Frequently Asked Questions

 

1.What about the program staff who work with the girls?
2. How many staff member are there on site?
3. When is Girls Inc. open?
4. Do the girls go on field trips?
5. How do I register for Girls Inc.?
6. How much does it cost to attend Girls Inc.?
7. What do fees include?
8. When are payments due?
9. Are any scholarships available?
10. What if there is a short-term financial hardship?
11. What if I'm late with a payment of program fees?
12. Is there a penalty fee for picking-up my daughter after closing?
13. Can my daughter bring a friend who is not a member?
14. How is my child expected to behave?
15. What are the consequences if she misbehaves?
16. Will I be notified if my daughter is having difficulties?
17. What should she wear?
18. Can she attend if she is sick?
19. How is it handled if she gets sick while at the center?
20. What if my child needs medication?
21. What about lice?
22. What if my daughter gets injured at the center?
23. Does Girls Incorporated provide food?
24. What if my daughter has food allergies?
25. What if there is a weather emergency during center hours?
26. What if my daughter needs to use the phone while at the center?
27. Is Girls Incorporated responsible for my daughter's belongings?
28. Is transportation available from area schools to the center?
29. What are the guidelines for transportation behavior?
30. How do I make sure that program staff is aware of when my daughter arrives at the center?
31. Can I drop my daughter off without entering the center?
32. How do I check my daughter out?
33. Can anyone check my daughter out?

 

 

 

1. What about the program staff who work with the girls?
All program staff are selected carefully. They need to demonstrate their special interest in helping girls develop independent life skills and be themselves in a safe environment. Staff undergoes training that improves their skills in working with the girls and understanding the special needs that all children have. Some staff members are selected to attend in-depth training in order to deliver special programs. All staff undergoes a criminal background and fingerprint check as a part of the hiring process.

2. How many staff member are there on site?
We maintain an average staff-to-girl ratio of 1:15.  However, depending on the activity and age of the girls, the ratio may range from 1:10 to 1:25

3. When is Girls Inc. open?
After school hours are: 2:30 to 6:45 p.m. Monday through Thursday and Fridays 2:30 to 5:00
Summer hours are: 7:45 to 5:15 Monday through Friday

4. Do the girls go on field trips?
Yes:  The parent or legal guardian must complete the permission slip included in the registration form. Field trips requiring fees must be paid by cash or check in advance. There are no refunds on field trips, unless the trip is cancelled by the agency. Parents may not drop off of pick up their daughters at a field trip site. All girls return to the center via Girls Incorporated designated transportation. Field trips are a privilege at Girls Incorporated. Inappropriate behavior of a member may result in the immediate suspension of her field trip privileges.

5. How do I register for Girls Inc.?
All girls ages 6-18 are invited to join Girls Incorporated. Membership application forms must be completed and initial registration and program fees paid before a girl may attend.

Girls are also given the opportunity to sign-up for special programs that are available.

6. How much does it cost to attend Girls Inc.?

For each girl attending it costs:

After-School:
$10.00 registration fee and $5.00 per month
$10.00 a month to ride the van from your school
$5.00 a month to eat dinner each night/

Summer:
$25.00 registration fee and $40.00 per week for members
$25.00 registration fee and $60.00 a week for non-members
$5.00 a week for quiet time from 7:45 and/or 3:30-5:00

7. What do fees include?
These fees include the after-school snack program and 2 snacks in the summer, and all program activities excluding sports, dance and field trips.

8. When are payments due?
Payments are due on the 1st of each preceding month during the school year.
Payments are due one week before the session starts (previous Monday) during the summer.

9. Are any scholarships available?
Girls Incorporated provides full and/or partial scholarships for families who qualify for financial assistance. Please contact the front office for more information.

10. What if there is a short-term financial hardship?
Payment arrangements will always be considered. We ask only that you make the effort to communicate with us and to keep our program staff informed of your situation.

11. What if I'm late with a payment of program fees?

During the school year:
If payment is late and late fees are not made by the first of the month, we will conclude that you no longer need our program services and your daughter’s enrollment will be discontinued.

During the summer:
If payment is late and late fees are not made by the beginning of the following session, we will conclude that you no longer need our program services, and your daughter will not be enrolled in the next session. If you drop your daughter without having made payment arrangements, you will be called to immediately pick her up and she wait in the front office until your arrival.

12. Is there a penalty fee for picking-up my daughter after closing?
Yes: Girls Incorporated schedules staff to be available only during normal operating hours.  If staff is required to stay after hours a penalty fee will be assessed. Late fees MUST be paid before the start of the next month or session. If late fees are not paid at that time or if lateness becomes habitual, your daughter(s) will not be eligible to attend. The following per minute late charges apply.

1-15 min. $5.00        $1.00 for each additional minute after that.

13. Can my daughter bring a friend who is not a member?
Yes. Girls Incorporated is always happy to have visitors at our center. A parent or legal guardian of the visitor must complete a registration form in advance of the visit. Visitor fees are $5.00 per day during school and summer.

 

Standards of Conduct

14. How is my child expected to behave?
In order for Girls Incorporated to be a healthy community, each girl must be aware of her responsibilities and the consequences of her actions – both for herself and for others. We feel that each girl deserves a chance to grow from her mistakes.

15. What are the consequences if she misbehaves?
Our focus is to ensure that every girl has a safe, fun and positive experience while here at Girls Incorporated. Guidelines for the various parts of the facility are included below for you to review with you daughter. Staff will work with your child to prevent and reduce problems through one-on-one intervention. This may include recovery time for your child(a “sitting on the side” period for however long your child feels she needs to be ready to participate again in a positive manner.)

Emphasis is placed on the choices each girl makes. Each girl may participate with the staff in the determination of privileges earned for good choices and the determination of consequences for poor choices. Some behaviors will result in immediate suspension or termination of membership. These include but are not limited to fighting, possession or use of alcohol, drugs or weapons as defined in out incident report policy.

When a child breaks any of the Girls Inc. rules she will receive a behavior incident report. If a child receives 3 reports in 60 day period she will be suspended for 3 days. However, harmful physical contact, as well as stealing will result in and automatic 3-5 day suspension. All behavior reports must be signed and returned to program director.

16. Will I be notified if my daughter is having difficulties?
The staff is accessible for scheduled conferences to discuss the needs of your daughter and we encourage parental involvement at the center. However, a request a parent conference will be made in the event of a serious violation or if your child is having consistent behavioral problems identified by staff. If the executive staff concludes that the member's behavior is destructive, or that the member's presence in the center infringes on the rights of other members, membership may be terminated at the discretion of the Program Manager. Parents will receive copies of behavior incident reports.

Discipline Philosophy
I (staff) will treat you (girl) with respect so you will know how to treat others and me while here at Girls Inc.
If you cause a problem, I will ask you to solve it.

• Safety of yourself and /or others
• Respect of facility and property
• Respect of other girls, staff, volunteers, guest and parents

If you are unable or unwilling to solve it ,I will do something
The action I take will depend on e3ach girl and each situation
If you think I was unfair, come and tell me and we will talk about it 

 

17. What should she wear?
Girls Inc. t-shirts are required for all field trips and can be purchased at the front desk. Bathing suits are required to swim. Flip Flops may be worn in the pool area only. Swimsuits may not be worn under clothes at any time due to possible infection. Girls who do not bring underclothes will not be allowed to participate in the swim program.

18. Can she attend if she is sick?
Please keep your daughter at home if she is ill. With so many girls through our doors each day, the chance for illness to spread is high if it is not handled properly.

 

19. How is it handled if she gets sick while at the center?
If your daughter becomes ill at the Center (i.e. vomiting, running a fever), or shows signs of having a contagious illness (i.e. Chicken Pox, Mumps, Measles), you will be called to pick her up immediately. Girls Incorporated has a 24-hour sickness policy. If your daughter is sent home ill, she will not be permitted to return to Girls Incorporated for 24 hours, unless accompanied by a Doctor's note. Parents are expected to provide Girls Incorporated with a "30-minute pick up" contact - an individual able to retrieve your daughter within 30 minutes in case of an emergency. Please call if your child has Chicken Pox, Pink Eye, Impetigo or Lice. It is the parent’s responsibility to furnish Girls Inc. with up to date phone numbers and contact information.

20. What if my child needs medication?
Girls Incorporated will administer medication only if we have a note from the doctor. All medicine is kept locked in a secure area.

21. What about lice?
The Health department of Washington County and the Program Committee of the Board of Directors of Girls Incorporated of Washington County has mandated that we enforce a “no nit” policy regarding head lice. To monitor this, we check for head lice regularly. Should your daughter have nits, you will be called to pick her up immediately.

22. What if my daughter gets injured at the center?
Minor injuries will be tended to at the Center by administering basic First Aid. Accident reports will be completed for our records. If it appears that your daughter might need medical attention, we will contact 911 and you. Updated residential, business, and emergency contact telephone numbers are essential for prompt emergency communication.

23. Does Girls Incorporated provide food?
Yes: Our Kids Café program provides a healthy snack to all girls each day after school. We also provide a healthy dinner Monday through Fridays for those who are signed up for that program. Snacks should not be considered a replacement for an actual meal. Girls should bring a snack and drink on full days and lunch for field trips or other special full days as notified. Snack and lunches should be packed for room temperature. Girls Inc. does not provide access to refrigerators or microwaves.

24. What if my daughter has food allergies?
Girls Incorporated asks that parents list any known food allergies on the registration form prior to a girl starting at the Center.

25. What if there is a weather emergency during center hours?
When the county Emergency Operations Center declares an emergency or weather conditions cause local schools to close. You will need to find other means of transportation. The center is open on those days until 5:00; however, we DO NOT pick up the children if schools get out early due to inclement weather.

26. What if my daughter needs to use the phone while at the center?
To ensure your daughter’s safety, all contact with persons outside of Girls Inc. must be made through the office staff. The telephone at the center is for business and emergencies only. Girls will only be allowed to place and receive calls in an emergency. Cell phones should be turned in at the front desk upon arrival and retrieved when leaving.

27. Is Girls Incorporated responsible for my daughter's belongings?
We encourage girls to take ownership of their belongings & surrounding. Girls are responsible for their own property and should mark their names on all belongings (including book bags, jackets, swim suits, towels, lunch bags…) Lost and found articles are stored in a central location. Girls are to return found goods to the Lost & Found, as well as look there for any lost materials. Please note that unclaimed items may be donated or recycled up to once a month. Please mark your daughter’s possessions with her name. This helps us in returning lost articles. We ask that all valuable items, toys &electronics be left at home.

28. Is transportation available from area schools to the center?
Transportation from 8 area schools is available during school months. In order for a member to ride Girls Incorporated vehicles, parents must complete the transportation permission form in the registration packet and pay program fees in a timely manner. Seating is limited. Please notify us immediately if your daughter will no longer be using our transportation service, so that others on the waiting list may use the service.

29. What are the guidelines for transportation behavior?
Girls are expected to follow the same standards of conduct as when at our facility. Additional safety guidelines are listed below. Failure to follow Girls Inc. guidelines may result in suspension or termination of transportation privileges from Girls Inc. designated vehicles.

1. No eating or drinking on the van.
2. All girls must remain seated while the van is in motion.
3. Girls may not put their hands or heads outside of the van windows.
4. Once girls enter the van, they must stay on the van until they arrive at Girls Inc.
5. Girls must listen to the van driver.
6. Girls who do not follow the rules will receive a written warning.
7. Please remind girls that behavior can lead to loss of van riding privileges.
8. If a child does not attend and ride the van for two weeks they will lose their spot on the van.
9. Van dues must be paid monthly in order for your child’s spot to remain reserved.
10. Please contact Ms. Amy, the Program Director if your daughter will no longer ride the van. Therefore, we can add a girl from the waiting list.
11. Once our child gets on the Girls Inc. van at school, she may not get back off until the van reaches Girls Inc.

30. How do I make sure that program staff is aware of when my daughter arrives at the center?
All members are responsible for observing the sign-in/sign-out process. All girls upon arriving at the Center are required to check-in at the front desk. Girls may only leave with the designated person that is on their card.

31. Can I drop my daughter off without entering the center?
We prefer parents to escort their daughter in to the Center to ensure she enters the building and checks in as required. However, if you choose to drop off your daughter, please wait and watch for her to enter the facility before leaving. Girls Incorporated is not liable for girls who are dropped off and do not check in.

32. How do I check my daughter out?
Parents or designated persons must sign out members at the front desk when leaving the facility. Checkout time is recorded, and is secured for our records. For your daughter’s safety girls will NOT be released to any person not that is not on the “pick up” card. No exceptions. Members who leave the premises without permission will be suspended. Please exit through the front of the building. This allows us to monitor traffic on the property and provide a secure environment for the girls.

33. Can anyone check my daughter out?
No.  Your daughter’s safety is our priority! Please be sure to include all possible pick up parties on your “pick up” form. To avoid any inconveniences. There will be no exception to this policy. When picking up a child, ID will be needed.