The Above & Beyond program at Mill Hill Elementary is an after-school enrichment opportunity designed to provide students with a safe, structured, and fun way to explore new activities outside of the school day. The program runs in three six-week sessions each year — Fall, Winter, and Spring — and offers a wide variety of classes for all grades. All classes are taught by Mill Hill teachers and take place at the school from 3:40 to 4:40 p.m. Students are dismissed directly to their Above & Beyond class, and parents are asked to pick up their children at the school’s front entrance. Families must also remember to update the School Dismissal Manager app each day their child attends.

Participation in Above & Beyond requires an active PTA membership. Families must confirm that their contact information, along with their child’s grade and teacher, are up to date in the Membership Toolkit before registration begins.

How Do I Register for Classes?

A class preview will be shared ahead of registration through ParentSquare and the Mill Hill Hawks social media accounts. Registration takes place online through the Mill Hill PTA website.

To register for Above & Beyond, simply log into your Membership Toolkit account and go to the “My Account” tab. 

Once your registration is complete, a confirmation email will be sent to the primary email address on file with Membership Toolkit. Please make sure this email address is up to date and correct before registering. 

How Do I Pay for Classes?

Payment details will be provided in your confirmation email, and payment must be submitted immediately after registration to secure your child’s spot. Payments are made directly to the instructor, usually through Venmo, Zelle, or another method of the instructor’s preference.

Parent on Duty (Required)

To ensure safety and fulfill insurance requirements, each class must have one Parent on Duty volunteer. Without a volunteer, the class will be canceled and no refunds will be issued. When you're signing up your child for a class, please also sign up for a 'Parent on Duty' slot on Signup Genius for a day that works for you. HERE 

Responsibilities include:

• Arriving by 3:15 p.m. and signing in at the office.
  
  
• Escorting students from the gym to their classroom.
  
  
• Ensuring attendance is taken.
  
  
• Escorting students to the bathroom or water fountain as needed.
  
  
• Assisting the instructor as needed throughout the class.
  
  
• Escorting students to dismissal at the front entrance only.
  
  

Parent on Duty volunteers are expected to remain until all children have been picked up. A sign-up link will be provided in the registration confirmation email.

Above & Beyond classes end promptly at 4:40 p.m. On each day that a child attends, parents must update the School Dismissal Manager by choosing the Above & Beyond option and noting the class and room number. This information is included in the registration confirmation email. Dismissal is conducted only from the front lobby; the side doors near the gym and kindergarten remain locked unless otherwise announced. Parents are asked to make every effort to arrive on time for pick-up.

Weather Cancellations

All Above & Beyond programs will be canceled if school is closed. If school remains open but there is uncertainty due to weather, a decision will be made after 1 p.m. and communicated by email and school announcement. Parents should not call the school office before that time, as no information will be available.

If a teacher suddenly cannot attend a class, the front office will notify parents by phone, and children will be dismissed as they normally would at the end of the school day. Parents are asked to check their phones and email on days their child has class, as cancellations may occur on short notice. If for some reason your child cannot follow their usual dismissal routine, please notify the office.

If a class is canceled, instructors will attempt to schedule a make-up session. If a child cannot attend the make-up, or if scheduling is not possible due to calendar limitations, no refunds will be given. Refunds are otherwise only offered for unforeseen circumstances such as long-term illness or injury, and decisions regarding refunds are made by the instructor once the session begins. Families are asked to confirm with their children that they are committed to the class before registering.

Behavior Policy

Above & Beyond maintains a strict behavior policy. There is zero tolerance for aggression; any student displaying aggressive behavior will be dismissed from the program immediately with no refund. For minor behavior concerns, parents will first receive a warning email. Continued issues may result in removal from the program, also without refund.

Scholarships

Scholarship assistance is available to qualifying students. Please email mhsptapresident@gmail.com, with a copy to millhill.activities@gmail.com, to request support. Families may also reach out directly to Rachel Soares, the school social worker, at rsoares@fairfieldschools.org

The Above & Beyond program is coordinated by the dedicated volunteer committee with the support of the Mill Hill PTA. Together, the goal is to provide meaningful enrichment that allows every student to learn, grow, and thrive beyond the classroom.

Thank you for your cooperation and support in creating a safe, positive experience for all students!

The Above & Beyond Team
Jennifer Wieder • Rachel Oshrin
📧 millhill.activities@gmail.com