Introduction
Suncoast Martial Arts (SCMA) is pleased to offer After
School Martial Arts, a constructive and educational
alternative to traditional after school care.
We have prepared this manual for your convenience and as
a guide for you and your child. We welcome any comments
or suggestions you may have for us.
Program Philosophy
SCMA provides after school martial arts program with
transportation. (check our list of school’s available
for pickup) Our program is designed to develop important
life skills
for our students. The very nature of martial arts training
is to provide development in the areas of discipline,
focus, respect, determination and other important skills.
Martial
Arts instruction is provided on a daily basis. We feel
it is important to know that we advocate structure as
a main theme in our program. We do want our students
to
have fun
and believe our program offers the proper balance of
structure, discipline and fun. Martial Arts training
promotes gross
motor skill development and fitness as well as the intellectual
and social development needed. We believe our program
provides optimal benefits for children.
Eligibility
Student’s ages K through 5th grade are eligible
for participation in our program. Every child must have
mandated
forms completed on file at the center prior to their
first day. No one will be permitted to attend without
this information
on file. Parents of 5 year old students must be aware
of our program suitability to these youngsters. A 5 year
old
in our program must be independent enough to participate
in our program. This means that they can pick up after
themselves, and maintain some semblance of organizational
skills. Our program requires all students to change into
their uniforms and put their clothes and their belongs
neatly away. As a precaution we advise parents to have
another option available in the event your 5 year old
does not make a smooth transition to our program.
Pick Up Policy
Pick up time is by 6:15 PM sharp. This time is kept by
the Instructor. A 6:15 pickup time means that the child
has departed the school with their personal belongings.
We strongly recommend that parents call in advance if
they are going to be late. After 6:15 PM there will be
a $15.00
late pick up fee assessed that must be paid at the time
of pickup. Children will only be allowed to leave our
program with parents or those authorized by the parents
to pickup.
This information must be on file and our instructor will
require photo identification if we are not familiar with
the person picking up your child. We require that parents
notify the school ahead of time if someone we are not
familiar with will be picking up your child. Once again
this person
must be on file with our office. If this information
is not on file your child will not be released. In the
case
of parents who have court awarded custody of their child – custody
papers must be on file at our facility. SCMA staff must
release a child to his/her natural parent unless custody
papers are on file. This is important in protecting the
safety of your children. Something we feel very strongly
about.
Absentee and No Show Policy
Parents who do not notify SCMA staff that their student
is absent that day from school, or has departed school
early (in both cases the child will not be attending
the after school program) will be charged a “No
Show or Absentee fee of $10.00. Our voice mail operates
on a
24 hour 7 day a week basis for messages. Please call
the school to leave a message or relay any information
by 12:00
PM on the day in question. Our transportation schedule
is carefully planned out and times accordingly. We cannot
spend critical minutes looking for students who have
gone home early or are not in school. There are no exceptions
or warnings to this policy. The deadline for notifying
SCMA is 12:00 PM.
Transportation from Elementary School
We ask parents to notify their children’s teachers
and office staff that SCMA has authorization to pickup
their child for transportation to our program. It is
important that teachers are aware that children being transported
by our program must be dismissed on time and not held
back
for any reasons. We ask that parents explain to their
children the importance of immediately departing to our
vehicle
at dismissal time. It is important to our staff to remain
punctual. We must leave your child’s school at
scheduled times . Once our vehicle has departed any request
to return
and pick up your child will incur a charge of $25.00.
We do this to ensure that all children are picked up
as scheduled
and not required to wait. There are no exceptions to
this policy.
Holiday Schedule – In Service Days
In service days and half days will be a part of our After
School Program at no additional cost. Parents are asked
to pack a cold lunch for students, as well as a book that
they will enjoy for a scheduled reading time. For extended
breaks (i.e. Thanksgiving, Winter Break and Spring Break)
SCMA may offer full day holiday camp programs. Parents
will have the option to pay a daily rate for camp or a
weekly rate for camp during these periods.
Martial Arts Program Information
As part of our After School Program, students will participate
in our martial arts instructional curriculum. This is the
focus of our after school program. We are in the business
of martial arts instruction and thus the reason for your
child being a part of our program. The following information
will help you to understand the martial arts aspects of
our program., its progression, and supplemental fee structure.
Uniforms
It is your responsibility to see that your child has
his/her uniform here at the school. If your child does
not have
his/her uniform then they can not take part in class.
We do have hooks available in the dressing rooms for
children
to neatly hang uniforms after class. Please make sure
your child’s name is on the inside waist band of
pants and on the inside collar of jackets. Uniforms are
to be
taken home on Fridays for laundering. Students who have
lost or misplaced their martial arts uniform will be
required to purchase another in order to continue in
the program.
Our program is not designed to accommodate students who
sit around and watch during class times. A complete uniform
is required including belt and students should present
themselves properly and neatly attired in their uniforms
to class. This is a necessary part of the discipline
of the program.
Martial Arts Instruction Schedule
Martial Arts instruction begins every day at 3:30 PM and
ends approximately at 4:30 PM. Please factor this in
to consideration when picking up your child. Due to the
nature
of our program it will be necessary for your children
to participate in the martial arts class to progress and
continue
in our program. If it is necessary to pick your child
up early we prefer pickup occur prior to class time. If
you
arrive before the end of class, say at 4:15PM we ask
that you kindly wait until class is over before leaving
with
your child. Times for instruction are subject to change.
Personal Belongings
SCMA is not responsible for student’s personal belongs.
Please adequately identify your student’s personal
effects. We cannot take responsibility for any lost or
misplaced items.
Homework Assignments Policy
We provide an environment where children can complete their
homework assignments within a reasonable allotted time
frame. SCMA does not engage in academic tutoring of children.
As a normal part of our program students are given time
to complete their homework assignments. The responsibility
of homework lies with the parents. We do not accept any
homework responsibility. Please do not ask us to engage
in private tutoring or verification of homework assignments.
Students who do not have homework assignments should bring
a book or other quite work to do during homework time.
Emergency Information
It is essential that all emergency telephone numbers be
kept current, as well as any changes of address. It is
your responsibility to provide us with any changes in these
numbers. Please provide all cell phones, pagers, and other
numbers that we may need. In addition, other relatives
and neighbors numbers will be helpful as well. If your
child has not been picked up by 6:30 PM the Instructor
will begin to call emergency numbers. Individuals listed
as emergency contacts must be willing to pickup the child
and be within 15 minutes of our facility.
Withdrawal From the Program
Parents need to provide one week’s written notice
for withdrawing students from our program. Your security
deposit can be used for the final week’s tuition.
There are no pro-rated refunds for short notice terminations.
Discipline Policy
Our Instructors utilize Positive Behavior Modification
Techniques to prevent potential behavior problems as early
as possible. Under no circumstances should a parent attempt
to discipline a child other than their own during the after
school program. The SCMA Instructors will carry out all
discipline and all concerns should be brought to the attention
of the Instructor. Should a child experience difficulty
with the established program rules, the procedures outlined
below will be followed. Parents should be aware that the
steps in the procedures might not occur in the sequence
listed depending on the natures of the behavior problem.
• The Instructor will discuss the problem with the child
and attempt to work out a solution.
• If the problem persists, an Incident Report will be completed
and a conference will be scheduled between the child,
then parents and the Instructor.
• If the problem has not been resolved following the conference,
the child will be suspended from the program. A re-entry
conference with the child, parents and instructor must
take place before the child may return to the program.
• If the problem persist following suspension, dismissal
from the program my result.
• If in the opinion of the Instructor a child’s behavior
presents a physical danger to themselves or others, immediate
suspension or dismissal from the program may result.
• Dismissal from the program may also result from:
• Repeated late pickups.
• Parents unreasonable treatment of the instructors or staff,
including inappropriate airing of complaints
• Delinquent payments.
Rules of Conduct
Students shall not be permitted to engage in the following conduct.
• The use of obscene language or profanity, acts, gestures, or innuendo directed
at another student or staff member.
• The use of derogatory language, referring to color, religion, ethnic origin
or any aspects of a person’s character or custom, and or heritage.
• Acts of dishonesty, deception, deceit and/or other related behavior.
• Failing to follow the Instructors instructions .
• Non-compliance of safety rules, (EX: unbuckling of seat belts, jumping or playing
in unauthorized areas.)
• The possession of any firearms, weapons, or any item that resembles a weapon.
(ZERO Tolerance)
• The possession of any narcotic, drugs, or other controlled substances. (ZERO
Tolerance)
• Threatening another student, through intimidation, either verbal or non-verbal.
• Destruction or damage to SCMA property, or the property of another student or
staff.
• Physical horseplay. Running, jumping or other reckless behavior, This type of
behavior causes injury or may lead to physical confrontation.
• Borrow money from other students or lend money to other students.
Any other acts or conduct which in the opinion of SCMA may cause harm to, or
injury to other SCMA students. SCMA reserves the right to dismiss anyone for
reasons which in the opinion of SCMA is necessary for the safety and well being
of others.
The Practice Room is for lessons and personal practice. Horseplay before, during
or after the lesson will not be tolerated. If you step into the practice room
you are there for purpose of learning to build a strong mind and body.
Injury
The staff is required to complete an Accident Report in the event a child is
injured. Parents will receive a copy of this report. You will be contacted by
phone if your child sustains any type of injury requiring possible medical attention
during the program. A parent must be available in the case of an emergency. In
the event of a serious injury, 911 will be called. Please remember that a hospital
will not begin treatment until a parent has been contacted.
Communication
Communication between parents and SCMA staff is a key ingredient to the success
of our program. We welcome visits to our program from parents and family members.
When your child is testing for a belt promotion, it is vitally important that
parents or family members try to be there. We will communicate a majority of
our information to parents via e-mail We will also provide telephone communication
to those parents who do not have access to e-mail. You many also receive mail
correspondence from us from time to time. Feel free to request a conference
with the Instructor at anytime you feel necessary.
Important
Information for your Records:
Suncoast Martial Arts
3847 Central Avenue
St. Petersburg, Florida 33707
Telephone: 727-327-9800
HI Lesley Cell: 727-204-5419
E-Mail: smarts@suncoastmartialarts.com
sarts@tampabay.rr.com
Website: www.suncoastmartialarts.com
