We are pleased to welcome you and your child(ren) to this year’s Tolongo After School Program! Tolongo is designed to enrich your child’s afternoons and school break days through a dynamic and engaging curriculum that supports their social, creative, and educational development.

We are open after school on regular school days and all day when schools are closed. Our dedicated staff are committed to meeting each child’s individual needs in a nurturing and responsive environment.

During their time with us, children will explore the rich beauty of Africa through music, dance, African languages, theatre, visual arts, hand-made crafts, and field trips around the city.  They will also receive support with completing school assignments during after-school hours.

We believe in open, ongoing communication with parents and guardians. Please don’t hesitate to share questions, concerns, or feedback with us as we work together to make this a meaningful and joyful experience for your child.

TOLONGO AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM

Quarter 1: "Awakening the Spirit"

August 11 – October 17, 2025

Our program hours are Monday – Friday; beginning August 11, 2025 and running through October 17, 2025 Tolongo hours are 2:30 PM – 6:30 PM (Early Arrival: 2:30 – 3:30 PM. Core Activities: 3:30 – 6:30 PM)

A late fee of $15 will be assessed to any parent who picks up their child after the 6:30pm closing time and then $1 per minute after 6:45pm. These fees are due and payable at time of pickup. 

The “Child Enrollment and Health Information for Child Care Centers and Type A Homes” form (last 3 pages of this packet) must be completed, signed and returned no later than your child’s first day of attendance. 

Tuition:

• $60 per week, per child
• $100 per week, per child on full-day weeks (when schools are closed)
• Sibling Discount: 50% off for the second child
    – $30 per week (regular weeks)
    – $50 per week (full-day weeks)

Payment Policy:

Full payment for all registered weeks is due prior to the first day of your child’s participation in the Tolongo After School Program.

If advance payment is not possible, weekly payments must be made no later than 3:30 PM on Monday of the participating week.

A late fee of $20 per week, per child will be applied for overdue payments. Bi-Okoto reserves the right to suspend a child’s participation in Tolongo until all outstanding balances are paid in full.

Cycle 1:

Our program operates Monday through Friday, beginning August 11, 2025, and running through October 17, 2025 for Cycle 1.

Tolongo Hours:

• 2:30 PM – 6:30 PM
   • Early Arrival: 2:30 PM – 3:30 PM
   • Core Activities: 3:30 PM – 6:30 PM

A late fee of $15 will be charged to any parent who picks up their child after 6:30 PM, with an additional charge of $1 per minute beginning after 6:45 PM. All late fees are due and payable at the time of pickup.

Meals and Snacks

We are working toward providing free meals during the Tolongo After School Program, similar to our summer camp. Until then, please send meals with your child as follows:

• For all-day program days (when school is closed), please pack a nutritious breakfast and lunch.
• For regular after-school days, please send a healthy snack with your child.

If your child(ren) is mildly ill, please alert the Program Director so the child(ren) can be closely monitored to ensure their situation doesn’t deteriorate.

A mildly ill child is defined as a child experiencing minor cold/allergy symptoms, or a child not feeling well enough to participate in activities but not exhibiting any communicable disease symptoms. A mildly ill child will be allowed to come/remain at camp but will be closely monitored for worsening conditions.

In the event that your child has a temperature of 100 degrees or higher; skin rash or untreated infected skin patches; diarrhea or vomiting; stiff neck; yellowish skin or eyes, we ask that you not bring your child to camp. If a child develops any of the above symptoms during the day, he/she will not be permitted to remain at the program, and it will be the parent’s responsibility to see that the child is picked up promptly.

It is the policy of Bi-Okoto that no child is ever left alone or unsupervised. A telephone for emergency use is available at all times in the office. All children are expected to arrive on time and behave in a respectful and orderly manner.

In the event of misbehavior, children will have the opportunity to discuss and resolve the matter with an adult. Typically, we do not make it a practice to report minor infractions that can be resolved in-house, as these matters are part of a healthy nurturing and learning environment for children.

However, in the event of more serious infractions or ongoing matters, such as aggressive behavior toward other children and/or adults, Bi‐Okoto will alert the parent/guardian to adequately address the issue(s). Bi‐Okoto, however, reserves the right to remove any child from Tolongo After School program without refund, due to conduct, discipline or other reasons at any time during the program.

The Parent/Guardian agrees and acknowledges that their child, while participating in the Tolongo After School Program at Bi‐Okoto, will engage in sustained, repetitive, and vigorous physical activities—often performed barefoot or with socks, and occasionally on hard surfaces. It is also understood that African dance instruction may involve physical guidance (kinetic corrections) from instructors to support proper movement and alignment.

I/We understand that activities in Tolongo involve a wide range of physical movement—bending, twisting, running, leaping, lifting—which may place stress on the body and carry a risk of slips, falls, or accidental collisions.

I/We acknowledge the inherent risks associated with participation in dance, theatre, visual arts, games, nature walks, and other indoor/outdoor activities offered through the program. I voluntarily accept these risks on behalf of my child and agree that Bi‐Okoto shall not be held liable for any personal injury or illness arising from participation.

I/We hereby release Bi‐Okoto, its trustees, employees, and agents from all claims or demands now or in the future for personal injury or property damage related to my child’s participation in the Tolongo After School Program.

This release includes, but is not limited to, any injury or damage caused in whole or in part by the negligence (active or passive) of Bi‐Okoto, its staff, or agents. It does not release Bi‐Okoto from liability for intentional harm or fraud.

This consent and release remain in effect for the 2025 Tolongo After School Program unless revoked in writing and submitted to the Program Director.

The last couple of years have taught us to reflect deeply on who we are and what truly matters in life. At Bi-Okoto, we are grateful to the communities we serve for allowing us to remain connected through our offerings—classes and performances, both in-person and virtually.

E se pupo! (Thank you very much!)