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CENTER POLICY

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Note: We try to explain policies to reasonable details without being too lengthy.  Often, common sense dictates, if it is not explicitly stated here. If you still have any question, please contact us.

Code of Conduct

In order to maintain an environment which is not only educational, but also safe and fun for all attendees, it is important for them to follow our code of conduct during the sessions. These rules are:    

  • Show courtesy and respect for others.

  • Avoid using profane or rude language.

  • Behave responsibly, and always exercise self-discipline.

  • Be respectful to the robot.  The robot, just like any electronic equipment,  can be damaged by rough play, such as manually push the robot, throwing it against a hard surface.  (Clear instruction in proper treatment will be given to the students at the beginning of the class)

  • No horseplay.

It is imperative that all participants should understand this is an environment not only for fun, but also for learning from each other, and exploring robotic science. 

Therefore, the Refund and Cancellation Policies will be strictly enforced.

Proper Handling of robots

All batteries are fully charged before installation.  All robots are tested to be in perfect health before the first class.  The following describes the proper handling of the robot.

 MUST DO LIST

  • Treat your robot like a delicate electronic equipment.
  • Place them in the storage box gently after each class.
  • Place them so that they will not come to any harm (example: away from the table ledge).
  • Put away all components in the provided storage box after every class.

 MUST NOT DO LIST

  • Push the robot manually.  This shortens the life of the batteries installed in the RCX, as well as future malfunction of your robot. With proper execution, batteries last for hours. Otherwise, battery power will last an unreasonably short time and the robot may cease to function completely. If this situation arises, no replacement will be provided.
  • Allow your robot to remain stuck during operation. If your robot is stuck during execution of its program and the motors are still running, you should pick it up as soon as possible.
  • Handle the robot roughly, such as purposely drop it on the floor or any hard surface, or drop a hard object onto the robot.
  • Allow liquid to come in contact with the robot.

Disciplinary issues:

1. A student who is involved in a serious disciplinary situation (after the 3rd offense), will result in an offer for the parent to accompany the child to the program.  If this cannot be arranged, participation will be terminated without refund.  Hopefully, such circumstance will never happen. However, it is important to have this policy in place in order to be fair to other participants. 

2. If it is absolutely clear that the student purposely poses damage to the robot, not only participation will be terminated at the first offense,  parent will be held responsible for paying for the replacement cost of $125.


Payment & Cancellation Policies

The following refund policies apply in the event of cancellation or withdrawal:

  Refund
(full refund means tuition fee - $25 enrollment fee)
  Weekend one time Workshop  One Day Workshop Home Schooler Classes  Summer RoboCamp Other Holidays Workshops RoboClub
Birthday party & Group Workshops
more than one month prior to he scheduled program full full full (2) full (3) (4)
one month or less before the scheduled program (5) (1) (1) (2) (1) (3) (4) 
After program started 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0% 0%

(1) lf your seat can be replaced with someone on the waiting list or a new applicant, tuition fee minus $25 registration fee will be refunded. Otherwise, only 50% will be refunded.

(2) Sliding scale:

  • Fees are fully refundable (minus $25 registration fee) if requested by May 15th.
  • 50% is refundable if requested between May 16th - May 31st. 
  • No refunds starting June 1st.

(3)a For new member:

  • ONLY the first month (4 sessions) is considered to be trial period.  If you decide to renew after that, you must commit to the rest of the term, i.e. additional 2 months tuition. 

(3)b For returning member:

  • Enrollment fee of $25 is NON-REFUNDABLE in any circumstances.

(3)c For all:

  • All renewal MUST BE trimester-based.
  • There is no refund after class starts, unless it is due to some unavoidable cases, such as moving household, and or serious illness.
  • May submit the sum for the trimester or monthly recurring payment by:
    • credit card charge.  OR
    • Check payment. By choosing this method, you will commit to send in the monthly outstanding payment at the 3rd session of the current period (3 periods in one trimester).  Otherwise, a reminder notice will be sent out and there will be additional $3.50 administrative charge for each reminder. 
  • No refund will be provided within the 2 weeks prior to the start date of the class. If you withdraw 4 weeks before the start date of the class, tuition minus $25 enrollment fee will be refunded.
  • All first time enrollment will need to submit $25, unless the student has attended in our other workshops.

(4) No refund once the date has been confirmed. "Confirmed" means applicant has already sent in payment to secure a time slot. However, it can be rescheduled.

(5)

  1. "No Show" may result no future enrollment to Storming Robots program will be accepted if no explanation received from parents within 72 hours.
  2. Rescheduling MUST be arranged 2 days before the class, unless if is due to inclement weather. You can reschedule for 3 times only.  No refund afterwards.  
  3. You must notify us withdrawal within 2 days prior to the registered session. If not, you will still be responsible for the full tuition, and no rescheduling is allowed.

The following policies apply to all programs:

  1. In any event when cancellation is due to the applicant's medical reason:
    • If withdrawal takes place before or within the first half of the course, pro-rated refund minus $25 registration fee will apply. A doctor's letter will be required for verification.

    • If withdrawal takes place within the second half of the course, no refund will apply.

  2. Absolutely NO refund and NO rescheduling for "No show". "No Show" means you do not demonstrate any effort to inform us until the day of the program.

  3. Staff is not permitted to dispense medications.  Arrangements MUST be made accordingly before the beginning of your registered session.  


Installment payment plan for Homeschool classes

Installment payment plan only applies only to Homeschool day programs.

Important:  This installment payment plan is designed to help parents to spread out the cost of the tuition, but not to waive the responsibility of final full payment.   Payment must be made at the end of the each installment period, not afterward.  Our payment and refund policies still applies. 


Makeup class policy
Only apply to roboclub
All our classes are run in structural format, so make up sessions are not desirable. However, we shall try our best to accommodate you if you experience sickness, or other serious scheduling issue. While our student body grows rapidly, please help us to keep our scheduling under control so that we can maximum the quality of classes, a well as keep cost to you down.
The following policies will be enforced starting Fall of 2008:
  • Missed sessions will be made up only if the instructor thinks a make-up session for the student will be productive.
  • During make-up sessions, students must be able to work independently. 
  • No makeup session can be carried over to the next term.
  • Missed classes cannot be redeemed.
  • There is absolutely no walk-in to a session which you did not sign up for. 
  • Each member may make up their missed session maximum 4 times within a trimester. 
  • All make up sessions must take place either one week before or after the missed session.
  • Makeup sessions can only take place in one of the existing sessions.
  • No schedule shifting.  For example, you cannot come in 30 minutes earlier because you wish to leave class 30 minutes earlier.

General

Any Child of unsuitable age for a class (such as: infants, toddlers, or younger siblings) will not be permitted in computer labs. They MUST be under their own parent's/guardian's supervision at all times while they are at the center.

The center is not responsible for lost or stolen personal property.

 

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