Reaching, Encouraging, and Adorning Christian Homeschoolers Foundations of Learning Supporting Family Relationships Progressing in Faith Opportunities for Fellowship Nurturing a Growth Mindset
 

Membership Guidelines & Policies

Before registering for REACH, please prayerfully consider the commitment that you are making. The focus of the co-op is to be a blessing to the homeschooling families in our group, and it takes the faithful commitment of every member to make it possible. Please read the entire Membership Guidelines & Policies before requesting membership. We do realize that it is lengthy, but you need to be aware of all the guidelines in order for the co-op to function smoothly.

Membership Requirements and Guidelines

Membership demonstrates a willing heart to serve the group. All members are required to participate in co-op in a responsible manner. The success of our group depends on the cooperation and participation of our members. Our mission is Reaching, Encouraging, and Adorning Christian Homeschoolers. It takes all of us to make REACH run well. 

*Being a member at REACH is both a privilege and a responsibility. Each one of us was given special gifts and talents. Being a member of REACH allows us to share those gifts and talents with other families.  *While we do realize that each family may differ in personal beliefs, anyone who will teach MUST do so from a biblical Christian worldview. You may not use or discuss your religious beliefs in the classroom, and especially not with another's child(ren), if they differ with that of the Statement of Faith. Members, especially teachers, must have an understanding of the basic Christian belief, and while none of us are perfect, we must strive to apply Christian values to our daily living.

1. REACH is open to families that are actively engaged in homeschooling, with at least one child in grades K-12th and that are in compliance with your state’s homeschooling laws. Homeschooling is defined as any schooling that occurs in the “home.” By requesting membership to REACH, you recognize that REACH was started and will continue operating from a Christian viewpoint.

2. A $50.00 non-refundable fee per family is due at the time of registration. You understand that by requesting a membership to REACH, you are doing so with the intent to participate from September until May. Membership for each year must be renewed each August, $40.00 for returning families. If you leave the co-op at any time, during any session, you will no longer be considered a "member", and your privileges will be revoked. Certain conditions for leaving for an extended period of time and then returning will be considered on a case by case basis.

Extra fees above and beyond registration may include the facility fee, field trips, special events, etc. or class fees for labs, textbooks, reading books, art supplies, etc. Class fees will be due at the time of class registration, unless otherwise noted. Field trip, special event, etc. fees will be due by specified due date. Children will not be permitted to attend their classes until registration, facility fee, and class fees are paid in full. Please see the Director if other financial arrangements are necessary.

3. Parental commitment required for membership to REACH will be for 3 of the 3 class periods per session, once a week from September until May. We require members to submit a class (or classes) to teach each session.This requirement is waived for new members the first session. Parents must also be willing to help with other jobs/tasks as needed. Although we strive to assign teacher/teacher’s helper jobs per your request, we may need to assign jobs based on the needs of REACH. All children that you have attending REACH must register for all 3 classes. If you have a high school student doing dual enrollment, please reach out to the Director if an exception needs to be made.

Once you have made a commitment to REACH, please realize that we are counting on you. Should you change your mind, barring any family emergencies or illness, your family will not be able to reapply for two years.

4. Each family will be assigned a specified closing clean-up area (a specific classroom, bathroom, or hallway, kitchen, sanctuary, etc.) These will be your family’s responsibility to complete. If there is more than one family assigned to an area, the responsibility is shared.

Each job is important in the operation of the co-op. Faithful participation is very important to all of the families and the success of REACH.

5. Parents are expected to volunteer services to the group for co-op events that may include but are not limited to the following: teaching; hosting a Mom’s Night Out; planning/coordinating field trips, social gatherings, parties, etc; setting up, assisting during, or clean up of special events/field trips/etc.

6. Please register with the intent to participate from September until May. If you know you will be on vacation or have other appointments/obligations on any co-op days, please notify the Director in advance. Please try to avoid making non-emergency appointments/plans on co-op days.

7. Dropping your children off is not acceptable. Adult attendance is expected unless there is an illness or unforeseen circumstance. If you are unable to attend, please notify the Director immediately. If a parent cannot attend co-op due to an emergency, your children may attend co-op without you, however, they must be under the supervision of another responsible adult. You must print the Responsible Adult Authorization Form, located on the website, and send it in with your child to be given to the Director.

8. Parents will be contacted if disciplinary problems arise. If there is an issue with a child, teachers are to first speak privately with the child. The next step is to contact the parent. If the problem persists and cannot be corrected satisfactorily, notify the Director. The child may be removed from the class until the problem is corrected.

9. We strive for no gossip, language or conversation that is not edifying to God. Do not speak ill of or put down other members or children. Parents and students are asked to speak and act in ways that are edifying to God and that promote unity and encouragement among REACH members. “Sowing discord” {Proverbs 16:16-19}, foul language, crude/vulgar language will absolutely not be tolerated. If you have a complaint or conflict, please address it directly.

10. Primary communication will be via Facebook group. I will also utilize email at times. Please save [email protected] to your contacts. Please check Facebook frequently for news and updates. It is YOUR responsibility to know what is going on. If you choose not to have Facebook, or be in the REACH FB group, you will need to find a friend in the group who is willing to share info with you.

11. We ask that all parents actively keep a lookout for children who are running, rough-housing, or being disrespectful to church property.

12. All parents are responsible to enforce the Student Responsibility and Expectations Policy. Parental assistance is mandatory and necessary.

13. REACH reserves the right to terminate membership of any member when deemed necessary by the Admin team.

Student Responsibility and Expectations Policy

(Parents please review these yourself and with your child(ren) prior to the first day of co-op.)

1. Show courtesy, thoughtfulness, and respect to all teachers/parents, other students and host church staff, as well as the building and premises.

2. Be willing to accept guidance and correction from adults and/or teens in charge of classes and activities.

3. Remain within designated boundaries of the host church. You may NOT use areas of the church/premises that we have not been invited to use.

4. There is no gossip or conversation that is not edifying to God. Do not speak ill of or put down other members or children.

5. No foul, abusive, or coarse language. No crude or cruel joking around. No bullying. This will not be tolerated.

6. Running rough-housing, horseplay, climbing on/being disrespectful to church property, biting, kicking, slapping, and/or pushing is not permitted, even in jest.

7. Do everything without complaining and arguing. (Philippians 2:14)

8. Participation in classes is mandatory. Please come to class on time, be respectful to both the teacher and other students, participate cheerfully, listen to your teacher, and complete assignments.

9. No cell phones, electronic games or personal music devices are allowed in/during class unless given permission by the teacher.

10. No food or drink anywhere but the Fellowship Hall unless it is water with a lid.

11. No pets, except service dogs are permitted.

12. No skateboards, roller skates/blades (including Heelys) or bikes allowed.

13. No weapons of any kind, real or fake, (guns, knives, etc.) or illegal drugs or alcohol are permitted.

14. Students need to be in their assigned classrooms. Students are not to wander hallways, sanctuary, or outside without supervision. 

15. Church equipment is not to be touched without permission out of respect to our host church.

Visitors

Families who are interested in attending REACH co-op are welcome to visit. They must schedule their visit with the Director. We also welcome guests to our Mom’s Night Outs and field trips/special events, when there is space available.

Attendance

Attendance is necessary in order for REACH to run smoothly and be effective. Please take into consideration your commitment to the co-op when scheduling non-emergency appointments and vacations. When you do not come to co-op, the burden of your responsibilities will fall to those who already have their own responsibilities. A planned absence is not necessarily an excused absence.

1. Please be sure you arrive ON TIME, and report to your classes on time. Arriving on time is very important. We are depending on you. Everyone is contributing to the co-op, even the helpers. If you are running late, please notify your assigned mentor immediately. Continued lateness will result in a review of your membership by our admin team and may result in the termination of membership. Arrival time is 10:15 and everyone is given 15 minutes to get in and get settled.  To avoid being tardy your family must be in the sanctuary by 10:30. We will have a sign in clipboard at the door each morning. We will collect the clipboard promptly at 10:30, if you arrive after that, you will need to see Ashley to sign your family in.

2. We do realize that illness and unforeseen emergencies may arise. If this happens, it is YOUR responsibility to call/text/message your mentor for the year before co-op to let them know you will not be there. It is the teachers responsibility to find a substitute for their class and see they have the required materials to teach the class. If you are unable to find a substitute, your mentor can assist with that.

3.Please follow these steps in the event of an absence, scheduled or not: A. Notify your Mentor and the teacher/helpers you work with. B. If you are a teacher, you must arrange for a substitute, preferably one of your helpers, and get the appropriate materials to them to cover the class. This is YOUR responsibility. C. If you are a helper, the Director will find someone to cover your spot. You still need to notify your mentor that you will not be at co-op. D. If you are responsible for bringing something to co-op (i.e. an event or party), you must make arrangements to get it to us or see if someone would bring it instead if at all possible. We are counting on you. E. Please email or message your children's teachers and let them know that they will not be in class. Email addresses for all co-op members are located on the website under “Families.”

4.  Any absence without prior notice will result in a review of your membership by our advisory committee and may result in termination of membership.

5. After 3 unexcused absences {unexcused absence is an absence for something other than an illness or emergency} we will now add $5 per instance onto the next session's Facility fee and may result in a meeting with REACH admin, and will result in a review of your membership and may result in the termination of membership. If you are unsure about your absence, please speak with the Director. Your children may not attend co-op without you if you have an unexcused absence.  THREE TARDIES equal ONE unexcused absence. THREE TIMES LEAVING CO-OP EARLY equal ONE unexcused absence. Any combination of THREE tardies and/or leaving early equals ONE unexcused absence.

6. Participation (working) at our annual Santa Shop is mandatory for enrollment. It is the first Friday in December. All parents and students in 5th grade and above are required to assist. Time will be alloted for students to shop if they would like.

7. Attendance at parties and special events held during scheduled co-op dates/times are mandatory (just like any class day, Fridays, September-May). Attendance at co-op events held on other days (weekends/other days of the week) are not mandatory but attendance is strongly encouraged.

Sick Policy

*Please do NOT come to co-op if anyone in your family has had the stomach bug in the last 72 hours, especially if you have more than one child.

*Please do not come to co-op if anyone has had a fever for any reason in the last 24 hours. If one child is sick, please do not bring the rest of the crew.

1. Please do NOT bring your self or your child to co-op or REACH events when sick, period. You will be asked to leave.

2. The CDC recommends a child/adult must be free of all of the symptoms listed below for at least 24 hours:

a. Fever.

b. Fever and sore throat, rash, diarrhea, earache, irritability or confusion.

c. Diarrhea

d. Vomiting (defined as 2 or more times in a 24 hour period)

e. Body rash with fever.

f. Sore throat with fever and swollen glands.

g. Severe coughing.

h. Eye discharge.

i. Yellowish skin or eyes.

j. Any other communicable disease (including but not limited to: skin infections, childhood diseases such as chicken pox, measles, Covid 19, etc.)

3. Child/Adult must be on antibiotics for at least 48 hours.

4. “When in doubt, please apply the ‘Golden Rule.’ Remember what was brought in last week will return 4 fold next week.”

5. If you or your child comes to co-op with any of these symptoms, you will be asked to leave. If your child develops any of these symptoms during co-op, you will be notified immediately.

6. Covid 19 Specific symptoms: Fever or chills, Cough, Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, Fatigue, Muscle or body aches, Headache, New loss of taste or smell, Sore throat, Congestion or runny nose, Nausea or vomiting, Diarrhea

7. We understand that allergies exist. If you know your child and believe their symptoms are allergy related, they are welcome to attend.

Conflict Resolution

We do realize that with so many different personalities, conflicts and misunderstandings may arise. This may be due to poor communication or if there are different expectations. We must agree as a whole on how to deal with these situations before they arise.

Please first pray about any conflicts/differences that arise. Most can be resolved with overlooking and forgiving the person who offended you. If God gives you peace over the issue, please move on and do not discuss it with others.

After you have prayed, if you still feel the conflict/difference must be addressed, please use Matthew 18:15-20 as a standard for your resolution.

Matthew 18:15-20 states, “Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican. Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven. For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.”

Take the problem first to the person you feel has offended you. If you cannot reach a satisfactory resolution, please ask for the assistance from another objective person to mediate. If you still do not feel at peace, the problem may be taken to REACH’s advisory committee (The Admin Team). They will have the final decision. Above all, please do all of this with “a spirit of love and gentleness.” {I Corinthians 4:21}

Dress Code Policy

We ask that parents and students alike dress appropriately for the occasion. REACH does not want to institute a specific dress code. We do, however, want parents and students to be aware of how they look before they arrive at co-op or our events. Students are to dress appropriately for the classes they are attending. (Example: Tennis shoes must be worn for gym class.)

Multimedia/Photo Policy

1. Members of REACH may use various media to record our classes and events and to recognize families and their participation and accomplishments, such as yearbook, graduation, performances, field trips, etc.

2. By becoming a member of REACH, you are granting us permission to use you/your child’s image/likeness and voice in different forms of print, digital or electronic. This includes but is not limited to public display of flyers, special events, advertisement, internet or print.

3. We cannot be held responsible for what other co-op members may do with their own photos/videos that they have captured.

Class Cancellations/Inclement Weather Policy

In the event of inclement weather, please check radio, TV, or internet and follow the Delmar School District closure decisions. If there is any type of delay with the school district, REACH will still run as scheduled. If it is necessary to cancel classes for any other reasons, you will be notified no later than 9:00am Friday morning.

Field Trip/Special Events Guidelines

1. All students participating in field trips/special events must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. You may not drop your child(ren) off.

2. Please look over all information, considering age appropriateness and other requirements and suggestions, on field trips/special events and ask questions before you sign up. Do NOT sign your child(ren) up if they will be unable to attend. Please do not use the field trip/special event as a form of punishment for you child(ren). Most locations have age, group size and other requirements that we must meet. It is unfair to the other members who are participating, and it reflects poorly on our co-op and homeschoolers in general.

3. If, for some reason, you cannot attend a Field Trip/Special Event that has already been paid for, you will not be reimbursed. If you have “tickets”, please make every effort to make sure someone goes in your place, especially if we have received a group rate for those “tickets.” Empty seats reflect poorly on our group. You may sell your tickets, but if it comes down to it, please consider giving your tickets to someone else. This is YOUR responsibility, NOT the responsibility of the person coordinating that particular field trip/special event. Illness or unforeseen circumstances may be considered for a refund. Please contact the field trip/special event coordinator to discuss your situation.

4. Arrive at the specified location on the day of the field trip/special event at least 15 minutes early so that you can be at our designated area on time.

5. Parents are responsible for the appropriate behavior of their children and any children they bring. Please be courteous of all tour guides, personnel, building and equipment. Remember that you are a representative of REACH and the homeschool community. We do not want our children’s or our own behavior to reflect poorly.

6. Please dress appropriately, following the guidelines already set forth for co-op.

7. Please plan ahead of time any items you need to bring (lunches, sunscreen, jackets, bug spray, etc.).

8. Inform your children what will be taking place during our field trips/special events and what is expected of them so that they will be prepared as well.

9. REACH members are welcomed to invite friends to a field trip/special event, but when there are a limited number of spaces, REACH members will get first consideration.

Field Trip/Special Event Guidelines for Children

(Parents, please review this with your child.)

1. Be courteous and polite at all times.

2. Respect all others and the property at the location of the field trip/special event at all times.

3. Obey your parents/teachers and follow all rules at the location of the field trip/special events.

4. Listen carefully and attentively to instructors, guides, and staff.

5. Be patient in waiting your turn.

6. Please be cheerful and do not complain.

7. Be thankful to all those who helped during the field trip/special event. Don’t forget to say “thank you” to the people conducting the class, event, or tour.

 

Policies, guidelines, and requirements set forth herein include but are not limited to every word in this handbook and are subject to change at any time at the discretion of the Director.

Please know that the Membership Guidelines and Policies was put together for the benefit and safety of you, your child(ren), our co-op, and our host church. When regarding the requirements, guidelines, and policies set forth and our actions and attitudes during co-op and any function/special events associated with it, please remember Colossians 3:17:

“And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name

of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.”

 

By accepting membership, you agree to the above terms and conditions.