Parents - Imani House After-School 2011-12

[IMANI HOUSE]

Dear Parents,

We hope that the summer is allowed quality time for your family and children.  I am writing to inform you that The Imani House PS282 After-school program will reopen for the fall as planned.  

I'd like to THANK  all of the active parents who rolled up their sleeves, wrote letters, called politicians, helped raise funds, plan fundraisers, sell raffles and otherwise offered their sincerest encouragement in these most difficult times!  To the parents who did nothing, I can only say that we were very disappointed, especially those who accessed our program for free or even those who pay a much reduced rate (compared to other programs) for our excellent services.  It's a bit shameful.  The children however deserve a great program that cares about them and their futures and we are determined to keep the program going for this reason. 

 It is very important that if you plan to apply that you take note of our new guidelines.  Please don't apply if you think you will not be able to meet these commitments because we will have a drop policy this year.   We look forward to a fun filled year and working with each of  you.    

UPDATED INFORMATION:   IHI has received funding for the upcoming school year for our OST program, but the funds have been cut along with the number of children we can serve.  We will do our best to accommodate as many children as we can either in our free or paid program.  If you were a YDP parent last year we cannot at this time change your status.  Thanks for your understanding.

This year IHI wants to greatly enhance the relationship with the Principal, the Parents, the Teachers for the best result for your children.  Please remember to be cordial and helpful to our Principal, Ms. Alexis, and the teachers in the school. The Imani House after-school program is a guest at 282, invited by Ms. Alexis and for this we all need to be thankful.  Without her approval we would not be in the school.  Stop her sometimes and say Thank You - for working hard to give your children a great education, and extra curricula activities.  

 PLEASE NOTE THE FOLLOWING:

• We are now accepting applications for the fall term.  Applications can be picked up at our Headquarters at 76-A Fifth Avenue, between St. Marks and Warren Streets 
• All applications are due back by August 31st in order to be considered - those received after this date may be wait listed
• Registration in the program in the past or last year is no guarantee of admission this year.  We will be accepting based on class size and available space.  New applications are required.
• Both of our programs - OST and YDP - are accepting students.  If you need clarity please feel free to call 718 638 2059 or  347 388 0708
• We will work closely with Ms. Alexis to manage the pick up of children who attend extended day and other.

NEW NON-NEGOTIABLE REQUIREMENTS:

• Every Parent must participate in the Parent Committee for a minimum of 10 hours within the school year.  Those not participating will be dropped from the program (The Parent Committee holds meeting, manages funds raised, plans curriculum improvement etc)
• Children with poor program attendance, or extreme early pick-ups last year will not be readmitted to the program
• There will be no early pick-up - Pick-Up is no earlier than 5:30 - Students who are picked up early more than three times will be dropped from the program (Other arrangement must be made at the beginning of the year for special cases)
• The Late Pick-up penalty will be a $35 late fee for parents no matter which program you are in.  Dismissal is 5:45 - Any time after 6:05 is considered late. Please help us with this as we want our staff to go home on time.
• T-Shirts - All students will be required to have one (1) Imani House T-Shirt.  These will be used when we take trips or on other special occasions.  IHI is making the shirts available - inquire for cost.
• The ARIS program and OSIS numbers and ID are needed to access your children's records.  I believe that the School has a new program for the children's grades.  We will be taking training in this program and may have access through it.  We need this informatino so that we may compare the children's grades from term to term and help you improve their academics where we can.
• Please Read the Parent Manual, you will be responsible for its contents.

IMPORTANT DATES:

• PARENT ORIENTATION - Friday, September 9th - Attendance is compulsory - please send another adult if you cannot attend
• FIRST DAY OF AFTER-SCHOOL - Thursday, September 15th - We are sorry for any inconvenience, but we have to give the school and the teachers an opportunity to arrange their rooms and their schedules for the new school year.
• HOLIDAYS - We will only have 13 (down from 20) Holiday After-School allowances this year -   We will discuss Possible other options for out of school days at the Orientation
• Pre-K Students will be picked up daily - And lower grades will be picked up for the first few days

We are looking forward to a fulfilling, fabulous new school year.  With the help of our parents, your children will receive the very best of program services.  We look forward to your participation and wish you all the best in all your ventures.

~~~THE IMANI HOUSE PS/MS282 AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAM IS LICENSED BY THE DEPT. OF HEALTH AND INSURED~~~

If you are no longer a parent in the IHI PROGRAM Please put unsubscribe in the subject box and we will take you off the list.

All the very best,

Mrs. B. Ideraabdullah Mrs. Hager Youssef Ms. Annie Smith
Executive Director Program Coordination Program Coordination Assistant
IMANI HOUSE, Inc.
Women of Color Writers'
New York/Liberia
76-A Fifth Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11217
718 638 2059
fax: 718 789 1094
www.imanihouse.org
im...@imanihouse.org