Learning Lab Wichita is a collaborative learning community where creativity, curiosity, and care guide every experience. These policies outline the shared expectations for participants and families to ensure all learners can safely explore, connect, and grow together.

Learning Lab Wichita is open to all kindergarten through 12th grade students and their families. As a community, we strive to create a welcoming environment that supports learners from a wide range of backgrounds, beliefs and perspectives. Learning Lab Wichita is committed to creating a welcoming environment for families of all backgrounds. Our classes are designed to encourage critical thinking, curiosity and respectful dialogue through a broad, humanities-based approach. Course descriptions, content and any topics that may be considered sensitive will be communicated transparently so families can make informed decisions about the learning experiences that best fit their students.

OUR NORMS

As part of the Learning Lab Wichita community, we all agree to practice these norms:

• I value and respect everyone’s opportunity to learn. → Personalized Learning
• I show empathy to my peers. → Empathy & Well-being
• I make safe decisions with my body. → Safety
• I leave our spaces better than I found them. → Stewardship of the Space
• I am responsible for my actions as part of this community. → Responsibility & Accountability

These behaviors guide our daily interactions and help create a positive, welcoming environment for all.

BEHAVIOR & COMMUNITY EXPECTATIONS

Learning Lab Wichita is a shared space where kindness, curiosity, and responsibility matter. We ask all participants to:

• Treat instructors, staff, and peers with respect and empathy.
• Follow classroom and facility safety guidelines.
• Use materials and equipment responsibly.
• Speak and act in ways that support learning for everyone.

Families play an important role in reinforcing these expectations before and after class. If behavioral issues arise, our approach emphasizes communication, reflection, and restoration over punishment.

Our Approach

• Protect the community first. Everyone's opportunity to learn safely and with dignity comes before preserving one learner's participation in a particular activity.
• Consequences have a purpose. They interrupt harmful behavior, protect others, create accountability, and make space for learning, not simply punish.
• Warnings come before strikes. Students get a real chance to adjust with adult support, and families are brought in early so they can help.
• Return is usually possible, but not automatic. When appropriate, learners have an opportunity to repair harm, demonstrate growth, and rejoin. Serious safety concerns or persistent patterns can warrant longer-term or permanent restrictions.

Warnings and Strikes

When a behavior goes beyond typical learner behavior, staff respond based on severity, impact, pattern, response to redirection, and safety. For most concerns, staff work through these steps in order.

Step 1: Warnings: A warning is a redirection or conversation with the student, followed by an email home to parents about the behavior so we can address it together. The instructor will:

• Redirect the student or talk with them about the behavior and the norm involved, offering support such as a private check-in, an adjusted task or seating, or a break.
• Email the student's parents after class to describe the behavior and ask for their support.
• Note what was tried and the date of the warning.

A warning is not a punishment. It is a chance for the student, the instructor, and the family to work on the behavior before it affects participation.

Step 2: Strikes: A strike is when a student is removed from the class after they have received a warning and are no longer responding to positive redirection from adults. When a student receives a strike:

• The instructor shares the concern with Learning Lab staff, right away if it is urgent.
• The student goes home or returns to the school model for the rest of that Fun Friday. There is no further participation that day, and the student may try again next time.
• After class, the instructor emails or calls the student's parents with details and asks for their support.

Skipping the warning. Serious or unsafe behaviors, such as physical aggression or targeted harm toward another learner, may move directly to a strike based on the severity, circumstances, and impact of the behavior. Families are always contacted when this happens.

Repeat Strikes

Concerns and Communication for Families

If your student has a concern, or you do, please contact the program instructor directly first. Instructors are responsible for addressing concerns within their program and communicating with families as appropriate.

If you receive a warning email, please talk with your student about the behavior described and collaborate with program instructors. 

If a concern remains unresolved, or needs support beyond the instructor's role, it may be escalated for review by Learning Lab Wichita staff. Escalation is a request for review and support; it does not automatically pause or reverse a consequence already in place.

Learning Lab Wichita values the perspectives of students, families, instructors, and other involved parties and will consider the circumstances and perspectives shared. Learning Lab Wichita maintains final decision-making authority regarding its programs, policies, facilities, and community expectations.

What Students Can Do

If students feel they are not able to learn, they should tell their instructor directly, and share concerns early rather than waiting for them to grow. Students are encouraged to speak with the instructor during or after class, ask to speak privately, or leave a note or written message.

ATTENDANCE & CANCELLATIONS

Consistent attendance helps ensure a great learning experience. If your child cannot attend a class, please notify the instructor or Learning Lab staff as soon as possible.

• Missed classes cannot always be made up but may be supplemented with materials or an alternative option at the instructor’s discretion.
• Programs may be rescheduled or canceled due to unforeseen circumstances; families will be contacted promptly if changes occur.

FINANCIAL OBLIGATIONS

Enrollment in any Learning Lab Wichita program represents a commitment to the full cost of participation. Program fees support instructors, materials, and operational costs that are planned in advance for each session.

Refund Policy:

• Tuition and fees are non-refundable once a class or class series has begun, or after the published withdrawal deadline shared at the time of registration. This policy ensures that instructors and Learning Lab Wichita can plan and deliver high-quality learning experiences based on confirmed enrollment.

Payment Plans and Deposits:

• For programs utilizing a payment plan (such as Fun Friday stackable learning), a non-refundable deposit is required to secure your learner’s spot. Remaining payments must be completed according to the schedule provided at registration.

Late Fees:

• Participants submitting registration materials or requesting registration after a posted registration deadline may incur a $50 late fee per participant.

Transfers and Substitutions:

• Requests to transfer enrollment to another class or participant may be considered prior to the start date, pending availability and approval from the Program & Events team.

Cancellations by Learning Lab Wichita:

• In the rare event that Learning Lab Wichita must cancel a program due to low enrollment or unforeseen circumstances, families will be notified promptly, and a full refund will be issued.

DROP-OFF & PICK-UP PROCEDURES

Safety and supervision are our top priorities.

• Participants must be checked in and out by a parent, guardian, or authorized adult unless written permission is provided for self-checkout.
• Learners should arrive no more than 10 minutes before their session and be picked up promptly at the end of class.
• For multi-session days (e.g., Fun Friday), staff and instructors coordinate safe transitions between programs.

HEALTH & SAFETY

• Learners should stay home if they are ill or experiencing symptoms that could affect others.
• Please inform Learning Lab staff of any relevant medical needs, allergies, or accommodations in advance.
• In case of emergency, staff will follow posted procedures and contact families immediately.

COMMUNICATION

Open, respectful communication helps us serve every learner well.

• Families will receive registration confirmations, reminders, and any schedule updates via email.
• Instructor contact information is provided for program-specific communication only.
• Please direct general questions or concerns to the Program & Events team at hello@golearninglab.org or (316) 858-7213.

MEDIA & PHOTOGRAPHY

Learning Lab Wichita may take photos or videos for promotional or documentation purposes.

• Families may request to opt out of photography by notifying staff in writing before the start of the program.
• Photos are used responsibly to highlight community learning in action.

FACILITY USE

Help us care for our shared spaces by encouraging learners to:

• Clean up their work areas after each session.
• Handle materials, equipment, and furniture respectfully.
• Report any damage or spills to staff immediately.

ACKNOWLEDGMENT

By registering for a Learning Lab Wichita program, you acknowledge and agree to follow these community norms and policies. Together, we create a vibrant, safe, and supportive environment where learners can thrive.