FICHE Co-op Information
What is F.I.C.H.E.’s Anchor Co-op?
What is a Co-op?
The Miriam-Webster dictionary defines a cooperative as “1: marked by cooperation, 2: marked by a willingness and ability to work with others”. Likewise, cooperate is defined as “1: to associate with another or others for mutual benefit, 2: the act of working or acting together to achieve a common goal”. For our purposes, a cooperative (referred to as “co-op’ henceforth) is a variety of classes being offered on the same day and same location. Our common goal is the education and development of our children.
What is the purpose of our Anchor Co-op?
We arrived at three main functions for our co-op for FICHE. We are calling them the “3 F’s”. Those three “F’s” are Fun, Fellowship, and ‘aFordable education. (Yes, we’re copying the “3 R’s”. Two of the “R’s” don’t start with an “R” either!)
Fun: In all honesty, one of the driving forces for attendance in a co-op, for both students and parents, is generally that the student is experiencing an enjoyable classtime. Classes are to be structured to draw the child’s interest and teach them a love of the topic and learning, not just mere facts. The younger classes are primarily hands-on and transition to some of the high school classes preparing teens for college.
Fellowship: Co-op classes provide wonderful opportunities for both child and parent to make and establish friends with other homeschool families. This weekly time together can help motivate children to perform better throughout the week. And time with other moms with similar trials and joys provide encouragement for both homeschooling issues and our walks with Lord. For the college-bound, these classes will allow them an opportunity to learn to perform under different teaching styles and expectations.
‘aFordable education: We strive to provide a variety of classes for all ages. Many of these classes will be opportunities that the family might not otherwise have had, such as PE, science experiments or labs, foreign language, art or music. Even the core classes such as history, writing, or math can be the “weak spot” for Mom and these classes can help her and child throughout their year. Our fees will be kept to a minimum to allow participation for all interested families, but will vary based on class subject, grade level, and needed supplies.
When and where will these co-op classes be held?
Our co-op classes are held weekly on Tuesdays near the Lindsay area. We intend to arrange the schedule for the first classes to begin at 9:00am. The length of the day will be determined by the number of teachers and classes being offered, preferably finishing around 3pm.
What are the ages and grades that this co-op will serve?
We offer classes for 1st through High School. We offer classes for Pre-K and Kindergarten, as well as Nursery for Teachers’ children and the younger siblings of students enrolled in co-op classes.
What if we want to enroll in only one class?
Our co-op is organized to allow families to pick-and-choose which classes are suitable for their children. For some families, that may be only one class for each child. For other families, they may choose to enroll their children in a full day of classes. Once again, this is the parent’s decision. It is our hopes that you will consider placing your children in the classes being offered for them while the other child is also in class.
What do I do with my other child(ren) not enrolled in any class?
Based on our FICHE Policies & Procedures, children under the age of 10 require a parent to remain on premises. This will hold true for co-op classes also. (This same rule also allows for the parent to make arrangements with another parent or teacher in the case of illness or doctor appointments, etc.) However, please note: Children are the responsibility of the parent, not any co-op or church staff member. An alternative to merely “hanging out” with your other child(ren) is for you to consider teaching a class that would interest your other child(ren). This is a wonderful way to engage not only your child but others of the same age as well. If you need ideas for such a class, speak to a co-op director.
What are the responsibilities of the parents?
- Every parent is ultimately responsible for ensuring their child’s proper behavior.
- Parents will be responsible for filling out the appropriate enrollment forms and paying any monies due in a timely fashion.
- Parents are required to set the example in areas of modesty.
- Parents must bring their child to co-op on time and promptly pick them up afterwards. Co-op is not a childcare program for any age child.
At least one person from each family – Mom, Dad, grandparent, or mature teen - will be required to serve as a Volunteer in a class, as a hall/door monitor, childcare, or set-up or clean-up crew to allow us to offer tuition- free classes. Each family needs to serve for up to 3 hours a week; more time is allowed for those desiring to do so. (Families with only one child taking only one or two classes need serve only during those times.)
Remember: teachers and parents will be trading services, not money. Considerations will be made for those with small children or health issues. The volunteer positions and schedule will be created based on the number of classes that are actually established and specific needs pertaining to our facility.- All adults who are regularly attending Anchor Co-op will be required to submit to an annual Background Check. This includes Mom, Dad, Grandparents, FICHE Alumni, Teachers. etc. Although these are not fool-proof, they are a respectable form of ensuring the safety of our children. (If you have concerns about this, please, talk to us before submitting your info for one.)
Who is allowed to teach a class? What are teacher requirements?
We encourage mothers, fathers, grandparents, and mature teens with a love for teaching any subject to teach. Likewise, we will also have some teachers from outside our group that teach specific subjects not being provided by our members. All teachers, members and non-members, teens and adults, are required to sign our FICHE Statement of Faith and teach according to Scripture. Also, as a means of ensuring safety and integrity in the classroom, our policy is to have two teachers or adults present in every class every week. This may be two co-teachers, a teacher and an assistant, or a teacher and an assigned helper. Additionally, teachers will be required to submit information about their classes such as a description, curriculum, material fees or lists, amount of anticipated homework, and other information related to a family choosing their class. Teachers will be required to keep accurate attendance and grades for any given assignments. Teachers are encouraged to develop a working relationship with parents as they aide each parent in the educational goals for their families. However, it is the parents’ responsibility to keep in contact with the teacher.
What are the benefits of teaching in the Co-op?
The primary benefit for Teachers and Co-Teachers is the opportunity to enroll their children in the co-op classes before the enrollment is opened to the rest of co-op as a whole. Teachers will also receive a discounted co-op registration fees.
What do Anchor Co-op classes cost?
In keeping with the definition of cooperate, we will work for the “mutual benefit” of all families involved. Teachers and parents will be trading services, not money. Members of FICHE will not charge tuition for their classes. Teachers will be encouraged to charge a Materials Fee to cover their expenses and not “lose money” in the process. We will be able to offer these classes inexpensively because each family will serve volunteer time each week while their child is in class. Teachers coming into our co-op from outside our group to teach are allowed to charge a tuition fee as this is how many of them make their livings. We will strive to arrive at a price that is both affordable for our families and a reasonable compensation to the teachers for their time and expertise. For this reason, we prefer members of our group step in to teach their areas of interests or strengths and, therefore, keep costs down for all families.
Each student/family will be assessed a nominal registration fee to cover the costs of the facility, paper and copy supplies, and other basic co-op expenses. The registration fee will be due at time of enrollment in the fall. For those classes requiring tuition, those fees will be due on the first Tuesday of each month.
What about families who may be struggling financially?
If you – or a family you know – desires to attend co-op classes but are experiencing financial hardships, please contact an Administrator about payment arrangements. Occasionally, there is also a limited amount of scholarship funds available. These are distributed at the discretion of the administrators, or as indicated by the donor.
If you desire to donate to the general scholarship fund or for the fees of a specific family – or even anonymously, please contact an administrator or treasurer.
What is order of enrollment for classes?
Classes will list a maximum number of students available depending on the age/grade, subject of the class, and room size. Therefore, we must organize enrollment so that those working to maintain a co-op are ensured a place for their children. (Why teach a class if your own child(ren) cannot attend other classes?) Enrollment will be organized into these generalized steps: 1.) Co-op Committee and Administrators 2.) Teachers 3.) other interested FICHE families, 4.)new to FICHE families.
Each class will list the grades and ages for which the curriculum or subject is suitable or recommended. Parents who truly believe that their child will benefit from being placed in a higher or lower level are encouraged to speak directly to a co-op administrator. Do not directly contact the teacher. These decisions will be made on a case-by-case basis upon request and will be based upon both the academic and developmental levels of the student. We want each child in the classes where they will benefit and learn the most.
What should our co-op aim to avoid?
Co-op classes are a supplement to a family’s education. Therefore, co-op classes should not drive or dictate the rest of the week at home. Teachers are requested to keep homework to a minimum. For secondary core classes requiring homework and/or projects, teachers will provide not only a class description but also the amount of time anticipated for any homework that will be expected on a weekly basis. Although some high school classes will require more significant time for homework, this is the parent’s choice and we hope this provided information will help them arrange their home schedules accordingly.
What is the dress code for co-op?
Students and parents need to dress in a manner that compliments their God-given gender.
The remainder of our FICHE Policies & Procedures outline our Dress Code on page 2. These guidelines will carry over into the co-op classes.
These FICHE Policies and Procedures also outline our Illness Guidelines on page 2 for keeping all our families healthy.
What about discipline for the co-op classes?
Discipline by teachers may include “Time-Outs”, missing a “treat” or reward (for teachers who may give them), or points deducted from a grade. Parents will then be notified of these actions and the cause(s). Parents of children under 10 are required to be on the premises so any disciplinary issues that the teacher is unable to effectively alter through these means will be brought directly to that parent. Older children whose parents are not present will be brought to one of the co-op administrators. The parent will be notified of the behavior requiring attention whether the behavior is changed by this visit or not. Scolding or open humiliation is not acceptable from teachers. Spanking or paddling is never an option for Teachers or Administrators as that is the parent’s responsibility. Children of any age who continue in any disruptive or disobedient behavior will be faced with the possibility of expulsion from the co-op as determined by the involvement of the Co-op Administrators.
How exactly are FICHE and Anchor connected?
FICHE, Fellowship of Independent Christian Home Educators, is the support group. It is the parent organization. FICHE offers an array of events and activities for constitutional home educators: family events, mom events, field trips, high school graduation, archery club, volleyball club, co-op classes and much more. Therefore, co-op classes are just one of the many opportunities afforded to a FICHE member. Anchor Co-op falls under the umbrella of the FICHE support group. This is FICHE’s Anchor Co-op.
(We have seriously contemplated opening a satellite location a couple of times. So, we named our co-op in order to distinguish this location from the other one. However, the plans for a satellite location have never came to fruition.)