BILLING AND PAYMENTS:
When are bills issued?
Invoices are emailed before the first day of each month.
How can I pay my child’s tuition?
You can use your bank’s bill pay feature or you can pay with a check, money order or cash. You can hand your labeled payment directly to an Art4Life Teacher or you can mail your payment to our mailing ONLY address:
Art4Life
3405 SW Naito Parkway
Portland, OR 97239
How do I label my payments?
Please write your child’s full name and school name on each payment. Art4life operates four different programs in four different Portland Public Schools and we want to make sure payments are entered into the correct account.
How do I determine my monthly payment?
Your child’s tuition is dependent on your child’s weekly schedule. Please see the tuition schedule located at the front of the registration packet or posted on the parent board.
When are bills due?
Payments are due by the FIRST of each month.
Why have rates increased?
With rent to Portland Public Schools consistently increasing, rising insurance costs, supplies and our continued intention to pay our staff fair wages – we have raised our rates. While we want to provide the most quality care at low cost, we must also continue to pay our staff fair, as well as competitive wages. Art4Life is competitive with other programs as far as tuition. Art4Life continues to offer scholarships (reduced tuition) for families that apply and qualify and we work with the State of Oregon’s Department of Human Services for families that need further assistance.
How to read a bill?
Each month, an invoice is issued for each Art4Life account. Each Invoice lists out each monthly charge form Art4life , the following month’s invoice showed that you have paid or if you are carrying over a balance. Statements are available per your request, your payment number should correspond with the check or money order number that you used to make the payment.
Why don’t you take credit cards?
Art4Life is a small non profit, local to Portland business. It is our goal to provide a quality arts and culture program at a fair price. Credit cards represent costly set up as well as processing (over 3%) and equipment costs. After research and consideration, the interchange fees involved in credit card usage is not something Art4Life can afford at this point.
Are there different payment options?
Yes. You can pay by bill pay electronically through your bank, check, money order or cash.
When will you cash my check?
Checks are generally cashed within two business days. If there is a special circumstance and you need your check cashed sooner or later than that, please submit a note with the check.
Are there scholarships available?
Yes, scholarships (reduced tuition) are available to those families that qualify. Scholarship applications are available here or at the parent board.
What is your Tax ID number?
Art4Life is a registered 501 c3 nonprofit. Our Tax ID number is 11-3663044. This information is located at the top left hand corner of each statement/invoice that you receive.
What if I need more financial assistance than the scholarships can offer?
Art4Life participates with the State of Oregon’s Department of Family Services to provide additional financial assistance for families that need additional financial assistance. Please contact your case manager for more information on this assistance.
Why do my children’s bill amounts differ from each others?
There is a 10% discount on the second child’s monthly tuition- and on any child in addition to that as well. This discount does not apply to enrollment fees, all day fees or drop in fees.
I lost my bill, how can I get another?
Art4Life.billing@gmail.com or ask your site director.
What happens if I am late picking up my child?
Art4Life closes at 6:00 p.m. Please be on time to pick up your child and be considerate of our staff members’ time. If you are late to pick up your child, you will be charged $1.00 per minute every minute that you are late. This amount is to be paid by cash or a check made out to the teacher that is on duty when you arrive to pick up your child.
If parents do not pick up their child after 6:00 p.m, Art4Life will attempt to contact the child’s parents. At 6:20 p.m. Art4Life staff will call the emergency contacts for that child. If at 7:00 p.m. Art4Life staff cannot make arrangements for the child to be picked up by either a parent or someone from the emergency contact list, Art4Life will contact the Portland Police Department as well as the Oregon Department of Child Protective Services to make arrangements for the child. At no point will Art4Life staff drive the child anywhere nor will the staff walk or bus with the child. Portland Police non-emergency phone number: (503) 823-3333 Multnomah County child abuse and neglect hotline: (503) 731-3100
SCHEDULE:
What are All Days?
All days are those days that Portland Public Schools are closed, but Art4Life is open from 7:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. Additional sign up is required so Art4Life can effectively staff these days and teachers can plan field trips for the group ahead of time. All days cost $50 per day in addition to your monthly tuition.
Do I need to sign up for All Days?
Yes, please sign up for all days. The staff makes arrangements and reservations for field trips, having an accurate number of attendance is crucial to give those venues a heads up of what to expect. This also helps with or staffing.
How much do All Days cost?
All days cost $50 per day. There may be an additional field trip fee that needs to be paid the day of the field trip.
What days is Art4Life closed?
Art4Life is closed for all Federal holidays and for Winter break. Art4Life follows PPS’s extreme weather policies and closures. In other words, If PPS is closed because of snow or other extreme weather conditions- Art4Life will also be closed.
Do you have programing over the summer?
Yes, we run at least one camp in the summer, please see the summer camp page for details (we are only doing one this year).
My child goes to girl scouts/boy scouts/geography club/ robot lover’s club/young investors/ Horse club or a different club that is not Art4Life. Can they just come to Art4Life when that is over?
If your child is attending an outside club during part of their Art4Life time, please fill out a “Permission to Attend a Contracted Class” form. These forms can be found at the parent board or here: Permission to Attend a Contracted Class.
This form lets us know that your child has your permission to attend the class in addition to verifying how your child will get to the outside club and who will be walking your child back to Art4Life safely.
ENROLLMENT AND WAITLIST:
How does enrollment work?
Enrollment packets can be downloaded from our website.
Once enrollment packets are completely filled out, please return or email them back to your schools email or hand in to Art4Life staff as soon as May 1st. Please include check, cash or money order for all enrollment fees and, if your child is new to the program, first month’s tuition.
Returning families have priority in enrollment until the last day of school.
We cannot guarantee that all returning students will be offered a spot for the following year because availability may change from year to year.
Please refer to the enrollment section for details
What are the chances, as a new family; that we will get in for next year?
This is a commonly asked question that is impossible to answer. These things fluctuate every year. Please complete and return an enrollment packet as soon as possible.
Do I have to fill out a new packet for each of my children?
Yes
Do I have to fill out a new packet every year?
Yes
Do I need a separate check for each child?
No, just make sure to label payments with both children’s names.
What months are prorated?
December and June are the only months prorated. If you enroll your child after the 15th of the month, that month’s tuition will be prorated.
GENERAL:
What is a finder’s fee?
It is imperative that every child scheduled to attend Art4Life reports directly to Art4Life as soon as their teacher dismisses them. If a child does not arrive five minutes after the dismissal bell rings, the Art4Life staff quickly contacts the school secretary, school teacher and the parents to ensure this child is accounted for. If within the next 10 minutes the child is not located, the Art4Life will call the Police and begin a missing persons report. If your child is scheduled to come to Art4Life for afterschool care and for some reason they will not attend Art4Life, please call, email, or write in the parent book that we should not expect your child. If this information is not conveyed to us by dismissal time, parents will see a $15 finders fee on their next statement.
Why do I need to let you know that my child will not be at Art4Life when he/she is scheduled to be there?
It is imperative that every child scheduled to attend Art4Life reports directly to Art4Life as soon as their teacher dismisses them. If a child does not arrive 5 minutes after the dismissal bell rings, the Art4Life staff quickly contacts the school secretary, schoolteacher and the parents to ensure this child is accounted for. If within the next 10 minutes the child is not located, the Art4Life will call the Police and begin a missing persons report. If your child is scheduled to come to Art4Life for afterschool care and for some reason they will not attend Art4Life, please call, email, or write in the parent book that we should not expect your child. If this information is not conveyed to us by dismissal time parents will see a $15 finders fee on their next statement.
How can I let you know that my child will not be at Art4Life?
If your child is scheduled to come to Art4Life for afterschool care and for some reason they will not attend Art4Life, please call, email, or write in the parent book that we should not expect your child. If this information is not conveyed to us by dismissal time parents will see a $15 finders fee on their next statement.
What happens when you cannot find a child that is supposed to be at Art4Life but does not show up?
It is imperative that every child scheduled to attend Art4Life reports directly to Art4Life as soon as their teacher dismisses them. If a child does not arrive 5 minutes after the dismissal bell rings, the Art4Life staff quickly contacts the school secretary, schoolteacher and the parents to ensure this child is accounted for. If within the next 10 minutes the child is not located, the Art4Life will call the Police and begin a missing persons report. If your child is scheduled to come to Art4Life for afterschool care and for some reason they will not attend Art4Life, please call, email, or write in the parent book that we should not expect your child. If this information is not conveyed to us by dismissal time parents will see a $15 finders fee on their next statement.
Who can sign my kid out?
Any parent accounted for in the registration packet as well as any other adults listed as authorized to pick up your child can sign your child out. Photo id is required upon check out.
How can I approve someone else to sign my kid out?
Either list that person in the enrollment packet or submit it as an addendum to the packet. Please make sure that person arrives to Art4Life with photo id.
How do I change my child’s schedule?
We are happy to accommodate schedule changes if we receive written notice in the form of a Change of Schedule Form “COS” by the 10th day of the month prior to the next billing cycle. Change of Schedule forms can be found here or at the parent board. Verbal notifications will not be honored.
What countries are you studying this year with the kids?
Upon writing this, that information is not available. A list of countries that Art4Life will study will be on the parent board at the start of the year.
How can I discontinue my child’s attendance?
To discontinue a child’s care please submit a Change of Schedule Form “COS” by the 10th day of the month prior to the next billing cycle. Verbal notifications will not be honored.
How far in advance do I need to fill out a change of schedule?
Change of Schedule Forms must be received by the 10th day of the month prior to the next billing cycle. Verbal notifications will not be honored.
How are groups determined?
Our priority is to provide care to as many families that need it. We do our best to place children in the same grades together but this does not always work out. All of the groups are together at recess and at the end of the day as well. Moving children from one group to another mid year can create discord and disruption.
Can parents drop in and visit at Art4Life?
Absolutely! Parents are always welcome to join us for all or part of the day. Especially all days when we go on field trips! (COVID rules may change this).
Does Art4Life accept supply donations?
Yes! Getting rid of games? Fabric? Dress up? Sports equipment? Art supplies? Scrap paper? Let us know or just drop it off!
SNACK:
What do you serve for snack?
Art4Life provides a snack for the kids everyday, either before recess or directly following recess. Snack consists of fresh fruit or vegetable and a carbohydrate (crackers, pretzels, bagel, etc).
Why don’t you serve organic snack?
Buying organic is much more expensive. We purchase organic when our budget allows, but this added expense would cause tuition payments to increase. Parents are welcome to send their child with their own snacks. Please no chips, cookies, candy, soda or gum while at Art4Life- even if they are organic.
My child is still hungry after snack, can you give him more food?
Art4Life does not provide “seconds” during snack time. You are welcome to pack your child more food in their lunch box. Please no chips, cookies, candy, soda or gum while at Art4Life
Do you accommodate children with food allergies at snack?
Yes, we do our very best to provide alternatives for those children that have allergies. Please send us documentation from their healthcare professional showing these allergies.
What if my kid does not like what you serve for snack?
The Child Care Division of Oregon insists that every child join the group during snack time. Meaning, all for the children need to sit at the table with the teachers and other students. You are welcome to pack your child more food in their lunch box. Please no chips, cookies, candy, soda or gum while at Art4Life