JACKSON Youth Program Parent Information Packet 2025

Welcome to JACKSON Youth Program!! JACKSON Youth Program's aim is to inspire a generation of strong, brave and intelligent girls. We engage in this work through the instruction of creative programming, in a safe and nurturing environment while teaching the independence, accountability and personal responsibility that all girls need to succeed.

Our Mission: The mission of JACKSON Youth Program is to support the social and emotional development of youth ages 8-15 through the art of creative expression.

Purpose: The purpose of JACKSON Youth Program is to prepare girls to lead a life of confidence, responsibility and personal fulfillment.

Philosophy of the Program: By cultivating a supportive, nurturing, and safe environment for girls to engage in different art forms for creative expression, girls will become more confident, thus strengthening personal habits of success.

Goals: To provide each girl with excellent care that is beneficial in her physical, emotional, personal, and academic development by:

• Engaging in activities that increase self-awareness, self-esteem and confidence Interactions with peers that assist in developing increased social skills
• Providing culturally competent adult supervision from caring staff that understand the needs and barriers faced by the girls, and encourage growth through challenging the girls to excel
• Maintaining a high level of expectations for youth's future accomplishments both personally and academically

Description of Program: JACKSON Youth Program offers a program for girls ages 8-15 who are currently living in the Greater Boston area. Our program consists of a full curriculum of activities that are provided on sight including dance, arts and crafts, physical fitness, creative writing, social emotional support, back to school readiness, events, and field trips.

Non-Discrimination Policy: JACKSON Youth Program does not discriminate on the basis of race, religious affiliation, cultural heritage, handicap status, sexual orientation, political beliefs, age, sex, marital status or national origin in hiring procedures and/or in providing services. JACKSON Youth Program is a safe space for all individuals, from all backgrounds.

Schedule: JACKSON Youth Program's 2025 summer sessions are Monday through Friday, 9:15 am- 5:15 pm. Extended option of 8:30am - 5:30pm.

Youth must be accompanied by an adult on their first day. Children may only use the elevator when accompanied by an adult. The elevator entrance is located at 56 Warren Street, Roxbury, MA 02119. The stair entrance is located at 150 Dudley Street.

 

Program Hours & Attendance:

• Doors open at 8:30 AM.
• Breakfast is available until 9:15 AM.
• Programming begins promptly at 9:30 AM. It is important that all youth arrive on time to fully engage in daily activities.
• Excessive tardiness will not be accepted, as it disrupts the flow of the program and impacts the group experience. Repeated late arrivals may result in a review of your child's enrollment.
• Structured programming runs from 9:30 AM to 4:30 PM, followed by supervised free time until closing.
• Early pickups before 4:30 PM are strongly discouraged, as they interrupt activities and distract both staff and youth.
• Excessive early pickups may lead to a conversation regarding program fit and your child's continued participation.
• The program closes promptly at 5:30 PM, and all children MUST be picked up by that time.

Attendance & Commitment: Our goal is to serve as many girls as possible. Therefore, consistent attendance is critical:

• If you are aware that your child will be unable to attend a session, please notify us in advance so we may offer the spot to another participant.
• More than three (3) unexcused absences-defined as absences not communicated before the start of a session and/or not supported with a valid excuse (e.g., doctor's note)-may result in revoked scholarship and/or removal from the program.
• If your child will be absent on any day, please call JACKSON Youth Program office by 9:30am at 857-364-1103 to inform us.

Food: Though youth are more than welcome to elect to bring their own breakfast and snack breakfast, as well as, an afternoon snack will be provided daily by JACKSON Youth Program. Please note: All girls MUST bring their own lunch.

Preparedness & Comfort: In addition to bringing lunch each day, all youth should also bring a bottle of water and a change of clothes to keep on site in case of spills, outdoor activities, or accidents. These items help ensure your child remains comfortable, hydrated, and fully able to participate in all daily programming.

Release Policy: Youth are required to be picked up/released only to the individual(s) named in the "Pick up/Release" section of the application. In the event that anyone else will be picking up your child, please call us in advance or send a letter with a phone number where you can be reached to verify pickup. Also, please advise that any person not named on the "Pick up/Release" must provide valid proof of identification (i.e. driver's license.

Emergency Health Care: In the case of an emergency a qualified person will administer First Aid. If further treatment is necessary parents will be informed and JACKSON Youth Program will coordinate transportation for the youth to an emergency care facility.

Medication: Parents must provide written authorization and complete the "Medication Consent Form" attached to the application if a child is to be administered any medication during program hours. Medication being given to any child MUST be in its original container that specifies the recipient's name, dosage and schedule. In the event that the prescription container does not provide this information, a doctor's letter will suffice. A record of all medications given will be kept on sight.

Staffing: JACKSON Youth Program will maintain a leader-to-girl ratio of no more than 1:10.

Parental Involvement and Visits: At JACKSON Youth Program we believe that parent involvement is a key aspect in the continued success of any youth in programming. Therefore, parents are strongly encouraged to attend parent conferences to discuss ideas, concerns, suggestions for program improvement and/or your specific youth's growth and progress. If you have any specific concerns or a complaint about the program or staff, you can speak directly to the Program Director. Parents are also encouraged to visit and observe the program. Furthermore, at any point you wish to meet with a staff member, please call our office to coordinate a mutually convenient time.

Fees, Payments & Refunds: Summer sessions cost $250 per week. Payments to the JACKSON Youth Program must be made two weeks in advance and are due weekly. If payment is not received by the Monday two weeks before the session begins, youth will not be permitted to attend that week. If for any reason you wish to cancel your child's enrollment in the program you must send an email to Information@JACKSON YouthProgram.org requesting cancellation and refund. All refunds must be requested one week of the session beginning. Refunds are not provided for those who do not cancel one week prior. Deposits will not be refunded. Once a session begins no refunds will be granted as all program fees have been used to fund the scheduled activities. Should you feel that you have a case for special consideration, please call and talk with our Program Director. All parents must make arrangements for their children to be picked up by 4:30pm each day (5:30 for extended day), as we do not provide any transportation home from programming.

The following late fee policy has been implemented to ensure that everyone's time is respected: $5 charge for the first 15-minute delay or part thereof. $10 charge for the second 15-minute delay or part thereof.

Money/Valuables: Please advise your child against bringing extra money or other valuable items to programming as these items are not the responsibility of program staff and we cannot ensure the safety or return of them.

Phone Use Policy: There are three specific times when girls are allowed to use their phones: before the program starts at 9:30am, during breaks and during lunch time. Outside of this, any girl making a phone call must do so ONLY with the permission of a staff member. Girls may only make phone calls during activities for emergency purposes.

Furthermore, JACKSON Youth Program strongly discourages bringing cell phones to the program, as JACKSON Youth Program cannot be responsible for any loss or damages that may occur. 

Member Responsibilities:

• At the start of each day all girls must sign in. Girls are only allowed to sign themselves in and must be signed out at dismissal by their parent or specified individual named on the "Pick-up/Release" form.
• It is expected that all girls whose parents have provided written consent to leave premises during lunch time return by 1:30pm. If any youth is unable to comply with this rule loss of privilege to leave premises during lunch time will be implemented.
• It is expected that all girls lend a hand in cleaning up the center as needed. These tasks entail cleaning the eating space after snack, washing snack dishes, picking up stray papers, etc. Please encourage your daughter to take pride in the appearance and cleanliness of our center, which will serve as a sanctuary for her. If your child is in the process of playing or doing a project she is expected to clean up and put all items away before leaving for the day.

Girls are not allowed to make phone calls during activities. There are three events during the day in which girls can make phone calls:

• Before 9:30am (before the start of the day)
• During breaks from activities (break time will be clearly specified by staff)
• During lunch time

All other phone calls must be an emergency situation, made with the permission of staff and will be monitored. JACKSON Youth Program discourages youth from bringing cellphones to programming, as we cannot be responsible for any lost, stolen or damaged valuables.

JACKSON Youth Program members are expected to be RESPECTFUL of the staff, the property, and other members of JACKSON Youth Program.

The following behaviors are not allowed:

•  Bullying
• Fighting/Hitting Swearing/Rude Language
• Horse Play/ Carrying Other Youth
• Sitting on Tables or Counters
• Standing on Tables or Chairs Leaving
• Program and or Program Areas without Permission
• Excessive disruption of activities
• Repeatedly refusing to follow rules
• Tobacco, drugs and alcohol use
• Damage to equipment or supplies

If youth do not comply with the guidelines or behave in a way that provides an unsafe, troublesome or disrespectful environment for herself or other participants, disciplinary action will follow.

The most common disciplinary action is for the girl(s) involved to have a "time out". This "time out" from activities may include being asked to write down solutions to the problem or to write about how they can behave differently next time.

In the event that these approaches do not work, or if the behavior of the girl(s) continue to threaten themselves, others or the program, a Warning Slip detailing the child's behavior may be written to inform the parent of the matter. If a Warning Slip is given it must be returned the next day with a parent signature.

If repeated concerns involving disrespect or misbehavior persist the following may be a result:

• Lost of privileges to take part in field trips
• A conference with the parent/guardian to discuss a plan for improvement
• Cases involving bullying, violence, stealing, or destruction of property may result in an immediate suspension or permanent termination from the program.

Parent Responsibilities

Read and review with your daughter the Member Responsibilities in an effort to help us reinforce the importance of respecting herself, her peers, and the environment we all will share.

Please encourage your child to participate in new activities, meet new friends and try new things.

During your daughter's time at JACKSON Youth Program stay well-informed. If ever you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to speak with us when you pick up your child, write a letter or you can call any time during business hours.

As a safety precaution, at dismissal we do not NOT allow children to wait at the door and leave when they see their parent/guardian arrive. It is imperative that all parents or individuals named on the "Pick-up/Release" Form physically come inside of the building and sign their respective child out for the day. Information for parents, announcements about upcoming events and other special announcements will be posted on the bulletin boards in the front lobby and hallway. Letters and flyers will also be given to parents at the sign-out desk during pick-up time. Please check these locations regularly, as the information may be greatly beneficial to you and your child.

I certify that I have thoroughly reviewed the Parent Information Packet, Parent Responsibilities and have reviewed the Member Responsibilities with my child.