Discipline Ladder
The exact steps Rainbow DJ Lab adults take when a child's behavior needs correcting, what is never done, how parents are involved, and how to appeal.
Status
These policies were adopted by the Ras Tafari Inc. board on October 17, 2026. The Lab is proposed. No staff are hired yet.
The ladder
Most of the time, the first step is enough. Adults start at the lowest step that fits and go up one step at a time, except for safety violations (see below).
| Step | What the adult does | Example words | Who |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Reminder | A quiet, private reminder of the class agreement | "Respect the gear. Hands off the knobs until it's your DJ turn." | Any coach |
| 2. Redirect | Changes the situation: a different job, seat or task | "Let's have you be Logger this round." | Any coach |
| 3. Cool-down space | The child takes a short break in the calm corner, with an adult in view. See Cool-Down Space | "Take a few minutes in the chill spot. Come back when you're ready." | Lead adult, or another coach with the lead adult told |
| 4. Parent call | The lead adult calls the parent the same day to talk it through and agree on a plan | (Phone call, or a talk at pickup if the parent is there) | Lead adult |
| 5. Pause from the program | The child sits out one or more sessions, with a return meeting before they come back | (Decided in a call with the parent) | Stephen Henry only |
Safety violations go straight to a parent call
These skip steps 1–3:
- hitting, kicking, pushing to hurt, or any fighting
- unwanted touching of another child
- threats, or bringing anything that could be a weapon
- leaving the group or the program area without permission
- alcohol, tobacco, vaping or cannabis (Substance-Free Policy)
- deliberately damaging equipment in a way that could hurt someone
For these, adults first make everyone safe (separate children, give first aid, call 911 if needed), then call the parent. Harm between children also follows the Peer-Harm Protocol.
What's never done
- No physical punishment of any kind, and no physical restraint except to stop immediate danger to the child or someone else, and then only the least force for the shortest time. Any such moment is reported to the parent at once and written up.
- No shaming: no yelling at a child, no name-calling, no public call-outs, no "behavior charts" on the wall.
- No withholding food, water or the restroom.
- No isolation or locked rooms. A child is never left alone or out of an adult's sight.
- No group punishment for one child's behavior.
- No taking away Passport stamps a child already earned.
- No threats ("I'll tell your mom you're bad").
Fairness
- Same rules, same steps, for every child.
- Explain, then listen. Before step 3 and above, the adult tells the child what happened and lets the child give their side.
- Fresh start. Each session starts at the bottom of the ladder. A child is not "on a step" from last week.
- Look for the reason. Repeated behavior usually means something: boredom, frustration, hunger, noise, trouble at home. We talk with the parent about what might help before going to step 5.
- Disability and differences. If behavior is linked to a disability or a known need, we work with the family on supports first. Tell us what works on the registration forms.
How parents are involved
| When | What happens |
|---|---|
| Steps 1–2 | Usually not reported unless it's a pattern. You can always ask |
| Step 3 (cool-down) | Told at pickup, same day |
| Step 4 (parent call) | A phone call the same day, and a short written note if a plan is agreed |
| Safety violation | A phone call as soon as everyone is safe. A written incident report within 24 hours (Incident Reporting) |
| Step 5 (pause) | A call with Stephen Henry before the pause starts, except after a serious safety incident, when the call happens the same day. The pause length and return plan are given in writing |
Coming back after a pause
- A short return meeting (in person or by phone) with the child, a parent and the lead adult.
- Agree on one or two specific goals and what support the Lab will give.
- The child returns with a fresh start.
Appeal
If you think a step-4 or step-5 decision was unfair:
- Tell Stephen Henry (872-255-9333, stephen@selassiefest.com). He'll review it with the adults involved.
- If you're still not satisfied, or the concern is about Stephen Henry himself, use the Grievance Procedure, which goes to the Ras Tafari Inc. board officers.
A child is never treated worse because a family appealed.
Sources
- Center on PBIS, Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports: https://www.pbis.org
- SAMHSA, Trauma-Informed Approach: https://www.samhsa.gov
- U.S. Center for SafeSport, Minor Athlete Abuse Prevention Policies: https://uscenterforsafesport.org