Policies and Procedures
Joining SHINE St. Charles Community
Who Are We?
We are a Christian led co-op, serving the St. Charles and St. Louis areas. While we are a Christian led co-op, we do not require our families to sign a statement of faith. Our goal is to foster an environment built on integrity and virtue, provide educational support, and opportunities to engage socially as well as a sense of community for those homeschooling their children. We offer a variety of classes ranging in age from PreK/K classes through 12th grade. (With Prek/K level classes being reserved for those families of co-op with older children.) Co-op classes are held on Wednesdays in O'Fallon, MO. Joining our SHINE St. Charles Community requires you to be a homeschooling family of a school aged child between 6 and 18 years old. The leaders of SHINE - St. Charles are committed to serve, help and support those families who desire to educate their children with quality standards.
SHINE Family Fees
SHINE St. Charles charges a $25 fee per year per family. This fee allows your family access to our website and our SHINE Familiy only Facebook group. This fee is invoiced on June 1st of each year and must be paid before classes start if you are attending co-op classes or before you may attend any SHINE St. Charles events. Anyone who has not paid the fee by June 30th will have their family parked and be removed from the Shine Community only Facebook page.
Anyone joining in May will not have their yearly fee expire until the end of May the following year. A full year fee will be charged for anyone joining prior to May 1st. These fees are not refundable.
SHINE Family Requirements
SHINE St. Charles Families must be homeschooling families of a school aged child between the ages of 6 and 18. Families must pay their family fee and agree to abide by the bylaws and policies & procedures of SHINE St. Charles. Changes may be made to either the bylaws or the policies and procedures as needed throughout the year and those changes will be communicated through the website and Facebook group. Joining the SHINE community may be refused at the board’s discretion to any family that the board feels would not further the objectives of SHINE St. Charles. A background check is required for all families of SHINE.
Conflict Resolution
Unfortunately conflicts and misunderstandings can occur in any group setting. At SHINE St. Charles, we will use Matthew 18 as our guide in dealing with conflicts that occur. Those having a conflict should first attempt to reach a resolution between them. If a resolution cannot be found that both parties agree to, they may bring the issue to the board and 2-3 board members will meet together with the parties involved and attempt to resolve the conflict. If that is unsuccessful, or if one of the parties is a board member, a meeting with at least 2/3 of the board will be arranged and the board will make a final decision.
Conflicts that originate or happen outside of SHINE:
SHINE does not assume responsibility for those situations occurring outside of SHINE events, such as any internet related groups. However, if the board is informed that any issues having originated outside of SHINE have become an issue at SHINE, the board will address those involved in an attempt to rectify the conflict. If all parties involved do not amicably agree to the resolution, those involved may be subject to revocation of their SHINE family registration with no refunds given.
Field Trips
SHINE St. Charles is excited to offer field trips to those who would like to participate. However, with field trips we need to remember to follow a few simple rules to ensure the safety and enjoyment for all. Certain events require pre-payment, in these cases payment will be required at the time of registration. Refunds will only be issued if the coordinator has not made payment in advance for the event. Prior to registration please review the field trip description and/or requirements and payment information. If you have any questions, please contact the field trip coordinator.
Please keep in mind the following rules when attending any of the SHINE St. Charles events.
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When you are on a field trip you represent SHINE, your family and most importantly yourself.
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Be respectful of others, pay attention to the person/s speaking.
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Remember to walk while indoors and use indoor voices when speaking with others.
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Some trips are limited in the number of sign ups. If you have signed up and are not able to attend please notify the field trip coordinator to release the spot reserved for you.
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Certain trips require scheduled times, please plan accordingly.
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Sometimes in larger groups and larger settings it is hard to keep track of those participating in the field trip, please try to stay with the group.
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For insurance reasons you will only be allowed to register your SHINE Family account registrants for any events. If you would like a non-SHINE Family member to join us on a field trip please make prior arrangements with the field trip coordinator.
SHINE Wednesdays
Rules
These rules apply to children and adults. Adults, please set a good example for the children!
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Treat the church and property with respect.
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Treat each other with respect. BULLYING WILL NOT BE TOLERATED AND MAY, AT THE DISCRETION OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS, BE GROUNDS FOR DISCIPLINE AND/OR INCLUDING REVOCATION OF REGISTRATION EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY OR AT AN INDICATED TIME WITH NO REFUNDS ISSUED. **"Bullying is an ongoing and deliberate misuse of power in relationships through repeated verbal, physical and/or social behaviour that intends to cause physical, social and/or psychological harm. It can involve an individual or a group misusing their power, or perceived power, over one or more persons who feel unable to stop it from happening. ~ National Centre Against Bullying"
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No food or drink outside of the Fellowship Hall (except water bottles).
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Please be quiet in the hallways during classes - sound echoes through the hallways and disrupts classes.
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No cell phones or other electronics in class unless specifically allowed by the teacher.
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SHINE is an alcohol/drug/smoke free/vape free campus/co-op.
We have the right to ask you to leave if we suspect anyone to be under the influence. It is not acceptable for parents/students to be under the influence when actively responsible for students or present on campus.
PDA Rules:
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Students should refrain from all Public Displays of Affection (PDA) while at co-op or while attending and/or participating in any co-op/SHINE related activities.
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PDA includes (but not limited to): intimate touching, hand holding, fondling, cuddling, kissing and/or any activity with sexual overtones while at co-op or any SHINE activities.
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Brief hugs are allowed, but not to extend past a normal greeting hug.
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Students and parents will be addressed if PDA is displayed during any SHINE activities. If a student fails to abide by the rules listed above after being addressed, SHINE reserves the right to ask the student not to return to co-op with no refunds given. (including class fees)
Dress Code:
Although SHINE does not have an outlined dress code, we do ask that attire be modest and respectful of the church that hosts our co-op and classes. Initial violation of the dress code will result in the parent of the student being addressed. SHINE Family privileges could be revoked with no refunds given, at the board’s discretion, should dress code violations continue after being addressed.
Items to be mindful of and avoided:
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Items with profanity and/or vulgar imagery or wording. In addition, we request all SHINE Families avoid wearing clothing with polarizing messages.
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Skirts/dresses/shorts that are not modest in length and/or are revealing. Revealing is defined, but not limited to: skirts/dresses/shorts should not be shorter than mid thigh.
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Low cut/midriff revealing shirts, blouses, hoodies. Revealing is defined, but not limited to: the abdomen should not be exposed either with arms to side or raised above head. In addition, cleavage should not be exposed when standing upright or leaning forward.
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Sagging pants/displaying underwear
Non-SHINE Teacher Volunteers:
Non-Shine Teacher volunteers may teach a class as long as they are affiliated with a current Shine family and/or affiliated with Shine’s home church. Each teacher MUST consent to a background check by Shine St. Charles. All teachers are required to submit a class description and is subject to board approval.
Parent Volunteer Requirements
Parents must volunteer in one class per hour your child attends co-op, up to 3 hours. For example, if your children attend for 2 hours, you would help both hours. If your children attend 4 hours, you would only need to help 3 of those hours. You do not have to help in a class your child is enrolled in, you may choose any class on the schedule to help in.
Examples:
Family at co-op for 1 class/1 hour 
Family at co-op for 2 classes/2 hours 
Family at co-op for 3 classes/3 hours 
Family at co-op for 4 classes/4 hours 
If all class helper positions are filled you will be asked to be a rescue helper. A rescue helper is defined as a "floater" and when needed will be asked to help in a particular classroom. Although the need for you to help varies from week to week, we do ask that you remain open for the hour that you have been signed up to help. If you are a rescue helper, please check with a board member to see if you are needed the hour you are signed up.
Teachers assistants/rescue helpers are an important asset to the class. PLEASE do not delay in arriving to class on time as many times students will arrive early to class and should not be unattended and/or teachers may need your assistance with class preparation!
Parent Attendance
All parents must be on the premises during classes. If you are not helping in a class, please wait in the designated area to eliminate the need to locate you in the event you are needed.
If you need to leave the premises you may find another parent who is willing to be a "SHINE mom". A "SHINE mom" will be responsible for your children in your absence. The use of a "SHINE mom" should be board approved, not utilized on a weekly basis and reserved for emergency purposes. If a "SHINE mom" is agreed upon, please stop by the front desk first and fill out a form letting the board know who will be responsible for your children and how you can be reached.
If you are a teacher and are unable to attend co-op class please contact your assistant/s to inform them and give instruction on how to cover the class in your absence, and let a board member know by posting on the facebook page or messaging them.
If your family is unable to attend co-op class and you are a teacher's assistant please inform the teacher you will not be present so that an assistant can be assigned to the class in your absence, and let a board member know by posting on the facebook page or messaging them.
Some teachers spend an exorbitant amount of time on class preparation and class attendance is important. While we understand that unforeseen circumstances may arise and/or illness may affect your family, absences from co-op classes will be addressed. If your family is absent 6 or more classes during a semester, class participation may be revoked with no refunds issued. In addition, future class registrations may also be denied.
Returning Family Definition
Being a SHINE Family is not the same as prior attendance of SHINE classes. When registration for classes opens, you must have attended classes at least one of the past two semesters to be considered a "returning family".
Fees
All class fees are due by the first day of class each semester unless prior arrangements are made. We are happy to arrange payment plans with families that would benefit from spreading out their payments. Please contact the treasurer for more information. Any family not paying according to their plan will not be allowed to attend classes until they catch up.
Refunds
Refunds will be given for any class dropped prior to the first day of classes each semester. After the first day of class but prior to the 2nd day of classes, class fees are refundable, but additional supply fees and the location fee cannot be refunded. From the 2nd day on, class fees are not refundable.
Discipline
It is the goal of SHINE St. Charles that all students will be able to enjoy their classes and learn in an environment free from disruption. Students are expected to be respectful to everyone at all times. Students should listen to their teachers and follow instructions. While we realize that sometimes students need reminders about how to behave in class, if a teacher feels that a student is continuing to disrupt the class, they will have their TA bring the student to the board member at the front desk. In addition, we ask that teachers contact the student's parent to address the situation. If the student continues to be disruptive in future classes, the board will work with the teacher and the parents to try to determine a course of action that will allow the student to return to class without causing continued disruption. If after the suggested resolution has been implemented the student continues to be disruptive, the board will require that parent withdraw the child from the class and no refunds will be given. If the problem behavior continues through multiple classes and no resolution is found in a reasonable length of time, the board will ask that the student not return to co-op.
Homework
Some classes will have homework assigned. Whether or not to expect homework will be listed in the class description when you register for the class. Students are expected to respect the time and effort teachers put into their classes by completing all assignments and coming to class prepared. Students and parents should understand that failure to complete assignments could result in the student being unable to fully participate in class.
Class Helper Expectations
As a co-op, we depend on all our helpers to make classes run smoothly. TAs and helpers in classes should communicate with the teacher about how they can best help the teacher. TAs and helpers should feel free to address students who are disrupting class. As a teacher's assistant we ask that you help the teacher assist students who need extra guidance with class projects and work. Please avoid use of electronic devices during class.
Lunch
Lunch will be eaten in the Fellowship Hall. No food or drink (except water bottles) should be taken anywhere else in the church. STUDENTS SHOULD NOT BE ALONE IN CLASSROOMS OR ROAMING THE BUILDING DURING LUNCH.
If you would like to eat outside, you are welcome to. Please do not allow children to play around the red storage shed on the parking lot, or with the shopping cart that is stored there. Parents should ensure that all toys/trash are cleaned up at the end of lunch. WHILE OUTSIDE , ALL STUDENTS UNDER THE AGE OF 12 MUST BE ACCOMPANIED BY THEIR PARENT OR MUTUALLY AGREED UPON ADULT. THOSE ADULTS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR THEIR CHILDREN AND MUST BE ATTENTIVE TO THEM.
Illness
In order to avoid spreading illnesses, please keep children and adults home for at least 48 hours after a fever (100° or higher) or gastrointestinal illness. If any family member is ill in the household, ALL family members should remain at home until ALL members have been symptom/fever free for 48 hours.
Inclement Weather/Cancellation Policy
Cancellation policy for All SHINE events, programs and/or classes is as follows:
All cancellations due to weather or unforeseeable circumstances will be communicated via the email address listed on your family’s SHINE profile and on the SHINE Facebook page. Cancellations will be communicated no later than 8am the day of class or event. Please check to make sure that the email listed in your SHINE profile is correct.
SHINE will be following the Fort Zumwalt school cancellation schedule meaning if they are closed, we will be closed. There are no refunds for cancellation of part or a whole day. Refunds will be issued for canceled field trips when possible. Canceled classes may be made up at the end of the semester at the board’s discretion.
NURSERY RULES AND POLICIES
These rules and policies have been established for the benefit and safety of your child. Safety is our number one concern and following these rules can greatly help ensure the safety of all children utilizing the nursery. When in question, for the sake of everyone's health, please stay home.
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There is no charge to the SHINE families for utilizing the Nursery. However, children will need to be registered for every hour they will be in the nursery.
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CHILDREN WILL NOT BE PROVIDED FOOD. Bottles or covered drinks are allowed, but must be labeled with the child's first and last name.
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Nursery helpers are not allowed to administer medications or mix bottle formula.
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You may be notified if your child is inconsolable and/or if a diaper change is necessary, unless you have signed the Parent Acknowledgement Form allowing nursery assistants to change your child's diaper.
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Children may only be released from the nursery with parent or parent approved individual/s. Children will not be released from the nursery to older siblings, unless prior arrangements are made with nursery assistants/SHINE St. Charles.
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Children with possible infectious illness will not be allowed in the nursery.
Children should be free from, but not limited to the following signs/symptoms for 48 hours prior to returning to the nursery: colds, runny noses with discolored mucus, pink eye, fever (100° or higher), diarrhea, vomiting, or any communicable illness, (i.e. chicken pox).