1. family and parenting
2. children

Dear Students and Parents,
Welcome to CAPS Digital Storytelling Classes 2015.
Students have the opportunity to learn new skills, learn how to work in teams, and make new
friends and memories to last a lifetime. It is our mission to provide the community with the tools
needed to create visual media for the purpose of communicating to fellow citizens. All of our
CAPS Digital Storytelling youth programs are designed to show them how to create digital
media, and teach skills and principles that will help them with whatever career path they may
choose.
Please take the time to read through this Parents handbook. The policies and information
included have been carefully written to ensure that your kid’s summer experience will be a
rewarding one. Our staff is committed to your child and family, so if we can assist you in any
way please feel free to contact us.
Parent Responsibilities
CAPS Digital Storytelling welcomes your advice, participation and support. CAPS allows for
parent visitation at any time. Parents are encouraged to help their children with class projects
and to attend the CAPS Digital Storytelling Summer Showcases on the evening of the last day of
classes. If there is an issue, concern or question we encourage parents to talk to our staff.
Parents need to adhere to all policies in this handbook. This includes updating forms, be on
time for drop-off and pick-up, reading parent information materials, helping staff enforce safety,
health and behavioral standards, equipping children for each day of classes and reviewing
class rules with their children.
Student Responsibilities & Rules of Conduct – see Code of Conduct document.
Hours
The CAPS Digital Storytelling program operates from 9 am to 3:30 pm during the week. Students
must arrive no later than 9 am each day as instruction begins promptly. Continual tardiness
may result in dismissal from the program unless otherwise arranged with staff.
Late Pick-Up
CAPS Digital Storytelling classes end at 3:30 pm. Parents may be charged a late pick-up fee of
$10.00 for the first minute and $1.00 per minute thereafter for any child picked up after 3:15.
Late charges are due at time of pick-up. Additionally, two late pick-ups are cause for dismissal
from the program. If your child is not picked up by 4 pm and emergency contacts cannot be
reached, we reserve the right to call the authorities.
Sign-In
Each student is required to be signed in and out each day by a parent, guardian or authorized
person. Please call by 9:00 am if your child will be absent or will arrive late.
CAPS Media Center 65 Day Road
Ventura
Ca
93003 805-658-0500
www.capstv.org
Sign-Out
Students will only be released to those persons listed on the Emergency/Health Information form.
NO EXCEPTIONS. Only a parent or guardian may make changes to this form. Any person who is
listed may be asked to show picture identification. Parents are required to supply all known
information about an absent student. For safety, please provide us with any legal
documentation pertinent to your child’s custody.
If a person should arrive to pick up a student under the influence of drugs or alcohol the student
will not be released into their care and staff may contact the proper authorities for the child’s
safety.
CAPS Mission Statement
To create an engaged and informed community through participation in electronic
media
Staff Qualifications & Responsibilities
CAPS Digital Storytelling staff are all experienced and qualified. Our primary goal is to provide a
safe, creative and fun environment for our students. Our staff are trained professionals. There
will always be at least one staff member certified in CPR.
Please note:
Any student found in possession of any controlled substance (i.e. alcohol, narcotics, and drugs);
weapons (i.e. guns, a knife, etc.) will result in expulsion from class with no refunds.
If actions violate normal considerate behavior, students will be given a verbal warning. If
problems continue, a time-out or cooling off period may be required, and parents will be
notified at time of pick-up.
If behavior warrants, duties may be assigned to restore damage and payment to replace
articles will be paid by parents. Participation in activities may be curtailed.
Parents may be called to pick up any child that is continuously disrupting the group. Pick up
must result in 30-45 minutes or less.
If suspension and/or expulsion from class becomes necessary, no refund or transfer or credit will
be given.
The Director has the authority to ask a parent to remove their child from classes if that child hurts
or injures other children or displays behavior that is continually disruptive to others.
Be polite to instructors and other students and be on time.
Always stay within designated boundaries. If you can’t see and hear an instructor or staff
member, you are too far away.
Keep all areas clean and neat. Clean up after yourself and clean up after others if you are
asked. Pick up papers, wipe tables, make sure food or liquids are not near equipment,
straighten up supplies, and put equipment in its proper location.
CAPS Digital Storytelling operates within the CAPS Media Center where others may be working
during class hours. Please be aware and act appropriately.
Do not bring toys to class. Turn off cell phones during class time.
Always listen to your instructors and class staff.
CAPS Media Center 65 Day Road
Ventura
Ca
93003 805-658-0500
www.capstv.org
Illness
CAPS Digital Storytelling Classes may include physical activities and the operation of video
equipment. Students must be able to participate in all activities. Students may not attend the
program: if they have severe pain, temperature over 100 degrees, diarrhea, jaundiced skin,
visibly enlarged lymph nodes, an episode of vomiting, rash, evidence of lice or nits, sever cough,
runny nose with colored discharge, red or inflamed eyes and/or headache.
Parent or Guardian will be called if student’s health is judged to be detrimental to the student,
other students and/or staff. They must be picked up with 45 minutes. If the parent cannot be
reached, the staff will phone the emergency contact person(s) listed on the student’s
Emergency Form. Students exhibiting any of the above symptoms must remain out of the
program until symptoms are gone. No credit will be given for absences due to illness.
Medications
A Medication Authorized form must be completed and signed by a parent or guardian for any
medication to be administered. Medication (including inhalers) needing to be administered
must be brought directly to staff in its original, labeled prescription container. The label must
clearly identify the student’s name, doctor, date, prescription name and dosage. Children are
not allowed to administer medications (even aspirin or cough drops) themselves. All unclaimed
medications will be disposed of after five consecutive days of nonuse.
Emergency Procedures
In case of an emergency situation staff will contact a parent immediately. Staff have
emergency information on children at all times. Staff will contact the student’s doctor or call
911 depending upon the urgency of the situation. In case a parent cannot be located, staff
will notify other emergency contacts. It is the parent’s responsibility to have current health
information and contact people (within 45 minutes) listed on file.
CAPS is prepared for emergency situations by having posted emergency plans, first aid kits and
routine drills. In case of emergency, please contact CAPS at its main number.- 805-658-0500. If
children and staff are ordered to go elsewhere for safety reasons, information on the children’s
location will be posted on the main front door.
Snacks & Lunch
Students must bring a lunch every day. CAPS Digital Storytelling will provide a light morning and
afternoon snack. Water will always be available. Should your child have a food allergy, the
student should bring their own snacks. Disclose all food allergies.
No glass bottles, candy, gum or soda. We do not provide refrigerated storage or microwave.
Activities
Daily activities will include class instruction, training, use of equipment, videos, various games,
both physical and mental. Video production may include use of props and costumes. These
will be the responsibility of the students and their parents. No inappropriate
costumes or props will be allowed. No live animals are allowed.
What To Bring
CAPS Shirt,
comfortable clothing,
Closed-toed shoes. No sandals are permitted because of safety reasons.
For production days special costumes and props may be brought to class (see activities section
for more details). We recommend that children wear their class shirts during production days
outside of our building, unless special costumes are needed.
CAPS Media Center 65 Day Road
Ventura
Ca
93003 805-658-0500
www.capstv.org
Bring the following labeled items to class EVERYDAY:
Lunch and drink
Backpack
Sunscreen
Hat (optional on production days)
Production materials, such as scripts, storyboards, manuals
Students are not allowed to bring electronic devices (i.e. mp3 players, hand held video games,
etc.) unless otherwise notified. Students are responsible for their belongings.
CAPS Digital Storytelling Showcase
CAPS Showcase will occur on the last day of classes where the students will show their films.
Parents and family are invited to attend.
Admissions Policy
CAPS Digital Storytelling is designed for kids from age 10 to 16. No child will be refused
admission based on sex, religion or ethnic background.
Registration
All registration forms must be completed in full prior to attendance. The forms needed include:
Registration information, Emergency and Health Information, Consent, Release Forms and
receipt of Parent Handbook. All students must have an emergency contact that can be at the
class site within 45 minutes. Registration forms must be returned to CAPS at 65 Day Road.
Space is limited and available on a first come, first serve basis. Forms must be filled out for each
individual student.
Payment Policy
Each class costs $200 per week. No credits are given for missed days. CAPS will provide at least
30 days written notice to client of site closure or change in billing. A minimum of 2-weeks written
notice must be submitted to cancel enrollment in order to receive refund minus deposit. A fee of
$80.00 will be charged for any cancellations 2-weeks or less prior to start of class. There may be a
late charge of $10.00 for the first minute and $1.00 per minute thereafter will be charged for
children picked up after 3:30pm.
CAPS Media Center 65 Day Road
Ventura
Ca
93003 805-658-0500
www.capstv.org