Student Handbook

Tuition, Fees and Refund Policies

As a traditional language school (Heritage School) recognized by the California Department of Education, the school offers courses in full-time Chinese classes (five days per week) or the option of part-time Chinese classes (four days a week) for TK to 10th grade, as well as middle school tutoring (grade 6 & up) and a variety of talent (extracurricular) courses.

TK - Grade 5

• Full-time classes 5 days per week, part-time Chinese classes: 4 days a week
• Students are placed in Chinese, English, and Math classes upon evaluation of skill levels.
• The school offers the following programs:
• Chinese: students are placed in traditional or simplified Chinese classes based on preference (both are provided)
• Mathematics: Strengthening of computing skills, Common Core Standards in English application problems and Singapore Math.
• English: Listening and speaking practice, vocabulary, grammar, reading comprehension, compositions and essays (for Grade 2 and up)
• Traditional Language and Culture: Poetry, the Three Character Classic, Standards for Being a Good Student and Child, Chinese historical stories, idioms and proverbs, the Analects of Confucius, and Chinese folk songs.
• Other curriculum: JELIC, dance, singing, recorder, drum band, lion dance, arts and crafts, handmade crafts etc.
• Music ensemble: According to the instruments the students can play, we will arrange them as accompaniment in the songs we learn, interactive group activities, little percussion group…etc
• Standardized testing practice: CAASPP (California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress), advanced sixth grade testing (middle school math diagnostic tests)
• Electives: English writing class (second grade and up, in small class settings), tennis, MPM, art, chess, science, individual piano classes etc.
  • The sessions for these classes last 8 weeks and fees are collected separately.
  • There is no refund at the end of the session for dropouts or absences.
• Chinese strengthening classes (TK-5)
  Zhuyin (traditional) or pinyin (simplified), traditional or simplified; includes a variety of teaching materials, allowing for a gradual and progressive improvement by increasing the depth and breadth of knowledge to create a solid foundation of the Chinese language.

Middle School (Grade 6-Grade 8)

• Full-time classes 5 days per week, part-time Chinese classes: 4 days a week or 3 days a week (for 5th grade to 8th grade)
  • Chinese: simplified and traditional Chinese (“華語” textbook, school textbook), compositions and essays, Chinese cultural studies, idioms practice.
  • Math: Algebra, Algebra1, Geometry, common core word problems.
  • English: Grammar, reading comprehension, composition writing and literature.
  • One-on-one assistance with school work and homework: Bring any questions from school (classwork, homework) to ask one-on-one.
  • Standardized testing practice: CAASPP (California Assessment of Student Performance and Progress)
• Electives: English writing class (2nd grade and up, in small class settings), kung fu, tennis, MPM, art, chess, science, private piano lessons, private clarinet lessons etc.
  • The sessions for these classes last 8 weeks and fees are collected separately.
  • There is no refund at the end of the session for dropouts or absences.

Class Options and Tuition:

• Full-time classes (TK-8, five days per week):
  • Tuition for students who arrive at 12 p.m. is $650.00 per session (4 weeks, includes materials).
    
  • For those who arrive after 2:30 p.m., tuition is $560.00 per session (4 weeks, includes materials).
• Part-time classes (TK-8, four days per week):
  • An option of four days in the week (the selected days must remain constant throughout a session)
  • Tuition for those who arrive after 2:30 p.m. is $500 per session (4 weeks, includes materials).
    ※ If during a last minute situation, your child needs to attend an extra full day of classes (regular one afternoon of classes), the fee is $30/day.
• Part-time classes (grade 5-8, three days per week):
  • An option of three days in the week (the selected days must remain constant throughout a session)
  • Tuition for those who arrive after 2:30 p.m. is $400 per session (4 weeks, includes materials).
    ※ If during a last minute situation, your child needs to attend an extra full day of classes (regular one afternoon of classes), the fee is $30/day.
• Chinese strengthening classes (TK-5, five days per week):
  • Classes run for one hour. Tuition is $360.00 per session (4 weeks, includes materials).
    ※ After the class is over, please pick up your child within 10 minutes. If your child is not picked up within the 10 minute grace period, a $10/hr Daycare fee will collected regardless of when they are picked up.
• Middle school tutoring (6 & up):
  • For those who arrive after 2:30 p.m., tuition is $370.00 per session (4 weeks).
• If siblings attend the school simultaneously, the second child's tuition has a discount (excluding Chinese strengthening class).
  • For 5-day classes: 15% discount
  • For 4-day classes: 10% discount
  • For 3-day classes: 5% discount
• If at any time the number of days that your child can attend Happy Childhood changes, please inform our office one section before (4 weeks) in order to arrange administration and transportation.

Deposit and Registration Fee:

• Students must be at least 4 years and 9 months old to enroll in the school.
• A prepayment of the last session’s tuition ($560/$500/$400) is required as a deposit at the time of registration. Those who do not comply with our policies as stated in this handbook will not receive a return of their deposits.
• The registration fee (non-refundable) for new students is $50.00 per student. The student’s sibling(s) receive a 20% discount on the registration fee.
• Parents must pre-pay a fee for students registered in the last session (Session 10). If they do not abide by the fee policies listed in this handbook, the deposit will be used for compensation.
• For new students registering for 2023-2024, if parents register before the end of May, the registration fee will be waived.

Daycare Fees:

• February/Spring Breaks and Staff Learning Days: The center provides morning day care starting at 8:30 a.m. with afternoon classes following the regular schedule. There must be a minimum of 5 students signed up for any childcare services. Day care fees are as follows: full day (8:30-2:30) $40.00, morning (before 12:00) $30.00, afternoon (12:01-2:30) $25.00. Those who arrive after 2:30 will not receive additional charge.
• Parent/Teacher Conference Week early dismissal: A flat fee of $10 a day will be collected.
• All Day Childcare: Full day (8:30-6:00) $55.00, morning (before 12:00) $30.00, afternoon (12:01-6:00) $40.00. There must be a minimum of 5 students signed up for any childcare services.

Late Fees and Deposit

• The center’s regular hours of operation are from 2:30 to 6 p.m. There is $1 per minute late charge for students picked up after 6:15 p.m. If a student needs to stay until 6:30 p.m. regularly, an extra $40 should be included with the tuition payment each session. The $1 per minute late charge also applies to students who are not picked up by 6:30 p.m.
• Tuition payments are due the second Friday of each session. Payments of more than 3 days overdue will have an additional fee of $20 late charge.
• If a student needs to be absent, there is no refund for the first week of session; 50% tuition refunds will be given for the rest of the session.
• A four-week notice is required when a student does not plan to attend the next session. In order for the session deposit to be refunded in full, we require that the notice be given on time.

Transportation

• Regardless if the student attends four-day or five-day classes, transportation fees cover a period of 20 days (staff learning days, national holidays, and absences are not refundable). For three-day classes, there will be an additional $3 for each student. Our drivers will pick up students according to the regular school dismissal time. Fares will vary based on the distance of the school to our center, as well as the number of students being transported.
• No fees will be collected for Thanksgiving, winter, Mid-Year, or Spring Recess.
• Transportation fees are for students who attend the school four days a week, it cover a period of 16 days (including Staff Learning Days, national holidays, and absences). Our drivers will pick up students according to the regular school dismissal time. Fares will vary based on the distance and the amount of transported students.
• For parents who usually arrange transportation themselves: If you need us to arrange one-day transportation, the fare is an additional $3 for one student (space permitting). For one-week transportation, the fare is an additional $1 for one student (space permitting).
• If your child has other extracurricular activities, please arrange their own transportation.
• Parents, please notify the center and driver when your child is going to be absent.
• We encourage parents to arrange their own transportation.

2023-2024 Calendar

*Fall Semester: 8/21 - 12/22/2023
*Spring Semester: 1/8 - 6/7/2024

Holidays

(Dates are based on Cupertino School District’s Calendar; no day care service is provided for the legal holidays listed below)

1. Independence Day (July 4, 2023)
2. Labor Day (Sept. 4, 2023)
3. Thanksgiving (Nov. 23, 24, 2023)
4. Christmas Break (Dec. 25, 2023 - Jan. 5, 2024)
5. Martin Luther King Jr. Day (Jan. 15, 2024)
6. Presidents’ Day (Feb. 19, 2024)
7. Memorial Day (May 27, 2024)

Technology Rules

Before entering the classroom, students need to turn in their phones and smart watches to the teacher for safekeeping

• NEVER change computer default settings
• Only log in to your own account. Do NOT log in to other students’ accounts.
• During homework time, computers can only be used for research and homework. Not for playing games, watching videos, or listening to music.
• During free time, computers cannot be used to go on inappropriate websites or used for cyberbullying. Posting personal reviews or comments is not allowed.
• At most, only two students may share a computer at once.
• Please make sure your hands are clean before using the computers. Food is prohibited in the computer room to keep the classroom clean. When you are finished using the computer, clean the tables and push in the chairs. Failure to follow the rules above will result in the student not being able to use the computers

Pets at School Rules

• Cats and dogs must have their rabies vaccine and owners must have a record that is not yet expired as proof.
• Owners must be present with their pets at school.
• Pets may not run around school.
• Before bringing pets, the office staff must approve.

Emergency and Administering of Medication

• In the event of a health emergency, the center will notify parents immediately; however, if the parents cannot be contacted, the center will follow state regulations and call 911 if needed.
• Students with high fever, diarrhea, vomiting or any other infectious disease must not come to the center for health and safety reasons and as in consideration of other students and staff. The fastest way for your child to get well is to rest. Parents please notify the center and driver when your child is going to be absent.
• If student contact a communicative disease, parents must notify Happy Childhood Education Center so that any exposure notice may be posted.
• It is not our practice to dispense medication to students. However, if a parent feels it is necessary, a written consent is required and physician must have prescribed the medications. We will monitor when your child takes his/her medication.

Center Safety

• The center strives to provide a healthy and comfortable environment for all students. In case of improper conduct by any student, the center will try to resolve the situation by counseling with the student and/or parents. If the misconduct persists, the center reserves the right to refuse admission for such students; a two- week notice will be given to parents regarding the dismissal prior to the next session.
• For the safety of your child and legal responsibility of the center, it is imperative that parents and drivers sign in and out on the attendance sheets each day.
• Please notify the center in advance if someone else other than the assigned driver or parent is transporting your child.
• Toys and dangerous items may not be brought to the center.

Special Situation Policies and Regulations

• Due to the changes arisen from the coronavirus pandemic, in case of another similar situation, we have implemented new rules following the government guidelines. When students are not able to receive direct learning in-person, Happy Childhood will still provide Chinese lessons through distance learning, as well as an additional packet with math practice problems.
  • Students who do not participate in distance learning lessons must still follow the guidelines listed in this handbook for refund requests and inform our center four weeks prior. After dropping out of the school, students need to return to Happy Childhood registered as a new student.
  • Chinese distance learning lesson tuitions and math packets (16 classes per session) are half price compared to regular tuition.
• If English school districts implement hybrid model learning, schools must follow government guidelines. If daycare services are allowed, we will be open from 8:30a.m., and students must bring their own lunches (There must be a minimum of 5 students signed up for any childcare services).
  • If students need to participate in distance learning at English school, they must bring their own electronic devices.
  • For students participating in daycare services, our school will provide online learning in the afternoon (2:30p.m.) with a fee of $40 a day in addition to the tuition fees for online Chinese lessons with the math packet included.
  • Full-day Friday Daycare fees are $50.
  • At the school districts with hybrid model learning, and the student needs a ride at different portions of the school day, if two students (for small car/van) or four students (for big van) are not present compared to normal pick up time, the transportation fee will increase by $2. Under these special circumstances, we welcome parents to arrange their own transportation.
• Our school follows CDC Guidelines, so we will take the temperature of each student before they enter the school. If the student has a fever or other indications of sickness (shortness of breath, etc.) they will not be allowed to enter the school, and will be sent home. While at the school, students must wear a face mask, wash their hands often with hand sanitizer or water, use a tissue or their elbow to cover their nose and mouth when sneezing or coughing, and avoid rubbing their eyes, nose, or mouth.
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