SCOPE HOMESCHOOL CO-OP HANDBOOK

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1 SCOPE HOMESCHOOL CO-OP HANDBOOK

2 Mission Statement A safe place for homeschool families to learn, grow and make new friends. Vision We are a Christ-centered cooperative that provides a variety of educational and enrichment classes for homeschooling families of primary and secondary age children in a safe and loving environment. We co-labor with each other and God to achieve creative excellence by serving each other through our strengths. Governing Values Matthew 22:37-39: Jesus replied, Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself. While member families participating in the co-op are not required to agree with every doctrinal point contained in the following value statements, we do ask that they agree not to dispute, challenge, or debate these Governing Values during co-op hours. The actions and decisions of the Leadership Team of SCOPE are governed by the following values: We believe there is one God, eternally existent in three Persons: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. We believe Jesus Christ, born of a virgin, is God come in the flesh. His death provides substitutionary atonement for our sins. He literally rose bodily from the dead and will literally come to earth again. We believe the Bible in its entirety (all 66 books of the Old and New Testament) is the infallible, inspired Word of God and will be the only scriptures used during co-op. We believe in, and accept by faith, the Genesis account of creation. We believe man is by nature sinful and is inherently in need of salvation, which is exclusively found by faith alone in Jesus Christ and His shed blood. Personal salvation comes to mankind by grace through faith. We believe in a literal heaven and a literal hell. We believe the Bible defines marriage as being between one man and one woman. We recognize that our group is made up of a diverse group of people whose commonality is the priority of homeschooling our children. For this reason, we do not require member families to sign a faith statement regarding their particular doctrinal beliefs. However, we do ask that member families respect (and not dispute) the above values during their participation in SCOPE.

3 Overview As homeschool parents, we feel that God has called and enabled us to homeschool our children. We feel that cooperatively we can provide enrichment opportunities that may not be possible on our own. Classes are available for children ages K5-12 th grade. Preschool and nursery are offered for those who have siblings in regular classes. Primary and Secondary classes are broken up into 55 minute time blocks. Parents are required to serve in at least one of the following areas: lead teacher, co-teacher, class/teacher s aide, nursery, floater or misc. The Leadership Team will assign you a volunteer position if/when you are not teaching or in an administrative role. Parents/volunteers are given a break for personal time but must remain on the church premises at all times. Since we are a true co-op and not a drop off educational program, a child may not participate in the co-op unless his/her parent is on site. All classes offered are supplemental to what is being taught in the home and are meant for enrichment purposes only. The classes offered may vary from term to term and are determined by the willingness of group members to lead. Guidelines, Policies and Procedures Parent Responsibilities 1. Respect and encourage adherence to all guidelines (we are all hall monitors and traffic/noise controllers). 2. Arrive ten minutes early. 3. If you cannot attend on the day you are scheduled to work, it is your responsibility to call a member of the Leadership Team as soon as possible. If you are a teacher s aide, also call the teacher with whom you work. 4. Remain on site AT ALL TIMES (unless drop-off for 7 th -up has been pre-approved and arranged). 5. Be willing to adhere to the Conflict and Discipline policies. 6. All classrooms need to be tidy and in order before the next class begins and when it ends. 7. Parents are required to participate in the operations at SCOPE. Each classroom requires at least one aid (and sometimes more), so based on the number of classes that your child(ren) participate in, you will be asked to assist in classrooms. You do not need to be in the classroom that your child is in. Requirements for serving: Child is in: 1-2 classes None Personal time off 3-4 classes Allowed one break period 5+ classes Allowed two break periods **If you have more than one child, just determine an average per day that one of your children is in class and use that number.

4 Student Responsibilities Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity. 1 Timothy 4:12 1. Adhere to the dress code. 2. Be on time. 3 Be prepared. Bring supplies, books, and homework. 4. Be quiet in the halls between classes absolutely no yelling or running. 5. Be respectful of others and their property. Remember that we are guests in the building. If we don t adhere to these guidelines and conduct ourselves appropriately, we may not be invited back. *Teens have additional handbook SCOPE s Sr. & Jr. High School Handbook and Teen Agreement that will need to be signed SCOPE Parental/Student Attendance Policy 1. Each child attending the co-op must be accompanied by a parent who shall remain on site for the entire time their child(ren) are attending classes unless special arrangements are requested and approved exceptions may be as follows: 1. Students who are capable of driving themselves to co-op classes. 2. Allowances to drop children 7 th grade and up on an approval basis only. 3. The case of a written custodial agreement between parent and person attending co-op. SCOPE must have a copy of this agreement and SCOPE waiver. 4. Non-participation fees are assessed for families who drop off their child(ren). Preschool students Policy Parents must provide snacks for their child(ren). Preschool students MUST have sibling attending co-op. Nursery Policy Parents must supply diapers, wipes, snacks, drinks, etc. for their child(ren). Nursery child(ren) MUST have sibling attending co-op. Paid Teacher Policy We do hire specialty teachers for certain subjects that we feel require an expert. They set the class fees and are paid the amount collected. In fairness to all of our gifted volunteer teachers, we will no longer allow paid teachers who have children attending co-op. Absences Policy Children are responsible for attending each class for which they are registered. The class instructor has made a commitment and has spent time preparing for each student. Students are asked to please notify their instructor of their absence. Adult absences must be reported ASAP to a member of the Leadership Team.

5 Clean-Up Policy We are all responsible for cleanup of the facility after the co-op. Please be aware that you may need to stay late to help clean up. If you see someone doing a cleaning task, PLEASE offer to take a turn! Communication Policy Our main source of communication is the Facebook Group Active SCOPE group - any last minute changes or weather concerns will be posted there as soon as possible. This is a secret group and you will be added once you have registered for classes. We also have a forum available on this website that the teachers will use to communicate class specific information. We will also post general information there. Conflict Resolution Policy Unfortunately, personality conflicts and misunderstandings can happen. It is important that we agree on how to deal with these situations, should they arise. Based on Matthew 18, if conflict arises, parents and teachers should seek to resolve the issue on their own. If either party is unsatisfied or resolution cannot be met, the parties then need to seek the assistance of one of the Directors. As a last resort, the conflict will be taken to the Leadership Team, and they will make the final decision. Discipline and Standards Policy 1. Parents should monitor their child(ren) s behavior when needed. Appropriate disciplinary measures should be taken privately. Uncooperative or disruptive children will be removed from activities. 2. Children should respect authorities. 3. For minor infractions, the child will be given a verbal warning. 4. In cases of more serious disciplinary issues, the following should be considered standard procedure: a. Child will be given a verbal warning by the instructor, and parent will receive written notice. b. If unacceptable behavior continues, the child will be taken to his/her parent for the rest of the day. c. If this behavior continues in class the student may be dismissed from class and may be withdrawn from the co-op and no fees will be refunded. Any other participation in future co-ops will be for a probationary period. SCOPE Homeschool Co-op reserves the right to expel any student from the co-op, if disruptive behavior fails to be curtailed. d. Parents need to be willing to allow the instructors to discipline their children according to the procedures outlined above and must be willing to abide by the instructor s decision to dismiss their children from the class if the instructor deems it necessary. 5. SCOPE has the right to remove any student or parent from a class at the discretion of the leadership team, if failure to adhere to policies in this handbook. No monies will be refunded.

6 Dress Code Policy Modest is at the discretion of the leadership team. Please don t challenge it!! 1. Clothing must be modest. Please do not wear spaghetti strap tops, halter tops, muscle shirts, or any short, tight fitting, or midriff shirts. 2. Necklines must be modest. 3. Hemlines - length of shorts, skirts and dresses must be modest. Remember, these get shorter when you sit down. 4. Unusual attire associated with immoral or improper ideas or with an anti-christian message should not be worn. 5. If you aren t sure something is appropriate to wear, please don t wear it. Let s honor one another and not cause our brother or sister to stumble. Failure to abide by the dress code will result in disciplinary action. Illness Policy If keeping a sick child home, remember that well children may only attend classes if their parent is on site. People with the following symptoms should not attend: 1. Fever (within the last twenty-four hours) 2. Colored mucus (yellow or green snotty nose) 3. Diarrhea, vomiting or nausea 4. Eye drainage 5. Virus or infection (known to be contagious) 6. Rashes (including bleeding diaper rashes) 7. Head lice This is for the protection of the children and families involved, so we can continue to provide the highest quality program for all children. Please be considerate of others regarding your child(ren) and illnesses. Inclement Weather Policy We will make determinations about closings due to weather conditions by 8:30 a.m. on co-op days. Please check the Facebook page Active SCOPE group if the weather is a concern. Registration Policy A per family fee is required with your registration. All payments are due prior to start of classes. If account is not paid in full, child(ren) will not be able to attend the class and re-enrollment will not be allowed until balance is cleared. We do not want to have anyone excluded because of lack of finances. If you truly are not able to afford part or all of these fees, send a written request for a scholarship. Scholarships will be given according to family need and funding available.

7 Registration is done on a first come first served basis. Teachers and Leaders will be given the opportunity to register early. Should the co-op have to close a class due to size limitations, families may be put on the waiting list and invited to fill vacated spots at the discretion of the Leadership Team. Students must sign up within their age appropriate classes. In fairness to the students taking the class and the teachers teaching the class, keeping to the appropriate age limit is required. Students with ages on a class boundary may move up or down according to parent and teacher discretion. If an exception for special abilities or unique situations is needed, please contact someone from the Leadership Team to discuss options. Refund Policy NO refunds will be issued effective May 25 th, Release Form Policy It is required to have a release form on file for each family, signed by BOTH parents, in order for them to be permitted to participate in the co-op. Registration WILL NOT be accepted without a properly completed form. Thank you for your cooperation. Revision History: Updated: May 25 th, 2016 removed Guest students. Added reference to Teen Handbook. Minor changes to payment plan all must be paid in full prior to classes starting. Updated Refund Policy. Update: June 30 th, 2015 added payment plan option, clarified paid teacher policy, minor reformatting to make it more consistent.