4:12 CO-OP

Code of Conduct & Family Handbook

Exalt • Educate • Equip • Edify

Teachers, students, and parents are expected to treat one another in a manner that honors God and reflects respect, kindness, and courtesy at all times.

Parents are responsible for their children at all times while on campus.

When you are on campus, you are responsible for knowing where your child is at all times — particularly before and after class, throughout the entirety of the lunch break, and during any community hours.

General Expectations for Parents, Students, and Guests

• Show respect and obey those in positions of authority.
• Show respect and honor toward peers. There is zero tolerance for rude, mean, or bullying behavior.
• Respect private and public property.
• Abstain from verbal or written profanity, including taking the Lord’s name in vain.
• Abstain from sowing discord within the community.
• Arrive at class on time, out of respect for other families and teachers.
• Maintain a positive attitude and an open mind for learning (“I will try” rather than “I can’t”).
• Clean up after yourself in all 4:12 and Christ Community classrooms, and during snack and lunch breaks.
• Bring your Bible, school books and assignments, a water bottle, and a snack and lunch.
• Label all personal belongings.
• Do not pick, pull, or otherwise disturb flowers, branches, leaves, or other plant life. We are committed to respecting Christ Community Church’s campus in every way.

Harmful Items and Substances

Harmful items and substances are not permitted on campus, including the following:

• Weapons of any kind, including but not limited to pocket knives, razor blades, box cutters, tasers, pepper spray, and guns (whether real or toy). Any weapon observed on campus will be confiscated by the supervising teacher and turned over to a Director.
• Explosives and fire-starting tools, including matches, lighters, fireworks, and firecrackers.

Child Safety and Abuse Prevention Policy

4:12 Co-Op is committed to providing a safe environment for every child in our care. As a youth-serving organization, 4:12 Co-Op complies with California Assembly Bill 506 (codified at California Business and Professions Code § 18975 et seq.), which establishes background check, training, and policy requirements for organizations that serve minors. In furtherance of these requirements, 4:12 Co-Op maintains the following policies:

Background Checks

All administrators, employees, and regular volunteers — defined as any adult, age 18 or older, who has direct contact with or supervisory responsibility for children for more than 16 hours per month or 32 hours per year — must successfully complete a background check as defined by our insurer. This may include a social security and/or fingerprint-based background check through the California Department of Justice and the FBI before working or volunteering with children. This requirement is intended to identify and exclude any individual with a history of child abuse. Consistent with this standard, and as outlined further below, 4:12 Co-Op also requires a background check for any adult who is present on campus more than two times in a semester. All background checks are at the family’s expense in addition to enrollment costs.

Mandated Reporter Training

All administrators, employees, and regular volunteers must complete training in the identification and reporting of child abuse and neglect. This training may be completed through the California Department of Social Services’ Office of Child Abuse Prevention or another training provider that satisfies the requirements of AB 506.

Two-Adult Guideline

Wherever reasonably possible, at least two adults should be present whenever children are being supervised, and no child should be left alone in the sole care of a single, unrelated adult.

Reporting Suspected Abuse

Any administrator, employee, or volunteer who suspects child abuse or neglect must report the suspected abuse to the appropriate authority outside of 4:12 Co-Op (such as Child Protective Services or local law enforcement), consistent with California Penal Code § 11165.9, in addition to promptly notifying a Director.

Compliance Records

4:12 Co-Op maintains records of completed background checks and training, and will provide documentation of compliance to its liability insurer upon request, as authorized under AB 506.

Background Checks and Visitor Policy

• A background check is required for any person age 18 or older who will be on campus more than two times in a semester, consistent with 4:12 Co-Op’s insurance policy, state law, and the Child Safety and Abuse Prevention Policy above. A person must successfully pass the background check before being permitted on campus.
• Every adult and child participating in 4:12 Co-Op must sign a liability waiver.
• Any guest — including relatives and children — who is brought onto campus is automatically held to this Code of Conduct and all applicable behavior policies. If a guest violates any provision of this Code of Conduct, the guest will be asked to leave campus and the hosting family will be held responsible for the violation. Directors retain full discretion in addressing any such incident.

Academic Expectations

Students are expected to complete homework and keep pace with the class in all academic subjects.

• All assignments and projects must be completed and submitted to the teacher by the due date, unless a special need exists and alternate arrangements have been made with the teacher in advance.
• Any concerns or questions should be communicated directly with the teacher.
• Parents are expected to actively monitor their student’s work. As homeschooling parents, you remain responsible for your child’s education.
• Grading for the co-op portion of a class is at the teacher’s discretion. The parent remains primarily responsible for grading the student’s overall work.

Behavior Policy

As we come alongside students in their learning and spiritual growth, the 4:12 community will help students correct their behavior when needed through a Three-Strike Policy. The purpose of a strike is to:

• Identify the underlying issue and work toward correcting the student’s behavior.
• Alert the parent to the concern.
• Allow for awareness of recurring behaviors.

Automatic Strikes

The following behaviors will result in an automatic strike:

• Cussing, including but not limited to the words commonly referred to as the “D,” “H,” “S,” “B,” “A,” and “F” words. Popular slang substitutes for these words may also result in an automatic strike. Questions about what constitutes a cuss word should be directed to the Directors.
• Any hands-on violence. We recognize that siblings and cousins may be accustomed to rough play, but due to liability concerns, rough-housing of any kind is not permitted on campus.
• Bullying, defined by 4:12 Co-Op as a pattern (occurring over two or more weeks) in which someone habitually seeks to harm or intimidate another person, typically someone perceived as more vulnerable. Examples include teasing or name-calling, spreading rumors, intimidation, direct insults, exclusion, and undermining another student’s work.

Warnings and Strikes on Campus

• Directors may issue a strike at their discretion at any time.
• A teacher or parent will use professional discretion when a student’s behavior interferes with the learning of other students, or when other classroom or campus expectations are not being met. Examples of unacceptable behavior include, but are not limited to, classroom disruption, repeated disruption after a redirect has already been given, and talking back to a parent.
• If a student’s behavior cannot be redirected in a timely manner, or if the behavior is significant, Directors should be contacted immediately to address the situation.
• Once a student is removed from a class or issued a strike, the parent on site is responsible for any further discipline. Responsibility for the matter rests with the parent.
• Parents will determine when their student is emotionally and mentally ready to return to class or campus activities.
• Where appropriate, the teacher will follow up directly with the parent.
• Teachers are expected to begin each week with a clean slate for every student.

If a continuous problem persists in a class, Directors may enforce a one-week detention, during which the student sits out of that class with a parent present. If the problem continues, Directors may remove the student from the class for the remainder of the semester.

Family Standing Policy

4:12 Co-Op functions only through the shared commitment and cooperation of every participating family. When a family’s conduct, participation, or cooperation does not meet the expectations outlined in this Code of Conduct, the following process will generally apply.

Probationary Process

1. Notice of Concern: A Director will communicate the concern to the family, identifying the specific expectation(s) not being met and the corrective action expected.
2. Probationary Period: If the concern is not resolved following notice, or if the concern is serious enough to warrant immediate action, the family may be placed on probation for a defined period, typically two to four weeks, at the Directors’ discretion. Directors will specify the conditions the family must meet to remain in good standing.
3. Outcome of Probation: At the end of the probationary period, Directors will determine whether the family has met the stated conditions. Families who demonstrate sufficient improvement will be restored to good standing. Families who do not meet the conditions of probation may face further consequences, including suspension from co-op activities, ineligibility for the following semester, or removal from 4:12 Co-Op.
4. Documentation: Directors will keep a record of notices issued, probationary terms, and outcomes for each family placed on probation.

Director Discretion

Notwithstanding the process described above, Directors retain sole and final discretion to remove any family from 4:12 Co-Op at any time, for any reason, without prior notice, without proceeding through the probationary process, and without refund. The probationary process exists to support families in meeting community expectations; it does not limit the Directors’ authority to act immediately when circumstances warrant. Likewise, Directors — alongside the 4:12 leadership team — may determine, based on adherence to this Code of Conduct, the Statement of Faith, and participation expectations, that a family is not an appropriate fit for 4:12 Co-Op and may remove that family without refund, at the committee’s discretion.

Respect Expectations

Every member of 4:12 Co-Op is expected to treat others with kindness and courtesy. Specifically:

• Unkindness and disrespect are not acceptable.
• Make an effort to include everyone during free time and breaks.
• Foul language, profanity, and vulgar or insulting language are not permitted.
• Threats and hateful language are not permitted.
• Bullying — repeated acts of meanness directed at the same person by the same individual or group — will result in an automatic strike, subject to the Director’s discretion.
• Teasing and name-calling are not permitted.

Classroom and Campus Conduct Expectations

• Students may not switch classes after the second week of co-op. If a class fee was paid for the original class, reimbursement may not be available.
• Teachers may assign seating as needed.
• Eating is not permitted during class, unless the teacher has provided a class treat.
• Students may bring water bottles only into classrooms. Soda, coffee, and juice are not permitted.
• Chewing gum is not permitted for students.
• Plants, flowers, branches, and leaves on campus should not be picked, pulled, or otherwise disturbed.
• Weapons and explosives, as described in the Harmful Items and Substances section above, are not permitted on campus.
• Piggyback rides, wrestling, martial arts, tackle football, and other contact sports are not permitted.
• Footballs are permitted; hard baseballs, bats, golf balls, and golf clubs are not.
• Inappropriate physical affection or aggression of any kind is not acceptable.
• Two students of the opposite sex may not be alone together (for example, in a classroom or behind a building).

Campus Relationships

We recognize that students of this age may develop crushes; however, romantic relationships will not be entertained on campus. This includes, but is not limited to, holding hands, being alone together, or otherwise acting as a couple. Public displays of affection are not permitted.

Campus Support

In the classroom, Directors should be contacted whenever support is needed, and specifically whenever a behavior occurs that warrants a strike, such as cussing, bullying, or hands-on violence.

Yard Duties

Formal yard duty assignments may be adjusted each semester based on family needs and availability.

Families should be aware that, although rare, homeless individuals, stray animals, or other unaffiliated guests may occasionally be present near or on campus. Every effort is made to remain watchful for these occurrences, and parents are likewise asked to remain mindful and attentive during co-op days.

Three yard duty volunteers are stationed in designated zones during lunchtime. Yard duty volunteers are responsible for enforcing 4:12’s boundaries, monitoring student behavior, and contacting campus support or a Director when needed. Yard duty zone assignments and maps will be provided separately and updated as needed.

Yard Duty Responsibilities

• Arrive at your assigned zone with a walkie-talkie and vest no later than ten minutes into the lunch period.
• Ensure students remain within designated boundaries.
• Ensure students remain safe, responsible, and respectful. Small arguments or minor safety concerns between students may be redirected as needed; if an incident escalates, bring the students involved to their parents and notify a Director at your discretion.
• When lunch ends, ensure students conclude their activity and proceed to their next class.

Yard duty volunteers are welcome to bring a chair and eat lunch outside with the students.

Lunch Time Policy

• Parents of children age five and under must keep their child within eyesight during lunch. If your child is outside, you should be outside as well.
• Students and families must eat only in designated areas: outside tables, the Jesus Building Fellowship Hall, or the grass area.
• Please clean up after yourself and your children.
• Families eating in the Jesus Building Fellowship Hall should pick up as much food from the carpet as possible. A vacuum is available for this purpose.

Teacher and Helper Expectations

Teachers

• Provide a class description and a clear statement of expectations.
• Come prepared each week.
• Create a private group chat for your class on the Band app, and send an introductory email to all parents in the class outlining expectations and how you will communicate needs, photos, or homework.
• Homework and grading decisions for the class rest with the teacher. Homework should be communicated through the class’s private Band app group chat.
• Arrange your own substitute teacher when you are absent. We recommend keeping one or two days of substitute lesson plans ready in advance.
• When addressing student behavior, exercise discernment: expectations should be enforced to maintain an effective learning environment, while extending grace, as we are all walking through our own sanctification. Refer to the Behavior Policy above.

Helpers

• Be available to step in as a substitute teacher if the assigned teacher is absent.
• Be available throughout class time to assist the teacher as needed.
• Assist with tasks such as collecting and distributing materials, making copies, supporting class assignments or projects, and facilitating an effective learning environment (for example, participating alongside the teacher during songs or activities to lead by example).
• When managing student behavior, exercise the same discernment described above, enforcing expectations while extending grace. Refer to the Behavior Policy above.

4:12 Co-Op is here to support you. Please let us know if you need help with curriculum, behavior, or anything else — we can only be effective when we know what is happening in the classroom, and we are committed to partnering with you to provide quality classes and a strong learning experience.

Attendance Policy

Illness

Students and family members with a fever or other contagious symptoms should not attend co-op. If you know in advance that your family is unlikely to attend due to illness, begin arranging substitutes and notify Directors and teachers as early in the week as possible. It is far easier to release a substitute who is no longer needed than to find one on short notice.

Absences

• If you will be absent, please notify Laura by text as soon as possible. Absences will be posted on the Band app so teachers can prepare accordingly.
• Provide as much advance notice as possible.
• Make every effort to arrange your own substitutes — both teaching substitutes, if you teach, and helper substitutes, if you serve as a helper. Refer to the teacher/helper availability sheet for assistance.
• Send lesson plans to your substitute, or at minimum to a Director, so that classes can run smoothly in your absence.

No Show / No Call

• Failure to notify 4:12 Co-Op of an absence before 9:00 a.m. on a co-op day will be recorded as a No Show/No Call infraction for the family.
• Two No Show/No Call infractions will result in suspension of the family from 4:12 Co-Op.

Tardiness

• Occasional tardiness happens, and grace is extended for it. However, classrooms depend on consistent, on-time attendance to operate effectively.
• If you anticipate being tardy, please contact Laura in advance.
• Habitual tardiness may result in suspension of the family from 4:12 Co-Op.

Financial Policy

• Refunds: No refunds will be issued after class enrollment. Any deposit or rental payment is non-refundable.
• Tuition and Fees: Participants must pay the agreed-upon amount by the agreed-upon date to register for classes or participate in co-op days. Failure to do so will result in suspension of the family from 4:12 Co-Op.
• Co-Op-Managed Funds: Any funds managed by the co-op — including those related to field trips, hot lunch, and fundraising — must be paid by the agreed-upon date in the agreed-upon amount. Failure to do so will result in limited participation in the associated event.

Required Resources for 4:12 Families

• Band App: The Band app is the primary channel for co-op communication and homework updates. A link to 4:12’s Band page will be provided upon registration.
• Instagram: 4:12 Co-Op also maintains an Instagram page to help families stay up to date; families are welcome to follow along.

Media and Technology Policy

Students

• Phones may not be used during class time.
• Earbuds and headphones are not permitted on campus.
• Games, movies, and websites accessed through phones, tablets, or similar devices are not permitted during the co-op day.
• Inappropriate use of technology on campus will not be tolerated and will result in a strike.

Parents

• Respect other families’ privacy before posting photos or content to social media.
• The private Band app page is the appropriate and secure place to share photos within the community.
• Use discernment in phone use: when teaching or helping in a class, phone use should be limited to class-related purposes, and on campus generally, be mindful of screen content given the presence of young children.

Field Trip Policy

• A family is not counted as registered for a field trip until payment is received. Paying promptly allows the co-op to secure group discounts.
• A no-show without communication will result in ineligibility for the next field trip, at the Director’s discretion.
• Payment deadlines, including cash payments, will fall on a co-op day one to two weeks before the field trip, depending on the facility’s payment policy. Cash payments will not be accepted on the day of the field trip.
• Families who miss the payment deadline may still attend the field trip but will pay the standard entry fee directly to the facility and will not receive 4:12’s group rate or coordinated experience.
• If you are unable to attend a field trip, you may arrange for another family to take your spot. Payment between the two families is your responsibility to coordinate; the Finance Lead will not issue reimbursements.
• Families who no-show to a field trip forfeit any payment made and may be deemed ineligible for future field trips at the discretion of the Directors or Field Trip Coordinator.

Dress Code

All students, parents, and guests are expected to dress modestly while on campus.

All Students

• Shoes must be worn at all times.
• Hoodie hoods and hats may not be worn inside classrooms, but are permitted elsewhere on campus.
• Clothing with images or language that is not Christ honoring are not permitted.
• Crop tops that expose the midriff are not permitted.
• Tops that expose cleavage are not permitted.
• An appropriate level of coverage should be considered in all outfits. 
• If you have a question about what constitutes an appropriate level of coverage, please ask a director

Middle School and High School Students

• Shorts and skirts must reach fingertip length.
• Leggings must be worn with a longer shirt that covers the wearer’s bottom.

Swimming and Water Day Events

• At any 4:12 water day or swimming event: girls must wear a one-piece swimsuit and shorts, or a two-piece with a shirt and shorts; boys must wear a shirt with swim trunks. The goal is appropriate and modest. 

Parents

Parents don’t forget you lead by example, everything that applies to the students applies to you. Please dress modestly, and consider the physical activities typical of a co-op day — bending, squatting, painting, and similar tasks — when selecting an outfit.

Campus Boundaries

Safety is a top priority at 4:12 Co-Op.

• All children must remain within 4:12’s designated boundaries at all times, including remaining in their assigned classroom during class time unless given permission to do otherwise. Refer to the yard duty zone map for specific boundary details.
• Remain inside the gates at all times.
• Stay out of any classroom or building in which you are not currently enrolled in a class.
• Use the play structure only as intended; climbing on top of it is not permitted.
• Climbing trees is not permitted.
• Playing in, around, or behind bushes is not permitted.

Cooperative Participation

The heart of 4:12 Co-Op is honoring the Lord as we teach our children a biblical worldview and equip them to be champions for Jesus — while also having fun together. 4:12 blesses families through events, fundraisers, and a safe, effective campus on co-op days, and we accomplish this only when everyone works together. The cooperative system exists to share the workload and allow families to serve the community using their unique gifts.

4:12 cannot function without the cooperative effort of all participating families, we ask that each family does their part to ensure the workload is shared fairly so that no individual family experiences burnout. Families who go above and beyond in their service may be given priority for the following semester’s registration. Conversely, families who do not support 4:12’s cooperative goals may not be a good fit for the co-op and may receive lower registration priority, or may not be offered enrollment for the following semester.

End-of-Day Cleaning Expectations

• Checklists and cleaning supplies will be provided.
• All students of appropriate age are assigned a cleaning job or responsibility, which may rotate or change throughout the semester.
• Parents should monitor their children to ensure assigned cleaning tasks are completed.
• Cleaning jobs are designed to take no more than fifteen to twenty minutes.
• Families must sign out with their assigned Director before leaving for the day. Signing out confirms that cleaning tasks have been completed, name tags have been returned, and all co-op expectations for the day have been met. Failure to sign out may result in a strike for the family.

Campus closes upon completion of all cleaning assignments at 3:30 p.m. We love your fellowship and community, but please plan to continue fellowship off campus after 3:30 p.m., as certain end-of-day procedures must take place. Once your cleaning job is completed and signed off, you are free to leave.

Parent Expectations Summary

In addition to the expectations outlined above, please keep the following general guidelines in mind as a member of the 4:12 Co-Op community:

Punctuality

Please arrive by 8:45 a.m., or earlier, for check-in and to get to class on time.

Diligence

Your student’s assignments matter — please help them stay on task. You are responsible for knowing where your child is at all times.

Grace

We will all make mistakes. Address, overlook, and forgive offenses with love and grace, and commit to working through difficult situations directly rather than allowing bitterness to take root. Feel free to involve a Director or Co-Director as a neutral party (see Matthew 18).

Humility

It can sometimes be surprising to hear how our children behave when we are not present. Please receive feedback about your child with humility and a listening heart, and trust that another teacher may notice something in your student that you have not.

Cooperation

4:12 Co-Op could not function without each family’s participation. Co-ops succeed when every member contributes their part toward the success of the whole.

4:12 Co-Op is grateful to have you as part of our homeschool community. We look forward to learning, growing, and glorifying God together.