elementary kids


DJUSD S.P.A.R.K. 

Supportive Partnerships and Active Recreation for Kids


We are excited to share that DJUSD will offer programming to support students and families. The purpose of S.P.A.R.K. (Supportive Partnerships and Active Recreation for Kids) is to provide students with a safe and supportive environment where they will explore their interests and develop their academics, social emotional skills and physical well being. S.P.A.R.K. programs will be offered at each of our elementary schools, with the exception of Fairfield Elementary.


Kindergarten S.P.A.R.K.

  • Kindergarten S.P.A.R.K. is available for TK/Kindergarten students.
  • The AM session of Kindergarten SPARK supports afternoon TK/Kindergarten students.
  • The PM session of Kindergarten SPARK session supports morning TK/Kindergarten students.
  • Kinder S.P.A.R.K. students will be dismissed the same time as PM Kindergarten and follow the early dismissal schedule on Wednesday.
  • Students will have opportunity to engage in a variety of activities, including arts and crafts, dramatic play, fine and gross motor skills, outdoor play, and more. Students are also offered school lunch.
  • Fee: $455/month; $341/month (DJUSD employee discount). Fee waivers are available for those who qualify.

After School S.P.A.R.K.

  • After School S.P.A.R.K. is available for students in grades TK-6, and runs from grade 1-3 dismissal until 5:30 PM.
  • Students are offered a snack provided by School Nutrition Services.
  • Student activities include homework time, active recreation, arts and crafts, choice activities, free-play, enrichment activities and more.
  • Fee: $520/month; $390/month (DJUSD employee discount). Fee waivers are available for those who qualify.

All Kinder SPARK and After School SPARK programs are now WAITLIST ONLY.  You will be contacted via email if a spot becomes available for your student.

Enrollment Prioritization

Enrollment Prioritization

  • Kindergarten S.P.A.R.K. and After School S.P..R.K. is offered at no charge and accessible to all students in grades TK-6 who are identified in one or more of the following categories:
  • Following the state mandate, the families of students who qualify for ELO-P will be given priority to enroll first. Then, if capacity allows, enrollment will be opened in the following priority order:
    • Priority 1: Homeless, foster youth, free or reduced lunch eligible
    • Priority 2: English learners (fee-based)
    • Priority 3: All other students (fee-based
Program Cost and Fee Waivers

Are there fee waivers available? How do I qualify for a fee waiver?
ELO-P provides fee waivers for students who qualify by meeting one or more of the following criteria:

  • Homeless or foster youth;
  • Qualifies for Free/Reduced Cost Meals. Please note, all DJUSD students are currently entitled to free/reduced lunch, sometimes referred to as "universal lunch", due to pandemic related programs still in place. However, in order to qualify for an ELO-P fee waiver based on qualifying for free/reduced cost meals, a free/reduced lunch form must be filled out annually by the student's parent/guardian.

Does my student's ELO-P fee waiver automatically renew next school year or do I have to take some action to secure an ELO-P fee waiver for the next school year?
Families must reapply each year to DJUSD S.P.A.R.K. programs as well as completing forms required for a fee-waiver. All families are encouraged to fill out the Free/Reduced Cost Meals form on myschoolapps.com (opens early August of each school year).

If my student does not qualify for an ELO-P fee waiver, what does S.P.A.R.K. cost?

  • Annual family registration fee - $50
  • Kindergarten S.P.A.R.K. - $455/month ; $341/month (DJUSD employee) (charged September thru May - 9 months)
  • After School S.P.A.R.K. - $520/month; $390/month (DJUSD employee) (charged September thru May - 9 months)
  • *Please note that there are no charges for August or June.
When will I be notified of my enrollment status?
Applications for our S.P.A.R.K. programs will open on April 2, 2024 and must be submitted by the end of the day on April 30. Those who apply after the April 30 deadline will be placed on a waitlist.

Kindergarten S.P.A.R.K. applicants can expect program enrollment status when they receive their TK/Kindergarten placements in June.

After School S.P.A.R.K. applicants  can expect an email regarding program enrollment by the week of May 13.

If you submitted an application after April 30, you will be contacted only if a space is available for your student.  
Frequently Asked Questions

General Information

What is ELO-P?

ELO-P stands for “Expanded Learning Opportunity Program.” State law defines expanded learning programs or ELO-P as ”before school, after school, summer, or intersession learning that focus on developing the academic, social, emotional, and physical needs and interests of pupils through hands-on, engaging learning experiences.”

What is Davis Joint Unified School District offering to fulfill their ELO-P requirement?
DJUSD is offering two programs: Kindergarten S.P.A.R.K. and After School S.P.A.R.K. (Supportive Partnerships and Active Recreation for Kids)

Cost and Registration

How do I apply?
Applications are available through Informed K-12.

When will I know if my student has a spot in the program?
Applications for enrollment received by April 30 will be notified by email the week of May 13, 2024. Applications received after April 30 will be notified on a rolling basis only if space is available.

Are all students eligible and is placement on a first-come-first-served basis?
All students are eligible to apply. Following the state ELO-P mandate, unduplicated students will be given priority to enroll first. Enrollment is based on capacity at a school site and will follow this priority order:

  • Priority 1: Foster youth, homeless, qualifies for free/reduced lunch
  • Priority 2: English Learners (fee-based)
  • Priority 3: All other students (fee-based)

Are there fee waivers available? How do I qualify for a fee waiver?
ELO-P provides fee-waivers for students who qualify by meeting one or more of the following criteria:

  • Homeless or foster youth
  • Qualifies for Free/Reduced Cost Meals. Please note, all DJUSD students are currently entitled to free/reduced lunch, sometimes referred to as "universal lunch", due to pandemic related programs still in place. However, in order to qualify for an ELO-P fee waiver based on qualifying for free/reduced cost meals, a free/reduced lunch form must be filled out annually by the student's parent/guardian.

Does my student's ELO-P fee waiver automatically renew next school year or do I have to take some action to secure an ELO-P fee waiver for the next school year?
Families must reapply each year to DJUSD S.P.A.R.K. programs as well as completing forms required for a fee-waiver. All families are encouraged to fill out the Free/Reduced Cost Meals form on myschoolapps.com (opens early August of each school year).

If my student does not qualify for an ELO-P fee-waiver, what does S.P.A.R.K. cost?

  • Annual family registration fee - $50
  • Kindergarten S.P.A.R.K. - $455/month ; $341/month (DJUSD employee) (charged September thru May - 9 months)
  • After School S.P.A.R.K. - $520/month; $390/month (DJUSD employee) (charged September thru May - 9 months)
  • *Please note that there are no charges for August or June.

If I am working on transferring my student to a new school, would I be able to apply for the S.P.A.R.K. program at the new school BEFORE the transfer gets approved? If my child has a spot in the S.P.A.R.K. program at their current school, will their spot also transfer over?
Unfortunately no. Because we are enrolling all school sites simultaneously and enrollment is highly impacted, it is not possible for us to reserve spots for transfers. Enrollment offers will be given to the school that your student is currently enrolled at. Once a transfer is approved and you have completed all required steps with the new school, you can contact [email protected] to transfer your application to the new school. However, we cannot guarantee enrollment at the new school.

Can I make changes to my enrollment?

  • Changes in enrollment can be made by contacting [email protected].
  • If you wish to discontinue services with DJUSD S.P.A.R.K., please contact [email protected] within 30 days of planned disenrollment.
  • If you disenroll but wish to re-enroll, you will not be guaranteed a spot in a S.P.A.R.K. program.

If I cancel my enrollment, will I receive a refund?
Annual Family Registration fee is non-refundable and non-transferable. Fees are non-refundable and non-transferable due to student absence, student illness, and/or family vacation time.

Program Information

What will students do during S.P.A.R.K.?

  • Kindergarten S.P.A.R.K. students will have opportunities to have school provided snack and lunch, participate in circle time, outdoor recreation, independent and group play, dramatic play, arts and crafts and more.
  •  After School S.P.A.R.K. will provide students opportunities for snack (one will be provided or can be brought from home), choice activities (free play, art, games, etc), active recreation, homework and/or academic support, and planned enrichment activities.

What days and hours do S.P.A.R.K. programs operate?
All S.P.A.R.K. programs operate Monday - Friday. Wednesdays will differ slightly based on the early release schedule at your child’s school site.

  • Kindergarten S.P.A.R.K. AM: 8:30 AM* - PM TK/Kindergarten class start time *Dependent on school site
  • Kindergarten S.P.A.R.K. PM: AM TK/Kindergarten dismissal -3:00 PM* Dependent on school site (will match PM Kindergarten)
  • After School S.P.A.R.K.: Starts immediately after school (primary dismissal) and ends at 5:30 PM.

Is S.P.A.R.K. offered during holidays, conference weeks and teacher work days?

  • S.P.A.R.K. programs follow the district academic calendar. Therefore, care is not available during holidays or teacher work days. Care will be available during conference week.
  • Kindergarten S.P.A.R.K. will follow the early release Wednesday schedule for teacher collaboration and professional development.

Resources


DJUSD Expanded Learning Opportunities Program Plan Guide - BOE approved 6/1/23

If you have any questions, please contact [email protected].