When Do We Meet?
We meet on Fridays from 9am to 11:30am.
Our fall 2024 schedule is September 27, October 11, October 25, November 8, November 22 and December 6.
Our spring 2025 schedule is January 24, January 31, February 7, February 14, February 28, March 7, March 14, March 21.

Mission Statement:
To provide support and encouragement as well as social and educational opportunities for homeschooling families in a Christ-centered community.

Board of Directors:
Director: Jen Hershey
Treasurer: Bethany Foley
Education Coordinator: Shirley Garber
Secretary: Alicia Hardy

FEES:
Family Fee: $100
CHALC Fee: $30
Insurance Fee (Ages 2+): $20 per student
Preschool, Pre-K, Kindergarten: $18 per student
1st-3rd Grade: $24 per student
4th-12th Grade: TBD once classes are set

Registration
Once registration is complete on the website, you will not be able to make any changes on the website to your classes. Contact Alicia Hardy to make any necessary changes.

All payments must be received by check and must be postmarked by the deadline date of July 5, 2024.

There will be a $25.00 late fee for any payments made after the deadline (new families registering after the deadline excluded).

If there is a financial need, there is an option to split payments. Please talk to Bethany Foley before the deadline if this option is helpful for your family.

Joining mid-year: Families may join mid-year if there is room. The joining family must pay the full CHALC fee. Family fee and class cost for elementary students will be cut in half. Upper level students will pay the regular class cost for the spring semester. Payment must be made in full at the time of registration and students will not be put on the class list until payment is received.

Refund and Withdraw
CHALC fee, Family Fee, and insurance fee are non-refundable.
The full class fee will be refunded if the withdraw occurs FOUR weeks before the start of co-op in the fall. Half of the class fee is refunded if withdraw occurs FOUR weeks before the start of the spring semester.

POLICIES & GUIDELINES

Children
Special needs children: Admission of special needs children will be on a case-by case basis dependent on the child’s needs and functioning level. Things to consider would be if the parent needs to always stay with the child or if a “buddy” could be trained to work with the child so the parent could have some respite.
Sick children: Families should not attend if ANY member of their family has had a rash of unknown origins or who has experienced vomiting, diarrhea, or fever within the past 24 hours. Parents are encouraged to use their best judgement and contact Shirley Garber if you are unsure if you should bring your child.
If your family will not be attending co-op on a particular day, your child/children MAY NOT be sent with another co-op family. Another immediate adult family member (father, grandparent, etc.) may bring the children and that family member must remain on the property during co-op. You MUST contact a member of the leadership team ahead of time to make us aware of the changes. Older siblings in upper grades are not considered a responsible party for younger siblings. If a family member wishes to help in a class, they need to bring along a copy of their clearances. Clearances are not needed if the family member will just be remaining on site during co-op.
Children must be under adult supervision at all times. This is especially important after co-op is over. Children should not be in the parking lot unattended. If your children wish to use the playground after co-op, an adult needs to be at the playground as well.

Cell Phones
Students may not use cell phones while in class. Teachers may ask students to place their phones in a bin at the beginning of class and then return the phones at the end of class. Parents, please put your phones on vibrate to limit distractions during classes in case another parent needs to contact you. Please limit cell phone use during classes to emergencies or to contact a member of the leadership team.

Classes
All students in grades 1-5 will be escorted to the fellowship hall by 11:25 by their 3rd hour teacher. All younger grade students must be picked up by a parent or a sibling over age 10.

Lunch
Families are welcome stay after co-op and eat a packed lunch outdoors. Please make sure all trash is picked up and disposed of. The church building will not be accessible after 11:45am.

Playground/Woods Area
An adult must be present at the playground/gaga pit any time children are down there. This is especially important after co-op ends for the day.
The woods around the property and the lake are off-limits to children unless a teacher is using it for a specific class. If a teacher wants to use the woods during a class, please let a member of the leadership team know ahead of time.

First Aid Kit/Accidents
A first aid kit will be available on the table by the entrance door. If an accident happens that requires the use of the first aid kit, please notify one of the leadership team members immediately. We will contact the parent if necessary and provide an accident report form.

Grade Level
If necessary or desired, a parent may move their elementary child up or down a grade level from their age level, if available, at registration. Any movement greater than that requires the approval of the director.

Building Damage
Any damage to the building should be immediately reported to a member of the leadership team.

Morning Procedures
Park on the side of the building or in the first level of the parking lot in front of the church. Please do not park on the lower level so that area is open for gym classes. Enter through the glass door between the main entrance and the fellowship hall. Families must arrive between 8:30 and 8:40. Co-op begins at 8:45 with announcements and devotions. The door will be locked at 8:45 and families will not be able to enter again until 9am. The door will remain locked until 11:45.
Classes will be 45 minutes long with a 5-minute transition time between classes. Class times are: 9-9:45, 9:50-10:35, 10:40-11:25. Please keep track of the time on your cell phone so that classes are all dismissed and start at the same time.
Children may bring a water bottle, filled only with water, and a small snack. (See suggested snack list). They will ONLY eat it when given permission by their teacher, normally at the end of 1st hour/beginning of 2nd hour. Please make sure your child’s name is on their water bottle.

Nursery
Make sure your child’s diaper bag and sippy cup is clearly labeled with their name.
Children will only be given the snacks that are provided in their diaper bag.
If your child needs a diaper change, one of the nursery helpers will call or text you to come and change your child’s diaper.
If your child has been crying for 10 minutes without being able to be consoled, we will contact you to come and get your child. We realize the first few weeks in a new place are rough for little ones. While we will give them time to try and get settled in, we also don’t want to make it a miserable experience for them or the other children in the nursery.

Preschool
Please provide an extra set of clothes in your child’s backpack in case of an accident. If your child has an accident and needs to change clothes, the teacher will call or text you to assist your child.

Room Cleaning
Families will be given a cleaning schedule with their assigned date and area to clean. Cleaning area will be assigned by prayer group. If you are not able to clean on your assigned day, it is your responsibility to find someone from your prayer group to switch days with you. Please notify Shirley Garber if you have switched assigned dates with someone.

Substitutes
If you are not able to attend co-op because of illness or a planned trip, you must notify Shirley Garber ASAP at 717-587-0457 or dsgarber@verizon.net. If you are the teacher in charge of a class, you must provide substitute lesson plans.

Supplies
CHOS will provide supplies for preschool through kindergarten. Students in grades 1-12 should provide their own supplies listed on the student expectations handout.
Please check the supply closet before purchasing supplies for your class. Refer to the class reimbursement policy for more information.
If there is a specific school supply you think it would be helpful for CHOS to keep in stock, please talk to Jen Hershey or Bethany Foley.
Snow/Inclement Weather Policy
We follow the Solanco school district’s announcements regarding bad weather. If Solanco is closed for the day, CHOS will be closed and an email will be sent out regarding a make-up day.
If Solanco has a 1 or 2 hour delay, CHOS will start one hour late at 9:45. Classes will be 30 minutes long: 10-10:30, 10:35-11:05, 11:10-11:40.
Weather related announcements will be sent out by email by 7am.

Teachers
Read and sign the teacher requirements handout.
A copy of your up-to-date clearances (criminal background check and child abuse clearance) must be submitted to the leadership by August 1. This is a requirement for both teachers and helpers.
Teachers have access to a portable tv that a laptop can be plugged into. There are also tv/dvd players in two classrooms. Please contact Jen Hershey in advance if you wish to use the AV equipment. The church does have wifi, but it is very slow! If you want to stream a video clip for your class, we recommend downloading it ahead of time so it plays correctly.
White boards are available in most classrooms. Markers are available in the supply closet.
To make copies for your class, please see the reimbursement policy.
Outside/gym equipment: It is your responsibility to return any equipment used to the supply room or gym totes. Equipment will not be available for use after CHOS is over for the day. Please bring your own ball if your children want to use the gaga pit after co-op. Sidewalk chalk may not be used except on the basketball court and must be washed off after co-op. A sprayer is
Teachers must post their syllabus on the website 4 weeks prior to the start of classes. For kindergarten and up, a list of weekly activities is required as many parents print and use this for their child’s portfolio.
If you are teaching 3rd hour, you are responsible for returning the class supply box to the supply room at the end of the day.
Please do not touch the thermostats in the rooms. If you open a window, please make sure you close the window at the end of class.
If tables or chairs are moved during your class, please return them to their original locations at the end of class.
Students are not to use the ping-pong table or foosball table in the youth room.
We ask moms to plan on being the lead teacher for at least one class/year. New moms are not required to teach their FIRST semester. However, if they are willing and able to teach, it is helpful as we usually can’t cover all the classes without some new moms jumping in to teach. We realize this can seem daunting for families who are new to a co-op setting. The education coordinator is available to help you choose a theme or topic for your class and locate materials.
Moms with newborns (0-6 months) are not required to be a lead teacher that semester.
Be proactive when setting classroom expectations the first day. We want students to be respectful of others, listen when the teacher is speaking, and positively participate in class to the best of their ability. Everyone has “bad days”, but setting good boundaries and expectations from day one will help offset the “bad days” students will have.

Hall Monitor Responsibilities
One hall monitor will be positioned by the front door/bathrooms and another by the bathrooms in the back hallway. Hall monitors are responsible for watching the exit/entrance and checking with anyone who wants to enter the building as the front door will be kept locked once co-op begins. Hall monitors should also be attentive to the children in the halls as they go to and from the bathroom. Hall monitors may also be asked to step in briefly as a helper in a class if a mom is needed to attend to their child in the nursery. Hall monitors may also help locate a mom for the same purpose. You may use the time to read, think or pray when the halls are quiet. Please remain in your assigned area to maintain the safety and security of the building.

GUIDELINES & EXPECTATIONS FOR ELEMENTARY STUDENTS (PreK-6th)

Classroom Behavior
Students are expected to show respect to the adults in their classrooms by obeying the guidelines the teacher has given. Students are also expected to respect their classmates by honoring each other with their words and actions. We desire to be imitators of Christ and want every student to feel valued and accepted. Bullying will not be tolerated!

Snacks
Students will provide their own snacks each week. Snacks will be eaten at the end of first period/beginning of second period. Do not send juice boxes or drinks other than water. Below is a list of suggested snacks. Keep in mind that your child should be able to finish their snack in 5 minutes or less, so please do not send more than they can eat in that time. Also, please do not send candy, other sugary snacks, or messy/sticky snacks.
Original/non-flavored potato chips, corn chips, pretzels
Fruit or vegetable sticks/slices
Applesauce pouches
Dried fruit
Cereal
Granola Bars

School Supplies
These will be provided for Preschool, PreK and Kindergarten classes. Students in grades 1-6 will need to provide their own. Each student should have crayons or colored pencils, 2 glue sticks, scissors, a pencil sharpener, and a sharpened pencil with an eraser. Supplies should be kept in the student’s backpack in a plastic bag or pencil pouch with their name written on it.
***PLEASE DO NOT BRING SHARPIES OR PERMANENT MARKERS***
Any additional supplies needed for certain classes will be listed in the class descriptions.

Extra Purchases
Each elementary school teacher has the option to be reimbursed for supplies purchased for a specific class. We reimburse $3/child in preschool-K and $4/child in 1st-6th grade. With that said, we ask that teachers NOT require families to purchase extra resources for their class. Examples would be books, materials beyond those listed on the school supplies list, snacks, etc. Items that you are reimbursed for become property of CHOS at the end of the semester so they can be reused if possible.

Homework
Homework for 5th grade and under is not a requirement. If, however, homework is assigned, please limit the amount to 10-15 minutes/week. Homework may be assigned for 6th grade but should be no longer than 30 minutes/week.
Class Outline

Please provide a class outline/syllabus for the class you will be teaching at least 4 weeks prior to the start of co-op. Please post the information on the forum.


CHOS UPPER-LEVEL STUDENT EXPECTATIONS
Students, we know that the education you receive is directly proportional to the effort you put into it. We hope you enjoy learning at CHOS, and expect that you will meet the following expectations:
? Come to class prepared with a positive attitude
? Ask questions if you don’t understand something
? Complete your homework on time and to the best of your ability
? Turn off your cell phone and leave it in your backpack during class
? Bring necessary supplies such as books, paper, pens, pencils, etc.
? Refrain from public displays of affection except among family members
? Dress modestly. Immodest clothing is distracting for everyone. Writing on clothing should not be offensive to Jesus Christ. If inappropriate clothing is worn, a member of the leadership team will talk with you and your parent.
? Respect the property of others by walking in the hallways and keeping your hands off items in the church building that do not belong to you.
To help Friday mornings run smoothly, we suggest you pack everything you need Thursday evening. Try to complete any homework earlier in the week so that if you have questions, you can email your teacher. “I couldn’t do my work because I didn’t understand it or know what it was” is not a valid excuse because you have the contact info for your teacher.
Missed or incomplete homework policy
1st time: Teacher will talk with you and possibly a parent
2nd time: Teacher will contact your parent. Are they aware you have not completed your work?
3rd time: Teacher will contact your parent and the Education Coordinator. When you do no complete assignments, it affects the rest of the class and the quality of the teaching. Your parents will be asked to make sure your work is completed for the next class.