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Table of Contents Introduction 1

Overview 1

Mission Statement 1

Vision Statement 1

Objectives and Goals 1

Statement of Diversity 1

Codes of Ethics 2

Contact Information 2

Phone 2

E-mail. 2

Website 2

Registration and Records 2

Registration 2

Updating Records 3

Day to Day Operation 3

Hours of Operation 3

Little PAL & The Landings 3

Big PAL 3

PAL Holidays 3

Sign In/Sign Out 3

Little PAL & The Landings 3

Big PAL 3

Building Breakdown 4

Main Office 4

Game Room 4

Gymnastics Room 4

Boxing Gym 4

Portables 4

Little PAL. 5

The Landings 5

Lealman Intermediate Gym 5

Dress Code 5

Staff 5

Transportation 5

Homework Assistance 5

Recreation, Games, and Sports 5

Field Trips 6

MedicaIjEmergencies 6

Medication 6

Sick Child/Injury 6

Emergency Procedures 6

Guidelines 6

Personal Items and Electronic Devices 6

Behavior Guidelines 7

Discipline/Dismissal. 10

Parent/Guardian 11

Parent/Guardian Involvement 11

Parent/Guardian Input 11

Confidentiality Policy 13

Parent/Guardian Acknowledgment Form 14

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Introduction

Overview The Pinellas County Sheriff's Police Athletic League (Pinellas PAL) is a youth crime prevention program that utilizes educational, athletic, mentoring, leadership and recreational activities to create trust and understanding between law enforcement and youth. The mission of the Pinellas PAL is to offer the youth of Pinellas County, alternatives to violence, gang involvement, and substance abuse. This mission is accomplished through the provision of after school care; sports activities to include: baseball, basketball, boxing, flag football, golf, ice hockey, soccer, bowling, step team, swimming, and tennis; night programming (Friday and Saturday night sports); special events (activities during holidays); summer camp; and youth leadership. Pinellas PAL's education, recreation, community service and sports programs serve as the foundation for the development of leadership skills, good citizenship and good sportsmanship. These activities also introduce opportunity, motivation, and direction for youth. Pinellas PAL provides services to approximately 150 children on a daily basis during the school year.

Pinellas PAL targets youth primarily in unincorporated Lealman, a low-income/high juvenile crime rate area in Pinellas County. It has always been the policy of the Pinellas PAL to accept any child regardless of ability to pay. PAL serves all interested children although the target population is at-risk youth from low-income to poverty-level families. There is no registration or participation fee for the after-school and on-site summer camps for youth attending from public housing communities. The registration form for PAL programs includes a question about the child's eligibility for free or reduced lunch. More than 90% of youth served are eligible for this program.

Mission Statement The Mission ofthe Pinellas Sheriff's Police Athletic League is to provide positive activities, mentoring, leadership training, academic help and sports programming to youth in Pinellas County.

Vision Statement The Vision of the Pinellas Sheriff's Police Athletic League is to provide a positive influence on the youth in Pinellas County.

Objectives and Goals The Goals at PAL are to provide our participants with a safe place to come and play, learn, and develop so that they reach their potential. PAL focuses specifically on Academic Achievement, Leadership Achievement, Broadening Horizons, and Reducing Crime.

Statement of Diversity Pinellas County Sheriff's PAL is a diverse community of people of all genders, ages, cultures, races, religions, sexual orientations, socio-economic backgrounds, and abilities. PAL celebrates and advances diversity by creating a safe place in which people can express themselves freely and share their unique

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talents. Diversity encompasses acceptance and respect by fostering an environment of inclusion that

moves beyond simple tolerance to recognize the richness in individual identities of people.

Codes of Ethics 1. Value and respect each child or young person as an individual in his/her own right, in his/her role as a member of his/her family, and in his/her role as a member of the community s/he lives in;

2. Respect the relationship of the child or young person to his/her parents, his/her siblings, other members of his/her family and other significant persons, taking account of his/her natural ties and interdependent rights and responsibilities;

3. Facilitate the optimal growth and development of each individual child or young person to achieve his or her potential in all aspects of functioning;

4. Help each child or young person for whom he or she bears responsibility by preventing problems where possible, by offering protection where necessary, and by providing care and rehabilitation to counteract or resolve the problems faced;

5. Use information appropriately, respecting the privacy of children and young people, maintaining confidentiality where necessary, respecting the right of children and young people to be informed of matters concerning themselves, and avoiding the misuse of personal information;

6. Oppose at all times any form of discrimination, oppression or exploitation of children and young people, and preserve their rights;

7. Maintain personal and professional integrity, develop skills and knowledge in order to work with competence, work co-operatively with colleagues, monitor the quality of services, and contribute to the development of the service and of policy and thinking in the field of childcare.

All other standards expected of childcare workers stem from these seven clauses.

Contact Information Phone -- 727-521-5315 E-mail--pinellaspallyndsey@gmail.com Website - Pinellaspal.com

Registration and Records

Registration In order to attend PAL a registration form must be completed prior to attendance at the PAL facility. Make sure that all of your information is correct and accurate so that we can provide the best service for that participant. Once the registration form is signed and completed the participant that was registered is free to use the PAL facilities as long as they adhere to the rules set by Staff (see Safety and Behavior Rules). Please be sure to include any information you feel necessary for the care of your child.

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Updating Records It is the responsibility of the Parent or Guardian to update any information that changes (such as contact information and address). This is to ensure the safety of the child and smooth procedures here at PAL.

Day to Day Operation

Hours of Operation *Subject to change* Out-of-school hours differ and will be updated constantly throughout the year depending on the season or day.

Little PAL & The Landings Monday - Friday: 3:00pm - 6:00pm

Big PAL Monday - Thursday: 1:30pm - 7:00pm Friday: 1:30pm - 6:00pm

Note: Little PAL is closed during Spring, Thanksgiving, and Winter Breaks

PAL Holidays PAL will be closed the following holidays:

Martin Luther King Jr. Day Memorial Day a" of July Labor Day Thanksgiving Day and the day after Christmas Eve Christmas Day New Year's Eve New Year's Day

Sign In/Sign Out Little PAL & The Landings (Elementary school aged participants)

a. Elementary Pick-Up: PAL picks up from some local elementary schools. We obtain a list of children we pick up that day and will manually sign them in upon arrival. When a parent comes to pick their child up they will sign their child out themselves.

b. Parental Drop-Off: If the child is dropped off by the parent the parent will sign them in. Upon pick-up the parent or guardian will sign their child out.

c. Children pass from school to PAL to Parents

*No matter which option you choose the parent must sign their child out. *

Big PAL (Middle and High school aged participants)

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a) Middle School Pick-Up: PAL picks up from many local Middle Schools. Ask for a list with

the registration form. Upon arrival the participants will sign themselves in. They may

sign themselves out if the Parent/Guardian allows them to, or they must wait until an

approved adult picks them up.

b) High School Pick-Up: PAL picks up from both Dixie Hollins and Northeast High Schools.

These participants will sign themselves in. They may sign themselves out ifthe

Parent/Guardian allows them to, or they must wait until an approved adult picks them

up. c) Middle and High School aged participants who provide their own transportation may

come as they please and sign themselves in. They may sign themselves out if the

Parent/Guardian allows them to, or they must wait until an approved adult picks them

up.

Note: We do NOT allow participants to come and go as they please. Participants are not allowed to

leave the complex to go to the store, a friend's house, or to go home to get something. Our goal is to

keep participants here and off the streets. Once they are signed out, they are signed out for the day.

Building Breakdown There are several buildings on the PAL Lealman Sports Complex located at 3755 46th Ave. N. St. Petersburg, FL 33714.

Main Office - The first building you see, coaches and offices are located here and only authorized personnel are allowed within the building. Sometimes participants will come in and out with questions but for the most part this is a professional space.

Game Room - Directly across the breezeway from the office, this building is attached to the main office. Used for a game room and storage this is one of the main buildings primarily used by the participants to hang out.

Gymnastics Room - This is the building directly to the left of the Main Office. In order for this room to be used a minimum of 5 participants need to be present and wanting to use this facility. Within there is a tumbling mat and a trampoline (one participant at a time on the trampoline). A coach must also be present at all times.

Boxing Gym - Directly to the right of the main office is the Boxing Gym. This is used my mostly older participants and also includes a fitness room. A boxing coach will typically be present while boxing is ongoing.

Portables - These two buildings are used for Homework and Tutoring. After school there is a mandatory homework period where the participants must either; do their homework, read, tutor other participants, or work on learning software. The computer lab is also located in the portables.

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Little PAL - This is the building for elementary school aged children. Little PAL is not located on

the main complex and is instead down the street at 3875 54th Ave. N. St. Petersburg, FL 33714.

The Landings - This is the building for elementary school aged children. The Landings is not located on the main complex and is instead down the street at 6835 54th Ave N. St Petersburg, FL 33709.

Lealman Intermediate Gym - This is a building we use for sports practices. Lealman Intermediate Gym is not located on the main complex and is instead down the street at 4900 28Th Street St Petersburg, FL 33709.

Dress Code Dress Code at PAL is the same as the School dress code. If the clothing in question would not be allowed at school it is also not allowed at PAL. Participants who wish to partake in any recreational activity must wear closed toed shoes.

Staff The staff at PAL is dedicated and friendly. Each member is carefully selected to hold the values of PAL. Members are expected to strive to achieve the mission and vision of PAL and help guide the participants in that direction. The members are trained in basic first aid and CPR and also know the procedures for emergencies. Our staff is well trained, professional, and works hard to provide the participants with an excellent experience while they are under PAL supervision.

Transportation PAL will provide transportation in some instances. On the registration form you can choose to have PAL pick your participant up at their school. We will provide the transportation from the school to PAL. PAL will NOT provide transportation to individual houses or neighborhoods. PAL will also provide transportation for any field trips we may take during the course of the year.

Homework Assistance Help with academics is a priority at PAL. We will provide assistance for any participant who needs or asks for help with their school work. We have a computer lab for more extensive assignments and a staff willing to help with any subject. Participants will be given the mandatory option of homework help, reading, tutoring other participants, or going to the computer lab to work on learning software for at least 30 minutes. If a participant needs or wishes to continue homework they are encouraged to do so. Note that homework may not be completed correctly as staff may not have time to thoroughly check their homework for correctness. It is ultimately the parent's responsibility to check with their child on all matters dealing with homework and school projects.

Recreation, Games, and Sports PAL provides many options for recreation, games, and sports. Here we have a basketball court, a skate park (additional paperwork required; helmets and boards can be provided), ping pong, pool tables,

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various board games, cards, soccer, football, bikes, scooters, skateboards, a gymnastics room, and a

boxing gym. We ask that everyone includes everyone else and that they treat the equipment with

respect.

Field Trips During the year PAL will take field trips to various locations with the participants. We will provide the transportation to the location and back again to PAL. Some examples of field trips would be a camping trip, a day trip to the local disc golf course, museums, trips to local football games, or college campuses. Participants can sign themselves up for these field trips. If there is a fee associated with the field trip parents will be notified beforehand.

Medical/Emergencies

Medication PAL is not legally permitted to dispense any forms of medication.

Sick Child/Injury If a participant is sick (running a fever of over 100 degrees) we ask that they stay home until the sickness has passed. This is to prevent the other participants from also falling ill. If a participant is found to be ill the parent will be contacted to come and retrieve the child immediately. If notified of a child's illness, a parent or an authorized contact person must sign out a child as soon as possible.

In the event of an injury staff members are trained in basic first aid and are CPR certified. Local authorities will be called in the event of a serious injury and the parents will be notified immediately. The participant will be transferred to a hospital accompanied by a staff member.

Emergency Procedures In the case of bad weather, the participants will come inside any of the covered buildings. Storms here in Florida come and go but it is still a safety concern.

In the event of a fire, natural disaster, or man-made disaster, staff will evacuate the participants to the posted exit routes. Our first emergency meeting place is directly across the street under the nearest street light. If for some reason that is blocked we will exit the portable side of PAL and head north towards the church down the street. During an emergency a staff member will grab the sign in sheet and the master phone list. Parents will be notified immediately.

Guidelines

Personal Items and Electronic Devices PAL is not responsible for any lost or stolen personal items or electronic devices. We advise member to keep an eye on their personal belongings and that they do not leave their electronic devices unattended at any time.

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Behavior Guidelines Participants who attend PAL are expected to follow the rules set by the staff. For your convenience the rules are as follows:

Big PAL Behavior Expectations: 1. All PAL participants must SIGN-IN when you arrive and SIGN-OUT when you leave (NO coming

and going!) Your parents, your school, and PAL expect you to stay inside the PAL complex and have fun.

2. Respect yourself, others, PAL Staff, and PAL equipment by displaying good behavior and manners: profanity, fighting, arguing, raising your voice, stealing, bullying, carrying weapons, or destroying property is not good behavior.

3. Food is available every day; we eat in the game room, breezeway, or classroom portable. We clean up after ourselves and throw trash away and recycle.

4. You are responsible for your belongings. Money, electronics, bikes, etc. are your responsibility. 5. The Dress Code is the same as school; can you wear it to school? Then you can wear it to PAL.

Tennis shoes must be worn to play sports. 6. Academics are important. Every PAL participant goes to the portable on their school days. You,

your school, and your parents signed up for this. 7. Every PAL participant is expected to participate in all PAL activities.

Game Room Guidelines: 1. At least one light must stay ON! 2. Hang your book bag and jackets on wall rack. 3. Participants must get permission to go into the fridge and the silver food

trays. When we eat, LADIES FIRST. 4. Horse playing, running around inside, eating or sitting on pool table are not

good behavior. 5. Balls or wheels (bikes, scooters, skate boards, rollerblades, etc.) are outside

equipment. 6. Voices must be inside voices and music should be only for the person

listening to it. 7. Pool balls stay on the table, no dropping the pool sticks, use equipment

correctly, and make sure all equipment gets put back.

Breezeway Guidelines: 1. Participants must get permission to go into the fridge. 2. Balls or wheels (bikes, scooters, skate boards, rollerblades, etc.) are outside

equipment. (Not to be used in Breezeway) 3. Voices must be inside voices and music should be only for the person

listening to it. 4. You may sit on the chairs, benches, or couches only. (Do not sit on the ping

pong table)

Boxing Area Guidelines: 1. Shoes and shirts are to be worn at all times. 2. Use equipment for its intended purpose, equipment must stay in gym, and

return all equipment to its designated location.

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3. We are a certified gym, you can work out every day but sparring is only to be done when a certified coach is present.

4. NO HANGING ON THE ROPES. 5. No cursing. 6. Only boxers are allowed in gym, not friends or spectators.

Weight Room Guidelines: 1. Shirts and shoes must be worn at all times. 2. 2 people are needed to use weights. 3. Use equipment for its intended purpose, equipment must stay in gym, wipe

sweat off equipment, and return all equipment to its designated location.

Basketball Court Guidelines: 1. Basketball court must be swept clean daily. If leaves, sand or debris is on

court, it has not been swept and is not in playable condition. 2. Playing surface must be dry; no puddles or standing water. 3. All players must wear sneakers and shirts. 4. No wheels on the court.

Tumbling Area Guidelines: 1. A coach must be present at all times. 2. One person on tumbling mats or trampoline at a time. 3. Do not start your jump until the person in front of you is off the mat (no

throwing mats). 4. There should be no gaps between jumping mats and no jumping over

people. 5. No climbing or hanging on the trampoline net.

Computer Lab Guidelines: 1. Voices must be inside voices and music should be only for the person

listening to it (no headphones). 2. Balls or wheels (bikes, scooters, skate boards, rollerblades, etc.) are outside

equipment. 3. Only go to appropriate websites and no proxy servers or websites. 4. Downloading, changing computer settings and using the webcam is for

coaches. 5. Do not touch thermostat or computer cables.

Classroom Guidelines: 1. Voices must be inside voices and you must ask to use the computers. 2. Must stay at least 30 minutes, show your grades to teacher once a week,

and go at least twice a week. 3. One snack per person. 4. Do not touch thermostat or computer cables.

Skate Park Guidelines: 1. All skaters must register at the PAL Lealman Sports Complex BEFORE

entering the Skate Park.

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2. Skaters must be at least 8 years of age. Skaters under the age of 18 years old must have a Pinellas Sheriffs Police Athletic League Waiver signed by their parent or legal guardian, and the waiver must be notarized before entering the skate park for the first time.

3. Skaters under the age of 12 must have a parent/guardian with them at all times while in the skate board park.

4. SKATE AT YOUR OWN RISK, keeping in mind your safety and that of others around you. The Pinellas Sheriff's Police Athletic League does not assume responsibility for injuries.

5. Safety helmets and shirts must be worn at all times. Elbow pads and knee pads are highly recommended.

6. No pets, food (including gum and candy), beverages, alcohol, drugs, smoking, cookers, backpacks or boom boxes are allowed in the skate park.

7. Do not deposit any trash, debris or other objects on the skating surface. 8. Promptly report any observed damage to the skateboard park to the staff. 9. Reckless/improper behavior or abusive/profane language will not be

tolerated. 10. Due to safety concerns, spectators must remain outside of the fenced-in

skate park area. 1l. Skaters not observing the above noted Rules and Regulations may be asked

to leave the facility and may lose their skating privileges for a prescribed period oftime.

12. The Pinellas Sheriff's Police Athletic League reserves the right to close this park at any time in the event of inclement weather, wet surfaces, damaged facilities or other unsafe conditions.

13. Anyone caught in the skate park during closed hours will be subject to trespass infractions as well as suspension from park privileges.

Little PAL and The Landings General Guidelines: 1. Follow all PAL rules regardless of age. 2. Respect, Listen, and obey all PAL staff members. 3. Respect other PAL members and their belongings. 4. Demonstrate good behavior and manners at ALL times while at PAL. 5. NO electronics of any kind (cell phones, iPods, game systems, etc.), NO extra food or candy, and

NO toys at PAL. 6. No open toed shoes. Tennis shoes should be worn at all times for foot protection at all centers,

at the park, and during all sport activities. 7. ALL PAL members are REQUIRED TO PARTICIPATE in all inside/outside activities UNLESS

accompanied by a doctor's note. 8. All PAL participants are responsible for any money brought to PAL. 9. All PAL participants must be signed out by parent or guardian. 10. If you drop off your child, your child must signed-in to PAL. 11. NO fighting, wrestling, bullying, or violent contacts with any other PAL members, or park

attendees (AUTOMATIC SUSPENSION). 12. NO profanity (BAD WORDS) of any kind during PAL programs. 13. Destruction of PAL property will result in a two (2) day suspension. 14. ALL PAL members must stay with their group at all times including the Sports Complex, Field

Trips, and Special Events.

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15. Participants at PAL may NOT raise their voices to PAL staff members, argue with staff or cause inappropriate conflict with PAL staff members at any time and at any events.

16. NO stealing of any kind (AUTOMATIC SUSPENSION). If it is NOT yours, do NOT touch it. 17. No standing or horse playing while riding in PAL vehicles. 18. Failure to follow these rules will follow our discipline policy.

Computer Lab Guidelines: 1. Computer lab is a privilege not a right. 2. Voices must be inside voices and music should be only for the person

listening to it (no headphones). 3. Balls or wheels (bikes, scooters, skate boards, rollerblades, etc.) are

outside equipment. 4. Only go to appropriate websites and no proxy servers or websites. 5. Downloading, changing computer settings and using the webcam is for

coaches.

Discipline jDismissal Big PAL, Little PAL, and The Landings:

Many of the challenges we face day to day can be handled between the student and PAL staff. We always make sure the punishment fits the offense.

• Frequently stopping the behavior is enough to end the discussion, "Hey stop that"

• Other actions include sending a child to talk to a coach about what they did • Going to the conference room to calm down then talking to a coach and

deciding on appropriate actions to take • Writing an essay about why their actions were wrong • Writing 25 things they could have said instead • Writing out the PAL rules • Cleaning something at PAL or other appropriate job

• A conversation with parent. • A letter home to be signed by parent and PAL member.

o A letter signed by grandparent • Suspension with the number of days to be determined by the PAL Supervisor.

o Two (2) or more suspensions will result in an implementation of a Behavior Contract or Expulsion from program.

PAL handles disciplinary procedures on an individual basis. It is the responsibility of the parents/guardians to let us know if participants have developmental delays so that we can better understand behavior. If the behavior is ongoing or extreme the member will be sent to the Director for further guidance and discussion. We hold the right to dismiss the participant for extreme behavior if necessary (ex: intentional injury of staff or another member). Dismissal can be immediate and without advance notice. In the event of a dismissal the parents will be notified.

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Parent/Guardian

Parent/Guardian Involvement As a PAL Member parent you have a few options to get involved with PAL and your child. Please let us know which one you would like to be a part of.

o Volunteer o Chaperone o Parent Advisory Committee

Parent/Guardian Input Below is a survey so PAL can understand your child and their interests.

Child's Name: _ Preferred Name: _

My child's favorite things:

Color: _

Book: --------------

Toy: ___

Other favorites:

My child is good at:

My child likes to:

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My child doesn't like to:

My child learns best:

Some things I would like you to know about our family: (i.e. culture, activities that your family enjoys

together. .. )

What does PAL offer that your child is interested in?

What should PAL offer?

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Confidentiality Policy Staff members who have direct or indirect access to personal and corporate information are

required to ensure the confidentiality of personal information and exercise discretion when discussing

the business of PAL. During time spent at PAL all information is confidential and shall only be accessed

on a "need to know" basis to carry out individual responsibilities and facilitate education. Under no

circumstance, will staff permit unauthorized access to, or use of, personal or corporate information.

Information will not be altered, copied, interfered with, destroyed or removed except as

authorized.

Staff acknowledges they have an obligation to report any unauthorized disclosures or demands

for disclosure.

Compliance with the confidentiality agreement is a condition of employment at PAL and each

employee understands member confidentiality. At PAL we want your child, their information, and your

information to be safe.

By signing this form I acknowledge that I have read and understand the Confidentiality

standards set by PAL.

Child's Name

Parent/Guardian Name

Parent/Guardian Signature Date

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Parent/Guardian Acknowledgment Form

By signing this form I acknowledge that I have received, read, and understand the Pinellas

Sheriff's Police Athletic League Parent/Guardian Handbook. Furthermore, I understand Pinellas Sheriff's

Police Athletic League policy and procedure concerning my child and their activities at Pinellas Sheriff's

Police Athletic League. I also agree to participate in my child's afterschool program as much as possible.

Child's Name

Parent/Guardian Name

Parent/Guardian Signature Date

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