Wisdom Builders Teen Policies and Guidelines
All Wisdom Builders policies are in place to ensure the environment is safe and conducive for learning, promote respect and kindness to all, and encourage individuals to glorify the Lord.
"But let all things be done properly and in an orderly manner." (1 Corinthians 14:40)
It is the parent's responsibility to make sure that their teens understand these rules and expectations and encourage them to obey them.
"Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in Heaven." (Matthew 5:16)
CLASSROOM BEHAVIOR
"Even a child is known by his actions, by whether his conduct is pure and right." (Proverbs 20:11)
In other words, even a young person's life and how they live can be a testimony of praise to Jesus.
During a lesson in an assigned room, teens are expected to follow these general guidelines:
• Raise your hand and wait to be called on before speaking.
"But if when you do what is right and suffer for it, you patiently endure it; this finds favor with God." (1 Peter 2:20)
• Listen attentively and do not distract others from listening during instruction.
"Make your ear attentive to wisdom, incline your heart to understanding." (Proverbs 2:2)
• Honor, respect, and obey all tutors, aides, and adult helpers.
"For there is no authority except from God, and those which exist are established by God." (Romans 13:1b)
• Be kind to all.
"And be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you." (Ephesians 4:32)
• Treat peers respectfully (no public display of affection).
"Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you have been bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body." (1 Corinthians 6:19-20)
PEER-TO-PEER BEHAVIOR GUIDELINES
Teens are to use words that edify and build up one another in the Lord and treat each other respectfully. Older children should be a help and an example to the younger children. This guideline applies to days of instruction at Trinity Baptist Church and Traders Point Christian Church and to Wisdom Builders events off the premises. It sensibly should as well to interpersonal and social media interaction.
"Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, that it may give grace to those who hear." (Ephesians 4:29)
ETHICAL BEHAVIOR AND SAFETY GUIDELINES
• Canvas will communicate lesson assignments and tutor communications.
• Parents should monitor the Internet communications of their children.
• Any bullying or un-Christlike communication in content could be reasons for dismissal.
• Cheating and plagiarism are not allowed.
• Any student who is disruptive to courses and learning, is not respectful to tutors, and hinders the learning process and flow of the courses will be withdrawn from the course.
• Weapons and knives are not allowed at Wisdom Builders or Wisdom Builders events and are reasons for dismissal.
• It is the parent's responsibility to inform the director of mental health issues regarding their children.
ELECTRONIC DEVICES GUIDELINES
Children and teens are at Wisdom Builders to listen and learn. Please leave all temptations and electronic devices at home or in the car. Furthermore, they are rarely needed during a lesson.
"All things are lawful for me, but not all things are profitable. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be mastered by anything." (1 Corinthians 6:12)
• No electronic devices are to be brought to or used at Wisdom Builders.
o No phone calls, texting, social media, movies, music, etc.
o No cell phones, iPhones, iPods, MP3 players, hand-held games, etc.
o No earbuds, headphones, AirPods, etc.
• The same guidelines apply to children sitting with their parents at First Baptist Church and Traders Point Christian Church North and children of volunteers, aides, and tutors on the premises of First Baptist Church and Traders Point Christian Church North. (This does not apply to official use by Wisdom Builders tutors and staff.)
• Wisdom Builders reserves the right to remove any electronic devices/headphones from a young person if discovered. Leave the electronic devices/headphones at home.
• No unsupervised internet access is allowed at Wisdom Builders.
• The consequences of not following the electronics guidelines are as such:
o If a phone, headphones, or other device is out in the open on Wisdom Builders days and functions without permission, the cell phone/headphones/other devices will be taken from the teen and kept by Mrs. Rollins or an assistant until the end of the day. The parents will be called.
o If a second offense occurs, the teen will not be approved to bring a device to WB days and events until the following semester. Parents will be notified if this happens, as well.
• Exceptions are as follows:
o Computer courses will require laptop use.
o With prior approval, teens may use laptops during lessons for assignments.
o With prior approval, special-needs children or young people with learning difficulties may use laptops, etc.
o Laptop computers are to be used only for educational purposes and only with a tutor's supervision.
Parents should know when to pick up their children, so cell phone use for student pick-up is unnecessary.
• The church provides phones in the hallways and the kitchen that Wisdom Builders teens may use to call home if needed.
• Mrs. Rollins has a Wisdom Builders cell phone that can be used by children if needed, as do most tutors and WB assistants.
• Contact Mrs. Rollins if you believe an exception is needed. Moreover, Wisdom Builders assistants are on hand daily and may be called if you need to reach your teen immediately.
• Even if a young person obtains permission from Mrs. Rollins to bring a phone to Wisdom Builders, it should be kept in a backpack or purse. If that individual needs to use their cell phone, permission from Mrs. Rollins or a WB assistant must be obtained before retrieving it.
FACILITIES USE GUIDELINES
The church requests that all children, including teens, always be under adult supervision while in the church building and on church grounds.
• Hallways. There is no running in the halls of the church, and conversations are to be with quiet voices out of respect for the church staff, tutors, and those engaged in lessons. Individuals are to be especially quiet when passing the offices of the pastors and secretaries in the foyer of the church as they go to and from the auditorium. Parents waiting outside rooms to pick up their children are also asked to keep conversations quiet and keep small children with them to avoid disturbing others.
• Church Facilities. Individuals are to help to take care of the church building and equipment. Please remember that we meet in a church and need to honor the Lord with our behavior, actions, and words. This is especially true when a course or program is held in the auditorium, where the Word of God is preached.
o No one is to use any church computer without the director's approval.
o Only water is allowed in the classrooms, except with permission when tutors hold a group party.
o Young people are not to be in the auditorium without a tutor.
o Individuals are only to play on the piano in the auditorium if permitted by Mrs. Rollins.
o No one is to be in the sound booth area unless permitted by Mrs. Rollins.
o Young people are not to play in the gym without adult supervision, and everyone should be out by 3:35 pm.
o No street shoes, black-soled shoes that leave marks, or shoes with wheels are allowed on the gym floor.
STUDY HALL GUIDELINES
The cost of a study hall is the same as a course fee. At most, 2 study halls per day are allowed per individual (for a total of 2 hours).
• Electronics or laptops are allowed in study hall for educational purposes only with Great 8 approval and supervision.
• Teens are to bring textbooks, reading books, paper, and pencils to do their work in study halls.
• If it comes to our attention that a student isn't using a study hall appropriately, they will either be assigned to volunteer or have their study hall in Mrs. Rollins' room.
LUNCHROOM GUIDELINES
At lunch, teens are encouraged to engage in conversation with their peers. Electronic devices/headphones are not permitted.
• Seats may not be saved, and no one is to be turned away from joining a table.
• Designated tables will be available for teens, who may sit together for lunch.
• Only high school students may purchase a canned beverage from the pop machine, which may be consumed only in the lunchroom.
• After eating, everyone is to help clean up all trash and prepare to go to their next course.
• No one should leave the lunchroom without Mrs. Kelly's permission.
TEEN-SPECIFIC GUIDELINES
Teen Helpers
Teen aides and volunteers will be given a designated nametag to wear while aiding or volunteering.
Bathroom Breaks
Young people will be given the opportunity to use the restroom at lunch and after PE instruction in the gym. They may ask a tutor for permission to use the restroom during a course if needed. It will be at the tutor's discretion whether to allow a teen to walk to and from the restroom alone or to send an aide with the teen.
Teen Drivers
Teen drivers must obtain permission to drive to and from Wisdom Builders without a parent.
• Parent and teen must complete the online WB Teen Driver form.
A parent may designate whether the teen may transport siblings or other individuals on this form.
• No child is to be in a teen driver's car without written parental notification by both families to the director.
• Safety and responsibility are expected.
• Teens are to park along the outer wall of the parking lot.
DRESS CODE GUIDELINES
The dress code is one of appropriateness and neatness, and the Biblical one of modesty. Pleasing our Lord is the guide with regard to a dress code.
"Your adornment must not be merely external . . . let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the imperishable quality of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is precious in the sight of God." 1 Peter 2:3-4
Wisdom Builders meets in a church, and we want to honor the Lord with our behavior and dress. In general, it is preferred that teens wear comfortable jeans or pants and a loosely fitted t-shirt on Wisdom Builders days and at WB events.
Parents, please ensure your children follow the dress code before bringing them to Wisdom Builders. Individuals should refrain from wearing items such as the following:
• Attire that is tight, ripped or torn, sheer, or features un-Christlike messages or images
• Tops that are low-necked, revealing cleavage (especially when bending over)
• Tops with spaghetti straps or are strapless
• Tops short enough to reveal waist and midriff
• Pants with drooping or low waist
• Skin-tight skinny jeans, leggings, or legging-type pants, even if worn with a long shirt
o Exception: Leggings may be worn with dresses within 2 inches of the knee or longer.
• Shorts that do not reach the tops of the knees
• Visible undergarments (upper or lower, including straps)
• Skirts or dresses that do not reach the tops of knees
Neatness in grooming is expected. Please avoid extreme fads with regard to hair (mohawks, tails, man buns, strangely colored hair, etc.). The eyes should be clearly and easily seen. Moreover, please have the boys' hair off the collar.
Lastly, tattoos, multiple piercings (including more than two ear piercings), or piercings of the eyebrows, nose, mouth area, belly button, and so forth are not allowed. Boys are asked not to wear earrings at Wisdom Builders or WB events.
Consequences of disregarding dress code. The director or tutor will inform the young person and parents if an individual's dress or grooming is inappropriate.
• Parents will be called to bring a change of clothing for their child.
• The individual will not be permitted to attend courses but must wait in study hall until the parent arrives with the change of clothing.
• The young person will remain in study hall until the change of clothing is brought to Wisdom Builders. While waiting, the student will be given an oversized paint shirt to wear.
• If a teen continually elects not to follow the dress code, this will be cause for dismissal.
REMEDIATION
The consequences for not obeying the preceding policies are as follows:
• If a young person damages church property, another's personal property, or the property of others at Wisdom Builders-sanctioned events at other locations (museums, field trip destinations, schools, etc.), the family will be required to pay for the damages.
• If the director or tutors realize that an individual is persistently disobedient, disrespectful, distracting in a course, rebellious, or un-Christlike in speech and behavior, then that person will not be allowed to continue in Wisdom Builders.
o This would only happen after repeated attempts to work with the young person or if that person has enacted so great an offense that he is asked to leave afterward.
o No tuition or other costs will be refunded in this situation.
o The director will determine the dismissal of an individual.
• All tutors and aides will be informed of young people exhibiting persistent behavior problems and of those who have enacted great offenses to pray for those individuals and assist with correction.
CONCLUSION
These policies are for all Wisdom Builders instruction days, inside and outside of the Trinity Baptist Church and Traders Point Christian Church building, and in the parking lot, at all Wisdom Builders-sponsored functions at Trinity Baptist Church or Traders Point Christian Church North, such as the ice-cream social, closing programs, or workshops; and at Wisdom Builders events at other locations, including field trips, drama productions, and other activities. In other words, Wisdom Builders policies apply at any routine or special event sponsored by Wisdom Builders, regardless of location and without exception.
Proverbs 20:11, "Even a child is known by his actions, by whether his conduct is pure and right."
Teen Expectations/Information
All Wisdom Builders policies are in place to ensure the environment is safe and conducive for learning, promote respect and kindness to all, and encourage individuals to glorify the Lord. The section below summarizes the Teen Policies, Guidelines, and Information pages. Teens and parents are responsible for understanding and adhering to these guidelines.
1. Honor, respect, and obey all tutors, aides, and adult helpers. Raise your hand and wait to be called on before speaking. Listen attentively and do not distract others from listening during instruction.
2. Peer-to-peer behavior: Teens are to use words that edify and treat each other respectfully and kindly. Older youth should be an example to younger children.
3. Electronics and headphones: Leave electronic devices and headphones at home.
4. Phones: If you bring a phone to WB, it must be kept in your backpack or purse. If you want to use your phone, you must ask Mrs. Rollins or the Great 8 for permission before bringing it out of the backpack or purse.
5. Church Computers: Teens cannot use any of the church's computers without the director's approval.
6. Auditorium: Teens should only be in the auditorium with a tutor.
7. Gym: Youth are not to play in the gym without adult supervision, and everyone must be out by 3:45 pm.
8. Study Hall: Youth may use laptops for school work with the Great 8's permission. The computer screen needs to be able to be seen at all times. Youth are to bring textbooks, reading books, paper, and pencils to do their work in study halls.
9. Lunchroom: Seats may not be saved, and no one is to be turned away from joining a table. Youth are to assist in clean up after lunch. No one should leave the lunch room without Mrs. Kelly's permission. Teens may purchase a soda pop from the pop machine, which must be consumed in the lunchroom. Only WATER is allowed in classrooms.
10. Bathroom Breaks: Youth may use the restroom at lunch and after gym class. You may ask a tutor for permission during a course if needed. It will be at the tutor's discretion to allow a teen to walk to and from the restroom alone or send an aide with a youth.
11. Dress: Dress appropriately, neatly, and modestly. In warm weather, shorts are allowed and should be near the knees. No spaghetti straps, strapless, or short tops that do not cover the waist and midriff are permitted. Nothing too tight, low necked (no cleavage should be showing, especially when bending over), sheer, and has un-Christlike messages or images are allowed to be worn to Wisdom Builders classes or any Wisdom Builders events. Also, there should be no leggings except with a dress, no tattoos, multiple piercings, hair fads, etc. Follow the detailed dress code found in the policy pages.
12. Driving: Youth must have a WB Teen Driver Form if driving to and from Wisdom Builders. No child is to be in the car of another youth driver without written parental notification by both families to the director. Student drivers are to park around the back of the church (door five) in the parking spaces facing Keystone Ave.
13. Assignments and tutor communications will be made through Canvas. Parents need to monitor the internet communication of their children. Be sure online communications are Christ-like in content.
14. No cheating or plagiarism is allowed. Weapons and knives are not allowed.
15. It is the parent's responsibility to inform the director of mental health issues regarding their child.
16. All policies are true for all Wisdom Builders events, courses, field trips, etc.
See 3.2 Behavior Remediation for consequences for not obeying the behavior policies.