General Information

 

Who may participate?

Classes are offered for infant through high school aged children of member families. If your family would like to participate, but is not yet a member of Koinonia, please see Membership Information. Class placement is by age, not grade. Students must meet minimum age requirement by October 1, 2008. Exceptions will be considered by the administrative team with proof of ability. See class descriptions for minimum age for each class.

 

What classes are offered?

For a list of 2008-2009 classes by age or time offered, see class schedule.

For a list of 2008-2009 classes by subject or description, see class descriptions.

 

Koinonia reserves the right to cancel any class due to insufficient interest.  Our goal is to meet needs of the home educating community, so if there is a specific class you would like to see offered, please contact us.

 

When is registration for 2008-2009 classes?

Registration for families who are new to Koinonia will begin on May 13, 2008. New families may mail in their membership form along with their class registration form.  Your cancelled check is your confirmation that your children are registered for the requested classes.   If we are unable to register your child for the classes you signed up for, we will contact you as soon as possible upon receiving your registration form. 

 

Current Koinonia members may register starting on May 5, 2008. Registration will be held at Bella Vista Church on Monday, May 5 & 12.  Registrations may also be mailed in.  For full information, see Register for Classes, below.

 

When and where are classes held?

NOTE: Classes are held on Mondays at Bella Vista Church, 5100 Belding Road, Rockford MI. Please do not contact the church for any information pertaining to Koinonia. For contact information, please see contact us.

 

2008-2009 Calendar:

Classes will begin on Monday, September 8, 2008 and end on Monday, May 18, 2009.  There will be no classes on December 1, 22 & 29, 2008 and February 18 and April 6, 2009.  The year end Fine Arts Program is scheduled for Monday, May 18th.  Any classes cancelled due to inclement weather will be rescheduled to Feb. 16, 2009 and/or April 6, 2009.

 

How can someone be reached?

Please do not call Bella Vista Church to reach someone in Koinonia unless it is an emergency.  The staff of Bella Vista Church is busy handling church business and should not be expected to run errands for Koinonia. For general information regarding Koinonia, see contact us

 

Facility Use

All students, parents, and siblings must be in either a class or in study hall. Please keep in mind that the church staff is working, and refrain from any behavior that would be disruptive to them. The rules are: no playing, running, chasing, or eating in the hallways, classrooms, or bathrooms; no climbing, running, or playing upstairs in the gym. It is a privilege for us to use the building. Please do your part in picking up and leaving the building cleaner and neater than you found it.

Koinonia is not staffed to monitor students who are not in classes. All parents, siblings, and students not in classes are requested to quietly and promptly exit the premises or to be in the study hall or family room, except during the lunch hour.

Study Hall - Students who wish to read or do homework quietly between classes may use the study hall. There will be no socializing, or electronic games allowed in study hall. 

Family Room - Koinonia will attempt to offer a room which families may use to study together while waiting for other siblings who are taking classes depending on classroom availability.  There may be times when all rooms are being used for classes and therefore there will not be a room for families to study together while waiting for siblings.  Families are welcome to use the study hall room and talk quietly among themselves. 

Lunch Period - The gymnasium will be open from 12:15 to 12:45 p.m. for lunch.  Students are not permitted to rough house or play with balls in the gymnasium during lunch or any time of the day.  Bag lunches may be carried, but no refrigeration is available. There is a microwave available for use by students and families.

 

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What is the commitment?

Academic classes are offered on a tutored basis. The tutor provides weekly instruction, gives homework assignments and tests, corrects and returns the same, is available by phone to answer questions, and gives quarterly evaluations. However, because this is designed to be a tutorship program for home educators, the bulk of responsibility rightfully falls on the parents. We ask that parents enroll students only in classes that the parent has time to monitor, and that the student will have time to complete assignments for. The average student should spend one hour per school day on homework for each class in which he is enrolled. It will be the parent’s responsibility to make sure assignments are completed according to guidelines and due dates, and to have students contact the tutor if they have questions or do not understand something. Some tests may be sent home, to be taken under parental supervision; these must be signed by the parent to indicate that this was done. Percentage grades will be assigned for work done and on mid-term and semester evaluations. However, since this is a tutorship, record keeping and assigning final grades will be the parent’s responsibility.

              

Parents are expected to reinforce the tutor’s efforts and authority by refraining from criticism and by not allowing students to complain about the tutor. In the event of a problem, parents are requested to speak with the tutor first, and then refer any unresolved problems to Bob Prokopy (696-3215).

           

Finally, Koinonia welcomes and encourages parents to observe the student’s classes. This allows the parent to better understand the classes and see firsthand how the student interacts with the tutor and classmates.

 

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Bad Weather/Cancellation Policy

Please note that Koinonia will not hold classes on days for which Rockford Public Schools have cancelled classes due to bad weather.  Provisions have been made in the schedule for any cancelled classes to be made up at a later date.  If Rockford Public Schools do not cancel classes, Koinonia will not cancel classes. In the event that Rockford Public Schools starting time is delayed, classes at Koinonia will NOT be delayed. Since families come from all over West Michigan for classes at Koinonia, we realize that the weather may be worse for some families than others; therefore, each family will need to make its own decision regarding whether it is safe to come to Koinonia.

 

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Student Expectations

 

Academic Expectations

All students are required to complete assignments by the due date, unless other arrangements have been made with the tutor. It is also expected that students will attend all scheduled classes, except in the event of illness and emergencies, or unless prior arrangements have been made with the tutor. It is the student’s responsibility to contact the tutor to obtain assignments that were or will be missed, and to make arrangements to complete them.

 

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Behavioral Expectations

 

Character Qualities

Koinonia exists not only to assist in academic aspects, but also to help develop character in students as an outgrowth of their faith. Because Koinonia is foundationally a Christian organization, we seek to please Christ in every respect, and to reflect Him to those around us. “Let your light shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:16) We expect that all involved in any services of Koinonia will:

·         Be honest, kind, courteous, and respectful.

·         Show obedience and respect to those in authority.

·         Be diligent in effort and work.

·         Be punctual in attendance and assignments.

·         Respect their bodies by dressing modestly and appropriately, and by abstaining from the use of alcohol and tobacco.

·         Use wholesome speech, honoring the name and character of God by avoiding profane, vulgar, or inappropriate speech.

 

Appearance

Koinonia expects students to wear clothing appropriate for school. We want to maintain a level of dress for the classroom that differs from the kind of dress worn for recreational activities. We assume:

1.       There is a correlation between students’ behavior and their dress.

2.       Koinonia’s standard of dress may be different from any one parent’s or student’s standard of dress.

3.       Parental cooperation is important if we are to maintain proper respect and decorum.

4.       The following guidelines apply:

·         Shorts, dresses, and skirts should be of modest length.

·         Tank tops, spaghetti straps, tight shirts, bare midriffs, or clothing that allows underclothes to show are examples of inappropriate choices of clothing.

·         Clothing with inappropriate words or pictures is unacceptable.

·         No hats may be worn in the building.

Koinonia reserves the right to decide whether clothing is unacceptable or inappropriate.

Discipline Procedure

Discipline procedures at Koinonia will be done with love for the student and with the goal of helping the student become more like Christ. When students exhibit inappropriate behavior, the tutor or leadership will admonish with love while seeking to help the student face consequences, modify behavior, and restore relationships.

Most problems can be handled quietly by the tutor or Koinonia leadership talking with the student. If misbehavior persists, or if the behavior is seriously inappropriate, further action will be taken according to the following procedure.

·         The tutor or leadership will communicate with the parents in writing. This may include notice of poor performance on homework, absenteeism, or other infraction of Koinonia standards.

·         If a student receives a total of three infractions, the student will be placed on probation. A conference will be scheduled with the student, parent(s), and tutor(s) or Koinonia leadership, at which discussion will center around a discipline plan involving concrete objectives for the student.

·         A fourth infraction or spirit of uncooperativeness will result in suspension or dismissal for the remainder of the year. The Koinonia leadership retains the right to decide on the disciplinary action depending on the type of infraction.

·     In the event the leadership finds it necessary to suspend, dismiss or expell the student from attending Koinonia for the remaining school year, all monies paid for classes shall be forfeited, any balance due for the remaining semester will be required to be paid.

 

Gross infractions such as cheating, lying, fighting, using illegal substances, or immoral behavior are causes for immediate dismissal.  Koinonia leadership retains the right to make such decisions.

 

Expulsion Policy

Realizing the difficulties surrounding situations involving student expulsion from various educational institutions, the board and administration have the responsibility to protect the students and families of Koinonia as well as our host organization. Our membership policy for expelled students will be as follows:

·         Any student who has been expelled from any public, private, parochial, homeschool, or other educational institution shall not be admitted to the membership of Koinonia for a minimum of the term of their expulsion from that organization.

·         If the student is a current member of Koinonia and is expelled from any public, private, parochial, homeschool, or other educational organization, he/she shall have all rights and privileges immediately revoked for a minimum of the term of expulsion from that organization.

·         Upon completion of the term of his/her expulsion, the student may apply for Koinonia membership privileges, at which time the board and administration shall review the application and determine membership privileges.

 

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Fees and Payment Policies

Membership Fee

Koinonia’s membership fee is $50/family.  The Early Bird membership fee (May 5th  – July 15st)  is $35/family.  Membership fees are non-refundable. Koinonia’s class fees are listed with the respective class description. See class descriptions.

 

Class Fees

The first month’s fee for each class is due at the time of registration in order to hold the student’s place in the class. Payment options include the following:

·         Pay the entire class cost at the time of registration.

·         For full-year classes, make two equal payments, due at registration and Jan. 15.

·         For full-year classes, pay in eight monthly installments, due at registration and then by the 15th of each month September – November and January – April.

·         For one-semester classes, pay in four installments, due at registration and on the 15th of each month September through November or January thru March.

 

Note that the price of a class listed on the class descriptions page is the price for our “Full” payment option. The two “Half” payments equal the “Full” payment. If you choose to make 8 payments the cost per class increases slightly.

Koinonia 2008-2009 Payment Options

2008-2009 Class Fees

“Full”

1 payment

Due at

registration

“Half”

2 payments

Due at registration

& 1/15/08

“Month”

Mo. Payments

Due at

registration &

15th each mo.

Ages 11-18

 

 

 

   One-semester 1 ˝ hr Class

 $148

 

$38

    Full-year 1 ˝ hr Class

$296

$148

$38

    Full-year Class longer than 1 ˝ hr

$336

$168

$43

 

 

 

 

Koinonia Kids

 

 

 

        1- 5 classes

$148/ea.

$74/ea.

$19/ea.

        6 classes*

$792

$396

$17/ea.

        7 classes*

$864

$432

$16/ea.

 

 

 

 

Team-Taught Classes (Ages 2-11)***

$15**

 

 

eight monthly installments, due at registration and then by the 15th of each month September – November and January – April

*these are per student rates not per family rates

** children ages 0-1 are free.  Max. due per family is $45.  The cost of one semester is $8/student and $24 max. per family.

 

Checks for monthly payments should be made out to Koinonia, and must be mailed to the registrar.  The registrar’s mailing address is at the bottom of both the membership application form and the class registration form. 

There is a 15-day grace period on payments. Koinonia is more than happy to make arrangements for late payments with those who contact our registrar before the payment is due. However, any payment not made by the 30th of the month it is due will be subject to a $5 late charge if prior arrangements have not been made. If a current bill has not been paid by the beginning of the next semester, the student will not be permitted to attend classes. No refunds will be made for absenteeism or class cancellations.

 

Books, Materials, and Lab Fees

The text needed for each class is noted in the class description. It is the responsibility of the parent to order the proper edition textbooks for each class and to have them by the time the class begins. Contact the tutor if you have any questions about the text. Some classes may require additional fees due to materials, copying costs, and/or expenses for lab supplies. Such fees will be specified in the class description and must be paid to the tutor. The tutor will be in contact with you as to when this amount is due.

 

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Register for Classes

Current Koinonia members may mail in their registration forms starting on May 5, 2008 or register in person at Bella Vista Church on Monday, May 5th or 12th. Classes are filled on a first-come, first-served basis. Most classes have a limited class size, and registration for classes will close when the class becomes full or on July 15, 2008. Anyone wishing to register for a class after July 15 will be charged a $15 late registration fee per student. Families are encouraged to register early.  Koinonia reserves the right to cancel any class for which there is insufficient interest.

 

Your family must be a member of Koinonia in order to register students for classes.  See Membership Information for how to become a member.  Students will be registered in a class when Koinonia has received a membership form with BOTH parents’ signatures, the membership fee, a class registration form, and a class registration down payment. NO class reservations will be made without down payment and properly completed forms with required signatures. It is appropriate to mail in your membership form with your class registration form. Membership and registration forms can be found on the printable forms page.

 

Families will be contacted by the registrar within a couple of weeks following registering for classes.  Tutors will contact you the first part of August, 2008 to welcome your children to their class.

 

Your check will be your receipt. You may wish to keep a copy of the registration form for your records. 

 

Waiting List

If you are interested in a class, which is full, please contact the registrar to put your name on the waiting list.  Often families listed on the waiting list, do get into a class.  Class deposit fees are not required as long as a family is on the waiting list.    

                                                          

Dropping or Transferring Classes

Please remember that in all cases the family membership fee is nonrefundable.

           TRANSFERRING CLASSES         

·       Students and parents may use the first two weeks of classes in September to determine if the class is a good fit.  Students who wish to transfer from one class to another a class before September 17th can do so with no additional charges.

·     Students who choose to transfer a class after September 17 will be required to pay a transfer     fee of $70 for Jr. & Sr. High, $35 for Koinonia Kids. Most of this fee will go to the Tutor with whom we have made a commitment in pay to.

 

·         All dropping and transferring of classes will only be recognized when the registrar receives a completed drop/add form.  

 

            DROPPING CLASSES         

 

·         To receive a full refund for class fees paid the Deadline for Dropping classes is Sept. 1, 2008. 

 

 

·         To receive a partial refund for class fees paid the Deadline for Dropping classes is Sept. 17, 2008. 

 

 

·         There will be no refund for class fees paid  on any classes Dropped after Sept. 17, 2008. 

 

·       Once the 2nd semester starts, no refunds will be given for 2nd semester classes.

 

 

·        Students and parents may use the first two weeks of classes in September to determine if the class is a good fit.  Students who drop a class before September 17th be required to pay for 1/2 of the semester. Students who choose to drop a class after September 17 will be required to pay the balance due for the full semester. 

 

·         All dropping and transferring of classes will only be recognized when the registrar receives a completed drop/add form.  

 

 

·     Students may drop second semester classes and receive a refund for the 2nd semester if

     circumstances arise that would prohibit them from attending. Such exceptions are;

                Relocation outside a 35 mile radius.

                Doctor's diagnosis of illness prohibiting extended attendance.

                Learning disabilities resulting in incomplete assignments and work.

 

           Once the 2nd semester starts, no refunds will be given for 2nd semester classes.

 

 

 

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The Commitment

 

Cancellation Policy

 

Student Expectations

 

Behavior Expectations

 

Fees and Payment Policies

 

Register for Classes

 

Dropping or Transferring Classes