At the moment, we serve Kindergarten through 5th grades. Pre-K and Middle School may be on the horizon…

We offer a daily snack to all students participating in the program. As per DESE guidelines, we serve two food items per day (usually a fresh fruit and a bagged snack item, such as pretzels, goldfish, cheese stick, etc.). Snack menus are being developed through Freshampton based on DESE regulations. Families may opt out of our snack program if they prefer, and/or you are also welcome to send an additional afternoon snack from home to go along with the program snack.

Students should be prepared every afternoon with:

• a reusable water bottle
• weather-appropriate clothing and shoes, depending on the season and weather report for the day (ie. winter coat, mittens, winter hat, snow boots, rain boots, etc.)
• In sunny weather, students should bring sun protection (hat and/or sunscreen). Program staff cannot apply sunscreen to your child- they must be able to apply it themselves.
• a change of clothes is required for Kindergarten, and recommended for all grades during winter and rainy weather, especially for outdoor Clubs like Nature Explorers
• Sneakers are required for students signed up for Group Games and Sports

We follow DESE’s recommended staffing ratio of no more than 10 students to 1 staff member for Kindergarten, and 13 students to 1 staff member for 1st-5th grades.

Students are grouped into Clubs from 2:15-3:45pm, which includes group games, daily activities, free play, and snack. After Clubs end, students will join Free Play with more activity options. We run three sessions per year (Fall, Winter, Spring), so kids can choose new activities each session. Activities are largely student-led, with ample choice activities. Some examples of clubs have included Nature Explorers, Newspaper Club, Fiber Arts, Group Games, Chorus, Lego Club, Theater, Improv, Dungeons and Dragons, Cooking, Library Club, Sports, etc.
Some Clubs are grade-specific and others are open to all 1st-5th graders. Kindergarten runs as its own separate group.

• ~2:05pm: Students are dismissed from class and checked into the program with their Club group
• Bathroom and fill water bottles once everyone is checked in
• All students are offered a daily snack (caregivers may opt out of program snacks and send in their own afternoon snack)
• Club activity/lesson of the day
• ~3:45pm: When Clubs end, groups merge into Free Play with activity choices and then either 4:15 pick up or more play and activity options at Extended Day

Throughout the day and during Extended Day, activity options may include art/craft projects, group games, gym and sports activities, improv and circle games, STEM activities, Legos/building, Yoga, and/or Library for kids who prefer a quieter space for reading, drawing, and games.

Programs use the Library, Gym, Art Room, Music Room, STEM Room, playgrounds, and surrounding nature areas. Groups will generally be separate from the YMCA program, though kids from different programs and groups will likely mix during outdoor playground time.

Paraprofessionals, part-time staff, and occasionally teachers. Hiring is still underway. Staff hired are generally hired for the full school year, and many staff end up returning year after year. See Our Teams for a list of staff members at each site.

If you have already filled out an application and have questions regarding registration, contact ghollender@northampton-k12.us. If you are a new family that would like to be added to our program waitlist, click on your child’s school below to fill out the program application:

• Bridge Street
• Jackson Street
• Leeds Elementary
• RK Finn Ryan Road

All programs are currently full. We admitted every family who applied by the July 15th deadline. You can still join the waitlist by submitting an application for your child's home school. If a spot opens up, we'll send you the full registration packet.

Yes. Once enrolled, your child's spot carries over automatically to the following school year. If you unenroll, you'll need to reapply. All enrollment remains subject to staffing availability.

No, the YMCA uses a separate system. However, any family who qualifies through Freshampton will receive the free or reduced rate for all after school programming.

You will receive a bill through Brightwheel. Monthly bills for the upcoming month go out on the 13th of each month, and are due for payment by the 20th. Any drop-in charges will be billed as a one time charge on top of your monthly charge for consistent schedules.

• Online (preferred): Pay via Brightwheel. Enroll in autopay for automatic monthly charges, or pay manually by logging into your Brightwheel account.
• By check: Made out to "City of Northampton," sent in a sealed envelope in your child's red folder or dropped off at your school's main office.

Yes. Charges are based on total scheduled hours for the month, regardless of attendance. There are no refunds or credits for absences, early dismissals, or school cancellations.

You can pick up your child anytime before their scheduled pick-up time (4:15pm or 5:30pm) — no need to notify us in advance. (Please do let your Site Coordinator know if you'll be more than a few minutes late.)

Always check out with a staff member before taking your child. Anyone new picking up must be on your child's approved pick-up list and bring photo ID the first time.
For the time being, pick up will be at the main entrance of each school. Each site will announce their pick up locations and routine closer to the start of the program. Once the pick up locations and procedures are set, we will post a sign on the door indicating the pick up location.

Yes, they can walk, bike, or self-dismiss as long as we have written permission from the caregiver. 

No. Students who were absent from school for any reason cannot attend After School that day.

They can still attend After School, as long as they return to school before regular dismissal time.

First, please make sure you have completed all registration forms and paid any outstanding bills. Students will not be added to the schedule until registration forms are completed. Once you receive your Site Coordinator’s contact info, you can email your Site Coordinator to confirm your child’s schedule. (In the meantime feel free to email ghollender@northampton-k12.us. You can also confirm your child’s schedule through your child’s classroom teacher. Each classroom teacher will receive a list of the after school schedule for all students in their class.

Not yet. The priority right now is getting the three new sites fully up and running. Once that's done, limited half-day programs will be added (though not on every half day). Vacation week and summer programs aren't currently offered but are being explored for the future. Half-day availability will depend on Site Coordinators, staffing, and Principal/Custodial approval.

Please email your Site Coordinator with any changes to your child’s schedule. In order to avoid being charged for the upcoming month, please let us know of any schedule changes by the 10th day of the current month.