City Tree After School Program Discipline Policy

The After-School Program's Discipline Policy is as follows:

Children will be required to act in a respectful and responsible manner at all times, In the same manner as is expected of them in school. If for some reason a child(ren) does/do not act appropriately, the following sequence of events will occur.

1. A child(ren) who break(s) any of the rules of the program after being redirected, and/or encouraged to change their behaviors several times, will be given an initial verbal warning, and their parents/guardians may be notified verbally of their behavior at pick-up time.

2. If rules are broken a second time, the child(ren) will be given a verbal warning, and their parents/guardians will be notified in writing by the group leader and/or the Director at pick-up time. The child may also be restricted from a priviledge or participation in a given activity for the day.

3. Subsequent warnings will be given to the students verbally, and in writing to the parents/guardians at pick-up time.

4. If problems persist after three separate warnings both verbally and in writing, the child(ren) will be temporarily suspended from the program. The parents/guardians will be responsible for providing other after-school arrangements for the child(ren) for the duration of the suspension. During the time of suspension, a meeting will be scheduled between the parents/guardians, CTAS Director, group leader(s), as well as the child(ren) in order to draft a plan of action on how the matter will be settled.

Notes:

If the breaking of rules is manifested in a physical manner (i.e. fighting, kicking, etc.) that either upsets the child him/herself or others physically, the child(ren) will be immediately removed from the situation and parents will be called. Depending on the circumstances, the child may also be put on a time-out period in order to allow the child to think and reflect upon appropriate behavior, as well as serving as a time to "cool down." Staff will be present to discuss with the child(ren) different ways in which they could have chosen to act in order to prevent the escalation of the preceding events.

Parents/Guardians are integral in the on-going process of disciplining children. It is imperative that the parents/guardians "follow- through" with the disciplinary actions accorded to children by the After-School Program. Without this connection between home and the After-School Program, in terms of "follow-through" in disciplinary actions, the system used by the After-School Program will cease to be as effective as is necessary for the physical and emotional safety of all children involved in the program.

Remember that discipline is an on-going process that requires constant evaluation and examination, and that it is not only a manner in which children are reprimanded for negative actions, but is also a process that encourages children to choose to act in a positive manner. In this way children will be positively disciplined by encouraging healthy choices. This idea is supported by the use of natural consequence, re-direction, positive reinforcements, and reward systems. We firmly believe it is more empowering and effective for a child to be rewarded for positive behavior.