obligations have been met.  A child’s space will be held for one week only.  After one week, readmission to the program will be contingent upon availability of the space.
• Families who are terminated from the program due to lack of payment forfeit their security deposit. 

 

SCHEDULE CHANGE / PROGRAM WITHDRAWAL

 

SEDP understands that families' needs can change during a school year, and we will accommodate changes with the appropriate advance notice.  Schedule change requests must be made in writing to the Director by the 20th of the month for any changes occurring in the next month. If notice is not provided by the 20th of the month, the family will be financially obligated for the current schedule through the next month. This applies to withdrawals from the program and reductions in the number of days attending.

 

SCHEDULE CHANGE FEE/STRUCTURE

Notification of reduction in schedule requires notice to the Director in writing by the 20th of the month prior.

No credits will be given for reductions made with insufficient notice.

PROGRAM WITHDRAWAL

Notification of reduction in schedule requires notice to the Director in writing by the 20th of the month prior.

No credits will be given for reductions made with insufficient notice.

 

HEALTH CARE

 

The Southborough Extended Day Program abides by health rules established by the Public Schools of Southborough.  All staff will have training in CPR, first aid, child abuse awareness, and other topics related to our student’s well-being.  

 

SEDP is staffed with a nurse daily. They are housed at one of our sites daily but are available to all three schools when needed. 

 

Public Schools of Northborough and Southborough

Illness Guidelines

(when to stay home from school and when it is okay to go back to school) 

 

Keeping our schools healthy and safe is a community effort. Please help our school communities remain as healthy as possible by following these recommendations if not feeling well.  Please consult your healthcare provider if you have any questions or concerns about symptoms or if symptoms persist. 

 

Practicing the following simple prevention strategies will help in this effort.

• Please stay home if you are ill
• Please practice proper hygiene (handwashing, cough etiquette and cleaning of surfaces)
• Please consider physical distancing, masking and steps to improve the air quality in your space while you are symptomatic.
• Please discuss immunizations with your healthcare provider.

 

When ill and wondering if you should stay home or not, please follow the recommendations in RED

 

Fever (>100.0° Fahrenheit or higher): 

• Remain home until fever free for 24 hours without fever reducing medication.

 

Respiratory Viruses ( Influenza, RSV , Covid-19) -  Respiratory virus symptoms may include runny nose, sore throat, coughing, sneezing, watery eyes, fever, malaise, and headache among others.  If symptoms are associated with a fever or they do not readily improve, please consult your healthcare provider.  Sometimes symptoms can be serious, especially for  immunocompromised individuals, infants and older adults. 

 

• Remain home for at least 24 hours and until both are true:
  • Your symptoms are getting better (and you will have the stamina to make it through the school day)
  • You have been fever free for at least 24 hours (without use of fever reducing medications)

 

When going back to normal activities, take added precaution over the next 5 days, such as taking additional strategies to decrease the spread of illness including practicing good hygiene, physical distancing, taking steps for cleaner air, wearing masks if needed, and/or testing when you will be around other people indoors.

• Keep in mind that you may still be able to spread the virus that made you sick, even if you are feeling better. You are likely to be less contagious at this time, depending on factors like how long you were sick or how sick you were.
• If you develop a fever or you start to feel worse after you have gone back to normal activities, stay home and away from others again until, for at least 24 hours, both are true: your symptoms are improving overall, and you have not had a fever (and are not using fever-reducing medication) for at least 24h. Then take added precaution for the next 5 days.

 

Persistent cough, difficulty breathing, wheezing, shortness of breath  

• If not associated with a pre-existing condition consult your healthcare provider 
  • Remain home until evaluated by a healthcare provider and the individual has the stamina to make it through the school day. 
• If associated with a pre-existing condition
  • Remain home until the individual has the stamina to make it through the school day. 

 

Sore throat -  A sore throat in conjunction with a fever, headache or stomach ache may indicate strep throat.  

• If diagnosed with strep throat, remain home until both are true:
  • a minimum of 24 hours after antibiotics have started  (105 CMR 300.200)
  • fever free for 24 hours without use of fever reducing medications 

 

Hand, foot and mouth (Coxsackie virus)- usually begins with mild fever, poor appetite, malaise, and sore throat. One or two days after the fever begins, sores develop in the mouth, usually on the tongue, gums, and inside of the cheeks. A skin rash, usually located on the palms of the hands and soles of the feet, with flat or raised red spots and sometimes blisters, develops over 1–2 days.  Individuals may attend school with the rash; there is no need to exclude anyone who is feeling well enough to attend school.

• Remain home until fever free for 24 hours without use of fever reducing medications and the individual has the stamina to make it through the school day.

 

Conjunctivitis (pink eye) – Some signs and symptoms of conjunctivitis are when the white part of the eye is red; eyes are itchy and produce a yellow or green crusty discharge. If suspected, contact your physician.   If conjunctivitis is suspected while your child is at school, you may be asked to pick up your child so as to decrease the potential spread.

• Remain home until 24 hours after antibiotic treatment starts or when cleared by a healthcare provider (if no antibiotic treatment is needed). 

 

Rash – A rash is usually a symptom of an underlying condition or disorder; a rash can be caused by a viral illness or an exposure to an irritant.  

• Remain home for any unusual rashes or a rash associated with a fever and contact your healthcare provider.  

 

Vomiting and Diarrhea – There are many causes for vomiting and diarrhea, viruses being one. Take extra care with handwashing on return to school, especially after using the bathroom. 

• Remain home until symptom free for 12 to 24 hours and  at least two regular meals have been consumed without symptoms returning.  

 

 

The staff are required to follow the established protocols for dismissal from school as the result of an illness. These protocols will be applied to the SEDP program.  To provide for the safety and health of all students, we request that families provide for pick-up as soon as possible if a student is ill and unable to participate in the program. If your sick student is sent home during the regular school day, they may not return that same day to attend the program.

 

ADMINISTRATION OF MEDICATION

 

If your student has any health concerns, it is essential that the Program Director/Site Coordinator is aware.  Please complete the medical forms with accurate health information (i.e. allergies, life threatening allergies, asthma, seizures, diabetes, anxiety etc). All staff are trained in life threatening allergies and epinephrine auto injector administration.  Epinephrine autoinjectors are the only medication SEDP staff is able to administer. If your student will need prescription or OTC medication while at SEDP, please contact (your school nurse or) Mary Ellen Duggan to develop a plan.

 

ACCIDENT/EMERGENCY PROCEDURES

 

Medical Emergency

In the event of an accident or sudden illness, the Director or site coordinator in charge may take any of the following steps as appropriate:

1. Contact the student’s parents to arrange for treatment or transportation.
2. If a parent cannot be reached, contact the person listed on the “Emergency Information” form.
3. Contact the local ambulance service for transportation to a local hospital.
4. A staff member will accompany the student and bring the student’s health information.

 

In all cases, an “Accident/Illness” report will be completed with a copy for parents, school administration, and school nurse for proper processing.

 

Non-medical Emergency

The Public Schools of Northborough and Southborough places school safety and preparedness

as its highest priority.  The District takes a comprehensive approach to school safety by

focusing on prevention, education, safe school facilities, and school disaster management. At

the foundation of this approach is a belief that school safety and preparedness centers upon

programs, policies, and practices that improve school safety and climate, focus on the school

environment, and enhance educational and other outcomes for students and schools.

 

This work requires a community effort and collaboration with safety officials, mental health care

organizations, families and guardians, town officials, and citizens. Our District partners with

Northborough and Southborough safety officials and participates in emergency management

training and workshops offered at the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education

(DESE), federal, state, and local levels. Our protocols and practices are based on research and

recommendations from safety officials at multiple levels. We all play a role in ensuring students

attending The Public Schools of Southborough are socially, emotionally, and physically safe.