Frequently Asked Questions
When and where are classes held?
We have been greatly blessed with permission to use Colonial Baptist Church for our classes. This is a wonderful facility and we are incredibly appreciative that we are able to use it! We meet here each Friday morning during our scheduled semesters, see the 2019-2020 schedule link for actual dates.
What time does co-op start and what time do we need to arrive?
Co-op starts with opening assembly at 9:00 am. First hour facilitators need to arrive at 8:30 am to set-up their room with the expectation of being finished with set-up by 9:00 am in order to participate in opening assembly. All other families are asked to arrive by 8:45 so that they have enough time to get settled and into assembly by 9:00 am.
When do I set-up for my class?
It is the expectation that each class is ready by the scheduled start time. Prep should take place the period prior to your class start time or prior to opening assembly; depending on when your class is scheduled.
Can I leave the campus once I have facilitated my class for the day?
No, all participating parents must remain on campus while classes are in progress. If you are not facilitating during a particular class period it is expected that you are either prepping your class, grading, volunteering in a class as an assistant, observing in one of your children's classrooms, or making friends in our facilitator area.
Can my high school student leave campus?
High school students taking dual enrollment classes may come on campus for the start of their co-op classes or leave for their dual enrollment classes. Otherwise, students are to remain in the designated areas on campus during co-op operating hours. This includes lunch time.
How does the co-op support my homeschool?
Although concepts are reinforced and curriculum is supported at the co-op, it is the parent's responsibility to understand and utilize the material at home. We are a support to your individual homeschool not a replacement. Therefore, it is still expected that the mom is the primary teacher and that you are actively involved in knowing the curriculum/assignments for your students and are actively involved at home with your students as they complete their work.
Do I have any other responsibilities other than facilitating a class?
While on campus on Fridays we operate as one big team. In addition to facilitating a class, we also have scheduled times of service where you will be asked to assist in one of our classes. This is balanced with a class prep time where you can set-up your class and discuss planning with your partner. Once completed you have the opportunity to sit in on one of your student's classes or gather in our "break area" for fellowship.
Our coordinator roles present another opportunity to serve and have a stake in the success of the co-op. We break up the operational needs of the co-op into coordinator roles where you have an opportunity to use your background and talents to aid in the operation of the co-op. There is a place on our application to indicate where you would like to serve. We provide a document that describes each role in detail that you can review prior to making your selections. Examples of some of the roles include: finance team, social committee, web team, operations team, and administrative team.
Who creates the lesson plans and when are they created?
Once our registration period is complete, we will assign facilitator teams for each class based on your preferences. Teams will be asked to create lesson plans for their class and a fall semester budget by June 30, 2019. All team members are expected to participate in lesson plan creation in an equitable manner...meaning depending on the number of members on a team all members should participate equally in lesson plan creation. These plans will be submitted to your level coordinator. We do this in an effort to protect your time once the school year starts, as well as the co-op, by allowing the class to continue uninterrupted in the event that a team member is unable to fulfill their duties.
How do I decide which class I would like to facilitate?
As you look over the classes, prayerfully ask yourself which class could I put my gifts, talents, and interests to best use. Take into consideration the format of each class. For instance, in science you will be conducting experiments, in history you will be reading the material and planning crafts and activities or discussions based upon the level, in writing you will be providing instruction and giving feedback, and in the Foundations class you will work on a team to implement a morning program with fun stations, crafts, and centers.
Once you have an idea of which subject best suits you and your interests then think about what age range of children you want to work with. Do you have a preference to teach older students or younger students or ones in between? Once you have prayerfully considered these options, select your first, second, and third choices on the application. If you would like us to walk you through this process, please contact us and we would be happy to assist you.
How often do I facilitate?
Teams are given ownership of their classes from the standpoint that team members can decide their facilitation schedule (ie. every other week, unit by unit, semester by semester, etc.). It is also up to the team members to cover for each other during both planned and unplanned absences. We ask that you work out with your partner ahead of time any known absences in an effort to avoid both partners being out on the same week.
How many absences am I allowed per semester?
Due to the nature of the co-op, we count on our moms each week for not only facilitation support, but for assistance support as well. Therefore, we ask that if you commit to co-op that you keep our operating schedule on Fridays free from other obligations or activities. We do have a list of excused absences that include illness, care of an immediate family member due to illness, funeral/memorial attendance, and competitive sport/activity attendance (for the competition not practice) in moderation and with consideration of other absences during the semester. We ask that vacations and retreat attendance be planned at all possible around our operating schedule, but they are an excused absence in moderation and with consideration of other absences. We monitor absences whether they are for a full or partial day. Abuses of the absence policy will be taken up by the leadership team which may result in probation or dismissal.
Do you have classes for my younger children?
For the 2019_2020 school year we hope to offer a Foundations class for potentially 4 to 6 year old students. We will not be able to confirm that this class will continue until we can assess interest from applying families. If you are interested, please attend one of our information meetings.
What if my family is not interested in all of the classes?
As previously stated, it is our desire to create not just a co-op but a family. With that in mind, we are looking for families to partner with who are interested in our entire program. The exception to this is current students who are juniors or seniors. They have some flexible options available to them.
How do I decide which level is most appropriate for my student(s)?
Each level comes with a different level of academic expectations and skill-sets. Therefore, we desire student be placed in the class that best matches a students abilities for each subject. We have listed approximate grade suggestions next to each level both on the "class offerings" page and on the application as a guide but their is fluidity between levels. Students can move between levels to customize a class schedule that best meets their needs. Please contact us prior to applying if you have any questions about placement.
While it is our desire to place students in classes based on skill level not necessarily grade or age level, we also recognize that academic ability is not the only factor in making a successful placement. Other factors need to be considered such as the grade/age demographic of the class, maturity level needed for the class, class size, expectations of students in the class including behavior, homework, the ability to work independently, etc. For this reason, although we will strive to work with parents to honor placement requests, the leadership of PCC reserves the right to respectfully deny requests if it is determined that the desired placement does not meet the factors necessary for the class.
Are the fees refundable?
No, once you have filled out our application, have been offered a spot, and have accepted a spot, all fees collected from that point, including registration fees, seed money, class fees, etc. are non-refundable. If you leave the co-op for any reason after you have accepted a spot in the co-op, you will not be refunded any money or supplies purchased on behalf of your family. In addition, due to "classroom use only" copyright laws we are not able to pass along copyrighted material or lesson plans if your child is no longer participating in a class.
When are families able to submit applications?
We update our website each January for the following school year. Information Meetings are held during the first two weeks of February and new family applications are usually due by the last Friday in February. We will continue accepting applications past this date for our wait list. We do not add families to our program mid year (for spring semester) or past our registration date unless a spot opens up that needs to be filled.