POLK UNITES FUNDS
We are pleased to announce that we have been awarded funds through the CARES Act to assist any of our families that might have been impacted by COVID-19. If eligible, based on your personal situation, the Polk Unites funds will pay up to $2,000 for your daughter’s childcare fees. Eligibility is determined if you have been furloughed, terminated from your job or had a reduction in your work hours during the month of March to the present. Please indicate on the application if you would like to apply for Polk Unites Funds. Parents who qualified for Girls Inc.’s summer program do not need to re-apply. You will be advised of your continued funds upon approval of your child’s application.

E-SCHOOL CAMP
Our E-School Camp will begin on Monday, August 24th and will be available to girls in grades K-8 from 7:30-3:00 p.m. Mondays through Fridays through the first semester of school which is January 15, 2021. We will advise you if this date changes based on communication from the school district. After school hours will be 3-5:30 p.m., Mondays through Fridays. Our camp will focus on helping girls navigate E-School and support their academic achievement. Space will be limited to the first 40 girls that are registered and be on a first come first serve basis. Girls must bring their lunch, wear a mask, and bring a laptop/tablet and noise-canceling headphones for classes. They are also encouraged to bring up to 2 nutritious snacks daily and a water bottle. Girls Inc. will provide basic school supplies. Major supplies will need to be purchased by the parent(s)/guardian(s). A mandatory student orientation will be held on Thursday, August 20th at 6 p.m. at our Lakeland site. Parent(s)/guardian(s) should bring their daughter’s class schedule, their student portal log-in information, and their school’s and teacher’s contact information to the mandatory orientation. The class schedule should be accessible via the parent/student portal. Parent(s)/guardian(s) should also list Girls Inc. as a contact in case we need to communicate with the school or teacher.

AFTERSCHOOL PROGRAM AND ALL DAY SESSIONS
Girls Inc. will provide limited afterschool care from select schools. We will also provide all day care for most school holidays and standard holidays. Please see the attached list of days that we are scheduled to be open and days we are to be closed. Please see the list of schools that we will be picking up from to determine if we will serve your daughter’s soon this year. Girls will be picked up from school by Girls Inc. staff and must be picked up from Girls Inc. by 5:30 p.m. Parents unable to pick up their child/children at closing time will be charged a late fee. Late fee charges per child are $5.00 for the first 15 minutes past closing and $5.00 for each additional 15 minutes. Fee must be paid prior to your child/children returning to the center.

SNACKS
The snack bar will be open every day from 3:00 – 4:00 p.m. Cash money is no longer accepted for snacks. Parents must pay for their daughter’s snacks by check or credit card or girls can bring snacks from home. Girls are allowed to have two snacks daily. Candy nor gum are allowed at Girls Inc.

DRESS CODE
Proper shoes and dress attire must be worn at all times. Please review the attached rules with your daughter to ensure that she is dressed appropriately. Of special note, girls should not wear pants with holes, shorts should not be short-shorts, and tops should not be strapless or spaghetti straps. Shoes must be closed in from the back and for safety reasons, tennis shoes are suggested especially for outside play. Parents of girls dressed inappropriately will be called to bring them appropriate clothing/shoes.

CELLS PHONES/ MP3 PLAYERS/ iPODS/ALL OTHER ELECTRONIC DEVICES
Girls are not permitted to have the items listed above unless it is necessary for E-School class assignments and cleared through our President and CEO. If a girl is found with these items in her possession without clearance, she will face discipline by the President and CEO.

COVID-19 PRECAUTIONS
To ensure the safety and well-being of your daughter and your family, our Girls Inc. families, our staff and their families, we now have detailed precautions and practices in place to help avoid anyone being infected with the virus. Please read, sign and return the attached statement with your daughter’s application. We will not accept any applications without this signed document.

Girls Inc. Incorporated
Girls Incorporated of Lakeland offers the only daily after school program solely for girls in the Lakeland area. An All-day (10 hour) program operates whenever school is not in session. The program is supervised by staff and volunteers.

The girls are taught worthwhile skills, encouraged to develop a sense of self-worth and assisted generally in making the difficult transitions to adulthood in a supportive environment. We inspire girls to be “Strong, Smart, and Bold.”

The program is funded primarily by United Way of Central Florida & Publix Charities with the remainder of funding coming from membership dues, foundations, grants, and program fees.