Parent & Caregiver FAQ

Boys & Girls Clubs of San Leandro offers school-based Expanded Learning After-School Programs, school year day camps and summer camps. We currently offer Expanded Learning Programs at 19 elementary and five middle schools in San Leandro, San Lorenzo, South Hayward and Union City. Enrollment for grant-funded programs may be limited or prioritized for qualifying families. We also offer a teen program for high school students at our Clubhouse; more information on THE CLUB can be found here. 

Program structures vary by site. All programs have common core components, including snack/supper time, physical activity, academic support, enrichment activities, and time to collaborate with peers.

After-school programs are held on the same campus where your child attends school. Click here for a complete list of school sites.

The ratio is 1:10 for TK and kinder members and 1:20 for grades 1^st through 8^th.

Yes. Our TK-K-5, and middle school programs are run separately. Members are also separated by grade within the program. There is occasional overlap at times; however, students are generally placed in groups with peers close to their age.

Yes, your child will have the same Youth Development Professional (YDP).

Yes, snacks are provided every day. If your child has allergic reactions to certain foods, we ask that you please notify your site’s program manager and indicate all allergies on the membership application in the registration process online. If your child(ren) needs more snacks than the program provides, please provide your child(ren) with additional healthy (no candy or soda) snacks. Every program welcomes donations of healthy snacks.

Our school based Club programs are funded in part through the Expanded Learning Opportunities Program (ELO-P), established by Senate Bill 129 and Assembly Bill 130. These funds support school districts in offering expanded learning programs for students in transitional kindergarten through 8th grade during after-school hours. Program fees vary by district. For more information about fees at your child’s school site, please email parentportal@bgcsl.org

Children can only attend the program at the school where they are enrolled. There are no programs located on-site at high schools. Teen programming occurs at our main Clubhouse at 2200 San Leandro Blvd., in San Leandro. 

Boys & Girls Clubs programming starts after school and ends at 6 p.m. Children must be signed out by a parent or caregiver by 6 p.m. Middle school parents/caregivers can fill out a walk-home waiver. This allows the student to self-sign out of the program and walk home. Program start time will always align with the early release/TK-Kinder schedule per school site. 

Attendance requirements vary by site and funding sources. We encourage all students in our programs to attend Monday- Friday from school dismissal until 6 p.m. If your child needs to be picked up early, please contact the Program Manager for information on the early release process. 

SLUSD & SLZUSD
New Families
If your child is joining our programs for the first time, you’ll first need to create an account on our Parent Portal. After setting your password, you’ll complete a short household profile and add your child/children to your account. Once that’s done, you can start the after-school program enrollment by selecting your child’s school and program. You’ll be asked to sign a program agreement to complete the process digitally. When your application is submitted, you’ll receive a confirmation email. Final placements will be confirmed on a rolling basis and depend on space available at your child’s school site.

Returning Families
To enroll your returning Club member, log into our Parent Portal using the same email and password you’ve used in the past. Review and update your household and child information as needed. Begin a new enrollment for each child at the school they attend and sign the required program agreement. When your application is submitted, you’ll receive a confirmation email. Final placements will be confirmed on a rolling basis and depend on space available at your child’s school site.

NHUSD
New Haven Unified School District Families
Families in the New Haven Unified School District must first sign up through the school district. Once approved, the school district will notify us, and we will reach out with directions to complete a new program enrollment.

Need Help?
If you don’t have access to a computer or need in-person assistance, you can complete your application at our Teen Clubhouse, located at 2200 San Leandro Blvd. in San Leandro or call (510) 483-5581.

For New Transitional Kindergarten (TK) and Kindergarten Students:
Applications for transitional kindergarten and kindergarten students are now open for the 2026-2027 school year. Eligible children must be at least 4 years old by September 1, 2026.

For 1st-8th Grade Students:
Registration for the 2026-2027 after-school program will open in March 2026 for students in 1st–8th grades.

For Families in the New Haven Unified School District:
Families in the New Haven Unified School District should complete their Club membership via the Parent Portal. Our staff and district staff will reach out with additional information about enrollment.

Important Note: Enrollment is based on capacity at each school-based Club site, and applying does not guarantee placement. Enrollment confirmations will be provided in late spring.

The school-site Program Manger will contact parents/caregivers if space becomes available. Placement priority will align with the requirements outlined by our funding sources.  

Yes. Parents are required to re-enroll their child in BGCSL’s Expanded Learning after-school program each academic year. A new Club membership will automatically be created during the enrollment process—there is no need to register separately.

Yes, special accommodations may be provided. Please reach out to your school site’s Program Manager for more information.

We offer full-day programming during summer break and some school holidays. Enrollment for these camps varies, if interested, you should contact your school site Program Director.

Since the very first Club opened in 1947 to give local kids a safe place to go, safety has been the number one priority of Boys & Girls Clubs.

After all, safety is where it all begins. Our data shows that environments that are safe, positive, and inclusive are essential for young people’s development. When kids feel safe, they’re empowered to learn, connect with their peers, and explore their interests. At Boys & Girls Clubs, kids and teens can rely on a safe, consistent, and welcoming environment where they can focus on what’s most important —being a kid.

The landscape of youth safety has drastically changed in our 78 year history. From public health crises like the COVID-19 pandemic to the Internet’s impact on bullying and self-esteem, kids face new threats to their stability and well-being each day.

As part of our recent efforts to strengthen safety, all sites now have a Site Safety and Operations Coordinator (SSOC). The SSOC is responsible for managing opening and closing procedures, adhering to BGCSL, school site, and district policies, and ensuring high safety performance standards. This coordinator oversees the onboarding training for Youth Development Professionals and collaborates with the Operations Team to enhance safety protocols. Additionally, the SSOC works directly with site leadership to support both the emotional and physical safety of our members.

Furthermore, sites that meet a high enrollment threshold will include a Program Site Coordinator, who plays a key role in assisting the Program Manager with daily after-school programming at BGCSL. This position ensures that programs are delivered in alignment with the After School Education & Safety (ASES) and Expanded Learning Opportunities Program (ELOP) standards. The Program Site Coordinator will collaborate closely with BGCSL staff, site staff, students, and community partners to create a safe, engaging, and outcome-driven environment for our programs.

You can review our Safety Manual on our website at bgcsl.org/safety/.

BGCSL is a separate organization from your child’s school district. Medication authorization forms submitted to your child’s school, as well as medication stored by the school or school nurse, do not apply to BGCSL programs.

Parents and guardians are responsible for:

• Completing all required BGCSL medication authorization forms.
• Providing written authorization from a licensed California healthcare provider and written permission from a parent or guardian for all prescription and over-the-counter medications.
• Providing medication directly to BGCSL.
• Ensuring all medication is in its original, properly labeled container.
• Replacing expired medication before its expiration date.
• Renewing medication authorization forms annually.
• Submitting updated authorization forms whenever there is a change in medication, dosage, administration instructions, or prescribing healthcare provider.

Children must be able to self-administer their medication. BGCSL staff may assist by retrieving medication from secure storage, opening the container, handing the medication to the child, reviewing the medication instructions, and observing the child as they self-administer. BGCSL staff do not measure doses, prepare medication, apply medication, administer medication, or make medical decisions regarding medication use. 

f your child has a medical condition that may require emergency intervention, such as severe allergies, asthma, diabetes, or a seizure disorder, please notify your Program Manager.

Before your child may participate in the program, all required emergency medications, emergency action plans, and completed authorization forms must be submitted and approved. Emergency medication support may only be provided when permitted by law and when all required documentation and staff training are in place.

All medical information is handled confidentially and shared only with staff who need the information to safely support your child.

If you are concerned about one of our staff or our program, you are encouraged to discuss the situation with the site’s Program Manager or Area Director. Contact information is listed on your child’s school site page. You may also follow up with the Director of Expanded Learning, Samantha Jeandebien at Samantha@bgcsl.org or Chief Programs Director Marshall Lott at Marshall.Lott@bgcsl.org

At Boys & Girls Clubs of San Leandro, the safety and well-being of every Club member is our top priority. We ask that all parents and guardians ensure timely pickup at the designated program end time. Pickup times are 4:30 PM for NHUSD summer program locations and 6:00 PM for SLZUSD and SLUSD locations.

Late Pickup Expectations
Club members must be picked up promptly at dismissal. Repeated late pickups may result in dismissal from the program.

In the Event of Late Pickup
If a child is not picked up at the scheduled time:

• Staff will attempt to contact the parent/guardian.
• If unsuccessful, staff will reach out to the emergency contacts listed on the child’s account.
• If all contacts have been exhausted and no responsible party can be reached, BGCSL is required to contact local law enforcement to ensure the child’s safety.