Extended Day

The Extended Day Program

The Highlands School Extended Day Program (EDP) is designed to provide care after the regular school day for students from 4K through eighth grade. In order to foster a "Higher Degree of Learning,” each group, divided according to age, is supervised by EDP counselors and follows a specific schedule that usually includes outdoor play, snack time, and study hall for older students. This program also offers an exciting schedule of stimulating after-school activities geared toward the students' interests, such as private music lessons, karate, chess, art, technology and much more. We provide a low adult/child ratio to insure a safe atmosphere for the children. As with all programs at Highlands School, the Extended Day Program expects all participants to treat each other with courtesy and follow “The Highlands Way” at all times.

EDP Care Options

Highlands’ parents may choose from several EDP Care options: Early Arrival, Extended 4K, 4K Professional Day, Late Departure, and Professional Day. If 4K Professional Day or Professional Day is chosen, there is no need to pick Early Arrival as that is included. As you go through the registration process, please pay attention to each description including the times.

Drop-in Service

Drop-in service is offered for students who need care less than five days per week. A 24-hour written request is required to use the EDP drop-in service (although exceptions can be made for emergencies). Drop-ins are billed on your monthly Highlands statement. Some parents use the drop-in service for students to come before an activity, especially sports. For example, if you know your child is participating in soccer or basketball and you need EDP prior to practice, this can be handled on a drop-in basis. Arrangements can be made at the beginning of each season. Please note that this service cost is at a premium rate due to the convenience it provides as well as the effects it has on our staffing needs and last minute arrangements. Rates are $11 for the first hour and $22 after the first hour from 12:00pm until 3:00pm and $11 for the first hour and $22 after the first hour from 3:00pm until 6:00pm. Please notify EDP director if you plan to use the drop-in service. If a student is not picked up by 3:15pm carpool, he/she will be enrolled in EDP drop-in service. If a student is not picked up promptly from a practice or activity, he/she will be enrolled in the EDP drop-in service.

Noon Dismissals and Happy Days at Highlands

EDP will also be offering care during some noon dismissals and some special days when there is no school (Happy Days at Highlands). You may go ahead and sign up for these special days ahead of time. There are limited spaces available for these days so spots are reserved on a first come, first served basis. During noon dismissals, students will eat lunch, have free play and outside playtime. However, NO HOT LUNCH IS SERVED, so please pack a lunch if registering for noon dismissals. Please note that some care during noon dismissals ends at 3:00pm while others end at 6:00pm.

Happy Days at Highlands will provide care from 7:30am-5:30pm during some full days when there is no school in session. Students will remain on campus and participate in fun, planned activities including lunch. We may do special art projects, watch movies, have special guests and eat pizza! No need to pack lunch on these days.

EDP After-school Activities

Each year, Highlands’ Extended Day Program offers a variety of fun, interesting and enriching activities! These are offered at an additional cost. In our after school program, we believe in continuing a “Higher Degree of Learning.” We try to offer new and exciting opportunities while continuing to provide the tried and true favorites. Whether your child is interested in fine arts, chess, or fun, we make every effort to find something for everyone! Please look over the After School Activities choices for the possibilities. There are a limited number of spaces available in most of our classes. Classes will be filled on a first come, first served basis. Therefore, parents are encouraged to register as early as possible in order to secure a spot in their child’s preferred after school activities. Activity sign-ups are for the semester and there will be an opportunity to add or drop after the first semester. This is different from years past. Activities will be billed by session and are non-refundable once the semester begins.

A Typical Day in EDP

The following describes a typical day in EDP, although depending on the day of the week and the time of year, the schedule may vary.

Extended Day 4K students will stay in a 4K classroom from noon until 3:00pm (see the note to 4K parents below).
At 3:00pm dismissal, 4K students join all other EDP students and EDP counselors (these are the students' caretakers) in the Spencer Center after the regular school day is dismissed.
Students are divided into groups by grade and must check in with a counselor.
Students are then dismissed with their instructors to individual activities if they are signed up for something that day (After School Activities like chess or karate).
The remaining older students go with counselors outside to “run off some steam.”
These students then proceed to their designated areas with counselors for snack time and then Study Hall in order to work on homework. Students are expected to work on homework, read or write quietly during this time.
4K and Kindergarten students will have a different schedule including story time, snack and outdoor play.
After this period, students will participate in a variety of things including outside play, inside play, movies, or other special EDP activities.
Students participating in Extended Day After School Activities will be sent back to EDP by their instructors at the conclusion of the activity.
They will then rejoin their designated EDP group or be picked up.
All students who check into EDP must be signed out by an approved person in the Spencer Center building. Please use the code 2016# and enter through the side door. The door under the awning will remain locked.
Students with homework (1^st-8^th grade) should bring their own paper, pencils and other needed supplies.

A Note to 4K Parents

Starting a new school can be a difficult time for these young students and parents. There is a lot of information to learn in a short amount of time. We are here to help you through the process. Welcome to Highlands School! I am pleased to tell you about our Extended Day 4K program. After the regular 4K day, our extended 4K staff stays on to create a structured, enriching, and fun afternoon for your children. The plan consists of developmentally appropriate, play-based activities that reinforce the morning program, character development and other enrichment activities. We enjoy helping your children continue to build their social/emotional, physical, cognitive, and language skills.

The students eat lunch, rest, and may have some afternoon activities in their own 4K classroom. At 3:00pm, they will either go to carpool, the bus, or join the other students in the Extended Day Program which will be tailored toward their age group. Children will also have the opportunity to sign up for EDP After School Activities!

4K Parent Information:

If picking up a student prior to 3:00 p.m., go to the front office to check your child out.
Children eat lunch in the 4K classroom. Students may order milk and/or lunch through our food service program or bring lunch from home.
Children will be resting on cots/mats. They may bring a small blanket and a very small stuffed animal. Please do not send sleeping bags/large mats or large “stuffies.”
If your child will be staying past 3:00pm, please send a healthy snack and try to separate afternoon snacks from morning snacks and lunch.