PAYMENT iNFORMATION:

How does after school payment work?

We issue payments three times per semester, at the beginning, middle and end of class. Payment is $80 per 90 minute class. Art teachers receive $100 prep for planning meetings and curriculum, and may receive additional prep hours depending on your projects’ needs.

After school teachers do NOT submit time reports, your payment dates are outlined below.

VIEW PAYMENT DATES AND amounts:

All of your classes and payment dates are listed on the PAYMENT TRACKER.

• The tracker lists all classes by teacher. Scroll down until you see your name to view your classes

• The tracker says if classes are confirmed or postponed. Your payment amount will be updated if a postponed class is confirmed.

• View your class dates, times, locations, as well as no class dates due to holidays

• You will see your total payment outlined in the Semester Summary, followed by your three payment dates to the right. Note that each payment has two dates - the first is when we submit it on Gusto, the second is when you receive it. We run payroll on Monday and you receive payment on Friday.

• The tracker shows any payment deductions for substitute teachers

CREATE YOUR GUSTO ACCOUNT:

• We send payments as direct deposit through Gusto. Gusto is also how you will access your 1099. 

• If you are a new teacher, you will receive an email from Gusto before your start date. Upon receipt, follow the following steps:

• Set up a username and password

• Enter your government name as found on your ID and/or passport

• Enter your Social Security Number 

• Enter your Routing & Account Number

GOOGLE DRIVE:

We use Google Drive to organize curriculum, planning sheets, photos, reference projects and more. The Curriculum Folder includes sub folders for all camps. Within the Curriculum folder, you will see the After School Folder.

Within the After School folder is a folder for each class: VISUAL ART STUDIO - IMAGINATION NATION - FILM - PORTFOLIO - DRAWING

important contents in After School Folder:

• Materials After School Spreadsheet: This is the master supply list for all after school classes, divided by teacher

• Meeting Notes: This document has all of our meeting notes for prep and planning sessions

• Ex. Semester Outline: Use this document as a reference when planning your own semester outline

CLASS FOLDERS INCLUDE:

• Folder for uploading class photos

• Your semester outline

• Planning guides, example project photos, extra curriculum content

• Class welcome email

• Anything else you would like to add to enhance your class!

Google calendar:

The Google Calendar has been created to help teachers stay updated on all class schedules, no-class dates, and holiday camps. Below are the instructions to guide you through using the calendar effectively:

Accessing the Google Calendar

1. Log in: Make sure you’re logged into the Google account you provided for communication with us.

2. Check Your Invite: You should have received a calendar invite from us via email. Open the email and click "Add to Calendar" or "Accept" to integrate it into your Google Calendar.

Understanding the Calendar Layout

• Class Events: Each class is listed as a recurring event with:

• The class title (e.g., “Mixed Media Visual Arts”)

• The teacher’s name and email

• The location (e.g., “The Tigermen Den”)

• No-Class Dates: These are marked clearly in the calendar so you can plan accordingly.

• Holiday Camps: For camps, the event will include only the camp name and dates. No teacher names are attached.

What Teachers Need to Do

1. Check Weekly: Review the calendar regularly to stay updated on your schedule and any no-class dates.

2. Notify Us of Conflicts: If you notice a scheduling conflict or a date that doesn’t work for you, let us know as soon as possible.

3. Plan Around No-Class Dates: Note the no-class dates to avoid any confusion about whether a session is scheduled.

How to Use the Calendar Features

• Set Notifications: You can set reminders for events directly in Google Calendar to ensure you don’t miss anything.

• Sync with Your Devices: If you’re using a mobile device, sync the Google Calendar with your phone to keep it accessible at all times.

• For iPhone users: Go to Settings > Calendar > Accounts > Add Account > Google and log in.

• For Android users: Log in to your Google account, and the calendar will sync automatically.

• Search for Specific Classes: Use the search bar in Google Calendar to quickly find your class events.

Troubleshooting and Support

If you have any issues accessing the calendar or notice incorrect information, please contact the Program Coordinator (community@artcamp504.org) immediately. We’re happy to assist and ensure everything runs smoothly.

Final Note

We’ve created this calendar to reduce confusion and make communication seamless. By checking the calendar regularly, you’ll stay informed and help create a smooth experience for students and parents.

Thank you for your cooperation!

CANVA:

We invite all teachers to use our Art Camp 504 pro Canva account. If you would like to use the account, please contact the Camp Director so that we can add your email to the account. We will give you a short tutorial on how to view our brand content and organize your work in designated folders.

SEMESTER PLANNING:

COMPLETE SEMESTER OVERVIEW OUTLINE - DUE JAN 3

The semester overview serves as a roadmap for your class, helping you plan and prioritize your projects and goals. Consider:

• What projects will you lead?

• What is the end goal of your class?

While your outline can adapt over time, preparing a general framework helps ensure a smoother semester. Design your outline in a way that works best for you—it’s your tool!

• VIEW EXAMPLE OUTLINE for inspiration.

• Upload your completed semester overview to your class’s Google Drive folder by the deadline.

MATERIAL LISTS - Due jan 3

Add your list of required materials to the Materials After School spreadsheet under your designated tab. Organize your list in the way that works best for you—either by project or by date.

Requirements:

• Include materials needed for at least the first three weeks of class.

• For ordered items, include links, quantities, and detailed descriptions.

For additional materials during the semester:

1. Add them to the your spreadsheet tab with at least two weeks’ notice.

2. Send a text to Sam letting her know you’ve updated the list.

This process ensures materials are available and arrive on time.

REVIEW WELCOME EMAIL - DUE JAN 3

Each class has a welcome email saved in its respective Google Drive folder. The Art Camp 504 admin team will send these emails to students and families on January 3. Please complete all updates by January 3 to ensure emails are ready to send on schedule.

YOUR TASK:

• Update the student preparation assignment with specific, fun tasks to get students excited about the class. For example:

  • Bring a drawing of your favorite extraterrestrial character.

  • Watch a movie clip (include a link if applicable).

  • Bring your favorite comic book to share.

• Optional additions by teachers:

  • Include a personal introduction to your class.

  • Suggest optional items students might bring, such as sketchbooks, recycled materials, etc.

Note: All supplies will be provided during the class, so any requested materials should be optional and enhance the class experience.

SET UP DAY Jan 7-11

• We will schedule a set up day for all teachers at the Tigermen Den between Jan 7-11, so that everybody is set for the first day of class Jan 13

• Doodle poll coming soon

CLASS documentation: photos & videos

Why Do We Need Photos and Videos?

• To promote our classes and reach new students — This helps us grow our program and showcase what we offer.

• To increase parent engagement and satisfaction — Parents love seeing their children happy and thriving in class.

• To document projects for future camps and classes — Capturing moments helps us plan and improve future programs.

• For social media content — Photos and short videos (15-20 seconds) are ideal for Instagram stories and reels. At the end of the semester, we compile these clips into a final highlight reel to celebrate the session.

OUR DOCUMENTATION NEEDS:

We ask teachers to submit a few photos and videos showcasing each project that they lead. Generally, teachers upload around 20 - 30 photos / videos per semester. We encourage teachers to involve interns and students in the photo process. Let the students know when it is photo day, and have them post with their creations!

PHOTO AND VIDEO GUIDE:

Please reference our PHOTO AND VIDEO GUIDE for examples of high quality photos. The guide includes instructions on how to respectfully document student work, characteristics of high quality photos (for our purposes), and information on short form video content.

WHERE DO YOU SUBMIT THE PHOTOS AND VIDEOS?

Each lead teacher has a designated Google Drive folder for their class, located within our general Curriculum folder. In this folder is the welcome email, along with any supplemental materials (presentations, photos, videos, worksheets) you have saved as part of your class. Upload your photos in the “photos” subfolder within your class folder.

LINKS TO CLASS GOOGLE DRIVE FOLDERS:

• Film Club - Finley

• Fine Art Portfolio Development - Blair

• Foundations of Drawing - Micayla

• Imagination Nation - Jane

• Visual Art Studio - Leah

SUBSTITUTES AND CLASS CANCELLATIONS:

how to submit a substitute request:

We expect lead teachers to be available for every class they are contracted to teach. In the event of an emergency conflict, please follow the following protocols.

We request ONE WEEK NOTICE for substitute requests. This will give us time to find a suitable substitute. If you give one week notice, your final payment will be reduced by $80, to cover the cost of the substitute teacher.

If you submit the request with less than one week notice, we appreciate help in finding a suitable substitute (first ask our other Art Camp 504 teachers).

TO REQUEST A SUBSTITUTE:

1. First, see if any of the other Art Camp 504 teachers are available to cover your class

2. Then, send a text to the Camp Director, Sam Bass, saying you will be requesting a substitute 504-913-2989. Let Sam know if you already confirmed a substitute from our existing teachers. If you are not able to find a substitute, we will bring in a new teacher.

3. Finally, fill out the following form: Substitute & Class Cancellation Request Form Your request is not complete until we receive your online form submission

LAST MINUTE CLASS CANCELLATIONS (LESS THAN 48 HOURS)

It causes a very serious problem for our program when teachers cancel with less than 48 hours notice. We expect teachers to do everything they can to avoid this situation, and to help find a suitable substitute.

• If the teacher is able to find a suitable substitute, we will have class and your payment will be reduced by $100

• If the teacher is NOT able to find a suitable substitute, we will cancel class, refund the students and your payment will be reduced by $150. Cancelling classes at the last minute results in a loss of tuition, extra administrative work, and hurts our reputation for professionalism

While we understand that things happen that require teachers to cancel classes, the expectation is that teachers are available to work every day they committed to. Teachers with two or more last minute cancellations will not be considered for future teaching positions.

TARDINESS:

We have high professional standards for our teachers. Teachers need to be on site, ready for class, as soon as parents arrive. It is very important that you are there to receive students. Plan on arriving 15 minutes before class starts to ensure you are ready.

Depending on the circumstances and length of time, teachers that are late to class two or more times may not be considered for future after school teaching positions.

Tigermen den space use:

OPENING THE BUILDING:

• Enter the courtyard through the back gate, code 3632. Close gate behind you

• Then enter the building through the kitchen door, code 1970

• Turn on all of the lights and adjust thermostats if needed

• Arrive at least 15 minutes before your class start time

• On Mondays, you may need to pull out the folding tables and art supplies, and cover the wood folding tables

DURING CLASSES:

• Parents sign in and out each day

• Students follow camp behavior expectations

• Students are allowed to work on the folding white tables

• Wood folding tables need to be covered with tablecloths at all times. Tables may be used for supply bins, but students are NOT allowed to work on them. 

• Be respectful of your surroundings and do not touch anything that is not designated for Art Camp

• Kids have one ice pop halfway through or at the end of class (teacher’s discretion)

DAILY CLEAN UP: 

• Wash your dishes and place on the rack to dry. Do not leave anything in the sink

• Kids take out the trash IF cans are full. If they are not full, wait until Wednesday to take the trash out

• Sweep and vacuum if needed

• Put away all supplies in their designated bin. Check that nothing is left on the floor or tables

• Check the courtyard for trash and art supplies 

WEDNESDAY CLEAN UP FOR EVENTS:

Check the calendar on Wednesday to see if there are any scheduled events. If there are, follow these additional breakdown steps:

• Move the art supply organizers to their designated storage areas

• Fold up white tables and move into portal

• Fold up table cloths and move into portal

• Move sign in binder to shelf in kitchen

• Ensure that there are no items or art supplies left in the main space or quiet room. Move lost and found to the portal

• If rugs are out, roll them up and move to the laundry room. Leave the rug in the quiet room out. Code 2020

CLOSING THE BUILDING:

• Close curtains in Quiet Room

• Turn off all the lights

• Close bathroom doors and turn off lights

• LOCK the hallway door from the inside

• LOCK the front door (by the steps) by pushing down the bottom lock

• LOCK the kitchen using code 1970 as you exit

• Exit through the back gate. The gate automatically locks

• Push the shutters closed

*Double check that hallway door, kitchen door, back gate, and front door are locked before leaving the premises

RULEs for visiting the park

Clouet Gardens

Line-Up Instructions:

• Students line up on the sidewalk along Clouet Street.

• The front of the line starts at the Tigermen Den steps near the second entrance.

• A teacher is always at the front of the line.

• For groups larger than 8 students, a teacher must also be at the end of the line.

• Conduct a headcount before leaving the building.

• No students should walk ahead of the teacher leading the line.

Park Rules:

1. No climbing trees.

2. No approaching or petting strange dogs.

3. No throwing sticks or other items.

4. No picking up strange objects from the ground.

5. Respect the plants:

   • Do not pick leaves or flowers unless part of a specific project requiring a small batch.

6. Dispose of trash:

   • Throw ice pop wrappers in the trash.

7. Stay within the park boundaries:

   • Never leave the park or cross the street without a teacher or intern.

Markey Park

Line-Up Instructions:

• Line up on the sidewalk along Royal Street, stopping at the edge of the steps by the Quiet Room.

• A teacher leads the front of the line.

• For groups larger than 8 students, a teacher must also be at the end of the line.

• Conduct a headcount before leaving the building.

• Students must stay behind the teacher leading the line.

Park Rules:

1. Stay on the sidewalk:

   • No running ahead or wandering off.

2. No horseplay or piggybacks while walking.

3. Stay together:

   • If anyone falls behind, the line must stop until everyone catches up.

4. Stop at intersections:

   • Wait for the teacher to cross first.

5. Playground rules:

   • Stay inside the playground fence at all times.

   • Be considerate of other children and babies at the park.

   • Take turns on the swings.

   • Do not throw toys, sticks, or other objects.

6. Stay safe:

   • Avoid strange dogs.

   • Do not ride toy cars on the playground structure.

7. Lost balls:

   • If a ball goes over the fence, inform a teacher. The teacher or a designated student will retrieve it as needed.

SUBMITTING YOUR TEACHER BIO:

HOW TO SUBMIT YOUR BIO:

All teachers are required to submit a photo and bio that we can share on our website. Teachers are responsible for reviewing their bio each semester and sending updates as needed so that the information is relevant. If you are a returning teacher, check the website to make sure your bio is still up to date. Please send your bio and photo to info@artcamp504.org before your first scheduled class begins. View teacher bios on our TEAM page.

SUGGESTIONS FOR WHAT TO INCLUDE IN YOUR BIO:

Showcase your greatest achievements, artistic passions, and skills. Write your bio in 3rd person so they all match. Keep your bio one paragraph, and relative in size to the other bios on the website. Include your preferred name and pronouns.

• Your education and degrees

• Link to your website, business or instagram (I will create a hyperlink on the Art Camp 504 website)

• Achievements as an artist - gallery shows, exhibitions, publications, commissions, large scale art works, awards, films, etc. Pick a few that you are most proud of to highlight

• Artistic vision - what mediums do you work in, what are you most inspired by

• Teaching experience - what experience do you have with kids outside of art camp 504? schools, other summer camps, after school programs, etc. If you've been with us 2 or more years, highlight that!

• Other work that you do... work in the film industry? are you a musician? freelance photographer? event planner?

• What else are you passionate about? Mardi Gras costumes? Travel? Social justice? Comic books? Your dog?

low enrollment:

Our minimum enrollment is four students. Teachers have the option to teach a class with three students for a rate of $60 instead of $80.

• If your class has not met enrollment one week before the scheduled start date, we will postpone the start date by ONE WEEK, giving time for parents to recruit more students. All parents will be refunded for the first class.

• If the class has still not met enrollment the following week, we will postpone the start date TWO MORE WEEKS. Parents will be refunded for those two classes.

• If the class has still not met enrollment after three weeks, we will contact the parents to see if they want to postpone another two weeks or cancel.

If your class is postponed, and you would like to seek other work opportunities, teachers are welcome to cancel their teaching contract. If you cancel due to low enrollment, you will have the opportunity to teach your class the following semester.

eLECTRONICS:

To our goal is to create an electronics-free environment that also supports focused, educational use of devices through direct instruction.

STUDENTS:

• Permitted Use: Electronics are allowed for educational purposes only, such as finding reference photos, filming, animation, 3D modeling, graphic design, and similar activities. Device use is strictly supervised by teachers during digital media classes.

• Restrictions: Non-educational use—such as watching videos, playing games, or texting friends—is not permitted. If a student uses their device for these purposes, it will be taken and returned at dismissal. Continued misuse will result in a loss of electronics privileges at camp.

STAFF:

• Device Use: Teachers are expected to keep personal phone use to an absolute minimum during class. Quick responses to emergency messages are acceptable; however, routine phone use should be avoided.

important policies:

STAFF ATTIRE:

Staff attire should be comfortable, durable, and appropriate for active and creative activities with children. Wear clothing that allows you to move easily and participate in hands-on activities (e.g., T-shirts, jeans, closed toed shoes, cargo pants, or shorts of a modest length). Keep attire modest and respectful to maintain a child-friendly atmosphere. As some projects may involve acrylic paint, please wear clothes that can handle occasional paint splashes. We encourage staff to express themselves creatively through their clothing, and costumes are always welcome!

COMMUNICATION BETWEEN TEACHERS AND STAFF:

Prompt communication is an essential part of working with a team. We request that teachers respond to all text messages and emails that ask for a response within 48 hours. If you are not able to respond within 48 hours, respond saying that you received the information and give a time frame in which you can respond.

PHOTO RELEASE:

Art Camp 504 may photograph or record camp activities for promotional purposes including but not limited to brochures, websites, social media platforms, and advertisements. By participating, teachers grant us permission to use images or recordings of their class and projects for these purposes. Teachers may opt of our the photo release by emailing info@artcamp504.org with your request.

ART SUPPLIES & PERSONAL EQUIPMENT:

Art Camp 504 will provide all materials and cover the cost of all supplies needed for class. Teachers may bring in their personal equipment at their own risk, teachers are not required to bring any personal items for use in class. We are not responsible for personal items lost or damaged during class.

STAFF CULTURE:

Collaboration & Teamwork

• Support fellow teachers, interns, and staff in and out of the classroom.

• Embrace open communication and share ideas, resources, and successes. Share feedback and suggestions with leadership

• Ask questions when you don’t understand something or aren’t sure what to do

Encourage Creative Freedom

• Value and support students' creative choices, offering guidance while letting them lead the way.

• Foster a safe, non-judgmental space for self-expression.

Flexibility & Adaptability

• Embrace the dynamic nature of working in a fast paced environment with kids, including being open to trying new approaches.

• Adapt plans when necessary to fit the group’s energy, interests, and evolving needs.

Positivity & Enthusiasm

• Model a positive, encouraging attitude to build an uplifting atmosphere.

• Bring energy and enthusiasm to every session, recognizing its impact on students.

Respect & Inclusion

• Treat every student, family, and team member with respect and empathy.

• Cultivate an inclusive culture that honors diversity and encourages everyone to belong.

Professionalism & Preparedness

• Arrive ready and prepared to engage, with lessons planned and materials ready.

• Maintain professional boundaries and show up consistently as a role model.

Safety & Well-being First

• Prioritize the physical and emotional safety of all students at all times.

• Foster an environment of mutual respect and trust where students feel safe to explore.

MANAGING STUDENT BEHAVIOR:

CLICK HERE to learn about Art Camp 504’s culture and behavior expectations for students. This page includes our community norms, behavior consequences, conflict resolution strategies, Tigermen Den rules, behavior management techniques and more.

What behaviors are not allowed in our community?

• Curse Words and Hateful Language: Anything said to intentionally make another person feel bad. If it makes you feel sad in your heart, don’t say it.

• Bullying: Intentionally making someone feel bad over and over through mean words, threats or violence

• Physical Violence: Hitting, punching, kicking, pinching, throwing objects, yelling, stomping

Consequences for Inappropriate Behavior:

• VERBAL REMINDER

• We will remind you of community norms and you will apologize for your actions.

• SECOND REMINDER, TIME OUT

• We will remind you again of community norms. You will apologize for your actions and sit in Time Out for 10 minutes.

• PARENT PHONE CALL, TIME OUT

• If the behavior continues, you will speak to your parents on the phone. You will apologize and sit in Time Out for 15 minutes.

• REMOVAL FROM CLASS FOR THE DAY

• If the behavior still continues, your parents will take you home early from class. If they are not available, you will sit in Time Out for the rest of the day.

• ONE WEEK SUSPENSION

• If you return to camp the next week and are still acting inappropriately, you will be sent home from class and will not be allowed to attend the following week

• REMOVAL FROM PROGRAM

  • If you return to camp after the suspension and are still acting inappropriately, you will be removed from the program for the remainder of the semester. We do not issue refunds for students with behavior infractions.

CONTACTING PARENTS FOR BEHAVIOR INFRACTIONS:

Lead teachers are required to enforce our behavior expectations during after school classes. Please save the parent contact info for all your students in your phones before the first day of class so that you have easy access to their information.

• Lead teachers are expected to call parents when students are misbehaving after their initial warning and time out

• If the behavior continues after the initial parent phone call, discuss with the Camp Director to confirm if a suspension is needed

• The Camp Director will call parents if the behavior warrants suspension or removal from the program

TERMS OF EMPLOYMENT:

I. Independent Contractor Status. The Contractor, under the code of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), is an independent contractor and neither the Contractor’s employees or contract personnel are, or shall be deemed, the Client’s employees. In its capacity as an independent contractor, Contractor agrees and represents: Contractor has the right to perform Services for others during the term of this Agreement.

II. Federal and State Taxes. Under this Agreement, the Client shall not be responsible for:

Withholding FICA, Medicare, Social Security, or any other federal or state withholding taxes from the Contractor’s payments to employees or personnel or make payments on behalf of the Contractor; Making federal or state unemployment compensation contributions on the Contractor’s behalf; and payment of all taxes incurred related to or while performing the Services under this Agreement, including all applicable income taxes and, if the Contractor is not a corporation, all applicable self-employment taxes. 

III. Liability Insurance. The Contractor agrees to bear all responsibility for the actions related to themselves under this Agreement. There shall be no minimum required for the liability insurance. 

IV. Indemnification. The Contractor shall indemnify and hold the Client harmless from any loss of liability from performing the Services under this Agreement.

V. Termination of Agreement. This Agreement shall terminate when teacher is finished teaching classes. In addition, the Client of Contractor may terminate this Agreement, including any obligations stated hereunder, with reasonable cause by providing written notice of: A material breach of the other party; or Any act exposing the other party to liability to others for personal injury or property damage.

VI. Proprietary Information. Proprietary information, under this Agreement, shall include: The product of all work performed under this Agreement, including without limitation all notes, reports, documentation, drawings, deliverables, will be the sole property of the Client. The Client will be entitled to use Contractor’s name and/or likeness in advertising and other materials.

VII. Governing Law. This Agreement shall be governed under the laws in the State of Louisiana.

VIII. Severability. This Agreement shall remain in effect in the event a section or provision is unenforceable or invalid. All remaining sections and provisions shall be deemed legally binding unless a court rules that any such provision or section or invalid or unenforceable, thus, limiting the effect of another provision or section.