Extended Day Program

ASPire provides a play-oriented program designed to offer children an array of choice activities through which they can try new activities, make new friends, and generally have a great time interacting with caring and creative adults.

This year, ASPire will take place in two locations, the Main Campus at 31 West Coulter Street and the Center City Campus in the Curtis Building at 601 Walnut Street. At the Main Campus, students will gather in the cafeteria for check-in and a snack before selecting from among an array of fun activities, including playground, homework, cooking, computers, theme-based art projects, games and more.

Students in grades 1-6 who live in Center City may wish to participate in our new ASPire after-school program, which will take place at GFS's new campus in the Curtis Building located at 601 Walnut Street. To get from GFS's Germantown campus to our new Center City campus, students in grades 1-6 must first sign up to ride the Philadelphia School District buses.

Enrollment is for the full year, and students can be enrolled for the full five days per week or for one, two, three, or four days. In addition, two pick-up options are available, 5 p.m. or 6 p.m., and students may attend ASPire on a drop-in basis for $30 (5 p.m. pick up) or for $35 (6 p.m. pick up).

ASPire Fees for 2017-18

To register for ASPire, please click here.

Exclusively for Middle School students, Middle School After School (MSAS) takes place every afternoon from dismissal until 6 p.m.

MSAS offers participants both a place where they can work on and receive assistance with homework (the Friends Free Library) and a more relaxed space (the cafeteria) where they can gather to work collaboratively on activities such as preparing second snack for ASPire, creating items that can be sold to raise funds for local institutions, and engaging in group games designed to foster a stronger connection among MSAS participants.

A current member of the ASPire staff will supervise the students, offering homework help, and leading activities for students to enjoy when they are not doing homework.

To ensure students’ safety, all Middle School students are required to be in one of three places when they are on campus after school: enrolled in MSAS, enrolled in an after school club or sport, or on their way home. For parents' convenience, Middle School students are welcome to participate in MSAS free of charge from the end of sports practice until 4:30 p.m. when the Late Shuttle departs. There are four MSAS enrollment options:

• Early Bird Special (30% discount on enrollment for the full year. Special ends on October 1, 2017)
• Full Year Coverage (which provides coverage for one or more days per week for the full year)
• By the Season (which provides coverage during a single sports season and intersession)
• After Sports Practice (which provides coverage from the end of sports practice to 6 p.m. four days a week during only the sports season)

Students may attend MSAS on a drop-in basis for $30 (5 p.m. pick up) or for $35 (6 p.m. pick up).

MSAS Fees for 2017-18

Registration

To register for MSAS, please click here.

GFS offers a wide range of clubs for students in Early Childhood Program through eighth grade. Most clubs meet after school.

We are delighted to announce that many of last year’s most popular offerings, including Karate, Soccer Shots, and You Go Girls will be returning again this winter. In addition, we will be offering new club offerings such as Creative Drama for Kids, offered both on Main Campus and our new Center City location; Animal Kingdom's Superheroes taught by a naturalist from the Riverbend Environmental Education Center; and American Sign Language, offered in conjunction with the Pennsylvania School for the Deaf.

Click here to see the detailed club descriptions.
Click here to register.

Important Information for Parents

• Upon registering, Lower School parents will need to update dismissal information for their children. The confirmation email will include a link to a Change in Dismissal form. It is essential that parents fill out this form in order to inform the Lower School Office of all changes in dismissal and pick-up plans.
• We wish for all students to be able to participate in programming offered by GFS. Financial assistance is available for qualifying families. If you would like your child to participate in an after-school activity and you anticipate needing assistance, please contact Tchet Dorman and Stacey Cromley.
• Although clubs are designed for particular grade levels, we may be able to accommodate interested students from outside of the designated grades provided space is available and the instructor approves. Please contact afterschool@germantownfriends.org for further information.

To register for clubs, please click here.

Designed to complement the Lower School musical curriculum, Music Ensembles allow students to take part in World Percussion, Chorus, and Orchestra after school, free of charge.

See the full descriptions and registration information for the Music Ensembles here. 

ASPire offers special programs for parent/teacher conference days and all-school in-service days. In addition, camp programs are offered for the days immediately before the school-year opens as well as during one week of spring break vacation.

During the ASPire Special Programs, participants (who must pre-register through Active Network) will enjoy field trips and other special activities. Students may visit museums, explore caves, run through a sprinkler, or lie on the grass finding shapes in the clouds.

Children should wear weather-appropriate attire, and bring a packed lunch and beverage. We will supply snacks and fun.

Please note: Pre-registration and payment one week in advance is required for all ASPire Special Programs.

To register for ASPire Special Programs, please click here.

Policies and General Information

Hours

ASPire (formerly 'ASP' or After School Program) is offered daily from 3:10-6 p.m. at the GFS main campus in Germantown and at the new Center City location. Parents have the option of enrolling their child(ren) in the program until either 5 p.m. or 6 p.m. at both locations.

Drop-ins

Once ASPire Emergency Information is on file, drop-in care is always available to families at $35 per day for coverage until 5 p.m. and $40 per day for coverage until 6 p.m. Parents may call the Lower School Office (215-951-2318) at any time and leave a message if there is any change regarding a child's attendance or dismissal plans. To enroll your child for Drop-in coverage in the Early Childhood Program, ASPire or MSAS, click here.

Late Pick-up Fees

For children being picked up at 5 p.m., the charge for late pick up is $20 per child from 5 p.m.-5:15 p.m., $30 per child from 5:15-5:30 p.m. and $40 per child thereafter. For children being picked up at 6 p.m., the late fee is $20 per child from 6-6:15 p.m., $30 per child from 6:15-6:30 p.m., and $40 per child thereafter. Payment is made to the ASPire Book Fund.

Changing ASPire Days

In order to provide adequate staffing, we ask that parents commit to the day(s) of the week for which their child will be enrolled. In other words, Students enrolled in ASPire or MSAS on Tuesdays, can only attend on Tuesdays unless a parent submits a written request to the Director of Auxiliary Programming requesting a change of day or days. We do not permit day of the week switches for a one-time basis.

ASPire Withdrawals

Parents who wish to withdraw or to reduce the number of days per week for which their child is registered must notify Betsy Neiva, Director of Auxiliary Programming, in writing on or before October 1, 2017. If the Auxiliary Programming Director does not receive written notice by October 1, the parents will be responsible for the entire annual tuition amount for which they have registered their child regardless of whether or not their child attends the After School Program.

Adding ASPire Days

Additional ASPire days may be added for a pro-rated fee after October 1, 2017. If you wish to add ASPire days, please contact Stacey Cromley, Auxiliary Programming Coordinator at scromley@germantownfriends.org. The number of days a child attends ASP can be increased at any time, but not decreased, after the October 1 deadline.

Past-due Balances

The After School Program reserves the right to refuse admittance to families who are frequently late or who have an outstanding balance with GFS.

Flexible Spending Account

To obtain a receipt for childcare expenses for ASPire or MSAS coverage for FSA purposes, please contact Stacey Cromley at scromley@germantownfriends.org.

Please note: As a rule, after-school club fees are not eligible expenses under most Flexible Spending Account (FSA) plans. If you have further questions about covered expenses, please contact your plan administrator directly.

Important Dates for 2017-18

This Important Dates for 2017-18 sheet includes key dates, times, and prices for families to be aware of with reference to all Extended Day programs, including ASPire, MSAS, clubs, camps, and special program days.