Parent Information

This page was created to help you, the parent, understand our goals and objectives at Cherry Street Youth Center, Inc. Below you will find answers to several of the most frequently asked questions.  If you have more questions, please call the Center at 620-431-2161 between the hours of 1-5pm on Monday thru Friday. We look forward to a new school year at Cherry Street Youth Center, and hope you will find the following information helpful in understanding our goals and objectives at Cherry Street.

WHAT IS CHERRY STREET YOUTH CENTER?
We are an after-school activity center which operates from 4:00 to 5:00 pm, Monday through Friday. Our mission statement is: “Cherry Street is an ecumenical ministry formed to help develop children emotionally, physically, spiritually, and academically.” Our source of revenue, which enables us to operate, comes from donations and grants.

WHAT IS CHERRY STREET EAST?
Cherry Street Youth Center East, 431-2161, is located at 710 N. Forest, and is our facility for grades kindergarten through second.

WHAT IS CHERRY STREET WEST?
Cherry Street West, 431-9556, is located at 719 N. Garfield, and is our facility for grades third through fifth.

WHAT IS THE REGISTRATION PROCEDURE AND COST?
There is no cost to attend the center; however, donations are appreciated. The registration meeting is held in August of each year. If centers are filled to capacity after the August registration, a waiting list will be started. A parent or guardian must attend the registration meeting to register the child/children before the child/children can attend.

HOW WILL MY CHILD GET TO THE CENTER AFTER SCHOOL?
Cherry Street does not provide transportation to either center after school. However, USD413 will bring your child directly to our East or West center after school by school bus. We will contact the school to make arrangements for bus delivery to Cherry Street when your child is registered. Children who attend USD413 will ride school buses to Cherry Street, unless you provide another form of transportation for them. Please let us know if your child or children will not be riding the bus to Cherry Street.

WHAT WILL MY CHILD DO?
First, children are dismissed at the end of the school day to the school cafeteria. Cherry Street staff will then provide a snack. Children will pray before they eat. After eating, children will be transported to Cherry Street. On days when the weather is nice, all children will play outside when they first arrive.

If the weather is inclement, inside playtime will consist of board games, puzzles, and legos, or organized games in the gym. We then divide children into activity groups which may include Bible, character class, crafts, story telling, organized games, homework, reading, computer, music, and guest speakers. These groups last until 5:00 pm. It is very disruptive to an activity group if parents pick up a child or children before 5:00 pm. Every effort should be made to pick up your child or children at 5:00 pm each day, and not earlier.

WHAT ARE THE RULES AT THE CENTER, AND WHAT IF MY CHILD BREAKS A RULE?
It is important to have rules so that the children know what is expected of them. Our rules are posted on the wall in our gyms at both facilities, and we review these rules regularly. We have four rules which must be followed: (1) Children will respect the volunteers; (2) Children will respect their peers; (3) Children will respect themselves; and (4) Children will respect the property.

If a child breaks a rule, the child receives a five minute time out with an explanation of the rule that was broken. The proper behavior expected will also be explained. The second time in one day that the child breaks a rule, the parents will be called. The child will be sent home for the day. There is only one exception to this policy, and that occurs if the child is fighting or deliberately inflicts bodily harm on another child. This will result in immediate suspension from the center. We will notify the parents, and the child will lose his or her privilege to attend the center for a specified number of days, to be determined by the Executive Director.

WHAT IF MY CHILD LEAVES THE CENTER BEFORE 5:00?
Each child’s parent/guardian has listed on the child’s registration form the name(s) of individuals who are authorized to pick up their child/children before 5:00 pm. Although children can leave the center at any time before 5:00 pm, they will not leave the center with someone who is not listed on the registration form. Please advise anyone who comes to pick up your child early that he or she will be asked to provide a valid picture ID to the center. The parent/guardian must add authorized names to the registration form in person. No exceptions are made for this rule.

If a child desires to walk home before 5:00 pm, every effort is made to notify the parents that the child is leaving early. Once a child leaves the center before 5:00 pm, he/she will not be allowed to return that day. At 5:00 pm, all children need to be picked up or should begin walking home. If you cannot pick up your child by 5:00 pm, it is important that you call the center and notify us. If any child is still at the center at 5:20 pm, that child will be transported to the Chanute Police Department.

WHAT ELSE DO I NEED TO KNOW?
If your child does not attend school on a given day, he or she cannot attend the center that day. There are no exceptions to this rule. A child needs a good education, and it is important that he or she attends school; therefore, it is our policy that if a child does not attend school, he or she cannot attend Cherry Street.

If your child comes to the center with an illness or skin inflammation, you will be called and the child will need to go home immediately.

We do not allow any child to eat candy, chew gum, drink pop, etc. in front of the other children. If your child had a birthday party at school the day he or she attends the center, he or she will be instructed to put the treats in his or her book bag, unless enough treats for everyone were brought.

No child will be allowed to carry a cell phone around. All cell phones will be placed in back packs. Children will be allowed to use Cherry Street phones after 5:00 pm.

Please notify us immediately if you have a change of address or phone number. If your child becomes hurt or sick, we need a current phone number to reach you. We also send mailings during the year to inform you of special events; therefore, we need current addresses on file.

Because we operate with volunteer help, we are always in need of volunteers. If you have a day a week, a day every two weeks, or once a month – you can help at the center! Please call us to volunteer!

STILL HAVE QUESTIONS?
Call the center at 431-2161.