JOTL Homeschool Co-op Handbook 25/26

JOY of the Lord
Homeschool Cooperative Handbook
"The joy of the Lord is my strength" Nehemiah 8:10
Revised 4/2025

Welcome! We are so happy you are here! We are looking forward to another amazing year at JOY of the Lord Co-op.

Mission Statement:

 Our mission is to be a Christ-centered cooperative that works toward igniting the creativity, passions, and gifts of each child within our community. We aim to offer a variety of academics, faith-filled fellowship, positive socialization, and outreach opportunities. Our mission is rooted in finding JOY in our homeschool journey. 

Please indicate your family's church affiliation? 

General Information

Before registering for classes and parent volunteer postions, please read and acknowledge these points for the Fall 2025 Semester:

• JOTL Co-op meets on Thursday mornings. 
• We will continue to have two (2) one hour classes and lunch afterwards, either at a park or at HA, weather dependent.
  • Classes will run from 9:30-10:30a, and 10:35-11:35am. 
  • Families are to arrive by 9:15am
    • Prayer and Pledge will begin at 9:20am.
    • Dissmissal to classes at 9:25am. 
•  

When registering your child(ren), please use the following to help you select the right choice for your child(ren)

• Nursery - Ages 0 - 3
• Pre-K - Ages 3,4,5
• Kindergarten - Ages 5&6
• Grades 1 &2 - These classes will be for early/emerging readers and writers, who still need some help with reading and writing. 
• Grades 3-5 - These classes will be geared towards students who have a mastery of reading and writing and are able to read/write independently. 
• Grades 6+ - These classes are geared toward middle school students who are able to work more independently, while having respect for their peers and teachers. 

Joy of the Lord Homeschool Co-op (JOTL) Expectations

• Parents are expected to be familiar with JOTL Polices and Procedures
• Parents are required to remain in compliance with Virtus. 
• Families are expected to by 9:15am. 
• Parents/guardians and students are expected to know where they belong each period and arrive promptly to each class. 
• Parents/guardians are expected to leave all spaces within Holy Angels cleaner than they found it. 
• Parents/guardians are expected to let the Board and their child(ren)s teacher(s) know if they are going to be absent. 
• Parents/guardians are asked to remain in their normal role each class, unless asked to help in another class by a Board member or in the event of an emergency. 
  • Due to the nature of our co-op, parents/teaching assistants may be asked to move rooms depending on attendance. 
• Parents/guardians are expected to be active participants in the class that they are placed in. 
• Please keep cell phone use to a minimum. 
  • Except in cases of emergency, personal phone calls or virtual meetings are prohibited during co-op time.
• All parents/guardians may be asked to teach a class AFTER they complete their first semester with the JOTL Co-op. 
• Teachers are asked to find a substitute for their class in the event of their absence. 
• Parents are expected to sign up for/carry out all volunteer responsibilities asked by the JOTL board, in order to enhance JOTL students ability to learn through fun and for co-op moms/responsible guardians to build relationship without children present. 

Joy of the Lord Co-op Attendance Policy

Created 5/3/24

If you’re family in unable to attend JOTL co-op, we ask that:

• The absence be reported in the JOTL online forum entitled “Absences' ' as soon as possible (this will be on the Band app or on the Homeschool Life web page) and/or by contacting a board member. 

• If you are a teacher, you are responsible for finding a substitute for you class and for providing class plans/materials for any classes you miss. 

Additionally, this year we are asking that all families:

• Attend AT LEAST 50 percent of all class days (5/10 weeks)

• Are tardy no more than 3 times per semester (more than 10 minutes late)

  • The board recognizes that there can be extenuating circumstances, so if an issue arises, please speak to a member of the board. 

Families who are excessively absent or tardy may be asked NOT to return to the JOTL co-op the following semester. 

Class Changing Policy 

Created 11/24

• Students may change classes ONCE per semester. 
• A change of class must happen BEFORE the SECOND week of classes each semester. 
• A board member must be informed BEFORE a class change can take place. 

Joy of the Lord Co-op Code of Conduct

(Behavior and Respect Policies)

• The JOTL Co-op is a christian co-op and the basic tenets of christianity and a christian view of gender will be upheld at all times. 

• Parents must be responsible for their children’s safety and behavior AT ALL TIMES. 

• Disrespectful or destructive behavior hurts the entire group and will not be tolerated. We ask that parents explain to their children the proper behavior outlined below prior to attending co-op or any co-op related activities:

  • Be respectful of all adults. 

  • Be respectful of fellow students. 

    • No name calling, vulgar language, teasing, or rough physical behavior. Respect others’ personal space. 

  • Be respectful of all property.

    • The Catholic Parishes of Sandusky have generously allowed the JOTL co-op to utilize their space. All students are expected to treat the Holy Angels building with respect. This includes, but is not limited to: all furniture, the resources within each room or classroom, supplies in the desks in the classrooms, etc.

      • We kindly ask that there be no climbing tables in the classrooms and in the lunchroom 

  • Older students should remember that younger students are looking to them as examples of proper behavior and act accordingly. 

  • Students should also remember that when in public they are representing their family, the homeschool group and the Lord and should act in a manner that will reflect positively on all of these things. 

• In the event that any of these codes are not upheld by a student, the following steps will be taken:
  1. The parent or responsible adult should remove the child from the situation until they are ready to comply OR
  2. If the parent is not present, it is expected that the other parents/teachers in close proximity to the child will gently correct the child, as well as notify the parent so that the situation can be dealt with. 
  3. Parents will be notified of/involved in any and all disciplinary measures pertaining to children in their stewardship.
  4. The adult(s) observing or affected by the offense will find an appropriate time to discuss the issue directly with the offender. If the student is open to rectifying and changing the behavior, then no other action is required.
     1. The Board will be notified and a Disciplinary Report Form will be filled out
  5. If an offense occurs again,a second Disciplinary Form will be written, a discussion between the offending child, their parent, and a member of the JOTL Board is required. A plan to resolve the issue will be made.
  6. If the plan does not work and offense(s) continue, and no other possibilities are presented, a discussion will be held with the offending party, the parents and the JOTL Board to consider whether or not the JOTL Co-op  is the appropriate place for them.
• It is our hope that these guidelines will assist parents in helping their children learn to work positively in a group setting, while ensuring the emotional and physical safety of everyone. 

Joy of the Lord Co-op Illness Policy

While recognizing that you, as the parent, are the best judge of your child’s health and wellness, we ask that you read and follow the guidelines given below.

In an effort to keep everyone as healthy as possible, we ask that you and your child(ren) stay home if you or your child(ren) have:

• a fever of 100 degrees or more

• inflammation of the eyes (excessive redness, glassy or discharge)

• vomiting

• more than one incidence of diarrhea or loose stool.

• communicable disease as defined by the Department of Health Services/Center for Disease Control (eg. Chicken Pox or Measles or Covid)

• unknown rash

• excessive nasal discharge, especially if yellow or greenish, since this indicates infection

• Pain (sore throat, earache, etc.)

• lice

• excessive coughing

After you or your child(ren) has/have been ill, we would appreciate that they do not return to co-op until:

• Mood, appetite, behavior and activity have returned to normal

• No fever for 24 hours without a fever reducer

• Antibiotics (if prescribed) have been used for a full 24 hours (48 hours in the case of strep)

• No vomiting or diarrhea for 48 hours

• Frequent coughing, excessive nasal discharge has resolved

• Pain (earache, cramps, headache, etc.) has resolved

** If anyone in your household is sick with a contagious illness, we ask that you consider keeping the entire family home**

Payment and Refund Policy

All registration and class fees are paid upon signing up. The registration fee is $50 this semester. Each class will have a separate fee that is paid directly to the teacher via the Homeschool-Life website. Refunds will be given UNTIL one week prior to the first week of Co-op. No refunds will be given after this time.

Virtus Policy and Background Check

Per the Diocese of Toledo: As of July 1, 2016, if you are a new employee/volunteer who regularly works with children, or a current employee/volunteer who has not completed a protecting youth course in the last 5 years, you must complete either our Protecting Youth Workshop or our online Protecting Youth course, Protecting God’s Children. 

Thus, all adults participating in the JOY of the Lord Co-op will be required to complete the Virtus training and have a background check before classes begin. Both requirements are valid for FIVE years after they are completed. Please find the links to the Virtus training/background check below. If you have any questions or if any issues arise, please let a Board member know.

Set up a Virtus account: https://www.virtusonline.org/virtus/reg_2.cfm?theme=0&org=37396

Existing member sign-in: https://www.virtusonline.org/virtus/index.cfm?

Joy of the Lord Homeschool Co-op Contract

•  I (we) have read and agree to adhere to the Illness Policy.
• I (we) have read and understand the Code of Conduct Policy.
• I (we) have read and agree to the Absence Policy. 
•  I (we) have read and understand the Refund Policy.
• I (we) have read and understand the Expectations associated with being a member of the JOTL Co-op. 
•  I (we) have read and agree to completing the Virtus training and background check.
•  I (we), as the parent(s) attending Joy of the Lord Homeschool Co-op (JLHC), promise to fulfill our responsibility and commitment to this co-op   by faithfully executing the volunteer duties and contributions to which I (we) have agreed.
•  I (we) realize that JLHC is not a replacement for parental instruction, but an enrichment and supplemental program for the benefit of home educating   families.
• I (we) agree to always have at least one parent present and available during JoTLHC.
• I (we) acknowledge that we will be financially responsible for any property damage done by our children in or around the church building.
• I (we) agree to resolve disputes by dealing with the person or persons involved in a spirit of forgiveness and restoration without criticizing them or JLHC.
• I (we) understand that the JOTL Board reserves the right to accept or deny any family in the JOTL co-op, without explanation. 
• I (we) understand that any family may be asked to leave the JOTL co-op at any time without explanation at the JOTL Boards discretion. 
• In consideration for the use of Holy Angels Parish and the volunteer staff of JLHC, I (we) hereby waive and release any right or claim we may have against the Catholic Parishes of Sandusky, the Diocese of Toledo, and/or any JLHC volunteer and agree to hold them harmless from any and all claims, suits, losses or related causes of action for damages, death, accidental or otherwise during or arising in any way from JLHC lessons and ourchildren’s use of Holy Angels Parish. JLHC does carry liability insurance for events and activities.

**All of this information can be found on the HSL website in the "Handbook" tab**