Administration

Children's Covenant and Rules
Religious Education Safety Policy and Behavior Guidelines
JoAnne Weber-Baligad, DRE, Orange Coast Unitarian Universalist Church, Costa Mesa, CA

Safety Policy

To insure the safety of all participants the following are considered intolerable: possessing any of the following- weapons of any kind, materials for producing fire, fireworks including cherry and smoke bombs, illegal drugs, inappropriate materials for age, including cigarettes and sexually explicit materials not used as part of a curriculum. These are all strictly forbidden.

Intolerable behavior includes the following- violent behavior towards oneself or others, inappropriate sexual behavior, threats or threatening behavior, leaving supervised areas (classrooms, playground, church buildings, and patios) without approval from teacher or parent, and destruction of personal or church property.

Behavior Guidelines based on our seven UU principles:

1. We believe that each and every person is important.
   Safety is our first concern! Children must remain in classrooms or supervised areas until picked up by parents. Only gentle play is appropriate on church grounds. Treat everyone with respect. Use caring language and behavior.
2. We believe that all people should be treated fairly and kindly.
   Listen and follow directions. Be polite. Take turns. Care about one another.
3. We believe that we should accept one another and keep on learning together.
   Make a commitment to regular attendance. Your friends and teachers depend upon you. Include everyone in activities and planning. Friends are welcome. Let them know our rules. Participate with enthusiasm.
4. We believe that each person is free to search for what is true and right in life.
   Share your ideas and respect the ideas of others.
5. We believe that all persons should have the right to speak out and have a vote about what concerns them.
   Express your opinions constructively. Respect the decision of the group.
6. We believe in working for a peaceful, fair and free world.
   Ask for help when you need it. Do your best to get along with others and to be helpful. Be willing to listen to reminders about your behavior.
7. We believe in caring for our planet earth, the home we share with all living things.
   Take good care of our church. Help clean up. Be careful with our space, furniture and materials. Use only what you need. Be gentle with the plants and animals.

Our family has reviewed the above policy and guidelines, as well as the policies regarding violations and we agree to support them.

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Safety and Behavior Guidelines Policy Violations

The Religious Education Committee has developed a Safety Policy and Behavior Guidelines for all RE program participants to follow at all times. As part of this they have developed the following guidelines if participants do not meet those policies.

Discipline Procedure if Safety Policy is not followed:
Any violation of the Safety Policy will result in a child being returned to their parent immediately, even if it means they are called out of the service. The DRE and RE Chair will discuss the problem with the involved parties to insure no further violations occur.

Discipline Procedure if Behavior Guidelines are not followed:
The Religious Education Committee encourages talking together to learn from each other in search of our own beliefs. We respect others and each person's right to speak. At the beginning of each trimester the teachers and students will discuss the Behavior Guidelines each family is required to sign as well as the following guidelines.

• Respect yourself and each other.
• One person talks at a time. Raise your hand to be recognized.
• Listen quietly when another person is talking.
• Make only positive comments about another person.
• Use indoor voices.
• Each person has personal space. Control your own body.
• Follow teacher's first request.
• You are "allowed to pass" during discussion.
• You are to remain in the group during all activities.

Each class will then adapt them appropriately to their class and post in a conspicuous place in the classroom. All participants must agree to follow these guidelines. Teachers will remind students periodically of their agreement.

If behavior guidelines are not followed there is a three-part discipline procedure.

Part One- if a problem arises, they will refer to the class guidelines and specify which one(s) is/are not being followed. If the problem continues, give one verbal warning. If the problem still continues, remove the child from class to the care of the DRE or designated person. DRE will discuss behavior with child and either the child will be returned to classroom or continue time with DRE. DRE will bring the behavior problem to the attention of the parent after the service.

Part Two- if a child is sent to the DRE a second time; the DRE will discuss the behavior problem with the parent and child.

Part Three- if problem continues a meeting will be scheduled with all parties to develop a partnership and plan for improvement.