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Before/After School Program:
Before/After School Program
provided to elementary school students, Kindergarten through grade five, who attend Rockbridge, Mill Creek or
Ridgeway schools. Apple School provides transportation to Rockbridge and Mill Creek schools and First Student Transportation
provides transportation to children attending Ridgeway school.
We begin accepting students at 6:30 AM with breakfast
being served at 7:45 AM. Children arriving after 7:45 must have eaten breakfast at home prior to arrival. Breakfast
concludes at 8:00 AM. After breakfast there is a block of time to participate in fun activities before we
start transporting to schools. The following activities will be available to your child before AND after school:
a variety of activities and games, board games and puzzles, construction activities (blocks, Legos, etc.), art and craft activities,
jewelry-making, etc. Obviously, weather-permitting, we can still participate in outdoor activities as well.
The public school day ends at 3:40 PM and our teachers pick up the children and transport back to Apple School
for snack and afternoon activities. Our van drives to Mill Creek school and, weather-permitting, we walk across the
street to and from Rockbridge school. In inclement weather, vans also pick up the children at Rockbridge school.
Apple School is fortunate to have two acres of playground space
so there is plenty of room for the school age
group to spread out and
enjoy a variety of activities. We have a paved lot with basketball
hoops and room
for four square, jump rope, hopscotch, etc. We also have a wooded lot which the children have dubbed the "Fort
Lot". It is a favorite shady spot for the children to build forts and immerse themselves in the sand pit.
A large grassy area provides space for all types of ball activities. On this lot is also located a full-sized fiberglass
boat, which is a favorite of everyone, as well as many swings. We have many picnic tables so we can enjoy meals
and snacks outdoors when the weather is nice.
We hope to assist each child in developing social awareness and some
of the skills to help him function successfully and happily within his peer group. There will be many opportunities
for discussions concerning our emotions and what it means to be a friend. The teachers are prepared to assist
children with problem-solving and conflict resolutions. Ample time will be provided for each child to choose activities or meaningful
time with a special friend.
School Age Summer Program:
We have a very active summer
program! Enrollment can be for 3 or 5 days per week. Hours are 6:30 AM to 6:00 PM. Breakfast, lunch and afternoon
snack are included each day. Breakfast is served at 8:00 AM during the summer program (instead of 7:45 AM during the school
year). Breakfast is concluded by 8:20 AM. Children arriving after this time must have eaten breakfast at home.
Summer should be a time when school-agers can "kick back" and really enjoy being with special friends and making
new friends. They should also have to opportunity to make many of their own choices of the activities in which they
will be involved.
We continue to provide an environment which emphasizes discovery through exploration of the physical
indoor classroom centers and the outdoors. Our topics will be fun and interesting. There will be a large variety
of art, music, creative dramatics and opportunities for gross motor development. We will also have many tasting
events and cooking experiences.
We have selected several topics which we know will interest this age group.
In addition, our school-agers have shown an interest in nature, endangered species and animal facts. We will explore
these topics and tie field trips to as many topics as possible. We will
do writing and drawing and art projects
in conjunction with our topics.
Our focus will shift, as much as possible, to outdoor events. Many art
and craft projects can easily be held outdoors. Many outdoor games and water play will be offered, as well as the
opportunity for lots of jumping, running, sliding, climbing and swinging. We'll have lots of time for outdoor games.
We'll emphasize non-competitive games, learning new games, and learning the basics of kickball, volleyball, tetherball,
basketball, soccer, four-square, and jump rope. We also have "water play" days when the children can bring
swim suits and enjoy sprinkler and water play activities on our grassy field.
Optional Swim lessons:
Red
Cross swim lessons through Columbia Parks and Recreation Dept. will be offered in two four-week sessions. You may choose
one or both sessions. An additional fee is charged for swim lessons. Lessons are conducted by certified Red Cross Swim Instructors
and will be held in the indoor Hickman High School Pool. Lessons will be conducted between 12:30 and 2:30
PM (includes travel time).
Session I: 2009 - June 8 through July
1
Session II: 2009 - July 6 through July 29
Field Trips: Field
trips are scheduled intermittently during the summer to nearby farms, special exhibits, museums, and local businesses. We
are also scheduling bowling and roller skating events. Some may have a field trip fee if we are charged for the
activity. Generally, there is no additional cost for field trips or
transportation. Columbia is fortunate
to have so many excellent parks for playing, hiking and enjoying picnics. We'll have several "Play in the
Park" days. Parents are always welcome on any field trip.
As you can see, we will be busy,
busy, busy! We consider it a compliment that so many children want to come back summer after summer to have fun
with us.
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