ALL PARENTS MUST FILL OUT THE STUDENT INFORMATION AND AGREEMENT FORM 72 HOURS BEFORE THEIR STUDENT'S REGISTERED PROGRAM BEGINS. THIS FORM WILL BE EMAILED TO ALL REGISTERED EMAILS ONE WEEK BEFORE SUMMER PROGRAMMING BEGINS.

HCA staff will provide you with periodic updates about your child’s participation. We strive to communicate effectively about our programs through newsletters, posted signs about upcoming events, emails, and staff communication during drop-off and pick-up. If you have questions, please feel free to contact our Director of Programming, Stephanie Madden.

Communication

Be sure to keep your email address up to date and accurate. The Friday prior to your child’s first day at the HCA you will receive an email including weekly events. The email will let you know what is planned each week including bubble day, frozen treats, talent shows, and any end of week demonstrations/exhibitions.

Email Address on File

If you have serious concerns about any HCA program, please contact our Director of Programming, Stephanie Madden at stephanie@hopartscenter.org or by calling 508-435-9222.​

Parent Input

Parents who wish to visit the HCA or take a tour should schedule a visit with the Director of Programming. All visitors and guests must check-in at the main desk and be escorted by a staff member at all times.​

Parent Visits

The HCA provides itemized receipts for personal and dependency exemptions. Requests must be made via google form once the program has been completed. Please include what your provider requires on the itemized receipt. No itemized receipts will be sent until the end of any registered program. Please allow seven (7) days for processing.

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REQUEST FORM HERE

Itemized Receipts for Personal and Dependency Exemptions

Parents should write a note or send an email in instances of:

• Early pick-up

• Pick-up by someone other than those designated as emergency contacts and those with pick-up authorization on your child’s account

• Medication needs (Please review the Medical section below.)

• Modified activities, extra help or additional support for your child

Written Notes

Little Music Explorers If your student is in the morning "Little Music Explorers" program please enter the main HCA parking lot and park your car. You will need to come into the building to drop-off and pick-up your student. Any adult picking up a student needs to be on the students pick-up list. 

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Dance & Ceramics Programs: Drop off and pick-up is done at 34 Hayden Rowe St (back of the building)

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All others: Please enter through the Hopkinton High School parking lot. You do not need to physically come in to drop-off your student, unless you wish to speak with a staff member. Your student can check themselves in if you wish. In the afternoon the adult picking up must park their car to pick-up the student. Staff will verify all adults before a student is released. Any adult picking up a student needs to be on the students pick-up list.

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A Drop-off/Pick-up map is located at the bottom of this webpage.

Drop-off and Pick-up Information

Little Music Explorers: 

• Drop-off between 8:45–9:00 AM

• Lunch/recess: 11:30 AM–11:45 AM

Chitty Chitty Bang Bang 3rd grade afternoon program:

• Drop-off :12:30 pm

• Pick-up between 3:00–3:30 PM

  • All students must be picked up by 3:30 p.m.

  • There is a charge for late pick-ups of $10 for every 15 minutes.

​All others: 

• Drop-off between 8:45-9:00 AM

• Lunch/recess: 11:30 AM–12:15 PM

• Pick-up between 3:00–3:30 PM

  • All students must be picked up by 3:30 p.m.

  • There is a charge for late pick-ups of $10 for every 15 minutes.

Drop-off and Pick-up Times

A late fee is charged for children picked up after the last pickup time. The late fee is $10 for the first 15 minutes past pickup time.

Pick-up Late Fees

• Dress appropriately for the outdoors, play, the weather, and paint!

• All shoes must be closed-toe. Sneakers are recommended.

• A cap or hat for sun protection is advisable.

• All belongings should be clearly marked with the child’s name and phone number.

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Summer Dance Dress Code

Ages 4-7: 

• Comfortable clothing (leggings, shorts, t-shirts) that fit well and allow the dancers to reach, stretch and turn. Leotard and tights are also welcome.

• All dancers must have well-fitted ballet shoes.

• Long hair must be pulled back off the face and into a pony tail.

Ages 8-10:

• Girls: Leotard (classical ballet style, any color), tights, ballet slippers, long hair in a bun

• Boys: t-shirt, black shorts or pants, ballet slippers, longer hair pulled back or combed back

Dance Workshop: 

• Girls: navy blue leotard (any style), tights, ballet slippers, pointe shoes (if en pointe), navy ballet skirt, character skirt​

• Boys: t-shirt; black shorts, pants or tights; ballet slippers; socks​

• Additional supplies: yoga mat, character shoes

What to Wear

​​All children should bring a backpack to carry their belongings. The backpack should be clearly marked with the child’s name and phone number.

• Rising kindergartners should bring a change of clothing

• Sunscreen and insect repellent (optional). 

• Children should bring a water bottle that can be refilled at our water cooler.

• Toys, personal listening devices, portable game devices, cell phones, trading cards, stuffed animals, pets and money should stay at home.

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The HCA is not responsible for lost, stolen or broken items.

What to Bring

The HCA does NOT serve or provide lunches and snacks. 

• Full-day participants should bring a nutritious lunch, beverages/water bottle and two snacks.

• Both Morning Explorers and Musical Theater Fun for Kids participants should bring a nutritious lunch, one snack and a beverage/water bottle. If your child is registered for both morning and afternoon programs please pack two snacks.

• Non-perishable items are recommended.

• We recommend small, cooler-type lunch boxes, clearly marked with the child’s name and phone number.

• Healthy snack options include fresh fruit, raisins, pretzels, small granola bars and 100-calorie snack packs. 

• No nuts or nut products are allowed.

• Water, sugar-free beverages, and six-ounce servings of 100% fruit juice are healthy beverage options.

• Participants do not have access to a refrigerator or microwave.

• We make accommodations for kid's with food allergies. Please contact Stephanie at stephanie@hopartscenter.org to make arrangements.

Lunches and Snacks

Please do not send your child to the HCA with any of the following symptoms:
•    Sore throat
•    Excessive coughing
•    Diarrhea or vomiting
•    Fever
•    Head lice
•    Undiagnosed rash, sore, or other skin condition
•    Any other contagious disease or symptom

A child must be diarrhea, vomiting and fever-free for a full 24 hours before returning to the program. A physician’s note may be required before re-admitting a child to the program.

When to stay Home

In the event of severe rain, lightning or other unsafe conditions, activities will be modified as necessary to ensure the safety of all participants.

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Severe weather may affect the pick-up process. In cases of driving rain and/or lightning, staff will keep children sheltered until conditions improve. This may slow down the pickup process, requiring those picking up to wait. The safety of HCA students and staff is our first priority. Parents may come inside or into the sheltered areas at their own risk to pick up their child during severe weather conditions.

Inclement Weather

The HCA runs background checks on all staff members. 

• CORI from the Department of Criminal Justice Information Services.

• A sex offender registry information check from the Massachusetts Sex Offenders Registry Board.

Background Checks

The HCA is a classroom-based instructional program with no specialized high risk activities. The HCA's programs are not defined as Recreational Camps for Children in the State of Massachusetts.

Classroom-based Instructional Programming

The HCA is a classroom-based instructional program with no specialized high risk activities, and does not have a registered nurse or physician on staff. The HCA does not normally administer any medication and will do so only when directed in writing by the child’s parent or guardian. Medications must be in original containers with written instructions for dispensing. Generally, children are prohibited from having medication with them, unless the medication is dispensed on their person (such as an insulin pump) or a doctor has specifically indicated in writing that the child may self-administer and safety precautions are met for the safe handling of the medication. If a doctor has given this written permission, a copy must be provided to the HCA. A parent or guardian must give the medication to program staff.

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Medical Log: The HCA maintains a medical a log which records all student and staff health complaints and treatment. The medical log lists the date and time, name of individual, complaint, and treatment for each incident. 

Medications

Everyone who attends HCA programs has unique needs. We are better when we take time to find out what those needs are, build empathy and understanding, and respond to individuals appropriately. The HCA offers inclusive, welcoming programs dedicated to serving those needs in the best way possible. Because every person is unique, we address each request individually. Your/your child's success and safety in our programs are our top priorities; therefore, we respectfully ask you or parents and caregivers to inform the HCA, proper to the start of the program, of any special needs which may require accommodations, so we can work together to support you/ your child in reaching your/ their full potential. 

Accommodations

We believe in creating a safe, secure and fun environment where all participants have the opportunity to learn the importance of demonstrating good character. We believe that in order to do this, all participants need to know and understand the rules and expectations for appropriate behavior. We also believe that when participants do not follow the rules or when they demonstrate inappropriate behavior, we have an opportunity to help them learn from their mistakes.

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The HCA is committed to fostering an environment that is free of racism, discrimination, and harassment. All individuals are treated with respect and dignity, contribute fully, and have equal opportunities. All persons working or associating with our community are expected to uphold and abide by the HCA Code of Conduct. All individuals are expected to refrain from any form of harassment, bullying, or discrimination, and cooperate fully in any investigation of a harassment or discrimination complaint.

The HCA uses six simple rules to communicate behavior expectations to all participants in our programs. The purpose of these rules is to ensure the safety of our participants and staff and to create a positive environment for all. These rules are:​​

• Listen and follow directions.

• Do what’s right.

• Keep your hands, feet and body to yourself.

• Try everything and do your best.

• If you see something, say something.

• Be safe and have fun!

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All participants are expected to follow the rules established for the safety of all other participants in the program. Your cooperation and support help ensure that everyone has a safe and fun experience.

Behavior Expectations

The HCA uses positive discipline which means staff members promote desired behaviors through teaching and reinforcement. Staff will redirect or problem solve with participants when they are not displaying desired behaviors, rather than restrict behaviors by taking away opportunities or controlling participants with fear of punishment. We believe this approach focuses on the needs of the participants and contributes positively to their overall development. Staff shall use positive discipline, which shall include the following:

• Communicate to the youth using positive statements.

• Encourage youth, with adult support, to use their own words and solutions in order to resolve interpersonal conflicts.

• Communicate with youth by getting on their level and talking to them in a calm, quiet manner about the expected behavior.

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There are times when restrictions may be necessary, and will most likely be directly linked to the health, safety or well-being of you/ your child or others. The HCA staff does not use corporal punishment under any circumstance. In the event of a participant harming themselves, another participant, or an adult, staff may physically restrain the participant to ensure safety.

The HCA does not allow the following behaviors including but not limited to:

• Any action that could threaten the physical or emotional safety of the youth, other youth or staff. Prohibited conduct may include, but is not limited to: abusive jokes, insults, slurs, threats, name calling or intimidation.

• Destructive behavior.

• Behavior that is a violation of personal boundaries or is of a habitual nature and negatively impacts the program, and/or safety and enjoyment of others. Behavior that is of a sexual nature.

• Additionally, all participants agree to the behaviors and expectations outlined in the HCA Code of Conduct. Some behaviors could result in immediate suspension or dismissal.

Positive Discipline

If a participant is unable to meet established behavior expectations, HCA staff will follow these disciplinary procedures below given that the nature of the behaviors do not require immediate suspension or dismissal. The HCA staff desire to partner with individual participants and families of the youth in our care. If at any time you have concerns about your child’s behavior or success in our program, please do not hesitate to reach out to your Program Director to set up a conference.

1. Conversation between staff and participants to discuss behavior and reset expectations

2. Staff will first use positive reinforcement and redirection to redirect a participant’s behavior. If this is ineffective, staff may use a timeout as an opportunity for the participant to take a break from the behavior before rejoining the activity.

3. Staff will communicate with the participant directly or with a parent/ guardian if/when youth is not following established HCA rules. This communication may be at pick-up, over the phone or a conference.

4. If positive discipline and redirection are ineffective in changing participant behavior, the Program Director may suspend the participant. Length of suspension will be determined based on each individual situation. Factors such as type/severity of behavior, behavior history, age of participant, etc. will be considered when determining the length of suspension.

5. If suspensions nor a behavior plan are effective in changing the participant’s behavior, the participant may be dismissed from the program. Dismissal from the program for disciplinary reasons could result in permanent removal from all HCA programs and facilities.

Discipline Procedures

In registering your youth in any HCA program you understand and agree with all of the policies as stated by our code of conduct, injury waiver, and photo release, and you have discussed the expectations of behavior with your child/ ward. You understand that the HCA has the authority to revoke your or your child’s right to participate in HCA programs for behavior which is not in keeping with the mission of the HCA or for failing to follow the policies/ procedures of the HCA.

Waiver Signature and Agreements