Welcome to the Extended School Services (ESS), expanded learning program! ESS provides a safe, supervised setting for your child with a wide range of creative, recreational, and educational activities that assist in the social, emotional, creative and physical development of your child. ESS is a pre-paid, fee-based and self-supporting program. It is governed and regulated by the La Mesa-Spring Valley Schools, Department of ESS. We have been providing the LMSV community with quality childcare for almost 50 years. The ESS Program is open during the school year to students who are enrolled in the La Mesa-Spring Valley Schools, Transitional Kindergarten through eighth grade. ESS is open daily, Monday – Friday, from 6:00 am to 6:00 pm.
Our Mission:
~ To provide the La Mesa-Spring Valley communities with a safe, inclusive, and nurturing expanded learning program for all students.
~ To involve all stakeholders (students, parents and staff) in the continuous program development and improvement.
~ To provide students with a wide variety of expanded learning opportunities designed to reinforce and complement the academic school day, including: art, sports and recreation, STEM, and performing arts.
~ Provide programs that include academic assistance to lead students toward academic achievement.
~ Develop caring, responsible and respectful staff through ongoing professional development and education.
~ Build positive and trusting relationships within the school community through continuous collaboration and partnerships.
ESS District Office – (619) 644-3800
ESS School Site Phone Numbers – CLICK HERE
District Office Fax – (619) 644-3838 – Please include a fax cover stating “Attention ESS”

Supervisor, Extended School Services
April Arechiga
(Avondale, Bancroft, Fletcher Hills, Kempton Literacy Academy, Northmont, and Parkway Academy)
(619) 668-5700 x6418
april.arechiga@lmsvschools.org

Supervisor, Extended School Services
Gabe Mendoza
(La Mesa Arts Academy, La Mesa Dale, La Presa, Rancho, and Rolando)
(619) 668-5700 x6371
gabriel.mendoza@lmsvschools.org

Supervisor, Extended School Services
Janet Penfold
(Casa de Oro, Lemon Avenue, Loma , Murdock , and Spring Valley Academy)
(619) 668-5700 x6419
janet.penfold@lmsvschools.org

Supervisor, Extended School Services
Heather Spruell
(Highlands, Maryland Avenue , Murray Manor, STEAM Academy, and Sweetwater Springs)
(619) 668-5700 x6433
heather.spruell@lmsvschools.org

Administrative Asst II, Extended School Services
Stephanie Hanson
(619) 668-5700 x6406
stephanie.hanson@lmsvschools.org

Manager, Extended School Services
Jennifer Montez
(619) 668-5700 x6425
jennifer.montez@lmsvschools.org
Important Information About ESS
Registration & Fees
ESS Registration
**Your ESS service may begin once your contract has been approved and payment has been made. Please allow 3 to 5 business days for contract approval. Thank you!**
Upon approval of your ESS contract, you will be charged an annual, non-refundable registration fee. This fee will be debited upon approval of registration (contract acceptance). This annual registration fee will be assessed at the beginning of every school year at the rate of $40 for one child and $60 for two or more children.
Click here to register!
The La Mesa-Spring Valley Schools ESS Program operates with the Eleyo billing and registration system. Here are a few things you will be able to do in the system.
- Access your account on any device, including smartphones and tablets.
- View your invoices online.
- Check your account balance.
- Manage your payments and payment methods online.
- Register for Non-School Days.
- Print receipt and tax statements.
- Update your contact information, emergency contacts and authorized pick-ups for your student.
ESS Fees
Extended School Services is a fee based, self-supporting program. Fees are used to fund salaries and sustain all aspects of the program including instructional supplies, nutritional snacks, recreational equipment, etc. Fees are a flat, weekly rate regardless of how many hours or days the child attends the program. Families MUST pre-register and prepay on a bi-weekly basis.
2022/2023 Fees for the Academic School Year, effective 8/8/22
2022/2023 ESS Billing Calendar
2023/2024 Fees for the Academic School Year, effective 8/7/23
Make a Payment
Pay Online with your Eleyo Account
Authorization Form for E-Check Payment – fax to (619) 668-8309
To make credit card payments by phone please call your ESS Account Technician at (619) 668-5700 (a 2% convenience fee will be applied for payments made over the phone):
BAN, CDO, LMAAC, LMD, LPE, LEA, LOM, MAA, STEAM, SWS
Kelly Hopkins x6203
kelly.hopkins@lmsvschools.org
AVO, FLH, HIG, KEM, MUR, MUM, NOR, PKM, RAN, ROL, SVA, SmartSteps
Sandi Ward x6475
sandra.ward@lmsvschools.org
ESS Dates of Closure
22/23 Dates of Closure – Printable Version
23/24 Dates of Closure – Printable Version
2023
Monday, January 2 | New Year’s Day (observed) |
Monday, January 16 | Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day |
Monday, February 13 | Lincoln’s Day |
Monday February 20 | President’s Day |
Friday, April 7 | Spring Holiday |
Monday, May 29 | Memorial Day |
Monday, June 19 | Juneteenth Holiday |
2022
Monday, July 4 | Independence Day |
Monday, September 5 | Labor Day |
Friday, November 11 | Veterans Day |
Monday-Friday, November 21-25 | Thanksgiving Break |
Thursday-Friday, December 22-23 | Winter Break |
Monday-Friday, December 26-30 | Winter Break |
Other Information
Parent Updates
ESS will be closed on Monday, June 19th for the Juneteenth holiday. The summer program begins on Tuesday, June 20th.
Expanded Learning Program

ESS Expanded Learning Opportunities Flyer

ESS Snack
Our LMSVSD Child Nutrition Department provides a daily afternoon snack for your child after school in ESS. All foods on the snack menu must meet specific guidelines by the USDA. The foods listed on the snack menus are specially developed for School Food Programs so they can meet these USDA guidelines and also the California State Guidelines, which is no trans fat. These foods are not the same types of foods you would buy in a retail store. More and more manufacturers are working tirelessly to make items to help us meet the requirements as well as meet the strong demand from Child Nutrition Directors and parents to have healthier items to serve. The Brownie is a low fat brownie made with applesauce and cocoa. All cookies are whole grain with no trans fat as well. The chips are baked and reduced fat.
The ESS Snack menu is available for viewing on the ESS Parent Information Board at your child’s ESS school site.
Menus are also posted to this website monthly (see link below). If you have questions regarding ESS snack, please see your Site Lead.
June Snack – 2023
Fletcher Hills, Lemon Avenue, Loma, Maryland Avenue, Murdock, Murray Manor, Northmont, Rolando, Sweetwater Springs and Parkway Middle (and all spring break programs)
June Dinner – 2023
Avondale, Bancroft, Casa de Oro, Highlands, Kempton, La Mesa Dale, La Presa Elementary, Rancho, LMAAC, STEAM Academy @ La Presa, and Spring Valley Academy
Tax Information
For your reference our TAX ID # is 95-6001813. This is to be used only for childcare payment verification purposes.
To access your childcare tax information for 2022, please log onto your Eleyo account here.
Click on your account number underneath the heading “Your Accounts.”

Then, click on “Download Tax Information.”

Join Our Team
Do you know anyone looking for part-time work that would enjoy working in our after school program? Or are you looking for part-time work? If so, we are currently hiring ESS Program Aides and ESS Recreation Attendants. Information and applications are available: Click Here.