AFSC Simply Science, Studies, and STEAM Programs Code of Conduct & Behavior Guidelines

The Akron Fossils and Science Center staff is looking forward to providing your participant with a fun, memorable, and safe classroom experience. It is important for you and your participant to understand that Akron Fossils and Science Center offers structured educational programming. We do not offer a free-range experience. Participants have a responsibility to conduct themselves in such a way that assures a positive experience for all. Each participant is required to follow these guidelines. Be sure to take the time to review the following Code of Conduct with your participant.

Participants must:

• Be responsible for their words and actions.

• Be respectful of others.

• Follow directions from staff members.

• Keep their bodies to themselves. Inappropriate physical contact including, but not limited to: hitting, kicking, pushing/shoving, biting, wrestling, etc. is strictly prohibited.

• Leave all personal belongings other than school supplies in their cubby during class times.

• Leave electronic devices at home such as handheld computer games, MP3 players and cameras. If a participant brings a phone to AFSC, the phone must remain away in a backpack, cubby, or on their person for the duration of class and may only be used outside of class time unless otherwise instructed. Video games & phone games are not permitted during recess.

Participants may not:

• Endanger the health and safety of themselves, other participants, and/or staff or volunteers.

• Steal, damage, or fail to care for AFSC’s or other participants’ personal property.

• Continuously disrupt the program.

• Photograph or video-record other participants. This is an invasion of privacy and will be treated as such.

• Use profanity or inappropriate language or display clothing or other personal items with offensive content. Absolutely no swear words or off-color humor.

• Bully or act aggressively or violently. Participants will not tease, make fun of, or otherwise harass other participants.

• Possess or use illegal substances, tobacco, or alcohol.

• Possess weapons or replicas/toys of weapons. Pocketknives are neither necessary nor permissible at AFSC classes. Participants will leave pocketknives at home.

 Steps taken for failure to follow these behavior guidelines:

• Instructor will redirect the participant to a more appropriate behavior. The participant will be reminded of the behavior guidelines.

• If the behavior persists, an administrator will discuss the behavior with a parent/guardian. AFSC staff will document the situation. The written documentation will include what the behavior problem is, what provoked the problem, and the corrective action taken.

• If the problem persists to the point where a second communication becomes necessary, the instructor may have the participant picked up early from class.

If a participant’s behavior at any time threatens the safety of him/her, other participants, or staff, or if the participant is causing a continuous disruption of programming and preventing other participants from participating fully, a parent/guardian will be notified and expected to pick the participant up immediately. If the participant is removed from class early, a face-to-face meeting between a member of AFSC management and a parent/guardian will be necessary before the participant will be permitted to rejoin the class.

If the participant’s behavior does not improve after multiple occurrences, the participant may be permanently dismissed from AFSC Programming. Refunds will NOT be issued for participants who are permanently dismissed from programming.

AFSC management & staff are committed to upholding this Code of Conduct. We ask that parents commit to doing their part by ensuring their participant(s) understand these guidelines and agree to adhere to the Code of Conduct. If you have any questions regarding the above Code of Conduct, please email us at simplyconnect@akronfossils.org.