Explorers Home School Association Orientation Packet 2008-2009
Welcome and Introduction
1. What is the mission of Explorers?
Explorers Home School Association is a non-profit, Christian co-op where parents of all faiths are dedicated to enriching the home school experience for their children. Parents provide enrichment and academic classes for home schooled students from preschool through high school within an environment which stresses Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior. Explorers values the service of all its members, recognizing that each, through the grace of God, contributes special gifts for serving one another.
2. What does it mean that Explorers is a Christian co-op?
Explorers is a group comprised of Christian families from many traditions. You do not need to be a Christian to join our group, though discussions on Christian topics occur in our classrooms. We do encourage our co-op teachers to open their classes with prayer, praying in a way in which all in the class may participate. As Christians, we share much in common, but also recognize that significant doctrinal differences exist. Because of this, we show profound respect and charity for those differences, striving to be neutral and balanced in Christian classroom teaching that touches on those differences. We want to honor and uphold the God-given parental authority and respect family beliefs.
3. How does being a Christian co-op affect classroom teaching specifically?
At Explorers, we believe that one of our greatest strengths is working together as Christians from many traditions to enrich and strengthen our home schooling!
Christian textbooks and materials are sometimes used for Explorers classes, especially in the older grades. These are often Protestant denominational texts mainly because there are very few non-denominational textbooks for core academic subjects. We do not select or approve the materials used in Explorers classes. Here are some guidelines to help you decide if specific materials may be appropriate for use in your teaching, as well as some guidelines for parents with concerns:
For instructors
o Please be sensitive to issues that may be presented in a one-sided way in a textbook (for instance, reformation history, or creationism/evolution).
o Especially for core or sequence subjects, strive to be as balanced as possible. This may be achieved by offering alternative resources to read or through guest speakers, for instance.
o If parents come to you with concerns, please be willing to alter your plans and change gears, omitting potentially offensive portions of the book/syllabus.
For parents
o Review materials and talk with teachers prior to starting the class (before signing up, if possible!) and review course outlines as soon as you receive them.
o If you encounter a problem with materials or course content, let the team leader for this class know what concerns you have and that you are planning to talk to the teacher involved.
o Discuss your issue with the teacher directly, using specific examples to show what is concerning you. It is not acceptable to merely claim a vague bias of teacher or materials. You need to give examples from the course material or the teacher that promote what you see as biased against your beliefs specifically.
o If you cannot reach an agreement that is mutually satisfying, please bring the issue to your team leader for mediation. In some cases, your student may need to drop the class.
4. What are the dates I need to know for the academic year 2008-2009?
Class descriptions for Explorers fall 2008 schedule will be posted by June 3. Our class sign up will be Tuesday evening, June 10. Dates for our fall semester are: Sept 16, 23, 30 Oct. 7, 14, 21, 28, Nov. 4, 11, 18, 25 and Dec. 2. We will sign up for Spring semester classes on November 25 and Dec. 2. Dates for our Spring semester are: Feb. 3, 10, 17, 24, March 3, 10, 17, 24, 31, (off for spring break April 7 and 14), April 21, 28, and May 5. Our Christmas Extravaganza will be held Dec 5. Our Spring Extravaganza will be held May 8.
5. Who is on the leadership board for 2008-2009?
Here is your quick reference list for the coming academic year! The email addresses and phone numbers for these ladies can be found in your Explorers directory, that you receive, updated, each semester.
Administrator: Kristy Ray
Assistant Administrator: Sandy Kreps
Secretary: Kelli Sparrow
Treasurer: Kelly Bone
Professional Class Coordinator: Julia Cooper
Preschool Coordinator: Michele Hilliard
Team Leader K4/5: Kathy Lewis
Team Leader 1st/2nd: Sarah DePriest
Team Leader 3rd/4th: Leah Rowe
Team Leader 5th/6th: Roberta Denoyer
Team Leader 7th/8th: Vicky Nitkiewicz
Team Leader 9th -12th: Trish Briere
Team Leader 6th up Afternoon Program: Marie Havens
6. What is the sign up order for the coming semesters?
Families returning to Explorers from the previous year always sign up prior to new families at Explorers. Drop off families sign up after new families. In order to be fair, we divide the alphabet into quadrants, and rotate the order in which the quadrants sign up. Quadrant 1 has last names beginning with A-F. Quadrant 2 is G-L, Quadrant 3 is M-R, and Quadrant 4 is S-Z. Below is the rotation schedule for the most recent and coming semesters:
Fall 2008: Quadrant: 3, 4, 1, 2
Spring 2009: Quadrant: 2, 3, 4, 1
Fall 2009: Quadrant: 1,2,3,4
Spring 2010: Quadrant: 4,1,2,3
7. What is our daily schedule on Tuesdays?
You will see listed below our time schedule for Tuesdays at Explorers. Please note that our first hour class begins at five minutes BEFORE nine o'clock. Please also note that our afternoon program (hours four through six) are for those students in grades 6-12. Instructors, remember to reserve the last 5 minutes of class to clean up your classroom.
First Hour: 8:55 - 9:55
Second Hour: 10:00 - 10:55 (preschoolers will receive a snack during the 2nd hour class. We encourage instructors at the K to 2nd grade to include a snack at this time as well).
Third Hour: 11:00 - 11:55
Lunch: 12:00-12:35
Fourth hour: 12:45-1:40
Fifth hour: 1:45-2:40
Sixth hour: 2:45-3:40
Afternoon clean up: 3:40-4:00
8. Besides the instructor responsibilities for my particular team, what are my co-op responsibilities?
Be on site
Parents of morning program children are expected to be on the premises at all "co-op" times (10:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon), and will be called on in case of sickness or discipline needs, to help with their own children. If you need to leave the building due to an emergency, please place another Explorers parent in charge of your child, and let your Team Leader and your children's instructors know of your absence and who the parent in charge will be. Please record this information on the white board in the hospitality room.
Wear your name tag
On our first day back at Explorers, you will find a name tag in your mailbox. We ask EVERYONE to use nametags, including the co-op and professional instructors! Students' nametags will be distributed at the beginning of the second hour class each week (or 1st hour if it is a co-op class). Using nametags helps us all to orient faster, ensures smooth transitions between classes, and, most important, makes it possible to help lost or wandering children!
Clean up
Members are expected to perform cleaning duties twice each semester. Our clean up supervisor will have a way for you to request particular dates prior to making the schedule. Clean-up will begin at 12:15, and generally lasts until about 1:15. This start time will allow the supervisors to eat lunch and settle their own children. While we realize many like to begin as soon as possible in order to get out of the building quickly, we feel this approach is best for the majority. At 12:15 the group of ladies that is assigned for cleaning on that day will gather in the hospitality room with the supervisors to be assigned to one of three teams. Your team needs to complete all of the tasks on the clipboard for their team and then come to the hospitality room to find a supervisor for check off. On rare occasions, we find ourselves shorthanded, and you might be asked to stay and help another team finish.
Your youngsters will be taken care of by one mom from the cleaning team. They will be in one of the classrooms where videos will be available. We will try very hard to show only movies that are appropriate for all ages. If you have any concerns about any particular video let the mom attendant know. Older children who don't wish to be in the care room must stay with their mom. They may help you with your assigned jobs.
Communicate well!
There are two sources of essential information at Explorers, and they both come over email! If you do not currently have email, we strongly encourage you to get it! Occasionally exceptions are made to distribute hard copies of emails to members. However, often by the time you receive this information, it would be too late.
The first is the weekly emailed newsletter, known as the ENN - (Explorers News Network). The ENN will be e-mailed to you the weekend prior to Explorers of each week. The newsletter is only news related to participation in the program. Examples of appropriate ENN items would be: an extra field trip you're planning for your history class, info on the geography fair which your class is entering, or "bring roller blades to gym next week. Please place interesting fliers/announcements for other moms (e.g.. your church's weekly Bible study, books you're selling, group subscriptions to publications that you'd like to organize, etc.) in the Hospitality Area, in the members' "mailboxes" or use the Explorers yahoo group. If you have items to put in this newsletter, please put them in Kelli Sparrow's mailbox or send them in writing or via email to Kelli by Friday of each week. We are NOT to use the Explorers email list for bulk solicitation unrelated to Explorers, and do NOT pass along the list to others who would use it for this purpose.
Other important communications come in emails directly from the administrator. Kristy will send out reminders of important dates, sign up lists, and room changes, for example. Please read these emails, so that we can all be "on the same page" when it comes to Explorers!
9. What if I have a scheduling conflict, or an emergency on my clean up day?
Hopefully, with early notice of your cleaning dates, appointments, lessons, etc can be arranged around your clean-up time. If you're assigned a day that you cannot work you may switch days with another person or contact a substitute from the substitute list. If you leave early without discussing the reasons with a supervisor you will not be credited with the cleaning and will be reassigned to another day. Please contact Kathy Cone about any switches or subs, so she can make the changes to the master schedule in the hospitality room.
In addition, if you have a spouse who you would like to have fulfill your clean up responsibility at any time, this can be arranged with Kathy Cone.
If circumstances arise the morning of Explorers which prevent you from attending clean-up you should try to call a friend to switch days with you. You will be given a schedule on the first day of Explorers which lists each week who is on clean-up. Try to find someone to switch with you for a later date. It might be helpful if you make arrangements with your friends ahead of time to cover each other should an emergency situation arise. If you do not show up to fulfill your clean-up duty and make no effort to inform the supervisors beforehand, you can be charged $20 to pay for the sub that will need to be hired to take your place.We will do everything we can to work with your situation.
10. What if I just don't want to clean?
For those who simply don't want to deal with cleaning you may HIRE a substitute for $20 each cleaning time. These substitutes will be people who apply for the position. The supervisors will post this list by the cleaning schedule. You must put the $20 payment in Kathy Cone's mailbox. Kathy or another supervisor in charge will pay the substitute once the cleaning is complete. Substitutes will not be paid in advance. For those interested in substituting, there will be an application available on sign-up night, or you can request one by e-mail to conehouseof6 at aol.com. In order to substitute you must have been in Explorers for one year, have no physical limitations with lifting, vacuuming, etc. We'll provide the membership with the list when it is complete.
Thank you very much for your servanthood! St. Luke staff has and will thoroughly appreciate your efforts to keep the building sparkling clean!
11. What is the Explorers yahoo group?
Explorers hosts an email group on the internet as a resource location for its members. This is NOT an official source for Explorers information. Any pertinent dates for sign-up, class news, meeting minutes, and such will all be sent out separately by email. The Explorers yahoo group is a place in which members may post questions, ask for home schooling advice, buy and sell curriculum, etc. Many times we also use each other as a resource for non-homeschooling subjects as well, such as asking for referrals for car repairs, lunch menus, etc.
In short, the yahoo email group is for information and fellowship but not a necessity to be informed about Explorers business. To join the yahoo email group, please contact Sandy Kreps at sandykreps at yahoo.com. She will add you to the list, and email you a set of guidelines for posting to the group. See you online!
12. What should I do if my child is sick on an Explorers Tuesday?
Please use common sense in this regard. Keep your child home if your child has the following within 24 hours before Tuesday: a fever, constant cough, green mucus, diarrhea, vomiting, etc. With kids in such close contact, it's easy to spread germs. The instructors will send your child to you if they think he or she is not feeling well enough to participate in class. Please notify your Team Leader as early as possible if you will not be able to attend on a given day due to sickness. Absences will be posted on the whiteboard in the hospitality room.
13. Does Explorers ever have snow days or other unexpected closings?
Because St. Luke is in Ann Arbor, Explorers follows the Ann Arbor school closings for snow. Team Leaders will be notified of "snow days" by 7:00 a.m, and will try to call everyone on their team. However, please use your best judgment. We know some of you come from quite a distance. If you don't think it's safe to come even though we're "open," don't come! Of course, please let your Team Leader know that you won't be joining us that day.
Occasionally, it might become necessary for the church to cancel all or part of our usage for a particular day. This would be for an unforeseen church function such as a funeral. There might also be continuing renovations that would affect us. We'll keep you updated if this should happen.
14. What is the Explorers standard for classroom behavior?
At Explorers, we have the wonderful advantage of having parents present on site and available to us as instructors when discipline issues arise. Parents are always responsible for the behavior of their child(ren), and should be the primary "disciplinarians." Because that is our situation, we encourage our instructors to always seek out a parent when having difficulty in managing a child's behavior. After a warning, you may either take the child from the class to the parent, or just have a chat with a parent after the class. If you send the child out and do not have time to talk, you'll need to have that chat later!
We ask that everyone be open and loving towards one another in this process! It can be sensitive at times to be confronted with or to confront a behavior problem.
In Explorers, we allow instructors to set up the specific guidelines for behavior in their own classrooms. Different ages, different subject matter, different learning and teaching styles give the program its wonderful scope and effectiveness! However, there are certain standards that we hold to as a Christian group, and we would ask co-instructors to discuss the ideas stated below with each other as they plan their own classes. Of course, all of your personal classroom rules must not violate Explorers abuse prevention policy. Use them as a springboard for decision-making about the particular rules you will expect your students to follow. Be sure to have clear agreement about how you will respond when the rules are challenged. Once you have worked through this process, it is essential to share your particular expectations with the parents and students involved!
The foundation for our standard is simply this: Children and young adults in Explorers will demonstrate respect - respect for Our Lord, themselves, their parents, their instructors, other adults, other students, and property.
When instructing, if you are unable to resolve a behavioral issue with the responsible parent, please agree together to go to the appropriate Team Leader for help.
15. Are there guidelines for instructors at Explorers?
As an Explorers instructor, you are an essential part of the team! We ask that all of our instructors would
Be a team player
--Contribute fairly and enthusiastically on the team you are placed
--Help out if asked in other areas when there are staffing shortages.
Communicate
--Provide a written copy of the class outline to parents at the beginning of the semester.
--Communicate clearly in advance about class requirements or requests to students and parents.
--Let your Team Leader know in advance if you will be absent or need extra help on a given day.
Budget carefully
--Try to project expenses in advance and cover them with your class fee.
--Keep receipts, and turn in reimbursement requests in a timely fashion.
--Try to use materials Explorers already owns, or find other ways to save money.
Contribute to the future of Explorers
--Turn in materials/books/manuals at the end of the semester in neat and readable condition.
--Document work for the benefit of future instructors and turn in a class description form for the Idea Book at the end of the semester.
Members will receive an Instructor Training Packet with much more information.
16. What are the rules for using the St. Luke facility?
The church has been very generous with us in letting us meet here for such a reasonable rent. To maintain this wonderful relationship we have enjoyed so far, we need to honor their requests. We are renting the facility on a year to year basis, and so we all have to try hard to observe the guidelines and to keep track of our children while we are using the building and parking lot. Failure to honor the requirements of the church may jeopardize the whole program. These are the commitments we made when the church agreed to let us use this building
Food consumption:
--We will eat our food only in the kitchen, hospitality area and the designated lunch rooms. We will not keep food anywhere except in the kitchen. This doesn't include our supervised, preschool, Kindergarten and 1st/2nd snacks. In other words, snacking on the run, between classes, during classes, or after the program ends, is not allowed, even for older kids. We feel the older kids should be able to make it to lunch, and, if not, they need to schedule a trip to the hospitality room with their parent.
Coffee and drinks are served and consumed only in the downstairs Kitchen and Hospitality Room! All other areas are off limits to coffee/beverage drinkers.
--Instructors: please help us out in this area by providing non-food rewards and treats for your students!
--We will not bring in any colored or dark colored juices.
Designated and off limit areas:
--Please enter the lobby of the Church quietly and in orderly manner. We use the Church facility during the Church work hours--please don't let your children play/hang out/run around/in the lobby and office areas! Please remind your children to cross the lobby quietly. No running is permitted when children go from one place to another. Feel free to use any of the three coat-rooms available.
--We will park only in designated areas. It seems obvious, but don't park in fire lanes, handicapped spots, or reserved spaces. This means that you may not leave your cars unattended in these areas for any length of time! If you do, you risk being ticketed or towed. If the lot is full, we will park in the county building lots next door.
--We will only use the rooms that have been reserved for us: these are the downstairs rooms, the upstairs preschool rooms, the gym, and upstairs classrooms. We DO NOT have use of the sanctuary on a regular basis. Please ask the Assistant Administrator, Sandy Kreps, if you need more space, or a room change for any reason (in advance is nice.) Please don't use rooms you have not arranged to use. --We will not put tape on the walls, or lean furniture against walls.
--We will use the main entrance only during the day (exception: you may drop supplies at the side door by the stairwell and then enter by the main entrance as usual, picking up your "stuff" on the way downstairs).
--We will stay out of the sanctuary.
--We will leave the rooms as described on the room layout maps which are posted inside each room. The set-up and clean up crews will use these same maps.
--We will not allow our children to play in the landscraping outside.
--We will not allow our children to use the elevator on their own.
All instructors will thoroughly clean up after their own classes, including scrubbing glue from the tables and picking up litter from the floor. Put the furniture back where it belongs as shown on the posted room maps. If you bring in a table or chairs from another room, please put them back after the class is done.
--Leave the rooms cleaner than when you come in!
--We will respect the altar in the classroom (usually a wooden box with a cross or other worship items on it) and not use it for any purpose. This includes using it as a table. Please remind the children in your classroom to not play with the altar or any items on or in it.
Regarding Church Supplies
--We will not use church materials or supplies that are often left stored in the classrooms.
--We will not let our students play with/use any items in the classroom that don't belong to Explorers.
--We will use only the designated closet in room 2 for storage.
--We will not ask to use the copier or other equipment in the St. Luke office.
Communicating with St. Luke. The church has asked ALL Explorers members who need to communicate something to the church staff, to please do so only through Kristy Ray, our liaison to St. Luke. Even if St. Luke is your home church, we respectfully ask that you follow this request.
17. What do I need to know about fire drills and alarms?
To ensure the safety of Explorers members we will be having two formal fire drills throughout the year. Yes! These will take away some class time, but are an important part of both our safety and insurance compliance. Your team leaders will make you familiar with the appropriate exit routes from the building prior to the drills.
Parents need to communicate to children that the fire alarms are not toys and that they are not to be touched (except in the case of fire, of course!) Setting off a false alarm is a very serious offense, earning the disciplinary fee of $100.00. This is public policy, NOT an Explorers' policy. If such a thing does occur it will be the child's family and NOT Explorers who pays this fee. We want to protect Explorers' reputation and good standing with St. Luke Church.
18. What is Explorers' abuse prevention policy?
To safeguard the physical, mental and emotional well being of the children and adults in Explorers, the following policies have been established to prevent abuse:
Two workers need to be present with any child or group of children at all times in the infant and preschool classes.
Children through kindergarten are released only to properly identified and preauthorized individuals. Please pick up your kindergartners and under from their last classes as soon as possible.
Anyone who has been convicted of either sexual or physical abuse will not be permitted to serve in any Explorers program for children.
It is impossible to list all situations that may arise with regard to physical contact with our children. Different situations call for a variety of responses by the leader. For example, high fives, and comforting a younger child may be necessary and appropriate. Behavior that is always inappropriate is prolonged kissing, and touches in sexual areas of the body. Specific concerns and situations should be discussed with the administrator.
The following bathroom procedures have been established:
--One worker may not enter the bathroom alone with a child/children
--The bathroom door should be propped open
--The worker should wait by the bathroom door
--The child should toilet him/herself (The child needs to enter the cubicle alone, wipe him/herself and pull up his/her own underwear. If a child comes to you by the door, you may help him/her with outer clothing).
--It is suggested that the worker maintain conversation with the child so he/she does not feel alone.
--Two workers may enter the sink area of a bathroom with a child/children.
Responses not allowed as disciplinary measures:
--Spanking, shaking or yanking.
--Saying or doing anything to embarrass or degrade a child rather than encouraging proper behavior.
--Telling a child he/she is bad
--Threatening, yelling, shouting or swearing
Every member is responsible to report abuse, or the suspicion of abuse to their team leader promptly.
We do a background check on all co-op and professional instructors.
19. Where is this hospitality room that I keep hearing about?
This area is located next to the kitchen on the lower level. This is a place where members can relax, have a drink and visit. Please take advantage of this room to interact with other parents. It's a great way to get to know others and to receive and give support to each other. Please stay in this area when you're not on duty so that you can be found quickly if you're needed. Besides good conversation, in this area you will also find supply boxes, your personal mail box, a Lost-n-Found box, and the Treasurer's table for reimbursements.
Coffee and drinks are served and consumed only in the downstairs Kitchen and Hospitality Room! All other areas are off limits to coffee/ beverage drinkers.
We have been requested to keep visiting out of the hallways and stairwells, because of the noise to the offices and classrooms. The church has requested that we (adults and children) do not transport food and drink out of the designated areas, especially coffee!!
20. May I store my class supplies at Explorers?
Generally, the Explorers storage closet is reserved for bulk items that would be burdensome for one family to transport each week, or for our common supplies, such as the copier, preschool toys, etc. This is only because our storage space is limited to one closet in room 2. Please speak with Kristy Ray if you need to reserve storage space. Items stored must be put in boxes/crates and properly labeled (with instructor's name and class title). Student work will not be stored in the closet. If you are able to take your supplies home or keep them in your car, that is best.
21. What supplies are available for my use at Explorers?
There are supply boxes available each week in the hospitality room with scissors, crayons, paper, glue, etc. Please use this if you forget to bring something for your class. Please take only the needed item(s), don't check out the entire supply box. If you'd like to schedule regular use please contact Kelli Sparrow (Secretary). If you think you have supply needs and they are not available, please feel free to suggest purchasing them for the supply box. At the end of the semester, turn in any leftover supplies from your class to Kristy Ray. Balls, gym equipment, preschool games and toys are also available in the supply closet, and are labeled "Explorers." Your team leader has an "Idea Book" which holds outlines of past classe for your brainstorming pleasure when you're trying to think about what you'd like to teach in a future semester. Reference the list of available curriculum and supplies for your use that are stored in the closet.
22. Is there AV equipment available for my classroom use?
Kelli Sparrow is responsible for the AV equipment. You may sign up to use a VCR, overhead projector, tape player or DVD player either over email, or on the sign up sheet in the hospitality room. AV equipment will be found at the bottom of the stairwell in the open area or in some classrooms, and should be returned where you find it after use, making it easy for others to access. If using this equipment is imperative to your lesson, sign up early!
23. Where is the lost and found at Explorers?
All lost and found items are placed in a large, Rubbermaid tub that is in the Hospitality room each week. Please label everything you bring, including jackets, lunch bags and backpacks! It helps the cleanup crew know what items are "ours" and what items belong to other groups who use the building. Every unclaimed item will be tossed or given away once each semester. We will announce the week before this happens. Papers, any work from class, artwork, etc. will only be saved for one week.
If you have lost something, look in your newsletter for the cleanup supervisor of the day, and call one of the ladies listed. If she hasn't placed it in our own Lost-and-Found, you may go to the church during open hours to check the Lost and Found in the large coat closet.
24. What is the dress code at Explorers?
First of all, rest assured that no one will be going around the hallways constantly scanning for dress code infringements, or directing students to "tuck in those shirts" just to prove that they can be tucked. We do not have to act like a police state to maintain the dress code at its highest level.
Dress code infringements will probably be quite obvious, and, when noted, instructors/parents, the team leaders, and if necessary the administrator, will enforce the dress code policy when appropriate. Let's just rest easy, and enjoy one another's fellowship and great classes. Sufficient enforcement is usually just a mention to a student.
--Shorts and skirts should reach at least the fingertips when arms are hanging at the side.
--Shirts should be of a length that can easily be tucked into pants or skirt. No midriff should be exposed.
--No cleavage, bare backs, completely exposed shoulders, or underwear should be visible.
--Shirts, tops, and dresses may be sleeveless, BUT no tank tops, or forms of dress that sport spaghetti / halter straps. Tank tops: defined as those sleeveless shirts that have bands that partially cover the shoulders, with a scoop neck, and usually/but not always, fit somewhat snuggly to the body. Acceptable sleeveless (some examples): a sleeveless top with a collar, a sleeveless mock - T., a collarless but button down or partial button top.
--No T-shirts advertising alcohol, sex, or negative messages.
--All pants should be worn in a modest manner to insure that no underwear, bare bellies, or bottoms are visible.
25. What do I need to know about Explorers fees, payment plans and scholarships?
At Explorers, we strive to make our financial dealings both Christian and hassle-free. Toward this end, we have developed the following financial policies:
Co-op registration and class fees
Families are required to pay the Explorers registration at the time of registration. The registration cost is $35 per year per child, with a maximum of $140 per family. If your child is also enrolled in the afternoon program, there is an additional $5 fee per child, with no maximum. Class fees are set by each co-op instructor, and are expected to be paid at the time of class sign up, unless prior arrangements have been made with the treasurer.
We are more than happy to arrange payment plans for those who find the registration and co-op class fees burdensome to pay all at once. It is critical that YOU take the step of communicating any needs you may have with the treasurer. (Persons who bounce checks more than two times will be required to pay with cash or a money order).
Professional class fees
Professional class fees are also due at the time of sign up. However, if a family chooses, they may initially pay only HALF of the professional class fee plus the entire materials fee, and submit a post-dated check for the remaining balance. Other payment plans for professional class fees are usually discouraged. Please note that BOTH checks (the payment for the first half of the class and the post-dated check for the second half of the class) are due at the time of professional class sign up.
Scholarships
There are a very limited number of scholarships available for those who can demonstrate financial need. Keep in mind that there are many families in Explorers for whom money is tight! Forms may be obtained from the treasurer, and all information will be kept in the strictest confidence. Decisions will be made by a sub-committee of the leadership team after all identifying personal information has been omitted. Scholarships are not always awarded, even if need can be demonstrated. Financial aid is not available to those whose children are taking professional classes. Partial scholarships may be available if there are many people who apply.
26. Is my registration fee refundable?
The Explorers registration fee is non-refundable up to $70 and is completely non-refundable two weeks prior to sign up. This is necessary in order for the leadership team to create a budget as well as determine class size and appropriate distribution of funds.
27. After I register, can my child change a class?
Yes. After you register for either semester, there is a one week "grace period" in which you may change a class without financial penalty. Because of the amount of work involved for our treasurer and team leaders, we strictly adhere to this one week rule. To change a class at Explorers, simply stop by the treasurer's table in the hospitality room to pick up a drop/add form. After week two, no class changes are to be made.
28.If I change a class, will I get my money back?
In the first week after registration, you may change a co-op or a professional class, and get all your money refunded. AFTER the one week grace period, professional class fees are completely NON-REFUNDABLE. Co-op class fees are refundable at the discretion of instructor.
29. How can I get reimbursed for what I spend on my Explorers class?
You may be reimbursed in one of two ways. The most expedient way is to come to the "treasurer's table" that will be set up in the hospitality room each Tuesday. Bring your receipt, and Kelly Bone will reimburse you immediately with cash (or a check if the amount is large). The second option (if you are pressed for time on Tuesdays) is to submit the reimbursement form and receipt to Kelly Bone's mailbox, and a check will be issued to you within two weeks.
30. What if my child or student is consistently late to class, or is skipping class?
All students are expected to attend each of their classes and arrive at their classes on time each Explorer Day. In the past, this has hardly EVER been a problem! However, we want especially our older students to know that we take this seriously:
Tardiness:
When a student is consistently tardy for class, the following steps should be taken:
The instructor should ask for any formal excuse or reason why this is happening.
If there is no good reason and the behavior continues, the instructor should speak with the parent and notify the Team Leader.
If the problem persists there should be a meeting between the Team Leader, and parent to discuss and hopefully solve the problem.
The final step is a meeting and plan resolution with the Administrator, parent, and Team Leader.
A student arriving to any class 10 or more minutes late without an official excuse from another instructor/adult is considered skipping that class.
Skipping Classes:
Skipping any class during the Explorers day results in the following consequences:
I. First Offense : A meeting between the Administrator and/or , Team Leader, and the parent who will discuss the different options for discipline. These options are:
A warning
Shadowing the student the next week in the class that was skipped.
Shadowing the student the entire day, for the next week
Having the child participate on clean-up with the parent
Having the child miss Explorers the next week.
Any other suggestions given that are comparable in nature. (This is the Administrator's call.)
Once the discipline is agreed upon between the Administrator and the parent, then the student is included in the meeting.
II. Second Offense: A meeting between the Administrator, Team Leader, and the parent who will discuss the different discipline options. These options are:
Parent shadows the student for the next two weeks.
Student is suspended for the next two weeks.
Student is assigned to morning clean-up team for the next two weeks.
Any other suggestion offered that is comparable to those above. (This is the Administrator's call.)
Once the discipline is decided upon, the student is included in on the meeting and the discipline is explained.
III. Third Offense: The student is expelled from the Explorer Program
31. How can I save money on Explorers classes?
Each family at Explorers has an opportunity to sign up for a fundraising program that helps reduce the cost of their classes. It is an optional program and has certain minimum requirements in order to participate. There is no pressure to sign up or to shop at particular stores if it is not convenient for you. This is just one way we have found to assist families in paying for Explorers classes. Please read the policies below before signing up to determine if this program would be a viable benefit to your family.
EXPLORERS FUNDRAISING POLICY 2008-2009
This is an optional program. Families are not required to participate.
Only families that choose to sign up to participate and agree to the terms of this policy will receive credit for fall classes.
If a family does not return in the fall, but has earned credit, their credit will be placed in the general account that is equally shared by all participating families.
If a family does not return in the fall, but has earned credit, they may not request their $ go to a specific family. It must remain in the general account.
If you do not use all of your credit when you register for fall classes, it will be rolled over to the spring semester for your family to use at that time.
Each family must spend a minimum of $600 per year (June 1, 2008 to May 31, 2009) within the program in order to qualify for the credit, or an average of $50 per month.
The six ways you can earn qualifying credit are:
1. Kroger refillable card (5% profit)
2. Buschs refillable card (5% profit)
3. Meijer credit card (1% profit) or debit (0.5% profit)
4. Whole food cards (not refillable) (5% profit)
5. Gordon Food Services (1% profit)
6. Scrip orders (variety of %) (Scrip orders include many types of businesses from which you can order gift cards. See www.glscrip.com for their extensive retailer list.)
In this program, you may only earn credit for your Explorers account using the choices listed above.
At the end of May, 2009, the amount of $ in the fundraising account will be equally divided among all who have participated and met the requirements.
The fundraising person will keep track of each participant's account. However, if you choose Meijer as a way to earn credit, you will need to show the fundraising person (Janette Haak) your receipts or a summary of your account printed from the Meijer website. Meijer does not send info on your personal account. All other earnings will be tallied automatically for you.
You do not qualify for the fundraising program if you are a Drop Off family ONLY.
32. I have a friend who may be interested in Explorers. What information should I give him/her?If you know someone who may be interested in Explorers, you may first of all direct them to the "About Explorers" portion of the Explorers web site. This will give the family the basic framework of classes, what work is required, etc. In addition, the website always lists information about our next available open house.
Explorers will have an open house once each semester. Our open house for the fall of 2008 will be October 28 and March 17 for spring 2009 at 10:15am. At the open house, participants get an overview of the group, a tour of the facility, and a chance to "peek in" some of our classes in session.
If you would like to attend an open house, would like more information, or an application, please email Kristy Ray at krayschool at comcast.net
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