LEAP Learning Enhancement & Activities Program

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Registration

2nd & 3rd Grade: Register Here

4th, 5th, & 6th Grade: Register Here
APPLY FOR 100% FREE SCHOLARSHIPS HERE (All grades, do not need to register above)

Download forms here: Medical/Liability Waiver | Technology Waiver

Jump to: Program Details | Additional Information | Forms | FREE SCHOLARSHIPS |
FAQs | Meet the Instructors

Edmonds LEAPs into Action to Help Families with School-Aged Kids
The City pivots to provide daytime programs so parents can work

When the Edmonds School District announced distance learning for fall 2020, many parents sat down to do some hard thinking: how would they work and manage kids at home simultaneously.

The City of Edmonds Parks Recreation & Human Services Department heard them and developed a new program called LEAP - Learning Enhancement & Activity Program. LEAP is a safe and affordable, on-site recreation program that supports academic efforts for local, school-aged youth while Edmonds School District maintains distance learning.

The program repurposes the Frances Anderson Center (FAC) to support children in second through sixth grade.

"The City can be a steward of our community and we saw this as an innovative way to redirect our community-owned facilities and staff to support our families, including those most in need, during this very challenging time," said Edmonds Mayor Mike Nelson. "Plus, I know our recreation staff really misses that daily community engagement as much as our community does."

LEAP Program Details

The City of Edmonds Fall Learning Enhancement & Activity Program (LEAP) is a great option for working parents of kids in 2nd to 6th grade. Weekly camps will operate out of the Frances Anderson Center and are led by City of Edmonds staff.

LEAP provides kids with a safe place to learn, socialize and recreate in a small group (pod) setting. The primary focus will be following the Edmonds School District remote learning schedule. WiFi access will be provided to connect personal laptop computers and allow campers to participate fully with their classroom and teachers.

During non-school times, City of Edmonds staff will lead campers in arts and crafts, environmental education and physical education activities. Campers will also have recreation time both indoors and outdoors (when weather permits).

Campers will need to bring the following each day:

  • Lunch, snacks and water bottle.
  • School computer and supplies (headphones, pencils, paper, books, any supplies needed to complete work, etc.)
  • Parents will need to provide virtual platform login info.
  • Masks to be worn at all times (suggest more than one)

Location: Frances Anderson Center - 700 Main St. Edmonds, WA 98020
Cost: $150 per week for Edmonds Residents* / $172.50 per week for non-residents
*Free scholarships available for qualifying Edmonds families

Schedule:
8:30 am - 4:30 pm - students with assigned pods
7:00 am - 8:30 am - before camp care in the gym
4:30 pm - 6:00 pm - after camp care in the gym

Camp will follow the Edmonds School District (ESD) remote learning schedule for each camper's grade and include games and activities during non-learning times.

FREE SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE
Weekly free scholarships are available for qualifying Edmonds youth.

  • You will need to supply a copy of your free or reduced lunch letter from the Edmonds School District or explain a harship that has been incurred.
  • Free scholarships are available for 20% of the registrants, therefore the more people who register the more free scholarships we will be able to provide. We are continually looking for additional funding / grant / donation opportunities to be able to open up more waivers.
  • If there is not an open slot at the time of your registration you will be placed on a waiting list for the next available spot.
  • Apply for free scholarships here: Free Scholarships Application

MEDICAL / LIABILITY FORM and TECHNOLOGY WAIVER
All participants are required to complete a medical / liability waiver and technology waiver. Submit forms at least one week prior to the start of your first week of camp utilizing one of the following no-contact drop-off options:
1. Mail to: Frances Anderson Center Attn: LEAP (700 Main Street Edmonds, WA 98020)
2. "NO Contact" drop off at City Hall in the Utility Drop Box
3. Fax forms to: (425) 771-0253

Additional Information

PROGRAM STAFFING
Meet the Instructors
Staff are trained recreation specialists and not trained educators. Staff will make every effort to help campers connect and engage in remote learning but cannot offer individual instruction with schoolwork and cannot guarantee that all schoolwork will be completed.

PROGRAM SAFETY
All programs offered by the City of Edmonds have been modified to meet CDC and Snohomish County Public Health recommendations for group sizes, social distancing and sanitation. Enhanced safety measures include:

  • All participants and staff are required to wear mask when indoors and outdoors when 6' of social distance cannot be met.
  • Participants stay in the same small groups all week.
  • Temperature checks and health screenings are required each day by all participants and staff.
  • Separate restrooms for each group.
  • Frequent disinfection of surfaces/handwashing breaks and minimized sharing of supplies/equipment.
  • Games and curriculums have been modified with the goal of creating a fun and safe environment for your camper.

WEEKLY REGISTRATION
Participants will need to re-register each week. If you would like to register a participant (s) for multiple weeks this can be done via automatic billing from your account. Contact the Parks, Recreation and Human Services Department by calling:425-771-0230 to set up your recurring payment / ongoing registration.

REFUND POLICY
Full refunds will be given up to seven (7) days prior to the start (not including the first day) for LEAP participants.

  • Refunds requested after close of business seven (7) days prior to start, but not including) the first day of camp, will be subject to a $10 administration fee.
  • Administrative fee is for each weekly camper registration.
  • Funds can be left as credit on account for future programming without a fee.
  • No refunds will be given less than seven (7) days (not including) the first day of camp.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ):
Key Points:

  • Edmonds School District has announced that the school year will begin online (distance learning) due to COVID-19
  • While it is still strongly suggested that kids be kept at home if possible, in many instances that is not an option and parents need a safe place for their kids AND support helping them get their classwork done.
  • LEAP will serve 2nd - 6th grade kids
  • There are 100 spots in the LEAP program, 20% will be held for individuals who qualify for a free scholarship
  • The fee is: $150 per week per child for residents and $172.50 per week for non-residents
  • The program will operate Monday - Friday 7:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. at the Frances Anderson Center
  • Online registration is NOW OPEN!
  • The program is scheduled to start October 19, 2020
  • Pod style program, keeping kids in small groups with limited interaction outside their pod
  • Education support AND supplemental programming such as Environmental education, Arts and Sno-King sports

     

    Q: What does LEAP stand for?
    A: Learning Enhancement & Activities Program

    Q: Why are Kindergarten and 1st grade not offered?
    A: Our goal is to support students with their learning however staff members are not certified teachers. A great deal of learning will need to take place independently and therefore we are limiting to the program to the age levels in which most students will be able to read and/or be somewhat independent with minimal staff direction.

    Q: Can you offer the program at additional sites?
    A: At this time the only city-owned location suitable for the operation of this program is the Frances Anderson Center due to the number of small classrooms available. We will continue to evaluate additional sites and potential locations should they become available.

    Q: Why is it so expensive?
    A: Safety is our first priority and we are striving to keep a 1:10 student ratio and to ensure 6' of social distance is available at all times while also ensuring there are always 2 adults in each room. This means that in many instances there will be 8 children and 2 teachers in a classroom. Further, we seek to employ individuals with early childhood learning experience. Safety and quality play a key role in the price of the program. Further, we aim to provide need based full scholarships for 20% of the participants which also impacts the program fee. This program is cost-neutral and designed that all direct costs are covered by registration fees so it is not subsidized.

    Q: How do I get a scholarship?
    A: 20% of the spaces in this program are reserved for individuals who live in the City of Edmonds and qualify for free or reduced lunches or have incurred a hardship due to COVID-19, these individuals will have their fees to attend camp waived (the program will be no-cost to them). To register and obtain a free sponsorship you will need to submit an online application. You will also need to provide a copy of this years (2020-21) free/reduced lunch letter from the school district or explain a hardship incurred due to COVID-19. This letter can be found on your child's school Skyward account or by contacting your school front office. Free scholarships will be issued on a first come, first-serve basis. Apply for free scholarships here.

    Q: Are scholarship spots guaranteed each week?
    A: Once you are approved for scholarship, you can reserve a space for each week you plan to participate through the end of the year (December 2020).

    Q: When will registration open?
    A: Registration is now open with the program kicking off on October 19, 2020.

    Q: If this can be offered why can't the kids be in school?
    A: This program is not a replacement for school, it is intended to support the Edmonds School District by ensuring children are not left unsupervised at home during instructional hours. Essential workers who are not able to work remotely and assist with learning need a place to take their children and that is our goal. There are multiple providers in the area offering a similar service, many are slightly more inexpensive. This program is focused on safety and small learning pods with no more than 100 children per day which is much smaller than a typical school environment. Rooms are set up so each child has a table and chair to themselves with a radius of 6' distancing resulting in far fewer kids in each room than school environment typically allows.

    Q: Do you have discounts for families with more than one kid in the program?
    A: At this time the only discount we have are need-based free scholarships

    Q: Do you offer military discounts?
    A: At this time the only discount we have are need-based free scholarships

    Q: Do I have to sign up for all 5 days, what if I only need 2 or 3 days of help?
    A: At this time, we are not able to separate the days of the week for registration. You will only need to sign up for one week at a time but can sign up for multiple weeks depending on your situation.

    Q: Will my kids stay in their pods the entire day?
    A: Pods will run from 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. during that time you can expect your child to stay in their pod. We will offer before and after care which will extend the hours to be 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. in those extended times children will be in the Gym or Outside on the field and will be kept separate to the best of our ability.

    Q: If I sign up for one week is my spot reserved for the rest of the session?
    A: No, you must register for each week. No spots will be held. You can pre-register for multiple weeks at a time by calling the office and setting up an auto-payment plan. Spaces are first come-first served.

    Q: What will you do if you have a COVID outbreak?
    A: We will follow the guidance of the Snohomish County Health Department. Due to the Pod style learning environment it is our goal to have any outbreaks isolated to the individual Pod group and not the entire program.

    Q: Will students be required to wear masks?
    A: Yes, at this time this is both the State of Washington and City of Edmonds requirement. All staff and children will be required to wear a mask while indoors and while outside when 6' of social distancing cannot be maintained.

    Q: Will the children be taken outside for "mask breaks"?
    A: We will utilize the outdoor space as much as reasonably possible. Weather will play a role as will learning times, WIFI is not available on the field at the Anderson Center so most online learning will take place in the program room.

    Q: Does this mean the Frances Anderson Center is now open? Will you be offering classes now?
    A: No, the Frances Anderson Center remains closed to the public. This program is considered an essential service and is therefore allowable under the current State of Washington's Reopening Phase Plan which states public buildings are not to open to the public until Phase 3. Main Street Kids Day Care and Edmonds Montessori Pre-School are open and will continue to run at the same time as the LEAP program however they are isolated from each other by utilizing separate spaces in the building.

    Q: Who are the instructors for the LEAP program?
    A: Meet the Instructors

    Q: Will you be providing computers for students?
    A: No, students will need to bring their own computer, headphones, and any other supplies needed to complete their schoolwork. We encourage all students to bring their School District issued Chromebook if possible as those are the computers our staff will be trained on. You can obtain a Chromebook for your student from your home school.

    Q: Will my student receive help with their schoolwork?
    A: Yes, recreation staff will do their best to help students with their schoolwork however, they are not certified teachers and we cannot guarantee they will be able to support all areas of study.

    Q: When I pick up my student can I assume they completed all of their required work for the day?
    A: We will do our best to help them get as much done as we can. We cannot guarantee it will all be completed. All students learn at a different pace but we will do our best to encourage them to complete their work.