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The elementary school principal, along with the pastor (in the case of parish schools), shall decide whether to provide an extended school day program. After careful and thorough consideration of the responsibilities, liabilities, and long-term consequences, if the school decides to offer an extended school day program, the school must follow these guidelines:
The program must be consistent with the school's Catholic education philosophy and mission.
The principal is the administrator responsible for the managerial aspects of the program, including financial management and the recruitment, employment, and termination of supervising personnel.
The school must use an extended school day agreement or enrollment contract with participating parents/guardians.
Fees charged to parents/guardians must be adequate to cover the total cost of the extended school day program, including some contribution to general school maintenance, security, and similar costs.
An extended school day program may only serve those students presently enrolled in the formal school program.
The program must include adequate space for its detailed activities. This space must be clean, safe, and well maintained and provide a pleasant, child-centered environment. Telephone or cellphone access must be available during the hours the program operates, subject to the Archdiocesan Acceptable Use and Responsibility Policy for Electronic Communications.
Extended school day staff members must be at least 18 years old and undergo a tuberculosis check. They must be fingerprinted, complete archdiocesan safe environment training, and comply with the safe environment policies and the Archdiocese of Los Angeles Guidelines for Adults Interacting with Minors at Parish or Parish School Activities or Events. It is recommended that staff members have formal training in child development, recreation, or education; possess prior experience working with school-age children; and are familiar with age-appropriate behaviors and abilities of children.
Staff members are required to appropriately supervise children at all times. At no time may a child be left unattended.
All staff members shall receive a written job description that details work duties. It is recommended that there be no more than 14 children per one adult staff member. It is also recommended that two staff members be available at all times in the event of an emergency.
Staff members shall participate in the in-service training for signs of child abuse and neglect and appropriate reporting procedures. Staff members shall receive opportunities to attend workshops in child development. Individual staff members shall meet on a regular basis with supervisory personnel for ongoing support and feedback.
Staff members shall maintain appropriate records regarding emergency contacts and the arrivals and departures of children enrolled in the extended school day program.
A school may arrange with independent contractors or other outside entities to provide extended school day programs on a fee basis. For individuals hired by the school, the Professional Services/Contractor Agreement may be used; for companies providing extended school day programs, the Independent Contractor Agreement is appropriate. The school must coordinate with the archdiocese to ensure that independent contractors and entities have appropriate licenses, sign agreements to use the premises, and obtain insurance. All individuals and entities that provide extended school day programs must comply with the procedures and policies of the extended school day program and the safe environment policies of the archdiocese. For additional information on the appropriate documentation for outside vendors to use school property, see Use of Archdiocesan Facilities.
Excerpt from the Archdiocese of Los Angeles Administrative Handbook. Updated: 8-21-2021, 7-15-2025. Please see Chapter 12-8 - Extended School Day Programs for Elementary Schools.
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