⭐️ PROCEDURES AND POLICIES ⭐️
As we navigate the ever-changing landscape of education and community health, please note that our policies are subject to adaptability. This ensures that we remain responsive to the evolving needs of our students and the broader circumstances affecting our community.
On this page, you will find detailed information about our practices, including check-in and pick-up procedures, health guidelines, tuition and payment policies, and more. These guidelines are put in place to ensure clarity, consistency, and the best possible experience for your family and our staff.
We encourage you to familiarize yourself with these policies. Understanding and adhering to them helps us maintain the high standards of safety, care, and creativity that define our program. If you have any questions or need further clarification, we are always here to help.
LOCATION
Important Update for 2025-26 School Year:
- D Street is under construction and will reopen for the 2026-27 school year
- All students will be at our beautiful Holly Street location
- We're putting our heart and soul into making Holly Street an incredible space for your children
Holly St <ECE Preschool | PreK | ASAP K>
322 E Holly St, Bellingham WA - right in front of the Co-op
Our Kindergarten after-school students will be here. If your student is located at Holly St we will let you know in advance so you can go to the correct location.
Holly Street Parking Information
- Street parking is FREE until 11:00 AM
- Ample street parking available for morning drop-off at 8:30 AM
- Green curb in front of building - primarily for ECE curbside service and quick loading/unloading (10-20 minutes)
- ASAP Kinder families: Please find parking and come to the front door to ring doorbell or enter your code for pickup
Elementary Building - Dupont Street <ASAP Program>
Our Elementary Building is located at 1405 Dupont Street.
If you are dropping off your child for our after-school art program (ASAP) please do so at 3:15 pm on a regular school day and 1:00 pm on early release days. The program ends at 6:00 pm.
HEALTHY ENVIRONMENT
Ratio
In our dedication to providing a secure and supportive learning space, we rigorously follow state-mandated guidelines for student-to-teacher ratios.
Our preschool and pre-k classes have a 1:10 ratio, while our elementary classes maintain a 1:15 ratio. This careful attention to class size ensures personalized attention for each student and fosters a safe, focused learning environment.
Furthermore, our adherence to the health and safety recommendations from the WA Department of Children, Youth, & Families is unwavering. We implement comprehensive protocols for illness prevention, including necessary measures for the exclusion from programs, prioritizing the wellbeing of all students and staff.
Staff Health & Wellness
Our staff undergoes extensive training in infection control and workplace disinfection to ensure a hygienic environment. We enforce strict personal hygiene practices, including:
- Prohibiting the sharing of phones, devices, meals, or utensils among staff and with children
- Mandating hand washing immediately upon entering and before leaving the program
- Implementing a policy that staff exhibiting any signs of illness, particularly respiratory symptoms, are not permitted to work
These measures are integral to maintaining the health and safety of everyone in our school community.
Behavior Contract at Gabriel's Art Kids
At Gabriel's Art Kids, our focus is on providing an enriching after-school arts experience, different from a typical daycare setting. To ensure that every student can fully enjoy and benefit from our program, we have established clear expectations for behavior.
Each family participating in our program is required to review and sign our behavior contract. This contract is valid for the entire school year and is designed to foster a respectful, safe, and nurturing environment for all.
Key points of the behavior contract include:
- Respect and Kindness: Students are expected to be kind and respectful in their actions and words towards both teachers and fellow students. Bullying in any form is strictly prohibited.
- Physical Safety: Physical violence, including hitting, kicking, or pushing, is not tolerated and may result in immediate dismissal for the day.
- Safety in Outdoor Activities: Students are expected to stay with the group and follow teacher instructions during park visits or field trips.
- Respect for Art Projects: Students must respect others' creations and ask for permission before touching anyone else's art project.
- Parental Responsibility: Parents agree to promptly pick up their child if they are not following the rules or creating unsafe situations. An alternative pick-up person must be designated if parents are unable to arrive within the specified time frame.
Failure to adhere to these stipulations may result in dismissal from the program without a refund. Your signature on this contract indicates your understanding and agreement to uphold these standards.
TUITION AND FEES
For the most recent tuition information for each of our programs, please click here.
Our tuition structure is as follows:
- Application Fee: A one-time fee of $50 is required when applying to our program.
- Annual Enrollment Fee: Each student pays an annual enrollment fee of $75, invoiced via email upon completion of registration paperwork.
- Annual Supply Fee: A fee of $200 is due in August or at the time of enrollment.
- Monthly Tuition: This is based on the number of days each week your student attends. Invoices are issued on the 21st of each month and are due on the first.
- Transportation Fee: There is a monthly fee of $75 for pickup from all schools except Columbia, which has a $25 fee for the walking pick-up.
Online Payment Options
- Cash or check payments carry no additional fees.
- Automatic credit card payments are subject to the same fees and are valid for one school year, covering only monthly tuition.
Late Payment Policy
- Tuition not paid by the 10th of the month will incur a late fee of $20 unless prior arrangements have been made with the office.
Additional Tuition Policies
- Full Payment Due: As long as we are operational and your child is in attendance, full tuition is due. This includes scenarios where we are open only for part of the week.
- Withdrawal: Two weeks notice of withdrawal is required for all year-long programs. Failure to give notice will result in owing two weeks of tuition.
- Extended Closure: In case of a state-mandated extended closure, [PART/ALL] of the tuition is due to retain a spot/credit for reopening. No refunds will be given.
Bounced Checks / NSF
- If a check is returned or a NSF notice is received, you will be invoiced for the original tuition amount plus a $25 bank fee, payable within 30 days via cash, money order, or credit card.
Cancellation Policy
- After-School Program <ASAP>: For cancellations, a minimum of two weeks' notice is required.
- Camp: Cancellations must be made before the first day of summer camp to receive a full refund. Cancellations after this date will be eligible for a partial refund or credit.
- No-Show Policy: Cancellations on the first day of any program are considered "no-shows" and are non-refundable.
- Early Departures: No refunds are provided for early departures from any program, for any reason, including health issues.
- Credits for future services may be issued at the Director's discretion upon written request.
Tuition Reduction Program
- We offer an in-house tuition reduction program. Families in the ASAP program receiving tuition reduction will not receive prorated invoices in December, April, or June. All other programs are based on annual tuition, with no credits for illness or missed time.
ATTENDANCE
To report attendance please fill out this form before our pick-up time: ATTENDANCE FORM
No Call/No Show for Pick-Ups
We prioritize the safety of each child and require timely communication regarding any changes in pick-up plans. If your child is scheduled for pick-up but will not be attending, please inform us promptly. Failure to notify us can disrupt our pick-up schedule and impact other students.
- Protocol for Absences: If a child on our pick-up list is not present and we haven't been notified, our staff will check with the school, contact our office for late notices, and call parents. This can delay subsequent pick-ups and affect the program schedule.
- Fees for Repeated Offenses: After three instances of failing to inform us of an absence, a $20 fee will be added to your next invoice.
Potential Loss of Transportation Privileges
Continuous failure to notify us of absences may result in the loss of your child's seat in our pick-up van.
Tuition During Absences
Tuition fees cover the entire period of enrollment, including times when a child is absent due to illness, trips, or other commitments. As an Arts Enrichment Program, our resources such as teachers, rooms, and supplies are allocated based on registration, which we view as a mutual agreement between parents and the school.
Pick-Up Times and Late Pick-Up Policy
- Class Hours: Our classes run from 4-5 pm. To minimize disruption, we request that pick-ups are scheduled either before (3-3:50 pm) or after class (5-6 pm).
- Closing Time: Gabriel's Art Kids closes at 6 pm. Late pick-ups will incur overtime charges, billed in the following month and payable upon receipt.
- Late Pick-Up Charges: A fee of $20.00 for every 15 minutes past 6 pm will be charged. This is based on our time clock and rounded up to the nearest 5 minutes.
- Emergency Contact: In case of an unavoidable delay, please message us through the Brightwheel app or contact our teachers at (360) 739-9365 ext.3.
SNACK
We understand that children are often hungry after a day at school. To support their energy needs, we require parents to provide healthy snacks and a bottle of water for their children. This helps ensure that students have the necessary nutrition to stay focused and engaged throughout the afternoon.
Please note that we do not provide snacks at our program.
Snack Requirements
- Please pack one snack for regular after-school days
- Two snacks for early release days
- Two snacks plus a lunch for full-day programs like Purple Fridays or camp days
Nut-Free Policy
Due to nut allergies, we ask parents to carefully read labels to avoid any items containing nuts or manufactured in facilities that handle nut products. This is crucial to maintain a safe environment for all students.
Snack Suggestions
If you're looking for snack ideas, consider the following nut-free options:
- Sunflower seed butter, dry cereal, crackers
- Sunflower seeds, dips like hummus, cheese sticks
- Pumpkin seeds, fresh fruits/veggies, seaweed
- Raisins/dried fruit, pretzels, sandwiches
Adding Vitamin C-rich foods to your child's snacks and lunch is also beneficial. If you need more suggestions, our staff is always here to help.
Lunch and Snack Time Procedures
- We ensure that all surfaces are disinfected before lunch and snack times using CDC- or EPA-approved products.
- Our staff practices stringent hygiene, washing hands before and after assisting students with lunch needs, such as opening containers or heating food.
- It's important that each child's meal comes from their own lunchbox. We encourage parents to advise their children against sharing food to maintain health and safety standards.
COMMUNICATION
Enhanced Communication at Gabriel's Art Kids
At Gabriel's Art Kids, we believe in keeping our families well-informed and connected. To achieve this, we utilize a variety of communication tools to ensure you are always up-to-date with the latest information about our program.
Key Communication Channels
- Email Updates: For any significant changes, updates to our procedures, or temporary program closures, we will promptly notify our key family contacts via email. We encourage families to regularly check their email for any late-breaking updates from us.
- Brightwheel App: For quick and efficient communication, including emergency alerts, we use the Brightwheel app. This tool allows us to send texts and emails to all families, ensuring immediate dissemination of crucial information.
- The GAK App: Our custom web-based application is designed to streamline our interactions and simplify communication. Through the GAK app, you can access various features, including enrollment, child safety updates, quick links for attendance notifications, direct messaging to program staff, and feedback surveys.
- Social Media Updates: Follow us on our social media pages for regular updates and insights into our program's daily activities. Facebook | Instagram
- Direct Contact: For immediate assistance or inquiries, you can reach us at [email protected] or call us at 360-739-9365. Kira, our communications coordinator, is also available for any specific queries or concerns at [email protected]
GAK App Features
- Enrollment Access: Get first access to registrations for our various programs, camps, and add-ons.
- My Children: Update us with any changes in your child's needs, authorized pickups, or medical information.
- Quick Links: Access attendance forms, direct messaging, feedback surveys, and express appreciation for our staff.
Our communication tools are designed to provide flexibility and convenience while keeping you engaged with our program without missing out on essential details.
