Code of Conduct

To protect Crescendo Dance Academy staff, volunteers, and program participants, at no time during a Crescendo Dance Academy program may a staff person or volunteer be alone with a single child where the staff person or volunteer cannot be observed by others.
Staff shall never leave a child unsupervised.
If staff or volunteers are assisting younger children, doors to the bathroom must remain open.
The staff will monitor the bathrooms and changing areas to make sure either 1 child or 3 or more children are occupying the bathrooms and changing area..
Staff and volunteers will conduct and supervise private activities such as diapering in pairs. When this is not feasible, staff should be positioned so that they are visible to others.
Staff shall not abuse children or use corporal punishment of any kind. This includes physical abuse, verbal abuse, sexual abuse, mental abuse, or neglect. Any type of abuse will not be tolerated and is cause for dismissal.
Staff and volunteers will respect children’s rights to not be touched in ways that make them feel uncomfortable. A child’s right to say “No” is to be encouraged and respected.
Other than diapering and yellow light area body corrections, children are not to be touched in areas of the bodies that would be covered by a one piece bathing suit.
Yellow light area body corrections include corrections to hips, rib cage, and belly button above waistband. When touching in a yellow light area the touches must be swift, scientific and precise. The staff will not hold the touch there or massage the area. If the dancer doesn’t get the idea with the quick touch, the staff will find an alternative form of explanation. Refer to yellow light area body corrections video to learn more.
Staff and volunteers will use appropriate touch including pats on the back or shoulder, side hugs, handshakes and high fives. Staff and volunteers will refrain from full frontal hugging, touching of personal areas, or patting of the buttocks.
Staff and volunteers will use positive techniques of guidance, including redirection, positive reinforcement, and encouragement rather than competition, comparison, and criticism.
Staff and volunteers will not give gifts or special favors to individual children, or show preferential treatment to a child or group of children to the exclusion of others.
Staff and volunteers will not have private interactions through social media, computer or handheld devices with any children in the program.
Staff and volunteers will respond to children with respect and consideration and treat all children equally regardless of gender, race, religion, sexual identity, or culture.
Staff and volunteers will refrain from intimate displays of affection toward others.
Using, possessing, or being under the influence of alcohol or illegal drugs during working hours is prohibited.
Smoking or use of tobacco in the presence of children or parents during working hours is prohibited.
Profanity, inappropriate jokes, sharing intimate details of one’s personal life, and any kind of harassment is prohibited.
Staff may not be alone with children they meet in Crescendo Dance Academy programs outside of Crescendo Dance Academy. This includes babysitting, sleepovers, and inviting children to their home. Any exceptions require a written explanation before the fact and are subject to Director approval.
Staff may not date program participants under the age of 18 years of age.
Under no circumstance should staff release children to anyone other than the authorized parent, guardian, or other adult authorized by the parent or guardian (written parent authorization on file with Crescendo Dance Academy)
Staff and volunteers are required to report any suspicion of child abuse to the proper authorities and are required to read and sign all policies relating to identifying, documenting and reporting child abuse
Staff are required to attend Darkness 2 Light Stewards of Children training on sexual abuse prevention.