YMCA 21st Century Community Learning Center

The YMCA of Southeastern North Carolina 21st CCLC Program is a “program of choice” and free of cost. Your child has been selected to participate in this program. By signing this handbook, you and your child accept and agree to the policies and expectations outlined in the Clinton City Schools Student and Parent Guide and Code of Conduct and this 21st CCLC Family Handbook.

• Support a student’s attendance (see attendance policy) and full participation in all lessons and activities to the best of their abilities.
• Communicate about absences, concerns, and behaviors.
• Respect other students and their families, staff members, and the property of others.
• Treat others reasonably and fairly.
• Create a safe learning environment for all, which includes avoiding behaviors that would interfere with the education of others.
• All family members must observe the Code of Civility found in this Handbook. If a family member does not demonstrate civil behavior, their student(s) may be removed from the program.

Adult Family Member Code of Civility

• Treat each other with courtesy and respect at all times.
• Treat each other with kindness.
• Take responsibility for our own actions.
• Cooperate with one another.

• We do not threaten or cause physical or bodily harm to another or their property
• Interactions in person and via communication do not contain bullying, abusive, demeaning, or obscene language or behavior or displays of temper.
• We do not disrupt or attempt to interfere with the operation of the program.
• We obey school rules for access and visitation.
• We respect the legitimate obligations and time constraints we each face.

Student Behavior / Incident Reporting

The YMCA of Southeastern North Carolina and the 21st CCLC program are committed to providing the best learning opportunities, environment, and support for all our students. We make every effort to collaborate with parents, school day teachers, principals, and other support professionals to promote positive behavior strategies. To ensure that programs are safe, pleasant and fun, rules are communicated and consistently enforced:

1. Safety first
2. Listen and follow directions
3. Try everything and do your best
4. Do what’s right
5. Have fun

Minor behavior infractions will result in:

1. Verbal warning
2. Time-out/cool down in activity area
3. Written warning/ Behavior Modification Form
4. Referral to Unit Director

Sometimes families have specific concerns regarding their child’s behavior or are working in the home and school to modify certain behaviors. Our staff welcomes the opportunity to support these efforts. Please do not hesitate to speak with staff if you have concerns or if you would like us to support any work that you are doing at home or school with your child.

If a child’s behavior is consistently inappropriate and disruptive and therefore impacting the learning and safety of themselves, other students, and the safety of staff, the Site Coordinator will request a meeting with the parent/guardian. If deemed necessary, parents will be contacted immediately and required to pick up the child. If the child can’t be picked up in a timely fashion, the member will be seated in a specific location and not participating in club activities.

Behavior Modification Request Forms and/or Suspension

We emphasize the positive, and while it is our hope that our procedures, along with a strong YMCA and home partnership, will promote positive behavior (and minimize behavioral problems) serious and chronic disciplinary problems can occur. In these cases, behavior modification, suspension or long-term suspension may be necessary. The duration of the temporary suspension will be based on the severity of the incident. The Y encourages appropriate language (from both children and parents), cooperation, respect for staff and facilities, positive attitudes, staying in program areas, and participation in all activities.

Please review these appropriate behaviors with your child as necessary. Staff will always use positive techniques of guidance, including redirection, positive reinforcement, and encouragement rather than competition, comparison, and criticism. Staff will have age-appropriate expectations and set up guidelines and environments that minimize the need for discipline.

Additional Requirements

Students are not permitted to play with toys, electronics, and/or cell phones during 21st CCLC program unless previously approved through the Program Director for purposes of their specific needs or focus, such as fidget toys. All non-approved items need to remain in their backpacks. If there are repeated instances of nonapproved items causing a distraction to your student or others, such behavior will be subject to the three-stage warning system and can result in the removal of your student from the program.

21st CCLC staff are only allowed to provide basic First Aid care to students. 21st staff will not dispense or administer any medication - over the counter or prescribed - to participants. This includes sunscreen (lotion). It will be the responsibility of the student to apply his or her own sun protection.

Daily student attendance during scheduled hours is a strict requirement. Arriving more than 10 minutes late or being picked up early count as absences, as they prevent the child from receiving the full benefit of the program. Students are allowed a maximum of 8 absences per quarter. We don’t accept excuse notes UNLESS a student has an extended illness that keeps them out for more than 2 days in a row. Only in that instance will we accept a doctor’s note and count the extended absences as one absence.

Quarter 1: August 11 – October 10

Quarter 2: October 13 – December 19

Quarter 3: January 6 – March 11

Quarter 4: March 16 – May 22

Only parents/legal guardians or those authorized in writing through YMCASENC/21st CCLC will be permitted to sign-out students. A Driver’s License or some form of picture identification is required as proof of identity.

Phone calls authorizing additional individuals to pick up children will not be accepted.

We require a copy of any legal restraining orders, custody issues, or injunctions concerning your child. This documentation will be kept private and secure in our files. Please discuss any other situations or changes in the schedule with the 21st CCLC Program Director. We discourage picking your child up early, as they would not receive the full benefit of the program. We understand that early pick-up may be necessary at times but it will be treated the same as an absence.

Students are not permitted to be picked up before 5:10pm. Students must be picked up from 5:10pm to 6pm. Any student picked up after 6pm will be marked as a late pick-up. After three late pick-ups your child will be removed from the program. Please be respectful of our staff by picking up your child in a timely fashion and contacting your Site Coordinator as soon as you know that you will be running late.

21st CCLC staff seek to assist parents/guardians in every way and understand that unforeseen incidents happen. However, picking up youth on-time is imperative to a well-run program.

If your student has more than seven (7) absences per quarter or three (3) late pick-ups for the entire school year, they may be released from the program.

Family Engagement Events and Services

Family involvement is an important component of your child's education. Parents/guardians are encouraged to take an active role in their child’s involvement in the 21st CCLC program. Throughout the school year, 21st CCLC hosts multiple family engagement sessions. Parent/Guardians are required to attend at least two of these events during the school year. Failure to attend may result in the removal of your child from the program. The Site Coordinator will notify families of all Family Engagement events.

Volunteers and Visitors

Visitors must schedule their visit through the Site Coordinator and provide valid photo ID. If you are interested in volunteering, contact your Site Coordinator. All volunteers must complete a YMCA of SENC background check.

Reasons for Removal

Your student may be removed and no longer be considered eligible for future programs under the following conditions:

If student:

• Has behavior that disrupts learning of self and others.
• Has behavior that threatens safety of self, others, and staff.
• Doesn’t meet attendance requirements of no more than 9 absences per quarter and no more than 3 late pickups from August to May.

If family members:

• Do not attend the required 2 Family Engagement events per year.
• Do not follow the Code of Civility.