This information is designed to help parents/guardians and students participating in Pratt’s youth programs on campus. We hope it will be helpful in answering your questions and outlining our policies.
Please read the following information prior to your first day.
Parent and Student Guidelines
We are committed to providing a safe and productive learning environment for all students and their parents/guardians in which we all treat one another with courtesy and respect. We welcome the opportunity to share Pratt Institute’s high-quality arts education program with your family, whether online or in-person. We are committed to treating this unique learning environment with care and so the following policies and guidelines are in place:
Navigating Campus
How To Find Your Studio/Classroom
Classes take place in several buildings across the campus. Your class building and room number will be listed in your confirmation email prior to classes beginning, so please pay attention to this information. You should allow ten minutes to find your classroom on the first day.
Accessibility
The Pratt campus is historic in nature and not all spaces are readily accessible or the accessibility of certain spaces may not be immediately apparent. However all programs and activities will be accessible and Pratt will accommodate any participants with a disability who wish to avail themselves of any of its programs or activities. Please contact K-12@pratt.edu in advance, if a K-12 student requires an accessible space or has any mobility restrictions. More info is available on the Learning/Access Center page on the Pratt website. Security personnel are also available to assist visitors in navigating the campus grounds and buildings.
Arrival and Dismissal
Classes begin and end on time. Please be prompt.
Students should visit the restrooms before class; some of our classrooms are quite a distance from restroom facilities.
Students must leave the campus after classes in a timely manner. Campus security will ensure the hallways are clear of parents and students after classes are dismissed. Please remind your children to not climb on the sculptures on campus.
Parents and visitors who intend to remain on campus may wait in the cafeteria, located in the basement of North Hall. There are also many cafés located near the campus. Please do not wait in the hallways and stairwells.
Students whose parents are more than ten minutes late will be taken to the Center K-12 program office (South Hall, Room 203) to await pickup there.
Authorized Pickup
Saturday Art School: only authorized persons indicated on the registration form will be allowed to pick up your son/daughter and must sign the class roster at the end of each class.
Students will be authorized to leave on their own at the end of class, if that is indicated on the registration form. To be dismissed early, students must submit a written note from a parent/guardian to the teacher at the beginning of class.
Pratt Young Scholars and DICE: all high school students in these two programs are allowed to arrive and leave by themselves, unless we are informed otherwise. Please note that we will not call in the event of an absence or late arrival. Young Scholars and their parents will be notified via email regarding unexcused absences.
Change of Information
Inform our office of any change in authorized pick up or contact information as soon as possible. Changes may be reported by email or in person.
Campus Directions
Pratt Institute is located at 200 Willoughby Avenue in Brooklyn, between Hall Street and Classon Avenue. There are two entrance gates to the Brooklyn campus: one entrance is at the corner of DeKalb Avenue and Hall Street and the other is by the security booth on Willoughby Avenue. More information can be found on Pratt’s Brooklyn Campus Map.
Subway: G train to Clinton/ Washington
Bus: B38 Downtown to Dekalb and Ryerson
B38 Ridgewood to Lafayette and Washington Aves
B54 on Myrtle
Conduct and Behavior
Expectations
Children, teens, and parents/guardians are expected to exhibit appropriate behavior while on campus and in class, and this includes treating all members of our community with courtesy and respect.
It is unacceptable to participate in name-calling, back talk, bullying, or swearing, for example, and all families are asked—for their own safety—to follow the directions of Pratt security and staff.
If a child’s/teen’s behavior is particularly challenging or disruptive, our approach is as follows:
1. Teacher will have a discussion with the child/teen.
2. The supervising faculty or Deputy Director will speak directly to the child/teen and/or call home.
3. In the event of serious or persistent issues, the parent/guardian will be notified that the child’s/teen’s registration is terminated. Registration can be terminated at the discretion of the Director. No refunds will be issued.
Attendance
Full and on-time attendance is expected for all classes. Anyone with three or more absences during the program term may be withdrawn. Teens enrolled in credit-bearing courses should carefully read Pratt’s attendance policy and any attendance policy for the course listed on the syllabus.
In all instances, we ask parents to notify the office of any child’s absence in advance by phone or email.
Visitors And Guests
For the safety of all students, only registered students and instructors are permitted in the studios and classrooms. There are no visitors (including parents/guardians, friends, or siblings) allowed in the studios and classrooms. Parents/guardians and guests are invited to attend the Open Studios during the final class.
Electronic Devices
We ask that children and teens leave all toys and electronic devices, except for cell phones, at home. Cell phones must be turned off during class and out of sight, in pockets or bags.
Supplies
Children and teens do not need to bring anything with them to class. Supplies are provided.
Attire
Art materials can be messy, and students often work on the floor. Students should wear loose, comfortable clothing that may get dirty.
Artwork
Saturday Art School: Artwork is kept during the semester and may be taken home following the Open Studio.
If you and/or your child miss the Open Studio, or need to leave early, please schedule an appointment with the office to pick up work. Please do not remove artwork prior to the end of the Open Studio at 12 PM. Artwork will be kept for 30 days after the final class. We are not responsible for any artwork left behind.
Pratt Young Scholars: artwork is kept for the duration of the program and may be taken home at the end of the Scholar’s senior year.
DICE and Summer Scholars: Artwork is kept for the duration of the program and may be taken home on the last day of class.
Lost and Found
There is a Lost and Found bin in our office. Pratt Institute’s Main Security booth on campus also maintains a Lost and Found for items left around campus. Items are discarded at the end of every semester, and Pratt is not responsible for any lost or stolen belongings.
Student Life & Policies
Students are expected to conduct themselves in accordance with all Pratt Institute policies and any additional specific Center K12 policies for the duration of their program.
Pratt Institute’s mission is to educate students to become creative, responsible professionals who will contribute fully to society. The Institute upholds values and standards that support that mission and holds high expectations regarding the conduct of students, faculty, staff, and administrators. Above all, we respect one another and behave in ways that advance the free association of people and ideas. We cherish the diversity represented by our people and their disparate values and ideas. At the same time, we expect each student, faculty, or staff member to value and uphold the community standards essential to the pursuit of academic excellence and social responsibility.
A full policy and procedures document and related institute policies and procedures can be found online.
Classes and Registration
Registration And Confirmation
For registration and application instructions, please refer to each program’s brochure or website. Registration is first-come, first-served, and classes fill up quickly.
Please note that sending in a completed registration form does not guarantee that you have secured a place in a class. After registration closes, those who have secured a place in a class will receive a confirmation email, so please make sure the email address you provide is accurate.If the class(es) you selected is full, you will be sent an email saying you have been placed on a waiting list. If a place becomes available, we will contact those on the waiting list.
For programs that require tuition, full payment is due upon receipt of the invoice, which will be emailed when your placement is confirmed. Payments are non-refundable and non-transferable.
Payments accepted: Visa, MasterCard, and Discover.
Pratt Institute reserves the right to cancel or change any class when circumstances warrant.
Program Calendars
It is the parent/guardian’s responsibility to add key program dates and times to their calendars, which are available year-round on our websites.
Class Cancellations
For information regarding cancellations due to weather or any other emergency, call Pratt’s weather emergency line at 718.636.3700. All youth program classes will be canceled if Pratt’s classes are canceled. There are no make-up classes for missed classes.
Parents and students will be notified by email of any class cancellation.
Releases and Agreements
Photo/Media Policy
Pratt Institute takes photographs, makes video tapes and records video lessons for educational or nonprofit purposes including promotion, publicity, advertising. Pratt may edit and use said material and products for educational or nonprofit purposes including use in print, and on the internet. Use may occur more than once and extends to all forms of media including interviews, quotations, and photographs, movies or video tapes. All such material is the property of Pratt Institute and neither parents nor program participants shall have any right of review or approval regarding the use of names or likenesses in such material.
Photo/Media Release
Participants who have agreed to the Photographic Consent and Release policy by indicating as such on the application form will thereby release and hold harmless; Pratt along with its respective employees, agents, affiliates, sponsors, or other representatives from any and all claims, demands, or causes of action arising out of the use of their child’s name and/or likeness, in accordance with the terms of our release policy. Pratt does not compensate any child or family in any way for the use of their name and/or likeness by Pratt.
Emergency and Non-Emergency Medical Policy
In the event that your child experiences a non-emergency medical situation while in class or on campus, Pratt faculty and/or staff will attempt to notify the parents or guardians listed on the registration form and the emergency contact on file. In cases of severe injury or medical emergency, Pratt staff, faculty and/ or Saturday Art School teachers will contact 911 for the fastest possible emergency medical care for your child, and then attempt to notify parents, guardians and/or the emergency contact next. All families Pratt to seek emergency medical treatment as described above. Children whose parents or guardians do not grant this authorization may not be enrolled in classes.
Statement on Student Observations
From time to time, Pratt students enrolled in courses offered by the Art and Design Education department or other departments may observe Center K-12 classes. These observations are for educational purposes only and nothing from the observations will be shared publicly. Any notes taken during these observations or results from surveys will be securely stored and deleted at the end of the semester. If you have any questions about these potential observations, please contact Daniel Bergman, Director, Center for Art and Design and Community Engagement, K-12 at dberg202@pratt.edu.
Facebook, Twitter, And In
Facebook, Twitter, And Instagram
Pratt’s youth programs have a Facebook page that announces news and updates to program participants, parents, and the community. To join, like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter and Instagram.
Dismissals and Cancelations
Pratt Institute reserves the right to dismiss any child, teen, and/or parent/guardian who does not abide by the expectations listed in this handbook. Campus security will restrict access to anyone if necessary.
In the event of serious or persistent issues, the parent/guardian will be notified that the child’s/teen’s registration is terminated. Registration can be terminated at the discretion of the Director. No refunds will be issued.