As parents, you’re integral to the success of the co-op. We desire to partner with you for the education and healthy development of the children in the co-op. We ask that you familiarize yourself with our policies.
Children should come to co-op ready to learn. In order for children to be ready for learning on both days, it is up to the parents to provide the necessary materials for each day at co-op. For Wednesdays, this includes any required academic materials, writing materials, and notebooks. For Thursdays, this includes an extra change of clothes, clothing and footwear appropriate to be outside for extended periods of time (rain boots, wet gear, snow gear, layers if it gets hot, etc.)
Leaders cannot provide an adequate learning environment if children do not have the necessary materials. If children consistently do not have their materials, additional discussions will need to take place and/or your child may be asked to not return to the co-op.
Classes will contain information regarding what is needed to participate in the co-op. While many materials are provided by leaders, co-op families may need to purchase materials such as curriculum, copy fees, etc.
As a safety requirement, children must be walked to/from the buildings for drop off and pick up. We also must ensure children are going home with the right adults and are not running into the parking lot.
Children are expected to be part of problem solving processes while at co-op. Problem solving and conflict resolution are necessary life skills that we teach and work on with the children. (See Behavior.)
Children are provided many opportunities to work collaboratively and cooperatively with others. Learning to interact with each other in a respectful is required. Appropriate language, sharing, listening, and respectful behavior and speech are all expectations of co-op. Any disrespect towards each other or others' ideas will be is not tolerated and will be addressed. (See Behavior.)
Any items coming to the co-op should include labels as items often can get left behind. Please label any water bottles, backpacks, lunch boxes, etc.
Children should be bringing a labeled water bottle each day. We don’t always have cups for children if they get thirsty.
Any and all non-related materials (stuffed animals/toys) MUST remain at home. They are a distraction to learning, and staff cannot monitor these items so they don’t get broken.
Electronic items should be kept home unless approved. Cell phone use should only be used if permitted.
Children are not to use cell phones or electronic devices to take photos/record videos of other children.
Eating must take place in designated areas only.
Children are expected to stay in designated areas and regularly communicating with adults about where they are. Staff cannot provide a safe learning environment if children do not listen to adult directives about staying in designated areas and visible. Failure to comply with this is a MAJOR SAFETY CONCERN and may result in removal of co-op.
Children are to be fully potty trained entering the co-op. We understand accidents happen, but children must be able to handle their own bathroom needs.
Children in the co-op should be able to mostly be able to independently dress and undress themselves (think winter). Some assistance can be provided with the intention that we are working on building continuous independence and autonomy for the child.
While many items are offered as supports for families, it is still up to the parent to ensure that work is being completed.
The parent is responsible for a child's content mastery to a standard that is acceptable for each individual child.
Parents will be responsible for any assessments (tests) should families want to assess their children’s levels. Leaders are there for assistance but it is ultimately a parent decision.
At home work is not only crucial for the children, it also further assists towards ongoing progress.
FAMILIES ARE EXPECTED TO TEACH MORE THAN WHAT IS PROVIDED AT CO-OP. One day a week at the co-op will not provide enough instruction content to stay on an adequate pace to make it through an academic year.
Children are expected to participate at co-op. Failure to participate and engage in activities and lessons on a consistent basis will result in additional discussions and may include removal from the co-op.
Classes will provide a pacing guide and an overview of the content being covered. However, there may not be enough time to finish the full lesson. Children will need to work on continuing the lessons at home.
While the co-op provides the basic subjects, families are not limited to only teaching these subjects. Parents are still free to enjoy any subjects/topics they choose. Our co-op provides a foundation and a starting point. Families can follow and/or can build and enhance their learning at home. You get that choice!
If you need any additional help and/or support, please feel free to reach out to Jackie Billingsley or Malia Gregory to help with support for learning.
We do our best throughout the year to stay open all year.
There may be a day or two that we are unable to stay open for a variety of reasons, like illness and/or inclement weather.
If we have to close for weather, we traditionally follow Rockford Public Schools snow weather policy, but other factors are considered as well.
If we do close, please look for a text message and a Facebook post. We will make our decision by 7am the morning of closure.
If we have more than one day closure per semester, a rescheduled make up day will occur towards the end of the semester.
All money that is paid for tuition will be directly going to rent, supplies, and class leader pay. No payment is for any profit.
For both days, the cost is $900/child for the semester. For only one day, the cost is $480/child for the semester. By registering for the co-op, you are committing to the full semester payment, regardless of attendance.
You are encouraged to pay the whole semester upfront, however, for your convenience, payments can be made per month (but whole semester payment is required). For both days, $225 is due the first week of each month (Sept-Dec). For one day a week, $120 is due the first week of each month (Sept-Dec).
Full semester payment is required, regardless of the child/ren’s ability to attend due to illness or travel.
Please contact Whitney Milligan for further assistance.
All parents and children are expected to have respectful and appropriate behavior.
Children are expected to walk in hallways, clean up after themselves (class and meals), and take care of their own materials.
Children and adults are expected to maintain appropriate language at all times, including tone of voice. Inappropriate language will result in conversations with children and families. Repeated offenses may result in removal from co-op. Everyone should be able to able to feel welcomed and be ready to learn. Offensive conversation is not acceptable.
We understand families have varying viewpoints on many topics. We expect all adults to be respectful around children and refrain from having these conversations around children of the co-op. Please be mindful of who is around when engaging in these conversations (think politics).
Students will be taught and should adhere to three main principles:
Being respectful to others
Focusing on being safe
Consistently showing responsibility
Leaders will work with children to continuously practice and demonstrate:
Kindness and using kind words to one another
Being trustworthy
Being truthful
Showing respect for peers, adults, and expectations
Courtesy and respect for any property and property items
Problem solving
Conflict Resolution with others
Parents will commit to help with one cleaning per month or will pay $25 per month per enrolled child. The cleaning time for Wednesday is 2:45-3:30. The cleaning time for Thursdays is 2:15-3:00. By attending this co-op you commit to volunteer a minimum of the required times per month or paying an additional amount.
Each family is required to sign up for their cleaning spot before the first day of co-op. Families that have failed to sign up will incur the additional monthly fee. To sign up, the link is here.
Cleaning responsibilities include picking up, vacuuming, wiping tables, taking out trash, sweeping, bathroom cleaning, etc.
Please reach out to Whitney Milligan to schedule your cleanings or for additional questions.
As the parent, you are the one to most effectively decide if your child is ill. If your child is unwell, we ask that you use your best judgment and keep them home.
If your child is actively ill (throwing up, diarrhea, fever over 100.4) please keep them home for at least 24 hours of last occurrence in order to make sure your child is healing.
Families will be notified of any other illnesses that may come in and spread throughout co-op as needed (lice, hand/foot/mouth, etc.)
Should you keep your child home, please notify your class leader so that we know not to expect him/her.
Please remember as we are a close community, once an illness comes through the co-op it can be difficult to stay open and we may have to close.
Any other questions/concerns, feel free to reach out to your class leader for further information.
Thank you for partnering with us as we learn and grow together! We have been blessed by your continued support.
