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Handbook


This is a copy of our handbook, so everyone can quick access to a copy.

Mission Statement


We are a group of families who’ve come together with the common goal of providing an open, supportive, creative place for home-educated students of all ages to learn, socialize, and develop their creativity and curiosity.

Our hope at the Boiling Springs Homeschool co-op is to provide a safe and fun learning environment. We will focus on teaching enrichment and elective style classes which will change based on group interest and availability of teachers.

We recognize the value of whole-life learning, diversity, and exposure to new ideas. We strive to provide an atmosphere of respect and honesty. We choose to define ourselves by what each of us brings to the cooperative rather than by external criteria; therefore, we are inclusive and welcoming to any legitimate home-educating family. We welcome all members to offer their talents and passion to the group.

Membership

Requirements for Joining:


BSC is open to families whose oldest child is at least 6 years old by September 1st of the traditional school year and who are also homeschooling legally in their governing state. The Nursery and Preschool are provided for their younger siblings. Parents must be willing to stay on the church grounds during all co-op hours and volunteer to assist or teach a class during all periods. At this time, we do not allow for drop-offs.

Communication:


We use the Facebook group as our primary form of communication. Important announcements will be given via the Facebook group. A calendar of events will be maintained on the Facebook group. In addition, we also have an email loop. Please add our email addresses to your contacts so any emails sent do not end up in the Spam folder: boilingspringscoop(a)gmail.com . You are responsible for checking your email or the Facebook group for updates and announcements.

General Information:

Thursday Schedule:
Please see document titled “Thursday Schedule & Contact Information”. A copy is given on the first day of co-op and is provided in the Facebook Group files.

Location:

We are located at the Boiling Springs Church of Christ across from the Boiling Springs Public Library.

Expectations


Expectation of Parents


  • Parents are expected to arrive in time to check in before morning announcements and be prepared for their responsibilities.
  • Parents are expected to remain on site during all hours of the co-op operations. For any other arrangement please see the director.
  • All parents are considered volunteers who must serve at the co-op during co-op hours.
  • Parents must be willing to adhere to the handbook, code of conduct, liability agreement and the conflict policy.
  • Let the Director know as soon as possible of an absence or lateness. Please see the “Policies and Safety” section for more details.
  • Ensure you, but particularly your students are wearing their name tags.


Expectation of Teachers


  • You are expected to be prepared for your class at each co-op meeting.
  • Take attendance. You are responsible for the children on your roster, so it is important that you make sure they are in your class.
  • If you are to be absent you must inform the Director and your co-teacher as soon as possible.
  • You are responsible for completing a class description, which includes your class fee. This is due before the co-op semester begins on a specified date each semester.
  • You and the co-teacher may decide how best to teach the class.
  • You should ensure your classroom is clean before the next class arrives.
  • Know your fire escape routes.
  • Please do not allow students to leave the room before class change. Class change occurs 5 minutes before the next class.


Expectation of Co-Teachers


  • You should be prepared with at least 1 substitute lesson in case the primary teacher is absent.
  • You and the primary teacher may decide how best to teach the class.
  • If you are absent you must inform the Director and the primary teacher.


Expectation of Students


  • Older students should review the handbook and be willing to abide by it. Younger students should have a good understanding of what is expected of them while at HSU co-op.
  • Students are expected to be respectful to all parents and their peers.
  • A student should not bring toys to class, unless asked specifically to do so by the teacher or parent. (Except nursery & prek/k.)
  • Students are not to use electronics during class, unless otherwise directed by their parent or teacher.
  • Students are expected to remain in their classroom until the teacher allows them to leave during class change.
  • Students are asked to refrain from running and participating rough play while at co-op. We want to take good care of the facility we’re allowed to use.
  • Going on the playground is allowed, only when the child has been given explicit permission by their parent and/or the teacher in their classroom.


Volunteering

Leadership Team:


  • Director: Brandie Waldrop- Responsible for the running of day to day operations, holding meeting and making general decisions for the co-op. Also assist and provide oversight for other volunteers.
  • Secretary: Kathleen Duncan - This individual’s job is to keep and maintain the records dealing with the co-op, from weekly attendance, to applications to meeting minutes.
  •  Church Liaison: Melissa Miller - She is our ambassador to the church and is a member of the church we use.


Volunteer Positions:


We are a true co-op, which means we rely entirely on the volunteering of the parents involved. Below are listed the Volunteer positions and their descriptions.

  • Teacher (General): The individual primarily responsible for teaching a class.

  •  Co-Teachers (General): Co-Teachers assist the teacher.

  •  Preschool Coordinator: [Currently Open] - This person is in charge of organizing the preschool, setting the fee, scheduling, purchasing snacks, and purchasing any item needed for the co-op preschool.


  • Nursery Coordinator: Kathleen Duncan - This person is in charge of organizing the nursery, setting the fee, scheduling, purchasing snacks, and purchasing any item needed for the co-op preschool


  •  Safety Coordinator: Lisa Garner - Responsible for organizing and carrying out fire/safety demonstrations. We aim for once each semester.

  •  Field Trip Coordinator: Beth Coggins - Responsible for organizing a field trip during each session.
 Assigned Volunteer Positions:
  •  Classroom Helpers:  May be involved with the teaching or assisting with projects. All parents are assigned helper positions unless they are a teacher.

  •  Clean Up Crew: We need to make sure the church is clean when we leave. To ensure this is the case each week, and to divide the responsibility, we will assign 2 families to stay late and clean. There is a list of tasks provided for the clean-up crew. If you cannot commit to the time you’ve been given it is your responsibility to find a replacement and inform the Director. Failure to assist in clean-up may result in disciplinary action as outlined in the code of conduct (excluding extenuating circumstances).
    •  A check list is provided on the first day of co-op and in the Facebook Group files section.

Policies & Safety


Absentee and Tardy Policy


If you must be out or late for any reason you are responsible for getting in touch with the Director as soon as possible (A text message, Facebook post, email, or pm via messenger with your name is acceptable). If you are a teacher, you must also contact your co-teacher. If you are a co-teacher, you must call the teacher.

If there is a continual issue with absences or lateness (not related to sickness/ emergencies), then it may require a disciplinary action.

Sick Policy


Please respect yours, and other member’s health. If you, or your child have any of the following, please call in absent. Sick absences do not count towards any disciplinary action.


  • A fever, vomiting or diarrhea in the last 24 hours
  • Pink Eye, Head Lice, Contagious Rash or anything even mildly contagious
  • Cold or flu like symptoms in the last 24 hours
If your child has allergies they are welcome to join us for the day since it is not contagious.

 Inclement Weather


We will follow Spartanburg District 2 guidelines. If District 2 of Spartanburg closes or is delayed, we will be closed. You can also check your email and/or the Facebook group. In the event we do miss we will simply plan on a shorter semester. There will not be make-up days. If you are unsure you may text/call the Director.

Food Policy


**We request that no peanut products be brought to the church.**
We may only eat in the dining/fellowship hall or outside. With the exception of the nursery/preschool rooms, there should be no snacks or drinks in classrooms. (Teachers: If you have a class snack-craft, this is acceptable, but you are responsible for any mess that happens). We do not want to cause a bug problem or to cause stains in the church's carpet.

The Nursery


The nursery is for the siblings between the ages of 0-2, of students age 6 and over who attend the co-op. Your child may bring a toy, sippy cup and/or blanket, but make sure they are clean and labeled. If you have any special instructions or allergies, please ensure both the Nursery Coordinator and Director are aware of them. Please label all of your child’s belongings.

Preschool


The nursery is for the siblings between the ages of 3-5 of students age 6 and over who attend the co-op. Your child may bring a toy, sippy cup and/or blanket, but make sure they are clean and labeled. If you have any special instructions or allergies, please ensure both the Preschool Coordinator and Director are aware of them. Please label all of your child’s belongings.

Visitor Policy


All visitors must be approved by the Leadership Team at least two weeks prior to the visit. They must check-in with the Director prior to class and must wear a visitor’s pass during their time at the church.

Payments and Refunds Policy


Your entire fee is due by the first day of co-op. This includes the membership and class fees.

A full refund will be given if you decide to leave the co-op before the 2nd meeting. No refund will be given after 10:00 AM the 2nd meeting day in the semester. If you need a refund contact the Director.

Reimbursement Policy


Teachers will be given reimbursement when they buy items for their class up to the budgeted amount for the class. Purchases reimbursed by the co-op are to be understood as property of the co-op for use by the co-op.

The reimbursement procedure is currently as follows: You should write your name & class on the receipt. If there are items on the receipt that are not for the co-op you must highlight the items purchased for the co-op. Please place all receipts in an envelope with your name on the outside.

If you wish to buy an item for the co-op that isn’t directly for your class, and you wish to be reimbursed, you must have prior approval from the Director to buy the item. Do not buy an item for the co-op and expect to be reimbursed without this approval.

Reimbursement will only happen with a receipt or sufficient proof of purchase. This is by law, since if you cannot prove the item was a reimbursement the IRS may view this as taxable income.

Electronic Devices Policy


While technology is a useful tool in education, we ask that students do not use their phones, tablets, laptops or game systems during class unless specifically directed by the Teacher or parent to do so. Teachers and co-teachers have the authority to take the device from the student who is disruptive, which will be returned to the parent by the end of the co-op day.
Parents may have their devices if they are not required to assist during the class. We ask that those devices are placed on silent or vibrate during class time and that all parents refrain from having any phone conversations in a classroom. Please take such conversations in the hall or an empty class.

Supplies


There are some items that a child will need for all of their classes. For specific items please refer to the class description. The following supplies every child should have:
Pencil & Notebook Paper
A book bag/tote/ anything to carry items home in
Please refer to all class descriptions to ensure your students have items they will need.

Please label all of your child’s belongings, especially if they are in elementary, preschool, or the nursery.

Fire Safety Policy


Know your escape routes from each classroom.
Teachers & Volunteers are expected to escort students to the front parking lot and across the road into the Boiling Springs Park
The meeting place is across the street from the church at the stage of the Boiling Springs Park.

Agreements


Host Church Liability Agreement


Boiling Springs Church of Christ (BSCC) and Boiling Springs Homeschool Co-op (BSHC), their members, volunteers and administrators assume no liability and make no assumptions of risk for anyone attending any BSHC functions. BSHC is an independent and separate entity from BSCC. Parents are directly responsible for their children’s education and action. BSHC is not an accountability or oversight group. Any damages or injuries incurred by a student or family member is the responsibility of the parent whether it is an accident or not. Immediately notify a member of the Leadership Team if something belonging to the church facility is broken. Compensation for injury or damages, deliberate or accidental, shall be borne entirely by the responsible family. Signing the final page means you understand and agree to this policy in its entirety.

Conflict Resolution Agreement


We are all human. There are bound to be misunderstandings, disputes and personality conflicts. Please do your best to overlook and forgive minor issues. If there are any conflicts, it is best resolved between the individuals in question, without an audience and without a discussion among the co-op. Always seek a resolution to conflicts. This is a cooperative; we need each other to be successful. Should a conflict arise that you are unable to reach an agreement on, you should seek assistance from the leadership team. This should be a last resort. The leadership team’s decision in the matter will be final. If there is a continued issue with conflict between members, they may have their memberships evaluated and be asked to leave the co-op.


Code of Conduct Agreement


The Boiling Springs Homeschool co-op is a diverse group of strong personalities; as such, we have great strength and potential.  We recognize that strong personalities hold strong opinions, and we further recognize our responsibility to interact with one another in ways that honor our differences as well as our common goals.  Respect and cooperation are essential; disrespect and hatefulness cannot be allowed to take root.


As members of the Boiling Springs Homeschool parents agree to:

  • Lead or assist in classes and activities as agreed.
  • Secure replacements to cover their responsibilities in the case of absence from a regular co-op meeting.
  • Monitor their students’ behavior and assist in maintaining a calm, orderly atmosphere.
  • Assume financial responsibility for damage to the facility caused by actions of themselves or their child.
  • Assume physical and medical responsibility of their child.
  • Help clean up areas used by the co-op as needed.
  • Promptly pay any fees due.

Out of respect for the facility and co-op members, students agree to:

  • Remain inside the building at all times unless directed or accompanied by an adult.
  • Stay either in a supervised classroom or with their parent; no wandering or “opting out” for the day is allowed.
  • Maintain a moderate noise level and refrain from running in the halls or slamming doors.
  • Keep personal belongings in designated areas.
  • Follow rules in each class as set forth by individual teachers and policies outlined in this handbook.

Out of respect for each other, all participants agree to:

  • Refrain from foul language, bullying of any kind, physical aggression, and unwelcome teasing or joking.
  • Arrive to class on time.
  • Avoid mocking the deity or spiritual practices of others.
  • Dress appropriately for classroom activities as clothing may become ruined. Please avoid clothing with profanity or sexually suggestive messages.

Consistent and/ or serious violation of the guidelines must result in consequences.

  • First violation: parent and student notified
  • Second violation: parent and student notified; the individual may be asked to stay home from co-op for up to two weeks
  • Third violation: parent and student notified; individual may be removed from co-op for remainder of semester or academic year
  • The Leadership Team reserves the ability to ban any individual, temporarily or permanently, if there is a continued or serious disciplinary issue.