CKC School Year Welcome

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Welcome to Charger Kids Club (CKC)!

This newsletter contains important information regarding the upcoming school year. You can always find this newsletter on our website to refer back to with any questions you may have.

Please take some time to become familiar with the

CHARGER CHILDCARE PARENT HANDBOOK.
If you prefer, you can download a PDF copy below.

Questions? I am happy to help! Jennifer.Todnem@dc.k12.mn.us

COKATO ELEMENTARY

Address: 200 5th St, Cokato • Room 125

Parking: Street parking is available on both the north and south sides of the school. Note: Parking is not allowed in the bus zone from 7:30-8:00 am and 3:15-3:30 pm.

Entrance: Door E, located on the east side of the school building by the playground blacktop.

Door E is unlocked from 6:30-8:00 am and again from 3:15-5:30 pm.

If arriving between 8:00 and 3:15, please ring the doorbell to the left of the door, and a staff member will let you in.

DASSEL ELEMENTARY

Address: 131 William Ave E • Room 152 (northeast corner of the gym)

Parking: Street parking on the east side of the school.

Entrance: Door C, with the staircase. When locked, ring the video doorbell and a staff member will buzz you in as soon as they are able. Door C is unlocked beginning at 3:30 pm.

Drop-Off Procedure

• Help your child put their belongings in their locker.
• Sign your child in using the iPad (adults only, please).
• Connect with a staff member before leaving so we know your child has arrived.

Pick-Up Procedure

• As a courtesy to staff and your child - Please finish phone calls before pick-up.
• Sign your child out using the iPad (adults only, please).
• Let a staff member know that your child is leaving.
• Check your parent folder for artwork, notes, or other important information.
• Check your child's locker for items to bring home.
  

  ⏰LATE PICK-UP POLICY

  • Late pick-up starts at 5:31 PM
  • Families will be charged $1 per minute beginning at 5:31 PM
  • This policy also applies if a child is not signed out at pick-up.

🔐 Authorized Pick-Up

If someone new is picking up your child:

• Add them to your authorized pick-up list in Arux
• Ask them to bring a valid ID (required).

Tuition payments are due weekly. Families will be emailed an invoice on Tuesday with payment due by Friday 6:00 pm.
Payments can be made:

• Online in your Arux Parent Dashboard
• Auto-Pay (set up in your Arux Parent Dashboard). Auto-pay run each Friday at 4:00 am.
• Cash or Check payments.

Late Payments: A $5 late fee will be added to any unpaid balance after 6:00 p.m. Friday.

BREAKFAST: The Minnesota Department of Education has approved the free meals program. Breakfast and lunch will be served at no cost to students on school days!

Cokato: Served daily from 7:30–8:00 AM
Dassel: Served daily from 7:45-8:00 AM

• Children arriving after 7:45 AM should be dropped off at the breakfast door or go directly outside for morning recess.

• Children not choosing to eat breakfast will be sent outside for morning recess at 7:45 am.

• Middle School Students will be dismissed early to wait for their bus.

SNACK - A light afternoon snack is provided daily. You are welcome to send a healthy snack from home, if you prefer.

NON-SCHOOL DAY LUNCH:

Packed Cold Lunch:

If you prefer, your child may bring a packed lunch.

• Use an insulated container with an ice pack, if needed
• Try to include a healthy meal: grain/protein, fruit, vegetable, and beverage. No candy.

• As you pack lunches and snacks, please keep in mind that we have children with food allergies in our classrooms. Allergies may include, but are not limited to, peanuts, tree nuts (such as cashews), peanut butter, foods made with peanut flour or oil, milk, and gluten.

  
  Some allergies can cause a reaction through eating the food, while others may cause a reaction through contact. Please help us keep all of our students safe by being mindful of the foods you send with your child.
  
  

  🥪 LUNCH & SNACK GUIDELINES

  To help reduce the risk of exposure for students with food allergies:

  • Please try to avoid sending peanuts or peanut products whenever possible. We understand that some picky eaters may rely on foods such as peanut butter and jelly. If peanut products are necessary, students may still bring them but will need to sit away from the allergy-aware table.
  • Allergy-Safe Seating: A peanut- and milk-free table will be available for students who need it. Students sitting at this table may invite one friend to join them, as long as their friend’s lunch is also peanut- and milk-free.
  • Milk Alternatives for Lactose Sensitivity: If your child has a lactose sensitivity and you’d like them to receive an alternate milk, a written request from the parent/guardian is required. School meal programs can provide an approved alternative, such as lactose-reduced milk or lactase-treated milk.

  
  HAND WASHING MATTERS! All children will wash their hands upon entering the classroom

  
  🎂 BIRTHDAY TREAT GUIDELINES

  • Birthday treats are welcome
  • Please be allergy-conscious when selecting treats
  • All treats must be commercially prepared, per school guidelines.
  • All treats must be INDIVIDUALLY packaged to be sent home.
  • Unsure? Please check with a staff member.

Keep your child home if they have:

• A fever of 100°F or higher
• Vomiting or diarrhea within the past 24 hours
• A severe headache
• A severe cold or sore throat
• An undiagnosed rash
• Any other known contagious illness

Please notify us as soon as possible of an absence using one of the following:

Email: CKC@dc.k12.mn.us

Cokato CKC: 320-286-4100 ext. 1036

Dassel CKC: 320-286-4100 ext. 1535

NOTE:

• School staff are not responsible to inform CKC of your child's absence.
• A $10 Finder’s Fee will be charged for unreported absences.
• Tuition is based on your child's contracted schedule, not the days they are actually in attendance. Rates are not refunded or adjusted for sick days or other absences.
• Planned Absences: Please notify us in advance when possible. This is always appreciated.

Have a kindergartener?
Full-day care is available for kindergarten students on September 8 & 9. Both Dassel & Cokato kindergartener care will be provided at Cokato Elementary. Parents must drop-off and pick-up in Cokato. Pre-registration required (see below).

What is a Non-School Day?

A Non-School Day is any day when school is not in session. This includes holidays, teacher workshops, conferences, and other school-related events.

NOTE: If you would like your child to attend care on a non-school day you must register for Non-School Day Care.

Where is Care Offered?
*ALL SCHOOL AGE NON-SCHOOL DAY CARE TAKES PLACE AT COKATO ELEMENTARY.

What Happens on Non-School Days?
We keep the days fun with themed activities, games, crafts, and sometimes even a field trip!

What Does My Child Need?

• Cold lunch
• Weather-appropriate clothing—we go outside 2–3 times each day!

HOW TO REGISTER:

1. Log into your Arux account.
2. Select “Enroll In” → “ Chargers Childcare”
3. Select “Non-School Days.”

Need to Cancel? For a full refund, cancellations must be made at least two weeks in advance by emailing us.

How Do I Know Which Days to Register For?
Check the Charger Childcare Calendar for Non-School Day dates and registration deadlines.

Before School
6:30-7:45 • Tabletop activities

7:30(Cokato)-8:00 • Breakfast

7:45(Dassel) – 8:00 • Breakfast
7:45 • Dismissal to morning recess

7:40: 5th Graders go to bus line

After School
3:10–3:30 • Choice time in gym/classroom

3:30–3:45 • Snack

3:45–4:30 • Choice Time

• Homework or quiet classroom activity

• Daily activity/gym games

• Outside Play

• Gym Play

• Classroom Activities

Times and activities may vary as we settle into our routines.

We’ve had several families ask if there’s anything they can donate to help our classrooms, so we’ve put together a Classroom Donation Wish List!

Donations are completely optional, but if you’d like to contribute, we’d greatly appreciate any of the following items:

Preschool Classroom Donation List

• Lysol/Clorox disinfecting wipes and spray
• Kleenex/tissues
• Baby/diaper wipes (to help clean up accidents)
• Grocery bags
• Markers
• Colored pencils
• Crayons
• Glue sticks
• Kool-Aid pouches (for making homemade Play-Doh)
• Towels (to help wipe down the playground when wet)
• Cotton balls
• Cotton swabs
• Pipe cleaners
• Pom-poms
• Stickers
• Vinyl Tape
• Magazines for crafts
• Sidewalk chalk