ISEN-ASTC-L is a service of the Association of Science-Technology Centers
Incorporated, a worldwide network of science museums and related institutions.
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-----Original Message-----
From: Parrucci, Lynn [mailto:[log in to unmask]]
Sent: Thursday, May 06, 2004 2:14 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Policies on young visitors without adults
ISEN-ASTC-L is a service of the Association of Science-Technology
Centers Incorporated, a worldwide network of science museums and related
institutions.
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*****
When Carnegie Science Center was in the process of reviewing these
policies, I interviewed the local Children and Youth Services office in
the Department of Public Welfare. I was in the process of addressing
parent complaints about our policy that children under 12 be supervised
by an adult. I don't know if this changes from state to state, but they
were adamantly in support of us. They said that CYS guidelines are that
"no child under the age of 12 should be left unattended either at home
or in public places." It is their belief that if emergencies happen,
children may not be equipped to deal with it at younger ages. I have
also had CYS take custody of an employee's 11-year-old child who was
staying home while the parent worked.
When contacting and talking with such parents, we felt more comfortable
referencing CYS guidelines and discussing our concern for attending to
them in an emergency without appropriate adult supervision. We would
say that every child's safety is our highest priority. We would add that
we do have opportunities, such as camps and workshops where kids we
could provide supervision - for these programs we have appropriate
health forms and emergency contact information on file.
Lynn Parrucci
Director of Education-Group Programs
Philadelphia Zoo
3400 Girard Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19083
Phone: 215-243-5243
Fax: 215-243-5385
Email: [log in to unmask]
-----Original Message-----
From: Informal Science Education Network
[mailto:[log in to unmask]]On Behalf Of Shane Pickett
Sent: Wednesday, May 05, 2004 5:38 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Policies on young visitors without adults
ISEN-ASTC-L is a service of the Association of Science-Technology
Centers Incorporated, a worldwide network of science museums and related
institutions.
************************************************************************
*****
With summer approaching, we are reviewing a situation that occurs
sometimes that always gives us pause, and we'd like to hear how other
institutions handle this.
It's closing time, and we have a 9 and a 10 year old kid still in the
building, frantically calling people for a ride, hoping someone will
arrive sooner or later. We've never had to go this far, but at what
point does a responsible staff person consider this child abandonment,
and call the police? Another situation-if a parent sneaks/runs out the
entrance after getting their young kids in the center, do we shrug our
shoulders, and figure their parent will return?
We have a policy that children must be attended by their adults, but
what does that signify to an adult set on dropping their kids off
unchaperoned for 4 hours?
Thank you for any advice or perspective on this!
Shane Pickett
Science Central
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More information about the Informal Science Education Network and the
Association of Science-Technology Centers may be found at
http://www.astc.org. To remove your e-mail address from the ISEN-ASTC-L
list, send the message SIGNOFF ISEN-ASTC-L in the BODY of a message to
[log in to unmask]
***********************************************************************
More information about the Informal Science Education Network and the
Association of Science-Technology Centers may be found at http://www.astc.org.
To remove your e-mail address from the ISEN-ASTC-L list, send the
message SIGNOFF ISEN-ASTC-L in the BODY of a message to
[log in to unmask]
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