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Parental Policies and Expectations

We ask parents to observe the following when bringing situations or issues regarding anything within our community to the Apiary Collective Co. Board:

  • Follow Matthew 18:15-20 for conflict resolution.
  • If you have a concern or would like the Board to address an issue, please speak to a board member or email [email protected]
  • If an issue arises and you are unsure of how to proceed, bring it directly to any board member.
  • Think the best of people and work toward resolution in all things. Avoid talking about others negatively.
  • Remember we are part of the body of Christ and here to serve our children.

PRIMARY PARENT RESPONSIBILITY

As a community of cooperative homeschooling parents, we ask all attending parents to be involved in some capacity. This will also ensure parental participation and commitment to our group for the entire school year. This does mean that you come prepared to teach or assist each week. Books will be provided to the lesson teacher by Apiary Collective Co. All teacher books will be returned to the community at the end of the school year. We will provide direction on what we are looking to teach but the actual weekly content and lessons will be up to you based on the curriculum selections. As a part of Apiary Collective Co., I agree to:

GENERAL

Every participating parent will:

  • Submit to a background check.
  • Commit to the community for the entire school year (unless unforeseen circumstances arise, such as illness, moving, etc.)
  • Pay the nonrefundable family and student fees in full.
  • Sign a Statement of Faith. Teachers and assistants commit to teaching only that which aligns to the statement of faith.
  • Return all books provided by Apiary Collective Co. at the end of school year in good useable condition.
  • Note: Only adults who have completed these steps can interact with children/students during community gatherings.

Conduct

  • Everyone will obey all community rules and regulations.
  • Each participating parent will conduct him/herself with behavior, words and dress in a way that is Christ-like and honoring to God.
  • Each student will address adults as Mrs./Mr. (First Name) as a sign of respect.

Communication and Social Media

  • Each family will use the selected communication avenue. (Ex: homeschool-life.com, Telegram texting app, etc.)
  • Parents are welcome to take pictures during community gatherings but may not post them on social media if they include the faces of individuals outside their immediate family. Apiary Collective will not post pictures of faces on its social media platforms either.

TEACHING/HELPING RESPONSIBILITIES

Participating parents are committing to provide deep, rich and meaningful lessons to the best of their ability in a safe environment. This is a weighty commitment and responsibility that is expected to be taken seriously with time and energy given to prepare for lessons and teach them. The same commitment and attention is given to the nursery class, as well as other duties like clean up, overseeing recess, etc. The education and safety of each and every child and student is taken very seriously by the board and by every participating parent.

Each participating parent will:

  • Be present and well-prepared to teach and/or assist lessons as assigned by Apiary Collective Co.
  • Prepare lesson plans for assigned lessons and submit them in the format requested (Google Doc, etc.) prior to the start of the school year.
  • Be prepared and ready to begin your assigned role promptly at 9:00 am.
  • Teachers will fill out the Lesson Plan Recap document(s) each week and include any assigned homework.
  • Be responsible for finding a substitute cover assigned lesson(s), nursery, clean up, recess duty, etc if unable to attend a community gathering and to notify the Board of the plans per the Missing Community Gathering policy.
  • Return all books provided by Apiary Collective Co. at the end of school year in good useable condition.
  • Help with cleanup responsibilities as assigned or requested.
  • Supervise children at all times. If you see something that needs to be addressed, address it.
  • Be aware of the overall community gathering schedule including when you are finished teaching a lesson where the class goes next and who is coming in next to teach to ensure students are never left unattended. This includes the nursery rotation.
  • Primary parent will remain on campus for the entirety of each community gathering day.
  • Parents on recess duty are responsible for overseeing all children on the playground during the entire recess/lunch time. This includes having eyes on the playground to monitor activities, address conflicts, and to provide a safe environment for the kids to play and eat lunch.
  • Parents on break are welcome to hangout in the lobby, sit at the back of the chapel or in another room that is not being used, or be outside in the playground area if it is not in use by a class. Break time is not a time to be engaging with children/students unless you have been asked to sub for another mama or if you see a need that needs to be met. This also includes going into the nursery to hangout during your break.
  • Newborns may stay with mama during teaching/assisting lessons but all other children are required to be in the nursery.

RESPONSIBILITY/LIABILITY

  • Families will arrive on time (no later than 8:50 am) and leave the building no later than 1:00 pm.
  • Parents will be responsible and accountable for their children and keep their children with them until community gathering begins at 9:00 am. The playground is open for use from 8:40-8:55 am but children and students must be directly supervised by their parent.
  • Parents will ensure their students are in their classrooms ready to start promptly at 9:00 am.
  • Parents will be responsible and accountable for their children, including their actions. If a student intentionally or unintentionally breaks or damages church property, it will be the responsibility of the parent to resolve it.
  • Parents will guide and assist their students as needed to complete their homework.
  • Parents will ensure their students will arrive prepared for lessons with all necessary homework, notebooks, books, pencils, other supplies, etc.
  • Students can only attend community gatherings when their primary parent is present and participating.

COMMITMENT

  • When joining, families will commit to the entire school year. 
  • As is the nature of a co-op, all families involved depend on one another to carry the responsibilities of teaching our children. Thus, if anyone drops out, all families will be affected. Therefore we ask that you take enrollment in Apiary Collective Co. seriously. 

PARENTAL COMPLIANCE AGREEMENT

I (We), the parents of the above child(ren) fully satisfy the laws of the state in which I (we) currently reside, with all the rights and privileges as outlined in my (our) state’s homeschool laws. I (We) understand that I (we) am (are) primarily responsible for my (our) child’s education and that Apiary Collective Co. is a complementary service to my (our) homeschooling program.