Congratulations!

Now that you have completed Orientation, please refer to the Instructor Portal Dashboard to access any additional employee paperwork, utilize important teaching resources, and learn about our curriculum!

Here is a quick checklist of important items you will want to make sure to have in place before your first class:

• BrainStorm Polo.
• Access to humanity shiftplanning account.
• Gmail account with access to our Company Google Drive.

If you have any questions or concerns about anything you have learned in Orientation please feel free to contact a manager or send an email to [email protected]. We are very excited to have you on board as a new member of our growing team! Thank you!

In the case of a real and/or life-threatening emergency 

• Call: 911

Also, refer to the emergency plan and health/first aid information in the Safety section.

Other Emergency Contacts:

1. Site-specific front office phone number
2. Darren: (949) 374-2779
3. Email incident report and information to: [email protected]

Managers

• Darren: Call: (949) 374-2779  Email: [email protected]
• Justin: Call: (949) 351-9876  Email: [email protected]
• Karl: Call: (714) 248-2156  Email: [email protected]
• Morgan: Call: (801) 696-9708  Email: [email protected]
• Efren: Call: (626) 606-4464  Email: [email protected]

IT & Tech Support

• Karl (IT Manager): Call: (714) 248-2156  Email: [email protected]

Scheduling Support

• Darren: Call: (949) 374-2779  Email: [email protected]
• Jenny: Call: (562) 304-6755  Email: [email protected]

General Inquiries

• Email: [email protected]

• Arrives or logs on daily at least 15 minutes prior to the start of class
• Utilizes this time to prepare all materials and activities for the day
• Checks email daily prior to the start of class
• Email ([email protected]) for any parent inquiries.
• Takes prompt attendance daily
• Interfaces with parents/guardians as needed concerning student conduct, health, and performance
• Maintains a safe and clean work environment for both staff and students
•  Wear BrainStorm polo when you can, otherwise follow the dress code for your work-appropriate attire
• Always use a Virtual Background, preferably a Standardized BrainStorm virtual background which can be found in the resources folder

Brainstorm is committed to ensuring the safety and health of all of our students and staff. Therefore, we have created detailed COVID-19 operating procedures for our in-person camps and classes. These procedures have been developed based on information from different public & private agencies, as well as select subject matter experts. Due to the rapidly evolving situation, BrainStorm encourages its clients and stakeholders to monitor information and to always follow federal, state and local health agency guidance and government mandates.

In-Classroom Seating:

• Seating will incorporate increased spacing and physical distancing.
• Students’ desks will be placed at least 6 feet apart, when possible.
• Desks will be orientated to face the same direction or students will only sit on one side of tables.

In-Classroom Contact:

• Students will stay 6 feet apart from other students at all times.
• Instructors will designate a “Safe Pathway” leading to a sink and exit where students are constantly 6-feet away when walking down this path to wash their hands or going to the exit.

Check-in / Check-out:

• Class check-in and check-out will take place outside of the classroom to allow social distancing for parents during drop-off and pick-up.

Face Mask:

• Instructors are required to wear a mask or face covering during classes.
• Students will be encouraged to wear a mask or face covering. (Please note: this is subject to change based on government mandates).

Disposable Gloves:

• Instructors will use disposable gloves when cleaning commonly touched items or equipment.

Hand Washing & Sanitizing:

• Students will wash their hands or use hand sanitizer upon entering the classroom.

Sharing:

• All shared and used equipment (e.g., equip, scissors, etc) will be cleaned and disinfected between each use.
• Wherever possible, equipment will be labeled and designated for individual students for the duration of the class or camp.

Food / Snacks:

• Snack breaks will be limited to camps longer than 2 hours.
• Snacks must be in disposable packaging (no reusable containers).
• Instructors will ensure students wash their hands for 20 seconds before eating.
• Parents will be asked to provide a clean zip-loc bag to place their mask in if there is a snack break.

Cleaning:

• Instructors will clean and sanitize shared equipment and touchable surfaces between each use. Students are required to leave promptly after camps or classes end each day, so that instructors can properly clean and disinfect the classroom.

Communication:

• Prior to the class, parents/legal guardians will be notified about the precautions and procedures the program has implemented to minimize the risk of COVID-19 exposure.
• Parents will be asked to inform students not to remove their masks, touch their face, touch one another, stay 6-feet apart, and wash their hands regularly for 20 seconds including after the bathroom or snack break.

Screening:

• Instructors will conduct visual wellness checks of all students upon arrival. Students exhibiting symptoms of illness will not be allowed into the class or camp.
• Instructors will have their temperature checked at the start of each day. Instructors with a temperature over 100 degrees or other symptoms will not be allowed to work.

In the Event of a Potential Exposure:

• Immediately inform parents/legal guardians about any potential contact their children may have had with suspected or confirmed cases or if their child(ren) are experiencing any symptoms.
• Document/track incidents of possible exposure and notify local
  health officials, staff and families immediately of any positive
  case of COVID-19 while maintaining confidentiality.

•  Visit this link to take part in Sexual Harassment training: Click here
•  Once completed, please send your Certificate of Completion via email to: [email protected]

BrainStorm Studios, LLC strives to create a safe environment for youth, employees, and volunteers so that youth can grow, learn, and have fun. Part of creating a safe environment is making sure that youth are not harmed in any way while participating in organization-sponsored activities. BrainStorm Studios, LLC prohibits and does not tolerate sexual abuse or misconduct in the workplace or during any organization-related activity. BrainStorm Studios, LLC provides procedures for employees, volunteers, board members, or any other victims of sexual abuse or misconduct to report such acts. Those reasonably suspected or believed to have committed sexual abuse or misconduct will be appropriately disciplined, up to and including termination of employment or membership, as well as criminally prosecuted. No employee, volunteer, board member, or other person, regardless of his or her title or position has the authority to commit or allow sexual abuse or misconduct.

The following definitions or examples of sexual abuse, misconduct or harassment, may apply to any and/or all of the following persons – employees,
volunteers or other third-parties.

Sexual abuse or misconduct may include, but is not limited to:

• Child sexual abuse – any sexual activity, involvement, or attempt of sexual contact with a person who is a minor (under 18 years old) where consent is not or cannot be given.
• Sexual activity with another who is legally incompetent or otherwise unable to give consent.
• Physical assaults or violence, such as rape, sexual battery, abuse, molestation, or any attempt to commit such acts.
• Unwanted and intentional physical conduct that is sexual in nature, such as touching, pinching, patting, brushing, massaging someone’s neck or shoulders, and/or pull against another’s body or clothes.
• Material such as pornographic or sexually explicit images, posters, calendars, or objects.
• Unwelcome and inappropriate sexual activities, advances, comments, innuendoes, bullying, jokes, gestures, electronic communications or messages (e.g.email, text, social media, voicemail), exploitation, exposure, leering stalking, or invasion of sexual privacy.
• A sexually hostile environment characterized as comments or conduct that unreasonably interferes with one’s work performance or ability to do the job or creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive environment.
• Direct or implied threats that submission to sexual advances will be a condition of employment or affiliation with the organization.

Immediately report suspected sexual abuse or misconduct to any member of the BrainStorm Executive Staff. It is not required to directly confront the person
who is the source of the report, question or complaint before notifying any of the BrainStorm Executive Staff. BrainStorm Studios, LLC will take every reasonable measure to ensure that those named in complaint of misconduct, or are too closely associated with those involved in the complaint, will not be part of the investigative team.

BrainStorm Studios, LLC prohibits retaliation against any employee, volunteer, board member or other person who lodges a good faith complaint of sexual
abuse or misconduct or who participates in any related investigation. Making knowingly false or malicious accusations of sexual abuse or misconduct can have serious consequences for those who are wrongly accused. BrainStorm Studios, LLC prohibits making false or malicious sexual misconduct allegations, as well as deliberately providing false information during an investigation. Anyone who violates this rule is subject to disciplinary action, up to and including termination of employment or membership and criminal prosecution.

BrainStorm Studios, LLC will take all allegations of sexual abuse or misconduct seriously and will promptly, thoroughly and equitably investigate whether
misconduct has taken place. The organization may utilize an outside third-party to conduct an investigation of misconduct. BrainStorm Studios, LLC will cooperate fully with any investigation conducted by law enforcement or other regulatory/protective services agencies. BrainStorm Studios, LLC will make every reasonable effort to keep the matters involved in the allegation as confidential as possible while still allowing for a prompt and thorough investigation.

BrainStorm Studios, LLC is committed to following the state and federal legal requirements for reporting allegations or incidents of sexual abuse or misconduct to appropriate law enforcement and child or adult protective services organizations. It is the policy of BrainStorm Studios, LLC not to attempt to investigate or assess the validity or credibility of an allegation of sexual or physical abuse as a condition before reporting the allegation to the proper law enforcement authorities or protective services organizations.

As part of its sexual abuse and misconduct prevention program, BrainStorm Studios, LLC is committed to maintaining a diligent screening program for
prospective and existing employees, volunteers and others that may have interaction with those employed by, associating with or serviced by BrainStorm Studios, LLC. The organization may utilize a variety of methods of screening and selection, including but not limited to applications, person interview, criminal background checks and personal and professional references.

To provide a safe environment for minors, BrainStorm Studios, LLC strives to avoid one-on-one interactions between adults and minors that are not easily
observable by others. This may include adding additional BrainStorm Studios staff and/or location staff such as Parent-Teacher coordinators or school officials. If an adult is ever alone with a minor in a classroom due to unavoidable circumstances, the door will remain open so that others may observe the interaction.

If at any point students are not meeting behavioral expectations set by their instructor and all BrainStorm staff members, the disciplinary actions listed below will be taken.  If the student is being disciplined for a severe behavioral incident or violent matter, the student will be removed from the classroom and the parents of that particular student will be contacted immediately following the incident.

Step 1: Reminder
This is a reminder not a reprimand. It may be directed to the whole class at once. It may be directed to one or two students. The teacher does not need to approach the student when using this step. The teacher needs to take the opportunity to remind students early enough that the situation does not progress beyond a point where a simple reminder is no longer appropriate.

EXAMPLE:
“Janice and Maria, the rest of us have all started working, now. You need to stop talking and start too.”

Some teachers may complain that they should not have to remind children over and over again. We remind the children because they ARE children.

Step 2: Warning
This is a reprimand. The student is approached. The warning may be either verbal or written. Verbal warnings should not be delivered across the classroom. The teacher should move in close to the student and let them know what they are expected to do. The student is asked to identify the next step.

EXAMPLE:
Steven is sitting sideways in his chair and keeps messing with things on Maria’s desk. The teacher approaches Steven and says “Steven, I expect you to turn around in your seat and get on with your assignment. This is your warning. What is the next step?”

Step 3: Infraction Slip
The student is approached again. They are reminded that they have already received a warning. An infraction slip will be turned into the office. If they have received a written warning, the slip is collected from them. The student is asked to identify the next step.

EXAMPLE:
Nathan has been warned about staying in his seat and working on his assignment, but he keeps wandering over to argue with Jeff about a missing LEGO piece. The teacher marks “Failure to follow classroom rules” on an infraction slip. She says “Nathan, I warned you only a few minutes earlier about following directions. Yet you refuse to go to work. You will receive an infraction slip. Can you tell me the next step?”

Step 4: Send to the Office
The student is removed from class and escorted to the office.

EXAMPLE:
Linda has been acting up in class quite a bit today. She has been warned, and has had an infraction slip written up. Still, she continues to disrupt the class. The teacher sends her to the office. As she leaves the room, the teacher calls the office to let them know that Linda is on the way. As soon as possible, the teacher stops by the office to fill out a referral form and check with the principal. The teacher will contact the girl’s parents, as well. Use simple verbal reprimands when the misbehavior occurs. Make sure that they are to the point, moderate in tone, and private (e.g., “Stop talking and work on your math problems, please”).

• Raise their voice.
• Yell.
• Use tense body language, such as rigid posture or clenched hands.
• Use degrading, insulting, humiliating, or embarrassing put-downs.
• Use physical force.

Reinforce Appropriate Behavior

• Use positive reinforcement with individual students when good behavior and projects are being demonstrated. Give praise to the entire class as frequently as possible (e.g., “Thank you for working so quietly,” or “I’m delighted to see you all working so well today”).

Maintain Student Dignity

• When corrections are necessary handle situations quietly and calmly. Don’t make a big deal in front of the whole class. Talk to the student in private to ascertain the reason for his/her misbehavior.

Float

• Circulate around the room frequently, to avert potential behavior problems.

Be Neutral, Not Accusatory

• When problems arise, don’t ask, for example, ““Why did you take her LEGO minifigure?” Instead, ask what happened, opening the way for students to tell their story. Follow up with questions such as “How do you think that made her feel?”

Connect with Students

• Show your students that you take an interest in them. Show that you like them and that they belong in your classroom. Take advantage of the student’s interests and individually tailor their projects to them if possible.

Finding Success

• Make your lesson an experience that will allow the student to gain self-esteem because he/she is successful.

Goals

• Make goals that are challenging, but attainable.

Rewards

• Use incentives in the classroom to reinforce motivation toward accomplishment (i.e., prizes).

Raising Hands

• Students need to raise their hands before speaking in class or to get the teacher’s attention during project time.

Rule Review

• Periodically review the rules and procedures of the classroom until the students can successfully adhere to them.

• You are a role model
• Use grade-appropriate language
• Remember to dress appropriately (jeans are okay, need closed-toed shoes)
• Dress for the grass, lifting, and being on the floor
• Be on time. Your students are waiting for you!
• Confidentiality
• Set your expectations with the students. That way the students are part of the process and understand that they are expected to follow through with those expectations since they were involved.
• Anytime a student does not meet your expectations (as mentioned in the Disciplinary Procedures document attached), restate the expectations.

Class Flow

• Transitions (getting kids in and out of the classroom)
• Greeter and seater
• Have students clean up 5-10 minutes before class is over (depending on the class)

• Reinforcing positive behavior: “Thank you Karl for following directions. Thank you Shaun for sitting nicely while waiting for further instructions.”
• Wait for full attention for as long as it takes: “Some of our friends are not following directions so we have to wait”.
• Avoid bribing students. Expect positive behavior.

• Identifying problem pairings
• Students who aren’t engaged/need a challenge (differentiation)
• Layout equipment in a way that is easy for students to access
• Disciplinary procedures
• Redirecting behavior

Attention Getters

TK & Kinder:

• Show me ten
• If you can hear my voice…(Clap once, put your hands on your head, etc.)
• Instructor: Ice Cream Sundae Kids: Cherry on top (kids put a “cherry” on top of their heads)

1st – 3rd Graders:

• Show me ten
• If you can hear my voice…(Clap once, put your hands on your head, etc.)
• Have students close their computers before the class starts and during the overview.

4th – 6th Graders:

• Class class, yes yes
• Have students close their computers before the class starts and during the overview. 

Icebreakers

• Importance of learning names
• Find a group of 3 with the same type of shoes as you and introduce yourself
• During role, have a question of the day. Have students use sound alliteration (example: Kind Kaitlyn or Loquacious Laura)

Make sure you are in line with both the site’s disciplinary procedures as well as BrainStorm’s procedures.

BrainStorm instructors are required to communicate their expectations of their students on the first day of any class session. Instructors will also reiterate these expectations over the course of the session and anytime expectations are not being met. These expectations include but are not limited to:

• Being respectful to oneself and others.
• Keeping hands, arms, feet, and legs to oneself.(In-person)
• Not interrupting while the instructor is talking, especially since vital information on safety is introduced before the start of any activity.
• Using school-appropriate language at all times.
• Speaking to fellow students respectively, as bullying of any kind is unacceptable.
• Being honest when an incident has occurred.
• Follow directions and listen.
• Come to class prepared to focus and be on time.
• Leave gum, food and beverages in your bags until snacktime.
• Keep your hands, feet and other objects away from others.
• Respect the Teacher, Students, Equipment and Parents.

Proactive classroom control begins with setting the tone in your room in the first few minutes, before behaviors can become problems. If you miss the opportunity for a smooth, controlled start, you will spend more of your time trying to calm things down and regain control. By following a routine that the students can count on, a proactive teacher can head off many discipline problems that more reactive teachers face daily. For example, students arrive to class over the course of several minutes, but the children go right to work on a daily start up activity when they enter the room (i.e. LEGO Building). As the reactive teacher’s classroom fills up, students are talking, joking and waiting for class to start. Each period, each day the reactive teacher has to break their momentum, cut through the energy, and pull his students onto task. When the bell rings, the proactive teacher’s class has been on task for some time, while her colleague is already in a reaction mode, trying to settle his students down. If a student appears to be becoming frustrated, intervene as soon as possible in order to prevent the misbehavior from occurring (e.g., say “Harry, may I help you with your assignment?”).

All Instructors will conduct a campus tour on day 1 of each session that notes what is off-limits, closest bathrooms, lunch area, nurse, etc.  

• All adults on campus are IPSF employees with the exception of IUSD staff  running other programs, approved shadow aides, or class-specific volunteers  (Oceans, music classes, and Science Olympiad) 
• All external doors must remain locked at all times  
• No parents or visitors on campus 
• If you see a non-IPSF adult or child on campus, politely inform them of  the safety policy and escort them off campus

• Familiarize yourself with campus lockdown, fire drill, and earthquake  protocols  
• Establish a meeting place for your class  
• Ensure you have a copy of your class accommodations report to serve as  your attendance sheet and an emergency contact sheet

• A duty schedule will be provided (site staff meeting) for each location to  assist the administrative staff in monitoring students during pick up/drop off,  recess, and lunch

• Students do not have to attend every day of the program as this is for enrichment only • We still take attendance for safety reasons 
• Instructors are responsible for taking attendance within the first 15 minutes of each period  and again after recess 
• Attendance is entered online via an attendance Google sheet (shared by the site clerk) • Take a headcount before leaving and after returning from the classroom (i.e. recess, school  tour, etc.) and notify office staff if a student is missing 
• Do not just rely on a headcount! Have all students stand up and when their name is called,  then they can be seated 
• Any student NOT enrolled in the class should be sent to the office immediately
• With many students visiting in the summer, some students do not know their legal names  – Nametags are generated based on what the parent enrolled the student as, and with some  students arriving in Irvine just prior to the summer program, they may not know their  “American” name either

• The site clerk will assist any students who visit the health office and track in the Health Log • Both the parent/guardian and 911 should be contacted if a head injury is sustained  – An Injury Report is also completed for all head injuries  
• Refer to Nurse training video for other medical issues  

• All elementary students receive a nametag on the first day of each session that lists their  grade and their schedule 
• Nametags are used to help students and staff transition between periods, recess, and lunch – Nametags play a crucial role in helping both younger students and non-native English  speaking students locate their classes  

• Students should travel in pairs if an adult cannot escort a student to the office or bathroom

• Students can be dropped off up to 10 minutes before classes begin 
• Staff will be outside directing traffic and students to their classes 
• Once the class is dismissed, students can be picked up at the designated pick up location  (provided at site meeting) within 10 minutes after class ends  
• Students should not be admitted or released early from their classes 
• Any students remaining after 10 minutes should be taken to the office  P1 to P2 Transitions  
• Students participating in a full-day program will be escorted to lunch where they can pick up  their pre-purchased Cater Tots lunch or enjoy their packed lunch 
• After lunch, students are escorted to a central location, line up according to their next class,  and wait for the teacher to escort them to class (location provided at site meeting)  • Parents are not allowed to enter the lunch area or to eat with all-day students

Staff receives their schedule through Shiftplanning. Staff is required to update managers on their availability so the person in charge of scheduling can plan accordingly.

Ensure that all curriculum and internal information is kept confidential. All manuals must be returned after the program has been completed. Notify supervisors of any lost manuals, guides, or equipment. Manuals should not be copied or shared.

Uniform & Dress Code:

• All employees will be given at least one BrainStorm shirt and one IPSF shirt.
  • IPSF shirts are to be worn on the first and final day of camps, as well as every Friday.
  • Brainstorm shirts are to be worn every Tuesday and Thursday. 
• Employees will also be given an IPSF badge. These are to be worn at all times while on school grounds.
• In general, clothing should be semi-casual and school-appropriate.  
• Long pants are preferred over shorts, however, school-appropriate shorts are acceptable on hot days.
• Jeans without tears/rips are acceptable.
• Open-toed shoes are not acceptable.

Create a Humanity account: https://www.humanity.com/

Once an employee has created an account, they will be added to the BrainStorm team by a Scheduling Manager.

• All employees use Humanity: Shiftplanning to manage their schedules and shifts. It is also recommended for employees to use the Android/iOS app on smart devices.
• Shifts will be scheduled based on your availability. Please be sure to keep your availability up to date with the scheduler.
• Schedules are posted on a weekly basis.
• Be sure to check your schedule on a daily basis. Schedules are subject to change due to absences, canceled classes, etc.
• Tardiness/Absences: Unreported absences and tardiness are unacceptable. If something does come up where you will be late or unable to come to work, please let us know immediately. If you were scheduled to teach a class, we need to be able to schedule a substitute as soon as possible.

• Pay Period: Paychecks are distributed every two weeks on Fridays.
• Timecards: Timecards are due each Sunday before paychecks are sent out. Reminder emails will be sent before timecards are due.
• Mileage: Employees are reimbursed for any miles driven with their vehicle while on the clock. Driven miles should be recorded on timecards.
• Direct Deposit: Direct Deposit is available to all employees. Information for this can be found in the New Hire packet that is provided at the beginning of employment.

Here are a few tips for navigating the Orientation: 

• ➡ For most, it will take anywhere from 45 minutes to 1 hour to complete this orientation.
• ➡ Use the buttons (“Next Lesson” and “Previous Lesson”) in the lower right and left corner to move through the sections.
• ➡ At the end of each section, there will be a Short Quiz reviewing the material presented.
• ➡ Once all sections are complete, you can take the Final Test for the Orientation.
• ➡ You must answer 70% of the questions correctly in order to pass the Final Test.
• ➡ Feel free to take notes.

  You are now ready to begin the Orientation.