To help you find answers quickly, these FAQs are divided into 5 categories: History and Description of the Co-op, Enrollment and Fees, Classes, Volunteers and Expectations, and Miscellaneous. Just click on the question.

History and Description of the Co-op

1. When and where does the co-op meet?
2. What is a co-op? Isn't this like a private school? Is this a church school?
3. If I sign my children up for these classes, does that mean I don't have to teach them at home?
4. How did the co-op start?
5. Who is this co-op for?
   
   Enrollment and Fees
6. What are the requirements for enrollment? Do we have to be members of Grace Community Church or Outlook Academy?
7. How much does the co-op cost? How are the fees used?
8. How do I enroll my children? Is there a waiting list?
9. We participate in another co-op too. Can we be involved with that one and yours too?
10. Do we have to register for all four classes in my child's grade?
11. We missed the Fall Semester. Can we still enroll for Spring Semester?
12. What if we have to quit co-op?
    
    Classes
13. How are classes planned each year? Can I suggest a class?
14. What is the schedule of classes this semester?
15. Some classes say “Fall Semester Only” while others say “Fall and Spring.” What does this mean?
16. Do you have a lunch break?
17. How are classes filled? How can I guarantee my child will get in?
18. How are classes divided? Since we homeschool, how do I know what “grade” my child is in?
19. My child is older, but can he take a class for the younger group?
20. My child is 10 years old but does high school level work. Or my child is very interested in one of the high school classes. Why can't he take a high school class?
21. Do you accommodate children with disabilities?
22. How can my high schooler earn high school credit hours?
23. What exactly is done in the classes? Is it lecture format or projects, etc.?
24. What curriculum do you use? Do we need to use the same curriculum at home?
25. Are there tests?
26. Why do junior high and high school classes have homework?
27. Why don't elementary classes have homework or weekly lessons/assignments?
28. What do you mean when you say co-op is "enrichment only" for elementary grades? Why can't they be more challenging, academic classes like the high school classes?
29. What is a syllabus?
30. What are the sizes of the classes?
31. Are parents allowed to sit in on classes?
32. Can I bring a visitor to co-op?
33. I have a child still in public school. Can I bring him to co-op on his school vacations?
34. Why don't you allow drop-offs? Why do the parents have to stay all day?
35. Do you have a nursery?
36. Are classes ever canceled?
37. Who teaches?
38. What is meant when a class specifies “Every parent will take a turn teaching”?
39. Do you have field trips?
    
    Volunteers and Expectations
40. What do you mean when you say we have to volunteer or “work” at the co-op? Can I specify where I want to volunteer?
41. What is the difference between a teacher, co-teacher and a helper?
42. I will be volunteering as a teacher. What is expected of a teacher?
43. I'm about to teach a co-op class. Any tips?
44. I will be volunteering as a helper. What is expected of a helper?
45. I will be volunteering as part of the clean-up crew. What is expected of the clean-up crew?
46. What is expected of the parents?
47. What is expected of students?
48. What is your attendance policy?
49. What if we have to be absent?
50. What is your discipline policy?
51. What is your sick policy? We don't stay home for a little cold, do we? On the other hand, we won't be exposed to every cold bug at co-op, will we?
52. What if my child has a food allergy?
53. Do you have a dress code?
54. Does the co-op have a statement of faith?
    
    Miscellaneous
55. Does the co-op get together for events that include the whole family, so dads can meet each other?
56. Do the students get together for social events outside of co-op?
57. Can I host a birthday party for my child during lunch at co-op?
58. What is a co-op "feast"? Where can I get the recipes?
59. Do you have an "open house"? Can we visit a class in advance?
60. Do you have a newsletter? How can I let others know about an upcoming event?

1. When and where does the co-op meet?
   Academy Days co-op meets weekly during the school year on Thursdays from 9:30 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. at Grace Community Church (3515 Highway 14 in Millbrook) with a fellowship time from 9:15 to 9:30 a.m. We have two periods in the morning and two periods in the afternoon. Each semester (fall and spring) covers 14 weeks, which includes 12 classes and 2 breaks.
   
   Most of our families live in and around Millbrook, Elmore, Deatsville, Wetumpka, and Prattville, but a few drive from as far away as Montgomery, Birmingham and Clanton. While we would love to have you no matter where you live, because of the price of gasoline, please consider prayerfully before you commit to the co-op as we rely on participation to keep the co-op going.
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2. What is a co-op? Isn't this like a private school? Is this a church school?
   Co-op classes are a cooperative effort among several families to supplement their children's home education by working together on subjects that are difficult to teach at home or best taught in group settings. Some activities, such as P.E., need a large space or several participants to present the subject matter most effectively. Other subjects, such as biology lab or computers, may require a financial investment in materials which can be shared with a group of families to lessen the expense for everyone.
   
   We believe that we can accomplish more as a group by taking advantage of each other's strengths and experiences. This is not forming a private school but applying homeschooling methods to a group larger than just one family. Parents are still the primary teachers for classes taught at co-op. The co-op does not keep records or transcripts. The co-op is not a church school, so all families with compulsory-aged children (ages 7 to 17) must be enrolled in a church school. Co-op is not a function of Outlook Academy, although many co-op members are also members of Outlook Academy, but any church school membership is acceptable.
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3. If I sign my children up for these classes, does that mean that I don't have to teach them at home?
   No! The parent is still the primary teacher for classes taught at co-op. While our classes are designed to provide students with specialized instruction, co-op classes do not absolve the parent from their responsibility for their children's education. Parents still must ensure that their students keep up with assigned work each week, and they may need to assign supplemental coursework at home. Parents administer tests and determine final grades. Additionally, co-op does not offer every subject; for example, parents typically must teach Bible, math and grammar at home.
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4. How did the co-op start?
   A few families from the Fellowship of Home Educators (FHE) in Prattville and the Elmore County Homeschool Organization (ECHO) in Millbrook started the co-op in Fall 2006 initially for high school and junior high school students. To allow entire families to participate, classes for elementary and preschool were added. A few years later, we added a nursery.
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5. Who is the co-op for?
   The Academy Days Co-op is designed for high school homeschoolers of any church school covering, but we also offer nursery and classes for preschool, elementary and junior high so the entire family can participate. If this is your first year homeschooling, however, you really need to take a year to adjust to homeschooling and find out what style works best for your family. Jumping right into a co-op before adjusting to homeschooling may overwhelm you and your children. There are a few other reasons why co-op may not be right for your family. To determine if co-op may "fit" your family or not, please read the article 15 Reasons Not To Join Our Co-op.
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6. What are the requirements for enrollment? Do we have to be members of Grace Community Church or Outlook Academy?
   Membership is open to all homeschooling families of any covering. You do not have to be members of Grace Community Church or Outlook Academy to attend.
   
   Parental participation is mandatory, and if your child is at co-op then you must be at co-op too, serving as a teacher, team teacher, helper or clean up crew. Fortunately, we have enough parents to ensure that we do not need to "work" the entire time we are at co-op, so co-op is a source of socialization, support and encouragement for parents as well.
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7. How much does the co-op cost? How are the fees used?
   We aim to minimize expenses. The co-op does not employ teachers. Co-op teachers volunteer their time and expertise free of charge; they may be certified teachers, but most are parents with a degree, knowledge or passion for a subject.
   
   Currently, the cost of co-op is a $60 registration fee per family per semester, any books required by classes, and any additional supplies or fees for classes. Fees are non-refundable and not prorated. The family registration fee pays for insurance, facility rental, and incidental co-op needs. Individual class fees pay exclusively class materials, such as science supplies, craft materials, or handouts. Some classes, such as art and science, are supply-intensive. Also, some teachers may copy online materials for their students rather than use textbooks.
   
   Generally, junior high and high school classes range between $5 and $15, and elementary and preschool classes range between $1 and $5. All fees are per semester, not per class. For example, if a class fee is $10, then that $10 covers all 12 classes in that semester. It is NOT $10 per week nor $10 per class.
   
   All fees must be paid on Registration Day in cash. Checks and credit cards will not be accepted. We use an envelope system for registration, so be sure to read the email instructions carefully and prepare the envelopes as instructed before attending registration.
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8. How do I enroll my children? How can I get on the waiting list?
   Pre-registration is mandatory because it holds a slot for your child. We intentionally keep the classes small, and they fill up fast! We don't want a family to show up at final registration and then find out the classes they want are full. Please email carren(at)outlookacademy(dot)com to pre-register your child. To complete the registration, you must attend Registration and Orientation to fill out necessary forms and pay fees.
   
   If the classes you need are full, or you missed the pre-registration deadline, or you move here after co-op has begun, you may certainly add your name to the notification list to be notified when we open for new enrollments for the next semester. Simply email carren(at)outlookacademy(dot)com with your name, phone, and children's ages and grades.
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9. We participate in another co-op, too. Can we be involved with that one and yours too?
   If your high school student attends another co-op, please do not register for Academy Days. The academic load may overwhelm your child, forcing you to choose which classes he will devote his time to. Since other co-ops are usually more expensive than Academy Days, we have discovered that the financial investment of other co-ops virtually guarantees that you will encourage your student to devote his time to preparing for those classes. As a result, he will not be prepared for Academy Days classes, which is not fair to his teachers, fellow classmates, or the student himself.
   
   Please be considerate of our teachers and students, as well as your own child, and focus on one co-op per semester.
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10. Do we have to register for all four classes in my child's grade?
    You may register your children for one, two, three or all four classes. You do not have to register for classes all day, but those who do sign up all day do have priority. Also, if you register your child for a morning class and an afternoon class, you will need to register for the classes in the middle as well because your child cannot just "hang out" at co-op.
    
    We do offer study hall at every period, but it is only for grades 7-12. Elementary and preschool students must be in a class if they are at co-op.
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11. We missed the Fall Semester. Can we still enroll for Spring Semester?
    Yes, you can still enroll for spring semester even if you did not attend in the fall. Your child may earn the full high school credit by completing the coursework from fall semester over the summer. In many cases, you can purchase the materials used in fall from the instructor for a small copy fee, or do the first half of the textbook that had been used fall semester, or complete whatever additional coursework that you stipulate will fulfill the course requirements.
    
    However, if you enroll your child in a class in the fall that specifies “fall and spring,” please realize that the teacher is putting forth a tremendous effort to prepare and teach that subject and anticipates the same commitment from the student. In some cases, if you do not register for spring semester after attending in the fall, you may be asked to reimburse the instructor for her expenses spring semester.
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12. What if we have to quit co-op unexpectedly?
    Please understand that our co-op will not “fit” every family, so we ask you to prayerfully consider your decision to join before actually signing up. Perhaps read the article 15 Reasons You Should Not Join Our Co-op before you ever pre-register because by enrolling your children you are committing to participating for the full semester. Your commitment and punctuality are crucial because we depend on one another for a successful year. When even just one parent is late or absent or quits, it puts a heavier burden on the rest of us, and consequently, the children suffer. Plus, the homeschool community is a small one, and you don't want to burn any bridges unnecessarily.
    
    Nevertheless, we understand that family comes first in a crisis. If an unexpected emergency, such as moving, serious illness, or death in the family, has made it impossible for you to continue at co-op, please come to us for prayer and help. If necessary, ask your team teachers or helpers to take over your classes temporarily and make arrangements to give them class fees, supplies, and materials, if any. Then notify the Leadership Team.
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13. How are classes planned each year? Can I suggest a class?
    Except for history, classes are planned by surveying the families involved to determine their needs. Classes with the highest interest levels and those with volunteers to teach are more likely to be scheduled, taking into account the available classrooms. As a result, each semester may be different from previous semesters. If you have a need or suggestion for a class, please notify the Leadership Team. We love to get new ideas or repeats of popular classes!
    
    Previous semesters have varied a lot. We have offered two computer web site design classes, both ending with competitions for the best web site. The winning site from each classes was then hosted for free for one year (winners pictured at right and below). We have had junior high and high school classes in Latin as well as Greek and Roman history, culminating in a two-week homeschool trip to Rome and Greece! Also, both the digital photography class and the drawing class finished with amazing student exhibits. For a list of all previous classes, click here. Maybe they will give you some ideas for next year!
    
    To allow families to study the same history together across all grade levels, we plan a 4-year rotation: world history; U.S. history; world geography; and government/economics (high school) and Alabama history (elementary through junior high).
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14. What is the schedule of classes this semester?
    Click on Classes on the menu for a detailed schedule.
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15. Some classes say “Fall Semester Only” while others say “Fall and Spring.” What does this mean?
    Some classes span multiple semesters. If you enroll your child in a class in the fall that specifies “fall and spring,” please realize that the teacher is putting forth a tremendous effort to prepare and teach that subject and anticipates the same commitment from the student. In some cases, if you do not register for both semesters, you may be asked to reimburse the instructor for her expenses spring semester. However, if you did not participate in fall semester, you may still enroll in spring semester upon teacher's approval.
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16. Do you have a lunch break?
    We have a lunch break between 11:30 and 12:30. Co-op does not provide lunch. Some families bring their lunch and eat at the church where we have access to a kitchen with a microwave and refrigerator. If you plan to eat lunch at co-op, please bring your family's lunch in a cooler as refrigeration space is limited. Also, please bring a towel or blanket to eat on for easy clean-up since there is carpet in the main room we use and there are few tables. You may certainly picnic outdoors on the grassy areas, but there are no picnic tables.
    
    If you prefer to eat out, Subway, Grand Buffet (Chinese) and Coffee & Co. are within walking distance. Also, Hardee's, McDonald's, Sonic, KFC, Zaxby's, and Wendy's are within quick driving distance. Also nearby are El Jalapeno, Thai Place, Front Porch Grill, Habanero's, and Wagon Wheel Too, but they are sit-down restaurants, which may not allow you enough time to eat during the short lunch break.
    
    Teenagers usually go out to lunch. When they do, please encourage your older children to walk in groups for safety. Some teens bring their lunch and take it with them to whatever fast food restaurant everyone else wants to go. As for other co-op families, probably about a third bring their lunch. Occasionally, the teenagers or a few families will go out and bring their lunch back to co-op to eat. If you live nearby, you and your children may certainly go home for lunch as long as you return by 12:25 p.m. in time for third period class.
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17. How are classes filled? How can I guarantee my child will get in?
    Classes are filled in the following order: Leadership Team children; teachers’ children; high school students and their siblings; families who have been in co-op longer; families who enroll all day; current families; then, first come first served. Siblings of compulsory-aged children have priority for our nursery, preschool and kindergarten classes.
    
    Families currently involved in co-op are given the chance to pre-register for the next semester first, followed by families on the notification list from that semester, then pre-registration is open to the public and we follow the priority order listed above.
    
    Since high school students have priority, their younger siblings do as well. As a result, if you plan to enroll your high school student, but the classes for your elementary student are full, your elementary student will have priority and may be able to replace lower priority students.
    
    If your oldest child is elementary age, then you can “guarantee” his spot in co-op by teaching or team teaching just one of his classes or another class entirely. This will prevent you from being “bumped off” the list at the last minute by a family with high school students and their elementary siblings.
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18. How are classes divided? Since we homeschool, how do I know what “grade” my child is in?
    Classes are divided by grade and/or age as of September 1: high school (grades 9-12; 14+ years old), junior high school (grades 7-8; 12-14 years old), upper elementary (grades 5-6; 10-12 years old), middle elementary (grades 3-4; 8-10 years old), lower elementary (grades 1-2; 5-8 years old), and Preschool/K4/K5 (3-6 years old). All preschoolers must be potty-trained. A limited nursery is available for children younger than 3 years old who are not potty-trained and still take naps.
    
    We request that students not be more than two years above or below their grade peers in age. See the following two questions for details on why.
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19. My child is older, but can he take a class for the younger group?
    We request that students not be more than two years above their grade peers in age. In most cases, children can take a class for the younger group as long as they are within 2 to 3 years of the other students, they do not present a disruption to the class, and there is space in the class. Generally, parents should be able to decide which classes their children attend based on each student's skill level, maturity and interests, but the teacher and Leadership Team make the final determination.
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20. My child is 10 years old (or another young age) but does high school level work. Or my child is very interested in one of the high school classes. Why can't he take a high school class?
    We request that students not be more than two years below their grade peers in age for many reasons. Most of our classes are limited by the space of the rooms and by the abilities of the teachers, who may be equipped to handle only a certain age-range with an expected maturity level. Furthermore, for intense co-op classes, particularly those offering credit hours to high school students, separation by age is necessary based on the skills required; after all, we want upper level courses to be challenging for high school students trying to earn high school credit. As a result, sometimes the skills required for a class outweigh the student's interest in that class.
    
    Additionally, when a student is far advanced in academics but young in age and maturity, he may not “fit” in most high school courses. An older student can effectively sit in on a class meant for a slightly younger age group, but a younger student may not work out as well in a class intended for older students. While accelerated learners may have an advantage in academics, they usually have not achieved the maturity to go with it. Even though they can handle algebra and read high school literature, they would not be able to discuss many of the broader topics that the other high school students are interested in discussing and studying.
    
    Furthermore, although accelerated learners may be intellectual equals of the teens, they are not equipped emotionally, physically, or in any other way to participate in the teens' social events, and one of the benefits of co-op is making friends and developing a social life. Fellow classmates, who would be so much older and more mature, may not accept them as equals or friends. In other words, their emotional/philosophical level is still in elementary school, where their age places them. For their self-esteem alone, it would be better for them to be with their age peers.
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21. Do you accommodate children with special needs or disabilities?
    "Special needs" and "disabilities" are terms covering a vast array of diagnoses. Children with special needs may have mild learning disabilities or profound mental retardation; food allergies or terminal illness; developmental delays that catch up quickly or remain entrenched; occasional panic attacks or serious psychiatric problems. We have had children with asthma, food allergies, ADD, ADHD, epilepsy, mild developmental delay, and hearing impairment. Some adapted well to co-op, while many others chose to finish out the semester and did not return.
    
    Because most parents are not equipped to teach or maintain discipline in classrooms containing children with severe disabilities, please prayerfully consider if co-op is right for your special needs child before enrolling. Depending on the parent, teacher, and Leadership Team's assessment of a child's ability to participate in classes with minimal disruption to the learning process, it may be necessary for the parent of any child to be assigned as a helper or co-teacher in some or all of their child's classes. In all cases, to best meet the needs of the student, other classmates and teachers, we request that students not be more than two years below or above their grade peers in age.
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22. How can my high schooler earn high school credit hours?
    When your child signs up for Academy Days, he or she is participating in a co-op, not taking a class. As such, parents are still the primary teachers of their children. We do not take that responsibility from the parents. To earn the high school credits suggested for each class, parents not only must ensure that their students complete all homework, but parents should also discuss topics during the week with their children in preparation for further class discussion, and they may also need to assign supplemental coursework at home. Additionally, parents administer tests and determine final grades. To use a science class as an example, such as chemistry or physical science, students read the text book and answer questions during the week at home; then at co-op once a week, they participate in the lab discussion and do the experiments. They take the tests at home.
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23. What exactly is done in the classes? Is it lecture format or projects, etc.?
    Co-op classes are reserved for group activities, such as discussion, debate, experiments, labs, projects, living history re-enactments and simulations, such as the high school history class' Trial of the British Government pictured at left. Classes enrich and enhance what you do at home. This is why junior high and high school students are expected to read and study during the week to reinforce what they do at co-op. This is a co-op, not a school. Indeed, parents should make sure high school assignments are completed during the week according to the syllabus or weekly schedule. Also, parents should discuss topics during the week with their children in preparation for further class discussion, and they should assign any additional coursework to complete the subject.
    
    More hands-on activities are done in the elementary classes, as lecture and discussion would bore young children. Elementary classes are enrichment, and their activities supplement academics at home. Indeed, we consider elementary classes to be like field trips or clubs -- fun, hands-on activities where the children learn without knowing they are learning!
    
    Games, such as Jeopardy, are reserved for the end of chapters, units or semesters as rewards for hard work. Tests are not given during class, but parents may test at home, or teachers may provide tests for parents to administer at home.
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24. What curriculum do you use? Do we have to use the same curriculum at home?
    Each teacher determines the books and materials to be used in her class. The class description will note if the student must purchase the book or if the teacher will simply be making handouts from the book, making purchase by students unnecessary. High school classes usually require the purchase of the book, particularly for sciences. Sometimes junior high classes require the book. On the other hand, all elementary classes are enrichment, so buying the book or using the same curriculum as the elementary class is not required and is not necessary.
    
    Most families who find co-op to be such a blessing use the same curriculum as the co-op classes or they follow along with the same topics in their own curriculum. In other words, you can use the same history curriculum as the co-op history class, or you can read and study the Industrial Revolution, for example, in your own curriculum during the same week it is being covered at co-op.
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25. Are there tests?
    Testing is not required for homeschoolers by the state of Alabama, so tests are not given during class. However, high school teachers may provide tests for parents to administer at home, or parents may certainly test their children at home if no tests are provided.
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26. Why do junior high and high school classes have homework?
    Some junior high classes have homework, and all high school classes have homework. To earn the high school credits suggested for each class, students must complete all homework. In fact, all students in junior high and above must sign an agreement which specifies that they will participate willingly and bring all completed assignments and required materials to each class. If not, they may be asked to go to study hall or to their parent. Persistently unprepared students will be suspended or expelled from the class.
    
    It is virtually impossible to cover all necessary topics of a subject or even go in-depth on one issue in only one hour for only one day per week. No one expects high school students to retain everything in one day; instead, they are expected to work during the week to reinforce what they do at co-op. Remember, our co-op is enrichment only and it serves as a basis for accountability. For students to earn the high school credit, parents should make sure high school assignments are completed during the week. Also, they should discuss topics during the week with their children in preparation for further class discussion, and they should assign any additional coursework necessary to complete the subject.
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27. Why don't elementary classes have homework or weekly lessons/assignments?
    Elementary students do not have homework because co-op classes supplement each family's home education schedule. Elementary students gather at co-op for group activities and experiments. We would never presume to know what curriculum would be best for your child, but we do know what activities work best for a group of children. As a result, parents determine the lessons at home during the week, using the same text book as the co-op teacher or choosing other lessons based on the weekly co-op topic, or not. It is completely up to the parent. (Note that this is entirely different from high school.)
    
    Co-op is meant to lift our burdens, not create more. Many families follow the curriculum of co-op for every subject, but some have their own course of study at home in addition to co-op. As a result, any homework from the co-op may conflict with elementary students' regular schedule of courses at home, and they will have difficulty keeping up. We don't want parents to have to redo their students' home schedules to accommodate co-op. Furthermore, although some elementary students may be able to handle the homework on their own, others will need parental help to understand the material. Since many parents have multiple children, this may create a hardship for them. Also, many students have family chores, responsibilities, and extracurricular activities in addition to their own homeschool work. As a result, co-op classes for elementary students have group activities that can be completed during the class period.
    
    However, the 5th and 6th grade classes may assign up to two short homework assignments in the semester. Beyond this, the parent should assign additional work if the parent feels the child should learn responsibility or more about the subject.
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28. What do you mean when you say co-op is "enrichment only" for elementary grades? Why can't they be more challenging, academic classes like the high school classes?
    Co-op classes are enrichment only for elementary classes for several reasons.
    
    
    • We only meet once a week. There is no way to teach all there is to know in one given subject in only one hour a week for 12 weeks. That is the parent's job, not ours. Teachers will give parents a schedule that they can follow at home if they want, but following it is not mandatory or even necessary.
    • Also, some students unschool while other children may have developmental delays while still others may be advanced – there is a wide range of abilities in the classroom, and we don't want to leave anyone out. Our goal is not to conform to the majority and produce cookie-cutter students. That's not what homeschooling is all about!
    • Plus, as one mom put it, the attention span of a child is very short, so children need lessons and activities that will be hands-on and will keep them busy. In other words, we want them to learn without knowing that they're learning! So we keep the lessons and handouts to a minimum.
    • Finally, different families use different curricula at home. We don't know what they may be learning in that subject at home, but we can certainly find hands-on activities that will enrich anything they might possibly be doing at home.
    
    We think of co-op as a club or field trip each week – it's hands-on, enrichment, fun! Academics are suitable at home with the parents, who are the teachers. We are a co-op, not a school.
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29. What is a syllabus?
    Each teacher writes a class syllabus, which is simply a brief outline of what will be done each week. The syllabus supplies structure to the class and lets the teacher hand off to a helper or newcomer if she is absent. It also provides a guideline that parents can use to devise supplemental lessons at home and to ensure their children are prepared for class each week.
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30. What size are the classes?
    We intentionally keep our classes small. The teachers of each class set the limit on the number of students they can handle. Generally, 10 to 12 is the maximum for most classes as this not only fits the size of the classrooms but also ensures that the classes do not deteriorate into a “crowd control” situation. Since P.E. requires more students in order to play team sports, grades 1-5 are usually combined into one P.E. class, as are grades 6-12, with additional parents as helpers. Most high school classes, however, range between 4 and 12 students, as with the high school cooking class pictured right.
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31. Are parents allowed to sit in on classes?
    Absolutely! Parents may sit in on any class. Also, parents are used as “helpers” in all classes. We believe that more interaction between students and adults leads to a more relaxed relationship between both groups. Extra hands are always a blessing. Besides, homeschooled children are accustomed to having a parent close by to give quick responses to their questions, so more adults in the room means more attentive help for the students. However, we do provide a Parents Lounge for parents to sit and socialize during their break periods.
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32. Can I bring a visitor to co-op? Can my older, graduated homeschooler visit?
    No. Due to insurance and church requirements, only registered, paid students or parents are allowed to attend classes. However, visitors may join you for lunch only. Please do not put us in the awkward position of having to ask you to take or send your guest home.
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33. I have a child still in public school. Can I bring him to co-op on his school vacations?
    No. Due to insurance and church requirements, only registered, paid students or parents will be allowed to attend classes. If you have children in public or private school who are out of school, they may not attend. Please do not put us in the awkward position of having to ask you to take or send your child home.
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34. Why don't you allow drop-offs? Why do parents have to stay all day?
    Parental participation at co-op is mandatory. If your child is at co-op, then you must be at co-op too. Our co-op is truly a “cooperative effort.” As homeschoolers, we parents are the primary teachers of our children, and this responsibility does not end with co-op.
    
    Occasionally, we all could use the opportunity of dropping off our children while we attend to other business. However, if you want such a situation, then co-op is not right for you. Of course, rushing one child to the nearest ER for stitches is always an acceptable reason for asking someone at co-op to watch your other children unexpectedly; grocery shopping or cleaning the house for expected weekend guests is not. Basically, dropping off students is the exception and not the rule. We do not want our co-op to become a “Mom's-day-out” type of babysitting service – that takes the “cooperation” right out of co-op.
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35. Do you have a nursery?
    Yes. All babies in nursery must take naps, and parents of children in nursery take turns staffing the nursery two at a time. Parents should bring all necessary supplies for their baby in addition to a nap mat or crib sheet and blanket.
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36. Are classes ever canceled?
    If Elmore County or Millbrook schools are closed due to bad weather, co-op will be canceled. If co-op must be canceled, members will be emailed or called according to the Cancellation Call Chain. When you are called, immediately call the name following yours on the list; do not email. This is essential so that everyone is notified soon after the first call. If you cannot reach that person, or if you get an answering machine or voice mail, go to the next name on the list, but continue to try to reach the first person as well. Continue on the list until you actually speak to someone in person. Do not contact the Church.
    
    Classes are not canceled due to a teacher's absence. If a teacher is absent, the teacher’s helper will take over the class that day. If the teacher and teacher’s helper are both absent, the teacher will find a substitute. If they need an extra pair of hands in class, they go to the Parents' Lounge and request a volunteer.
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37. Who teaches?
    The co-op does not employ teachers. Co-op facilitators volunteer their time and expertise free of charge; they may be certified teachers or a parent with a degree, knowledge or passion for a subject. For example, we have had a portrait photographer teach a photography class, a computer programmer teach the computer labs, a published author teach composition and creative writing, an artist teach drawing and art appreciation, a counselor teach psychology, and a nurse teach health, biology and nutrition. However, we have also had "regular" parents successfully teach economics, music appreciation, history, civics, marine biology, cooking, etc. As we homeschoolers know, if a parent likes a subject and has a teacher's manual, he or she can teach anything!
    
    In addition, one of the benefits to group teaching is having access to guest speakers! Teachers and parents may schedule anyone as a guest speaker. We have enjoyed many presentations, including a Native American expert, pioneer re-enactors, firemen, government officials, and missionaries.
    
    Parents may elect to “team teach” a class by taking turns or teaching jointly. That way, the teachers can trade off and share the responsibility each week. Additionally, teachers have at least one adult helper, if not two, in each class.
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38. What is meant when a class specifies “Every parent will take a turn teaching”?
    Occasionally, a class may specify “Every parent with a child in the class will take a turn teaching.” In that case, if you have a child in that class, you will sign up to teach one or two of the weeks in the semester. Some classes require one parent at a time, while others allow two parents to team teach during their weeks. In any case, parents may plan any activity and use whatever materials they want on their day to teach as long as they adhere to the topic for the week. Basically, the best way for a parent to teach the class is to plan activities that would interest her child in the class, such as hands-on activities, crafts, or games that illustrate the lesson or guest speakers familiar with the topic.
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39. Do you go on field trips?
    The Marine Biology class enjoyed a field trip to Dolphin Island in Spring 2009, and practically the entire co-op signed up for the history field trip to American Village in Montevallo in Fall 2009! This trip, pictured at right, capped our studies on the colonial period and the Revolutionary War.
    
    Although we have not had many field trips, an interested parent may certainly organize field trips that relate to a class. Preferably, field trips are scheduled during one of our breaks or on a Friday, since we cannot take a day off from co-op to go on a field trip. As this may interfere with other homeschool activities or family plans, the trips are not mandatory, but they make excellent opportunities for rounding out our children's education and helping them “see” what they are learning. In the meantime, we do invite guest speakers to the classes when possible, which sort of brings the field trip to co-op!
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40. What do you mean when you say we have to volunteer or “work” at the co-op? Can I specify where I want to volunteer?
    Our co-op is truly a cooperative effort. We need every participating parent to keep the co-op functioning smoothly. By registering your children, you agree to work during their class periods as a teacher, team teacher, teacher's helper or on the clean-up crew, with at least one period as your break time. Parents who volunteer to teach or team teach two classes automatically get two breaks, unless they have to serve in the nursery.
    
    When you pre-register your children, please specify the classes in which you would like to volunteer. If your children feel more comfortable having you with them or if you need help teaching that subject at home, you can request their classes. If your children do better without you present or they prefer the independence of a class without mom, this can be arranged, too. Just indicate this option when you pre-register your children and specify if you would rather help preschool, elementary, junior high or high school. Also, let us know if you would prefer serving on the clean-up crew. Those who do not indicate a preference will be assigned where they are needed most.
    
    When we organize the schedule, we try to distribute the load evenly among all the parents and make every effort to assign preferences. Regretfully, it may not be possible in every case. By all means, if you want to switch with someone, please feel free to ask them!
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41. What is the difference between a teacher, team teacher and a helper?
    Every class has at least one teacher and one helper, but they are two different jobs. A teacher plans and teaches the class, including writing a description, setting fees, buying materials, organizing lessons and activities, and implementing them each week. Two or more team teachers share those responsibilities equally, in any way they wish. They can take turns each week or each month, or one can plan while the other implements. Any method is fine. Teachers and team teachers are guaranteed their class and their children's slots in co-op at every period since teachers' children have priority. Additionally, teachers and team teachers get a discount on the family registration fee each semester.
    
    A helper assists the teacher during class time and fills in when the teacher is absent. A helper can volunteer for a class or list her preferences, and we will try our best to accommodate her interests. However, we cannot guarantee that a helper will be in the class she specifies, especially if there is a need in another class. Also, the helper's children are not guaranteed their slots in co-op as they are lower in priority after teacher's children and high school siblings.
    
    See the following three questions for details on expectations for teachers and helpers.
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42. I will be volunteering as a teacher. What is expected of a teacher?
    By volunteering to teach or team teach a class, you are agreeing to participate in co-op for the full semester, so please prayerfully consider before committing to a class. Most of our parents teach or team teach at least one, if not two classes, so we offer special discounts for teaching a class. Because we don't want anyone to become burned out, we ask that parents limit teaching to two classes per semester.
    
    Prior to registration, teachers prepare class descriptions, fees, books and supplies. Lesson plans and two back-up lessons are due at registration. On the first day of class, they hand out a syllabus or some type of detailed schedule to students so parents will have something to go by to help them assign supplemental coursework at home and to ensure their children are prepared for class each week. Teachers assign homework for high school classes since they are credit courses, and for some junior high classes, but not for elementary and preschool classes.
    
    Teachers are expected to arrive a few minutes early to set up for class and to ensure that someone is present when students arrive. They are expected to maintain order and focus in the class, be alert to help students who may need extra help, prepare handouts and print copies before the day of class, start and end class on time, and get everyone to clean up the classroom before leaving.
    
    Teachers may send students who are late, disruptive, disrespectful or unprepared for class to study hall (for junior high and high school) or to their parent (for elementary and preschool). This is as much a respect issue for the teacher and the child's fellow classmates as it is an academic issue. Also, teachers should notify the parent if a student repeatedly fails to complete homework; otherwise, it is the parent's responsibility to maintain contact with their child's teachers to stay informed on assignments and progress. If a student is absent, it is the student's and parent's responsibility, not the teacher's responsibility, to find out what was covered and what assignments are due the next week.
    
    If a teacher will be absent, the teacher will contact the helper to take over the class that day. If both the teacher and helper will be absent, the teacher will find a substitute. The class will not be canceled, and the Leadership Team is not responsible for finding a substitute.
    
    For special "tips" on teaching a class at our co-op, see the next question.
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43. I'm about to teach a co-op class. Any tips?
    Keep in mind that most of us in co-op want to avoid the pitfalls of a public school classroom. Here are a few tips to make the class better for your students and easier for you:
    
    * Presenting material in a boring manner (such as lecture only) will be less preferable to hands-on, interactive methods. High school classes may need to have some lecture, but try to incorporate group activities that illustrate the topic, such as an in-class group project, writing assignment, experiment, class discussion or debate. For elementary classes, limit lecture and reading to less than 10 minutes and devote most of the class time to hands-on activities, such as a craft, project, or game.
    * A public school format will be foreign and uncomfortable to homeschoolers who are used to self-directed learning or unschooling methods. (In other words, do not expect all homeschooled children to sit quietly and raise their hands to speak.)
    * Co-op classes are reserved for discussion, group activities, experiments, labs and projects. Please limit games, such as Jeopardy, to the end of chapters, units or semesters as rewards for hard work. If games are played too often, students will become bored and parents will become concerned that the class is sacrificing discussion and hands-on activities for rote memorization. Tests are not given during class time, but you may provide tests for parents to administer at home.
    * Too much homework may conflict with the high school student's regular schedule of classes at home, causing some students to have difficulty keeping up. Be careful how much homework you assign for high school, and do not assign homework for elementary grades at all. If possible, do most work during class time.
    * Do not expect all students to be on the same level. Some students may be well experienced in the subject matter, while others may be brand new to the topic, regardless of the age group.
    * Avoid anything that ridicules or excludes those students who cannot keep up.
    * For elementary teachers: If you must present information on a handout, make it very brief, have the students take turns reading the paragraphs aloud, and be sure you use reading material slightly below your students' grade level to accommodate all reading levels. If necessary, rewrite or paraphrase material rather than use original text from the Internet or books. That way, students will not be embarrassed by difficult-to-pronounce words and will be able to understand the material. Then spend the majority of class time on the activity that illustrates the lesson.
    * Separating students to work independently (by themselves, not in small groups) defeats the purpose of a co-op group class. Individual work can be done at home; the large group provides the benefits of multiple views and perspectives. (In a class such as creative writing, students may do some of their work at home and then bring examples to class to share with the group and discuss their progress.)
    * If a student comes to class without his homework, send him to study hall. As soon as he completes the homework, he can return to class. Nearly all teachers have had to send a student to study hall, and this usually results in all students being prepared for classes from then on!
    * If a student is repeatedly disruptive, send him to study hall or his parent (depending on his age). If you are busy teaching, have your helper take him. You do not have to accept disrespect or rudeness, and one of the best ways to maintain control in a classroom is to let students know that you are firm and that you expect their cooperation.
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44. I will be volunteering as a helper. What is expected of a helper?
    Basically, helpers are there to help the teacher, and they are just as important to the success of the class as the teacher. Each class has at least one helper to ensure two adults per class. Helpers are expected to fill in for the teacher if she is absent, help the teacher keep track of time so students will not be late to their next class, participate actively in class, assist students who need extra help, handle discipline in the classroom, help the teacher gather supplies and implement lessons, and help clean up when class ends. If a helper is not a teacher or team teacher elsewhere, she may be asked to teach at least once during the semester.
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45. I will be volunteering as part of the clean-up crew. What is expected of the clean-up crew?
    We try to have 4 parents on the clean-up crew to ensure two parents to set up in the morning and two to clean up in the afternoon each week. Setting up takes only about 10 minutes, and the final cleaning of the day should take only 15 minutes at the most because teachers and students are responsible for cleaning each class when it ends.
    
    The set up crew puts up the door signs, turns on the heat/ac, sets out the extra soap and paper towels, and checks to ensure that the classooms have adequate tables. If anything is out of place, the set up cew should notify a member of the Leadership Team so the church leadership can be made aware of the situation.
    
    At the end of the day, the clean-up crew checks classrooms for debris, gathers forgotten belongings for Lost and Found, collects door signs, makes sure furniture has been moved to their original positions, takes out trash, and turns off classroom lights. If necessary, they may need to sweep rooms and wipe tables, but this is the exception rather than the rule. We feel that the cleaner we leave the church, the better.
    
    If you will be absent, please get another parent on break that period to fill in for you, as the set up and clean up crew is just as important as our teachers to the success of co-op.
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46. What is expected of parents?
    By joining co-op, you are agreeing to participate for the full semester, so please prayerfully consider before committing yourself and your family. Participating in co-op means attending diligently and being on time. By registering your children, you agree to work during their class periods, with at least one period as your break. During your free period you are free to socialize with other parents in the parents' lounge or observe in your child’s classroom.
    
    As the primary teacher of your child, you have the responsibility to supervise your student’s work and assign final grades, so please maintain contact with your child's teachers to stay informed on assignments and progress. Use each syllabus to help you devise lessons at home and to ensure your student is prepared for class. To earn suggested credits, high school students must complete the homework, and you may need to assign supplemental coursework at home.
    
    Children must be supervised at all times; they may not play outside or be in the buildings without direct adult supervision. Therefore, please watch your children during playtime at lunch or ensure that an adult or responsible older sibling is supervising their play. Parents are responsible for their children's behavior and any damages or injuries incurred by their actions. Parents will be contacted if a disciplinary problem arises and may be asked to remove their child from class.
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47. What is expected of students?
    Students are expected to participate willingly and bring all completed assignments and required materials to each class. Teachers have the right to send unprepared, late or disruptive students to study hall or to their parents or to suspend or expel them. This is as much a respect issue for the teacher and the child's fellow classmates as it is an academic issue.
    
    Participating in co-op means attending diligently and being on time. If absent, it is the student's responsibility, not the teacher's responsibility, to find out what was covered and what assignments are due the next week.
    
    We expect first-time obedience from children ages preschool and above. We ask co-op members to follow the courtship standard regarding boy-girl relationships by respecting one another as brothers and sisters in Christ and refraining from public displays of affection.
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48. What is your attendance policy?
    If you may miss more than three Thursdays per semester, we recommend that you do not join our co-op as that would mean you would already miss a full quarter of classes -- and that is before absences due to illness! While we understand that this is not a “school” with mandatory attendance and that illnesses and emergencies crop up when least expected, we also respect the time and effort that teachers put into their classes each week. They deserve the mutual respect of having students be in class on time, barring emergencies and illnesses. Not to mention, a teacher may be relying on a certain number of students in the class to do a special project or facilitate discussion or debate, and an unexpected absence may disrupt her plans, causing her to need to alter them at the last minute; advance notice will give the teacher time to prepare and make necessary changes.
    
    Since students must rely on their parents to take them to co-op, we ask parents to remember their own commitment to co-op by making their family's attendance a priority, barring unforeseen situations. If at all possible, schedule appointments and vacations between co-op days or during co-op breaks.
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49. What if we have to be absent?
    As soon as you know that you will be absent, you must find a replacement for every job you hold at co-op. Teachers should ask their helpers, as helpers are supposed to substitute for the teacher in the event of absence. Helpers should call a parent on break that period (Substitutes List) and call the teacher to let her know who will fill in. Do not call anyone on the Leadership Team as they will not find a substitute for you. (If you are ever the only adult in a class and you feel the need for another adult to help, then go to the Parents' Lounge and ask for a volunteer. Parents on break are the available substitutes at any period.)
    
    Anyone who neglects to secure a substitute three times will be asked to leave co-op.
    
    If you must leave co-op in an emergency, not an errand, you may ask another parent to be responsible for your children. If so, please tell someone on the Leadership Team and your children to whom they will be responsible.
    
    When a student is absent, it is the responsibility of students grades 7-12 or their parents to find out what was covered and what assignments are due in each class. As a courtesy, notify your children's teachers for planned absences.
    
    If you need to stay home with a sick child, you may send your well children grades 3 and up to co-op with a supervising adult, either an adult relative or a parent currently at co-op.
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50. What is your discipline policy?
    The standard of behavior expected for children preschool age and above is first-time obedience. If your child cannot adhere to this standard, then co-op may not be the best opportunity for your child. Parents and students in 7th grade and above sign a Student Responsibilities Agreement whereby they agree to be on time, participate willingly in class, and bring all completed assignments and required materials to each class. The teacher may send students who are late, disruptive, disrespectful or unprepared for class to study hall or to their parent.
    
    In all infractions or disagreements, we will adhere to Matthew 18:15-17:
    
    “If your brother sins against you, go and show him his fault, just between the two of you. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over. But if he will not listen, take one or two others along, so that 'every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.' If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, treat him as you would a pagan or a tax collector.”
    
    Parents are responsible for their children at all times, so it is ultimately the parent’s duty to handle any misbehavior. In cases of inappropriate behavior, these steps will be taken by the teacher:
    
    1. For the first offense, the teacher will give the student a verbal warning.
    2. For the second offense, the teacher or teacher's assistant will take the student to his parent for five minutes.
    3. If the inappropriate behavior continues, the teacher will notify the Leadership Team so that the issue can be discussed again with the parents.
    4. If the situation does not improve, the Leadership Team will notify the parents that the student is suspended from co-op. The student may return to co-op after proper apology and restitution are made.
    5. If behavior problems persist, the student will be expelled from co-op for the remainder of the semester.
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51. What is your sick policy? We don't stay home for a little cold, do we? On the other hand, we won't be exposed to every cold bug at co-op, will we?
    We cannot stress this enough: If you or your children are sick or recovering from an illness, even the common cold or a sinus infection, please do not attend co-op that week. We do not want co-op to be a source of sickness for any family, so please use good judgment. If in doubt, err on the side of caution, stay home and get a substitute.
    
    Although a sinus infection is not contagious, the cold that preceded the sinus infection is highly contagious. As a result, with a sinus infection, please stay home until fully recovered from cold symptoms as listed below. The same applies to strep throat. If you still have cold symptoms even after 48 hours on medication, please stay home until cold symptoms end.
    
    We follow the health services guidelines recommended by the American Public Health Association and the American Academy of Pediatrics. If you or your children have the following, please do not go to co-op:
    
    
    • Fever of 99 degrees or greater within 24 hours prior to co-op
    • Fever that needs medication to control (such as Tylenol, Advil or Motrin)
    • Vomiting or nausea within 48 hours prior to co-op
    • Diarrhea within 24 hours prior to co-op
    • Nasal congestion, or yellow or green or excessive nasal discharge that is heavy enough to require frequent wiping
    • Common cold with listlessness, sore throat or persistent coughing or sneezing
    • Streptococcal infection, until 48 hours after medication has been initiated
    • Antibiotics for less than 48 hours
    • Infected skin or eyes or undiagnosed rash (e.g. conjunctivitis, poison ivy, etc.), until the prescribed drops, cream or treatment are complete or incubation period recommended by doctor has passed
    • Acting lethargic or irritable
    • Any complaint of unexplained or undiagnosed pain (not including complaints like teething)
    • Other contagious symptoms, including but not limited to lice, ringworm, etc.
    
    If your child has a clear runny nose, then use your best judgment as to whether it's sickness or allergy/teething; most likely if it's after sickness, it's still contagious. If you decide to bring your child with clear runny nose due to allergies or teething, please be diligent about wiping your child's nose often and washing your hands immediately afterwards.
    
    If you or your children have any of the symptoms listed above, you will be asked to return home. Please do not put us in the awkward position of having to ask you to go home or to take a sick child home.
    
    If you need to stay home with a sick child, you must keep children up through second grade at home with you. You may send your well children in grades 3 and above to co-op with a supervising adult.
    
    If your child requires medication, please keep it with you and administer it yourself. Notify teachers if your child has any medical conditions or allergies, especially in any class where food may be served.
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52. What if my child has a food allergy?
    We have no control over what individual families bring for lunch. When we are alerted to a food allergy situation, the most we can do is ask children and parents to carefully wash their hands with soap and water after eating. For group meals and potlucks we do our best to inform group members of the allergy risk and label shared dishes to the best of our ability.
    
    If your child has a serious allergy, please make sure you carry an EpiPen with you at all times in the event your child is exposed. Also, please notify your child's teachers in case food is planned for a class activity.
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53. Do you have a dress code?
    No, we do not have a dress code. Parents and students should wear appropriate modest clothing. As in every area of our lives, we desire the way we dress to honor Jesus, so please caution both your daughters and sons to choose their clothing from a spiritual point of view. If the Leadership Team gets complaints, a dress code will be established.
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54. Does the co-op have a statement of faith?
    Academy Days co-op does not have a written statement of faith; however, our co-op is a Christian co-op. We base our guidelines on precepts from the Bible, which is also used as the standard to determine the appropriateness of subject matter. Classes are taught from a Christian worldview, and each class begins with prayer. Nevertheless, we are an inclusive group, meaning we welcome all families from diverse backgrounds, beliefs, church school coverings, and homeschool styles.
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55. Does the co-op get together for events that include the whole family, so dads can meet each other?
    We have not yet organized family events outside of co-op, but we hope to in the future. We do not have couples-only get-togethers because of the burden of sitters for some of our families and because the host would need a large home! However, this may certainly change if there is a desire for them and someone to organize and host them.
    
    Instead, we invite parents to stay after registration and join us for a late lunch at a nearby restaurant. Also, we try to get together for a pot luck dinner for one night each semester during the two weeks between registration and the first day of classes, but this too is for co-op parents only. It is a chance to get to know each other, pray for everyone in co-op, and answer any questions or become familiar with some of the materials before classes begin.
    
    We do organize a luncheon on the last day of class each semester. We bring covered dishes or order pizza for every family. We use the luncheon to highlight some of our children's work during the semester. In the past, we have had a photography exhibit, drawing class exhibit, sign language presentation, musical concert, and drama performance.
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56. Do the students get together for social events outside of co-op?
    Because so many of our children have made friends in co-op, they get together occasionally during the week or over breaks informally at each other's homes. Nothing has been formally organized, however. This could be because there are so many homeschool support groups already in this area. We often see each other at those events, such as the Fellowship of Home Educators (FHE), Elmore County Homeschool Organization (ECHO), Maxwell Area Home Educators (MAHE), and Montgomery Parent Educators And Kids (PEAK).
    
    The teenagers often meet together at Lunch Bunch (grades 7-12) on the first and third Friday of each month, and the younger children often see each other at Lunch Bunch Junior (grades 6 and below). Both are held at the homes of homeschoolers in Millbrook.
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57. Can I host a birthday party for my child during lunch at co-op?
    No. With the number of children even in our small co-op, there would be someone with a birthday a few times a month, so it could quickly get out of hand. Also, families new to co-op may feel uncomfortable buying gifts for children they just met. We do not want co-op to escalate into an expensive series of birthday parties. However, some parents do bring cupcakes or cookies, enough for the entire co-op, on their child's birthday, and their classmates can certainly sing "Happy Birthday" before class begins.
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58. What is a co-op "feast"? Where can I get the recipes?
    At least once during each semester we have a co-op "feast" based on our history classes for that semester. For example, we have enjoyed a modified Passover Seder following our studies on ancient Egypt, a Medieval Feast at the end of our studies on Medieval Times, a Greek Feast after learning about ancient Greece, a "Celebrate America" feast while studying early American history, and a Roaring 20s feast after studying the 1920s. During a feast, parents sign up to bring a covered dish relevent to the theme, and we all eat lunch together at co-op. Students often dress up to fit the theme, and classes display projects, such as the junior high literature and creative writing class pictured left where the students created projects to illustrate their original myths. Sometimes we may have a historical re-enactment. Recipes from all our feasts may be found by clicking here and scrolling down to the links to the individual feasts.
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59. Do you have an "open house"? Can we visit a class in advance?
    No, we do not host an open house nor can we have visitors in any of the classes. Some co-ops host open houses to help spread the word and encourage new families to join. However, our co-op is kept small, so as a result, we thrive on word of mouth alone. As a matter of fact, we usually have a waiting list. The few families who don't return the next year, either because they move away or find the co-op doesn't fit their families anymore, are usually replaced quickly.
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60. Do you have a newsletter? How can I let other co-op families know about an upcoming event?
    We do not have a newsletter. Instead, we communicate with our members in three ways: web site, emails, and bulletin board. First, we keep our web site updated regularly. Second, we send out emails exclusively limited to co-op only information. Third, we have a bulletin board in the Parents Lounge where anyone can post upcoming events or information. If you have information to share with members, post it on the bulletin board or announce it on the yahoo groups with one of the local support groups, such as the Fellowship of Home Educators (FHE) and Elmore County Homeschool Organization (ECHO).
    
    We do not intend to start a Yahoo group or any other kind of email loop. It has been our experience that people will eventually ignore frequent emails, such as those produced in an email loop. Also, members of the loop will increasingly tend to use it for any minor event or issue, eventually diluting the importance of all emails through the loop and causing truly important emails not to be read in a timely manner. Instead, we recommend that you regularly visit the web site, diligently read your emails Monday and Wednesday nights during the semester, and carefully check the bulletin board in the Parents Lounge each week.
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We have no control over what individual students, families, or other facility guests might bring for their food needs on a daily basis. When we are alerted to a food allergy situation, the most we can do is ask children and parents to carefully wash their hands with soap and water after eating. For group meals and potlucks we make our best to inform group members of the allergy risk and label shared dishes to the best of our ability.

 

If your child has a serious allergy, please make sure you carry an EpiPen with you at all times in the event your child is exposed.