RUSC Handbook
Rise Up St. Charles
Policies and Procedures
We are a Christian-led co-op, serving the greater St. Charles area, and we welcome all homeschooling families. We do not require Christian faith for membership, but we ask each member to submit a statement of family values that outlines the reasons RUSC - an organization that is hosted by a church and is founded on Christian values - is relevant to their family’s educational journey. While Christian faith is not a requirement for membership, we do want to understand your family's individual belief system and worldview. We are a ministry and strive to foster a sense of community in addition to providing a safe environment for like-minded families to engage in social and educational activities.
We expect all who attend and participate in our group to abide by the following Policies and Procedures. By joining RUSC, you agree to these Policies and Procedures and will sign a statement each semester agreeing to any changes.
Please remember that this is by definition a cooperative - each family does their part to keep the costs down by helping out in various areas during classes and events. We do not allow for drop-off situations.
Mission Statement
To Rise Up and provide education, fellowship, and encouragement to the children and parents of St. Charles and surrounding counties, with the common goal of home education. We espouse to diligently teach our children, at home, when out and about, at bedtime, and when we rise up. We therefore hold as belief and conviction that children are given by God as a stewardship to the parent and not to the state and that parents have the wherewithal and authority to instruct their own children. (Proverbs 22:6, Deuteronomy 6:6, 7)
Membership
The qualifications for membership in this organization dictate that each potential member must be currently homeschooling a child between 5 and 18 years old, and the membership request on the website must be filled out completely.
Membership shall be a fee based membership. Membership dues and privileges are determined by the BOD. The Board has the authority to establish differentiated membership fees for different categories of members, e.g., pastoral, other co-op leaders, specialty teachers, etc. Fees will be reviewed and set annually by the BOD to meet budgetary needs. Membership may be refused at the board’s discretion to any family that the board feels would not further the objectives of RUSC.
Membership shall be for one year beginning on May 1st and ending on April 30th. Any dues not paid by May 31st will result in canceled membership.
Members of the organization shall not have the right to vote on matters, including the election of officers.
Membership shall be members of the immediate family that are curretnly living at home and being homeschooled by the parents. Membership outside of these parameters will be upon board approval only, and considered on a case-by-case basis.
Non-members may not attend classes (this includes bringing friends or family members).
Prospective members can attend after membership request and meeting with the BOD.
Conflict
Conflict resolution between members shall be brought before the Board of Directors if matters cannot be resolved between the members themselves. The Board will then attempt to mediate the conflict between the members including utilization of our appointed chaplain. The Board has the power to revoke membership if the conflict cannot be resolved.
Funds
As a 501(c)3, the Board may accept on behalf of the organization any contribution for its granted purposes or any particular special purpose directed by the donor.
Amendments
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, Facebook group, and/or email.
Code of Conduct- Please remember that we are a family-friendly organization that meets in a church building. Respect both the members of our organization as well as the church body.
Respect
Be respectful of others and the property of others:
· No physical or verbal abuse, coercion, stalking, intimidation, harassment (verbal or sexual), threats of violence, cyberbullying, or discrimination.
· Members will avoid the use of divisive or inflammatory comments, symbols, gestures, or actions of any kind.
· No profanity, gossip, lewd or vulgar language.
· No use of tobacco products or vapors of any kind on the premises.
· Leave all events and facilities better than you found them. Respect the premises and help clean up.
· Please arrive at classes, events, and activities in a timely manner.
Dress and Appearance
Dress and grooming will be the responsibility of the individual and parents/guardians. Members shall not wear the following:
· Clothing that reveals too much cleavage, your chest, your stomach or your underwear is not appropriate
· Low cut shirts, muscle shirts, halter tops, midriffs, backless apparel, sagging pants, or extremely short shorts/skirts
· Clothing that promotes drugs, alcohol, tobacco, and/or its products
· Clothing with sexually suggestive messages, profanity, or messages of a vulgar nature
· Clothing with holes above mid-thigh in inappropriate places or exposing undergarments
Public Displays of Affection
Our group ranges in beliefs, ages, and family guidelines. Members will respect each other by refraining from inappropriate displays of affection. In addition, pornography and sexual communication, whether verbal, written or electronic, are prohibited between students and at any RUSC activity.
Substances
· Use or possession of alcohol, illegal drugs, tobacco, e-cigarettes, and other related products by students is strictly prohibited.
· Tobacco and alcohol may not be used on the premises of our co-op or field trips.
Safety
Safety is of utmost importance to our members, therefore:
· No student will be allowed to bring weapons of any kind to RUSC events.
· Adults who choose to bring weapons MUST be in accordance with all federal, state, and local regulations as well as fill out a form to provide to HVBC (available by seeing the security coordinator). Carriers bear full responsibility for securing those weapons at all times.
· Parents/guardians are responsible for the safety of their children at all RUSC events and activities.
Conflict
Should a conflict arise between students, parents, or a member of the RUSC BOD, the following guidelines should be utilized to resolve the dispute:
· Issues should be resolved at an appropriate time, place, and manner.
· Students are encouraged to work out differences with each other, utilizing parental guidance.
· If there is a problem with a child’s behavior, it will be addressed privately with the parent/guardian. Further steps may also be taken as deemed necessary by the BOD.
· If a conflict between adult members arises, members are expected to first attempt to work through their differences respectfully and privately.
· If a situation cannot be resolved between students or adult members, it should be brought to the attention of the BOD or the Chaplain.
Noncompliance
Should any member choose to not follow any RUSC Code of Conduct, the issue should be brought to the attention of the BOD.
Disciplinary Policy
If students or parents are not following the previous policies and procedures, the following will occur:
An incident report will be written and the parent will be notified
Student may be removed for the day from a class or other activity
Parent may be required to accompany the student to classes.
Parent may be asked to sit with BOD for discussion session
If problems persist, the student or family may be removed from RUSC at the discretion of the board of directors.
Lunchtime and Recess
Parents are required to accompany their children inside and outside for lunch and play. Parents are responsible for ensuring that their children are kept safe on the premises. As a cooperative, we rely on families to work jointly to make class days successful.
Recess will be held behind the church building on the north side, away from the road. Students are not allowed to play in the parking lot or south area. For quiet time and inclement weather, classroom spaces will be allocated. For everyone's safety, students are not allowed to close or lock doors to classrooms during lunch or at any other time. Any groups or clubs must be accompanied by an adult with the BOD’s knowledge and approval.
Enrollment
Students will be eligible to enroll in classes according to their age level. Allowances for one year above age level with BOD and teacher approval will be made available. When this is approved and agreed upon, BOD will check in with the teacher after the first, third, and fifth weeks of class, as well as upon completion to ensure that the fit remains appropriate. If it does not, a meeting will be called with the parents to resolve the issue, either by finding a replacement class or facilitating learning at home to bridge any gaps. To request this accomodation, please email info@riseup-sc.org
Once classes begin, if a student needs to drop or switch, the parent must contact the Class Coordinator or other board member to discuss before speaking with the teacher(s) involved. In most cases, we will be able to work with families to ensure the proper fit of classes, but will still adhere to our refunds policy (see below).
Participation
As a cooperative, parents are required to help in various ways. Teaching, assisting, cleaning, and other tasks are almost always available. Parents may not leave their children at enrichment classes or other activities unless expressly authorized by the BOD. Parents must remain on-site at all times when enrichment classes are in session, and be available to help. Children may be supervised by another (non-board member) adult under special curcumstance, but there must be BOD approval for each instance.
Classroom Behavior
Students younger than first grade must be accompanied by their parent or guardian between classes. A teacher or teacher's aid will accompany them to and from the restroom if they need to visit during class, but will not be able to help in the bathroom. If a child is unable to use the facilities independently, then the parent must be present.
Students who exhibit disruptive behavior during class are allowed two warnings depending on the severity of the disruption. Any child whose behavior does not allow the class to continue will be taken to the front desk with their parents notified of the incident. A written report will be kept on file for each incident, and parents may request a copy of the report.
The BOD will work with the parents and teachers to resolve the issue and find a way for the child to return to class without causing continued disruption. If a child continues to be disruptive, the board will require that the parent withdraw the child from the class and no refunds will be given. Severe behavior that cannot be reconciled will result in the dismissal of the student and/or family from the co-op with no refund given. These cases will be kept on file by the co-op for three years.
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 at accounting@riseup-sc.org. Any family not paying according to their plan will not be allowed to attend classes until they are current.
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.
Family Illness Policy
If any member of the household has had a fever, sore throat, vomiting, diarrhea, nausea, or ANY OTHER indication of sickness within the past 24 hours, we require all members of the household to abstain from attending RUSC classes and events.
Inclement Weather/Cancellation Policy
The cancellation policy for All RUSC 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 RUSC member profile and on the RUSC Facebook and Twitter 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 member profile is correct.
RUSC will be following the St. Charles City District school cancellation schedule - meaning if they are closed, we will be closed. There are no refunds for the 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.