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Schoolmates Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

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Under the Schoolmates Umbrella, PRD offers two play-based extended care programs. 

The Who What Where's

Schoolmates: Block Booking

  • What is It? Predetermined timeslots, perfect for families who need consistent after school care, with minimal scheduling adjustments. 
  • Program Ages 4.5–11 years of age (TK–5 Grades)
  • Child to Staff Ratio 18:1 (Peak Hours) 14:1 (Non-Peak Hours)
  • Locations  Meets at Havens, Beach and Wildwood Elementary Schoolmates classrooms
  • Program Dates September 5, 2023–May 29, 2024 (see Schoolmates Closures for details)
  • Program Hours Monday, Tuesday, Tuesday, Friday 3:00–6:00; Wednesday 1:45–6:00pm

SM Konnex: Flexi-Care

  • What is It? Flexible, hourly enrollment options for families who do not need full coverage, and are looking for hourly options for early pick up, and/or between various afterschool program needs (e.g. PRD & ASE classes, sports, etc.) 
  • Program Ages 4.5–11 years of age (TK–5 Grades)
  • Child to Staff Ratio 18:1
  • Locations  Meets at Havens, Beach and Wildwood Elementary Schoolmates classrooms
  • Program Dates September 5, 2023–May 29, 2024 (see Schoolmates Closures for details)
  • Program Hours* Monday, Tuesday, Tuesday, Friday between 2:00–6:00; Wednesday 1:45–6:00 pm
* Includes Kindergarten's 2:00pm Dismissal Time

 To view our Schoolmates Parent Handbook, click HERE.

Minimates

  • What is It? A play-based before or after-school extended care program, exclusively for Grade TK. 
  • Program Ages  Must be registered in PUSD's Transitional Kindergarten (TK) Program.
  • Child to Staff Ratio 7:1 (Approx.)
  • Locations Meets at Havens (AM/PM) and Beach (PM) Schoolmates classrooms
  • Program Dates August 14, 2023–May 29, 2024 (see Schoolmates Closures for details)
  • Program Hours
    • SUNRISE Mornings: 8:30 am–11:45 am; Wednesdays 8:30 am–10:20 am
    • SUNSET Afternoons: 11:45 am–3:00 pm; Wednesdays 11:45 am–1:45 pm
 To view our Minimates Parent Handbook, click HERE.

Registration/Withdrawal Q's

  • How do I register for Schoolmates? Online registration is available via Community Pass (see Registration Details page).
  • My child is enrolled! Do I need to register again for Schoolmates each month? Later in the school year? 
    • Block Booking: No. Your child will have an ongoing space until you notify PRD Admin staff that your child will no longer be attending. If you decide to withdraw, you will need to reregister via Community Pass.
    • Flexi-Care: You will be able to rollover your enrollment up to the next registration period in December, at which time, open registration will be available to all families with service dates beginning January 2024. If enrolled into the second semester, enrollment can be rolled over each month through May 2024. 
  • Help! Schoolmates is FULL! What do I do?  
    • Block Booking: If your desired program is full, you may have the option to add your child to a waitlist. Families will be contacted, via email, as openings occur throughout the school year.
    • Flexi-Care: Pending space availability, open registration may be available on the 20th of each month, with service dates beginning the following month (see Parent Handbook for details). A second open registration will occur in December, for all families, with new service dates beginning January 2024.
  • My child has a conflict with one of my enrollment days (appointment, playdate, early pick up, etc.), can I cancel and receive a credit/refund? Enrolled participants are reserving time, space, staffing, and provisions for your child, whether or not they attend. Refunds/credits are not processed for these conflicts.
  • Withdrawals: I would like to withdraw from Schoolmates, who do I contact? Contact PRD, via email, at [email protected]. The deadline to withdraw is the 15th prior to the next month of service (i.e. November withdrawal deadline is October 15th). Withdrawals are defined as a of all hours within the enrolled timeblock from either registration module. Once withdrawn, PRD cannot guarantee a space will be available should you wish to return to Schoolmates.
    • Block Booking: If your child is enrolled in Block Booking, the withdrawal includes the entire range of time (3:00–6:00 pm; Wednesdays 1:45–6:00 pm). Time will not be adjusted to partial time (e.g. change from 3:00–6:00 pm to 3:00–5:00 pm). 
    • Flexi-Care: Please specify your child's individual timeblocks in your request, typically by the hour.
  • Transfers: Can I transfer my current hours to another timeblock or module? No. Transfer requests between modules or timeblocks will not be processed unless initiated by the request of PRD Staff.
  • Mid-Year Enrollments: How can I register? 
    • Block Booking: Families will be able to add their child to the waitlist using the same registration system via Community Pass (see Registration Details page). Pending availability, invitations to waitlisted families are sent via email (between the 15th and 20th of each month) and families will have 48 hours to accept or decline the invitation. Service dates will begin the following month.
    • Flexi-Care: Pending program withdrawals and availability, online registration may open each to the public on the 20th of each month at 6:00 pm via Community Pass.  A second open registration will occur in December (new service dates begin January 2024), for all families, using the same registration system (see Registration Details page). Service dates will begin the following month.
  • As a COP/PUSD Employee, do I register differently? If you are employed with the City of Piedmont or Piedmont Unified School District, and your child is participating in a PRD program, please contact PRD during office hours (Monday–Friday, 8:30 am–5:00 pm) to review your account settings prior to registration.

Tuition/Payment Q's

    Based on an hourly rate approved by City Council, program rates are calculated for all Schoolmates programs, and fees are collected on a monthly basis.

    • SM Block Booking: Enrollment is set PER DAY; based on $11.20/hour fee structure
    • SM Konnex Flexi-Care: Enrollment is set PER DAY; based on $13.40/hour fee structure
    • Minimates: Enrollment is set PER DAY; based on $11.20/hour fee structure        
    • WHEN do I pay for Schoolmates? The first month's tuition is due at the time of registration, and all subsequent payments are processed around the 10th of each month.
    • HOW do I pay for Schoolmates?  Schoolmates tuition is set up on an auto-payment schedule and processed by PRD Admin, therefore up-to-date payment information must be stored on your account.
    • WHAT payment options are available? Community Pass processes payments via credit card (Visa, Mastercard, Discover) and e-checking (using a checking/savings account). To participate at Schoolmates, a payment option MUST BE STORED and up to date.
    • CONVENIENCE FEES: What and how much is it? On Community Pass, there is a 3% convenience fee for all credit card transactions, 1% for e-checking transactions. Convenience fees will not be charged if a family has a credit on file of equal or lesser value.
    • TUITION ADJUSTMENTS: Are there tuition adjustments for PUSD holiday breaks? Tuition is calculated as a flat-rate monthly program fee, and PRD staff adjusts tuition where PUSD breaks occur. Tuition adjustments will be reflected when PRD staff processes tuition payments.
    • My payment option was compromised / I have a new payment card: What do I do? Who should I contact? If you have a new payment option, you may add it to your Community Pass account at any time or contact PRD during office hours to assist. 
      • Please Note: Community Pass's automatic payment schedule does not automatically link your new payment, please contact Jessica Pomey to update your payment plan. 
    • I have an outstanding Schoolmates balance, how do I pay? Outstanding balances, or failed payment attempts, can be paid directly via Community Pass. If your family accumulates a past due balance, and is not paid in a timely manner, this may result in participant removal until balances are paid in full.
    • Do you offer refunds/credits for missed days/hours? Refunds, credits, or prorated fees will only be considered by PRD staff under certain circumstances such as extended illness or family situations where the child will be absent for an extended period amount of time. Participants will not be credited or refunded for early pick up, or when they are absent due to early pick ups play dates, or other scheduling conflicts.
    I have more questions, who do I contact?

    Schoolmates Contact Information

    Please refer to the following contacts to connect with PRD Staff:

    Beach Schoolmates: [email protected] |  (510) 420-3077
    100 Lake Avenue (portable located next to play structure on Linda Avenue)
    Schoolmates/Minimates Site Coordinator: Sarah Normart

    Havens Schoolmates: 
    [email protected] | (510) 420-3078
    323 Highland Avenue (Room 333: Access to classroom via Vista Avenue)
    Schoolmates Site Lead Team: Julia Giardino & Deja Nair
    Minimates Lead Team: Maddie Mills & C'Airra Callum

    Wildwood Schoolmates: [email protected] |  (510) 420-3076
    301 Wildwood Avenue (portable located behind upper play structure on Wildwood Avenue)
    Schoolmates Site Lead Team: Danielle Sanchez & Porschia Louis

    PRD Office: 
    prd@piedmont.ca.gov |  (510) 420-3070
    358 Hillside Avenue  |  Monday–Friday from 8:30 am–5:00 pm
    Schoolmates Recreation Supervisor: Katrina Morris
    Recreation Program Coordinator: Kenny Wong
    Roster / Waitlist / Billing Questions: Jessica Pomey