Handbook

 

2025-26 Central Homeschool Academics Handbook

 

Mission
Central Homeschool Academics (CHA) is a biblically based learning community designed specifically for homeschooling families to experience connection and support. In partnership with parents - who remain the primary teachers - we offer Christ-centered supplemental, enrichment, and core learning opportunities for students.

We do not take the place of the parent as the primary educator and therefore require parents to be actively involved. Since our classes meet once weekly, consistent follow-up and monitoring at home are essential under the direction of the parent(s). CHA complies with North Carolina homeschooling laws and is compatible with South Carolina law. Parents are responsible for overseeing homework, quizzes, and tests at home, as well as maintaining accurate records of grades. Students and parents should stay up to date on assignments and feedback posted weekly on each class' Google Classroom page.

Our desire is to encourage each student to love the Lord Jesus Christ and to equip them to reflect Christ to the world through character, learning, and service. CHA operates as an extension of Central Church’s Homeschool Life Group. We believe that each person, created male or female, is made in the image of God, as outlined in Scripture. We affirm God’s design for both gender and the family unit.

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

Payments and Switching Classes

All accounts must be paid in full by September 1, 2025 in order for students to attend the first day of school. Accounts not paid in full by this date are at risk of cancellation. Payments may be made via cash, check, or Zelle. Cash or check payments must be dropped off at the Lake Park campus with prior approval from Leadership.  Zelle payments will be charged a $15 additional fee per transaction.

After May 13th checks must be mailed to:
 

Sheila McSwain

ATTN:  CHA

783 Morningside Dr

Rock Hill, SC  29730

The family registration fee is non-refundable.

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

Zelle payments can be made to centralhomeschoolcoop@gmail.com.  There will be a $15 fee charged per transaction.

Communication
You can expect to receive regular communication from CHA Leadership via our official email address: centralhomeschoolcoop@gmail.com

In the event of an emergency during the school day, we will communicate through the BAND app, which is mandatory for all families to download. This app is free to use and will serve as our primary method for emergency alerts and urgent announcements.

We also have a private Facebook page where we share photos and updates about CHA. You may request to join - only approved members can see posts and content on this page. You cannot find us through Facebook searching; you should email and we will send you a friend request.

If you need to reach us during the school day, please call or text a member of Leadership. (If texting, be sure to include your name the first time.)

Leadership Contact List:

• Amy Arvin – 704-608-5462
  (General issues, sickness, drop-off/pick-up questions)

• Erin Allen – 704-724-8828
  (Teacher communication)

• Sheila McSwain – 803-493-4243
  (Accounting and payroll questions only)

Safety
For the safety of our students, all teachers must complete a background check. No teacher or adult volunteer may accompany a child into the restroom alone; they should wait in the hallway. The youngest students have a restroom located inside their classroom that is reserved exclusively for their use.

 

CHA collaborates with Central Church security to maintain emergency response plans for the
following situations:

• Dangerous weather

• Unauthorized or unsafe visitors

• Fire

• Medical emergencies

Each teacher will take attendance weekly to ensure an accurate headcount on campus. They will also maintain a designated safety zone to be used in the event of a security or weather emergency.

Emergency/Weather Policy
In the event of severe weather or other extenuating circumstances, CHA will notify families of school closures or delays by 8:00 PM the night before classes via the BAND app.

In the case of snow or ice, CHA will follow Union County Public Schools' decision regarding closure or delay.

Conflict Resolution
Personal conflict and misunderstandings can happen. It is important that we agree in advance on how to handle these situations. All conflicts will be addressed in accordance with Matthew 18:15–20, and the spirit of this policy is based on 1 Corinthians 4:21.

If a resolution cannot be reached between the individuals involved, a member of the CHA Leadership Team may be contacted for assistance. If needed, a pastor from Central Church may also be involved to help reach a final resolution.

Many disagreements can be resolved by simply overlooking an offense and extending forgiveness. Because of this, we ask that you begin with prayer, asking God to help you discern whether the issue truly requires confrontation. If, after prayer, God gives you peace to let it go, then the matter is considered resolved and should not be discussed with others.

Schedule
CHA meets every Tuesday, with scheduled breaks approximately every four weeks.

Drop-off is between 9:15 and 9:25 AM at the back of the building, in the circle. A member of Leadership will greet your student(s) and escort them to the Gym, where they will remain until classes begin at 9:30 AM.

Do not allow your child to exit your vehicle until a member of Leadership is present in the circle to greet them.

Please make every effort to arrive on time. Late arrivals are disruptive to both teachers and students.

For safety reasons, no students will be allowed into the building before 9:15 AM.

 

Lunch
Students should bring a lunch that is ready to eat, as there is no refrigerator or microwave available for student use. Parent volunteers and teachers may use the kitchen refrigerator and microwave.

Students must bring any necessary utensils to eat their lunch, as missing utensils will not be provided. Please send a full water bottle every day.

1. Middle school and high school students may eat outside.

2. Elementary students must eat in the café.

3. After lunch, middle and high school students may go to the gym for downtime.

4. Elementary students may only go to the playground with adult supervision; they are not permitted in the gym or in teachers’ classrooms during downtime.

Birthday Celebrations
Many students enjoy bringing treats to celebrate their birthdays. Treats must be nut-free.

If your child has a dairy or gluten allergy, you are welcome to send in special treats to keep at school that your child can eat if they cannot eat the provided treat.

Due to the large number of students, you are not required to send treats for the entire CHA community. You may choose to send treats for just the elementary students or just the middle and high school students.

Please notify a member of CHA Leadership if you plan to send in treats. Occasionally, multiple students have birthdays on the same day.

Illness

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—have experienced any of the following symptoms within the past 24 hours:

• Fever (unmedicated within the last 24 hours)

• Contagious virus or infection (such as stomach virus, flu, etc.)

• Questionable rash

• Persistent cough (excluding allergies)

• Diarrhea, vomiting, or nausea

• Chickenpox, measles, or mumps

• Conjunctivitis (pink eye)

• Head lice

If there is any question about a child’s health during co-op, the child will be sent home immediately to their parent or guardian. Please understand that this policy is essential to protect the health and well-being of all our families.

 

Student Responsibilities 

1. Be prepared and bring all necessary class supplies, including but not limited to books, notebooks, pens/pencils, homework, and projects.
   Note: Middle and high school students are expected to check their individual Google Classroom weekly to ensure all assignments are completed. Continued failure to complete assignments or attend class may result in removal from that class without a refund.

2. Arrive on time for school and each class.

3. Always put forth your best effort and encourage others to do the same. Pay attention and be a productive part of the class.

4. Do not interrupt the teacher, pass notes, make unnecessary comments during lessons, or draw undue attention to yourself.

5. Walk quietly in the halls - no running or yelling. Church staff work in the building during the day; please be respectful.

6. Use respectful language at all times; foul language is prohibited.

7. No public displays of affection.

8. Bullying will not be tolerated. Do not touch another person in a teasing or aggressive manner.

9. Display Christ-like respect and love toward teachers, students, parent volunteers, and Central Church staff at all times.

10. Parent volunteers will monitor and correct unkind behavior, especially in student interactions. Disruptive behavior may result in being asked to stay with a parent or CHA leadership for the day.

11. Speak respectfully to teachers and adult volunteers.

12. Respect the church facilities: clean up after yourself and do not damage property.

13. No cell phones, headphones, earbuds, or electronic games are allowed. If you bring a laptop for study hall or class, you must not browse the internet, use social media, or text friends. Violations will result in immediate confiscation of devices until the end of the day.

14. Follow the dress code at all times. (Details below.)

15. Attend all scheduled classes. Skipping classes is not permitted. Study hall attendance requires prior scheduling before the first day of class.

16. Remain in approved common areas only. Congregating in hallways or empty rooms is prohibited.

17. Respect decisions made by teachers, parent volunteers, and Central Church staff. Any disputes will be handled through official channels.

18. Use of the library requires adult supervision, and students may check out no more than two books at a time.

 

Parent Responsibilities:

1. CHA teachers do not replace parents as the primary educators, as required by North Carolina law. Parents must be actively involved and partner with CHA for the benefit of their student. Since classes meet on a limited basis, consistent follow-up at home under parental direction is essential.

2. Ensure your student arrives on time and fully prepared. Do not remove your student from the school day before their classes conclude without notifying the Leadership Team - and only when absolutely necessary.

3. Stay informed of all communications from CHA Leadership and teachers. Weekly updates from Leadership arrive every Sunday via centralhomeschoolcoop@gmail.com. You will also receive updates from your student’s teachers through their Google Classroom pages, as well as occasional announcements via the Homeschool Life website used for registration.

4. Always act respectfully toward teachers, parent volunteers, Central Church staff, and other students.

5. Please direct questions and concerns to teachers and Leadership via email. Use texting and the BAND app only for emergencies, illness, or urgent matters.

6. Notify CHA Leadership if your student is enrolled in an online curriculum and requires a laptop or Chromebook for study hall.

7. Parents are responsible for replacing any library books not returned by their student at the end of the year. An invoice with the replacement cost will be provided.

 

Parent volunteer responsibilities:

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

When assisting, please:

1. Be on time and remain on site for the entire assigned time.

2. Follow the detailed instructions provided by the leadership committee.

3. Remember that we are all monitors; stay aware in the halls, classrooms, and during lunch and recess.

4. Silence your cell phone during the school day and only check or use it during lunch or other breaks when not assisting.

5. Encourage students to participate and behave respectfully toward teachers, adults, and classmates.

6. Ensure students follow the responsibilities outlined in the Student Responsibilities section.

 

 

Discipline and Behavior
Every adult 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 them to stop the behavior, and give a warning if it continues.

2. Second offense: Remind the child to stop and seat them next to an adult or leadership if needed. Inform parents of the recurring issue(s) by the end of the 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 disruptive behavior continues during the semester, a special parent-teacher conference will be called to determine if the student may continue to attend CHA.

If it is determined that the child cannot remain at CHA, they will be asked to leave without refund.

Dress Code
The dress code applies to all students, teachers, and parents.

1. We strive to teach and practice modesty. In any questionable situation, CHA Leadership will have the final determination.

2. Shorts and dresses should be at or just above the knee—not well above it.

3. No cleavage or midriff should be visible. Undergarments should never be revealed.

4. Females may wear leggings, but they must be paired with a top long enough to cover the bottom.

5. Hoodies may be worn to school, but hoods should remain down while inside the building.

6. Pajamas or overly casual athletic wear are not permitted. Dress for learning, not lounging.

Technology
Students are not allowed to have cell phones or Bluetooth headphones/earbuds on campus during the school day. Students who drive may leave their phones in their cars; all other students must turn in their devices to CHA leadership upon arrival.

All electronics will be collected first thing in the morning. If a student arrives after the start of Block 1, they must turn in their device to Leadership upon arrival. If a teacher grants permission for phone use during class for a specific reason, the teacher will collect the device at the end of the class.

Some students wear smart watches to school. These watches should not be used for texting or other distractions during class time. If a student consistently uses their smart watch during class, teachers may collect the watch and return it at the end of the day.

 

Technology: Academic Integrity and Use of AI

We value academic integrity and original thought. Students are expected to complete assignments using their own knowledge and critical thinking.

Generative AI (e.g., ChatGPT, Bard)

1. Use of AI to write, revise, or complete assignments is not allowed unless specifically approved by the instructor.

2. Students may not submit work fully or partially generated by AI as their own.

3. AI may be used for research, brainstorming, or support only with teacher approval and proper disclosure. Final work must reflect the student’s own understanding.

Misuse of AI will be treated as academic dishonesty and may result in a zero on the assignment and/or further disciplinary action. We encourage open dialogue about technology and aim to guide students in its ethical and responsible use.