Little Bellas creates a safe environment for all. We understand that each participant is unique and responds differently in certain situations. Using behavior management, we aim to keep all participants and mentors physically and emotionally safe and use strategies such as positive redirection, clearly defined and developmentally appropriate rules and reinforcing positive behaviors.
When discipline situations occur, we use progressive discipline, which increases in severity if a participant repeatedly violates rules or becomes harmful to self or to others. Behavior standards are divided into three categories of minor, major and critical and each category carries its own series of consequences.
Below states the definition of each behavior standard and associated consequences for progressive violations:
| Level I* MINOR -Disrespectful towards other participants / mentors -Disruptive behaviors (e.g., interfering with group dynamic / progress, pulling attention away from mentors and/or the group, squirting others with water bottles, intentionally ramming one’s own bike into someone else, talking over mentors, yelling at participants, etc) -Repeatedly not following directions -Repeatedly not following program / game rules -Excessive horseplay | First Violation | Second Violation | Third Violation | Fourth Violation |
| Verbal notice to parent / guardian describing the behavioral concern. | Written notice to parent / guardian describing the behavioral problem. | Written notice to parent / guardian describing the behavioral problem. AND Parent / guardian conference | 1 - 3 days out of program suspension (program fee not prorated). | Expulsion from the program without reimbursement for any program fees. |
| Level 2* MAJOR -Threatening comments or gestures -Inappropriate behaviors (e.g., pushing, tripping, hitting, kicking, spitting, repeated swearing, etc) -Aggressive language or behavior towards other participants / mentors -Teasing or embarrassing others -Willful destruction of Little Bellas or program property | First Violation | Second Violation | Third Violation |
| Verbal and written notice to parent / guardian describing behavioral problem. | Written notice to the parent / guardian describing the behavior problem. AND Parent / Guardian conference | 1 - 3 days out of program suspension (program fee not prorated). | Expulsion from the program without reimbursement for any program fees. |
| Level 3* CRITICAL -Fighting -Biting -Bullying (e.g., repeated harassment or intimidation over a period of time) -Any Level 2 behaviors that are repeated -Aggressive behavior that causes serious harm to another participant / mentor -Leaving assigned area without permission | First Violation |
| Verbal and written notice to parent / guardian describing behavioral problem. | 1 - 3 days out of program suspension OR immediate expulsion (program fees not prorated or reimbursed) |
| *Determination of the violation is at the discretion of the Program Lead. *Violation determination may escalate to immediate suspension OR expulsion based on severity of violation. |
