STARS Handbook

The STARS program is designed to provide a safe, structured before and after school program for children attending Orland School District 135 schools in grades Kindergarten through eighth grade.

The program is staffed with trained staff employed by Orland School District 135. The STARS Program offers before and after school care and is able to accommodate full-time and part-time care between the hours of 6:30am until school begins, and after school until 6:00pm. The STARS Camp offers care on certain non-school attendance days, excluding certain federal holidays, between the hours of 6:30am and 6:00pm.

In order to enroll in the STARS program, families must be enrolled in Orland School District 135 and complete the annual required residency verification. Families must initially complete the enrollment process online and pay the $55.00 (per family) non-refundable fee. Annual enrollment opens in July and is accepted through the end of the school year.

To utilize the STARS program,. Families must register the sessions they wish to use by logging on to the District’s registration program, Families will receive their directions on access to this site after enrollment is completed. Your child MUST BE ENROLLED in order to register for weekly or monthly care. 

Payment is due when registering for STARS sessions. Invoices will be emailed every two weeks. A $25.00 late fee will be assessed for outstanding balances. There will be NO EXCEPTIONS to this fee as the STARS Program needs to ensure the safety and security of your child by having correct rosters for our staff. A credit card must be kept on file for payments.

Non-school attendance days, and emergency school closings:

Orland School District 135 recognizes that child care is still often needed by families during non-school attendance days. Because of this, the STARS program offers care for enrolled children

 

Drop-Off and Pick-Up Procedures

When families enroll in the STARS program, they must provide names of individuals (up to four) they designated authorized to pick up and drop off each child they enroll. All children must be signed in and signed out by an authorized pick up individual every time they utilize the program. WE WILL NOT ACCEPT OR RELEASE ANY CHILD WHO IS NOT ACCOMPANIED BY AN AUTHORIZED INDIVIDUAL. THERE WILL BE NO EXCEPTIONS. This is for the safety of your child. Authorized individuals will also be designated as emergency contacts for your child.

Drop off: All children MUST be accompanied by an authorized individual on record while being dropped off for the AM sessions. All children MUST be signed in when they are dropped off. Dropping off your child without accompanying them into the building and signing them in is PROHIBITED.

Pick-up: All children MUST be signed out by an authorized individual on record during the PM sessions. Children will not be released to unauthorized persons - NO EXCEPTIONS.

Late Pick-Up

In the event you will be late, please contact the program by calling the STARS number for the school(s) your student is at. Starting at 6:05pm, a late fee of $1.00 per minute will be assessed. Habitual late pick-ups or non payment of late fees will be reviewed for possible disenrollment of the STARS program.

Health/Illness/Special Considerations

In order to protect all children and the staff, we request that if your child is ill, please do not send them to STARS. We adhere to the same health and illness guidelines set forth by the schools. PLEASE NOTE THAT STAFF HAS THE RIGHT TO REFUSED ADMITTANCE OF A CHILD WHO APPEARS ILL TO ATTEND SCHOOL THAT DAY. In the event your child becomes ill while at the STARS program, staff will contact the parent or emergency contact and request they come pick up the child.

In addition to the health and safety standards typically followed, the STARS program must adhere to the guidelines set forth by the state, CDC and IDPH and will follow the procedures set in place by Orland School District 135.

Injuries

Children do play games outside or in the gym and injuries do occur. Our leaders are trained in first aid. In the event that your child is injured while attending a STARS program, staff will contact the parent/guardian to inform you of the injury. In the event of serious injury or illness, it is the policy of STARS to seek immediate attention for your child (ambulance) and then contact the parent. When possible, a STARS staff member will accompany your child via ambulance transport.

Medication

If medication needs to be administered to your child while they are attending a STARS program, a licensed physician must provide written permission for our leader to do so. This must include specific directions for administering the medication. Written permission must be given by the parent/guardian as well. The medication must be in the original container and will be kept in a secure location. The STARS medication form must be completed and submitted to your child’s site.

Schoolwork Policy 

It is not the responsibility of the STARS program that a child does their homework; however, quiet time is built into the daily schedule for those that need to do homework.

Absences

If your child will not be attending STARS on a scheduled day, please call the program phone as well as your child's school, as soon as possible to inform them of your child’s absence. Please be aware that we do not credit accounts for days absent or transfer days from one week to another.

Personal Items/Cell Phones/Pictures & Videos

Personal cell phones, smart watches or any other personal electronic devices are not permitted. Should you need to get a hold of your child, please call the STARS program phone. Stars is not responsible for lost or stolen personal items that are brought into the program. Please talk to your children and instruct them to keep cell phones in their backpacks. For everyone’s safety, children in our STARS program are not allowed to take pictures or videos.

Discipline    

Participants of the STARS program are expected to behave appropriately at all times, just like they would during the school day. This is for the safety and enjoyment of all the children and staff.

Appropriate behavior consists of:

1. Showing respect for all students and staff.
2. Following staff directions.
3. Refraining from using foul or abusive language.
4. Refraining from causing physical harm to other children, staff, or self.
5. Showing respect for all equipment, supplies, and facilities. Any irreparable damage intentionally inflicted upon any property will be billed to the responsible children’s family.

In the event that behavioral issues develop, the following discipline policy may apply:

FIRST OFFENSE: Verbal or written warning, parent signs form if needed.

SECOND OFFENSE: Written warning, parent signs form, conference with Coordinator and/or staff to talk about behavior modifications.

THIRD OFFENSE: Dismissed from the program, no refund will be given.

STARS Administration will try to respond to incidents of misbehavior or misconduct progressively. In the event that misbehavior or misconduct is determined to be a threat to the safety of one’s self or others, suspension or dismissal from the program may be issued without a refund. 

Students may also be dismissed from the program based on the conduct of their parents. 

Additional rules may be developed for the STARS as deemed necessary by staff.

THIS DISCLOSURE WILL BE ACKNOWLEDGED AND SIGNED ELECTRONICALLY DURING THE ONLINE ENROLLMENT PROCESS 

I recognize and acknowledge that there are certain risks of physical injury to participants in the program(s) and I agree to assume the full risk of any such injuries, damages or loss regardless of severity, which my child(ren) or I may sustain as a result of participating in any activities connected or or associated with any such program(s). I way and relinquish all claims I or my child(ren) may have against Orland School District 135, the STARS program and its officers, agents, servants and employees as a result of participation or the participation of my child in any of the program(s). I further to agree to indemnify and hold harmless and defend Orland School District 135 and the STARS program and its offers, agent, servants and employees from any and all claims resulting from injuries, damages and loss sustained by me or by my child(ren), arising out of, connected with, or in any way associated with the activities of any of the program(s). 

I have read and fully understand the program details and waiver and release all claims. I understand that enrolling and registering my child(ren) for participation in the STARS program, I will be waiving and releasing all claims for injuries me or my child(ren) might sustain arising out of the program. 

STARS Discipline Policy Form 

THIS DISCLOSURE WILL BE ACKNOWLEDGED AND SIGNED ELECTRONICALLY DURING THE ONLINE ENROLLMENT PROCESS 

Participants of the STARS program are expected to behave appropriately at all times. This is for the safety and enjoyment of all children and staff. For specific rules and guidelines please refer to the DISCIPLINE section in the handbook.

STARS Handbook Acknowledgement 

THIS DISCLOSURE WILL BE ACKNOWLEDGED AND SIGNED ELECTRONICALLY DURING THE ONLINE ENROLLMENT PROCESS 

I acknowledge that I have received and read the STARS Handbook and understand the rules, guidelines and expectations stated within. This handbook is intended to explain the procedures, rules and policies of the STARS program. I understand that Orland School District 135 reserves the right to revise the information provided in this handbook as program operations, policies and procedures change. 

2025-2026 Medication Form

(one form is required for each child if needed) 

If your child takes medication, please fill out this form in its entirety. Each form of medication MUST be in the original container from the pharmacy. The container MUST have the ORIGINAL PRESCRIPTION LABEL and must include the following information:

Child’s Name: _________________________________________________________________

 

Name of Medication:____________________________________________________________

 

Dosage and Quantity: ____________________________________________________________

 

Prescription Number: ____________________________________________________________

 

Pharmacy Phone Number: ________________________________________________________

 

Times to be Given: ______________________________________________________________

 

Date to be Given: _______________________________________________________________

 

Special Instructions: _____________________________________________________________

 

Doctor’s Name: ________________________________________________________________

I give permission for the STARS staff to administer medication to my child. STARS staff is not allowed to use needles to administer medication.

Parent/ Guardian signature:________________________________________________________

                                                                                                                                         (Date)

 

PARENTS MUST SUBMIT THIS FORM IN PERSON   

                   AT THEIR STARS LOCATION      

                MEDICAL NEEDS FORM

Child’s Name:__________________________ DOB:______________ STARS Location:_____________

Please list any allergies your child may have:_________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

Please list any special considerations the STARS staff should be aware of:_________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________

 

If your child takes medication, please fill out this form in its entirety. Each form of medication MUST be in the original container from the pharmacy. The container MUST have the ORIGINAL PRESCRIPTION LABEL and must include the following information:

 

Child's Name:_________________________________________________________________________

Name of Medication:____________________________________________________________________

Dosage and Quantity:___________________________________________________________________

Prescription Number:___________________________________________________________________

Pharmacy Phone Number:________________________________________________________________

Times to be given:______________________________________________________________________

Dates to be given:______________________________________________________________________

Special Instructions:____________________________________________________________________

Doctor’s Name:________________________________________________________________________

 

I give permission for the STARS staff to administer medication to my child. STARS staff are not allowed to use needles to administer medication.

 

Parent/Guardian Signature:_________________________________________Date:_________________

Please submit this form prior to your child’s first day at STARS by emailing to STARS@Orland135.org