TJ does not use punitive discipline. Rather, discipline in RE is a matter of helping children to honor the covenants they create and to find better ways to integrate all our children into the RE program (sometimes with the help of family members). If your child has issues that prevent him/her from fully participating in the RE program, the DREs will work with you to come up with the best suitable plan for him/her. It may be appropriate for a child to meet with a group other than the one covering their actual age or school grade. TJ discipline attempts to practice redirection with love and respect.

• Remind the child or class of the covenant created by their group members
• Invite the child to sit or stand by an adult
• Give a helpful task and then reintegrate into the larger group
• Offer the opportunity to read a book or draw
• Offer to leave the classroom with supervision to draw or read or spend some time with the DRE
• Escort to sit with their parents for the remainder of class time
• Parents may be asked to come into the classroom

TJ follows Safe Congregation practices and has policies in place to ensure that the best interests of children, youth, and adults are protected at TJ. Briefly:

• To adequately protect and care for participants, it is TJ policy that a minimum of two adults are present at RE events or group meetings.
• Parents or guardians are expected to pick up children (second grade or younger) at 12:15 PM.
• Children in Kindergarten and younger are signed in and out of the room by a parent or guardian.
• Families with cell phones are encouraged to set a phone on vibrate and note its number on the sign-in sheet so that they may be contacted if necessary.
• Parents or guardians are responsible for their children and youth before and after the religious education hour.
• All adults who volunteer in the RE program with children and/or youth are background screened and training is offered. In addition, volunteers are required to fill out a volunteer application and sign our Code of Ethics. Sexual harassment/abuse will not be tolerated and the DRE and Minister will act immediately on any report of such activity.
• For further specific information about safety policies, please see the DRE or an RE Committee Co-Chair.