Handbook

We have this hope as an anchor to the soul. Hebrews 6:19

Co-op Member Handbook

I. Who We Are

Anchor Christian Homeschoolers (ACH) seeks to provide a place for relationship and fellowship with like-minded families as we endeavor to homeschool our children. To that end, we come together to offer group classes in order to supplement and enrich our children's education and provide the opportunity for parents to come together and share their talents and resources for the mutual benefit of all participants.

ACH meets in West Springfield, on Mondays from 10am to 2pm. Co-op runs September through May with several breaks observed throughout the year. For further information, including address, please email us at: anchorchs@gmail.com ACH is an HSLDA discount group. Members of ACH receive a $15 discount on HSLDA membership. Please see leadership to be added to HSLDA discount member's list or to receive our HSLDA discount code.

A typical schedule is as follows:
9:40am - Early Arrival
10:00 - Devotional and 1st Period Classes begin
11:15 -12:05 - 2nd Period Classes
12:10 - 12:40 - Lunch/Fellowship
12:45 -1:35 - 3rd Period Classes
1:35 - 2:00 Clean up/Departure

II. Mission Statement

The purpose of Anchor Christian Homeschoolers (ACH) is to encourage and engage with the local community of Christian homeschool families through educational and enrichment opportunities. ACH does NOT replace parental instruction at home.

III. Statement of Purpose

1. To serve God as we serve and encourage each other.

2. To provide social involvement through activities.

3. To provide educational opportunities as a group.

4. To share educational successes and failures with each other.

5. To teach our children responsibility, respect, and cooperation.

IV. Statement of Faith

Anchor Christian Homeschoolers is comprised of Christian families. Anchor represents home educators from a variety of Christian backgrounds. There are many styles of worship, different understandings on some practices, and expectations of what Christian living looks like. Each family joining Anchor Christian. Homeschoolers is asked to sign our statement of faith. It’s important for potential members to understand that we want to glorify the Lord Jesus Christ in all we do and that Christian practices – such as prayer, worship, and reading from the Bible – are a part of our weekly program.

We believe the Bible, both the Old and New Testaments, to be the inspired, inerrant, infallible, divinely preserved Word of God which constitutes completed and final revelation, and to be the sole and final authority for faith and practice. (2 Timothy 3:16-17, 2 Peter 1:21, Psalm 119:89, Psalm 12: 6-7)
We believe there is one living and true God—eternally existent in three persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. (Genesis 1:1, John 10:30, 37-38)

We believe in the death of our Lord Jesus Christ, in His virgin birth, in His sinless life, in His miracles, in His cross, in His bodily resurrection, in His personal return in power and glory. (Isaiah 7:14, Matthew 1:23, Luke 1:35, Hebrews 4:15, Hebrews 7:25, John 2:11, Hebrews 9:12, Hebrews 1:14, John 11:25, Acts 1:11, Revelation 19: 11-16)

We believe that man is sinful by nature and that regeneration by the Holy Spirit is essential and an absolute necessity for His salvation. (Romans 3: 19, 23; John 3:16-17, John 5:24, Ephesians 2:8-19, Titus 3:5, 6) We believe all humans are sinful by nature (Rom. 3:23, 5:12) and can only be forgiven by repentance and statement of trust in Jesus as Savior (John 3:16), brought about by the regenerating work of the Holy Spirit (Titus 3:5-7).

We believe in the resurrection of both the saved and the lost, they who are saved unto eternal life and they who are lost unto eternal death (Romans 6:23, John 3:16, Galatians 6:8, Proverbs 11:19, 2 Tim 1:10, John 3:36, Ezekiel 18:30-32, Matthew 7: 13-14, Revelation 20: 11-15, Matthew 10:28, James 4:12, Hebrews 10:39, Hebrews 10:39, Romans 5:9, 2 Thessalonians 1: 8-9)

We believe in the creation of man by the direct act of God. (Genesis 1:26-28: Genesis 5:1-2)

We affirm the biblical definition of marriage as the union of one man and one woman (Genesis 2:24, Mark 10:6-9).

Our association has a Christian emphasis, as evidenced by the Statement of Faith. It is important for all members to realize Anchor Christian Homeschoolers is not a school: it exists only as a cooperative association of parents committed to protect and educate our children.. All classes taught will be taught from a biblical worldview. Science will be taught from a creationist worldview. With your signature, you acknowledge that you are in agreement with our statement of Faith.

V. Contact

Email will be the primary means of communication. Members are responsible for checking their email on a regular basis to receive important news related to co-op. Pertinent information will also be added to our private Facebook group that is only accessible to members of ACH.

VI. Opportunities to Serve

This is truly a cooperative effort in that every family will play an important role in the success of this learning venture. Our desire is to not have anyone be overburdened by the role(s) they perform in the co-op. We want for this group to be a blessing to everyone and not a burden to anyone. Nor do we want anyone's involvement with co-op to have an adverse affect on the role they play as spouse, parent, and teacher to their own family. Therefore, each family will be required to support ACH by assisting consistently in the following areas:

Prayer: We encourage every member to participate in praying for this, the Lord's ministry. Please consider this your most important service to this group.

Board Members: (Leadership Team: A team made up of a minimum of three persons who have been active in co-op for at least one year. They will oversee the overall operation of the co-op, and be the "last word" in any decision affecting the group. Roles on the leadership team include:)

Director - Cari Rogers
The Director will manage the day-to-day needs of the organization. She is the first to arrive and last to leave on co-op day. She is ultimately responsible for the smooth running of the co-op. She works on membership applications and the interviewing process of prospective applicants. She will create agendas and preside over regular meetings of the Board. She will oversee and fill in for all other positions and assist as needed. The Director is the point person for all other serve positions. All things should go through the Director before being finalized by other offices or committees.

Assistant Director -
The Assistant Director reports directly to the director, she will be prepared to manage operations in the absence of the Director. She will work with the Director on memberships and the interviewing process. She will assist with the overseeing of all other positions. The Assistant Director should be the first stop for any conflicts that cannot be worked out one-on-one.

Treasurer - Melanie Clark
The Treasurer reports directly to the director and will oversee accounting. She will be responsible for handling co-op's finances. This would include managing co-op's bank account, invoicing and collecting all fees and dues, keeping track of supplies that teachers request and dispersing reimbursements as well as keeping records of all transactions. She will keep record of who has/has not paid and she will notify the director for follow-up.

Serve Positions (overseen by the Board Leadership)

Teachers:
Develop a class plan suitable for the ages of which they volunteered to teach.
Be dynamic, encouraging, and engaging. Do the best they are able.
Determine the supplies/equipment needed and report to those needs to the Treasurer for review and acceptance. Modifications may be necessary to keep costs low.
Keep in mind the varying degrees of capability of the students. Give grace as needed.
Responsible for setting up and cleaning up of your classroom space.
Last period teachers/assistant should vacuum as needed and empty the trash can. Empty all classroom trash into the large trash can in the gym.

Notify Director of any damage to rooms or furniture
Develop a plan for the Assistant to implement in case of absence

Class Assistant:

NEVER be on their phone during class. This gives the impression the class is boring
Fill out the attendance sheet during class. In case of emergency the assistant should grab the roster and take it with the class to the agreed upon safe place.
Be the person the children know to interrupt in the event they need to use the restroom, get a pencil, etc.
Help the teacher in whatever capacity he/she needs
Be proactive in getting the children seated and settled and ready for class
Remove obstinate children to their parent. See Section on Parent Responsibilities for discipline outline.

Clean up Crew
(rotational)
Check classrooms to make sure the teachers have cleaned their room.
Check hallways to spot vacuum as needed
All small trash cans should be emptied into the large trash can in the gym.
Walk through each bathroom to be sure trash is empty, toilets are flushed, and trash is off of the floor and counter. Spot clean any messes in the toilet area as needed.
Lights off in all classrooms and bathrooms

Teen Leadership
(rotational)
All teens will be placed on rotation to serve as teen leadership.
Lunch clean up crew should spot sweep/mop any messes, wipe tables,
Use the large gym broom at the end of the day to sweep gym floor
Set up tables in the manner the church delegates
Lead younger kids in helping as allowed

Substitutes
This is a position that does not count toward your two serve positions. A substitute can jump in and cover for an absent role. All parents will be placed on the substitute list
This list will be a revolving list giving everyone a chance and not overburdening one person over another.

?Sub Coordinator: A person who will be responsible for ensuring that positions are filled each week:. This person will maintain the revolving substitute list and ensure that it is posted by Wednesday evening of each week. They will be the contact person for when someone will be absent and will be responsible for ensuring the absent parent found coverage.

Supplies Coordinator: A person who will be responsible for stocking and organizing our classroom supply boxes. This would entail keeping our storage area in order and notifying leadership when supplies are needed or running low.

Field Trip/Activities Coordinator: This person plans and coordinates field trips that have an educational, recreational, service, community, athletic, or creative purpose. This person represents Anchor to vendors in the community. This coordinator also establishes committees as needed for purposes of co-op parties or other activities or events.

VII. Duties

Parent Responsibilities:

1. Parents must remain in the building while their children are attending classes. Each parent will be given an assignment for each period that they are at co-op, and they must support the co-op by attending their assignment unless absent for the day.

2. Respect and adhere to all guidelines.

3. Read through all guidelines with their children and encourage adherence to them.

4. Review with children how they are to conduct themselves in a classroom setting.

5. Monitor the behavior of their children. They are to check with their child’s teacher periodically to inquire how the child is doing in their classroom.

6. Be willing to adhere to the Discipline Procedures and Conflict Resolution Procedure.

7. Contact the Sub Coordinator as soon as possible if they are to be absent. Please refer to section XII for our absence policy.Because each person’s contribution is critical to the success of the whole, we do have an absence policy of two absences per semester.

8. Check email on a regular basis as this is the primary, official method of communication within the group.

9. Arrive on time.

10. Once co-op has ended for the day, be prompt in gathering up your children and belongings and relocate outside to socialize. This will allow the clean up crew to complete their duties.

11. All members will be required to submit to a background check.

12. Social Media: Please do not post public photos of students on social media without the permission of the students' parents. We maintain a private group on Facebook for photos, UNOFFICIAL communication, and community connection. Please see group rules for more information.

13. Anchor is not responsible for your children after the official end of the co-op day. This includes park time and other extracurricular activities.

14. Child safety is of utmost importance. An adult or older youth should never be isolated with a younger person. We have a two adults in the room with children policy. If one adult needs to step out for something, leave the door open and notify the parents that are off duty by way of walkie talkie.

15. All adults that come to campus or any Anchor event more than two times in a given year must have a background check on file.

16. Anchor relies on parents to teach, monitor, and chaperone the children enrolled in our cooperative program. Your family’s safety is of utmost importance to us. As part of our effort to keep all of our members safe, Anchor has the following policies:

All prospective participating families must have a background check completed on the primary volunteer parent before their enrollment is finalized.
Any person who attends Anchor in the form of a co-op day or drop-off, chaperoned event two times must have a clear background check on file before they can attend further co-op days or events.
It is Anchor’s policy to reject attendance at a co-op day or event if an adult’s background check comes back with felonies less than 10 years old or any violent crimes against a person. This includes, but is not limited to, crimes against children, domestic violence, assault/battery, sexual crimes, etc.
Anchor leadership understands that people can and do become new in Christ. Background checks that do come back less than “all clear” will be discussed and assessed on a case by case basis with the person and leadership and will include a pastoral recommendation from the person’s pastor.
All classes will have two adults present at all times.
Adults are not to help children with bathroom needs. If bathroom help is needed, please let leadership know, and we will make sure to retrieve the child’s parent.

Student Responsibilities:

1. Respect and obey those in authority and follow directions in the classroom.

2. Respect their peers. No pushing, hitting, shoving or horseplay. Refrain from unkind words and filthy language. Do not distract each other during class.

3. Respect church property.Do not leave assigned classroom, gym, or outdoor learning space without permission from your teacher.

4. Conduct oneself in a safe and orderly manner. Violence and threatening behavior nor roughhousing will be tolerated.

5. Be prepared for class (reading, homework, etc.)

6. Every student should participate in class and follow the instructions of the teacher. Those with cell phones should set them to vibrate and keep phones in a pocket. No materials not immediately relevant to class should be out and in use by any student during class time.

7. Students are expected to clean up after themselves and help clean up after classes at the end of the day.

8. Dress appropriately for co-op day. Wear proper shoes and clothing for your chosen classes. Dress neatly, in clean clothes, and in modest/unrevealing clothing.

9. Keep dating relationships outside of co-op time. Refrain from physical displays of affection

10. Remember the “Red Carpet Rule”. No student is to stand and loiter on the red carpet near the entrance to the gym.

VIII. Discipline Procedures

If a child is being uncooperative, disruptive or disrespectful, the following procedures will be followed:

?1. The child will be spoken to by the adult that is in charge.

2. If unacceptable behavior continues, the child will be asked to sit out of the activity. The teacher will notify leadership of the situation the same day. The parent will also be appraised of the situation and a resolution will be privately attempted.

3. If the child still exhibits unacceptable behavior the following week, the child will be brought to their parent and not allowed to participate for the remainder of the day.

4. If the child repeats the unacceptable behavior the following week, the child will be removed from co-op until a meeting can take place between the teacher, parent, child and at least two members of the Leadership Team to discuss whether the child can return to co-op, or will need to sit out the remainder of the session. Continued disruptive behavior may result in immediate dismissal from ACH.

?Please note that if a parent feels the need to discipline THEIR OWN CHILD, they should not do so in front of other children, but rather do this in private.

IX. Conflict Resolution Procedure

Unfortunately, personality conflicts and misunderstandings can happen. It is important that we agree on how to deal with these situations, should they arise.

?In using Matthew 18 as our guide, if a conflict arises, parents and teachers should seek to resolve the issue on their own. If either party is unsatisfied or a resolution (when all parties reach mutual agreement or understanding) cannot be met, the parties then need to seek the assistance of a leadership individual.

?As a last resort, the conflict will be taken to the Leadership Team and they will prayerfully make a final decision. If a party is unwilling to abide by the Leadership Team's decision or is unwilling to follow these guidelines, that party may be asked to leave the group.

1. Being a member is a privilege and one’s participation can be revoked due to misconduct. The Board may also deny participation to any member at their discretion.

2. The Board reserves the right to dismiss any member for any reason at any time.

3. The Board reserves the right to change policies and procedures to accommodate the needs of the group and will notify all members should such a situation arise.

4. When we are attending activities as a group, our behavior reflects not only on the individuals but on ACH as well. We ask that you continue to adhere to the Code of Conduct when we are outside of our normal building the same as when we are in it.

X. Building Use Rules

1. No running with exceptions for a PE class in the gym.

2. No ball playing in or around the building with exceptions for a PE class in the gym.

3.. Do not walk around the building eating food. Food and drink is not allowed in the classrooms or the blue chairs.

4. Children are not to open any outside doors to allow someone in.

5. No one is to go into the church kitchen.

6. Check several times prior to leaving to ensure that you have all of your family’s belongings, including lunchboxes.

7. The supply room is off limits to students.

?Please remember that the church we are renting is our host(s). We need to behave as guests while using their facilities and equipment. Accidents will happen. This is expected. If, however, property and/or equipment are damaged intentionally or as a result of disregarding the rules of conduct set forth in this handbook, you as a parent may be held financially responsible for any repair or replacement of such damaged property and/or equipment.

XI. Weather-Related Cancellation

If we are experiencing bad weather, please check your email prior to leaving for co-op to see if classes have been canceled. A cancellation will be posted by 8:00 am. We are also aware that weather conditions can vary from place to place. If we think the roads are clear and safe to hold co-op, but the roads are not safe in your area, please email the leadership at anchorchs@gmail.com by 7:45am. If there are a great number of families who cannot safely make it to co-op, that will have an impact on whether we cancel or not.

XII. Illness and Absence Policy

For the consideration and well being of others, we ask you to keep your family at home if you or anyone in your immediate household is experiencing any of the following symptoms:

?1. Fever over 100 (within the last 24 hours). All fevers must be absent without medication for 24 hours preceding co-op. This means NO fever on Sunday.

2. New onset of loss of sense of taste or smell

3. Colored (yellow or green snotty nose) or copious mucus

4. Diarrhea, vomiting, or nausea (within the last 48 hours). If anyone in your household has vomiting/diarrhea on the Saturday or Sunday before co-op, please do not attend co-op that Monday.

5. Eye drainage or crusty eyelids

6. Virus or infection known to be contagious. Upper respiratory or flu-like symptoms that have onset within the previous five days. If your child started having symptoms of a cold on Thursday, please stay home on Monday. If exposed to someone with the flu - remember, flu is contagious BEFORE symptoms appear.

7. Contagious rashes, ringworm

8. Head lice

The Leadership Team reserves the right to send home any family with a student exhibiting these symptoms on Monday morning.

We understand that things come up and sometimes, for whatever reason, you may find yourself unable to attend co-op or find yourself late for co-op. Please remember, we are a parent run cooperative and we need everyone’s participation for co-op to run smoothly.
Because each person’s contribution is critical to the success of the whole, we do have an absence policy of two absences per semester. Extenuating circumstances will be considered on a case-by-case basis. For the times when absence or tardiness is unavoidable, please help us to keep things running as smoothly as possible by alerting the Director/Assistant Director and your assistant or team.

Planned Absences:
In the event you know you will be missing co-op ahead of time, please alert the Director and:

1. Teachers - communicate to your assistant so they know what material to lead with in your
Absence.

2. Other serve positions - A sub will be assigned from the Substitute List.

Unplanned Absences:
We have all been there when illness and emergency crop up. One minute everything is fine and the next, your child is running a fever on a Sunday night. If you find yourself in a spur-of-the-moment absence situation, please call or text the Director and/or your Assistant as soon as you can. Please don’t email at the last minute as it is unlikely to be seen.

XIII. Allergies

Please be keenly aware of all children in your class that have allergies. While ACH makes every attempt to decrease allergen exposure for participants, ultimately, it is the responsibility of the parents with a child who has allergies to bear the responsibility for their child's well being. We do not operate in facilities that are nut free.

XIV. Registration Procedures

Our co-op is designed primarily for school-age children.

Registration applications are open to all homeschooling families whose oldest child is age five or older (by July 1st), who are faithfully attending church, willing to uphold the ideals of ACH, agree to the Code of Conduct and Statement of Faith, and comply with Missouri’s homeschool laws .Registration requests for FAMILIES WHOSE OLDEST CHILD IS NOT AT LEAST KINDERGARTEN AGE (5 years old by July 1st of the school year) will not be processed. Our preschool classes and nursery are available to support families with school age children but unfortunately we do not have the building capacity to admit individual preschoolers.

Potential member families must also understand the commitment that they are signing up for when they choose to join the co-op. ACH is not a drop off program. Every family must have at least one parent or guardian on site every week, and the parent/guardian must be participating in serve positions during that time. All adults that participate in co-op days are subject to a background check. All visiting adults (dad, grandparent, etc) must have a background check on file after two visits.

ACH reserves the right to vet potential members by asking them to visit Anchor during the regular session or during summer planned gatherings. A “Visit Anchor” form is available on our website to facilitate such a meetup.

Special Needs:
Anchor sees all people as being created in the image of God.. We desire to offer a discreet setting that provides grace in partnership with challenges. It is the responsibility of the parent to take the initiative and open the lines of communication for your child’s unique needs. Teachers will appropriately make allowances; students must avoid excuses. Teachers at Anchor are not equipped to provide moderate to intense academic or behavioral support during a co-op day.

?We understand that many homeschooling families choose not to assign grade levels to their students. However, in this setting, we have guidelines for how to register a student for classes. Our program is broken up into 3 levels:

Nursery and pre-K: Ages under 5, with an older sibling enrolled

K-3: This program is for students who are 5-8 years old by July 1st of the school year.

Grades 4-7: This program is for students who are 9-12 years old by July 1st of the school year.

Grades 8-12: This program is for students who are 13-18 years old by July 1st of the school year.. There is a higher level of maturity and independence expected at this level. Once a student turns 19, they will no longer be able to participate in our co-op.

?XV. Registration Fees

ACH is designed to be financially accessible to all families. Registration Fees will be used to gain access to the church's facilities, pay administrative costs, purchase supplies and curricula for co-op classes.

?All fees, including any extra class supply fees, must be paid IN FULL by the due date of your semesterly fee invoice. Failure to assure payment in full may compromise your enrollment in ACH’s program.

?A Paypal account has been established to receive Co-op fees, if families so choose to pay in this manner. Details to pay via Paypal will be in the emailed invoice. Cash and checks made out to Anchor Christian Homeschoolers will also be accepted.

?Fees:

-Non-refundable Registration Fee: $40 per family at enrollment and annually in the fall thereafter.
-Family Membership Dues: $100 per semester (includes one student)
-Student Dues: $20 after the first student at a max of $60.
- Family Membership Dues are due by the invoice due date . Non-payment of dues by the due date will result in your family losing its place in the co-op roster.

These fees may increase or decrease due to rent or supply cost changes. In the event Anchor does have to modify its fee structure, every attempt will be made to give families as much notice as possible.

XVI. Refund Policy

All registration and membership fees are non-refundable. Student supply fees may be refundable if the co-op has not yet purchased supplies.

XVII. Reimbursement Policy

Reimbursement forms may be submitted on the paper form if needed. Complete a reimbursement form in ink and staple the receipt(s) to the back of the form.

Place Reimbursement requests in the appropriate folder located on the sign-in desk.
All reimbursements must be accompanied by a receipt(s)- paper or digital accepted.
Reimbursements will be made based on the amount of fees paid for each class. Any amounts requested over the allotted amount are at the discretion of the treasurer to reimburse after the end of the session based upon availability of funds.
Classes that require additional funds above the student supply fee are supplemented by a class fee. All teachers are expected to determine if a fee is required and to notify the treasurer and appropriate coordinator. The fee will be listed in the class description.
Anchor has an allowance for each class. The allowance is set in advance. For the 2024/2025 year, that allowance is $40 per class. This is for teachers to buy other things that the co-op does not have in its supply closet. Teachers can either ask Melanie or Cari to order certain items, or they can purchase the item(s) and seek reimbursement. All reimbursements must be done during the semester the item was purchased. After the semester is finished, Anchor will no longer reimburse for items purchased.
If a class needs more than the $40 for a class fee, please submit a class plan and reasons why/items needed for approval.

XVIII. Disaster Plan Policy

In the event of a Fire or other disaster that requires evacuation of the building: all teachers escort your class outside to the dumpster area. Assistants are to grab the attendance roster on the way out.
Once safely away from the building, have your class sit down so teachers can get a head count. If you are missing a student, notify leadership immediately. Do NOT go back inside the building. Keep your students together and calm. Leadership will facilitate getting families together.

In the event of a Tornado, the 5-8 and 9-12 classes and their teachers will go to the bathrooms and the bathroom alcove located near the gym. Teens will cluster in the 300 hallway. Close doors if time allows.
If a tornado is immediately imminent and there is no time to get to the assigned stations, shelter in the nearest hallway or bathroom away from doors and windows.

By joining Anchor Christian Homeschoolers, you agree to abide by the Handbook,
Statement of Faith, and Code of Conduct therein. Failure to abide by any may result in dismissal from the group.
If a concern or conflict arises, please bring it to the attention of the Director/Assistant Director so that it may be addressed.

I have read and/or reviewed this handbook and agree to uphold myself and my children to the policies and procedures therein.

Print Name: ______________________________________________________

Parent Signature:__________________________________________________

Date:____________________________________________________________