WELCOME

Nannie Berry Elementary’s BERRY PATCH provides safe, educationally enriching quality care for children during the hours when there may be no adult in the home.  Children will have the opportunity to engage in activities that will benefit them emotionally, socially, physically, and educationally.  The program includes crafts, sports, games, computer time, homemaking activities, snacks and many other creative and cultural pursuits.  A special time is set aside Monday – Thursday for those wishing to spend time doing their homework.  The program is planned and conducted by staff trained to meet the needs of children and to provide positive adult role models.  There is flexibility enough to accommodate children of different age groups and at the same time to fulfill the special needs of individuals.  Berry Patch supplements and supports the child’s experiences at home and school.  It is not babysitting, but a quality program planned with working parents in mind.  Any parent, working or not, may enroll their child in the program as long as there is space available. 

We want to know how you and your child feel about our program and how we may better meet your needs.  All questions concerning policies and procedures of Berry Patch should be addressed to Dr. Kimble (822-3123), or to our program director, Andie Hellem (824-5470). 

Berry Patch is always in need of supplies such as paper, crayons, markers, board games, etc.  If you are interested in donating any of these items to our program, please see our Director.  Berry Patch is always grateful for any donations received. 

HOURS / CALENDAR

Berry Patch will operate before and after school on the days that Sumner County Schools are in session.

Program hours on regular school days are as follows:

Berry Patch will be closed on the following holidays:

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On days when school is not in session and Berry Patch is open (In-service days, Christmas Break, Spring Break, etc.), we will operate on a full day schedule from 6:30 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.  Parents must sign up their children to attend Berry Patch on these special days.  A sign up sheet will be available at least 2 weeks in advance of special days.  If less than 12 children sign up to attend on these days, Berry Patch will not be open and parents will be notified in advance.   If you sign your child up to attend on these special days and they do not come, you are still financially responsible for payment for all days signed up.  We staff according to how many students we are expecting. 

FEES

Berry Patch fees effective August 11, 2005 are as follows:

Fees are due by Tuesday at 12:00 p.m. for that week’s care.  A $ 5.00 late fee is charged for payments received after 12:00 p.m. on Tuesday.  

The weekly fee will be charged whether your child attends or not.  Staffing, food and supplies are based on the number of children enrolled.  When you enroll your child, you are reserving the time, space, and provisions for his or her care.  Should you have any unusual circumstances regarding absences or financial problems, please contact our director for assistance.  We will make every attempt to work with you on your payment schedule. 

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LATE PICK-UP FEES

Starting at 6:05 p.m., parents will be charged a $ 1.00 per minute per child for late pick-up.  Parents will be notified of this charge the next school day.  If you have questions concerning a charge, please contact the Director immediately. 

PAYMENTS

Payment should be made by check or money order only, payable to Nannie Berry Elem. Berry Patch.  Please do not send cash.  

Services for your child will be discontinued if payment falls behind for a period of three weeks.  Your child will be allowed to re-enter the program only after payment has been made in full.  No child will be permitted to stay in Berry Patch with a past due account unless approved by the principal.  If you have a past due amount and do not pay the balance before the end of the school year, your child will not receive their report card.

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RETURNED CHECKS

The school principal will notify you should a check be returned for insufficient funds or any other reason.  After two returned checks, we will accept money orders only.  Cash is never accepted. 

SCHOOL HOLIDAYS & BREAKS

During Christmas and Spring Break, you will be charged a $ 25.00 per day fee for each day you sign your child up for.  This is a per child fee, with no other discounts given.  If you sign your child up to attend and they do not come, you are still responsible for the $25.00 daily fee.  We have to adequately staff for your child, whether he or she shows up or not. 

All other non-school days (i.e., in-service days, snow days, etc) will be charged at your weekly rate, plus an additional $15.00 daily fee to cover the cost of additional staff hours.

Children will need to bring a lunch and a drink (NO CANNED SOFT DRINKS, PLEASE) on any days that the school cafeteria is closed.

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INCLEMENT WEATHER

If Sumner County Schools are opening late due to inclement weather, Berry Patch will make every attempt to open at 7:00 a.m.  In the event of serious weather conditions, our opening hours may be additionally reduced.  If schools are closed or closing early, Berry Patch may be subject to early closing as well.  In the event of rare or dangerous weather conditions, Berry Patch may close for an entire day.  This is always a last resort.  The school principal will make this decision, and once it is made, we will have hours of operation available.  For early morning information, tune in to channel 2, 4, or 5 for the latest updates on Berry Patch.  In case of early closings, the school answering machine (822-3123) will contain Berry Patch hours of operations by 12:30 p.m., or you may phone Berry Patch directly at 824-5470.  If you prefer, you may check the Nannie Berry website (www.nannieberry.org), or you can tune in to channel 2, 4, or 5 for the latest update on Berry Patch hours. 

DROP OFF & PICK UP

For your child’s safety and supervision, an adult must bring all children into room 006 each morning and sign them in.  All children must be signed out from the program in the afternoons as well.  Children are not allowed to wait for parents in the parking lot. 

Children will not be released to any person other than the parents or person(s) authorized on the registration form.  Please notify Berry Patch in writing if someone other than those authorized will be picking up your child.  Berry Patch will not knowingly release any child to an intoxicated adult operating a motor vehicle. 

Remember to drive carefully while on our campus.  Many times children are outside for activities, and they do not always remember to look for cars.  It is up to us to keep our children safe. 

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ILLNESS

Berry Patch cannot provide care for a sick child.  PLEASE do not send your child to Berry Patch if they are sick.  We are concerned for the health and welfare of each child; therefore, we require that a child be picked up as soon as possible in the event of illness during Berry Patch hours.  Children must be fever free for 24 hours before returning to Berry Patch. 

BEHAVIOR AND DISCIPLINE

Discipline problems are opportunities to teach (in disguise).  Staff members want to help children develop a sense of responsibility and self-discipline.  We want your child to understand why the behavior is unacceptable.  We allow the child to suggest alternative behaviors that are appropriate, staff may make suggestions, and we provide other positives to reinforce repetition of good behavior.  We believe that a respectful, loving and positive attitude on our part is the best way to prevent discipline problems. 

Guidelines for normal discipline matters will be handled as stated on our Berry Patch Student Behavior Policy (attached).  This form must be read and understood by parent(s) and children, signed by the parent, and returned to Berry Patch. 

Berry Patch child care follows the same guidelines as stated for Sumner County Schools concerning grounds for suspensions including, but not limited to, violence, fighting, damage, alcohol, drugs, theft, tobacco, firearms and weapons (including toys), immoral conduct and battery to staff.

Personal threats (i.e., “I’ll bring my gun to kill you”, “I’ll kill you one day”, “I’ll beat you up”) made to another child or staff member during child care hours will result in suspension from the program for one day.  A hit to hurt or any actions considered violent in nature toward a child or staff member will also result in suspension from the program. 

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BERRY PATCH STUDENT BEHAVIOR POLICY

Positive rewards for good behavior are important to us.  Monday through Thursday, each child who has displayed good behavior while at Berry patch will receive a “Berry Buck”.  “Berry Bucks” are kept in a special “bank account” for your child.  Every Friday, we will have a celebration known as “Free Friday”, which rewards your child’s good behavior. Each child is allowed to participate in Free Friday by “paying their way” into various activities with 3 Berry Bucks. 

Additional Berry Bucks earned that week are kept in a “savings account” for your child.   Your child will then be allowed to “buy” extra goodies throughout the year with their savings.  Goodies may include candy, snacks, drinks, or special prizes like art supplies and books. 

Any child who did not earn enough Berry Bucks for the week will spend their Friday in a concentrated game area having fun, but not being allowed the freedom of moving from location to location. 

Berry Patch’s discipline policy for inappropriate behavior will be handled as follows.   Behavior that is subject to these rules will include, but is not limited to, inappropriate language, theft, property destruction, hit-to-hurt, fighting, disrespect, etc. 

1. First Offense – Verbal reminder that the behavior/action is inappropriate, and asking the child to make an appropriate choice.
2. Second Offense – Child will be removed from the activity to a time out area.  Time out will be equivalent to one minute per year/age of child (Ex. 5 minutes = 5 years of age)\
3. Third Offense – Child will be removed from activity and will report to Berry Patch administration area.  Child will again reminded why the behavior/action is inappropriate.  A second time out in the administration area will be given.  A Behavior Report may be completed, depending on the severity of the offense.

Any offense that includes profanity, disrespect to an adult, or physical aggression will immediately result in a Behavior Report.  Behavior Reports are completed and given to Dr. Kimble, who will address each concern individually.  Punishment of this type may include a conference, phone call to parent, and possible suspension from Berry Patch.  Serious threats of violence or inappropriate behavior may be subject to permanent expulsion from Berry Patch if Dr. Kimble deems appropriate. 

____________________________________________________________________

I have read and understand the Berry Patch Student Behavior Policy

__________________________________              _______________________________

    Parent Signature & Date Signed                                   Student Signature   & Date Signed

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PERMISSION TO TREAT IN EMERGENCY

In the event of an emergency and I cannot be reached, I give permission to the Nannie Berry Elementary Berry Patch program to have my child transported by ambulance to the nearest hospital or to have emergency treatment administered, if deemed necessary by Berry Patch staff.

Child’s Name _______________________________________________________

Parent Signature ____________________________________________________

Date ______________________________________________________________

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