Register Now (Academic Year or Summer)

Starting next year, the Thaddeus Stevens program will begin at 3:45 PM, every school day, so  The program ends at 6:15 PM.  Program participants will automatically be bussed from Stevens, Buchanan, and Chambers Elementary schools.  If your student attends the program from another school, you will make bussing arrangements with the district in the same way as if your child were going to a day care center or babysitter after school.   There is school bus transportation home, at 6:15 PM.  If you must pick up your child for any reason, you must follow the sign out procedure that you will learn about at registration.

The summer program is also at Thaddeus Stevens, with school bus transportation available to and from camp.  The camp starts at 9:00 AM and ends at 3:00 PM, Mondays through Thursdays from June 21 through July 29.  Program size is limited to 60 students, so please call us to register your children for summer as soon as possible. 

The registration process begins with your call to (717) 263-0531. Please ask for Dale Wolfson our registrar. Dale will make an appointment with you at your convenience or direct you to our first mass registration day, Friday May 7, from 5:00-6:30 PM at Thaddeus Stevens Elementary School.. We prefer to complete the application process before the start of school to give you a chance to secure all necessary documentation.

Our goal, as always, is to keep kids safe, assist you as working parents, and facilitate academic achievement. To do that, we offer the nationally-acclaimed KidzLit and KidzMath tutoring and enrichment curriculum. We have five experienced education/child care professionals and a student-adult ratio of 8:1. We also offer homework help, personal development, recreation and a nutritious snack, as well.

The Franklin County Literacy Council will provide ESL training to eligible families, starting in September.

Student eligibility guidelines

The program accepts students in grades 1-5.  How you complete your application allows us to determine your family's eligibility for our free after-school program. The law considers children eligible for enrollment to be "at-risk."  On a practical basis, qualification is guaranteed if your child participates in  the free and reduced federal lunch program or if your family has migrant status.  In either case, all forms must be fully completed to guarantee enrollment.  Our Spanish translation service is available.  On some occasions, a student may be considered at risk of academic failure and be eligible for that reason.

 

Our Transportation Program - Helping You and Your Student Get to Work and Stay There

 After-school, buses from the borough elementary schools transport students to Thaddeus Stevens.  Your student will be transported to a bus stop near your home You are required to transport your student home when the program ends at 6:00 PM.  The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania supports our efforts in transporting students home.

Specific Admission Requirements

The Pennsylvania Department of Education requires that you answer the following questions take the following actions and provide information to the program.  Our responsibility is to make certain that you and your student's records are accessible and up to date.

If applicable, are you willing to complete the paperwork that proves your child’s eligibility for the federal free and reduced cost lunch program?

Or, is your family classified as migrant?

You are required to complete or supply the following documents as a condition of program entry:

An application form, including an agreement and emergency contact information.
 The agreement must contain:
1.  A pledge that the child must  maintain attendance at 80% throughout the program.

2.     A description of other after-school activities in which the child might participate in. (i.e. basketball 4 days per week for four months)
3.    The services to be provided to the family and the child.
4.    The child’s arrival and departure times.
5.    The persons designated by a parent or guardian to whom the child may be released.
6.    The date of the child’s admission
7.    The services that are to be considered as extra.
8.    Parent/guardian receives the original agreement.

A doctor’s health report that must contain:
1.    Review of child’s previous health history.
2.    Results of a physical exam.
3.    Assessment of child’s growth patterns.
4.    Assessment of a disability or a health problem and recommendations for treatment.
5.    A review of child’s immunized status.
6.    A statement of the child’s medical information pertinent to diagnosis and treatment in case of injury.
7.    A review of age-appropriate screenings according to the standards of the American Academy of Pediatrics.

If your child is eligible for the federal free and reduced lunch program, completed eligibility forms are required unless we have verification from the school district..

More on the risks related to your student – a growing concern

Schools that contain predominantly economically disadvantaged urban students are on the rise. There are thousands of them across the country.  In South Carolina, a relatively small state, there are over 500 of these schools, labeled as “Title I.” After school programs have been cited by researchers as very effective at in keeping children safe during dangerous hours, in helping families improve their economic status, and at helping students improve academically. Inherent in after-school activities is stress reduction, for both students and their families. Stress has been shown to be a major barrier to learning. Poor nutrition, childhood obesity, depression and hyperactivity are also characteristic of at-risk children. After school programs with caring staff members combat these problems with programs that combine physical activity and education and academic activity that appeal to the natural curiosity of the child.

 

We look forward to being of service to both your child and your family.

Sincerely,

Dr. James W. Wolfson, Director