Policies & Procedures
Statement of Educational Intent
Body Basics with Bella offers educational information only. Bella Brocato is a certified puberty and adolescence educator, not a licensed therapist. Any recommendations and suggestions offered come purely from educational and experiential perspectives and are not to take the place of the recommendations from qualified mental health professionals or medical practictioners.
Safe and Affirming Space
It is required that at least one parenting adult attend the parent meeting for each grade level appropriate program in order for their youth to participate in that program.
If it is not possible for one parenting adult to attend the parent meeting, a private meeting must be scheduled prior to the first class. There is an additional fee for this private meeting.
Parents not able to attend the parent meeting must be in agreement with any changes to the schedule that may happen at the parent meeting without their attendance.
After the parent meeting, the educator does not get involved with date or time changes requested by parents. Once the class dates and times have been confirmed at the parent meeting, any attempted changes are the responsibility of the parent requesting the change. The educator must be available to accommodate the change with their schedule and cannot be in conflict with another class. Because the classroom space is rented, the educator must comply with the availability of the venue. Therefore, a new date and time should be submitted to the educator at least two weeks prior to the class in conflict. After the educator informs the parent(s) if the requested date/time change is available with the venue, then all parents must be contacted by that parent and agree to the requested change. If one parent is not in agreement or in question, it is to remain as planned.
No inquiries regarding Body Basics with Bella should be made with the venue directly, as it is simply the space of which the educator contains the classroom. All inquiries should be directed to the educator at bella@bodybasicswithbella.com.
Body Basics with Bella does not and shall not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, faith, gender, gender expression, or sexual orientation in any of their programs and services.
Body Basics with Bella is an affirming, safe space for people of all genders and sexual orientations. Although these classes are based on female-typical and male-typical anatomy, Body Basics with Bella is an open space for youth of any gender, where they can learn more about their bodies while feeling safe to explore who they are. We offer programs to youth and center many of our programs around the parent-child relationship, and students of all genders and families with all structures are welcome in our space.
Cisgender, transgender youth, and youth who identify anywhere along the gender spectrum (or beyond it) are welcome in whatever classroom they feel most comfortable in.
Our curriculum is designed to address youth with all types of anatomy and to honor the variety of ways youth experience puberty. No matter who our students are, they will learn about body changes, personal health, self-care, and where to get support.
Mandatory Parent Meeting
Documents
Parents are expected to turn in three documents prior to the first class meeting: the Registration Form, the Parent Information Form, and Policies and Procedures.
Finances
Tuition payment is due in full upon the first class unless otherwise arranged.
In order for a youth to continue attending Body Basics and Beyond programs, all previous tuition must be paid up to date as agreed upon originally.
No youth will be denied access to this education due to other financial priorities.
Partial scholarships are offered upon request and are handled on a case-by-case basis.
2-3 month payment plans are offered and are handled on a case-by-case basis.
Refund requests are handled on a case-by-case basis. There is no refund offered for individually missed classes.
Attendance
Youth are expected to attend all six scheduled classes, arriving on time and remaining for the duration of the class.
If a youth is unable to attend a class, it is the parents’ responsibility to inform the educator. If possible, an attempt will be made to bring that youth up to speed with material missed and new assignments. Ideally, the youth will be able to attend the class on Zoom.
If a youth is sick, it is expected that they will remain at home. If a youth arrives sick or becomes sick, that youth will be removed from the classroom and parents will be contacted immediately.
Classes do not begin until all students are present.
If a student needs to leave early, class will end at that time.
Class Content and Materials
Body Basics with Bella does not follow or support faith-based or politically-affiliated belief systems.
If a youth asks a specific or descriptive question about sexual activity, birth control, rape, sexual abuse, abortion, or masturbation, students will be directed to ask those questions at home with a parenting adult. There will be a phone call home alerting the parenting adult of the student’s curiosity.
Body Basics with Bella is responsible for providing each student with the appropriate class learning materials (class booklets and home activities). Parents are responsible for being sure that their youth have their personal learning supplies, colored/regular pencils, and an encolsed pencil sharpener for each class.
Privacy
Students always have permission to share what the educator presents, but must get permission from peers before sharing something they said.
We honor youth’s privacy as much as we can. However, if we ever hear or see anything that concerns us about a youth’s physical or emotional safety, those parents will be contacted immediately after class with what was observed.
We are not state-mandated reporters. However, we can and will report sexual abuse as a non-mandated reporter.