*YouthCity Programs Notice*

A letter from the Director 9/8/2020:

Dear Parents, Guardians and Students,

I am excited to share with you the changes that are being made to YouthCity programs for the 20/21 school year.  The challenge of COVID-19 has provided an opportunity for all of us to think creatively, work together as a community, and share our passion for ensuring that all children and their families have access to safe and enriching programs while supporting academic achievement.

 Thanks to the visionary and generous support of Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall and the City Council additional funding has been made available to expand this critical service.

Please see below for details on how we plan to serve our SLC families.  As always, if you have any questions please feel free to contact me or any member of the Youth and Family staff.  

Beginning on September 14^th 2020 the following modifications have been implemented:

• Expansion of Ages Served. Beginning this school year, YouthCity will now provide programs for youth in grades Kindergarten to High School.

• Expansion of Program Hours. To support Salt Lake City School District, YouthCity will now provide full-day programs Monday –Friday to support digital learning. YouthCity’s expanded programs will remain open throughout the school year providing support to youth and families during both digital learning and the proposed blended schedule.

• Expansion of Locations. New licensing requirements change the number of youth that may attend programs at one time. To remain in compliance and to support and sustain the health and wellness of our community, YouthCity will now only enroll up to 18 youth per location. To meet this new requirement, some existing programs have been relocated and additional program locations throughout the community are being identified. Once licensing, staffing and technology can be secured new site locations will be announced.

• Expansion of Services. In addition to providing a safe and nurturing learning environment each YouthCity location will offer a fully functional computer lab and WIFI for youth to use throughout the school day. Breakfast, lunch and a healthy snack will be provided to all participants. Program staff will provide support for youth as they engage in digital learning during school hours in addition to providing our normal afterschool programming.

The health, safety and wellness of our community is our top priority. YouthCity program staff have had extensive training from the Utah State Health Department. There are two links below that outline the health protocols that we will be taking at all locations. 

• Click here for the Utah.gov Covid-19 School Manual
• Click here for the Utah.gov Infection Prevention and Control Requirements

Since its inception, YouthCity programs have been focused on supporting positive youth development, creating spaces where our rich cultural community is celebrated and encouraging young  people to become active participants in their community.  As a compliment to Salt Lake City School Districts response to the Covid-19 pandemic, YouthCity staff have received training on how to support youth as they engage with digital learning. Community Program Managers will work with students and parents to understand individual and specific academic needs during this challenging time. Throughout both the school day response portion of the day and throughout all teen programs YouthCity staff will help students:

• Navigate online learning platforms
• Follow district provided daily schedules and calendars
• Complete assigned school work and projects

As always, the YouthCity program will continue to provide our afterschool program once the school day has concluded. As in the past, our programs will focus on enriching, age-appropriate and evidence based learning opportunities focusing on exploring arts and creativity, sports and recreation, life skills, STEAM, health and wellness, financial literacy, college and career readiness and social and emotional learning. Youth enrolled in our programs will continue to enjoy sequential skills building classes and activities during the afterschool program hours. Weekly field trips will be scheduled once the health of our community improves.

Parents interested in enrolling their youth into the 2020-21 YouthCity programs should submit a completed registration packet (listed below) to a Community Programs Manager. Registrations will be processed on a first come first serve basis. Enrollment, start dates and site assignments will be confirmed by Community Programs Managers.

Click on the links below for registration packets:

• YouthCity Registration Packet in English
• YouthCity Registration Packet in Spanish
• YouthCity Parent Handbook in English
• YouthCity Parent Handbook in Spanish
• YouthCity Teens in English
• YouthCity Teens in Spanish
• YouthCity Government 

Community members interested in joining the YouthCity team are invited to apply by clicking on the link below:

• Salt Lake City Corp Job Listings page

Thank you for your patience with our team throughout this expansion process. We are anxious, excited and prepared to provide these critical services to our community.

In partnership,

Kim Thomas

Director, Youth & Family Division

YouthCity Program Locations & Contact Information:

2020-21 Health, Wellness and Cleaning Guidelines:

In accordance with the health and safety guidelines provided by the Utah Health Department the following health, cleaning and safety precautions will be incorporated into all 2020-21 YouthCity program. Youth and teens who do not follow these guidelines will be dropped from the program.

Handwashing. This year we will be requiring consistent and frequent hand washing. All individuals will be washing hands upon entering the building, using the restroom, and before all meals and snacks. To engage young students in these strict safety protocols we have developed an incentive system called “Bubble Bucks”. Every time students wash their hands after specified times designated by program staff and our daily schedule, they will receive a “Bubble Buck” which will be tallied and redeemed for daily, weekly and monthly prizes. In addition, age appreciate incentives will be incorporated in to teen programs.

Cleaning and Disinfecting. All YouthCity sites are equipped with cleaning and sanitizing products to ensure high touch surfaces will be cleaned and sanitized after each use. We have instituted rigorous cleaning schedules for disinfecting and sanitizing each spaces. Site specific protocols and schedules will be followed by program staff. Sites, surfaces and supplies will be cleaned before program, during program, and after program. Youth will be invited to help keep or spaces clean and tidy. Professional cleaning crews will be hired to provide a deep clean of each site each week.

Sick Policy. If your child does not feel well they should remain at home and not attend the program. Should a child develop symptoms during the program, staff will safely isolate the child and provide basic first aid and care, contact parents and request that the child be picked-up from the program as soon as possible. Program Managers will work with parents to monitor the child’s health and symptoms to determine when the child may return to YouthCity.

Program Closures due to Covid-19. Following guidance, instructions and protocols provided by the Utah State Health Department YouthCity sites will be closed should a confirmed case of Covid-19 be reported. Additional information regarding program closures will be provided as needed.

Masks. Youth and Staff will be required to wear face masks while at YouthCity. Please send your student with a mask daily. YouthCity will provide masks as needed.

Social Distance. Staff and youth will be encouraged to maintain a six-foot social distance throughout the day and while participating in activities.

Enrollment Totals and Staffing. Based on guidelines from the Utah State Health Department, YouthCity will only enroll up to 18 youth per location. Program staff will be hired and assigned to support each group of 18 youth with a minimum of two staff at the site at all times. Until health conditions within our community improve we will not host any combined activities with multiple sites or schedule any events where youth from other sites will meet together. In addition, no outside visitors, volunteers, community members, teachers or specialists will be permitted to attend our program or enter YouthCity spaces. Supervised virtual meet ups will be scheduled and established to help youth and teens remain connected within and to our community. Our goal is to establish small working groups of identified people assigned to a singular site to reduce potential spread.

Individual Supply Kits. In an effort to reduce physical contact, each youth will be provided a plastic box containing supplies (scissors, crayons, glue, pencils, etc…) that they will use throughout the day. Individual supplies will be stored inside the plastic box which will be disinfected at the end of the day. Additional program supplies will be provided/replenished throughout the school year to ensure youth have the supplies they will need to complete projects and activities.

Desk Space & Cubbies. Each youth will be provided a desk and/or specific space where they will sit during the day. This space will be their zone and will be disinfected daily. Youth will also be provided a cubby to store their belongings. All personal items must be removed/taken home at the end of each day as all spaces are cleaned and disinfected daily.

Contact Sports. In an effort to reduce the spread of virus, no contact sports incorporating a ball used with hands will be allowed at YouthCity. Sports where balls can be passed using feet only will be allowed. Youth will be encouraged to wash hands before and after play.

Scooters, Bikes, and Playground Access. Youth may ride bikes or scooters during YouthCity program hours. In addition, no access to playground equipment will be allowed until community health conditions improve.

Elementary Schools

• Beacon Heights 
• Bennion
• Bonneville
• Cosgriff
• DIA
• Dilworth
• Edison
• Emerson
• Ensign
• Hawthorne
• Highland Park
• Indian Hills
• Jackson
• Liberty
• Madeline Choir School
• Mountain View
• Nibley Park
• Our Lady of Lourdes
• Park View
• Riley
• The Open Classroom
• Uintah
• Wallace Stegner Academy
• Wasatch
• Washington
• Whittier

Middle Schools

• Bryant
• Clayton
• Glendale
• Hillside
• Northwest
• Salt Lake Arts Academy

High Schools

• City Academy
• East High School
• Highland High School
• Horizonte
• Innovations High School
• Judge Memorial High School
• Rowland Hall
• Salt Lake Center for Science Education
• West High School