Hello and some after school updates

Dear Parents:

I am writing to provide you with some updates and information about our after school programming.

Since our opening in 2015, we have offered a comprehensive after school program and tried hard to fulfill the interests of students and the needs of parents. After completing and reflecting on two years of the program, we have come to the conclusion that while there are many positive aspects of the program, it is too costly to continue to operate as-is. With the current program's wide breadth of offerings and multiple vendors, it has become unsustainable, in terms of cost, management, and staffing.  

It is easy, and common, for new organizations to take on too much and to inadvertently stray from the work of their core mission. One of our goals for this school year is to streamline operations so that we can stay laser-focused on our academic program. As a result, we have decided to outsource the after school program to an organization called TAPS Education and Sports Academy. The TAPS program will be our primary after school provider, and each day they will provide a snack, tutoring/reading/math time, and a bundle of extracurricular activities including sports and crafts. You can find out more at www.tapseducationandsportsacademy.com and see our 2017-18 After School Program Info below.
 
As with all initiatives at Lab, this change in after school programming is one that we will monitor and reassess. We will continue to include after school program feedback in our surveys and ask that you let us know about your and your child's experiences with the new program. Your feedback will help us make decisions about after school programming in future years.  

We hope you enjoy the final weeks of summer and appreciate your ongoing partnership and support.  

Sincerely,
 
Mary Moss Brown
Head of School

2017-18 AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAMS
All after school programming will take place at the lower school campus located at 301 E. 9th Street. Middle school students who wish to participate in after school will ride the bus from the middle school to the lower school, and parents will pick up all children from the lower school. Note all after school programs run from the first week of school through the final week, unless otherwise noted (for example, Soccer Shots).

TAPS AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM
The TAPS program runs daily until 5:45 pm and costs $55/week or $220/month. You may also choose drop-in care for $15 per day. At this time, students who wish to attend TAPS after school semi-regularly (for example, every Monday) should register using the drop-in care method.

• To register for full-time care, create an account and sign up on the TAPS website. There is a $25 registration fee at the time you sign up and you will be billed monthly/weekly.
  
  
• To register for drop in care, please email tapssportsacademy@gmail.com to request the days you would like drop in care. Note arrangements and payment for drop in care is handled directly with TAPS. Any day that your child is attending drop-in care afterschool, you must also complete Lab’s transportation change form.
  
  

Parents applying for financial aid should contact TAPS directly at 704-749-0528 or tapssportsacademy@gmail.com.

OTHER AFTER SCHOOL VENDORS
In addition to the TAPS program, we are pleased that several other vendors will be offering classes. See below for the additional program options. Please make note of the specific start and stop times of these programs. You are expected to pick your child up on time at the end of the class. If your child needs extended day coverage, you must also register and pay for the TAPS program. Parents applying for financial aid should contact these vendors directly.

Young Master Chess Club (K-6th grade)

• Tuesdays 3:45 - 5:30 pm

Register at www.youngmasterchess.com (Registration Forms)
 
Master Watson / The Kind Ninja

• Taekwondo (K-5th)
  Wednesdays 3:45-4:45 pm
  
  
• Intro to Jiujitsu (K-6th)
  Wednesdays 5:00-5:45 pm  

 

• Taekwondo  (K-6th)
  Thursdays 3:45-4:45 pm 
  
  
• Olympic Sparring (K-6th)
  Thursdays 5:00-5:45 pm 
  
  
• Taekwondo (K-6th)
  Fridays 3:45-4:45 pm 

Register at www.TheKindNinja.com (Enroll)

Thinker's Lab (Formerly Tech All Stars)

• Daily Class Offerings 3:45-5:45 pm

Register at A Cultivated Mindset

Soccer Shots

• Wednesday 9/13-11/29 with no classes on 11/1 or 11/22
  Time 3:45-4:30 pm

Register at Soccer Shots


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NEWS WORTH REPEATING

• Daily Schedules:
  • Lower school day will be 8:15 am - 3:30 pm;
  • Middle school day will be 8:30 am - 3:45 pm;
  • Morning drop off at both campuses will start at 7:45 am each day; and 
  • On half days, students will be released at 12:30 pm at both campuses.
• Bus Information and Sign Up If your child(ren) will be using bus transportation, please sign up by August 11 in order to guarantee your spot. You can find more information, including bus routes and financial assistance, on our website. 
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• First Day of School: Mon, Aug 28
  Kindergarten Staggered Start: Last Name A-D: Monday, August 28; Last Name E-K: Tuesday, August 29; Last Name L-R: Wednesday, August 30; Last Name S-Z: Thursday, August 31; and All Kindergarten Students: Friday, September 1.
  
  
• Summer Reading: Don't forget to keep working on your Summer Challenge and Summer Reading and share via Twitter, Instagram or Facebook and tag them with #cltlabway and #labsummerchallenge.