Discipline POLICY & Procedures

All members are expected to follow Wheeler Recreation’s General Rules and Regulations. Parents and caregivers should set a good example and also ensure their children know and follow these rules. Please work together with the guards to make the pool safe and enjoyable for all. Should issues occur, the guards are instructed to follow the following discipline policy and procedure:

MEMBER DISCIPLINE POLICY

• All members are expected to follow Wheeler Recreation’s General Rules and Regulations. No exceptions.

• Lifeguards are the authority at the pool and are in charge of enforcing the rules for adults and children alike. The Duty Trustee and other Board members are available to consult and intervene when there is a reoccurring, significant issue to address.

• When a guard needs to address a safety issue or rule being broken, they will first give 2 short, loud whistle blows to gain attention. They will then inform the member that what they are doing is dangerous and why, and offer a safe alternative behavior.

• Children who are age 9+ and have both an emergency card and signed permission slip on file, are granted the privilege to go to the pool without an adult with the understanding that they must adhere to the rules. Examples of some common behavior issues that lifeguards will IMMEDIATELY address (regardless if parent is present or not) include (but are not limited to):

• Not being respectful of the guards

• Ignoring guard’s requests for ceasing behavior that is unsafe and unacceptable

• Teasing or bullying any children, guards, or adults

• Climbing fences and buildings.

• Playing with or tampering with the guest fees box or any pool equipment not meant for children

• Flipping into the pool 

• Damaging or destroying pool noodles or any other equipment or property

• Writing on walls, guest cards, time cards, etc.

• Playing ball, frisbee, or tag in the pool area or on the concrete by the bathrooms. This is permitted in main grassy area only. Beach balls ARE permitted in the pools at the lifeguards’ discretion.

• Throwing things in the pool (including but not limited to chairs, trash bins, rocks, storage containers, mulch)

• Using inappropriate language

• Running from a distance and jumping into the pool

• Hanging on the line that divides the shallow and deep ends

• Any kind of horseplay - dunking, kicking, hitting, throwing things at each other, piggyback rides, jumping off shoulders

• Slapping or skimming of kickboards or noodles

• Hanging on ladders and their railings or blocking use of the ladders

• Not immediately exiting and moving away from the pool when the whistle is blown for Adult Swim. (Regulations require that children under the age of 18 stay behind the white, painted skirt around the pool during all Adult Swim times.)

DISCIPLINE PROCEDURES

• First offense -- Offender will get a clear, verbal warning to stop the behavior. 

• Second offense -- Offender is asked to remain out of the pool for 10 minutes. State reason to offender clearly. Guard will complete an Incident Report. If child, will contact parent with a phone call during Adult Swim, leaving a voicemail if no answer. They will text a photo of the Incident Report to Duty Trustee and Personnel Director.

• Third offense -- Offender is asked to leave the pool for the day. Guard will complete an Incident Report and text photo of Incident Report to Duty Trustee and Personnel Director. Duty Trustee (not guard) will call parent. 

Repeat offenders are subject to further restrictions as determined by the Board of Trustees which may include revocation of the privilege to attend the pool (or attend unsupervised by a parent/guardian if offender is a child).