SFUSD ExCEL After School Program is pleased to offer daily after school programs for students at many SFUSD school sites. Each school site selects a community-based organization to operate the ExCEL program and provide high quality afterschool experiences for our students.
 
Purpose of the Programs
The purpose of the funding is to provide students with academic enrichment opportunities which are designed to complement students’ regular academic program and provide a safe environment for students.  After school programs are designed in collaboration with the schools that the students attend and in alignment with SFUSD guidelines.  
 
How are the programs funded?
All of the SFUSD ExCEL After School Programs in elementary, K-8, and middle schools  are available at low cost to families thanks to federal and state grant funds as well as funding from SFUSD and the of  Department of Children, Youth & Families (DCYF).

SFUSD ExCEL After School Programs in high schools are available at no cost to families thanks to federal grants and funding from SFUSD.

In SFUSD, most school-based after school and summer learning programs are co-sponsored by SFUSD (the ExCEL program) and a partnering community based organization. The majority are funded through a combination of family fees and  city, state and federal grants that are not guaranteed to be renewed once a grant cycle has ended.

The state and federal grants are very competitive.  CDE selects the school sites that receive grants, determines the grant amount, and the number of students served by the grant.  

In addition to the local, state and federal grants, Real Options for City Kids also contributes resources, both in-kind and in-cash, in order to serve more families and/or provide more enrichment opportunities for students.

Each school site receiving after school funding is required to:
  1. Operate an after school program at least 3 hours/day for at least 15 hours/week and until 6 pm
  2. Provide academic, enrichment, recreation and physical activities
  3. Provide a nutritious snack
  4. Operate with student-to-staff ratio that will not exceed twenty-to-one (20:1)

Priority for Program Slots
Since the demand for ExCEL Programs often exceeds the funding capacity, students who are identified by the program  as homeless youth or in foster care are given priority for enrollment. In addition priority also goes to students who attend the full day program, five days a week.  Students are also identified through a school site specific process based on but not limited to: academic need, English Learner support, truancy, and socio-emotional behaviors need.  Priority is also given to students who attend the school site of after school program.

Fee-Based Programs
All ExCEL after school programs in elementary and middle schools are fee based programs. SFUSD has a district wide copayment fee structure for ALL ExCEL elementary/K-8 and middle after school programs.
  ● The monthly co-payment fee will be waived for a family with a child in the program who is a homeless youth or for a child who is in foster care.
  ● The monthly co-payment fee will be waived for a family that is eligible for Free or Reduced lunch except for those co-payments required by local, state or federal tuition subsidy programs. Families should complete the SFUSD Meal Application (https://www.sfusd.edu/services/health-wellness/nutrition-school-meals/apply) on an annual basis to be eligible for the monthly co payment fee waiver. If a family completes the application online, an eligibility letter can be printed from a family’s online account. If a family completes a paper application, an eligibility letter will be sent to the house.
  ● A family that is not eligible for free/reduced lunch will pay a co-payment fee on a sliding scale from $50- $500/month.

For more information refer to the FAQ (https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B9g2GyABg05_RHR6Vjkza1k5bjQ/view).

Eligibility for Fee-based Programs:
  ● You may apply for eligibility for free or reduced lunch by visiting https://www.sfusd.edu/services/health-wellness/nutrition-school-meals/apply
  ● To submit the Multipurpose Family Income Form, parents should log on to: https://www.sfusd.edu/services/health-wellness/nutrition-school-meals/apply 
  ● A video guide on how to submit the form: http://docs.primeroedge.com/SchoolCafe/SchoolCafe+Eligibility+Walkthrough+-+Parent.mp4

Early Release for the Program:
Per grant guidelines, enrolled elementary & middle school students are expected to attend the program every day until 6pm.  Priority for enrollment is given to those students who attend the program every day until 6pm.    Early release from the program can be arranged.  Whenever you pick up your child, prior to the end of program, please be aware that the staff are REQUIRED to give you a code to use on the ExCEL Sign Out Sheet.  

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
Unlike the school day, which is required to comply with Individualized with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), the after school program must comply with Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).   Services and activities provided by a public entity to the public, whether directly or through an agency, must be accessible to students with disabilities with reasonable accommodations (e.g. federal, state and local disabilities rights such as Section 504).  Enrollment in program can include query if student needs additional supports, but cannot use that information to influence enrollment.  If a student has a 504 plan or IEP plan, the ExCEL program may request access to that information in order to identify what reasonable accommodations can be made to support access to program.    

Safe and Supportive Environments- Progressive Response to Challenging Behavior
In collaboration with the school day, ExCEL programs must ensure policies and protocols within its program that are sufficient to ensure staff, student and family member safety.   ExCEL programs are required to document injuries, referrals and crisis situations.  Each agency will share their progressive response to challenging behavior with staff, students and families.  Progressive Response to Challenging behavior should include universal practices across program to promote a safe and supportive community.  It should also include an internal processes for managing challenging behavior that may result in alternative consequences (e.g. Restorative Circles) or Tier II intervention (e.g. behavior contract) or suspension from program. Follow-up information can be shared with parents/guardians if requested.