PUSD Extended Student Services (ESS)
Grades TK-5
(858) 521-2800
Christine Carrera, Director (858) 521-2850
Myra Prather, Operations Supervisor (858) 521-2845
Ella Boom, School Administrative Assistant (858) 521-2848
About ESS
ESS is a voluntary use program. All PUSD elementary schools have an Extended Student Services program on their campus. Our organization works diligently to accommodate and serve working families in need of before and after school care. A student's enrollment at an elementary school does not guarantee them ESS enrollment. As a growing organization, each ESS site may experience limitations that factor into the enrollment capacity and may prohibit the acceptance of additional students at any given time.
ESS Enrollment Interest List Application
Families Interested in ESS for the 2025-2026 School Year:The Fall 2025 ESS Interest Application will be open from Tuesday, April 22 through Friday, June 6. All interested families may apply at any time during this initial application window. There is no advantage or disadvantage to applying earlier or later within this period, as all applications will be processed simultaneously. Parents are encouraged to wait patiently until their child's enrollment has been completed by the school site and they have received access to their ParentVue account before attempting to use the ESS Application Management System. Families who apply during the initial application window will be notified on June 13 whether their student has been offered a placement in the ESS program for the 2025–26 school year or has been placed on the waitlist. If you have any questions about ESS enrollment, please email [email protected]. |
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Click the link below to fill out the interest list.
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Effective for the 2024-2025 school year, new applications to the ESS program will be centrally managed by the District Office, Before/After School Department through a single application and interest list.
STUDENT ELIGIBILITY
Your child(ren) must be enrolled at their neighborhood school to which you are applying for ESS, this also applies to families with TK students. All families with children in elementary school interested in participating in ESS during the 2024-25 school year are required to submit an online application.
APPLICATION PROCESS
An application must be completed for each child applying for ESS. You will need your ParentVue account login information and internet access to complete an application. The application must be completed and submitted online. You may access the application through a mobile device such as a cell phone or tablet with internet connection.
All information provided on the application is subject to verification. Falsifying any of the information may disqualify the applicant from receiving ESS services.
SUBMITTING AN APPLICATION DOES NOT GUARANTEE ENROLLMENT IN ESS
ESS is a highly impacted program, and demand exceeds capacity at most schools. Applicants are accepted into the program based on the rating system outlined below, up to the capacity for each school's program.
ESS Enrollment Prioritization Criteria
APPLICATION/LOTTERY RATING SYSTEM
Children will be accepted for enrollment based on prioritization assigned through the lottery. The lottery rankings will be based on the prioritization criteria detailed below, up to the capacity for each school's program. Once ESS has reached its capacity, children not accepted for enrollment will be automatically placed on a waitlist, in the same order of priority determined by the lottery and will be offered an opportunity to enroll as space becomes available throughout the school year.
Parents/guardians may choose to have their child(ren) attend either the before-school and/or after-school programs, if applicable. Choosing only the before-school or after-school program will not affect the rating of the application.
Students currently enrolled in ESS can continue their enrollment until they withdraw or are promoted. New students applying to the program will be prioritized for enrollment based on the following criteria:
- Unduplicated Pupil (UPP): Foster, McKinney Vento (Homeless), Socioeconomically Disadvantaged, or English Language Learner
- PUSD Employee
- Siblings of Enrolled Students
- Families with one parent/guardian currently on military deployment (a copy of orders may be required upon request)
- Single-parent household
- Dual parent working family (both parents working at least 40 hours a week)
- Was on waitlist for the previous school year
All homeless and foster youth will receive the highest priority for enrollment. Students that meet multiple criteria will be ranked higher in priority, accordingly.
For additional information regarding ESS enrollment at your child's school, you can email [email protected].
FAQs
How is my child eligible for the ESS Program?
Children must be enrolled during the regular school day at the school where you are applying for ESS.
Is there criteria for priority enrollment?
Under the California Department of Education (CDE) Expanded Learning Opportunities Program (ELOP) grant requirements, students who meet at least one of the following criteria will be given priority registration:
- Unduplicated Pupil (UPP): Foster youth, McKinney-Vento (Homeless), Socioeconomically Disadvantaged, or English Language Learners
- PUSD Employee
- Siblings of enrolled students
- Families with one parent/guardian currently on military deployment (a copy of orders may be required upon request)
- Single-parent household
- Dual-parent working family (both parents working at least 40 hours a week)
- Previously on the waitlist for the last school year
What is the online application process?
The application will be available online starting April 22, 2025. You will need your PUSD-issued ParentVue login to complete the application. If you need help with your username or password, assistance is available here: Poway Unified School District (PUSD).
Does submitting an application guarantee participation in ESS?
It is anticipated that the demand for ESS services may exceed the program capacity at most schools. Therefore, it is critical that applications are completed and submitted within the initial application timeline. Applications submitted by the deadline will be reviewed for the initial enrollment period. Children will be accepted for participation based on CDE ELOP grant requirements, up to the capacity of each school's program. Once capacity is reached, children not accepted will be placed on a waitlist, in order of priority, and will be accepted as space becomes available.
What is the initial application timeline?
Applications will be available online starting Tuesday, April 22, 2025, and must be completed and submitted by Friday, June 6, 2025, at 9:59 PM PST to be included in the initial review and enrollment process.
When and how will I be notified of my child’s application status?
Parents/guardians who complete and submit the application within the initial timeline will be notified of their application status via email by Friday, June 13, 2025. The email will inform families whether their child(ren) has been:
- Accepted to participate
- Placed on a waitlist
- Deemed ineligible for the before and/or after-school program
If my child is accepted, what do I need to do next?
Once notified of acceptance, a registration email will be sent to the email address used during the application process. Registration must be completed by the specified deadline to secure your child’s seat in ESS.
What happens if I submit an application after June 6, 2025?
Applications are accepted throughout the school year. Applications submitted after June 6, 2025, will be reviewed in priority order as space becomes available.
Is there additional information to help with the application or enrollment process?
For more information regarding enrollment, please contact the ESS enrollment team at [email protected].
What if I can’t remember my username and password?
If you need help with your username or password, assistance is available here: Poway Unified School District (PUSD).
What if one sibling gets a seat and the other does not?
While every effort is made to keep siblings together in the program, this may not always be possible due to staffing levels and available spots for each grade level.
What if I have an IDT pending?
Seats in ESS are determined by school of enrollment. If you receive a seat at a school and you have and IDT pending, the seat will not transfer to the other school.
How do I qualify for free ESS?
You must complete the Food and Nutrition application. If you qualify for free or reduced lunch, you also qualify for free ESS. You will need to submit your qualification letter to our department after enrollment. https://www.myschoolapps.com/Application
What if I get a seat but can’t log in to accept it?
You can try resetting your password or call 858-521-2845 for assistance with accepting the seat.
What happens if I miss the deadline to accept the seat or enroll in Procare?
The seat will be offered to the next person on the waitlist based on the priority criteria.
How much does ESS cost?
Here is the ESS fee schedule: 2024–2025 ESS Fee Schedule.
If I am enrolled in ESS and transfer to a different school, does my spot in ESS transfer to the new school?
No, your spot does not transfer. You will need to join the waitlist for ESS at your new school.
Summer and Fall Enrollment Information
Acceptance into ESS Summer 2025 does not guarantee enrollment in the program for the 2025-26 school year. Parents/guardians must complete the separate application for Fall 2025-26 that will be available online beginning Tuesday, April 22, 2025.
Expanded Learning Opportunities Program Financial Assistance Information
The State of California has recently passed legislation providing funding for afterschool and summer or intersession enrichment opportunities for students in grades TK-6. In PUSD, access to these opportunities will be provided through our Extended Student Services (ESS) program for students in TK-5. (6th grade students can access the ASES program at the middle school). Enrollment in ESS through this state-funded program depends on the availability of funding, space in the ESS program at your school, and eligibility criteria.
You may be eligible for free or reduced-fee ESS services if you are eligible for free or reduced-price school lunch. You can fill out an application for free/reduced price lunch HERE. If indeed, you are eligible, you can apply for free or reduced cost ESS services by clicking the link below. You will need to upload your notification from Food and Nutrition to your application.
Usted podría ser elegible para recibir servicios de ESS gratuitos o de precio reducido si es elegible para recibir almuerzo escolar gratuito o de precio reducido. Puede completar una solicitud para almuerzo gratis o a precio reducido AQUÍ. Si efectivamente es elegible, puede solicitar servicios de ESS gratuitos o de costo reducido haciendo clic en el enlace a continuación. Deberá subir su notificación de Alimentos y Nutrición en su solicitud.
ESS Employment Opportunities
ESS Finance Team
Billing and Payment Questions:
Tracy Richardson, (858) 521-2800 ext. 2228
Alisa Mendenhall, (858) 521-2800 ext. 2232
Meghann Stralo, (858) 521-2800 ext. 2221