End of April to the Start of Classes

During re-enrollment, facilitators help returning families finalize their class plans.  During open registration, facilitators help new families as well.

• Contact the Teacher
  Be aware that teachers cannot promise students entry into their classes.  They cannot change their maximum class size without approval from a Connections’ board member.  Also, room assignments may change.
  • Introduce yourself as the facilitator for next year.
  • Ask if it is okay to give out his/her phone number to parents.
  • Ask if parents should phone or email the teacher with class questions or issues which you cannot answer or resolve.  Parents must obtain approval for class age or prerequisite exceptions.
  • If there is a copy/material fee, ask if it is transferable to another family.  If someone drops the class during open registration, the copy/material fee is lost unless someone on the waiting list immediately fills the empty spot AND the teacher says it is transferable.  If it is, the new student can reimburse the dropping student.
  • Ask if you should run student names by the teacher before adding a student to the class.  Be aware that it is the teacher’s prerogative to deny a student entry into his/her class.
  • Ask if the teacher has an NSF policy.
  • Ask if there is a point in the year when the teacher no longer wants to add new students to the class.  No students may be added after March 1.
• Unique Circumstances During Re-Enrollment (End of April to May 28)
  • Only students from returning families may be added to classes.
  • If a student drops and you already received a tuition and copy/materials fee check, it is refundable until open registration so do not give checks to the teacher early.
• Unique Circumstances During Open Enrollment (Starting May 29)
  • Tell new families they must submit a Family Registration Contract and Registration Fees.  There is one available on our website www.homeschool-connections.com.
  • If a student drops and you already received a tuition check, it is non-refundable.  Any copy/material fee is lost unless someone on the waiting list immediately fills the empty spot AND the teacher says it is transferable.  If it is, the new student can reimburse the dropping student.  Yes, the teacher may end up getting more for the first month than the maximum would allow.
• Manage the Class List (Email all adds/drops to Sandra@theWebers.info and the teacher)
  
  • Students must meet the class age and prerequisite requirements.  If they don’t (even if they are too young or too old by one day), they must obtain the teacher’s approval.  No age exceptions are granted for Brian Raven classes. 
  • If your Monday class is for students age 7 or younger, verify the student is 7 on September 1, 2013 or has an older sibling in Monday classes.  If not, the student may not be added.
  • If your Wednesday class is for students age 11 or younger, verify the student is age 11 on September 1, 2013 or has an older sibling in Wednesday classes.  If not, the student may not be added.
  • If families are adding a second day, remind them to give the additional registration fee to Sandra Weber.
  • Families must secure their class spot by paying for one month of tuition and any copy/material fees.  One check should be made payable to the teacher except for Brian Raven's classes (payable to the facilitator) and Marianni Groves' classes (payable to CORE Theatrics).
  • Keep track of all checks received on the "Class Tuition Payment Chart," which will be emailed to you. 
  • Sequence the waiting list giving priority based on the order you are contacted.  Keep a log of the date and time of calls/emails to help you order your list in a fair manner.  Return all calls/emails to verify the students are eligible.  Tell the parents you will call when an opening becomes available.  Explain that if they are out of town for an extended period of time or during the early part of September and you cannot get in touch with them, their spot will open up to the next student on the waiting list.  Ask if there is an alternate number where they can be reached during such a time.  Advise the parents we draw from these waiting lists throughout the year, and there is often turnover in classes.
  • Offer openings to the next person on the waiting list.
  • Do not add more than your maximum.
• On your Last Day of Connections’ Classes
  Take your mailbox folder home with you so checks cannot be added to your folder after you leave.
• Before Open Enrollment (Before May 28)  Call and/or email parents for whom you have not received payment and remind them they need to get you a check before May 28  in order to secure their spot.  Tell them you will drop their student from your list if they do not get you a check.  It is not your responsibility to obtain payment.
• Second Week of June
  Mail all the checks and a copy of the class list, which includes any changes you have made to date, to the teacher.  Since new participants are not added to the database until their contract is received, your records are the most current throughout the summer.  Thus a class list printed from the database will not be given to the teacher until September.
• First week of August
  • Mail any additional checks and a new class list to the teacher.  
  • Set up an email list of the class so you can communicate important information with them throughout the school year.
• Week Before Classes Start
  • Email all final changes to Sandra.  She will email you a new class list and tuition chart along with an attendance chart.  Make sure the reports agree with your records and email any changes to Sandra. 
  • Email the class list to the teacher. 
  • Print all the reports and bring them to the first day of class along with any remaining checks. 
  • Print, read, and bring the emergency procedures from the website to the first day of class.  Emergency cards will be in your mail box folder; be sure to keep them with you.

Start of Classes to the End of Classes

Come to class prepared with any additional checks and a class list for the teacher.  Also bring your tuition records, attendance sheet, and emergency procedures.  Emergency cards will be in your mail box folder; be sure to keep them with you.

• Manage the Class List (Email all adds/drops to Sandra@theWebers.info and the teacher)
  • Students must meet the class age and prerequisite requirements.  If they don’t (even if they are too young or too old by one day), they must obtain the teacher’s approval.  No age exceptions are granted for Brian Raven classes.
  • If your Monday class is for students age 7 or younger, verify the student is 7 on September 1, 2013, or has an older sibling in Monday classes.  If not, the student may not be added.
  • If your Wednesday class is for students age 11 or younger, verify the student is age 11 on September 1, 2013, or has an older sibling in Wednesday classes.  If not, the student may not be added.
  • Tell new families they must submit a Family Registration Contract and Registration Fees.  There is one available on our website www.homeschool-connections.com.
  • Ask if families are adding a second day; and if so, remind them to give the additional registration fee to Sandra Weber.
  • Families must secure their class spot by paying for one month of tuition and any copy/material fees within a week.  One check should be made payable to the teacher except for Brian Raven's classes (payable to the facilitator) and Marianni Groves' classes (payable to CORE Theatrics).
  • If a student is added after tuition is due to the teacher, pro-rate tuition so the payment covers the classes the student can take.  This is the only time we pro-rate tuition.
  • Waiting lists may be filled with students in the order you are contacted.  Return all calls/emails to verify the students are eligible.  Tell the parents you will call when an opening becomes available. 
  • Offer openings to the next person on the waiting list, or advertise them on our information board.
  • Do not add more than your maximum.
  • Do not add anyone after March 1.
• Collect Tuition and Pay the Teacher
  • Collect monthly tuition and fees from parents, and keep track of all checks received on the "Class Tuition Payment Chart."
  • Pay the teacher on time, according to the payment schedule on the "Teacher Payment Receipt Chart."  Total the money, and have the teacher double check the total and sign for it when you pay them.
  • If a student drops and you already received a tuition check, it is non-refundable.  Any copy/material fee is lost unless someone on the waiting list immediately fills the empty spot AND the teacher says it is transferable.  If it is, the new student can reimburse the dropping student.
  • If someone drops the class, the parent is bound to satisfy the class fee for one full pay period after notice is given, unless someone on the waiting list immediately fills their child’s spot or notice is given on or before the first day of classes.  (In other words, notice should always be given with a tuition check paid on time, unless there is a waiting list or classes haven't started yet.)  The student can continue to take classes for all paid days.  If necessary, remind them they registered their child with the intention of participating in the class for the entire school year.  If someone hassles you about this, contact a board member.
  • Give your payment records to the teacher at the end of the school year.  Some teachers may request a copy of the payment record in January for tax purposes.
• Liaison
  • In September, select an alternate facilitator from the parents of students in your class list to fulfill your job in your absence.  Provide your alternate facilitator with a class phone list, emergency cards, and the teacher’s phone number.  Also, be sure to provide the teacher with the alternate facilitator’s name and phone number.
  • Serve as the liaison between the teacher and Connections’ students, parents, and board members by acting as the contact person for questions concerning the class you facilitate.  It is your responsibility to uphold Homeschool Connections' policies on the teacher's behalf.  Please do not put the teacher in an awkward position by suggesting to the parents that rules can be broken.
  • On behalf of the teacher, forward the class syllabus and any schedule changes to the parents.
  • If the class ends early, remind the teacher that students must stay in the class to avoid overloading the hallways and study halls.  If the teacher has an emergency and has to leave early, stay in the class with the students and one other parent until the end of the class hour.
  • If the class is canceled due to a teacher absence, call or email parents as early in the day as possible.  Then, during the class hour, be present in the classroom (or find a substitute), and use it as a study hall for any students that end up being on site anyway.  You will also need to make arrangements to have another parent in the room with you or have the hall monitor for that hour sit outside the room (with the door open) so there are two adults present.
  • Do not give out the names and/or phone numbers from your class list or waiting list without obtaining the parents' permission first.
  • Discuss discipline problems with the teacher, and then either the teacher or you should communicate the situation, along with the desired course of action, to the parent.  If an incident occurs that you feel there should be a record of, please get an "Incident Report" from the administrative mailbox, fill it out, and submit it to a Connections’ board member.
  • Ask your teacher if they would like you to check their mailbox folder for them each week.  If they say yes, please follow through.
• Be Present
  • Be in the class you facilitate each week.  If you need to be gone, ask your alternate facilitator to make sure he/she is there that week and fulfills this responsibility.  For the protection of our children, our teachers, and our organization, there needs to be at least two adults present in each class.
  • Take attendance on the attendance form provided for you.  The reason for taking attendance is so we have accurate records of who is in the building in case of emergency.  Keep your emergency cards with your attendance sheet.
  • Arrive 5 minutes early to see that the room is set up appropriately, that requested equipment is ready for the teacher, and to deal with the things that inevitably come up.  Your teacher may ask you to assist in reserving an overhead or a TV/VCR/DVD unit.  Use will be on a first-come, first-served basis.  You will receive information about how to schedule equipment prior to the start of classes.
  • Tidy up the room at the end of your class.
• Enforce the Rules
  • If a student is sick or has a fever, remind the parents this is not allowed.
  • If siblings, who are not registered for the class, are in the room, remind the parents this is not allowed.
  • Students are to refrain from using or displaying knives, lighters, or any other such implements in Connections’ classes.  If you witness use or display of these items, instruct the student to put these items away, remind them of this policy, and notify the parents if deemed necessary. 
  • Enforce the no eating or drinking (except water) in class rule.
  • Connections’ rules are made in an effort to keep things running smoothly, but sometimes there needs to be an exception to the rule.  When an exception is granted, we always put it in writing, along with our line of thinking in making the decision.  Thus, if someone tells you they “have permission” for something, please feel free to check with a board member, especially if you are uncomfortable with the situation.
• Gift Policy
  We ask you not organize a group gift for teachers.  People have come to us feeling pressured about this, so we would like to encourage gift giving to be an individual choice.
• Food Policy
  Your teacher has been asked to abide by the following food policies.  On Mondays, prepackaged foods may be served according to the policies listed below.  On Wednesdays, there is no eating allowed in classrooms without permission.  Please speak to a board member if you would like to serve food in your class.  If you receive permission, you must still abide by the policies below.
  • The following would be allowed:
    • Pre-packaged cookies, crackers, etc.
    • Soft drinks or juice not requiring refrigeration
    • Cakes or cupcakes, pre-packaged and purchased at a store
    • Bagged chips, popcorn, or candy
  • The following items may not be served:
    • Any protein based food requiring refrigeration (meat, cheese, milk, eggs)
    • Any salad or side dish requiring refrigeration
    • Any homemade baked goods, such as cakes, cookies, and cupcakes
    • Any fresh fruits or vegetables
• Class Field Trips are not Sponsored or Sanctioned by Connections
  Our insurance policy does not cover any off-site events or transportation to/from events.  Your teacher may ask you to assist in informing the class of our policy.  The following statement can be used for this purpose:
  
  "Please be aware that class field trips are not endorsed, sponsored or sanctioned by Homeschool Connections.  We do not carry liability insurance to cover activities outside of class nor transportation to or from any such activities.  If you participate in an event outside of Connections' classes with other Connections' families, it is not to be construed as being a Homeschool Connections' activity."

Last Updated: Sunday, March 17, 2013, 2:03:12 AM