Parent Student Handbook
2020 - 2021
Dates and Rates 2020
Full Semester: Sept 5 – Dec 18 $82,500 MXN
Session 1: Sept 5 – Oct 2 $23,500 MXN
Session 2: Oct 4 – Oct 30 $23,500 MXN
Session 3: Nov 1 – Nov 27 $23,500 MXN
Session 4: Nov 29 – Dec 18 $17,625 MXN
Session 5: January 31 - February 26 $23,500 MXN
Payment for the semester or for the first month of attendance is due upon registration.
Preference is given to students enrolled in the full semester. However, students may attend the program on a pay-as-you-go, monthly basis. It’s safer, considering quarantine protocols, to remain on site. Whenever a new student enters the program or a student who left the program returns, that student must complete a two-week home quarantine.
Parents whose child is uncertain about the length of attendance or is anxious about homesickness or group dynamics may choose a monthly payment program. For those more confident, the semester commitment offers a substantial discount. For monthly members of the community, notice must be given 14 days before the session ends as to whether the student will continue as to give Casa Carly ample time to offer the spot to a new student who will need to quarantine. Please note our liberal refund policy below.
If at some point during the semester schools are permitted to return to in-person school days, boarding students will be given the opportunity to stay at Casa Carly as boarders while attending school during school hours, or leave the program to return home.
Refund Policy
During these uncertain times, Casa Carly has a very flexible and liberal refund policy. If the program has to be closed because of Covid-19, another health contingency or local government rules applied to hotels and boarding programs, proportionate refunds calculated on a day-rate will be issued. Families who find themselves in emergency circumstances (financial emergencies, family health emergencies or other emergencies) and need to remove their child from the program will receive proportionate refunds. Students asked to leave the program prematurely because of behavioral issues or violations of the student agreement or any behavior that endangers him/herself or the safety and wellbeing of any other participant will not receive reimbursement. Please see section on Participant Behavior and Policies along with the Student Agreement. Any other reason for departure from the program or cancelation of enrollment will be discussed on a case-by-case basis.
Spending Money
Casa Carly provides 3 meals a day, occasional snacks on special occasions, in-house activities and limited outings. Students may want some spending money for snacks or extra programs that may be able to be offered to the group beyond the scope of the normal program. A staff member will offer a “store run” 2 days a week for any personal effects or snacks that a student may want to order. Check the ‘deliveries’ section for additional options for student purchases. Casa Carly will look for safe outings to get students out and about and physically engaged. Most of these will be included in the program fees. Occasionally an optional opportunity may be offered that is not included in the program fee.
Casa Carly offers two options for student spending money:
1. A student may have a virtual spending account where parents allot a certain amount for the account and can be topped off at any time. Casa Carly suggests a maximum of 1500 pesos per month. Balances are carried forward to each month and refunded when the student finishes the program.
2. A student may have his/her own personal spending cash. However, Casa Carly takes no responsibility for cash that students keep with them on the property.
Deliveries
Casa Carly regularly receives orders and deliveries from Amazon, La Comer, and other online and local sources. Parents are welcome to send packages for delivery to students. In addition, parents may drop off bags or boxes with supplies or needed items. Please label with the student’s name and it will be distributed. Do not expect to drop in and visit. Drop-offs must happen with a staff member at the front gate. Please wear a mask.
Communication with Staff
Casa Carly will post on its blog frequently so parents can glimpse into the lives of students on campus. Parents will be well informed by email and these posts as to what’s going on in a general sense in the program. Once in a while, a personal email will go out to parents to give them an update. Parents who have concerns are encouraged to email or call. If the director is not able to speak in that moment, a return call will be scheduled promptly. Some students aren’t able to speak up for themselves when they have a problem. And of course staff members can’t resolve a problem that they don’t know exists. While we work on enabling students to speak up, we know that this comes with more practice, confidence and maturity. Parents are welcome to inform the program of issues if their child is not able to speak up yet.
Communication with Students
Students may attend Casa Carly Boarding with cell phones (optional) and tablets/computers (needed for school). Parents have free access to contact students through these electronic means. Casa Carly suggests that parents wait to be contacted by students so students can call or facetime during times that don’t interrupt student studies or program participation. If your student is out of contact and you’re worried, feel free to call Casa Carly or Carly for a check-in! Casa Carly will post frequent blog posts with photos so parents can see what’s happening on campus and have a glimpse into student life.
Screen Time & Internet
We love technology and acknowledge that technology is important for this generation of digital natives. In this new age of distance learning, it’s even more key in continuing education when classes can not meet for in-person classes and for staying connected to friends and family. It is the program’s goal to support the well-being of students and help them develop good habits related to technology and general life skills.
Late night phone and tablet use is shown to diminish sleep quality and can lead to poor mental health, diminished coping mechanisms and lowered self-esteem. Casa Carly will work with students to limit night-time use. If students do not show restraint and cannot control their nighttime use, a charging bank is set up and all phones/tablets will be collected at night and returned the following morning. Casa Carly understands that some students like to read at night or listen to music. Staff members will monitor the situation and adjust accordingly. Students should be prepared for a change in these policies if students cannot balance safely their technology usage.
During the day, students will need access to their phones/tablets/computers for school. In addition to logging on to school classes and performing homework or projects as needed, the boarding program will engage students in a variety of group and individual activities and projects. Students may have a coffee house, set up a slip ‘n slide, bake cookies among many other activities. The aim is to captivate student energy with group activities that stimulate their creativity, satisfy their social needs, or get them moving, luring them away from their tablets!
Internet safety: There are no firewalls or parent controls set up on the internet available at Casa Carly. Parents may install parent controls on student devices if desired. Students may NOT use the internet for illegal usage, bullying, or age-inappropriate site access. Staff members will be on alert to make sure students are accessing safe sites and not using the internet inappropriately, however this type of supervision is not fail-safe. Students should be well-schooled on what’s appropriate during their online presence.
Casa Carly has high speed internet through Total Play. While their service is fast and reliable with plenty of bandwidth for all students, Casa Carly cannot guarantee that there won’t be outages. Casa Carly will do its best to offer internet access without interruption, especially during class time, and remedy internet problems if they occur.
Health Safety and Medical Form
A participant health form on file is mandatory. Parents should return the health form prior to the program start date. It must be properly completed by and signed by a parent/guardian. This health history and included waiver statement is needed for hospitalization and/or emergency treatment.
Families should consult their medical insurance to ensure that students are covered during program dates and inform the program of a preferred hospital in the case of an emergency. As a default, Casa Carly will have emergency care attended at Hospital MAC. For non-emergency medical attention, parents will be contacted. The Health form should indicate any recent hospitalization for injury or illness or any emotional/behavioral issues.
Please do NOT bring students on opening day if they are sick. In cases such as fever, a recent injury, or any potentially contagious illnesses, please contact Carly to discuss a delayed, healthy arrival date. If sickness occurs during the program, participants are monitored and isolated until healthy enough to re-enter the community. If COVID-19 is suspected with any related symptoms, parents will be required to pick up the student from the program for a two-week quarantine. If the student is cleared of illness and/or has completed quarantine, the student will be readmitted as a boarder.
Parents are contacted if an illness is serious enough to warrant a doctor’s visit. Parents are also contacted in emergencies once the initial emergency has been alleviated or dealt with. Please ensure that students have all of the proper inoculations and boosters.
While Casa Carly has over-the-counter medications to treat mild health issues (i.e. headaches, upset stomach, cramps), parents are responsible for all financial aspects related to any illness or injury to his/her child.
Medication, Glasses, Orthodontics
The taking of daily medications is the responsibility of each participant. However, parents who prefer that their child’s medication be administered and documented by an adult, can request this. Participants should bring a sufficient supply for any medications or supplements. Students should take appropriate care of glasses, contacts or orthodontal equipment. Loss or damage falls under the responsibility of the student family, however Casa Carly is happy to help facilitate the replacement of these items as necessary.
Food & Diet
Casa Carly’s cook maintains well-balanced, interesting, and varied meals. Occasionally, delivered meals will be ordered from local restaurants for a change of pace. Professionals in their field, our cooks are well-versed in safety precautions in food preparation and have completed the courses for COVID-19 food handling and restaurant management. Most meals take place in Casa Carly’s dining room or outside in the garden. There are vegetarian and healthy options offered at each meal time. Food is a priority and we all appreciate a good meal! Special diets can be accommodated in most cases. Please discuss any food allergies and special diets in advance of attendance.
School and Work Areas
Students should not be cooped up in their rooms all day! Outdoor work spaces are available and set up in several patio areas for students to work on school work or complete their distance learning obligations. The dining room, when available, is available for student work space too. Inside spaces are disinfected regularly in addition to the high-touch areas outside.
Activities
Group living is hard work but fun! Relationships between students are accelerated and deeper than typical school friendships. Students also practice tolerance and inclusion. Casa Carly provides a structured environment that allows first-time boarding students to practice important life skills like independence, time management, and developing a healthy balance between studies and social time. Included in this structure, Casa Carly offers activities and workshops including cultural sensitivity workshops, talent shows, scavenger hunts, movie nights, and weekend outings to hike or picnic in the campo.
Extracurricular Activities
Students who normally take extra curricular classes or tutoring sessions online are encouraged to keep that up. However, in-person, off-campus classes cannot take place during quarantine or while the student is in residence at Casa Carly or the community’s health can be put in a position of risk. If circumstances of Covid-19 in San Miguel change in the future, Casa Carly will inform parents in any changes in this policy.
Homesickness
Homesickness in adolescents is not normally about missing their parents and their home or pet. It’s generally a feeling of unease that’s easier to express as homesickness. Once participants have a few days to adjust to the new setting, learn the basic routine, and establish some friendships, they usually shed their “homesickness”. Homesickness that lasts beyond the first few 6 days is rare.
Arrival Day & Transportation
Arrival day is full of butterfly stomachs and excitement! Normally parents look forward to helping their child settle into a camp bunk or a boarding program, touring the facilities, meeting the staff and students. We parents are excited for our kids and love living vicariously through the exciting opportunities that they have. But with the current measures in place to reduce the spread of COVID-19, parents should be prepared for a drive-by drop-off, quick and sweet. We promise to post photos of your kiddos settling in.
Students should arrive on their arrival day between 4:30 and 5:30. Parents and students should be masked at drop-off time. Staff members will receive arriving students, ensure that all required forms are on file, address any parent concerns, and will show the student to their room. From years of hosting MexArt and student programs, Casa Carly staff members are well versed in helping students settle in. The first evening is full of orientation meetings, dinner, get-to-know-you activities and settling in.
COVID-19 Prevention
Learn more about the preventative measures in place to reduce risk of infection....
Certain staff members have completed the courses required by the city for COVID-19 preventative measures and protocols for hotels, hospitality industry, and food service. While research into this novel virus evolves and best-practices are fine-tuned, Casa Carly may add or modify measures. The goal is to keep the community at Casa Carly healthy and safe. While no environment is completely risk-free, risks can certainly be reduced with preventative measures including frequent hand washing, social distancing, mask wearing, and holding as many program activities outside as possible.
• All student housing and areas of Casa Carly are thoroughly sanitized prior to occupancy and will sit unoccupied for 72 hours before initial student arrival.
• All students must home-quarantine for 2 weeks prior to arrival to ensure the safety of all participants and staff members.
• If there are under 10 participants, masks will only be required for students if there is a visitor to the property or on outings. Students should bring a supply of masks.
• If there are more than 10 participants, groups of cohorts will be formed. Within a cohort, students will not have to wear masks. While in the presence of other cohorts, masks will be required and meals served in different sections of the dining room.
• Family-style buffet meals served in buffet format are served by a staff member (not self-serve).
• Maximum participants 16 under current regulations for max occupancy at Casa Carly.
• Casa Carly heeds the protocols set forth by the Civil Protection and any evolution of those protocols.
• Visitors are not permitted.
• Students are not permitted to leave the property except in organized program outings.
• Providers of food or delivery people will be permitted to enter for delivery to the front desk with appropriate masks/PPE. Likewise, staff members will leave the premises to make purchases for the property and program, keeping these outings to a minimum, wearing appropriate PPE and with proper sanitization upon return to the property.
• Staff members who go home at night and are not part of the quarantine bubble/community will wear appropriate PPE at all times on the property.
• If in-person classes are permitted at any time, new protocols will be developed for each stage of reopening only when it’s safe to do so and with the permission of parents.
• This is a sampling of measures that are implemented. Additional protocol may be implemented at any time as research develops and needs change. Casa Carly’s boarding prefers to err on the side of safety for all! If the thread of COVID-19 is minimized in San Miguel during the semester and schools reopen for in-person classes, the preventative measures in place maybe lessened to allow students to continue boarding while also attending school during the day.
Learn more about expectations....
Participant Behavior
As stated in the Student Agreement, Casa Carly strives to maintain a wholesome, lighthearted, and positively creative community. Participants in the past have been positive and cooperative with their roommates, other students and staff. In addition to laws and group customs, the rules set up for the Casa Carly boarding program are to protect everyone (the program, the participants, and our surrounding community of San Miguel). In addition to the rough outline of expectation here, these rules are explained and discussed with all students on orientation day for semester students or the first day in attendance for month-session students. The rules and limits do evolve as the program progresses, and participants are trusted to adhere to the progressive changes.
Please note: Casa Carly reserves the right to dismiss participants from the program at their discretion and without reimbursement of any fees if a student violates the Student Agreement or endangers his/her safety, the safety of another participant, or the safety of the program at large. Please note that the Student Agreement includes issues such as drugs, alcohol, class/activity attendance, disregard/disrespect of authorities or customs.
Students who display disruptive behavior (including verbal abuse) that affects other participants may not remain in the community. Casa Carly expects participants not to disrupt hotel decorum or program morale by inappropriate or insensitive behavior.
It is well understood that students test limits – we allow for this. We do not, however, accept any fighting, dangerous roughhousing, abusive practical jokes, cyber bullying, vulgar language, or racist/sexist remarks. Leaving the grounds without permission, smoking, and drinking alcohol are considered dangerous to the participant and will lead to immediate expulsion.
Students must attend all of their classes, meals and program functions. When ill or exhausted, resident directors help to create options where the student is accounted for, safe, and supervised. We expect the highest level of program participation and cooperation from students. Participants need down time too, and there is plenty of time for students to relax, regroup, seek out alone-time, or hang out with friends.
Drug, Cigarette, and Alcohol Policies:
Any kind of illegal drug is prohibited, and any student or staff member found to possess, use, or be involved with drugs, alcohol or cigarettes will be expelled immediately. While it’s inconceivable that any of Casa Carly’s talented and conscientious youth would seek out or use these substances at all, the policy is a remind of Casa Carly’s intolerance in these instances. This behavior is not tolerated on the part of participants or staff members.