Frequently Asked Questions
Straight answers to the questions parents ask most about the Rainbow DJ Lab, including what is still pending.
Status and basics
1. Is this program actually happening?
It's proposed. The curriculum is written and runs in our class app. The Chicago Park District has not approved or permitted the program yet, no class dates are set, and no staff are hired. No class runs until every item on our launch checklist is done.
2. Who runs it?
Ras Tafari Inc., an Illinois not-for-profit corporation and 501(c)(3) public charity at 1401 E. 71st St., Chicago. Its President, Stephen Henry, leads the Lab and is your contact. The other officers are Paul Kelly (Vice President and Treasurer) and Albert Harris (Corporate Secretary). Ras Tafari Inc. also produces SelassieFest (which makes its own decisions about its lineup). The Lab is a Ras Tafari Inc. program, proposed to the Chicago Park District for Rainbow Beach Park. No Ras Tafari Inc. officer, director or staff member is paid for work on the Lab. See about and the conflict of interest policy.
3. How much does it cost?
Nothing. There's no tuition, and all equipment is provided. Ras Tafari Inc. is seeking grants and donations for the DJ gear, which will be used only for its programs.
4. When are classes?
Every Tuesday from 4:00 to 6:00 pm, year-round, starting January 12, 2027 once the park approves the program. Children join any Tuesday. See schedule.
5. Can I sign my child up now?
Not yet. Until launch, the online form is an interest list. It asks only your child's first name and last initial, age and age group, your name, email and phone, and your permission for us to contact you. It is not enrollment and doesn't hold a place. It collects no health, pickup, custody or emergency-contact details, no consents and no free-text notes. If the Lab hasn't started within 12 months, we delete the list, and you can ask to come off it at any time. Full registration (health and allergies, two emergency contacts, authorized pickup, a custody note, and each consent separately) opens only when every launch-checklist item is complete. The printable forms are for full registration after launch.
6. Where are classes?
They're planned for Rainbow Beach Park, 3111 E. 77th St.: indoors at the fieldhouse when space is available, and on the lawn in summer. Exact rooms and entrances will be shared after a site walk with park staff. See location.
7. My child is 9. Which group are they in?
Junior DJs (ages 8–11). Drop-off is allowed once you've signed an authorized-pickup list. Girls about 9–17 may also choose Empress Decks, a girls-only track taught by women DJs. Rainbow Beach Park staff welcome the girls' focus (girls' participation has long trailed boys' across the Park District); written confirmation will be part of the park agreement. Every group learns the same core curriculum, adapted by age group and challenge level.
8. Does my child need experience or equipment?
No. We will provide controllers, laptops, headphones and earplugs. Ras Tafari Inc. is seeking grants and donations for this gear, and the controller brand will be chosen with our equipment partner.
Safety
9. Who will be with my child?
At least two screened adults at all times, with no more than 6 children per adult and no more than 12 children in a class. No adult is ever alone with a child out of sight. Staff haven't been hired yet, so we can't name them. We will introduce them before the first class.
10. How are adults screened?
The Chicago Park District runs background checks for adults who work with children, under its own rules, and every adult must clear it before their first class. That includes sound and stage crew on site. Ras Tafari Inc. doesn't run a separate process of its own. On top of that, every adult gives references and completes youth-protection training and Illinois DCFS mandated reporter training. None of this is done yet, because no one is hired yet. It's on the launch checklist. See staff screening.
10a. Who do I tell if I'm worried about an adult?
The Chicago Park District: the Rainbow Beach Park office, (312) 745-1479, or any Park District staff member. If you tell us instead, we pass it to the Park District and cooperate fully; we don't investigate in its place. Suspected abuse or neglect goes straight to the DCFS Hotline, 1-800-25-ABUSE, and immediate danger to 911. See report a concern.
11. Is there someone trained in first aid?
That's required. At least one adult per class will hold current pediatric first aid/CPR/AED certification from the American Red Cross or American Heart Association. This is a launch requirement and isn't done yet.
12. Is the program insured?
Not yet. Before launch we must have general liability insurance ($1,000,000 per occurrence, naming the Chicago Park District as additional insured) plus sexual abuse and molestation coverage. No class runs without it.
13. Who can pick up my child?
Only adults on your authorized-pickup list, after a photo ID check. The app won't record a release to anyone else. Every release is recorded in our sign-out log, and you get an email every time your child is signed out. See arrival and sign-out and the ID check protocol.
14. Can my 9-year-old walk home alone?
Not unless you give written permission in advance. Without it, your child waits with two staff until an authorized adult arrives.
15. What about bathroom trips?
Children go in pairs, and an adult waits at the restroom entrance. Staff never enter a stall area with a child.
16. My child has a food allergy. What happens?
We follow your child's Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Emergency Care Plan (the FARE form). Epinephrine is used per the plan, and 911 is called every time it's used. No food is shared without your permission. Rescue medicine stays within reach of a trained adult, and other medication is kept locked in its original pharmacy container with your signed authorization. See the medical and allergy plan and the epinephrine protocol.
17. Is this near the water? Will kids swim?
No swimming and no water activities. The park is on the lakefront, but the program never takes place in the water.
18. What if there's a storm?
"When thunder roars, go indoors." We stay inside until 30 minutes after the last thunder. Classes are cancelled if the National Weather Service issues an Extreme Heat Warning. See weather and cancellations.
19. What if my child gets lost or something happens?
We have a Code Adam–style lost-child plan: the whole team is alerted, the exits are covered, staff search, and we call 911 if the child isn't found within 10 minutes. You're called at once. If there's any incident, you're told the same day by phone, and a written report follows within 24 hours. Coaches log every incident in the class app, and each entry is emailed to Stephen Henry. See the lost child plan.
20. Will loud music hurt my child's hearing?
Headphone volume is capped on every laptop, earplugs are free, the main speaker level is checked with a sound meter, and children stay out of the zone right in front of the speakers. The main speaker and stage come from Q-Ality Sound, but the Lab's safety lead has the final say on volume: Q-Ality turns it down at once, or the session pauses. Q-Ality's crew never supervise children, get no family data and take no photos or recordings. We also coach kids on healthy listening habits.
21. What music will they hear?
Clean lyrics only: radio edits, checked when crates (music collections) are built.
Learning, behavior and performing
22. Are there grades or tests?
No. Kids rate themselves with a traffic light (I got it / Getting there / Not yet) and earn Passport stamps for skills: 3 per Mission, 42 in all. When a mix crashes, we call it "Data!": the DJ names one reason and tries again.
23. My child is shy. Will they be put on the spot?
No. Spotlight is volunteers only. Coaches never call on a child who didn't sign up, and the app won't put a child in the Spotlight without your performance consent. Stations rotate four jobs (DJ, Co-pilot, Hype and Logger), so there's always a role that fits. Kids also pick their own challenge level: Mild, Medium or Spicy.
24. How is discipline handled?
There's never physical punishment or shaming, and we never withhold food, water or the restroom. The steps are: reminder, redirect, cool-down with an adult in view, parent call, and finally a pause from the program. See withdrawing or pausing and the code of conduct.
25. Will my child perform in public?
Only with your performance consent and your child's own choice. Graduates get a guaranteed Open Decks slot at Rainbow Wednesdays, our free summer DJ series. That series is also proposed, so the slot applies when Rainbow Wednesdays runs. Graduation uses published criteria (attendance at a published number of sessions and a published number of skill checks), with the numbers published before the first class. SelassieFest, which Ras Tafari Inc. produces, makes its own decisions about its lineup; Lab performers reach it only by event audience vote, and only with your written consent. See performing.
Privacy and technology
26. Will you post photos of my child?
Only if you opt in with media consent. The class app stores no photos or video.
27. What does the class app show, and who can see it?
Families don't use a class code. When your child is approved for a class, you get a private family link by email. It shows only your own child: the class clock, their station and job, self-ratings, "Next time I'll…", Mix Log, Passport, the coach's note for your child, and coach messages. It never shows other children. If you lose the link or it gets shared, the coach re-issues it.
The screens in the room use a room code the coach issues for each class. It expires (after 4 hours by default) and the coach can end it any time. Those screens show each child's first name and last initial, station, job, check-in time and in-class activity, never coach notes or private details. Your contact details, medical notes, pickup list and consents are coaches only.
Without your digital-tracking consent, nothing your child does in the app is saved; they tell the coach their answers instead. See digital tracking consent and privacy.
28. Do you sell or share our data?
No. There are no ads, no tracking pixels, no biometrics and no location tracking. You can review, correct or delete your information, or withdraw consent, at any time.
Practical
29. Do you provide transportation?
No. Families provide transportation, and staff never drive children in their personal vehicles. See transportation and parking.
30. What if we miss a class?
There's no penalty. Just let us know. Your child catches up through Passport skills. Graduation does require attendance at a published number of sessions; the number will be published before the first class. See attendance.
31. Can we quit?
Yes, at any time, at no cost. See withdrawing.
32. Are forms available in Spanish?
Parent forms in English and Spanish are a launch requirement. They aren't ready yet.
33. Can I watch a class?
Little DJs (5–7) always have their grown-up in the room, and families are invited to the Rainbow Showcase. Whether Junior DJ parents can observe other classes depends on the space the park provides. Ask Stephen.
Still have a question?
Contact Stephen Henry at 872-255-9333 or stephen@selassiefest.com.