Backroads Homeschool Co-Op
TERMS OF SERVICE
Backroads Homeschool Co-op (BHC) Membership Guidelines & Policies
Before registering for Backroads Homeschool Co-op, please prayerfully consider the commitment that you are making. The focus of the co-op is to be a blessing to the homeschooling families in our group, and it takes the faithful commitment of every member to make it possible. Please read the entire Membership Guidelines & Policies before requesting membership. We do realize that it is lengthy, but you need to be aware of all the guidelines in order for the co-op to function smoothly.
Membership Requirements and Guidelines
All members must agree to Membership Guidelines, Rules of Conduct, Sick Policy, and Statement of Faith.
Membership demonstrates a willing heart to serve the group. All members are required to participate in co-op in a manner that would be pleasing to God. The success of our group depends on the cooperation and participation of our members. It takes all of us to make BHC run well.
*Being a member at BHC is both a privilege and a responsibility. Each one of us was given special gifts and talents. Being a member of BHC allows us to share those gifts and talents with other families. We do realize that each parent has the ability and skills to teach their own children. However, as a ministry of Jesus Christ, we need to ensure that Biblical, Christian teaching and modeling are an attribute of our co-op. For this reason, families who wish to join BHC should adhere to the following:
1. Backroads Homeschool Co-op is open to families that are actively engaged in homeschooling, with at least one child in grades K-12th.
2. A $125.00 non-refundable fee per family is due at the time of registration. You understand that by requesting a membership to BHC, you are doing so with the intent to participate from August through April, or whenever the 24 week period is up. Membership for each year must be renewed each year by a specified date. If you leave the co-op at any time, during any session, you will no longer be considered a "member." Certain conditions for leaving for an extended period of time and then returning will be considered on a case by case basis.
Extra fees above and beyond registration may include field trips, special events, etc. or class fees for labs, textbooks, reading books, art supplies, etc. Class fees will be due at the time of class sign-up or other specified terms. Field trip, special event, etc. fees will be due by specified due date. All fees are non-refundable.
3. Parental commitment required for membership to BHC will be for 3 periods per week, per session from August through April, either teaching where you are comfortable or talented or helping out in classes. Parents must also be willing to help with other jobs/tasks as needed. Although we strive to assign teacher/teacher’s helper jobs per your request, we may need to assign jobs based on the needs of BHC. Children must register for all 3 classes. Once you have made a commitment to BHC, please realize that we are counting on you!
4. Each family will be assigned a specified set up or closing clean-up area (a specific classroom, bathroom, or hallway, kitchen, sanctuary, etc.) These will be your family’s responsibility to complete. If there is more than one family assigned to an area, the responsibility is shared. Each job is important in the operation of the co-op. If you are absent, it is YOUR responsibility to notify the leadership team of this change.
5. Parents are expected to volunteer services to the group for co-op events that may include but are not limited to the following: teaching; social gatherings, setting up, assisting during, or clean up of special events/field trips/etc. Parents may not charge a fee for classes they teach beyond that needed for supplies and materials.
6. Please register with the intent to participate from August until April. If you know you will be on vacation or have other appointments/obligations on any co-op days, please notify the leadership team in advance. Please try to avoid making non-emergency appointments/plans on co-op days.
7. Dropping your children off is not acceptable. Adult attendance is expected unless there is an illness or unforeseen circumstance. If you are unable to attend, please notify the leadership team immediately.
8. Parents will be contacted if disciplinary problems arise. If there is an issue with a child, teachers are to first speak privately with the child first. The next step is to contact the parent. If the problem persists and cannot be corrected satisfactorily, notify the leadership team. The child may be removed from the class until the problem is corrected.
9. Foul language, crude/vulgar language will absolutely not be tolerated.Conduct your language in a way that is pleasing to God.
10. Primary communication will be via Signal and email. Please save backroadshomeschool@protonmail.com to your contacts.
11. We ask that all parents actively keep a lookout for children who are running, rough-housing, or being disrespectful to church property or others.
12. All parents are responsible to enforce the Student Responsibility and Expectations Policy. Parental assistance is mandatory and necessary.
13. BHC reserves the right to terminate membership of any member when deemed necessary.
Student Responsibility and Expectations Policy
(Parents please review these yourself and with your child(ren) prior to the first day of co-op.)
1. Show courtesy, thoughtfulness, and respect to all teachers/parents, other students and church staff, as well as the building and premises.
2. Be willing to accept guidance and correction from adults and/or teens in charge of classes and activities.
3. Remain within designated boundaries of the church. You may NOT use areas of the church/premises that we have not been invited to use.
4. There is no gossip or conversation that is not edifying to God. Do not speak ill of or put down other members and children.
5. No foul, abusive, or coarse language. No crude or cruel joking around. No bullying. This will not be tolerated. This includes, but is not limited to, any electronic exchanges.
6. Running, rough-housing, horseplay, climbing on/being disrespectful to church property, biting, kicking, slapping, and/or pushing is not permitted, even in jest.
7. Do everything without complaining and arguing. (Philippians 2:14)
8. Participation in classes is mandatory. Please come to class on time, be respectful to both the teacher and other students, participate cheerfully, listen to your teacher, and complete assignments.
9. No cell phones, electronic games or personal music devices are allowed in/during class unless given permission by the teacher.
10. No weapons or illegal drugs or alcohol are permitted.
11. Students need to be in their assigned classrooms. Students are not to wander hallways, foyer, sanctuary, or outside without supervision.
12. Church instruments and equipment are not to be touched.
Visitors/Families who are interested in attending Backroads Homeschool Co-Op are welcome to visit. They must schedule their visit with the leadership team.
Attendance
Attendance is necessary in order for BHC to run smoothly and be effective. Please take into consideration your commitment to the co-op when scheduling non-emergency appointments and vacations. When you do not come to co-op, the burden of your responsibilities will fall to those who already have their own responsibilities.
1. Please be sure you arrive ON TIME. Co-op announcements begin at 10:00 am. If you need to prepare for a class, please plan accordingly and arrive early. Please report to your classes on time. Arriving on time is very important. We are depending on you. Everyone is contributing to the co-op, even the helpers. If you are running late, please notify the leadership team immediately. Continued lateness will result in a review of your membership and may result in the termination of membership.
2. We do realize that illness and unforeseen emergencies may arise. If this happens, it is YOUR responsibility to call the leadership team before co-op to let them know you will not be there. It is the teachers responsibility to provide a lesson plan for their class and see they have the required materials to teach the class.
3.Please follow these steps in the event of an absence, scheduled or not:
A. Notify the leadership team and the teacher/helpers you work with.
B. If you are a teacher, try to arrange one of your helpers to teach, and get the appropriate materials to them to cover the class. This is YOUR responsibility.
C. If you are a helper, the leadership team will find someone to cover your spot. You still need to notify the leadership team that you will not be at co-op.
D. If you are responsible for bringing something to co-op (i.e. an event or party), you must make arrangements to get it to us or see if someone would bring it instead. We are counting on you.
4. Failure for any members to not show without calling ahead of time more than 2 times will result in a review of your membership and may result in termination of membership.
5. More than 2 unexcused absences {unexcused absence is an absence for something other than an illness or emergency} will result in a review of your membership and may result in the termination of membership. If you are unsure about your absence, please speak with the leadership team.
Sick Policy
*Please do NOT bring anyone to the co-op who has had the stomach bug in the last 24 hours.
1. Please do NOT bring yourself or your child to co-op or BHC events when sick and contagious.
2. When in doubt, please apply the ‘Golden Rule.’ Remember what was brought in last week will return 4 fold next week.
3. If your child develops any symptoms of sickness during co-op, you will be notified immediately.
4. Due to the nature of vaccine shedding, we do request any scheduled vaccine immunizations be scheduled during our off week or during our breaks in order to prevent and reduce the spread to others.
Conflict Resolution
We do realize that with so many different personalities, conflicts and misunderstandings may arise. This may be due to poor communication or if there are different expectations. We must agree as a whole on how to deal with these situations before they arise.
Please first pray about any conflicts/differences that arise. Most can be resolved by overlooking and forgiving the person who offended you. If God gives you peace over the issue, please move on and do not discuss it with others.
After you have prayed, if you still feel the conflict/difference must be addressed, please take the problem to the person you feel has offended you. If you cannot reach a satisfactory resolution, please ask for assistance from the leadership team.
Dress Code Policy
We ask that parents and students alike dress modestly. Please remember that we are representing Christ and Christian homeschoolers.
Examples of inappropriate clothing would be:
Women/Girls: Strapless/halter tops, tight form-fitting clothing (leggings are fine if long shirt/dress overtop), low cut clothing that exposes cleavage, short shorts, any clothing that exposes the midriff. We suggest that children wear shorts underneath any skirts and dresses for gym class.
Men/Boys: Tight/form-fitting clothing, clothing that exposes the midriff, baggy pants that expose underclothing, shirts that expose the chest. Students are to dress appropriately for the classes they are attending. Tennis shoes MUST be worn for gym class. You may bring them with you and put them on before class, but please remember, you still need to get to class on time.
Multimedia/Photo Policy
1. Members of BHC may use various media to record our classes and events and to recognize families and their participation and accomplishments such as performances, field trips, etc.
2. By becoming a member of BHC, you are granting us permission to use you/your child’s image/likeness in different forms of print, digital or electronic. This includes but is not limited to advertisement, internet or print.
Identifying pictures of the co-op children will NOT be posted on social media.
3. We cannot be held responsible for what other co-op members may do with their own photos/videos that they have captured.
Class Cancellations/Inclement Weather Policy
In the event of inclement weather, BHC will make a decision independently of the local school districts. If it is necessary to cancel classes for any reason, you will be notified immediately.
Field Trip/Special Events Guidelines
1. All students participating in field trips/special events must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. You may not drop your child(ren) off.
2. Please look over all information, considering age appropriateness and other requirements and suggestions, on field trips/special events and ask questions before you sign up. Do NOT sign your child(ren) up if they will be unable to attend.
3. If, for some reason, you cannot attend a Field Trip/Special Event that has already been paid for, you will not be reimbursed. If you have “tickets”, please make every effort to make sure someone goes in your place, especially if we have received a group rate for those “tickets.” Empty seats reflect poorly on our group. You may sell your tickets, but if it comes down to it, please consider giving your tickets to someone else. This is YOUR responsibility, NOT the responsibility of the person coordinating that particular field trip/special event. Illness or unforeseen circumstances may be considered for a refund. Please contact the field trip/special event coordinator to discuss your situation.
4. Arrive at the specified location on the day of the field trip/special event at least 15 minutes early so that you can be at our designated area on time.
5. Parents are responsible for the appropriate behavior of their children. Please be courteous of all tour guides, personnel, building and equipment. Remember that you are a representative of Christ, BHC and the homeschool community. We do not want our children’s or our own behavior to reflect poorly.
6. Please dress appropriately, following the guidelines already set forth for co-op.
7. Please plan ahead of time any items you need to bring (lunches, sunscreen, jackets, bug spray, etc.).
8. Inform your children what will be taking place during our field trips/special events and what is expected of them so that they will be prepared as well.
9. With prior approval, BHC members are welcomed to invite friends and family to a field trip, but when there are a limited number of spaces, BHC members will get first consideration.
Field Trip/Special Event Guidelines for Children
(Parents, please review this with your child.)
1. Be courteous and polite at all times.
2. Respect all others and the property at the location of the field trip/special event at all times.
3. Obey your parents/teachers and follow all rules at the location of the field trip/special events.
4. Listen carefully and attentively to instructors, guides, and staff.
5. Be patient in waiting your turn.
6. Please be cheerful and do not complain.
7. Be thankful to all those who helped during the field trip/special event. Don’t forget to say “thank you” to the people conducting the class, event, or tour.
Policies, guidelines, and requirements set forth herein include but are not limited to every word in this handbook and are subject to change at any time at the discretion of the leadership team. Please know that the Membership Guidelines and Policies were put together for the benefit and safety of you, your child(ren), our co-op, and our host church.