Main | Children's Circus of Middletown
The BUS SCHEDULE: Please have patience for the first few days; it always seems to take a while for the kinks to get worked out of the bus routes. So, for the first few days, arrive ten minutes early, but don’t be surprised if your bus arrives rather late.
The AM session runs 9 -11:30 am. The PM session runs 12:30 - 3 pm.
The ADVANCED PROGRAM runs 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. Kids who are not taking the bus should be dropped off no sooner than ten minutes before the session begins and picked up promptly when the session is over.
The CIRCUS PROGRAM will be held at Spencer School. The program begins MONDAY, JULY 2nd and runs MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY through August 3rd (No program on July 4). THE CIRCUS PERFORMANCE IS ON FRIDAY, AUGUST 3rd AT 5:00 P.M. AT SPENCER SCHOOL!
(The RAINDATE for the performance is SATURDAY, AUGUST 4th AT NOON!)
ATTENDANCE: All children registered for the Circus ARE EXPECTED TO ATTEND EVERY DAY! This is really important. It is not a drop-in program. All the activities are leading up to the final performance, and the success of the performance is dependent on the COMMITMENT of everyone involved. More than three days of unexcused absences will result in being asked to leave the program.
ABSENCES: If you are really sick, then you should stay home, but please call us so that we know why you are not there and so that you will not be charged with an “unexcused absence”. The CIRCUS PHONE NUMBER IS 250-5894. If a child is injured or becomes ill during the program day, we will call the parent or guardian to pick her or him up.
MEDICATION/HEALTH ISSUES: PLEASE be sure that we are fully informed about any allergies, medication, asthma or special medical conditions. Our main goal is to run a safe and fun program for everyone; being aware of any medical or behavioral issues makes this a lot easier. Please do not assume that your child will tell us or that we will figure it out -- let us know! We will be in the sun -- please check with doctor about any potentially photosensitive medications.
RAIN: The show must go on! The Circus program is held regardless of the weather. If it is raining, or unbearably hot, we have indoor spaces at Spencer which are available to us. There is, however, a rain date for the performance: in case of rain, the show will be held on Saturday, August 4th at noon.
EARLY PICKUP: If a child needs to leave early on a given day, a written note from the parent or guardian must be given to the Site Director (Bobbye) at the start of the day or sooner. We cannot allow anyone to leave the site unless it is with a parent/guardian, an authorized adult or on the bus.
CLOTHING AND APPLIANCES: The Circus program is active, sweaty and mostly outdoors, so it is important to dress appropriately. SNEAKERS (no sandals or open-toed shoes, please), SHORTS AND TEE SHIRTS ARE STANDARD CIRCUS ATTIRE; HATS AND SUNSCREEN ARE STRONGLY ADVISED! We do have water fountains and a daily “freeze-pop break”, and the staff are all trained to look out for heat illness, but some kids do like to bring personal water bottles. (Make sure your name is on it, though!) There is no time to get bored at the circus, and things people bring often seem to get lost and cause distress, so you really don’t need to bring anything other than yourself. DEFINITELY DO NOT BRING: Ipods or discman, electronic games or pets, books, pets, knives or anything you don’t really need. Thanks.
RULES, SAFETY AND DISCIPLINE: (See the main goal stated above: safe and fun is the name of the game!) The Circus is a demanding, active program in which young people are challenged to stretch themselves and take risks in a safe, professionally-supervised environment. There are two major rules, both of which are strictly enforced under the “three strike policy”, which is detailed below:
1. NO HURTING OTHER PEOPLE. This refers to physically hurting (punching, grabbing, fighting, etc.) or hurting feelings (teasing, harassing, trash-talking...). We try to create a supportive environment in which kids and adults can work and grow together. In order to do this we need to make sure that everyone is respectful of other peoples bodies and feelings.
2. NO LEAVING THE GROUP. We have over one hundred kids on the site at all times, and it is important that we know where everyone is at any given time. Leaving your group is strictly forbidden. If a child leaves their designated group at anytime a strike will be given and parents will be notified.
BREAKING EITHER OF THESE RULES WILL RESULT IN IMMEDIATE DISCIPLINE, USING THE “THREE STRIKE POLICY”. The first strike will result in a warning from the Site Director and a call home to parents. A second strike brings another call home and a one day suspension from the program. Anyone receiving a third strike will be immediately expelled from the program. Severe offenses may result in more than one strike or immediate expulsion as determined by the Site Director, Circus Director and Steve Allison, Arts and Culture coordinator for the City of Middletown.
In general, if everyone is working hard, having fun and learning, there should be no reason to give any strikes at all, but we feel that it is important to have a clear policy in place just in case...
COMMUNICATION: Questions, concerns or gushing praise may be addressed to our new Circus Director (Jake Weinstein) or the Site Director (Bobbye Knoll). Until June 27th, we can be reached at Oddfellows Playhouse: 347-6143. Starting June 27, all calls should be directed to the Circus Office phone on site at Spencer: 250-5894.
SCHEDULE VARIATIONS: On Wednesday August 1st program will run on normal half day sessions. Program participants will need to meet at Spencer School. On Thursday, August 2nd everyone -- both am and pm session people -- will meet at Spencer School for the FINAL DRESS REHEARSAL from 9 am till 3 pm (Bus schedule will be adapted). There will be no day-time circus program on Circus Day (August 3rd ), but everyone will need to be at Spencer by 3:45 pm for the 5:00 p.m. performance. More details on this will be given as it gets close, but mark your calendar!
HELP: Yes, we need a lot of help. We need donations of freeze pops (we go through over 5,000 over the course of the program! Really!),Our Families are excellent about providing us with freeze pops! This year we would be most obliged if any familes would be able to send in a few additional items. With so many kids, it is inevitable that someone forgets to eat. We would love to have some staples on hand for those instances. i.e. Boxed Cereal, Peanut Butter, Jelly, Bread, Granola Bars, Trail mix Etc. There are plenty of opportunities to help with costumes, set and prop building, and all kinds of other stuff. Please send in the enclosed “Volunteer Info Form” to help us figure out how to make use of your talents & energy.
FULL-DAY FOLKS: Some circus kids are participating in Kids Arts program on a full day basis (9 am - 3 pm) by combining a half-day of Circus with a half-day of the North End Arts Rising (NEAR) program, or as part of the Advanced Circus Program. Full day participants must bring their own lunches. Supervised lunch will take place from 11:30 to 12:30 at Spencer. Lunch is often outside so bring your sunscreen!
