LEAF

LEAF
Safe & Welcoming Afterschool Programs

Wednesday, November 23, 2011

LEAF in Pictures

Last week was fun here at LEAF and we wanted to take the opportunity to share the experience with all of our parents!  The kids worked with regular staff and instructors to do a lot of great activities including decorating musical shakers, hula hoop contests, guitar lessons, group Spanish class, a "freeze dance" party with our piano instructor, and making spring rolls during cooking class.

Please enjoy some pictures of the kids having fun and have a wonderful holiday week!  Thank you for being part of our brand new family here at LEAF.

Painting shakers/rattles with Molly, our arts/crafts instructor
Glitter paint explosion!
Group dance party -- this is "Robot Dancing"
Dipping spring roll paper into water


Tuesday, November 1, 2011

Fall Happenings at LEAF

It's fall and LEAF is in full swing here at Thornton Creek!  As we're getting more settled, we'll be updating this blog more with pictures, upcoming activities, and stories from LEAF.

This October, LEAF participants enjoyed:
  • Creating and painting masks made with newspaper, flour, and water with Molly
  • Guitar and Spanish with Marco
  • "Name That Tune" on piano with Paul
  • Learning tennis (and losing countless tennis balls)
  • Designing mad libs with Leah and playing charades
  • Listening to original scary Halloween stories told by Gwyn and Jakub P.
  • Eating their creations in our weekly cooking class
  • SO MUCH MORE!
Fridays are still a quiet day at LEAF, but the rest of the week is starting to fill up as we get more participants.  We're looking forward to the rest of the fall and we will keep you updated as we decide on our themes for next quarter!

Thursday, September 29, 2011

October Payments Are Due!

Just a friendly reminder to our LEAF families.  October payment is due!  I am hoping that our first round of billing statements were a helpful reminder.  Please continue giving us your feedback! We appreciate any and all comments. 

Monday, September 26, 2011

Early Release - LEAF IS A GO!

Hello all!

Just a reminder to LEAF families!  LEAF is a go for Early Release Days!  Wednesday, September 28 is an early release day.  LEAF staff will be on hand to offer programming as soon as school gets out!  No additional cost to currently enrolled families. 

Thanks!
LEAF Staff!

Saturday, September 10, 2011

LEAF Update - Core Daily Schedule and More!

Hello LEAF Families! 

Welcome to the LEAF program!!!  We are very excited that you are able to join us in this new adventure!  I wanted to give you a little update prior to starting next week. 

STAFF
Andrew Brown who has been with our Ravenna family for several years will be our “acting” lead for the program until our recently hired Recreation Program Administrator is able to join us the first week of October.  Andrew will be glad to help answer all your questions and welcome your child(ren) to the program!  Andrew will be our Program Assistant for the School Year.

Melissa Ross our multi-talented instructor will be acting as our Program Assistant until full staffing is on by the first week of October.  Melissa will be with our LEAF programs on Wednesdays for “Food For Thought”.

Kit Benshoof who has worked with our Ravenna family in the past will be our Recreation Program Administrator full-time beginning the Week of October 3.  She is moving back home from her family home in Colorado.  We are thrilled to have her back! 

Medical Authorization Form E-13
If you have not completed your medical authorization form for LEAF, I have attached it to this e-mail for you.  It is required that you complete this form for the program so we can keep your child safe and secure during our LEAF activities.  This form also shows us who may pick up your child at the end of program.  Please be sure to complete this and bring to the first day of program in which your child is registered.  You may also fax the form to us at 233-3973, scan and e-mail it trevor.gregg@seattle.gov or leafprograms@gmail.com, or drop it off in person!

PROGRAM SCHEDULE


LEAF September Program Schedule
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
3:35 - 3:45                  Check-in and Snack and Daily Meeting
3:35 - 3:45                  Check-in and Snack and Daily Meeting
3:35 - 3:45                  Check-in and Snack and Daily Meeting
3:35 - 3:45                  Check-in and Snack and Daily Meeting
3:35 - 3:45                  Check-in and Snack and Daily Meeting
Free Time 'till 4
Free Time 'till 4
Free Time 'till 4
Free Time 'till 4
Free Time 'till 4
4:00 - 4:30/45         ART! The colors of our space and the beginning of the year mural project.
4:00 - 4:30/45    Music!        Songwriting made easy & writing us a melody!     
4:00 - 4:30/45                     Food for Thought: Hmmmm? Cooking and Writining       
4:00 - 4:30/45               Brain Power: Game making & game playing.
4:00 - 4:30/45   Sports Sensations: From Badminton to Frisbee Golf & everything in between.
4:45 - 5:ish                     Your Choice - outside and inside games!
4:45 - 5:ish                     Your Choice - outside and inside games!
4:45 - 5:ish                     Your Choice - outside and inside games!
4:45 - 5:ish                     Your Choice - outside and inside games!
4:45 - 5:ish                  Down Time - Homework/reading/journal
5:10 - 5:30                    Down Time - Homework/reading/journal
5:10 - 5:30                    Down Time - Homework/reading/journal
5:10 - 5:30                    Down Time - Homework/reading/journal
5:10 - 5:30                    Down Time - Homework/reading/journal
5:10 - 5:30                  Your Choice - outside and inside games!


AFTERSCHOOL TRANSITION TO LEAF
Kindergarteners will be picked up at their class room by LEAF staff on days they are attending the program. All other grades should have kids go directly to Portable C-3 to check in.  Your child(ren)’s names have been sent to your child’s teacher so they will help make sure your child arrives safely.  If you think your child might need some help getting to Portable C3, let us know!  We’d be glad to pick them up and walk them over to the  portable until they get used the routine.

EXTENDED PLAY
For families needing the extra 30 minutes from 5:30 – 6pm, staff will be on board!  Please remember to sign up for extended play.  You can call us at the Community Center, 684-7534 to register for this option.  We also have emergency extended play cards available for those of you who may need an 30 minutes periodically during the quarter. 

LEAF Blog
Please do visit the blog site at www.leafprograms.blogspot.com to continue receiving updates and announcements! 

Please let us know if there is anything we can do to make the experience more enjoyable for your child(ren)!  We LOVE feedback!  Please e-mail us at leafprograms@gmail.com.  

Take care and have a great Weekend!
Trev

Thursday, September 8, 2011

The Big Ol' FAQ for LEAF

LEAF FAQ

We hope these will help answer some of your questions. At any time, please feel free to contact Ravenna-Eckstein CC at 684-7534 or e-mail us at trevor.gregg@seattle.gov or
leafprograms@gmail.com

Can my child participate in LEAF if he/she is enrolled in Kid’s Time?
Why of course! As long as there is space available in the pro-gram, all children are welcome to participate in a LEAF class. Most classes run for one hour during the LEAF day. (3:35—5:35). For those families enrolled full-time in Kids Time, they can pay an additional $15/day/month to attend one of the LEAF classes. For part-time enrolled families, they may attend a LEAF class at $15/day/month on those days they are enrolled in Kids Time. If the class falls on a day when they are not registered in Kids Time, they will pay the full daily rate for 1 day/month as long as there are openings.

Are the Leaf teachers certified in the same way as Kid’s Time?
The short answer is no. However, they are highly trained and experienced working with School Age Children. It is the philosophy of our programs to hire well qualified staff with experience developing, creating, and leading a variety of programs for School Age Children. In addition, we highly encourage and sup-port staff in their professional growth and development through various trainings enhancing their skills and abilities in this profession. Staff in non-licensed childcare programs are not held to the same standards of required STARS training. Again, we en-courage and support all staff in this arena.

Is Leaf more structured than Kid’s Time?
LEAF programs are structured very similarly to the Kids Time model. Each day includes time for homework help, free play, snack, indoor and outdoor activities as well as program enhancements taught by seasoned instructors.

Why should I pick Leaf vs. Kid’s Time?
It depends entirely on the needs of your family. Both programs provide opportunities for learning, engagement, and fun. How-ever, LEAF offers the program enhancement of a “specialist” instructor during the program. LEAF is shorter in duration ending at 5:30pm daily while Kids Time ends at 6:00pm.

How many Kids are in Leaf? Can it grow?
LEAF currently has the capacity for 20 children daily. De-pending on the facility availability and the ability to acquire additional space in the school, the program has the potential to grow and expand as the needs for additional programming rise.

Why are there two after school programs?
The Ravenna-Eckstein Community Center, Thornton Creek Site Council, and the School Administration realize the need for additional afterschool activities due to the population growth of the school community and the amount of families waitlisted for Kids Time. In an effort to expand capacity and provide families with more flexibility in afterschool programs, we opted to provide LEAF as another alternative to DSHS certified care.

Can I sign up for just one day a week at Leaf (as op-posed to Kid’s Time which requires a min of 3 days a week)?
Absolutely! That is an added benefit to the LEAF program and provides support where DSHS Certified care is not able to do with our standardized childcare programs.

How the heck does this pricing thing work?  How much will I be paying per month?
LEAF programs are offered at a daily rate for the month.  For example, if you signed up for Monday and Thursday the cost would be $90.00/month (2 days x $45.00/day/month).  If you were to sign up for all 5 days, you monthly fee for LEAF would be $225.00/month (5 days x 45.00/day/month = $225.00/month). 

Do they cost the same (Leaf and Kid’s time)?
The programs do cost the same. Well, almost. LEAF is only very, very, very slightly cheaper. About $3.00 a day based on the total hours of program or care.

What do I do if I need my child in program until 6:00pm?
When we originally offered the opportunity for Extended Play, we considered this to be for emergency use rather than daily use.  In an effort to meet the needs of those families needing the extra time on a regular basis, we have now added a Full Quarter Extended play Card.  The cost of the card is $45.00/month or $180 for the entire quarter.  This equals to 33.5 hours of extended time with LEAF.  ($5.00/30 minutes.)  The full time cost of LEAF (M-F) with the Extended Play Option would be $270/month.  ($225.00 M-F plus $45 extended play = $270). 

What about those early release days and professional development days?  Will LEAF be offered on those days?
In the planning of LEAF, we originally were not going to offer LEAF on early release days or on professional development days.  As we got feedback from parents, it was clear that we needed to offer LEAF on those days.  We will now offer LEAF on early release days at no additional fee!  Professional Development Days provide us the opportunity to offer a “one day specialty camp” for $50.00. 

Am I hearing rumors about a Garden Project at Thornton Creek or I am just wishing I heard rumors of a Garden Project?
You are hearing rumors and they are TRUE!  LEAF staff will be working with the Thornton Creek School Community to begin developing a community garden in Mid-October.  More to come on that little project! 

Wednesday, September 7, 2011

TAKE NOTE! LEAF Begins on Monday, September 12

Hello all!

LEAF will begin on Monday, September 12.  The information that some parents recieved prior was in draft.  We are sorry for the confusion.  If this is creating a problem for your afterschool needs, please do not hesitate to contact the Community Center at 684-7534 to speak with Trevor Gregg or you may also e-mail him directly at trevor.gregg@seattle.gov.  Thanks so much and sorry for the confusion.

Trevor

Saturday, September 3, 2011

2011 Fall LEAF Brochure

Hello Thornton Creek Families!

Please scroll down the blog page to find the NEW Fall 2011 LEAF Brochure!  We'll have hard copies available the first day of school on September 7.  In the meantime though, please feel free to browse the brochure!  We'd love your feedback!

Take care and we are looking forward to the start of the program!  Please note: The LEAF program will begin on Monday, September 12.  All classes with instructors will begin on Monday, Setember 26.  We did need to swtich theme days from our original tentative schedule.  Music for the Masses will now be on Tuesdays while Brain Power will now be on Thursday!  We are sorry for any inconvenience this may cause.

Take care!
Trevor Gregg, Coordinator
Ravenna-Eckstein CC

Wednesday, August 17, 2011

The NE Brochures Have ARRIVED!

The NE Seattle Parks and Recreation Brochures (hard copy) have arrived and are available at your local community centers!  They will be distributed at the school by our friends at Magnuson Community Center.  They help all of the NE sites out by delivering to schools, libraries, and businesses throughout NE Seattle.  Thanks Manguson Crew!  We apologize for the publishing delays.

Sunday, August 14, 2011

NE 2011 Fall Brochure is Available On Line!

The NE Parks and Recreation Brochure is available on line by visiting the "Ravenna-Eckstein" link below. When the page opens, simply look right and select the "Fall" link. All the NE Centers and Pools programs are listed! Looks like some good ones! 

Thanks so much,
LEAF and RECC Staff

Saturday, August 13, 2011

NEW Program at Thornton Creek

Ravenna-Eckstein Community Center is proud to present the new LEAF Program to the Thornton Creek School Community and beyond.  This new program is scheduled to begin on September 7 providing afterschool programs for families on a daily bases.  You may sign up for one day, two days, or all 5 days for the terrific price of $45.00/day/month. 

Each day will consist of homework help, games, and a focused specialized program such as art, crafts, music, language, culture, cooking/baking, and more.  Each day of the week for the month each quarter will vary in it's them and activities associated with the theme.

The program will be staffed by a Recreation Administrator, a Recreation Assistant, and an instructor for specialized activities.  The focus of this program is to provide enhancements to the PTA Enrichment Activities and Clubs as well as serve the needs of those families who are waitlisted for afterschool care with Kids Time. 

All registration materials and daily activities will be available on August 24.  In the meantime, we are accepting regisrations currently. 

Should have any questions or would like additional information, please do not hesitate to contact the staff at Ravenna-Eckstein Community Center, 68407534 or e-mail the LEAF staff at leafprograms@gmail.com  We look forward to this new and exciting program!

All the best,
LEAF and Rav-Eck Staff