We believe that positive communication and healthy conflict management are of the highest importance and essential for growth and community.  Conflict often occurs naturally in any relationship and is a part of all of our lives. One of our goals is to help children learn the skills that empower them to interact with other children and adults in positive and respectful ways even when they have disagreements.  We want children to become peaceable people! For the safety and learning enjoyment of all students, we ask the students at LEARN BEYOND THE BOOK to practice a strong standard of behavior, which will need parent support. The staff at LEARN BEYOND THE BOOK will maintain these standards through positive reinforcement, team building activities and conflict resolution modeling. 

OUR BEHAVIOR POLICY INCLUDES, BUT IS NOT LIMITED TO, THE FOLLOWING: 

• Speaking kind words to others; no profanity, foul language, hurtful words or hate speech;
• Acting in ways that build up confidence in other students; no bullying, teasing, letters or jokes aimed at hurting someone’s feelings or comments aimed at putting someone down;
• Learning to use language to express feelings and needs in a respectful manner and to resolve conflicts; no physical fighting;
• Remembering that our students are all ages and to only discuss topics that are age-appropriate and useful to help everyone grow;
• Remembering that our students come from diverse backgrounds and beliefs, so political, religious, or otherwise potentially divisive and controversial topics should only be brought up in a class designed for that purpose;
• Speaking truthfully at all times;
• Treating ourselves, others, their property and the location’s property with respect at all times.

We work at all times to be respectful of teachers and other students.  We do not behave in ways that could hurt other people in any way.   Please remember that we are all learners here, everyone at our own level, and we need an environment that keeps learning safe for everyone, physically and emotionally.

ADDITIONALLY, PLEASE BE AWARE OF THE FOLLOWING RULES: 

• We follow a dress code for children and adults that supports the values of respect for ourselves and others.
  • Clothing with objectionable and offensive graphics or words are not allowed.
• • Any clothing with graphics or words that advocate drugs, alcohol, tobacco, or illegal activities, are not allowed.
  • Any clothing or jewelry with graphics or words that promote political, religious, or otherwise controversial and divisive messages is not allowed, in order to maintain our neutral and inclusive learning environment.
• No electronics usage, cell phones, or game devices are allowed during class or break times, unless instructed by a staff member. 

CONSEQUENCES OF BEHAVIOR POLICY VIOLATIONS

• We practice the principles of restorative justice to make sure that conflicts are resolved with respect and fairness for all parties and so everyone can find peace with each other, not just dealing with conflicts at the surface-level.
• For bringing weapons to a campus, we hold to a zero-tolerance policy.  Students will be removed by police or parent and will not be accepted back into our center.  Weapons include any firearm loaded or unloaded, including air pistols or guns, paintball guns, knives or swords.  Darts, ice picks, arrows, and any other very sharp pointed objects which could cause harm to another are not allowed either.
• For bringing non-prescription drugs or alcohol, illegal drugs or cigarettes into our center, there will be a one-time only warning conference with the student and parents.  A second violation will result in the student not being eligible to attend LEARN BEYOND THE BOOK.
• For verbal threats, students will not be able to attend classes for a minimum of two weeks while parents and staff attempt to find a resolution to the situation. There will be no refunds of class payments for missed weeks due to this. Parents, staff and the Executive Director must agree that the child possesses the self-restraint skills to aid in producing a safe and enjoyable learning environment before the student is invited back into the center.
• For physical fighting, students will be removed from the premises by their parents and released from attending all classes for a minimum of two weeks with no refund of class payments. Parents, staff and the Executive Director must agree that the child possesses the self-restraint skills to aid in producing a safe and enjoyable learning environment before the student is invited back into the center.
• For all other deviations from our behavior policy, the following steps will be taken in this order:
  • The student will be spoken to about ways to resolve conflict or any other issues, discussing with staff a plan with steps on how to succeed. 
  • A conference with parents, student and staff will attempt to resolve the issue.
  • Removal of privilege of attending LEARN BEYOND THE BOOK if steps 1and 2 fail, either for a pre-determined time or indefinitely per discretion of the staff and Executive Director.