Policies

Foundations Homeschool Co-op Policies

General Policies

Required Forms: All families must sign the Statement of Faith, Modesty/Student policy, and Teacher/Helper agreement and turn them in on the first day of co-op.
Compliance: If a family has been found to be breaking the student, teacher, or modesty agreements signed in the beginning of the year and does not respond to attempts to remediate the issue, they will be subject to consideration for membership the following year.
Opening Meeting: Families are required to attend ‘Opening’ starting promptly at 9:30 am. If we find that a family is habitually late and not attending our morning meeting, they will be subject to consideration for membership the following year.
Check-in: Families should check in at the front desk and must come through the front doors. Name badges are required for all adults (visitors included).
Communication: Parents should be willing to check their emails, join the Band app, and generally pay attention to communication sent from Foundations to our families.
Snack Bar: Families are asked to contribute to our snack bar per semester, as deemed necessary according to our supplies. Parents are also asked to ensure that children are paying for their snacks.
Sickness: Please be reasonable and courteous to others and stay home if sick. Give 24 hours+ since fever/vomiting. Children may be asked to leave class if excessive symptoms (coughing, sneezing, green snot, etc.) are shown.
Medical Needs: If a child has a medical need/allergy, please update the info on the website so teachers are aware.
Parental Responsibility: Each parent must take responsibility for their own children and also care for the students and children entrusted to them when other parents are busy. Do not hesitate to address any misbehavior or misuse of the facilities in love and gentleness, and then follow up by making the parent aware of their child’s behavior. Parents should discuss with their children the expectations of the Co-op before the first session to avoid any misunderstandings.
Class Age Ranges: Children are allowed to be enrolled in classes outside of their age range according to the discretion of the parent. The exception would be when there is a wait-list. Where there is a wait-list, children who are the appropriate age for the class will be added first.
Schedule Adjustments: Children are allowed to adjust their school schedule during the first two weeks of school. Any adjustments to the schedule should be relayed to the Registrar so that we can keep accurate records and class fees can be properly distributed. Children may not be moved from their enrolled classes past the first two weeks without board approval.
Mid-Semester Enrollment: We do not invite new families to join mid-semester.
Electronics: Children are not allowed to use phones, tablets, etc. in class unless specifically instructed by a teacher to do so.
Attendance: Children are required to be in their assigned classes for the first three periods, or in the direct presence of their parent.
Payments & Refunds: Payment is due for the beginning school year prior to/on the first day of Co-op. Payment can be made ahead of that date for Family Fee and Preschool/PreK fee through the website online payment portal or via cash/check made to Foundations Homeschool Co-op on the first day. Foundations Homeschool Co-op does not give refunds after the first day of co-op.
Background Checks: Any adults who will be regularly attending co-op should submit to a background check.
Visitors: Visitors to the co-op must sign in at the front desk and wear a name badge during their stay at the co-op. Any adults who will be visiting (family, guest teachers, etc.) should be made known to the board ahead of time.

These are our general operating policies for Foundations Homeschool Co-op. If there arises a need for consideration, please bring the issue to the board so that we can prayerfully discuss the situation and vote on whether an exception is deemed necessary.

Teacher/Helper Policies

Teachers

Supplies: Teachers are responsible for providing materials and supplies for their classes. You can require fees from students to help cover any costs. Any supplies or books that the students will need prior to class should be clearly communicated.
Worldview: Teachers are expected to teach classes from a Biblical Worldview, in accordance with our Statement of Faith. All curricula, content, and conversations in the classroom should honor Christ.
Preparedness: Teachers should be aptly prepared to provide students with an excellent classroom experience. Please make sure to have a back-up lesson plan in the case of your absence. These can be stored in the folders at the front desk.
Discipline: If disciplinary issues should arise, teachers should clearly communicate the behavior expectation to the student. If the student does not adhere to the expectation, the parent should be informed and aid the student in resolution. If the issue does not resolve, the teacher may bring the situation to the Board. All parties should be willing to work together.
Art Projects: Please bring any art projects to the front lobby - do not leave projects in the classrooms.
Cleaning: If teaching 3rd/4th period, you are responsible for cleaning your room at the end of class (chairs on desks, whiteboards cleaned, trash in the hallway, and bins to room #212).

Helpers

Must be in the classrooms where you have been assigned when the period starts.
Helpers are expected to be helpful! Ask the teacher what they need, help maintain classroom order, and assist with set up and clean up.
If needed, helpers should be willing to move to another class for the week as the Registrar deems necessary.

Conflict Policy

Foundations Homeschool Co-op understands that conflict is a natural occurrence of the human condition. We are committed to the prayer that Christ prayed for the Body in the Gospel of John: “Father, even as You and I are One, make them one.” Foundations HSC is committed to the principles for conflict resolution as laid out in Matthew 18:15-17, Galatians 6:1, and 1 Peter 1:4-8.

We acknowledge that conflict avoidance or identification is not the same as resolution, and that some members may feel intimidated with the concept of conflict resolution. Therefore, Foundations HSC has a trained and educated conflict resolution volunteer. If you desire guidance or coaching to help you with a conflict with another Co-op member, please speak to the volunteer instead of others in Foundations HSC leadership or other Co-op members so that we might maintain integrity with the scriptural principles in Matthew 18.

It is the responsibility of all Believers (and Co-op members) to refrain from gossip. Any problems, disputes, or hurt feelings should not be discussed with uninvolved parties. Instead, sincere attempts should be made with the conflict resolution volunteer (when necessary) to reconcile the situation, making “every effort to live at peace with one another.” If a Co-op member tries to engage in a grumbling session, a good strategy is to simply refer them to the conflict resolution volunteer.

Absence Policy

Please email [email protected] with dates of absence as soon as possible (we understand sick days, etc.) as this helps the Registrar make sure we have teachers/helpers in each room as needed. Teachers are expected to have a backup lesson plan available for a substitute teacher should the need arise. If a teacher is going to be absent, they will need to find their own replacement (usually by asking class helpers to step in as lead). If a helper is going to be absent, they are expected to let the Registrar know so that she can shuffle helpers around as needed.

You cannot send your kids to co-op if you are absent without a designated caretaker assigned, whether another family onsite or spouse/relative. If you are leaving during your free period, you MUST find another parent to be your kids' overseer and let the front desk know who the point person is.

Safety Policy

No outside doors should be propped open for any extended period of time.
Leaving the Premises: Parents are not allowed to leave the premises without alerting the board, and designating a parent who will be responsible for their child in their absence. This applies to situations where children will be attending without their parents; this should be established with the board through email or text.
Badges: If you see someone wandering the halls without a badge, tell them to come to the front table and check in. (Capital Church staff will be wearing their badges as well).
Church Reception: If someone comes in our doors looking for church reception, they need to exit and go back through door #3.
Stroller Parking: Please park strollers in the lobby near the nursery side, or in the Opening room to the right. Please do not park strollers in hallways or in front of doors.
Emergencies: Should an emergency situation arise, we will alert on the Band App “911” to encourage everyone to get out of the building to a safe place. Please see the Fire Safety and Evacuation Plan below for details on emergency procedures.

Fire Safety and Evacuation Plan

This plan outlines the emergency procedures to follow in the event of a fire during co-op hours at our facility, Capital Church. Our priority is to ensure the safety of every student and teacher through a calm, organized evacuation.

**This plan and updated class lists can be found in a RED folder marked “FIRE SAFETY” at the front desk.**

General Fire Safety Guidelines

Familiarize yourself with all exits and fire extinguishers in the building.
Keep hallways and doorways clear at all times. Do not block exit doors with strollers, carts, chairs, or classroom materials.
All teachers should have a current class roster readily accessible during class.

If Fire or Smoke is Detected

Pull the nearest fire alarm immediately.
Evacuate the building at once via the nearest exit and head towards the east side of the building. (Note: Rooms #202-205 in the PRESCHOOL HALLWAY should exit through the playground).
DO NOT attempt to collect personal belongings.
Teachers lead students in a calm, orderly manner to the designated meet-up area.
If possible, close classroom doors after everyone has exited.

Evacuation Procedure

The designated meet-up point is on the east side of the building near the buses/field.
Each class will exit using the nearest safe exit. Follow posted exit maps if available.
Once outside, proceed directly to the east side and line up by class.
Teachers must take attendance immediately using their class roster.
When all students are accounted for, the Lead Coordinator will verify with each teacher before allowing students to be released to their parent(s).

Reuniting Students with Parents

After attendance is verified and all classes are accounted for, teachers will begin dismissing students to their parent(s).
No child should leave the group area until the teacher confirms the student’s name is marked present.
Off-Hour Parents are to help facilitate evacuation and should wait to gather their own children until verification is complete.
Once reunited, families should remain together at the east side area until an “all clear” is given.

Roles and Responsibilities

Teachers/Helpers: Lead your class to safety, take attendance, and report to the Lead Coordinator.
Director/Co-Director: Ensure all classrooms are cleared, communicate with emergency personnel, and give the ‘all clear’.
Registrar: Will assume the position of ‘Lead Coordinator’, meet teachers in the designated ‘safe area’, and assist in verifying that all children are present and accounted for.
Board Members/Off-Hour Parents: Assist with guiding classes out, check common areas if safe, and help maintain order.

Drills and Training

All teachers and parents must review this plan at the start of each co-op year.
Parents are to review emergency exits and procedures with their children.

After the Incident

Once the “all clear” is given, families may re-enter the building if safe to do so.
Classes may be cancelled for the remainder of the day upon Board agreement.
The Secretary will file an incident report summarizing the event and note any needed improvements.