Welcome to the Fall 2024 session of ASE!

Classes are available for ‘Sneak Peek‘ September 23.

Registration opens Monday, September 30 at 7AM.

Registration closes Monday, October 7.

This is a 7 week session and classes begin Tuesday, October 15.  Payment by credit card only.

Welcome to Wellington ASE!

The After School Extracurricular (ASE) and Build Our Kids’ Success (BOKS) programs at the Wellington School are fundraising programs coordinated entirely by volunteers for the Wellington PTO. BOKS gives kids a body and brain boost to set them up for a day of learning. ASE clubs rely on parent volunteers, teachers and staff and a few outside vendors to lead fun, dynamic, age-appropriate, after school activities. The classes being offered by the ASE/BOKS program do not qualify as a child care program licensed by the Department of Early Education and Care or any other state agency.

Registration

Important: You do not need an account to register for a class. If you are looking for a list of courses, try the Registration menu above.

Find your classes in the Course Catalog, and then Register for them.  Please note you may only register one child at a time, so if you are registering for siblings, you must complete a separate registration for each child.  On the Registration page, you may filter the classes by Day and Grade.

You’ll receive an email once you have registered. Save that email – it will have a link to your personal page that always has your latest registration status, class dates, and other helpful reminders.

ENROLLMENT

• ASE offers 3 sessions: Fall (7 weeks), Winter (7 weeks) and Spring (7 weeks)
• ASE enrollment is conducted online, through our School Twist site.
• Enrollment dates are listed at the beginning of each school year on the Wellington PTO calendar. Frequent reminders are sent via list serve updates, newsletters and the Wellington PTO Facebook group. Please keep in mind that many of the classes fill up quickly! Late registrations will not be accepted.
• Class enrollment is on a first-come, first-served basis. Waiting lists are created and parents are contacted as soon as a spot becomes open or a new class opportunity is created. This is sometimes soon after enrollment, but spots may become available as late as the first week of class. You will only be notified if your child receives a spot.
• Transfers between classes (space permitting) can only be accommodated before the end of the registration period.
• Enrollment fees will be returned if a course is canceled due to insufficient enrollment (most classes require a minimum of 6-8 students). See REFUND POLICIES & PROCEDURES below.

PAYMENT/REFUND POLICIES

• Refunds for cancelled classes: If an entire session of a class is cancelled by the PTA (due to low enrollment or any other reason), the full cost of the class will be refunded.
• Refund Requests: Refund requests must be submitted in writing (email) to the ASE team before the first meeting of the class. Refunds will be for the amount paid for the class minus a 10% processing fee.
• Once classes have begun, no refunds will be given except in extreme or extenuating circumstances and at the discretion and approval of the PTO.
• Program fees will NOT be prorated for a student who misses classes, even in cases of student illness.

Charges for ASE classes will appear on your credit card statement from “WELLINGTON PTO”. Not all card issuers display information in the same manner. If you have any questions, please contact ase.wellington@gmail.com.

Fees will only be returned if:

• A course is canceled due to insufficient enrollment (most classes require a minimum of 6-8 students).
• Cancellation is requested and processed before the first day of the session. Otherwise, your payment is non-refundable.

REPORTING TO AND DISMISSAL FROM CLUBS

• All ASE classes run from 2:55-3:55pm, unless an exception is noted.
• Upon dismissal from school, ASE students will meet in the Community Room, where the Monitors will take attendance. ASE instructors will meet their students in the Community Room and escort them to the assigned ASE room.
• Your child’s teacher, ASE monitors, and instructors help facilitate getting to the classroom and dismissal but it is the child’s responsibility to report to his/her course. Please make sure your child is aware of the course they are signed up for.
• If school is canceled or released early due to weather or for other reasons, there will be no BOKS or ASE courses on that day. The classes will be made up at the end of the session when possible.
• Students participating in ASE will be dismissed from the Wellington core (main hallway) by our monitors. After Care leaders will meet all After Care students in the hallway to bring them to After Care and sign in. All other children must leave upon completing their ASE class by following the dismissal selection made upon registration or expressed in writing by the parent.
• It is critical that your child is picked up on time.
• If your child is walking home, it is critical that they walk home on time.
• The Wellington ASE program ends promptly at 3:55pm. Starting at 4:00pm, the ASE Staff Monitors will attempt to arrange for pickup through parent/emergency contacts, and a fee of $5 per minute, per child may be assessed. If necessary, after a reasonable amount of time and in consultation with school administration, the ASE Staff Monitors may be required to contact the Belmont Police to take custody of any children not yet picked up.
• Additionally, ASE reserves the right to remove any student from participating in its programs for the remainder of the current session after two late pickups. No refunds will be given.
• If dismissal plans change or your child will be absent from an ASE class, please email the Wellington ASE program (ase.wellington@gmail.com) so that we may let the monitors know.

BEHAVIORAL EXPECTATIONS AND PARTICIPATION IN ASE

• Participation in BOKS and ASE is a privilege. For the safety and enjoyment of all children and the continued success of the program, each ASE/BOKS student will follow the same behavioral expectations that apply during the school day, as outlined in their Wellington Student Handbook (signed by each Wellington student at the start of the school year).
• Students are reminded of the school/ASE rules at the beginning of each club session. Monitors have a copy of behavioral expectations and consequences on hand throughout each day.
• We welcome any information you can provide for our instructors to help your child have a fun and successful ASE experience. Please do not hesitate to contact an ASE volunteer or your child’s instructor to discuss any questions or concerns you might have about your child’s ASE class.

INJURIES AND HEALTH EMERGENCIES DURING ASE/BOKS

• Parents acknowledge in the registration waiver that there is (1) not a nurse on duty during either ASE or BOKS and (2) instructors have access to EpiPens or any other medications during the club meetings.
• In the event of a serious injury or health emergency, Program Monitors will call 911 and the parent contacts listed on the ASE member file.
• Any injury or other health emergency must be documented in an Incident Report. For these purposes, an injury is considered:
  • Anything that requires an icepack
  • Anything that requires a band aid larger than a standard size (i.e. questionable wound or blood loss)
  • All potential head, neck or back injuries

INCIDENT REPORTS

• Behavior-related Incidents
  • At the discretion of the course instructor, a child displaying disruptive or inappropriate behavior will be given a verbal warning and may be temporarily removed from the activity to one of our monitors to discuss why the behavior is deemed inappropriate.
  • A Monitor should be called at any such time that an instructor needs to report an incident.
  • An incident report will be filled out by the instructor and the monitors and will be sent to the parents and ASE coordinator. A copy will be kept in the Monitor folder for that session. Parents are encouraged to follow up with instructor and/or Monitor.
  • Children who receive a second disruptive behavior report will be required to withdraw from that club for that semester. No refunds will be given in this case. A child may be removed from a club at any time at the discretion of the PTO.
• Injury or Health -related Incidents
  • A club instructor / Monitor should send an incident report home for any injury that requires parent awareness or follow-up.

ASE COMMITTEE

VP ASE: From time to time, ASE has 1 seat on the PTO Executive Board. This is decided by the PTO Co-Presidents on a year-to-year basis.

Program Manager: The Program Manager manages content, sources and interacts with vendors and instructors, provides course descriptions.

Database Manager: The Database Manager handles all aspects of operating the School Twist site and generates all program reporting: rosters, attendance sheets, etc.

Business Manager: The Business Manager is responsible for all vendor and instructor contracts, payroll and reimbursement requests

Communications Manager: The Communications Manager handles email communication, serving as liaison between parents and ASE committee.

Marketing Manager: The Marketing Manager creates advertising for each session, including coordinating announcements in the Whaley Weekly and generating fliers.

Q: What is BOKS?

A. The BOKS (Build Our Kids’ Success) program is a morning program that gives kids a body and brain boost to set them up for a day of learning. Read this NYTimes article about the program:  A Before-School Exercise Program May Help Children Thrive

Q: Do the ASE/ BOKS classes count as childcare?

A. The classes being offered by the BOKS/ ASE program do not qualify as a child care program licensed by the Department of Early Education and Care or any other state agency.

Q: WHERE are ASE/ BOKS classes offered?

A. Classes take place on-site at the Wellington school.

Q: WHEN are the BOKS/ ASE Clubs offered?

A. There are 3 BOKS and ASE sessions per school year. Each session typically runs for 7-8 consecutive weeks (might vary with vacation/ holiday schedules):  Fall (7 or 8 weeks), Winter (7 or 8 weeks), and Spring (7 weeks).

BOKS is held twice a week each session, 7:40am – 8:30am. ASE classes are held once per week, immediately after school until 3:55pm. Classes are taught on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays.

Q: Can my child enroll in the ASE program if he/she attends Wellington Aftercare program?

A. YES! If your child is enrolled in the Wellington Aftercare program, he or she can still attend an ASE class. Your child will be dismissed from their classroom to the community room where all ASE students wait for their instructors and staff monitors take attendance. When the ASE class concludes, your child will be released back to the Aftercare program.

Q: Who runs the BOKS/ ASE program?

A. The program is coordinated entirely by parent volunteers for the Wellington PTO. In addition, two Wellington professional aides are paid by the program to serve as staff monitors and site coordinators.

Q: Who teaches the BOKS classes?

A. Wellington PE teacher, Aimee Doherty, leads the BOKS program.

Q: Who teaches the ASE classes?

A. Our program relies on parents, teachers, and a few outside vendors to offer classes. All instructors complete a CORI/ background check. We pay fees to our outside vendors to offer their programs and pay an hourly rate to parents and teachers. If you’d like to teach a class, please contact us at ase.wellington@gmail.com!

Q: Can I teach an ASE class?

A. Yes! Please contact us at ase.wellington@gmail.com.

Q: How and when do I register?

A. Registration for ASE and BOKS Clubs takes place online at this web address.  Registration dates are listed at the beginning of each school year on the Wellington PTO calendar. Frequent reminders are sent via list serve updates and PTO newsletters. Please keep in mind that many of the classes fill up quickly! Late registrations will not be accepted.

Q: My child is not registered at Wellington yet, but can I still register for classes?

A. The Wellington ASE clubs are designed to provide enrichment and community-building opportunities for Wellington students only and these classes are usually in high demand. If your child is not yet officially registered at Wellington before the registration period, we regretfully cannot accept registration.

Q: Is there a limit on how many ASE classes my child can take?

A. There is usually no limit on how many ASE classes your child can enroll in each session. Please keep in mind that there are a limited number of classes and spots for the entire Wellington School community.

Q: When do I pay for a BOKS or ASE class?

A. Payment by credit card is required at the time of registration. Failure to receive payment, will result in loss of class seat.

Q: What forms of payment are acceptable for ASE Clubs?

A. Payment via credit card is required at the time of registration.  Failure to receive payment, will result in loss of class seat.

Q: How will ASE charges appear on my credit card statement?

A. Charges for ASE classes will appear on your credit card statement from “WELLINGTON PTO”. Not all card issuers display information in the same manner. If you have any questions, please contact ase.wellington@gmail.com.

Q: Are scholarships available?

A. A small number of scholarships are available each session. Please contact the ASE coordinators (ase.wellington@gmail.com) for more information. Scholarship requests will be forwarded to the Wellington administration who will determine eligibility.

Q: My child wants to take a class with a few friends. Can I register my child and their friends at the same time to make sure to get spots together?

A. Each child must be registered by their own parent/ legal guardian.

Q: My child changed their mind about an ASE class, can I transfer my registration to a different class?

A. Transfers between classes (space permitting) can only be accommodated BEFORE the end of the registration period.

Q: What are the ASE refund policies and procedures?

A.

Refunds for cancelled classes: If an entire session of a class is cancelled by the PTA (due to low enrollment or any other reason), the full cost of the class will be refunded.

• Refund Requests: Refund requests must be submitted in writing (email) to the ASE team before the first meeting of the class. Refunds will be for the amount paid for the class minus a 10% processing fee.
• Once classes have begun, no refunds will be given except in extreme or extenuating circumstances and at the discretion and approval of the PTO.
• Program fees will NOT be prorated for a student who misses classes, even in cases of student illness.

Q: How do I cancel a registration?

A. Contact us at ase.wellington@gmail.com. Please note that your payment is non-refundable if the session has already started.

Q: The class my child wanted was full, how do I put his/her name on a waitlist?

A. Waitlists are created for classes that are full. In order to add your child to a waitlist, please click on the “ Join Waitlist” button for the class in which you are interested. You will receive an email notification of being on the waitlist. Please note that the ASE classes are in high demand and there is no guarantee that a waiting list spot will become available.

Q: When will I hear if my child has received a spot from the waitlist?

A. Parents are contacted as soon as a spot becomes available or a new class opportunity is created. This might be soon after enrollment, but spots may become available as late as the first week of class. You will only be notified if your child receives a spot.

Q: Registration is closed but it looks like there is still space in the class. Can you add my child?

A. If you cannot register for a class because it is full on the School Twist registration site, please add your child to the waitlist. We cannot add students to classes that have reached the set capacity.

Q: Who do I contact if I have questions about registration, waitlists, or other enrollment issues?

A. Please contact the ASE coordinators at ase.wellington@gmail.com.

Q: If my child is enrolled in an ASE, when do I pick them up from school?

A. If your child is enrolled in an ASE class, he/she will go from his/her classroom to the community room where the Staff Monitors take attendance. They will be then escorted to their ASE class with the ASE instructor. You will pick up your child inside the Wellington core (main hallway), when the ASE class concludes at 3:55pm. Your child will need to check out with the staff monitors.

Please note: The Wellington ASE program ends promptly at 3:55pm. Starting at 4pm, the ASE staff monitors will attempt to arrange for pickup through parent/ emergency contacts and a fee of $5 per minute/ per child may be assessed.

Q: Someone else (grandparent/ friend/ neighbor/ etc) needs to pick up my child after the ASE class, who do I contact?

A. If your dismissal plans change, please email the Wellington ASE program (ase.wellington@gmail.com) so that we may let the Staff Monitors know.

Q: I need to pick up my child early from the ASE class, who do I contact?

A. If your dismissal plans change, or you need to pick up your child early from their ASE class, please email the Wellington ASE program (ase.wellington@gmail.com) so that we may let the Staff Monitors know.

Q: My child will be arriving late for the BOKS class, who do I contact?

A. Please email the instructor, Aimee Doherty, (adoherty@belmont.k12.ma.us) directly to let her know.

Q: My child will be picked up early/ absent from school and will not attend the ASE class, who do I contact?

A. Please email the Wellington ASE program (ase.wellington@gmail.com) so that we may let the Staff Monitors know about your child’s absence/ early pick up.

Q: What happens on snow days or other school closures/ early release?

A. If school is canceled or released early due to weather or other reasons, there will be no BOKS or ASE courses that day. Classes will be made up at the end of the session when possible. No refunds will be given for canceled BOKS or ASE sessions.