Mighty Arrows Co-op Member Handbook
“Children are a heritage from the Lord, offspring a reward from him. Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are children born in one’s youth. Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them. They will not be put to shame when they contend with their opponents in court.” Psalm 127:3-5
Leadership Team
Martha Bonnett - Director 225-235-2384
Juanita Snodgrass - Assistant Director 225-788-4881
Mighty Arrows Co-op will meet on Thursday mornings at Bethel Baptist Church in Livingston. Our Co-op is a complement to your family’s core curriculum, not a replacement for parental instruction. We will have three 45-minute classes on a variety of subjects both academic as well as enrichment and one 20-minute recess. Parents are needed to teach or assist in classes for 2 blocks with an off-hour to fellowship with others. Regular attendance is essential to making this co-op possible. All new members will be subject to a one semester probation period during the new member’s first semester.
Co-op Fees
All fees are due on the first day of the current semester. There is a $25 fee per family per semester. This fee is used to reimburse the church for our use of the building and any other supplies. Each class will also have a fee. We accept cash or PayPal. Please pay via our website, send PayPal payments to mightyarrows23@gmail.com, or give the fess to Juanita. If fees are not paid by the first day of co-op, you will forfeit your membership.
Requirements to Participate in Mighty Arrows Co-op
*Membership is at the discretion of the board. We reserve the right to approve membership applications based on recommendations of current board members.
1. Your oldest child must be kindergarten age by the first day of the current school year.
2. Visit during one of our co-op days to ensure that we would be a good fit for your family
3. Agree to abide by guidelines and rules.
4. Commit to the Co-op schedule.
5. Pay Co-Op enrollment fee of $25.00 per semester, as well as any class fees.
6. Complete and sign the Co-op agreement and Statement of Faith along with any liability release forms.
Requirements to Teach at Mighty Arrows Co-op
1. Leave your classroom each week in the order that it was found (or better).
2. Commit to the co-op schedule.
3. Provide a lesson plan in case of an unplanned absence and provide it to your substitute. You are responsible with contacting your assistant to substitute for you.
4. Any items bought with class fees are considered co-op property and can be used for future classes.
Parent Responsibilities
• Parents assume all responsibility of children before and after classes. There should be no unsupervised children on church grounds. This is to ensure their safety and respect the church.
• Please arrive on time or early to co-op. Latecomers disrupt classes and parent job assignments.
• Each family should sign up to clean up after co-op at least one time each semester.
• Each family should sign up to provide snacks for the break room at least one time each semester.
• Please limit cell phone use
• Be respectful of Bethel’s rooms and equipment that they allow us to use
Attendance Policy
• Please plan to attend every co-op. As homeschoolers we are blessed with the freedom to arrange our schedule for vacations and doctor appointments. However, we need to be respectful of other families as we work together in this co-op. By not being absent numerous times we truly share the work.
• If your schedule does not allow you to attend the majority of the time or life gets the best of you, then arrangements should be made for you to take the semester off.
• Please let one of the leaders know as soon as possible if you will not be able to attend.
• If an absence occurs and a floater is not available, leaders will rotate through moms on their off block to fill in for you.
• In specific cases, parents may not be able to participate with their child during co-op hours. At this point, it is possible to be approved for a chaperone, giving the child the opportunity to attend with a chaperone. This must be approved by the Leadership Team prior to co-op. This option is only available for 1st grade and up only.
• If your family misses more than 3 co-op days, your membership will be up for review by the board. Membership and fees are then subject to forfeit.
• The board reserves the right to make exceptions to the rules on a case-by-case basis.
Wellness Policy
Please do not attend if you or your child has had any of the following within 24 hours of when co-op starts:
• Running a fever
• Green or murky discharge from eyes or “pink eye”
• Rash
• Vomiting and/or diarrhea
• A productive cough with fever/sore throat
• Head lice
• Flu-like symptoms
Weekly Sign-In/Family Folders
Weekly sign-in is from 9:15 – 9:30 a.m. in the gym. Family Folders will be in file boxes in the foyer during sign-in time. Name tags, as well as any important information will be in these folders. If you have any information to give to the leaders, or copies needing to be made, please place it in the correct person’s folders at the front of each file box. Parents should check their folder each week before leaving co-op for important information and cleaning schedules.
Worship Time
All members should attend morning worship at 9:30 a.m. During this time we will have worship and make important announcements.
Snacks
We encourage you to pack a small snack for your child to eat during recess. Please do not bring snacks that contain peanuts. If your child has an allergy please make sure it is noted and the teachers are aware. Also, we need to be respectful of our host church and send our children with snacks that are not messy. Please make sure your child cleans up their snack mess on the playground. Snacks will be provided for the nursery.
Dress Code Policy
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 and skirts or dresses must be at least knee length. Shorts must be no shorter than mid-thigh.
3. Unusual attire associated with immoral or improper ideas or with an anti-Christian message should not be worn.
4. If you aren’t sure something is appropriate to wear, please don’t wear it. Let’s honor one another by being respectful in our dress.
Cell Phone Use
We ask that parents keep cell phones on silent during class time. Please refrain from texting or conducting any phone business during class time. Your example of attentiveness to students and teacher needs demonstrates to students that co-op is important enough to deserve your full attention.
Discipline Policy
We are a Christian co-op and believe it honors God when our students are obedient and respectful. Please go over this policy with your children so they know what to expect.
1. First offense: The student will receive a verbal warning by the teacher clearly communicating how the behavior is to change.
2. Second offense: The student is removed from the class and the parents will be called to speak with the student.
3. Third offense: The student and parents will meet with the co-op committee to discuss a plan for them to be able to remain in the co-op.
4. If the student’s poor behavior continues then the parent will be asked to remove the student for the remainder of the semester, without a refund of fees.
Visitors
Visitors are allowed to come to one day of classes with a friend with prior approval from the Mighty Arrows Co-op Coordinator. Teachers prepare lessons with materials based on the number of students in their class. Visitors should understand that they are there only to observe. The teacher may allow the visitor to participate at the teacher’s discretion.
After visiting, families will be put on the family list for the following semester. Unfortunately, we are not allowing admission during an active semester.
Disagreements/Misunderstandings
Unfortunately, personality conflicts and misunderstandings can happen from time to time. If this occurs, please remember the following:
Do not cause conflict to grow by discussing it with others who are not part of the problem or solution. If needed, you may feel free to contact any of the Leadership Team for guidance or direction.
Co-op Schedule
Sign-in 9:15-9:30
Opening Assembly 9:30-9:45
Block A 9:50-10:35
Block B 10:35-11:20
Recess 11:20- 11:40
Block C 11:45-12:30