The After School Program at University School of Milwaukee is an environment that feels as much like a neighborhood as possible. Children are free to unwind, get together with friends, eat a snack, do homework, read a favorite book, or join in on an activity. The staff takes advantage of the resources of the School to provide several indoor and outdoor options for students.
Attentive staff members, who give children freedom of movement and a feeling of privacy, closely supervise the them in the After School Program. In this neighborhood environment, children benefit from the chance to program and direct a part of their busy day.
THE USM AFTER SCHOOL PHILOSOPHY
Our inside options include art projects, art supplies available for independent work, dramatic play areas, manipulatives, and board games. We provide spaces for quiet study and conversation areas for sharing ideas. The After School Program is located in the Preprimary playroom, and we have access to the Lincoln Center, gymnasiums, and other classrooms throughout the School. Occasionally, we show movies as one of our daily options during the afternoon. For the most part, children plan their own activities inside, using the equipment and supplies that are accessible to them.
Outside, the children have access to the large playground and fields and have freedom to flow from inside to outside as they choose, weather permitting. There are always several teachers outside supervising children in free play and available to organize a game when the children ask for that structure. The outside area is large enough to accommodate a wide variety of activities; the playground provides a place for creative adventure and the blacktop is a place for basketball, four square, and jump rope. Our fields provide space for large games of soccer or kickball.
Whether organized or acting independently, the children are free to choose their own activities. We are very comfortable with this "neighborhood" feeling and believe students, no matter the age, benefit from the experience of being able to choose what they do during part of their day.
Since one of the University School's goals for the children is to encourage them to be compassionate, tolerant, and mutually respectful, they are expected to respect other people's rights and property and to be courteous and well mannered. It is important for students to understand that there are predictable consequences for inappropriate behavior. These consequences may include separating a student from peers and limiting his or her freedom while discussing with the student why the particular behavior is inappropriate. The positive attitude of students and teachers at USM is by far the most effective deterrent to misbehavior and is the central focus of each caregiver.
GENERAL INFORMATION
The BEFORE SCHOOL Program is offered every regular school day from 7:30 a.m. to 8 a.m. This program is supervised by a regular USM staff member daily.
BEFORE SCHOOL is held in the Preprimary playroom. We ask parents who plan to use the BEFORE SCHOOL Program to please walk their child to the playroom to ensure safety and supervision at all times.
The AFTER SCHOOL Program is open every regular school day between 3 p.m. and 6 p.m. Each day, special activities are planned with different age groups in mind. There are art projects, games, reading, and time on the playground as well as other athletic fields. There is also a supervised homework room. Most importantly, there is time for the students to move from one area of interest to another at their leisure.
NON-SCHOOL DAY INFORMATION
1. Full day care for Lower School students is available, and pre-registration is required. On non-school days, we must receive a minimum of 15 children registered by the due date in order to run the program. Unless we receive notice of a change in your childcare needs by the last day of registration, you will be charged for the days that your child is registered, whether or not your child attends.
2. The dining room is never open on non-school days. Your child must bring his or her own lunch.
3. Please allow your child to dress casually on these days.
4. AFTER SCHOOL opens at 8 am on non-school days, and closes at 6 p.m. For your child's safety, please bring your child inside to the After School/Preprimary playroom, deposit his or her belongings, and check in with a teacher.
5. The non-school day program is primarily set up for Lower School students. However, fifth-grade students who have a sibling in the Lower School may register for the Lower School AFTER SCHOOL Program on non-school days.