Cedar Hill Baptist Church
Email:  CedarHillHomeschool@gmail.com
	
May 31, 2017

Dear Homeschooler,

Thank you for your interest in Cedar Hill Baptist Church’s Homeschool Co-op!  We meet at Cedar Hill Baptist Church, located at 154 Chestnut Grove Rd, Dillsburg, PA 17019.  Classes meet for 3 hours on Monday mornings, from 9:30-about 12:15.  The cost of co-op will be $30 per semester (fall or spring).   This price will include participation in the Monday morning classes.   Any activities or field trips may include an extra cost.  All classes will be supplemental to your individual homeschool plans.  

We are a group of home schooling families, getting together to provide encouragement, fellowship, and support to other home schooling families of like faith. Cedar Hill desires to provide a “family friendly” atmosphere, and activities that include all age groups.  Parents are welcome to sit in on classes or to use the time to fellowship with other parents.   We request that the parents remain at the church during the class times.  There are waiting areas available.  We do not require parental teaching, but teachers will receive a discount on registration.  We encourage all to be a part however they see fit.  There are many opportunities for volunteering.  We do ask that each parent volunteer for at least one or two of the areas listed on our rotating volunteer list which will include areas such as classroom helper, lesson prep (copying, cutting), cleaning (wiping down tables, emptying trash cans, straightening chairs…nothing too hard.  Working together, no one will be overwhelmed with too much work. 

We offer classes that can easily accommodate multiple ages and ability levels.  I have provided a list of classes that we desire to offer.  The age groups and time slots will be divided up once we see how many register for classes.  Future classes will be decided based on input from co-op members.  Please note that all class ages and grade levels are recommended.  We understand that some students may do better in classes above or below their actual “school grade”.  Please let us know if you feel that your child will do better in a different level class.  

Parents are asked to keep younger children with them at all times.   You are welcome to sit in on the PK/K class as long as the younger child is not a distraction to the class.   

Enrollment fees are due by August 16th.  Fall classes begin September 11th, 2017.  

If you have any questions, please email us at CedarHillHomeschool@gmail.com.  We will do our best to answer all questions quickly.

Announcements and class logs will be posted on our “private” Facebook group page.  If you are not a Facebook member, please let me know so that we can be sure to get information to you by email.   

Sincerely,
Lisa Fike
Cedar Hill Baptist Church Homeschool Co-op
Fall Spring 2017 Classes 

Class Descriptions

This semester, we have tried to offer classes that can easily accommodate multiple age and ability levels.  All students will have Chapel/Assembly time, Art, PE and a unit study.  The age groups and time slots will be divided once we see how many students register for classes. Our tentative plan for age divisions will be PK-K, 1st-4th, and 5th-12th.   Future classes will be decided based on input from co-op members.  

Chapel/Assembly time may include Pledges, Music, Bible Memory (KJV), Bible Quizzing, and a Short Devotion or Guest Speaker.   Music will be conservative songs.  Bible Memory time will emphasize hiding God’s Word in our hearts.  The goal is to include opportunities that would be in a Christian School Chapel time.  

The Physical Education classes will be taught on the ability levels of each class, and may include health and safety.   Weather permitting, PE will be held outside.  During bad weather, appropriate indoor stretches and active games will be included during class.     

Art – Grades PK-12th Art classes will include age appropriate activities that encourage creativity and detail. 

Swimming Creatures Unit – Students in both PK-K and 1st-4th grade will be studying Swimming Creatures based on Apologia’s Young Explorer Series, Exploring Creation with Zoology 2:  Land Animals of the Fifth Day.  Teachers will be teaching lessons from each chapter, approximately 2 weeks per chapter.   You do not need to be studying this at home.  However, if you use this curriculum at home, co-op will reinforce what you have taught.  Apologia Zoology books do not need to be done in order.  

United States Presidents-Students in 5th-12th will briefly be looking at the US Presidents.  We will look at about two Presidents a week. 

Supplies Needed 

*All students need:
*a pocket folder for bring home papers
*a composition book that will be kept at co-op to make a notebook. 
    Each week students will glue or write information in their notebook.

Optional:
A backpack is especially helpful for the younger students to bring things back and forth to co-op.

Clean-Up
*12:00-12:15- will be a clean-up time.  If you are not teaching, please be sure to sign up on the volunteer sheet.   

Donations
We can always use donations of craft supplies, such as glue sticks, colored pencils, or scissors for older students.  Any donations are always welcome and appreciated.  
General Information

Mission Statement
We are a group of home schooling families, getting together to provide encouragement, fellowship, and support to other home schooling families of like faith.

Verse
Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.     Proverbs 27:17

Purpose
*To bring glory to God in educating our children according to Biblical standards.
*Encourage parents in their God-given responsibility to train and educate their children.
*Provide educational and family friendly activities to help reach homeschool goals.
*Share information regarding successful Christian home schooling.
*Encourage families to seek and develop fellowship and friendship among group members.
*We do not claim to give legal advice of any kind.  Any information provided is by everyday people sharing opinions and what has worked for them.  

Statement of Faith
Cedar Hill Homeschool Co-op is a ministry of Cedar Hill Baptist Church and ultimately holds to the doctrinal Statement of Faith of Cedar Hill Baptist Church.  A copy can be found on the church’s website.  http://chbcdillsburgorg.ipage.com/?page_id=38 

Statement Regarding Homeschooling.
Children are a precious gift from God to parents.  God has given parents the responsibility to train their own children based on Biblical principles and values.
Homeschooling is a legal choice for parents to educate their own children.  Both parents should be actively involved in the home education of their children.

Cooperative
Cedar Hill Homeschool Co-op is a cooperative learning environment made successful only through the cooperation of both students and parents to provide an excellent classroom involvement.  We do not require parental teaching; however, teachers will receive a discount on registration.  Members who do not teach are required to participate by signing up for at least one or two of the parent volunteer positions (based on the number of parents and jobs available). These positions will rotate on a 4 week sign up. These jobs will include areas such as classroom helper, lesson prep (copying, cutting), cleaning (wiping down tables, emptying trash cans, straightening chairs…nothing too hard.  Working together, many hands will allow things to run smoothly.  

Registration
All members are required to complete registration forms at the beginning of both the fall and spring semesters.

Visitors
All visitors must be approved by the administration in advance.  Visitors may not attend class unless specific approval has been received.  

Security
All adults/parents who will be teaching or helping in classrooms are required to submit to a police background check and have appropriate PA clearances.  The appropriate forms can be obtained at the church office and links should be available soon on the church website.  
At no time may an adult be alone with a child, that is not their own, while in the facility.

Fire Alarm
In the event of a fire alarm, teachers and helpers will quickly gather their class and escort the children from the building via the exit nearest their classroom to a designated meeting location.  Fire escape routes are posted in each classroom.  

Teacher Preparation
Instructors should write lesson plans or at least an outline of their plan for the semester in advance to ensure the registration papers are accurate.  Although schedules are subject to change it is better to have a plan in place rather than to develop the class week by week.  Utilize your classroom helpers to prepare (plan, copy, prep) lessons at least a week ahead of time so that they will be at church ready to go in case the teacher is in need of a substitute the following week.  Make weekly log post to our Facebook page to keep parents informed.  Teachers should never discuss controversial subjects without first notifying parents and the administration of the topic to be covered.   They should remember that all information should be presented from a Christian perspective in accordance with the Statement of Faith.   

Classroom Helper/Monitor
The classroom helper or monitor will help the teacher with monitoring the class, assisting with projects, lesson prep, gathering supplies, copying papers, cutting out and/or prepping crafts.  These are also volunteer positions that will rotate in with the cleaning responsibilities.  

Substitution Policy
If you are unable to attend co-op, you are responsible for finding a substitute to replace you for all of your duties.  Volunteer schedules will be posted online and changes need to be reported to the coordinator.  

Cleaning
All members are required to participate in the clean-up volunteer rotation.  A cleaning schedule will be distributed the first day of classes, and assignments will be rotated on a monthly basis.   If a member is not able to perform her scheduled clean-up duty, she is responsible for finding a substitute.   Any changes to the clean-up schedule must be reported to the cleaning coordinator.  

Cleaning responsibilities are as follows:
Classrooms: Boards should be erased, tables wiped down, floor vacuumed if needed, chairs straightened, trash emptied.  
Bathrooms:  Sinks wiped down, toilets should be reasonably clean, floors picked up of trash and trash emptied.  
Fellowship Hall:  Chairs straightened, tables wiped down if they were used, PE equipment put away.
Party clean-up: (in addition to above) Tables wiped down, vacuum floor, trash taken out. 
Rules of Conduct
We represent our families, our group, the homeschooling community in general, but most of all, the Lord Jesus Christ.

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.   Philippians 4:8

•	Have respect for authority figures (all parents, leaders, tour guides, instructors, or anyone placed in a position of leadership).
•	Be kind to those who are different from you in any way.
•	Come prepared to listen attentively when necessary, and avoid drawing undue attention with distractive articles (iPod, Gameboy, etc.) or behavior during listening times. 
•	Obedience and attentiveness in actions and speech should be in a manner that glorifies God.
•	Unkind remarks, gossip, profanity, and disrespect will not be tolerated.
•	Be respectful to other people’s property.
•	Do not run in the halls or hide in the classrooms.
•	It is the responsibility of each member to sign up and pay for activities in a timely manner.

All discipline will be 
the responsibility of the parent.  

Dress Code
Modesty should be the goal for both girls and boys.
Parents are responsible for their own children’s clothes.
Please ensure that they are dressed in a way
that does not draw negative attention to their clothing.
Boys
Pants and shorts must fit at the waist and not be excessively baggy—no pants falling below the top of the hips.  Long shorts are permitted, try to keep no shorter than 3 inches above the knee.  

Girls
Tops should cover the shoulder (no spaghetti straps), and not be “see through”.  The midriff area must be covered at all times.  
Pants, dresses and skirts should not be tight fitting, and should be at least to top of the knee.  Shorts and skirt slits should be within 3 inches of the top of the knee.   

Attendance
If more than four classes are missed in a semester, the child will not be issued a certificate of completion for the class.  

Younger Children
Parents are asked to keep younger children with them at all times.  You are welcome to sit in on the PK/K class as long as the younger child is not a distraction to the class.

Parties
Two parties will be planned by the co-op, one on the final day of each semester.  We may plan special treats for the end of the day for special holidays.  (Halloween will not be celebrated.) 
A note about birthdays…
Birthdays treats are a fun way to make a child feel special on their special day. Anyone who would like to bring a treat for their child’s birthday is welcome to bring it either for their class or the whole co-op. It is completely up to you whether or not you bring one, and how much. Please do not feel like you have to bring a treat for their birthday, but if you do, just let the director know ahead of time. We will plan to have special treats at the end of the co-op day.

End of the Year Project Fair
Usually on the last day of the spring semester, we will have a Project Fair.  Details about the fair are usually provided in February for the upcoming fair.  

Conflict Resolution
From time to time, misunderstandings or hurt feelings can arise between members.   When a conflict occurs between you and another member, follow the Biblical guidelines in Matthew 18.  Go directly to the person with whom you have the conflict.   If the problem is not resolved, seek counsel from the director or, failing that, the Pastor.  If a member does not follow these guidelines or is not willing to agree to the decisions of the leadership, the family membership may be terminated immediately without financial reimbursement.   

Facebook Page
We have a private Facebook page.  If you have a Facebook account, please provide your Facebook name on your registration papers so that we can add you to our page (both parents welcome).  We keep weekly logs of what was learned in class, post pictures, ask questions, sign up for parties, and any other necessary communications.  If you do not have Facebook, be sure to let us know so that we can make sure you get notices by email.  

Cedar Hill Homeschool Co-op Calendar
2017-2018

Classes will be on Mondays 9:30-12:15

Fall Semester
9/11
9/18
9/25
 
10/2
10/9 Closed for Columbus Day
10/16
10/23
10/30
 
11/6
11/13
11/20
11/27 - Closed 

12/4
12/11 - Last day

Spring Semester
1/29
 
2/5
2/12
2/19 - Closed for President’s Day
2/26
 
3/5
3/12
3/19
3/26
 
4/2- Closed for Easter
4/9
4/16
4/23
 4/30- Last Day 

Weather Related Closings:
In the event of severe weather, we will follow 
Northern York School District.
If they are closed, we will also be closed.
If they go late due to weather, we will be CLOSED.

Note: Many of the updates to our policies were taken from Heritage Christian Homeschool Group’s handbook (of Baltimore, MD) and used with permission.  (5/11/17)