Mission
R.O.C.K. (Righteous Options for Christian Kids)
Co-op Policies & Guidelines
Mission: We believe that it is the parent’s privilege, right, and responsibility to teach their children, as stated in Deut 6:6-10. Our mission as a conservative Christian homeschool co-op is to provide support, to supplement our children's education, and to enrich their education in a safe and nurturing environment that allows both children and adults the opportunity for positive socialization.
Purpose: To provide supplemental educational opportunities for homeschool families and to promote fellowship and friendships with one another. To share information regarding homeschooling as a positive educational alternative and to remain aware of local, state and national issues that affect the rights of parents to direct the education and upbringing of their children.
Beliefs: We extend membership to anyone of any Christian tradition. Those not sharing our Christian beliefs are allowed to join our group, but they must not make efforts to encourage members of the group to conform to beliefs against or in addition to those stated here. We operate according to the following biblical truths:
God is sovereign and the source of all truth, and the Creator of all things. Gen. 1:1, Deut 4:39, Hebrews 6:18, Nehemiah 9:6
He revealed Himself to man through Jesus Christ and through His creation. Hebrews 1:1-3
Jesus Christ is our Savior and Lord. It is through Him only that we have salvation. John 3:16
The Bible is the sole authority for evaluating truth, determining the basis and implementation of our faith, aiding us in our lives as well as our homeschooling. Mathew 5:18, Isaiah 40:8, Hebrews 11:3
Parents have the privilege, right and responsibility to obey God's commission of teaching and guiding their children. Deut 6:4-7.
Co-op Membership Requirements
❖ Have at least one child at least 4 years old.
❖ Be home educating in a manner that complies with Texas state regulations.
❖ Be able to make a 12-week commitment.
❖ Attend an interview with the directors.
❖ Both parents and any other participating adult must pass a criminal background check.
❖ Member adults and their children agree to and sign a commitment to abide by ROCK's belief statement, dress code, and code of conduct.
* A 6-month waiting period is required to submit an additional application once a membership has been declined, or to reapply after a membership has been suspended.*
Co-op Structure:
At ROCK, classes have various ages and grades studying together. Classes are taught by members who may have a different style of teaching and different expectations than a teacher in a traditional classroom would have. We see this variety of styles and expectations as enriching for our children.
ROCK has two 12-week semesters each year, spring and fall. Interviews for new members are held twice a year before the start of each semester. With the exception of a member’s first semester and members with children under the age of 2, each participating family is required to submit 2 class options that they are willing to teach each semester.
ROCK meets Monday mornings from 8:30A.M. to 2:00P.M. The day begins with an announcement/chapel period followed by three 55 minute classes, lunch, and a fourth 55 minute class . At registration, co-op members may elect not to stay for lunch and the fourth hour, or to attend for only 4th hour.
Fees:
Background Check Fee: $3.50/adults in the home or otherwise participating.
Family fee: Each semester, every family will be charged a non-refundable family fee of $25 which is paid at registration. This fee covers rental of the facilities and other operating expenses of the co-op.
Class fees: Prices for each class are set by the teacher and will vary according to the class. The class charges cover the cost of materials for that class. Classes are taught by member parents who receive no compensation for their teaching. The exception is when the co-op invites a teacher with expertise in a particular subject to offer classes; such a teacher would be paid for their services.
Insurance fee: ROCK collects insurance fees each semester for the liability insurance which our host facility requires us to carry. Each family's rate is determined by the number and age of family members, and whether the parent is a classroom teacher or helper.
Attendance Policies:
• Co-op begins at 8:30A.M. with set up. Chapel follows immediately after set up is complete.
• Regular, punctual attendance is crucial for the smooth functioning of the co-op. Attendance irregularities are unacceptable. A courtesy attendance record will be given at the 7th co-op week. Reasonable exceptions are made for illness (see below).
• Tardies: Families arriving after chapel and announcements have begun will be recorded as tardy. Two tardies equal one absence.
• Absences: Members are allowed no more than three absences. After three absences, depending upon the circumstances, directors may choose one of the following options:
• If a member wishes to attend the following semester, they may be allowed a continuation of membership while assuming a “probationary" status. During this period, regular attendance and punctuality will be expected and closely monitored.
• A member may be dismissed from the co-op for one semester, after which they may re-apply and request a new interview.
• Illness: Sickness of a child or parent is a valid reason for missing co-op. Should a family need to miss co-op due to illness, they must notify a director as soon as possible so that accommodations can be made. When determining if a child is well enough to attend co-op, please allow 24-hours of being symptom free before bringing the child to co-op. Nasal discharge, fever, vomiting, or excessive coughing and sneezing are all reasons to keep a child home.
• Parents are required to attend co-op with their children. ROCK does not allow for the dropping off of children, although in extenuating circumstances a parent may arrange for another co-op parent to be in charge of their child(ren). Directors should be notified of the situation.
• Notification: At registration, members will be given the contact information for the directors. Members must notify a director as soon as they know that they will be late or absent for a co-op day. Failure to contact a director may be grounds for dismissal. Please note that asking a friend to notify the directors for you or calling after the fact does not constitute proper notification. Further, frivolous or casual reasons for missing co-op (as judged by the directors) will likewise be considered reasons for dismissal.
Communication Policy: Because of the co-operative nature of the organization, communication with the directors is extremely important. This applies not only to attendance issues, as mentioned above, but also to email communication. During each co-op semester and the weeks leading up to each semester, members are expected to regularly check their email and respond to requests for information, etc. Our primary source of communication is the ROCK Yahoo group (). All information regarding classes, including homework, notifications, cancellations, etc. are posted through the Yahoo group. Failure to check emails regularly jeopardizes the success of the co-op for all members.
Registration: Registration will occur in person, on the date posted on the website. All families, both returning and new members, must register at this event. Late registration is not allowed.
Registration for a class does not guarantee a seat in that class. Classes that do not meet the minimum number of students may be cancelled. Similarly, class size may be limited, and students are admitted on a first-come-first-serve basis.
Classroom, Teaching, Assisting Policies :
Classroom policies:
• ROCK strives to ensure that there are always a minimum of two adults in every class, a teacher and an assistant, no matter the number of students. The exception will be if the class is being taught in an open room where the class can be easily supervised.
• Parents’ cell phones must be turned off or set on vibrate during class hours.
• Students are expected to arrive to co-op with completed homework. Class descriptions outline the materials students are expected to bring and the homework load expected in the class. Incomplete homework may result in a student being asked to participate in study hall for the duration of the class. Consistent failure to complete homework is reason for dismissal from the class.
• No drinks except water in a non-spill container are allowed during classtime.
• No snacking in the classroom, unless the food is peanut-free, the instructor permits it, and there is enough for everyone.
Teaching:
• Each semester, all members are asked to submit descriptions for 2 classes and possibly teach both, dependant upon registration numbers. Those classes will be published on the schedule and, provided the minimum number of students register, the member will be expected to teach the classes. New members are exempt from teaching a class for their first semester. Members with infants and/or children under 2 have the option to teach or help with the toddler area.
• Members are discouraged from offering classes which will cover controversial topics or the doctrine of a specific denomination. Under unusual circumstances, such a class might be allowed if parents are explicitly made aware of the material being taught and are given an alternative to that class.
• Teachers set the fees for the class. The fees cover materials only; members are not paid for the classes they offer.
• In the event that a teacher must be absent, the teacher is responsible for notifying the directors AND for contacting their assistant. The teacher must provide all materials and a detailed description of what needs to be taught during the class period.
• All teachers must provide the directors with a 12-week syllabus and a “13th class” to go on file. A 13th class is a suggested lesson plan to be used by a substitute in the event that the teacher is unexpectedly absent and cannot deliver required class materials to the co-op. Additionally, teachers may choose to plan an end-of-semester presentation/display to demonstrate what was taught that semester.
• Homework and other general class information should be sent through the Yahoo Group.
• Please notify parents immediately if a student has failed to complete homework.
Assisting:
• When a member is not teaching, they will be scheduled to assist in a classroom.
• Assistants are expected to be ready to substitute for a teacher should the teacher be absent. At the beginning of a semester, if a member is assigned to a class which they know they would not be able to teach should the teacher be absent, please notify the directors immediately.
• Assistants are expected to stay in their assigned classroom for the entire class period. Further, they are expected to be paying attention, to refrain from using electronic devices and looking for ways to be helpful to the teacher.
• In classes where there are small children, assistants need to escort children to the restrooms.
• The teacher and assistant must not be from the same family.
Playground Policy: Our host church is kind enough to allow us to use their playground for our recess period. To keep any incidents to a minimum, we require that there are at least two adults at any given time monitoring the free play. Additionally, any parent who has a child under 7 that will be playing on the playground must volunteer for playground duty at least 4 times throughout the semester. The recess period begins at 12:30, or when both adults on duty are finished with lunch. Kids may NOT leave the building until both volunteers are ready for duty.
Dress Code: Modest dress at all ROCK events is required in respect of ROCK’s religious and conservative base. Dress should be appropriate for the activity while maintaining a modest, God-honoring appearance. Likewise, proper hygiene, including clean clothing, hair, and body, is required. Students in violation of the dress code may not be allowed to attend class until the violation has been corrected.
• All styles of Jeans must be worn modestly.
The following are not allowed for students or adults:
• running tights/yoga pants and leggings worn as pants.
• Short shorts and skirts. Shorts and skirts should reach to the top of knee.
• Uncovered Tank tops, spaghetti straps, tight fitting or strapless shirts, shirts that reveal cleavage, shirts that hang off the shoulders, or shirts that show the midriff
• Clothing with offensive, rude, ungodly, or sexually-explicit messages
• Clothing that advertises tobacco, liquor, secular music, or holidays.
• Tears, rips, or cut-outs in clothing, that expose skin.
• Any exposed form of undergarments
• facial piercings and/or visible tattoos
A violation of the dress code will result in a conference with the directors to ensure that members understand the dress code, and member will be given the option to conceal the offending element or return home to change. For hygiene violations, student may be sent home to take a shower.
Additional Guidelines:
• Out of respect to all participating families, and in an effort to conduct ourselves in a manner that is above reproach, students should refrain from any form of flirtatious or romantically suggestive conduct.
• 2 Cor. 5:20 Says that we are ambassadors for Christ. All behavior at co-op should be God-honoring, Christ-centered, and reflective of that ambassadorship.
• Neither adults nor children are allowed to leave the building or go off campus during co-op hours without first notifying a director. This includes trips to the parking lot or standing outside to take a phone call.
• No knives (including small pocket knives) or weapons of any kind are allowed on campus.
• All members--students and parents--are not allowed to use profane language, including crude humor or morbid topics, at any of the ROCK classes or events. We are to all let our speech always be with grace. Col. 4:6 Also, being a Christian learning environment, we ask that members refrain from topics concerning mysticism, the occult, and other faiths/beliefs outside Christianity.
• Negative, insulting, or derogatory words aimed at others will not be tolerated.
• Students must obey all teachers and adults during co-op hours.
• Students must treat each other with respect.
• The church playground is off-limits during co-op class periods, except for teacher-supervised activities.
• For insurance purposes, children and teens MUST be supervised at all times.
• All students are required to be in their assigned classroom during class time.
• Students are not permitted to use phones, tablets, or other electronic devices on campus unless in a class that requires them. If a calculator is needed during class, then please bring a calculator, not a cell phone or an iPod, etc.
• Students are not permitted to bring toys or other personal playthings from home, unless required by an instructor. In that instance, the items can only be used during that particular class setting.
• No smoking.
Disciplinary Policy: Excessive discipline problems and/or policy violations, may result in a loss of co-op privileges. When a family reaches 3 violations/offenses, it will be up to the directors to discuss, pray over, and decide what, if any, disciplinary action should be taken.
Behavior issues in the classroom setting at co-op will follow a three step discipline policy. A first offense will warrant a verbal warning from the teacher or adult in charge. A second offense will incur separation from the ongoing activity. If a third offense occurs, the directors will be notified and will escort the student to their parents where he/she will remain until the end of co-op that day. If the third step is reached, it will be considered an automatic violation co-op policies.
A student may be subject to immediate suspension in extenuating circumstances as determined by the directors. Lewdness, inappropriate handling or touching, or complete defiance/disrespect are NOT tolerated and may result in immediate dismissal.
Special Exceptions: Study hall is available for students who do not want to register for a particular class hour. The student must be able to work independently, allowing the parent to remain as a helper in a class.
Families with one child (in 9th grade or above) who is being home-schooled, can opt to take less than 3 hours of classes. If that student is in 11th or 12th grade and is a licensed driver, the student may come alone to co-op and take selected classes as long as a parent has found another adult to be responsible for the student during co-op hours.
Special Needs Children: Families with special needs children should notify the directors of their child’s needs during the interview. In so far as possible, ROCK will work with the parents to ensure that their child can participate in co-op. However, parents must understand that ROCK classes are taught by member parents who are not trained to deal with special needs children. Further, the needs of the class at large supersede the needs of any one student. Parents of special needs children will most often be asked to be present with their child in class at all times until the directors assess that the child is not a disruption to the class. Any child who is a risk for violence or has been deemed to have anger issues cannot be served by ROCK at this time.
Building Policy: ROCK is a guest at our host facility. Please respect the host’s building, property, and the staff who are working there. Only areas and equipment designated for ROCK use are available to us.
Visitors Policy: Any non-member, including grandparents and adult siblings, who may want to visit during co-op hours must pass a background check. Therefore, members must notify directors at least one week prior to the visit so the check can be done. If prior approval is not obtained, the visitor may be asked to leave campus.
Co-op Board: The ROCK leadership members are appointed, not elected. The co-op board currently consists of five members: three co-directors, and a group of former directors who serve in an advisory role.
Board members are in charge of interviewing new families requesting to join ROCK. Membership is extended at the board’s discretion, based on the current needs and make-up of the co-op. The board reserves the right to refuse membership to any family based on the best interest of the co-op at large. The board oversees all activities related to class schedules, procedures, policies and other rules deemed necessary for the operation of the co-op.
Liability of Members: No member of the board or member of the co-op shall be personally liable for any bills or obligations of the homeschool group, past or present.
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