Parent Handbook 

Statement of Purpose

The ABCS Homeschool Cooperative is a biblically based homeschool group for families in the Athol, Bayview, Carewood, and Spirit Lake communities. This group gives parents and children opportunities to share their talents and resources for the mutual benefit of members.  To that end, we agree to come together to offer K-12 fun, elective-style classes one day a week during the school year to supplement subjects taught at home and to provide encouragement and fellowship for homeschooling families. This co-op is not academically rigorous, and co-op teachers are not expected to teach core subjects, as the focus is on fostering community in a fun and educational environment. A board of experienced homeschool parent volunteers leads this co-op. 

Membership Consideration 

Homeschool families local to the ABCS area are invited to participate.  To be considered for membership, families must submit an application and meet in person with co-op board members.  Families must have at least one school-age child (K-12) by the first month of each term. Preschool (0-4-year-old) participation is for co-op siblings only.

We will consider membership applications from families with special needs or differently abled children on a case-by-case basis; approval requires a home visit and unanimous board approval.  As a co-op, we do not have the resources of a formal school setting to care for families in this situation, though under the right circumstances we would want to make this co-op available if possible. 

* Parents will have priority for registration in terms that they teach.  Families from the ABCS area will have priority for registration; families from outside this area will have an opportunity to register if space is available. Class sizes are limited to available space, and registration will be on a first-come, first-served basis.  We may create a waitlist if needed. 

Membership Agreement

All co-op member families agree to the following:

To sign and uphold the statement of Christian beliefs held by our co-op and to respect the particular statement of faith of our host church. 

To abide by the expectations outlined in this handbook. Parents and students must agree to follow honorable conflict resolution.  

To be present on campus during co-op, to teach or assist in one class block, and to help generally with co-op. (Each parent will be free during one block when not teaching or assisting.)  Parents may select a position or be assigned one during registration. 

To share the teaching load amongst other member families.  Each member family will be expected to be prepared to lead-teach one class per year.  This ensures the teaching load is balanced across all families and that certain families are not overburdened. Parents are encouraged to teach a class that aligns with their skills and interests, and teachers can choose what they would like to teach and which age group they would like to teach.  Once a teacher is selected for a certain age group, however, that teaching slot is full for that term.  New teachers will receive encouragement and direction from members of the co-op board, if needed.  Parents in unique circumstances (new baby, move, difficult family situations) who cannot teach may request an alternative role, subject to board approval to ensure equitable participation.  If enough parents volunteer to teach for both terms, other parents may not have to teach that year, but member families should always be prepared to teach for at least one term if necessary. The co-op may allow exemptions for new members (if enough teachers are available) for one semester to ease them into the group, but all are expected to be prepared to teach thereafter. 

Be sensitive to the co-op's needs regarding absences.  As a cooperative, scheduling, teaching, manpower, and weekly demands place inherent limitations on all participants. Members must agree to carefully weigh their ability to commit to a weekly community day and the potential for absences (due to illness, family, travel, other commitments, and any unknowns).  If a member family misses 4 or more co-op days, they should expect a follow-up from a board member. 

To follow through on commitments made. 

To be aware of weekly co-op communication.

To respect the position of the co-op leadership team as volunteers with limited time and resources.  Members agree to do their own due diligence regarding their personal needs. 

To provide a detailed outline of any class they have committed to teach and meet with the replacement teacher to assist in class planning in the event that a family has to unexpectedly withdraw.

To deal with conflicts in a mature and understanding manner.  To function as a co-op, members are expected to work hard to relate well to other families.  Unfortunately, wherever people are, conflicts may arise.  And though homeschooling families have much in common, differences will always remain.  Based on Matthew 18, parents and teachers should seek to resolve issues on their own. If either party is unsatisfied or resolution cannot be reached, parties should then seek the assistance of a member of the leadership team as a LAST resort.  Involved members are asked to abide by the leadership team's determinations regarding the conflict. If they are unsatisfied, leadership will remind them that participation in any co-op is optional. 

- ABCS Co-op maintains a conflict resolution map as a guide for leadership to help handle difficult issues in an appropriate manner.  Leadership can provide the conflict resolution map.  

*Parents who desire to participate in co-op planning or teach a class must have already signed a basic statement of Christian faith (see Teacher Handbook).

Progressive Disruption and Habitual Offenses

When any negative interaction occurs between parents or children, our first hope is that the issue can be resolved by following biblical conflict resolution to keep the co-op membership intact.  We hope for reconciliation and changed behavior after we address issues. However, a member family may become a continual drain on the leadership and community through small but repeated offenses.  The ABCS co-op Board reserves the right to refuse any members who do not meet the above-stated standards, or any members who develop a history of offenses or issues that stem from and include individuals of the family.  Family actions must meet the spirit and essence of the rules and expectations set forth by the co-op.  Actions contrary to the spirit or essence of these rules will be considered violations of the member agreement and will be considered serious offenses for the disruption they cause to the community and leadership. Egregious or willful violations and behaviors have hurtful consequences for all involved.  These behaviors, coupled with multiple witnesses and other member complaints, require board involvement to uphold safety, standards, and the co-op's greater good. Inaction by the board, or less-than-appropriate action, can be as harmful as the disruptive or inappropriate behaviors themselves. If the options are allowing more victims of negative behavior from a member family or removing a family to protect the home school co-op community for all, the board will make the hard decision to remove a member family that disrupts the peace we seek to have together.  The board will not make these decisions swiftly or lightly, and they will require a unanimous board decision.  

Parent Expectations

Parents (and all participating adults) are expected to conduct themselves in a manner consistent with Christian beliefs and the standards of the ABCS Co-Op.

Participating adults are expected to act with kindness, honesty, integrity, and respect toward all fellow members, both adults and children, as well as our host church, its employees, and its volunteers. Even among like-minded Christians, opinions and ways of doing things will differ. Parents/adults are expected to respect others and use discretion and compassion when controversial topics arise. If a parent/adult has disagreements or arguments with others involved in the co-op, they will be expected to reconcile those differences using a Biblical approach (see our Conflict Resolution Map for help if needed).

Parents should try not to disrupt classes in session, but they are welcome to join their students during their free hour. 

Parents/adults are expected to refrain from foul or inappropriate language, gossip or negative talk about other people, the co-op, and our host church.

Parents should respect one another’s time and give everyone an equal opportunity to share during the free-hour discussions. The Moms' free hour is a time for fellowship and building friendships, during which each mom should have the chance to share and listen in an encouraging and supportive manner.

All parents/adults are expected to help uphold the rules and policies of the Co-op and the church. This includes properly supervising one’s own children anytime they are not in class (assembly, lunch, before/after co-op, etc). This may also include reminding other children as needed. Remember, making our Co-op work requires team effort.

Parents are expected to communicate regularly with their child’s teachers about any questions or concerns about specific classes. Positive feedback about specific classes is always welcome, too!

Membership  and Class Fees

$98 Membership Fee Per Family

 The family membership fee covers liability insurance ($40 per family), administrative supplies/needs ($25), and website maintenance ($10).  Any additional money goes into a general fund for the co-op to use for family scholarships and community blessings (such as school photos, special events, or offsetting field trip costs).  Membership fees must be paid in order to register for classes. ($50 of this fee will be paid annually to cover liability insurance and our website subscription). Background checks are required for every parent of co-op children who participates in co-op and are an additional $9.00 each, but are only required once every three years. 

$0-$25 Per Course Class Fees

To reimburse teachers for their expenses, members agree to pay the class fee for each course they enroll their students in.  We encourage teachers to keep class fees as low as possible, but they vary depending on the nature of the class.  The class fees that are collected go directly to the teachers in the form of a reimbursement check for the number of students enrolled in their class (i.e., if the class fee is $5 and they have 10 registered students, then they will get a $50 check at the start of the term).  Course fees must be paid by the first or second week of co-op. 

*All fees are non-refundable after the first day of co-op.

Additional Co-op Needs 

Besides teaching, additional areas to serve in the co-op include: Photographer, Sound Technician, Mom Corner coordinator, Celebration coordinator, and Field trip coordinator. 

General Means of Communication 

The main form of co-op communication is a weekly email with announcements.  Every member is responsible for staying informed.  The website directory allows members to stay in touch with each other, teachers, and leadership. 

Absence Protocol 

The following list constitutes excused absences: funeral/death, illness, vacation, child birth/adoption, unavoidable special circumstances 

Because of the interdependent nature of the co-op, at least one parent from each member family must be present each week. This is, perhaps, the most important factor in achieving a fair, smooth-running, and successful co-op experience for all families. We realize occasional absences are unavoidable; if you can't attend but have one or more children who can, please arrange for another adult to assume temporary guardianship for them. Once you've made these arrangements, please call/text the leadership team with your plans. If a family misses 4 or more meetings per term, a member of the board will check in to determine what caused the absences and whether the co-op is still a good fit for the member family moving forward. 

Assistants must be prepared to sub the class if the lead teacher cannot make it to co-op.  Teachers and assistants should work together in advance on a tentative plan for teacher absences so classes can run smoothly with last-minute changes.

Assistants who will be absent must let a co-op coordinator know so they can find a sub for that role the morning of co-op. 

Snow Days: In the event of a snowstorm, classes may be canceled for the day. Our policy is that we cancel Monday school if the public schools are also closed due to weather. We will send cancellation notifications by email by 7:00 am on Monday school days. The semester may or may not then have a "make-up" day on the Monday directly following the last scheduled day of classes, keeping the term length originally scheduled. 

Class Enrollment Policy 

Class enrollment closes before the first day of the semester unless the leadership team determines otherwise.  A student may switch classes by the second week of co-op, with teacher approval. Refunds are at the teacher's discretion.  Most classes will be capped at 12-15 students, and classes with fewer than four students enrolled may be canceled (this policy does not apply to the nursery or preschool). 

Illness Policy 

If a child/parent has a fever, vomiting, diarrhea, or greenish/yellowish nasal discharge (within the last 24 hours), please do not bring him/her to co-op. 

If there is illness in the family, but one or more children are well, parents may send their well children to co-op as long as another adult assumes responsibility for the child(ren). Once arrangements are made, please notify a co-op coordinator. However, if the majority of the family is ill, please keep the entire family home. 

Snack Policy 

To minimize wear and tear on the carpet, please provide simple snacks (with minimal mess) and water. 

Administration Team 

The Administration team consists of 3-5 Board Members.  The Board member positions are Chair, Director, Treasurer, Secretary, and Member Representative or Liaison. The board administers the co-op in a way that aligns with the policies and procedures in the founding documents. The board has discretion in decision-making but should act in the best interest of the co-op as a whole. The board meets several times a year and monthly during school terms. 

Co-op coordinators undertake the practical administration of ABCS each year. The coordinators, or Admin Team, open and secure the facility/site, schedule classes, assign rooms, form the handbook (policies and procedures), conduct interviews, oversee disciplinary issues, and perform basic administrative duties. The board manages the website, insurance status, and finances. 

Electronics Policy for Students 

Laptops are allowed in the classroom.  No handheld electronic devices (i.e., iPod, cell phone, Nintendo, or other gaming systems) in the church building. 

Cleaning Guidelines 

All co-op members are responsible for end-of-day cleaning.  Co-op coordinators will determine how cleaning will be handled each semester. We encourage the children to be integral parts of cleaning up, as many hands make light work. Our policy is to leave the church building cleaner than we found it. 

Nursery Guidelines 

Please label cups, bottles, and bag/backpack with your child’s name. Please provide diapers & wipes for your child. 

Monday Morning Procedures

When parents come to ABCS co-op, they will be expected to:

- Pick up nametags for themselves and their children

- Pull all information from their family folder

Morning Assembly

Co-op day will begin with worship and announcements promptly at 9:00 am.  Families will need to arrive a few minutes early to be seated.  Families are welcome to come anytime after 8:30 to socialize and get settled before the assembly begins. All families must attend assembly time. This is where we will come together to worship, pray, and make announcements. 

Visitors

Family members are welcome to visit but must get approval from a co-op coordinator first, be signed in by the participating member, and wear a temporary name tag found in the co-op file box.  

Hall Monitoring

Children are expected to be in their assigned classroom during class hours. They should not be walking the halls unattended or without reason. Off-duty moms will function as hall monitors to help and direct students to their destinations if they are not where they are supposed to be. Moms will gather toward the front of the church to ensure children do not wander outside alone and strangers do not wander in. This is for everyone's safety. 

Name Tags

Name Tags are stored in your family folder. Adults and children must wear these name tags every Monday so everyone can see them. Please do not take them home.  Return them to your family folder at the end of co-op day. Please turn in broken name tags to a member of the leadership team. They will be replaced and mended for the following Monday. 

Lunch

Following classes, families may choose to stay for a community lunch. This is not required, but many find it an enjoyable time to connect with friends.  Family members should try to sit together while eating lunch. After lunch tables have been wiped clean, do not return to those tables. They must remain clean until the end of co-op day. 

Parents or guardians are responsible for supervising their child or children's behavior during lunchtime. Nobody should be running. Nobody should be in the classrooms. Playing in the restrooms is off limits, as is going onto the stage.  Running around in the parking lot is prohibited. We will send children who disobey the rules or are rowdy to their parents. Remember, we are guests in our host church, and it is a place of worship and business. 

Your Agreement

Parents should review the ABCS Parent and Student Handbook with their children.   To register, you must indicate your agreement. We will file this agreement with the ABCS leadership team.  You will also sign an additional document stating that you reviewed the handbook and behavior expectations with your student; the leadership team will collect it and keep it on file.