Withdrawing or Pausing

You can withdraw any time at no cost and ask us to delete your data; here is also how the program may pause a child's participation and the fair process we follow.

You can withdraw at any time

The program is free, so withdrawing costs nothing, and there are no fees or forms to fill out. You don't need to give a reason.

To withdraw, email stephen@selassiefest.com or call or text 872-255-9333. We'll confirm by email.

When you withdraw:

• We take your child off the class roster and the in-room station board.
• You stop getting class emails and recaps.
• If your child is holding any Lab equipment, please return it. Kids don't take gear home during the course.

Your data when you leave

You can choose what happens to your information:

• Delete now. Ask us to delete your child's information, and we'll delete their in-class activity and Passport and confirm when it's done.
• Keep the Passport. Ask us to keep your child's Passport stamps in case they come back.
• Default. If you don't ask for anything, child activity data is deleted within 90 days after the season ends.

One exception: registration records (contacts, consents and safety-related records such as sign-in and sign-out logs and any incident reports) are kept for 3 years for safety and insurance purposes, then deleted. Ask us and we'll explain what is kept and why. These are policy commitments. See privacy.

You can also withdraw a single consent (media, performance or digital tracking) without leaving the program.

When the program may pause a child's participation

We want every child to stay. Pausing is rare and always a last step. Our approach to behavior uses no physical punishment, no shaming, and never withholding food, water or the restroom.

The ladder:

1. Reminder: a friendly word about the rule.
2. Redirect: a different job or spot at the station.
3. Cool-down space: a calm spot with an adult in view.
4. Parent call: we talk with you, the same day.
5. Pause from the program.

Safety violations go straight to a parent call. These include hurting someone, leaving the group, or bringing anything prohibited such as alcohol, tobacco, vaping or cannabis.

A pause may also happen if a parent or guardian repeatedly breaks the code of conduct, for example by trying to pick up without being on the list or behaving in a threatening way.

Our fair process for a pause

If we're considering a pause, we commit to:

1. Tell you first, by phone, before or right when it happens, and explain why.
2. Hear your child's side and yours. Kids get to explain in their own words, with you present if you wish.
3. Put it in writing. You'll get a short written summary of what happened and the decision.
4. Make a plan to come back. A pause has a set length and a clear path to return, such as a check-in conversation or an adjusted job or seat.
5. Offer review. If you disagree, you can ask for the decision to be reviewed by the officers of Ras Tafari Inc.

Safety reports are separate. If we have a concern about a child's safety, staff follow mandated reporter law and report directly to the DCFS Hotline (1-800-25-ABUSE) or 911. That isn't a discipline step, and it isn't something we pause or negotiate.

These policies are ones Ras Tafari Inc. commits to. Formal board adoption is a launch requirement.

Coming back

A child who withdraws is welcome to come back in a later season. Families may need to update the registration forms.