SOAR refines security and supervision

SOAR (Sisters Organization for Activities and Recreation) has been fine tuning its policies and procedures to assure it provides a safe and nurturing environment to all who use the organization.

"SOAR is a safe place for all of the kids who come there," said SOAR executive director Carrie Ward.

Ward's assurance came in the wake of a couple of incidents that caused some in Sisters to question the agency's security.

In addition to the many classes and sports programs SOAR offers, the center is a very busy place, with two pre-school programs, an after-school clubhouse program for elementary school students and its Teen Center, where students are free to come and go as they wish during open hours.

Although SOAR's philosophy has always been for the Teen Center to be a drop-in facility, some changes are in the wind, Ward told The Nugget. Starting this summer, the center's hours will be reduced, with the facility likely being open only three days a week.

"During those times there will be organized activities for the kids to choose from," she said.

According to board member Sue Boettner, the Teen Center provides an important service to the community.

"The Teen Center is a place where kids can go instead of going home from school alone. It's an opportunity for kids to have something to do and keep out of trouble," she said.

All children, except those going to the Teen Center, are each day signed in when they arrive and checked out when they leave SOAR.

"A staff person has to acknowledge that they're there. Only parents or guardians who have been pre-approved can pick children up," said Ward. The teacher specifically checks the child out and releases him or her to the authorized adult.

Because of an incident last summer at Village Green Park in Sisters, children now can only be dropped off at the SOAR Community Center adjacent to Sisters High School. This policy is the result of an incident involving a child who was dropped off at Village Green Park in Sisters during a field trip instead of riding the bus with the other children to the park.

"The child missed our regular check-in and check-out procedure, and unfortunately when the group got back on the bus and the staff did the head count, the child was left in the park. Fortunately, another family saw the child and knew he was supposed to be on the bus and contacted us. We immediately went and got him. It was an unfortunate incident," said Ward.

The current drop-off policy insures that such an event will not re-occur.

SOAR also maintains a very strict policy about bullying, which, according to Ward, is not a huge problem in Sisters.

"The only formal complaint that has been brought to me was an incident that happened out on the skate park a couple of years ago. The parents brought that problem to our attention, and we dealt with it immediately," she said.

SOAR uses the same rules as does the Sisters School District.

"We adopted the same program that the middle school adopted this year. It's a non-tolerance policy that all of the kids are familiar with. Whether the kids are at school or at SOAR, it's all the same rules," said Ward.

Neither SOAR's outdoor disc golf course or skateboard park is supervised.

"They are like any other park amenity. They are a public recreation facility, like a public park. You don't supervise public parks. They are available for people to use whenever they want," said Ward.

Rules, however, are posted at the skateboard park, and the facility is not lighted specifically to discourage night use. With the park's close proximity to SOAR's administrative offices, during week days staff are aware of activity in the park.

"It's right outside my office. When I'm there in my office, I see it all," said Ward.

Ward encourages the public to contact her directly any time there are questions or concerns.

"We're always open to hearing families' inputs about the programs so we can continue to improve them. I would especially like to invite people to call me (at 549-2091) any time. I love to hear people's concerns or their ideas," she said.