Elementary Performing Arts Summer Camp (EPASC)
Parent Handbook
Jennette Knoblauch – Elementary Performing Arts Summer Camp Director
info.epasc@gmail.com
We are so excited to share the Elementary Performing Arts Summer Camp (EFASC) with your child. Thank you for entrusting your child to our certified, caring, and dedicated staff, we look forward to the opportunity to share the performing arts this summer.
This manual is intended to provide you with information about the Elementary Performing Arts Summer Camp and will help us to deliver the best possible experience for your child.
OUR CAMP
EPASC is a performing arts summer camp, funded by patrons and grants, in order to provide First Coast children with access to the performing arts. Our staff are experts in music, dance, puppetry and public speaking.
Our dedicated, caring, and experienced teachers provide proper student supervision while offering engaging and stimulating activities that have an appropriate balance between skill development and social activities.
After drop-off, students will walk to their classroom and rotate through various performing arts classes.
SUMMER CAMP DIRECTOR
The summer camp director oversees the operations of the Elementary Performing Arts Summer Camp and communicates with the parents and staff.
SUMMER CAMP STAFF
EPASC staff consist of responsible, caring, and experienced adults currently employed by, or retired from, St. Johns County Public Schools who enjoy the company of children and who can provide the support and guidance your child needs when away from home. Your children will have the comfort and security of knowing they will see the same warm smiles greet them on a daily basis. Welcoming with words of encouragement, our teachers are dedicated to ensuring that your child’s time in our program is fun, safe, and creatively stimulating. The camp staff reports directly to the camp director.
SCHEDULE AND HOURS OF OPERATION Office Hours
Operating hours for the Elementary Performing Arts Summer Camp are:
Monday to Thursday 8:00 am to 12:00 pm, M-Th, no Fridays.
TRANSPORTATION
Transportation is not provided for the Elementary Performing Arts Summer Camp unless specifically noted on the registration page. If transportation is not offered, it is the responsibility of the parent/caregiver to provide for transportation.
DROP-OFF AND PICK-UP PROCEDURES
Drop-off
Children may be dropped off between 7:45 am and 8:00 am. Please enter the bus loop and a care provider will greet the child as they exit the car - cars are not allowed to park in the bus loop at any time of the day.
Pick-up
Children will be picked up from the bus loop by 12:15 p.m. at the latest.
Please download the Remind App and use the code provided for you in the email.
Once on campus, stay in your car and enter the pick-up line located in the bus loop - cars are not allowed to park in the bus loop at any time of the day.
Children must be signed out and picked up by an adult on their approved pick-up list. Please inform all parties on your approved list to provide a picture ID at pick-up. Students will not be released to minors, those not on the list, or those who cannot provide ID. Additions or changes to the student’s approved pick-up list must be made prior to pick-up time via email or the Remind App to the EPASC Director, info.epasc@gmail.com
*Please remember message via the Remind App to the director with any dismissal changes.
DISMISSAL / TRANSPORTATION CHANGES
It is the parent’s responsibility to notify BOTH, the Front Office AND the Summer Camp Director of any transportation changes that occur once the camp day has started. It is VERY IMPORTANT that you email/message the Summer Camp Director NO LATER THAN 11:30 am. Having as much notice as possible ensures your child’s safety.
Children will not be allowed to change transportation on their word and will not be allowed to call parents to change transportation during the camp day or at dismissal.
LATE PICK-UP POLICY
Late pick-up should be avoided. Each day, children should be signed out and picked up no later than 12:15 pm. Parents must make sure to have emergency back-up in case of delays due to traffic, emergencies, or other unexpected situations. If you are concerned that you will be running late, please call 904-624-1485 or message via Remind to let us know of your preferred alternative pick-up plans.
Anyone picking up after 12:30 pm will be asked to sign a late pick-up sheet. If tardiness becomes chronic (2 times), we will provide a warning and if the practice continues, your child will be subject to disenrollment.
SNACKS
Snacks are not provided for all summer camp children.
PICTURES
Occasionally, EPASC staff may photograph children during program activities and share those special moments with their parents via email, and with the SJCSD community through our school Newsletter and/or website. We can exempt children from summer camp pictures upon parent request. Please follow us on Facebook and Instagram to celebrate the great things happening at camp!
PERSONAL ITEMS
The EPASC maintains an extensive supply of materials for student use during care time. We strongly encourage students to not bring excessive personal items unless they are for programing purposes. EFASC is NOT responsible for any personal items lost during program hours.
REGISTRATION
Registration for EPASC consists of four steps: 1) Completion of the online enrollment form and submission of camp payment; 2) Acceptance of the expectations set forth in the parent handbook; 3) Completion of the Medical Form; 4) Joining the group via the Remind App.
COMMUNICATION
The best form of communication with the EPASC Director is via email or Remind App. Full contact information is listed below.
7:00 am – 1:30 pm
info.epasc@gmailc.com
Please keep in mind that camp staff attend to multiple duties throughout the day and an immediate response to your email or phone call may not be possible. If you have an emergency, please call 904-624-1485 and the EPASC director will get back to you as soon as possible.
ACCIDENTS / ILLNESSES
The safety of your child is the number one priority to us. Children should report all injuries or illness symptoms to EPASC staff. If a child is injured, the staff will administer simple first aid and send home a brief report describing the situation. In the event of a serious accident or illness, if camp staff is unable to reach the parents, they will contact the physician indicated during school registration and follow his/her instructions. If it is impossible to contact this physician, then camp staff may make whatever arrangements necessary to provide care and treatment for the child. In case of an accident or serious illness where immediate treatment is not indicated but where the child is unable to remain on campus, camp staff will contact parents to arrange for transportation. If our staff is unable to reach parents, they will contact one of the persons listed on the registration form and request them to come to the school and pick up the child.
DISCIPLINE
It is our policy to treat our children with love and respect. To accomplish this goal, we always employ positive reinforcement first, and redirection when needed. We believe that catching children when they make good choices by complimenting them and positively reinforcing good behavior is far more effective than disciplining children when they misbehave. However, children are curious, and it is developmentally appropriate for them to test rules and limits.
Children are expected to follow the instructions of the St. Johns County School District Code of Student Conduct (https://www.stjohns.k12.fl.us/schoolservices/conduct/) as well as Citizenship Rules.
We work as partners with parents on behavioral issues. Most minor behavioral issues will be handled between the counselor and the child. Other instances will result in a written incident report and parent contact. Notes are sent home to keep you advised and to ask for support in correcting the behavior. With proper communication and support at home, many behaviors can be modified before severe consequences are required.
Repeat occurrences of previously addressed behavior or extreme behavior may result in suspension from the EPASC Program. Our goal for short term suspension is for parents to work at home with children on strategies to improve and correct behavioral issues. Reoccurrences of the issue following suspension may result in disenrollment from our program.
Infractions warranting a formal behavior write-up will be documented and handled as follows:
• 1st Incident: Parents will be notified in writing, giving them the opportunity to correct the behavior.
• 2nd Incident: Student will be sent to the office. The student will remain in the office until a parent arrives, providing the student “thinking time”.
• 3rd Incident: Student will be suspended from summer camp for one day.
• If a 4th infraction occurs, student will be disenrolled.
Depending on the severity of the offense, these consequences may be escalated.
The Elementary Performing Arts Summer Camp remains committed to the safety, security, and well-being of each child in our care. We will enforce these Discipline Policies to ensure that we provide the best service possible to you and the community. These expectations will ensure a safe and happy environment for all children. We thank you for your partnership and support.