Vacation & Summer Arts Programs FAQ

How do I register my child for an ArtSpan Vacation Arts Program or the Summer Arts Program?

Registration is complete when we have all of the following:

1) Payment via check or cash sent by mail, or delivered in person; payment made by credit card online via www.MunroeCenter.org

2) Completed registration forms (please see link to forms on our website)

3) Child's immunization records

Registrations are made on a first-come, first-serve basis. For School Year Vacation Programs, no spaces are held without full payment. For our Summer Program, spaces are held with a $50 deposit for each week your child is registered until June 1. Full tuition for our Summer Programs are due by June 1, no exceptions. If you decide to register for our Summer Program after June 1, no deposits are accepted - payment is due in full for all weeks registered. Deposits are non-refundable.

*SPECIAL CREDIT CARD INFORMATION FOR SUMMER PROGRAM: If you chose to pay via credit card for our Summer Program, we cannot accept deposits. Credit card payments for our Summer Program must be made in full.

*PLEASE NOTE: Credit card payments for all ArtSpan Programs are subject to additional service fees. Please visit www.mktix.com for more information on these fees.

What is the cancellation / refund policy?

For all Vacation Arts Programs and the Summer Arts Program, full refund requests will be granted if written notice is provided more than 7 business days before the first date of the program (for Summer this date is June 30^th), less a $50 administrative fee. Withdrawal within less than 7 business days of the first date of the program will result in a 50% refund of total tuitions, less a $50 administrative fee.

Can you "hold" a spot for my child in a Vacation Arts Program or Summer Arts Program?

For our School Year Vacation Programs, we cannot hold a space for your child without full payment. For our Summer Arts Program, we accept $50 deposits for each week your child is registered until June 1 only. After that, full tuition is due. Full tuition for our Summer Arts Programs is due by June 1 for all registrants, no exceptions. If you happen to register your child for our Summer Arts Program after June 1, you must pay the full amount due for all weeks you are signing up for. Please note deposits are non-refundable.

For the Summer Program, can I switch the week I enrolled my child in to another week?

In some cases. These requests will be considered, based on enrollments. Please contact us at 781-862-6040.

What should my child bring to the ArtSpan Program?

Students should bring their own snack, lunch, and a water bottle. We have a water cooler on our premises so that water bottles can be refilled throughout the day. If your child is staying for our Extended Day Program, we provide a healthy snack and water. If your child is enrolled in our Extended Day Program and has food allergies or special dietary needs, it is advised you provide an additional snack for them. In addition, children may bring a smock or art apron, but they are encouraged to dress in clothes that can get messy. Please be advised that electronic devices (such as Ipods, gameboys, cell phones etc) and stuffed animals are only allowed during recess. ArtSpan is not responsible for lost items and it is recommended that expensive games and devices are better left at home.

My child has food allergies. How can I be sure he/she will be safe at snack and lunch time?

Please indicate your child's food allergies on the application form so that faculty and staff are aware of them. The ArtSpan Vacation Programs have a strict “no sharing food” policy, and we do not allow peanut products. Many Lexington Public Schools have implemented a similar policy. As a local organization that serves the Lexington Community and beyond, we feel that this policy will make the ArtSpan a safer program for everyone.

As always, whenever food is being consumed (snack and lunch times), our staff will be in close vicinity to the children. The staff is prepared and trained to administer medication as needed and specified by your child's physician in the event of an allergic reaction. We ask that if your child has food (or other allergies) you provide us with an Emergency Treatment Plan signed by your child's health care provider. This plan must detail how your child's allergies are to be managed. Any medications required to execute the plan must also be provided in accordance with our medication policy and picked up from the Health Supervisor when your child's Art Span session is completed. All medications not picked up by the close of Art Span's Vacation session will be disposed of by our Health Supervisor. Please be advised that although we have a Peanut-Free policy, we cannot guarantee our premises will be completely peanut free. This is an effort to reduce the risk of any peanut-related allergic reactions from occurring.

What is the youngest age of children enrolled in your Vacation Arts Programs and Summer Arts Programs?

For School Year Vacation Arts Programs, children must be at least 5 years old by January 1, 2008. For our Summer Arts Program, your child must be 5 years old by June 1, 2008. This is a strict policy. Please be advised that children who have not yet completed kindergarten will be grouped with children who have. Our experiences have proven that in many cases, children who have not yet completed kindergarten get tired very easily in our full-day program. If it becomes apparent that a child was registered with false age information, you will be contacted to pick up your child and no refund will be made.

Will my child be grouped with other children his/her same age?

Yes. Children are generally grouped according to the grade they are entering. In some cases, children may be grouped with other children who are up to one year older or younger. There is a space on the application form to indicate requests for specific friends your child would like to be grouped with.

My child does not have much experience with art, is that okay?

Absolutely! The program is arranged so that children of all levels can get the most out of the activities.

What is a typical day like?

Drop off at our program begins at 8:45 AM. Throughout the day, children travel with their group and counselor and attend activities facilitated by an adult teaching artist in the areas of Drama, Painting and Drawing, Ceramics/Sculpture, Music/Movement and Sports and Games. During our School Vacation Programs, there are 3 activities and no Sports and Games option. There is morning snack time, lunch, and ample recess time. Weather dependent, recess is conducted outside in our large field/playground. Pick up is at 3:15 PM. An Extended Day program is available until 5:30 PM for an additional fee. During our Summer Program only, an AM Extended Day option is available from 7:45 - 8:45 AM.

How many children are in each group and what is the staff to student ratio?

During School Vacation Programs, our staff consists of an Education Director, Program Coordinator/Health Supervisor, 3 teachers and 3 counselors. During our Summer Program, our staff consists of an Education Director, Program Coordinator/Health Supervisor, 6 teachers and 5-8 counselors (per week). Depending on enrollment, groups range in size. During School Vacations, we have 3 groups ranging from 8 -12 children per group. During the Summer Vacation Program, we typically have 4-5 groups ranging from 8 - 12children per group. Each group has one to two high school or college age counselors that stay with them throughout the day. While in classrooms, all activities are facilitated by an adult faculty member. All counselors supervise lunch together, with staff members in very close proximity. During recess, all six teachers supervise activities.

Is the Munroe Center for the Arts building air-conditioned during the Summer?

There are air-conditioners in the classrooms, and we do our best to keep the facility cool with additional fans, as needed. However, the Munroe Center for the Arts is an old school building with high ceilings, so on very hot days the air conditioners can only do so much. We do provide plenty of water to the children, and supervise outdoor activities with extreme caution in order to avoid children getting over-heated.

Do you offer Financial Aid?

Yes, in some cases and on a limited basis. Please send a request in writing via mail to Hannah Hammond-Hagman, Education Director, Munroe Center for the Arts, 1403 Massachusetts Avenue, Lexington, MA 02420.