PROGRAM OVERVIEW
The Ira B. Jones FTO is proud to invite all Jones Global Scholars to participate in our Growing Minds Afterschool Program! This program, offered Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays this spring, features fun, enriching, interest-based sessions on the Ira B. Jones campus, providing an extended-day afterschool option for our students. Clubs are led by a mix of community members and Jones staff members, with topics varying from session to session. Read complete club descriptions here.
*Girls on the Run (GOTR) is a two-hour club, to which students would commit on both Mondays and Wednesdays until 4:45 pm from February 17–May 4. Registration for Girls on the Run should be completed through Growing Minds, after which Ms. Booth will reach out to families with payment information. The total cost for the program is $180. Learn more about GOTR.
**Tae Kwon Do is offered through Sun Soo Martial Arts and is open to new students only. If your child has already participated in a Sun Soo club with us in 2023 or 2024, please select a different club for them.
***Cast and chorus members in Jones’ Drama program are welcomed to register for a 4-5 pm club on Thursdays, extending their post-rehearsal pickup time to 5 pm. Growing Minds Spring Session 1 will end March 20, the week before our Little Mermaid performance dates.
Frequently Asked Questions
What will the afternoon schedule look like?
Upon dismissal at 2:35 pm, participating students will walk to the school’s cafeteria to eat a snack. They will then be picked up by their first club’s leader at 2:50 pm. Students will return to the cafeteria at 3:50 pm and then either be walked to the car line (if they are registered only for a 3 pm club) or transition to their second club, ending at 4:55 pm.
Do clubs still take place when school is closed?
No. The Growing Minds calendar aligns with the Asheville City Schools (ACS) calendar, so we will be closed on holidays, teacher workdays, conference days, snow days, and early release days. Please review the ACS calendar and be sure to make other arrangements for your child as needed.
My student has a schedule conflict that will require them to be absent for one of the scheduled dates. Can they still join?
No problem! Simply email jonesafterschool@gmail.com to let us know of any absence in advance. Note there are no discounts/refunds/credits given nor make-up days available for missed sessions.
My child needs to ride the bus home. How will the bus pick them up?
Unfortunately, there is no ACS bus service available at this time. All participants must be picked up by parents or other designated adults.
How and when should I pick up my child?
Clubs will dismiss through the car line at either 3:55 pm or 4:55 pm, depending on your club selections. Please arrive at the school to pick up your child no later than 4:05 pm if leaving after one club, or 5:05 pm if your child is signed up for two clubs on any given day. Pickups after those times will incur a late fee of $1 per minute, per child, which must be paid before the following week’s session in order to continue with the program.
Please ensure that anyone picking up your child has been added to the approved pickup list. To confirm who is on your list or make changes, you can call the front office at 828-350-6700. Drivers picking up students must have a valid ID on hand and may be asked to present it.
Can I sign up for only one day of the week?
Yes! This program is flexible, and participants have the option of choosing Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, or any combination of these days.
How can I pay?
Our registration platform, Jumbula, accepts PayPal for credit card payments (online payment incurs an additional processing fee), or you may drop off a check (payable to “Ira B. Jones PTO”) or cash with front office staff, who will deliver it to the FTO.
IMPORTANT: Please include your child(ren)’s name(s) and the name(s) of the specific club(s) you are paying for either in your check memo or in the notes with your online payment. Please pay promptly before the first session begins, or risk forfeiting your spot.
Scholarships are available for students as needed. If you would like to register for a scholarship, please email us at jonesafterschool@gmail.com.
Do I need to send an afternoon snack for my student?
After school ends and before students walk to their first club, they’ll have a break and the program will provide snacks (e.g., pretzels, granola bars, popcorn, or similar) at no cost. If you have specific dietary requests, please email in advance and we will make every effort to meet them with what we have on hand. We encourage you to send your own snack if your student has more challenging dietary restrictions. Please also ensure your student has their own water bottle!
Are materials provided for classes?
Yes – some, but not all, clubs require supplies/materials. Instructors have noted a flat materials fee that each student must pay, where applicable. For clubs that do have such a fee (for example, $10 for Arts & Crafts Club), the fee will be reflected in your registration total.
How can I reach out to program staff or the FTO with questions about Growing Minds?
Please email us at jonesafterschool@gmail.com. Afterschool staff will be busy during program hours (Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 2:30-5 pm), so are unlikely to be able to check emails then. Please communicate earlier in the day or call the Jones front office (828-350-6700), which staffs its phone lines until 3:45 pm daily.
