LA’s BEST Parent/Guardian Agreement 2023-2024
In an effort to ensure safety for all children, we will need to work together on the requirements listed below.
LA’s BEST Application: Each child must have an application form on file with the names and phone numbers of three adults, 18 years or older, who are authorized to pick up the child. In order to keep your child safe, your child will only be released to the adults you have authorized on the application form. It is important that this form is kept current with updated information; you can update the application form by connecting with the Site Coordinator. Only parents/guardians may update information via an in-person conversation with the Site Coordinator. Application information cannot be changed over the phone or by a third party.
Sign In: Children will be signed into the LA’s BEST program by staff each day they attend. Reinforce to your children that they are to come directly to the LA’s BEST designated sign-in area at the end of the school day.
Sign Out: All children must be signed out at the end of the day by a parent/guardian or authorized adult, 18 years of age or older, who is listed on the application form. Children will not be released to those under 18 years of age or persons not listed on the application form. All adults listed on the application form may be asked for valid government identification (ex California Identification, driver’s license or passport) before a child is released.
Program Hours: Program hours are from the time school ends until 6:00pm. Children are encouraged to attend daily to receive the full benefits of the LA’s BEST program. Attending afterschool programs lead to improvement in class participation, better adjustment as young people move to the next phase of schooling, less likely to participate in risky behavior, increased school participation, and reduced school dropout rates.
LAUSD Safety Guidelines: LA’s BEST aligns to LAUSD safety practices, policies and procedures. It is recommended that you review the LAUSD Parent/Student handbook provided to you by LAUSD.
Early Release Policy: Each year, all parents/guardians must complete an Early Release Policy Acknowledgement form for each child enrolled in LA’s BEST. This acknowledgement form includes student’s name, birthdate, grade, date and signature. When signing out a child before 6:00pm, the authorized adult write in the appropriate release code on the Early Release Code box on the attendance sheet. The early release code indicates is a letter code that indicates the reason for leaving early. The parent/guardian must also write in the accurate sign-out time and their full legal signature.
Behavior on LAUSD Campuses: It is LAUSD/LA’s BEST policy that anyone who enters a campus maintain a respectful presence and approach with students, staff and others. Visitors DO NOT have the right to consciously interfere with the discipline, order, or conduct in any or activity with the intent to disrupt or inflict damage to property or bodily injury upon any person.
Parent/Guardian Meetings: Quarterly parent/guardian meetings will be scheduled via zoom. These meetings will provide updates and space for parent/guardians to provide feedback on programming.
Attendance: LA’s BEST funding is based on the number of days and hours children attend the program. Therefore, children are required to attend daily and remain in the program until 6:00pm. Children may be removed from the program for excessive unexcused absences in order to provide the opportunity for children who need the program on a daily basis to attend. If your child is going to be absent, please notify the Site Coordinator. Children absent from the regular school day may not attend LA’s BEST.
Illnesses: Parent/guardians will be notified in the event a child becomes ill during the program. Arrangements are to be made by a parent/guardian or authorized adult to have the child picked up.
Allergies: Parents/guardians are to include on the application form any food allergies or other medical conditions that might affect their child’s participation in the program. LA’s BEST staff are not permitted to dispense or administer medication to students unless cleared and trained by LAUSD.
Court Orders: All court orders are to be shared with the school administrator and the LA’s BEST Site Coordinator. A copy of the current court order must be filed with LA’s BEST and school’s main office.
Valuables: LA’s BEST staff are not responsible for valuables such as cell phones, electronics or jewelry.
Requesting Student Attendance: Parent/guardians can request student attendance information through the LA’s BEST Operations Office with the “Data Request Form” which can be provided by the Site Coordinator. Please allow 2 weeks when requesting student information. Student information will be released only to parents/legal guardians. Parent/guardian must provide an I.D. to receive documents.
Discipline Policies: All children and adults must follow the school’s code of conduct while on the school campus or during an LA’s BEST event. LA’s BEST follows all LAUSD/School discipline policies outlined in the LAUSD Parent/Student Handbook. A positive approach and collaboration will support the success of students.
Staff will not release a child under the following circumstances:
- The parent/guardian or authorized adult is behaving in a way that poses a risk to anyone in the program.
- Person is not an authorized adult on the application and/or is under the age of 18.
- A court order has been provided to the program by the custodial parent/guardian to restrict access by the non-custodial adult.
Children may be given a break from the LA’s BEST program for the following reasons:
- Violating the rules in the LAUSD Parent/Student Handbook.
- Disruption of the operation of the program by children, parents/guardians, or authorized adults.
- Excessive absences, early pickups, and/or late pickups of children after 6:00pm.
- Parent/guardian unwilling to complete the Early Release Form.
- Parent/guardian unwilling to sign-out their child when picking them up from program.
Breaks will be determined by the school administrator and the LA’s BEST Operations office.
Support System and Resources: LA’s BEST in partnership with the School Mental Health (SMH) and Student Health and Human Services offers a range of mental health services and supports to help children, youth, and families become better equipped to thrive and live successfully. For additional information, call Student Health and Human Services, School Mental Health at 213 241-3841 or visit https://achieve.lausd.net/smh. School Mental Health Crisis Counseling and Intervention Services staff are available for consultation during the school year, Monday through Friday from 8:00 am – 4:30 pm.
Questions or concerns regarding this Parent/Guardian Agreement are first to be directed to the LA’s BEST Site Coordinator. If further explanation is required feel free to contact the LA’s BEST Operations Office.
Questions, concerns, and/or feedback may also be submitted via the LA’s BEST website at www.lasbest.org. We welcome your input and hope to hear from you!
