School Life
Beyond the Bell
Plymouth Meeting Friends School offers a before- and after-school program to provide a low-key, safe, and fun environment for children during non-school hours. These programs are collectively called Beyond the Bell (BtB).
Early Care
Early Care is provided before classrooms open, beginning at 7:30 am. There is no fee for this service and registration is not required. Early care is located in the Corson Lobby; families will need to walk their child in and check in with Early Care staff.
After-School Care
PMFS’s after-school program is called “Beyond the Bell”, or “BtB” for short. BtB is designed to provide children across all grades with a less structured after-school experience, similar to living in a community with a big backyard and many neighbors with whom to play.
The program runs from 3-6 pm daily (except on half days) and includes an afternoon snack and a mix of organized and free play activities, such as: pick-up games of soccer or basketball, crafts, board games, and nature play. Students can also choose to complete their homework during an optional, supervised period of homework help.
There are two sessions of BtB. The first runs from September to late January, and the second from the end of January to the end of the school year. Students can register for one to five days of regular attendance during each session. Days are not interchangeable from one week to another; enrollment is for set days only. Students who are not registered to attend BtB may also “drop-in” on any given day for a fee.
Session 1: Wednesday, September 4, 2024 - Friday, January 24, 2025
Session 2: Monday, January 27, 2025 - Monday, June 9, 2025
Registering for Beyond the Bell
When registration opens for each session, you will receive an email with information and a link to register for the regular Beyond the Bell Program. Once you have electronically submitted the form, you will receive:
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Confirmation of your registration
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An invitation to register with Procare, our billing and attendance app. Returning BtB families will not need to re-register.
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Children who register for 3-5 days a week will receive a bill for the fee. Fifty percent of the total is due before the first day of school. If you sign up for 1 or 2 days of regular attendance, you will be billed through Procare weekly at the drop-in rate.
Fees are billed and paid through the Procare app with a small set fee.
Checks are also accepted and should be made payable to PMFS and addressed to Patsy Morningstar’s attention in the Main Office.
50% of the total amount is due by 9/4/24. The balance must be paid by 11/1/24.
Pricing per Session
- 5 days a week: $1550
Sibling Rate: $1475
- 4 days a week: $1425
- 4 days a week: $1425
Sibling Rate: $1350
- 3 days a week: $1250
- 3 days a week: $1250
Sibling Rate: $1175
Drop In Fee: $35 per day (This is also the fee for 1-2 days/week regular attendance.)
Classes: $125-$130 for 6 week classes
A discount is applied for students already enrolled in BtB on the class day.
Vacation Care: $75 early registration - $90 Late registration - $100 day-of drop-in
Click here to register for BtB on the Google Form.
After-School Classes
The school also offers a number of six week, structured after-school classes. These may be attended as either stand-alone activities or in conjunction with the regular Beyond the Bell program. A student does not need to be enrolled in BtB to enroll in a class.
There is a fee for each class. Past classes include: architecture, beekeeping, clayworks, gardening, mixed sports, science, and yoga.
Session 1a: Sept. 16th - Nov. 1st
Registration opens September 1
Registration opens September 1
Session 1b: Nov. 18th - Jan. 24th
Registration opens October 25
Registration opens October 25
Vacation Care
Vacation Care is offered on some school holidays, professional development days, and during parts of Winter and Spring break. In order for Vacation Care to be held, the minimum number of students must be enrolled for a given day. On the days it is run, Vacation Care is available 8:00 am – 6:00 pm.
Similar to After-School care, Vacation Care provides unstructured, supervised playtime, indoors and out, in a multi-age grouping. Morning snack is provided; children bring their own lunch and an afternoon snack.
Vacation Care Dates for 2024-25
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Friday, October 11, Professional Development Day
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Monday, October 14, Indigenous Peoples Day
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Thursday and Friday, November 7 & 8, Conference Days (Drop in Conference Care also provided)
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Winter Break: Tentative Dates 12/27, 12/30, 1/2 and 1/3
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Friday, January 17, Faculty Work Day
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Friday, February 14, Professional Development Day
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Monday, February 17, Presidents Day
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Spring Break: Tentative Dates: March 24-28
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Thursday and Friday, April 10 & 11, Conference Days (Drop in Conference Care also provided)
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Friday, May 23, Faculty Work Day
*Please note that Winter and Spring Break days will be confirmed closer to time.
**All Vacation Care days are dependent on sufficient enrollment to be able to run.
**All Vacation Care days are dependent on sufficient enrollment to be able to run.
Questions?
Beyond the Bell is directed by Varley Paul and Genevieve Schmidt Camacho.
Varley teaches 5th Grade during the school day and oversees the afternoon programming at BtB.
Genevieve teaches 2nd Grade and takes care of billing and enrolling students in BtB and BtB classes.
Varley teaches 5th Grade during the school day and oversees the afternoon programming at BtB.
Genevieve teaches 2nd Grade and takes care of billing and enrolling students in BtB and BtB classes.
Questions? Please reach out to Varley or Genevieve at btb@pmfs1780.org
© PMFS 2021