“Clear is kind. Unclear is unkind” – Brené Brown, Dare to Lead
These expectations are reviewed in detail on the first day of rehearsals and included on the website.
Expectations
To help everyone feel safe, respected, and ready to work together, all participants are expected to:
- Support the Team – Celebrate each other’s successes, offer encouragement, and help
create a positive group atmosphere by being inclusive and welcoming. - Be Respectful – Speak kindly, listen when others are talking, and treat everyone and their belongings with care.
- Be Ready to Participate – Come prepared, be on time, and give your best effort in rehearsals. When we are learning or reviewing vocals and choreography this is rehearsal time; there is social time during breaks. Please do not talk or be disruptive during rehearsal time.
- Follow Directions – Listen to instructors and staff the first time and ask questions respectfully if unsure by raising your hand. Please do not ask fellow performers for direction, if the instructors are teaching. Examples of ways we may ask the room to be quiet and listen:
- Eyes on the ceiling, eyes on the floor, eyes on me
- Ba-ba call and response
- Instructor hand in the air or wait in silence with a smile
- Stay Safe – Keep your hands and feet to yourself, use equipment properly, and follow safety rules.
Behaviour Management Procedures
A 5-Level System To Redirect Participant Behaviour
- When expectations aren’t followed, we use a supportive step-by-step system to redirect
participants to make different choices. - Everyone has the chance to reset and grow.
- Collective reminders to the group can be said up to three times then we must move to an individual-based action.
- No waiting for participants to be quiet after the third reminder, we simply start teaching and take individual steps as needed.
Level 1: Friendly Reminder
A calm verbal reminder of the behaviour and what’s expected.
- Opportunity for a quick course correction. Most participants will only need this step.
- Collective group reminders are not part of this step.
- This step means that an instructor has calmly and kindly notified the participant directly to stop the disruptive behaviour.
- The instructor or an assistant will make eye contact with the participant and deliver the feedback
directly. - For example: “Adam, please stop talking to Tommy during rehearsal time. This is
a level one reminder.” - If the instructor is busy leading the rehearsal, they may ask a fellow instructor to
deliver a level one reminder to a specific participant.
Level 2: Exit & Reset with a Staff Member
- The participant is asked to leave the room or go off to the side briefly with a Staff Member.
- They take a short break to reset and calmly discuss the concern.
- Check in with the participant: How are you doing? X behaviour doesn’t quite match
our rehearsal expectations and if it continues we can’t have you in rehearsal. Are
you ready to follow rehearsal expectations or do you need a break? - Return to the group only happens when the participant is ready. This is a chance to take a break and get support away from peers.
Level 3: Written Warning By Email (Escalation Notice)
- The Vocal Director or Artistic Director sends the participant and/or their parents a short
written notice to indicate that disruptive behaviour is occurring. - The email states that this is Level 3 and a reset is needed.
- Example: This is a gentle reminder for Adam take a moment and check in with
themselves. You are receiving this note because something you’re doing doesn’t
quite match our Rehearsal Expectations. That’s okay! We all have moments like
that. Here is the sentence about exactly what is happening. Please take a look at
the expectations below and remind yourself what you might need to adjust so you
can get back on track. We believe in you and want to help you succeed!
Level 4: Contact Via Phone from the Vocal Director or Artistic Director
- Performer and parent or guardian are contacted by phone to discuss the situation.
- Clear expectations are set with family involvement.
Level 5: Meeting with Artistic Director and Parent/Guardian (if youth)
- A formal meeting is scheduled with the Artistic Director, parent/guardian, and participant.
- Further consequences like loss of privileges, activity removal, or dismissal from Pop
Nation may be considered. - A behaviour agreement may be created with clear outcomes based on results.
- This is a final step to protect the integrity and safety of the performer community.