As your student begins their education experience at Rochester Public Schools (RPS), you might wonder how to navigate the school system, especially managing school schedules around your work hours. 

RPS offers an opportunity to ensure your student is in the best care where they can learn, grow, and have fun through School Age Child Care Program (SACC) at all RPS elementary schools. SACC provides a safe, nurturing environment for before and after-school care where students can feel valued and have a sense of belonging. 

Summer SACC

SACC offers a summer program that offers care for students filled with many developmentally appropriate activities with all the fun of summer, including field trips opportunities to enrich your students summer experience. A few things about summer SACC:

• Families can enroll in the summer SACC program beginning April 17, 2024, for Summer 2024 (June-August). 

• Summer SACC is available to students 5-years-old and entering kindergarten to students entering 6th grade.

• Summer SACC has three locations for 2024: Overland, Riverside, Sunset Elementary Schools.

• Parents and caregivers with Summer SACC contracts can begin dropping off their students at Sumer SACC at 6:30 a.m., where their students receive care until 6 p.m.

• Students will receive a free breakfast and lunch at Summer SACC.

• Students can register for field trips at an additional cost. However, they must be enrolled and scheduled for care in order to go on the field trip.

• The daily rate is $45/day. The drop-in rate is $50/day.

  
  

School Year SACC

Families also have the option to enroll their elementary students in SACC throughout the 2024-2025 school year. Here are a few things to note about school year SACC:

• Families can enroll in the SACC program beginning May 15, 2024, for the 2024-2025 school year. 

• School year SACC runs from the first day of the RPS school year through the last day of the RPS school year.

• During the school year, parents and caregivers with SACC contracts can begin dropping off their students at SACC at 6:30 a.m., where their students receive care until school starts at 7:55 a.m. 

• Students will receive a free breakfast at SACC.

• After class is dismissed, enrolled students return to the SACC program, where services are provided until 6 p.m. 

Registration

You must complete all registrations online. View more information, including how to register and the associated fees, on the SACC page on our website. The SACC office team is ready to answer your questions. You can reach them at saccoffice@rochesterschools.org or 507.328.4040.

Benefits of Enrolling Students in SACC

Attending SACC at their school creates a seamless transition for students in an environment where they are comfortable, as well as a one-stop shop for parents, helping to eliminate the need for additional pickups, schedule adjustments, or seeking alternative care options for before- and after-school hours. 

“There are several reasons we chose SACC. An important reason is continuity for our son. Our son has an IEP and several action plans in place at school. Having SACC available at school with his education, therapy, and health services staff close by promotes consistent people for us to communicate with and a cohesive team approach for our son," shared Randi Beyerl on her family's SACC experience.

While at SACC, students will experience a variety of developmentally appropriate activities, including arts and crafts, STEAM activities, self-directed play, library, technology time, physical activities (both indoor and outdoor), community service, and an environment where homework is encouraged. From playing parachute to interactive story time, we want to ensure your student has an enjoyable and educational experience.

Each SACC location is run by a program lead responsible for overseeing the program and is supported by program assistants. Program aides play a very important role in spending most of their time with students. Special needs assistants are assigned to SACC locations based on student needs. Team leaders also support our locations by directing and guiding staff in general operations, including communication, challenging behavior, teamwork, scheduling, program planning, etc. All SACC staff members are caring people passionate about children and have experience in various fields. All staff are required to pass background checks, complete first aid certification, CPR training, and continued staff development through workshops and training. 

Randi’s family also found a unique connection with our child care program, which had a big impact on their family. “The staff take the time to really get to know our son, even when communication with him can be challenging. In fact, it was the PACC staff that relayed changes in his behavior to us that led to a Type 1 diabetes diagnosis in 2023. Summer and school year SACC staff and nurses worked closely with us as we navigated diabetes while trying to keep life as normal as possible. The current SACC staff do a great job of being aware of his medical issues while helping him have fun like any other kid. Our son LOVES going to SACC and has built special connections with the staff and other students there.” 

When considering student capacity, SACC strives to maintain staff-to-child ratios of one staff member to seven to ten students for younger children (kindergarten through 2nd grade) and one staff member to ten to fifteen students for older children (grades 3 through 5). Some adjustments may be made according to individual needs.

In addition to school year programming, RPS also offers SACC programming on non-school enrichment days, some inclement weather days, and special programming for Longfellow's 45-15 school year schedule.