Info for Parents & Guardians
Note to New Students:
The Bridge is for 7th-12th graders only (No exceptions)
All students must register the first time they attend. On the first visit students are required to bring a student I.D. or have parental consent in order to register.
Our Staff & Volunteers:
All Bridge Staff/Volunteers must undergo training, an application process and pass a background check.
We are proud that all of our Staff/Volunteers serve the community actively in many different areas that don’t just include The Bridge and have a wide variety of experience. This includes teachers, pastors, youth leaders, ex-military & law-enforcement, DOC, coaches, public workers and more. They are well respected in our community and care deeply about your students.
Our goal is to always maintain a student/staff ratio of 15:1.
Our Facility:
The Bridge is a 10,000 square foot space that is located in the heart of Canon City on Main Street. Because of the open floor plan, we have great visibility into the entire space during meeting times. The back rooms are off limits to students at all times.
Upon entering the Bridge, students cannot get past our check-in area without first registering. During the first visit we collect contact information for your student, emergency contact info, picture, and ask them to read and agree to our code of conduct (see below). Upon subsequent entries, students simply have to verify this information and “check-in”. Upon leaving, all students are required to check-out at the registration desk. This allows us to keep track of who is in the building and when necessary inform parents/guardians when students enter and exit the building. Feel free to contact us any time to ask when your student checked in/out of our building.
During meeting times, no unauthorized adults are allowed past the check-in area unless they are escorted by a Staff/Volunteer. This is to ensure the highest level of accountability with parents/guardians and reassure them that no adult is spending time with their student that is not a background-checked official Staff/Volunteer.
Important to Note:
Please be aware that we are unable to “hold” your student at the Bridge and can’t control when students choose to leave the facility.
At the Bridge, we enforce a single-sign-in policy on Friday nights. Meaning, if your student signs in, and then signs out, they will not be allowed back into the building. Many students will use the Bridge as a drop-off and pick-up point so they can hang out on Main Street under the guise of being at the Bridge. We did not open for this purpose and we don't condone this behavior.
Safety is our highest priority and our security team patrols the block and the alley regularly during evening hours. The best way to keep your student safe when spending time at the Bridge is to encourage them to stay in the building at all times.
To maintain the highest level of accountability with parents/guardians and our community, no staff will be allowed to drive in a vehicle with a student without prior consent. Students also may not enter the building unless at least 2 staff members are present.
A phone is available for students to call parents/guardians for pick-up or in the case of emergencies.
In the case of a non life-threatening emergency, we will contact the parent/guardian we have on file.
If you are picking up a student and need help finding them, please ask a staff member to assist and we will collect your student. Parents/guardians are not allowed beyond the registration area unless they are escorted by a staff member at the team leader’s discretion. During busy times this may not be possible.
Disciplinary matters are taken very seriously and are dealt with swiftly. In more serious matters, students may be suspended and parents/guardians notified. Ultimately our philosophy is that discipline, if handled properly is an opportunity to demonstrate grace, teach, and build character.
The following is our current code of conduct that all students must agree to during the registration process:
Code of Conduct:
RULES
You must sign-in & sign-out every time you enter/exit the building. You may only sign-in once on Fridays, and if you sign-out you will not be allowed back into the building.
Outside food or drink may be consumed in the building during afternoon hours. No outside food or drink may consumed in the building on Friday nights.
All backpacks and bags must be left at the front windows.
No drugs, alcohol, weapons, tobacco or vaping devices. Zero tolerance policy.
Be respectful with PDA (personal displays of affection). Brief hugs, hand holding, and arm around shoulders are allowed.
Profanity and vulgar language are not allowed.
No explicit or pornographic content may be viewed on any devices (cell phones, tablets, laptops, etc.) while inside the building.
You may not be outside the Bridge in front of the windows unless waiting for a ride.
Revealing or derogatory clothing is not allowed.
RESPECT OTHERS
Respect the Bridge and everything inside of it like you paid for it with your own money. If an item is broken through abuse, we will require you to pay for a replacement.
Respect Bridge leaders at all times. Disrespect is grounds for immediate dismissal.
Respect the surrounding public property including neighbors and local businesses.
Love other students at the Bridge to the best of your ability. No bullying, harassing, fighting/play fighting, gossiping, or talking disrespectfully about other students at any time.
Respect others personal space and boundaries. Only touch others with their consent.
1 WARNING ONLY
If you break a rule once you will be given an official warning. If any rules are broken a second time you will be dismissed from the Bridge for the day.
SUSPENSIONS
30-day suspensions will be given to students for more serious offenses and guardians will be notified.
If rules are broken again after the 30-day suspension, students may be permanently suspended from the Bridge, and your parent/guardian will be notified.
Any question or concerns? Please contact us: info@bridgecanoncity.com