Expanded Learning Programs
Welcome to the Keyes Union Expanded Learning Programs Page!
Program Information and Schedules
Keyes Elementary School
Spratling Middle School
Key Components
Sign-In: After school dismissal, students proceed directly to the Expanded Learning Program staff to check-in. This allows us to effectively track attendance and to promptly address any safety concerns or emergencies that may arise.
Homework: Our dedicated Rec Leaders are available to provide individual assistance and guidance in a quiet and welcoming environment. We strive to accommodate the unique learning needs of every student and foster a positive attitude towards learning.
Physical Activity: Our comprehensive program incorporates physical activity into our daily schedule. These activities are thoughtfully designed to engage students in fun and active experiences that promote physical fitness, coordination, teamwork, and overall well-being. Our structured physical activities, including active play, sports, and exercises, are carefully planned and organized to ensure that students have the opportunity to actively participate, learn new skills, and develop their physical fitness. By providing regular physical activity, we not only offer a refreshing break for students who have been engaged in academic work all day but also foster healthy lifestyles, promote active learning, and facilitate the building of positive relationships with their peers. Our goal is to encourage a healthy and active lifestyle among our students, supporting their physical development alongside their academic and personal growth.
Snack: We understand the significance of proper nourishment for optimal learning, which is why we provide an afternoon snack to every student. Our carefully selected snack options are designed to promote health and well-being, prioritizing nutritious choices that support healthy eating habits and the overall well-being of our students.
Enrichment: Our Expanded Learning Program offers a minimum of 45 minutes of daily enriching activities across various subjects, including STEAM, project-based learning, literacy, and art. We prioritize hands-on learning to foster creativity, critical thinking, collaboration, and communication skills. Through real-world challenges and group projects, students enhance their academic knowledge and life skills. Our program integrates STEAM initiatives, encouraging interdisciplinary thinking through hands-on experiments, coding, art, and engineering. Our holistic approach caters to each student's needs, fostering academic and social growth. Our goal is to promote collaboration, creativity, critical thinking, and communication skills through meaningful enrichment activities, expanding horizons, and cultivating a lifelong love for learning.
Program Hours
|
School Site |
Regular Day |
Minimum Day |
|
KES (TK-K) |
2:55pm - 6:05pm |
1:15pm - 6:05pm |
|
KES (1st-5th) |
3:05pm - 6:05pm |
1:15pm - 6:05pm |
|
SMS |
2:30pm - 6:00pm |
12:30pm - 6:00pm |
Attendance & Early Release Policy
Per Education Code Section 8483(a)(1), the After School Education and Safety funded programs in elementary schools shall commence immediately upon conclusion of the regular school day, operate a minimum of 15 hours per week, and remain open until at least 6 p.m. on every regular school day. Every program shall establish a policy regarding reasonable early daily release of pupils from the program.
Per Education Code Section 8483(a)(2), it is the intent of the Legislature that elementary school pupils participate in the full day of the program every day during which pupils participate.
Attendance Requirement: Students are encouraged to attend the Expanded Learning Program daily from school dismissal until 5:00pm or later.
Early Release Policy: We recognize that families may have specific needs for early release from the program. Keyes Union School District’s Expanded Learning Programs will encourage students to participate from school dismissal until 5:00pm or later. Early release may be granted prior to 5:00 under the specific circumstances outlined below:
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- ER-1: Participation in a parallel program (i.e., sports, dance, religious education classes, etc.).
- ER-2: Medical, dental, or counseling appointments.
- ER-3: Family Obligation, Custodial Matters, or Family Emergencies.
- ER-4: Sent home from the program due to injury, illness, or behavioral issues (with parent/guardian notification).
- ER-5: Safety or transportation considerations.
- ER-6: Family Needs.
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Behavior & Discipline
At the KUSD Expanded Learning Programs, we are committed to maintaining a safe and respectful environment for all participants. To address behavioral issues, we follow a structured step process that includes interventions and supports before considering disciplinary actions. Our goal is to help students understand and learn from their behavior while ensuring a positive experience for all.
Step 1: Initial Intervention and Support
We initiate our approach to addressing behavioral issues by tailoring various supportive strategies to meet the unique needs of our students. Our staff is dedicated to creating a safe and respectful environment. When a behavioral issue arises, we respond by implementing a range of techniques. These strategies encompass visual schedules, one-on-one support, alternative seating arrangements, redirection, structured breaks, and other personalized approaches designed to address the specific challenges faced by each student.
Step 2: Actions Taken to Address Behavior
If the initial interventions do not yield the desired results, our staff takes additional steps to address behavior effectively. This involves providing instruction to teach or reteach correct behavior and, in some cases, implementing restorative solutions. Temporary adjustments, such as the temporary loss of participation in specific activities, may be considered as deemed appropriate. Communication plays a vital role in this process, with staff engaging in conferences with students to facilitate problem-solving and address the behavioral concerns. Parents or guardians are usually informed of these situations through an Incident Report. Urgent situations are communicated through a phone call.
Step 3: Discipline Considerations and Referral System
In situations where repeated interventions and actions fail to produce the desired improvements in behavior, we carefully assess more serious consequences, including the possibility of removing a student from the Expanded Learning Program. The specific actions taken are determined by evaluating the nature and severity of the behavior. Importantly, these decisions are communicated transparently and clearly to both the student and their parents or guardians. The ultimate decision regarding removal from the program is made by the District Coordinator of Expanded Learning Programs, always with a focus on the overall well-being and safety of all program participants.
Funding, Access, and FAQ's
Keyes Elementary and Spratling Middle School are funded by the After School Education and Safety (ASES) Program and the Expanded Learning Opportunities Program (ELO Program or ELO-P).
The After School Education and Safety (ASES) Program results from the 2002 voter-approved initiative, Proposition 49. This proposition amended California Education Code (EC) Section 8482 to expand and rename the former Before and After School Learning and Safe Neighborhood Partnerships Program. The ASES Program funds the establishment of local after-school education and enrichment programs. Grant funding is restricted funding and must provide direct services to students during expanded learning hours.
The Expanded Learning Opportunities (ELO) Program provides funding for before and after school and non-school day enrichment programs for kindergarten (including transitional kindergarten) through sixth grade as described in California Education Code (EC) Section 46120, amended by AB 181 (Chapter 52, Statutes of 2022) and AB 185 (Chapter 571, Statutes of 2022).
