PRE-SCREENING
Each family should self assess prior to arrival at the studio each day. Those who fail the screening are reminded to notify the studio and to stay home. Please refer to this at home COVID screener for guidance.

CLASS CAPACITY
We offer small class sizes to ensure our students safety at all times and continue to encourage physical distancing when possible.

MANDATORY REGISTRATION
All students must be registered and paid in advance. We will not be accepting walk-ins.

TRIAL PASSES
You can book a trial pass for any class you like. Trial classes must be booked and reserved in advance. No walk-ins allowed.

FACE MASKS
Aligned with the Government of Ontario, mask wearing policies are no longer in effect at this time. We do encourage all clients to follow the same precautions and safety measures they take at work or out in the general public and will respect all those who wish to be either masked or unmasked moving forward.

AIR VENTILATION
We have a brand new HVAC system in our facility to ensure constant air flow in the studios and lobby.

FREQUENT DISINFECTING
The studios and lobby will be disinfected with cleaners that are also safe for the environment and your health. This includes all touch surfaces and equipment used. 

COMMUNICATION METHODS
All program updates will be sent through email. Please keep an updated email address on file and ensure to flag emails from connect@genertationsperformingarts.com as safe.

LOST AND FOUND
Generations is not responsible for any lost personal items, including but not limited to: jewelry, clothing, shoes, school books, etc. Please help us return lost items to you by labeling every item that comes into the studio. Please note that we clear out the lost and found on a monthly basis.

CODE OF CONDUCT
Generations has the right to refuse services to students / clients and their families or caregivers that do not apply to our codes of conduct.

• It is a family's responsibility to keep the Generations admin team up to date with the most current contact information such as email addresses and phone numbers.

• All members of the Generations community including students, clients, family members, and caregivers are expected to act in a positive and encouraging manner. We have a zero tolerance policy for discrimination, racism, verbal abuse, physical violence or assault of any kind.

• Classroom disruptions that affect the education of other students or the overall well being of a class will not be tolerated. Students / clients who cause frequent disruptions will be asked to leave the studio space to gain composure in the office or lobby. Students / clients who are capable of controlling themselves in an appropriate manner that then choose to be disruptive or unsafe on an ongoing basis will be asked to leave our programming indefinitely. Please refer to our behaviour policy below.

• Generations averages class sizes between 2 and 12 students depending on the style, age and weekly duration of its classes. Any classes with 4 students or less may be subject to change.

• Please contact the Generations admin team if a student / client requires medication or an Epi-pen or has any conditions, exceptionalities or sensitivities to keep on file. We are unable to store or administer medication.

• Students / clients should not have their cell phones out during class. Cell phones should either be kept in bags on the shelves in the lobby or brought into the classroom, turned on silent, and put in the allocated bin. Parents or caregivers should call or email the admin team directly if they need to contact their children during class time.

• Students / clients and their families or caregivers must clean up after themselves. Keeping the studio clean is a group effort and garbage or lobby activities such as children's toys are not allowed to be left out or behind in any circumstance.

• All students are to arrive at the studio 5-10 minutes prior to their specified class time and wait in the lobby.

• Absences and lateness affect our team values and our educational benchmarks. Any more than 3 absences within a term will be addressed by the Generations admin team. Students / clients with ongoing absences may be asked to leave the program depending on the age / level they are enrolled in.

• Students must be picked up no more than 10 minutes after the end of their final class of the day. This policy is in place to protect the student and staff, encouraging respect and consideration throughout our community while limiting the number of students within hallways or lobby areas at any given time. If you are running late, please notify us.

• Gum is not permitted at Generations. Please discard prior to entering the building as it often ends up on studio props or furniture.

• During Winter months all shoes should be placed on the shoe racks or mats provided.

• Students / clients and their families or caregivers should keep noise levels to a minimum out of respect for the other classes and in progress.

• Families or caregivers should keep children (students or their siblings) from running around the studio. It is the responsibility of the families or caregivers to maintain the safety and respect of the space.

• Students, clients and their families or caregivers are not permitted to wear clothing that displays offensive comments or inappropriate language.

Generations is committed to providing a safe, positive, and structured environment for all children in our programs. To make the most out of that limited time with classes we need all students to follow appropriate behaviour from the first day. This allows us to maintain the quality and safety of every activity for all of our participating students.

A caring and positive approach will be taken regarding discipline. Staff will reinforce appropriate behaviour through positive reinforcement, firm statements and redirection of activity. All students must understand and follow the guidelines set forth.

We will not tolerate bullying, hitting, or other violent and/or belligerent behaviour. Parents or guardians will be informed of inappropriate behaviour and contacted to discuss corrective solutions. Senior Staff reserve the right to immediately dismiss a child from their class due to violent or abusive behaviour.

Key Definitions

Staff – Any Generations employee including the Director, Coordinator and Administrator, Teachers, Assistants and volunteers.

Bullying - Unwanted, aggressive behaviour that involves a real or perceived power imbalance. The behaviour is repeated, or has the potential to be repeated, over time. In order to be considered bullying, the behaviour must be aggressive and include:

An Imbalance of Power: Kids who bully use their power—such as physical strength, access to embarrassing information, or popularity—to control or harm others. Power imbalances can change over time and in different situations, even if they involve the same people. Bullying includes actions such as making threats, spreading rumours, attacking someone physically or verbally, and excluding someone from a group on purpose.

Violence – The use of physical force to injure, abuse, damage, or destroy.

Belligerent – Hostile and aggressive; inclined to or exhibiting assertiveness, hostility, or combativeness.

Abusive – Using harsh, insulting language; using or involving physical violence or emotional cruelty.

Please review these guidelines with your child:

• Talk in a pleasant manner. Foul language, put downs and bullying will not be tolerated.

• Be safe! Always obey class and studio space rules, and staff.

• Treat all equipment and supplies with proper care and respect.

• Show respect for the teachers, assistants, volunteers and directorial team.

• Running and excessive shouting while indoors is not allowed.

• Acro and very physical games are not allowed while on breaks.

• Aggressive or violent behaviour that is threatening to another child, staff or others will not be permitted.

• Have a positive attitude and have fun!

Behaviour Expectations & Follow Up

Listed below are the discipline procedures for students who are exhibiting unacceptable behaviour. Depending on the severity of the behaviour, we may skip a particular step. (I.e. aggressive behaviour will not be tolerated.)

A three-strike model will be used when managing behavioural issues. It is the responsibility of the parent or guardian to ensure that their student(s) is/are aware of the three-strike model.

The behaviour policy will be sent to parents or guardians prior to the child’s first day of programming. Parent/guardian acknowledgment of the behaviour policy is required on the first day of their program. Staff will also ensure that students are aware of this model, as well as expectations for keeping all students and Staff safe while in class.

Step 1: Verbal Warning

Examples of First Strike Behaviour: Group disruption, mild language, putting safety at risk, etc.

Step 2: Time Out or time away from the group. During a time out a student may have to sit out from activities including games, crafts, or a special event. They will be joined by their teacher or a Supervisor at a quiet location where they can discuss the issue(s) that has taken place. The student will be asked to help come up with a positive solution. Parent/guardians will be contacted at this stage to ensure that they are informed, able to assist and provide support. After discussing the issue, and agreeing on how to best move forward, the student will be welcomed back to the class.

Examples of Second Strike Behaviour: Unwelcome teasing, indirect inappropriate or abusive language, destruction or abuse of personal property, endangering him/herself or others, etc.

Step 3: Written Warning given to Parent if a child persists in unacceptable behaviour. The Directors will speak with the child and their parent/guardian. The parent/guardian will be required to sign the written warning and will be required to pick your child up from class.

Examples of Third Strike Behaviour: Directed bullying, aggressive body contact, violence, theft, directed inappropriate or abusive language, other repeated behaviour as listed previously, etc.

***After receiving two written warning the child will be asked to leave the program and will not be permitted to return in the future. No refunds will be given. Any child who is violent or who shows great disrespect for the program or staff will be asked to leave with no refunds provided.

All Stages

At all stages within this process the teacher will speak calmly and openly with the student(s) involved. All parties involved will have their opinions heard and considered. Students will be involved in finding solutions. The “strikes” will not be used as threats. All behaviour expectations will be communicated in advance. It is also the responsibility of the parent/guardian to ensure that student(s) are aware of the behaviour policy and potential consequences. Staff will complete an internal record or incident report for any incidents in the program. This record will be forwarded to the Director and may be referenced if/when a parent is contacted. Parent will always be notified of a step 2 incident, and a call to the parent/guardian will always follow when the student reaches step 3.

Dealing with Behaviour

Staff at Generations recognize that kids will be kids. Staff work hard to ensure that students understand what behaviour is acceptable and what is not. These expectations are introduced at the beginning of the programs, and the culture of respect for everyone and everything is fostered from that point forward. This behaviour policy is not intended to restrict how each student is dealt with. Staff will always use their best judgment and work with Supervisors to ensure that everyone is having a positive experience in our programs.

Thank you in advance for your cooperation. We hope to have a great year ahead!

Generations Performing Arts Centre is built on trust, respect, and discipline by providing a physically and emotionally safe and secure environment for students, assistants, staff, volunteers, parents, and extended family members. To protect the rights of students, acts of bullying, harassment, and other forms of aggression and intimidation will not be tolerated.  We expect no tolerance for bullying and expect behaviour that promotes being respectful and civil.

‘Bullying’ or ‘Harassment’ is any consistent gesture or written, verbal, graphic, or physical act (including electronically transmitted acts – ie; cyber bullying through the use of internet, cell phone, computer, or wireless handheld device), that is reasonably perceived as being dehumanizing, intimidating, hostile, humiliating, threatening, or otherwise likely to provoke fear of physical harm or emotional distress.  Bullying and harassment is conduct that substantially interferes with the opportunities, benefits, and/or programs of one or more students and could adversely affect their participation in our programs.

Students, assistants, staff and parents have the right to feel safe and secure at the studio.

We do not tolerate bullying and harassment.

Not only does it impact students and family members, but directly impacts all who have attended and currently attend Generations.

Negative and disruptive behaviour will be investigated and appropriate consequences and measures taken to address the situation.  Please report instances of bullying or harassment to studio staff so that violations of this policy can be addressed appropriately.