» ONLINE REGISTRATION will be offered for the Latchkey After School Program (School Year 2012–2013) starting on Tuesday, September 4, 2012 at 9am. Please check back then to register online. Call 361-826-3499 if you have questions. Click here to register online starting on September 4.

 » ONLINE PAYMENT will be available for parents who have already registered their child/children for the Latchkey After School Program (School Year 2012–2013). This service provides parents 24-hour convenience to make monthly payments from their homes.Click here to make online payments starting on September 4.

The Program Strives To:

• Provide a safe, professionally supervised environment for children
• Provide basic survival skills necessary in today's society.
• Provide quality recreation experiences and enhance the child's leisure skills.
• Develop physical skills and coordination.
• Develop the ability to express thoughts and feelings through activities.
• Develop self-esteem and positive self-image skills for personal quality of life.
• Provide quality recreational and enrichment activities to enhance the child's leisure skills, which may include: art, drama, sports, dance, music, crafts, multi-cultural activities, special events and much more.
• The program is licensed by the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services. 
• The program follows the Minimum Standards Guidelines for Texas Child Care Centers.
• The staff is certified in Infant, Child and Adult CPR, and Community First Aid.
• All staff receive training in safety, supervision and age-appropriate activities.
• The staff to child ratio is 1 to 22.

Operating Procedures:

• Children may be registered at any Latchkey school site, space permitting.
• Program operates Monday through Friday, from the end of the school day until 6:00 p.m., August through June, observing the same holiday schedule as the school districts.
• Snack will be provided, but children may bring a snack from home.
• The parent that registers the child is the first point of contact. 
• No refunds will be granted if a child is suspended or terminated.
• Click here for the Latchkey After School Program's Parent Handbook - School Year 2012–2013.

Sign In & Sign Out Procedures:

• Children go directly to the cafeteria after school and are signed in upon arrival. Children enrolled in such after school activities as tutoring, etc. are signed in following those activities.
• Only authorized persons with a picture I.D. will be allowed to sign child out.
• Parent will be called if person picking up child is not on the pick up list.
• Child must be signed out daily.  
• To remain eligible for the Latchkey Program, children must be signed out by 6:00 p.m.  
• Parent/guardians or other persons designated as an authorized person to sign out a child from the Latchkey Program are required to initial by their respective child's name on the sign-out sheet. 
• Children will only be released to those persons listed. 
• The City reserves the right to refuse to release the child to any person if circumstances so warrant. 
• Children who leave the program unsupervised will be suspended.   

Tuition Assistance (WF) Information:

• Authorization and assessment of fee will be determined by the WorkForce of the Coastal Bend.
• For more information, call 361-882-7491.

Scholarship (City Sponsored) Information:

• In order to apply for a scholarship, every adult (ages 17 or older) in the household must be employed, attending school, or in training.
• Fee will be based on income eligibility guidelines.
• Five business days to turn in all required paperwork from time of registration.
• Applicant must pay full tuition at time of registration. If qualified, applicant will be credited the difference during the following month. 
• If applicant qualifies for the scholarship, the scholarship fee will be due each month.
• Scholarship updates will take place during February 2013.
• Incomplete application forms will be returned to the applicants.
• For more information or an application form, call 361-826-3499. Click here for the Scholarship Application Form - School Year 2012–2013 (PDF file).

FORMS & INFORMATION:

• Download the following FORMS: 1) click here for Reasonable Accommodation Form (PDF file); 2) click here for Photo/Story Release Form (PDF file). 

FOR MORE INFORMATION, call 361-826-3499.