Navigating the Lourdes Student Portal: A Comprehensive Guide to Kids' Club and Beyond

The Our Lady of Lourdes Parish School community places a high value on providing a nurturing and secure environment for its students, extending beyond the traditional academic hours. This commitment is most evident in the Kids' Club program, an extension of the school day designed to offer a safe, wholesome, and caring space for students before and after regular school hours. This program is meticulously crafted to align with the overarching policies and procedures outlined in the school's Parent-Student Handbook, ensuring a cohesive and supportive educational experience for all.

Understanding the Kids' Club Program: Structure and Scope

The Kids' Club program at Our Lady of Lourdes Parish School is an integral component of the school's commitment to student well-being and parental support. It operates as a service for students enrolled in Transitional Kindergarten through Eighth Grade, offering a structured environment that mirrors the school's own ethos. The program's design is deeply supportive of the established policies and procedures found within the Parent-Student Handbook, creating a seamless extension of the academic day.

Eligibility and Enrollment

Admission to the Kids' Club program is extended to all students currently enrolled in Our Lady of Lourdes Parish School, spanning from Transitional Kindergarten through the Eighth Grade. This inclusive policy ensures that all students within the school community have access to the program's benefits, regardless of their specific grade level. The program is designed to accommodate the diverse needs of families within the parish school system.

Operational Framework: Days and Hours

The Kids' Club program operates exclusively on days when the school is in session. This ensures that the program's services are directly synchronized with the academic calendar, providing consistent support throughout the ten-month school year. The tuition structure reflects this operational framework, with costs calculated to encompass these ten months of service, including necessary considerations for months that may have abbreviated school days due to holidays or other scheduled breaks.

Financial Management: Payment and Tuition

The financial aspects of the Kids' Club program are managed through a streamlined and accessible system. Payments are primarily billed through FACTS, a widely recognized platform for educational financial management. For families who do not have an existing FACTS account, payments will be processed via Square, ensuring a convenient alternative.

The tuition for Kids' Club is structured as an annual subscription, reflecting a commitment to the full ten-month service period. This annual fee takes into account variations in the number of operational days within each month, providing a predictable and equitable cost for families.

Annual Tuition for Kids' Club (5-Days a Week):

The program offers different pricing tiers based on the number of students enrolled, recognizing that families may have multiple children attending.

For 1 Student:
- Morning Program: $795
- Afternoon Program: $2,221
For 2 Students:
- Morning Program: $986
- Afternoon Program: $2,624
For 3 Students:
- Morning Program: $1,219
- Afternoon Program: $3,063

Annual Tuition for Afternoon Option (Kids' Club):

A separate tuition structure is available for families opting solely for the afternoon program, offering flexibility in service selection.

For 1 Student: $975
For 2 Students: $1,155
For 3 Students: $1,346

Drop-In Rates:

For families requiring occasional or less frequent attendance, a drop-in rate system is in place. These rates are designed to offer flexibility while ensuring fair compensation for the services provided.

Drop-In Rates (per day):
- 1 Student: $10 (Morning), $30 (Afternoon)
- 2 Students: $15 (Morning), $40 (Afternoon)
- 3 Students: $20 (Morning), $50 (Afternoon)

It is important to note that the Afternoon Drop-In Rate also applies to students who are not promptly picked up after the dismissal of the car line, which concludes fifteen minutes after the official school dismissal time. This policy ensures that supervision continues for students remaining on school grounds.

Late Pick-Up and Financial Responsibility

To encourage timely pick-ups and maintain the program's operational efficiency, a late pick-up fee structure is in place.

1st Occurrence: $20
2nd Occurrence: $30
3rd Occurrence: Referral for withdrawal from the program.

Accounts that fall into delinquency with two missed payments are subject to suspension. This may necessitate pre-payment of fees for continued participation and, in persistent cases, could lead to the dismissal of the student from the program. This policy underscores the importance of timely financial commitment to ensure the program's sustainability.

Essential Procedures: Sign In/Out and Communication

Adherence to established sign-in and sign-out procedures is paramount for ensuring student safety and accountability within the Kids' Club program. These procedures are designed to provide a clear record of student presence and to guarantee that students are only released to authorized individuals.

The Sign In/Out Protocol

All students participating in the Kids' Club program must be signed in and out by a parent, guardian, or an authorized adult who is at least 18 years of age and listed on the student's emergency form. This measure is a critical safeguard to ensure that only responsible individuals are handling student transitions.

Morning Care: Parents and guardians are required to personally accompany their students to Kids' Club and complete the sign-in process. This direct interaction ensures that staff are aware of the student's arrival and any specific instructions.
Afternoon Care: For students in Transitional Kindergarten (TK) and Kindergarten, Kids' Club staff will escort them to the program and complete the sign-in procedure. For older students, they are expected to sign themselves in upon arrival at Kids' Club, particularly if they have attended an after-school activity prior to joining the program. Students participating in after-school activities who will subsequently attend Kids' Club must sign in at Kids' Club before their activity commences.

Crucially, parents and guardians must physically sign their student(s) out at Kids' Club, noting the appropriate time of departure. Students will not be released to a parent's or guardian's vehicle without this formal sign-out procedure being completed. This ensures a documented and secure transfer of responsibility.

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Program Expectations and Responsibilities

The Kids' Club program operates under the understanding that it is a direct extension of the regular school day. Consequently, the same high standards of cooperation and adherence to rules are expected from both students and parents.

Upholding School Policies

All school rules and behavioral expectations are fully applicable within the Kids' Club program. This consistent application of rules reinforces the school's values and promotes a disciplined yet supportive environment. Families who persistently violate the policies and procedures of Kids' Club may be subject to dismissal from the program, a decision made by the school principal.

Parent Responsibilities

The success of the Kids' Club program relies heavily on the active involvement and support of parents and guardians. Key parental responsibilities include:

Support for Program Policies and Procedures: Actively endorsing and adhering to all established guidelines.
Cooperation with Sign In/Sign Out Procedures: Diligently following the required sign-in and sign-out protocols.
Collaboration with Kids' Club Staff: Engaging constructively with program staff to ensure the best interests of the student.
Meeting Financial Obligations: Ensuring all program fees are paid in a timely manner.

Student Responsibilities

Students participating in Kids' Club are expected to conduct themselves in a manner that reflects the school's values and contributes to a positive group dynamic. Student responsibilities include:

Respect: Demonstrating respect for all staff members, fellow students, and program property.
Appropriate Language and Voice Level: Using polite language and maintaining a considerate voice level.
Cleanliness: Keeping the day care room tidy and neat.
Consideration for Others: Practicing sharing, taking turns, and demonstrating empathy.
Seeking Permission: Asking staff for permission before using the restroom.
Staying Within Designated Areas: Remaining within the designated Kids' Club areas and staying with the group.
Following Rules: Adhering to all Kids' Club rules and guidelines.

Health, Safety, and Safeguarding Children

The well-being and safety of every child in the Kids' Club program are of utmost importance. Robust protocols are in place to manage health concerns and ensure a secure environment.

Health and Safety Protocols

Kids' Club will maintain a copy of each student's emergency form. It is imperative that parents and guardians promptly update any changes to names, phone numbers, or medical alerts, including allergies and illnesses, with both the school office and Kids' Club in writing. This ensures that staff have the most current and accurate information in case of an emergency.

In the event that a student exhibits signs of illness or sustains an injury during Kids' Club hours, parents or guardians will be notified immediately. This prompt communication allows for timely intervention and care.

Safeguarding Our Children: A Broader Initiative

Our Lady of Lourdes Parish School is committed to the broader initiative of "Safeguard the Children," a comprehensive program designed to foster a safe and protective environment for children, youth, and vulnerable adults, and to actively prevent child sexual abuse. This program was initiated across all dioceses in the United States under the direction of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB).

Each parish, including Our Lady of Lourdes, has a Safeguard the Children (STC) Committee. This committee plays a vital role in implementing the objectives set forth in the USCCB's "Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People." The committee is comprised of various members, including the Director of Religious Education, the school principal, the Business Manager, the Director of Youth Ministry, and other dedicated school parents and parishioners. For those interested in learning more about the VIRTUS program, a valuable resource is available at www.virtus.org.

The school also provides clear guidance on Making a Report of Misconduct, ensuring that any concerns can be addressed through established channels.

Accessing the Gradelink Parent-Student Portal

In alignment with its commitment to open communication and accessible information, Our Lady of Lourdes Parish School is pleased to offer access to the Gradelink Parent-Student Portal. This portal serves as a central hub for important school-related information.

Navigating the Portal

To access the Gradelink portal, users will click on the Gradelink logo, which will open the login page in a new browser tab. On this page, you will be required to enter your school ID, username, and password. It is important to note that all returning parents and students who have previously used the portal will continue to utilize the same username and password established in the prior school year. Passwords must be entered with exact precision, including capitalization, to ensure successful login.

New parents will receive their username and a temporary password upon the completion of the enrollment process. This initial credential allows for immediate access to the portal's features.

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