Trinity AfterSchool Program
Phone: (607) 273-9017
The Trinity Lutheran Church Afterschool Program provides safe, high-quality care for children in kindergarten through 6th grade in a warm and nurturing Christian environment. We encourage respect for ourselves and others, and provide opportunities in recreation, art, and many various areas of interest. The Program’s purpose is recreational, with many opportunities for learning without the structure of a classroom environment. Children are given individual choices through the daily schedule, and we also encourage and provide daily quiet time for the purpose of doing homework.
The staff of the Program includes the Director, Head Teacher, and a teacher aide when needed. Staff arrives at the Program by 2:00pm. Feel free to call us at this time or leave a message any time if needed. Staff members are NYS mandated reporters of child abuse/neglect.
As a registered and licensed afterschool program, Trinity is required by the NYS Office of Children and Family Services to have a Board. The Church Council appoints a Director, hires the staff, and oversees the Program. The Church Council and school committee regularly meet to establish policies and procedures, oversee the Program budget and operation, and review issues as they arise.
Admission to the Program is on a first-come, first-served basis. Children may be enrolled full time or part time as per the contract agreement. Preference will be given to full-time applicants. When you sign up for a contracted day, you will be expected to complete the contracted time through the end of the school semester. The child’s enrollment in the Program may be cancelled by the parent/guardian upon two weeks written notice to the Head Teacher.
Inside Spaces
Trinity Lutheran Church has a large fellowship hall, which is the main room for the Afterschool Program. There is a large play area, with toys, books, puzzles, and arts and crafts stations. An adjoining section contains plenty of tables and chairs for homework activities.
Snacks are usually eaten in the kitchen. The children sit around the table in a group.
Trinity also has a book and video library. The students may check out books or videos to take home with them. Occasionally, a video may be used as an activity during the Afterschool Program.
Outside Spaces
The children will go outside everyday, weather permitting. Just this past summer, Trinity added a new “big kids” playground. Swings, climbing areas, slides, balance beams, etc. are all included. The large off-road parking lot is also a favorite place to play with wheeled toys.
Children enrolled in any Ithaca City School District School, including Immaculate Conception, Montessori, and Alternative Community Schools, will qualify for busing to Trinity’s Afterschool Program. Parents and staff need to notify the ICSD Transportation Department in writing to arrange for this. In the event that either your child’s school or Trinity Afterschool needs to close or dismiss early, parents need to have a back-up plan in place at school. If the Ithaca City School District is closed for a snow day, we will be closed as well.
The children report to the staff after placing coats and backpacks in the designated area. If a child is not going to attend the Program on their scheduled day for any reason, we must be notified by the parent/guardian. The Program ends at 5:30pm, and children must be signed out by their parent/guardian. Late pickup may result in an extra fee.
The primary concern of the Program is the safety of all children. Children are expected to be respectful of others and to follow directions. If a child is repeatedly disruptive to the program, not following directions, or being disrespectful to other children or staff, that child will be asked to sit out. In the event of unacceptable behavior on the part of a child that poses a health hazard to other children, or persistently disrupts the operation of the program, Trinity staff will discuss the matter with the parent/guardian. Warnings will be issued for the first two such offenses, with possible out program suspension. In the event of a third behavioral issue, the child will be terminated from the Program.
Tuition and Fees 2023-2024
Tuition for the Afterschool Program is divided into 10 equal monthly payments. The Full Day care fee when school is not in session is $40 per day, and partial days are $10 per hour. There is a minimum charge of one hour and partial hours are billed as a full hour.
A Registration Fee of $80 and the first month’s tuition is due by September 5th. The registration fee is discounted to $70 for two or more siblings. Forty dollars will be deducted from the September tuition if the registration is paid on or before June 15th. Returning families only pay a $40 registration fee if paid by April 10, 2024. Afterschool Tuition is due by the 5th of the month unless otherwise arranged. A 5% discount is available for those who pay a half-year or the entire year in advance. (This reverts to the full rate if children leave the program early.)
Pickup time is 5:30pm. We reserve the right to charge a $10 fee for late pick up, after 5:35 pm.
Checks should be made payable to Trinity Lutheran Church, with your child’s name on the memo line. If you have any questions, please contact the church office, at (607) 273-9017 or at billing@trinityithaca.org
Tuition Rates for 2023 – 2024
| Days/Week | First Child | Second Child | Third + Child |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | $320/month | 10% Discount | 20% Discount |
| 4 | $265/month | 10% Discount | 20% Discount |
| 3 | $200/month | 10% Discount | 20% Discount |
| 2 | $135/month | 10% Discount | 20% Discount |
| 1 | $75/month | 10% Discount | 20% Discount |
Tuition Rates for 2024 – 2025
| Days/Week | First Child | Multiple Siblings |
|---|---|---|
| 5 | $350/month | 5% Discount per child |
| 4 | $290/month | 5% Discount per child |
| 3 | $220/month | 5% Discount per child |
| 2 | $150/month | 5% Discount per child |
| 1 | $85/month | 5% Discount per child |