Central Homeschool Academics
 

CHA Handbook

2025-26 Central Homeschool Academics Handbook


Mission

Central Homeschool Academics (CHA) is a Biblically-based learning community specifically designed for homeschooling families to experience connection and support. Through this partnership, with parents as the primary teachers, we offer Christ-centered supplemental, enrichment, and core learning options for your student(s). 

We do not take the place of the parent as the primary teacher, and therefore require parents to be actively involved. Since our classes meet once weekly, they require follow-up and monitoring at home under the direction of the parent(s). CHA complies with NC homeschooling laws (and is compatible with SC law) and parents should monitor homework, quizzes, and tests at home along with record-keeping of grades. Students and parents are to stay up to date on any assignments or feedback that are posted weekly on their individual classes Google Classroom page(s).  

Our desire is to encourage each student to love the Lord Jesus Christ and equip him/her to reflect Christ to the world through character, learning, and serving. We are an extension of Central Church's Central Homeschool Life Group. We believe that each person, created male or female, is made in the image of God as outlined in Scripture. We support God's design for both male and female gender and the family unit. 


Policies and Procedures
This handbook is to enhance the experience of all participants in CHA and ensure a fun, safe, and positive learning environment for all students and teachers. All students, as well as parents, guardians, and/or family members, must follow the Code of Conduct as outlined below. 


Payments and Switching Classes

All accounts MUST be paid in full by September 1st, 2025 in order to attend the first day of school.  Accounts not paid are at risk of being canceled. 

Payments can be made via cash, check, or Zelle ($15 fee per Zelle transaction).  Cash or check may be dropped off at Lake Park campus upon prior approval from Leadership.  

After May 13th checks MUST be mailed to:

Sheila McSwain

ATTN:  CHA

783 Morningside Dr

Rock Hill, SC  29730                


Family Registration fee is a non-refundable fee.


Any classes dropped after August 1st are not eligible for a refund, however classes may be dropped or switched up until September 15th, 2025.


Zelle payments can be made to the account tied to centralhomeschoolcoop@gmail.com

There is a $15 fee PER transaction that will be added to your balance.


Communication
You should expect to receive communication from CHA Leadership via our email address, centralhomeschoolcoop@gmail.com

If there is an emergency during the school day, we will utilize the BAND app, which is mandatory for you to download.  This app is free to use and we will use it to communicate all emergency issues this way.                                     

We have a Facebook page you may request to join where we post pictures and information about CHA. This is a private page and no one outside of our page members can see anything on it.


Safety
For the safety of our students, all teachers must have a completed background check. No teacher or adult volunteer shall go into the restroom alone with a child, but shall wait in the hallway. The youngest students have a restroom in their classroom that is exclusively for their use.

CHA works with Central Church security to have emergency plans in place for the following situations: dangerous weather, unsafe visitors, fire, and medical emergencies.

Each teacher will be taking attendance every week to monitor an accurate headcount on campus.  They will also have a safety zone in place in case of security or weather emergency.


Emergency/Weather Policy
In case of severe weather or other extenuating circumstances, CHA will notify families of school closures/delays by 8:00 pm the night before school via the BAND app. In the case of snow or ice, we will follow the Union County public school decision.


Conflict Resolution
Personal conflict and misunderstandings can happen. It is important that we agree on how to deal with these situations before they arise. All conflicts will be handled as laid out in Matthew 18:15-20, and the spirit of this policy is based on 1 Corinthians 4:21. A member of the leadership team can be sought for assistance if a resolution cannot be reached by the parties involved. If needed, a pastor from Central Church can help make a final resolution. Many disputes/differences can be properly resolved by overlooking an offense and forgiving the person who has offended. Because of this, we ask that you pray about the issue to decide if it is important enough to deem confrontation. If, after prayer, God gives you the peace to dismiss the issue, then it is passed and forgotten and is NOT to be discussed with others.



Schedule
We will meet every Tuesday, with scheduled breaks approximately every 4 weeks.

Please drop off between 9:15 and 9:25am at the back of the building in the circle, where your student(s) will be escorted to the Gym by a member of Leadership.  Students will remain in the Gym until 9:30 am.

DO NOT allow your child out of your car until a member of Leadership is in the circle to greet them.  Make every effort to arrive on time! It is disruptive to the teachers and students when students arrive late.  Your child will NOT be allowed into the building before 9:15am for safety reasons.


Lunch
Students should bring a lunch that is ready to eat. There is no refrigerator or microwave available for student use. Parent volunteers and teachers may use the kitchen refrigerator and microwave. Students should bring necessary utensils to eat their lunch. Missing utensils will not be provided. Please bring a full water bottle every day.

Middle school and high school students are permitted to eat outside. Elementary students may only eat in the cafe. Middle schoolers and high schoolers are permitted to go to the gym for downtime after lunch. Elementary students are only permitted to go to the playground with adult supervision; no gym or hanging out in teachers’ classrooms.

Birthday Celebrations
Many students like to bring in treats for their birthdays.

  1. Treats should be nut free. If your student has a dairy or gluten allergy, you are welcome to send in treats to keep at school that your child may eat if he/she cannot eat the provided treat.

  2. Due to the large number of students, you do not have to send in treats for the whole of CHA. You may choose to send in treats for just the elementary students, or just for the middle and high school students.

  3. Please let a member of CHA leadership know if you plan to send in treats. Sometimes students have birthdays on the same day.


Health Information
If your student is sick, please keep him/her home from CHA. Participants should NOT attend if they, or ANY family members in their household, are experiencing any of the following symptoms in the past 24 hours:

  1. Fever (within last 24 hours, unmedicated) 

  2. Virus or infection known to be contagious (stomach virus, flu, etc)

  3. Questionable rash

  4. Persistent cough (other than for allergies) 

  5. Diarrhea, vomiting or nausea (within last 24 hours) 

  6. Chicken pox, measles, mumps 

  7. Conjunctivitis (pink eye)

  8. Head lice


If there is any question about a child’s health during co-op, the child will be removed to the parent’s care immediately. Please keep in mind that this policy is essential for the health and protection of all our families. 


Student Responsibilities 

  1. Be prepared and bring needed class supplies. This includes, but is not limited to, books, notebooks, pen/pencils, homework, projects, etc.  

NOTE- Middle School and High School Students are expected to check their Google Classroom, set up by their individual teachers, on a weekly basis to ensure they have completed all assignments. Continued failure to complete assignments or attend class could result in removal from that class, without a refund.

  1. Be on time arriving at school and to each class.

  2. Always put forth your best effort and encourage other students to do the same. Pay attention and be a PRODUCTIVE part of the class!

  3. Interrupting the teacher, passing notes, making unnecessary comments during a lesson, and drawing attention to oneself during class are NOT permitted.

  4. Walk in the halls. No running or yelling. There is full time church staff that works in the building during the day while classes are being conducted.  Be respectful.

  5. No foul language.  

  6. No public displays of affection.  

  7. Bullying will NOT be tolerated. You are not to touch another person, especially in a teasing or aggressive manner.

  8. We take respect and love for one another - Christ-like behavior - very seriously.  Display respect toward teachers, other students, parent volunteers, and Central Church Staff ALWAYS.  Parent volunteers are asked to monitor and correct ANY behavior that is not kind, especially as it relates to students interacting with one another. This behavior could result in you being asked to stay with a parent or CHA leadership for the day.  Rudeness will not be tolerated.

  9. Speak respectfully to teachers and adult volunteers. 

  10. Respect the church- always clean up after yourself, do not destroy property. 

  11. NO CELL PHONES, headphones, earbuds, or other electronic games. If you bring a laptop to use during study hall or in a class, you must not browse the internet, get on social media, or text with friends. If you violate these terms, your device(s) will immediately be confiscated and returned at the end of the day.

  12. Abide by the dress code at all times.  Dress code details can be found below.

  13. Attend all scheduled classes (no skipping classes permitted, attending study hall not is permitted unless scheduled prior to the first day of class).  

  14. Remain in approved, common areas at all times. Congregating in hallways and empty rooms is prohibited.

  15. Respect the decisions of the teachers, parent volunteers, and Central Church staff and agree that any disputes will be handled through official channels. 


Parent Responsibilities:

  1. CHA teachers do not replace parents as the primary teacher (per NC law). It is required that parents are actively involved, partnering with us, for the benefit of the student. Since classes meet on a limited basis, they require follow-up at home under the direction of parents.

  2. Make sure your student shows up on time and fully prepared. Also, do not remove them from the school day until the conclusion of their classes without notifying the Leadership Team, and only when absolutely necessary.

  3. Be aware of ALL communications sent out from CHA Leadership and Teachers.  You can expect weekly communication from Leadership every Sunday to come from centralhomeschoolcoop@gmail.com  There will also be updates from your student’s teachers through their Google Classrooms, as well as periodic updates from the Homeschool Life website that we use for registration.

  4. Act respectfully at all times to teachers, parent volunteers, Central Church staff, and other students.

  5. Please make every effort to email teachers and leadership with questions and concerns. Texting and the BAND app should be reserved for emergencies, illness, etc.

  6. Be sure and notify the CHA leadership if your student is enrolled in an online curriculum and requires a laptop or Chromebook for study hall.    


Parent volunteer responsibilities:

  1. There may be times during the year that we ask for parent volunteers to assist us in the classrooms.  If you are interested in being on our list of volunteers to contact for extra help or substitute teaching please contact us at centralhomeschoolcoop@gmail.com

  1. When assisting, please be on time, stay on site the entire time that is asked of you, and follow the detailed assignment set forth by the leadership committee. 

  2. We are ALL monitors; be aware in the hall, classrooms, and at lunch/recess.

  3. If on campus, please silence cell phones during the school day, and only check/use as necessary during lunch or other times when not assisting.

  4. Encourage students’ participation and respectful behavior, both to teachers/adults and their classmates.

  5. Ensure students abide by the responsibilities detailed for them in the Student Responsibilities section.

  6. As a parent volunteer, we really count on you to help with behavior and talking out of turn when there is an issue.  As a volunteer, you are an extension of the CHA Leadership Team as well as support for the teachers.  If you witness inappropriate behavior or language, cell phone usage, talking back to teachers, or overall disruptive behavior PLEASE address it immediately then bring it to the attention of Amy or Erin as soon as possible. Please be sure and do this in a private manner, but before the end of the day!  The teachers count on the volunteers to step in when needed to keep the class in line so that their instructional period goes as smoothly as possible.


    

Discipline and Behavior
Every adult volunteer, not just teachers, is expected to intervene if disruptive or disrespectful behavior is observed. Notify Leadership immediately.            The guidelines for handling disruptive behavior are:

  1. First offense: Speak to the child asking him/her to stop the particular behavior and give a warning if it is not stopped.

  2. Second offense: Remind the child to stop and seat him/her next to an adult or leadership if needed. Inform parents of the recurring issue(s) by the end of day.

  3. Third offense: Remove the child from the class and take them to CHA leadership. Leadership will discuss with the parents any possible intervention requirements. 


If a student is excessively rude or aggressive, steps one and two may be skipped. If the student continues to act out during the semester, a special parent- teacher conference 

will be called to determine if the student may continue to attend co-op. If it is determined that the child cannot remain at CHA, they will be asked to leave without refund.


Dress Code 


Dress Code applies to all students, teachers, and parents.
We want to teach and practice modesty. If there is a questionable situation, CHA Leadership will make the final determination.

  1. Shorts and dresses should not be well above the knee.

  2. No cleavage or midriff should show. At no time should undergarments be revealed.

  3. Females may wear leggings, but leggings should be worn with a top that is long enough to cover your bottom.

  4. Hoodies may be worn to school, but hoods should remain down in the building.

  5. Pajamas or sloppy athletic wear should not be worn. You should dress for learning, not for lounging.


Technology 


Students are not allowed to have cell phones or bluetooth headphones/earbuds on campus. If students drive, they may leave their phones in the car, otherwise they are to turn them in to CHA leadership upon arrival.


All electronics will be collected first thing in the morning upon arrival.  If your student arrives after the start of Block 1 they MUST turn in their device to Leadership upon their arrival. If a teacher has given permission for students to use phones during class for a specific reason, he/she will collect them at the end of class.


Daily Schedule

9:15-9:25 - Drop off at the circle for ALL students

9:25-9:30 - Morning announcements and prayer in the Gym

Elementary Classes

9:30-11:45 am - Foundations 1 and 2 classes

11:50-12:35 pm Lunch

12:40-1:40 pm - Foundations 1 and 2 classes (continued)

1:45-2:45 pm - Elementary Electives

2:45pm - Dismissal/Pick up in the circle


Middle School Classes

9:30-10:40 am  - Block 1

10:45-11:55 am - Block 2

11:55-12:35 pm - Lunch

12:40-1:40 pm - Block 3

1:45-2:45 pm - Block 4

2:45 pm- Dismissal/Pick up in the circle


High School Classes

9:30-10:40 am - Block 1

10:45-11:55am - Block 2

11:55-12:35 pm - Lunch

12:35-1:45 pm - Block 3

1:50-3 pm - Block 4



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