1. Program Purpose

Commonwealth Academy is designed to supplement home education through enrichment classes, group activities, and social opportunities. It does not replace a family’s homeschool responsibilities or academic program. 

2. Eligibility

• Commonwealth Academy is open to families that are actively engaged in homeschooling, with at least one child in grades PreK-3 and that are in compliance with Kentucky or Tennessee homeschooling laws (whichever state applies). 
• Families must complete all registration forms.
• Parents must be able to pass a background check.
• Early Learners Class Eligibility: Must be age 3 by August 1st 
• Level 1 Class Eligibility: Must be age 5 by August 1st 

3. Member Requirements 

• Parents will either volunteer as a teacher aide for at least 5 class days or pay an opt-out fee. 
• Families must pay their tuition and fees on time and in full. 
• Adhere to all policies outlined in this document. 

4. Tuition and Fees

• Tuition and supply fees are due by the published deadline.
• Tuition and supply fees are nonrefundable.
• Families are responsible for any charges related to special events. 

5. Class Placement

• Class placement is determined by age, grade, skill level. 
• Placement decisions may be adjusted by the administration when needed. Academy staff will contact the parent to discuss this decision before any changes are made.
• The Academy will limit class sizes to maintain safety and instructional quality.
• Students will remain in the same class level for the entirety of the school year. 

6. Attendance

• Regular attendance is expected for all enrolled students.
• Families should notify the program in advance of absences whenever possible. You can do this by emailing tsamuels@commonwealthacademyky.org.
• Excessive absences and tardies may affect re-enrollment eligibility. Excessive is defined as: 1) Five (5) or more absences in one school year. "Absence" is defined as missing an entire class day. 2) Four (4) or more tardies. "Tardy" is defined as arriving after assembly begins. 3) Any combination of absences and tardies which totals six (6). 

7. Student Code of Conduct

• Students must follow instructions from staff, teachers, and parent volunteers.
• Respectful behavior is required toward peers, adults, property, and equipment.
• No profane, vulgar, or insulting language.
• No hitting, slapping, pushing, scratching, or bullying of any kind will be tolerated.
• Students are expected to be in their appropriate class during class times.
• Students must stay within sight of 2 adults (teacher or parent volunteer) at all times. One-on-one child/adult situations are not allowed. 
• No running or chasing in and through the building.
• Students are prohibited from bringing dangerous or illegal items onto the property. These items include but are not limited to: 

1. Weapons. Weapons include but are not limited to: pocketknives, switchblades, explosives, guns, ammunition, etc.
2. Illegal Drugs
3. Pornography
4. Cigarettes, pipes, vapes, etc. 

Disruptive, unsafe, disrespectful, or bullying behavior may result in removal from class or dismissal from the program.

8. Expectations for Volunteers

• It is expected that you interact with the class and help the teacher with whatever is needed.
• Cell phone use during class should be avoided unless there is a specific, unavoidable reason that you need to check messages or take a call. 
• Be mindful of conversations with other adults; children are always listening. 
• Parent volunteers and any parent that is on site are not allowed to smoke or vape in or around the building. 
• All volunteers must be able to pass a background check.
• If you are sick or otherwise unable to fulfill your volunteer obligation for the day, please email tsamuels@commonwealthacademyky.org at least 24 hours in advance so we can find a replacement. 

9. Expectations for all Adults on Site

• We want to make Commonwealth Academy a space where all feel comfortable to send their children. Many families choose to homeschool to avoid certain ideologies or to impart a specific worldview to their children. We respect all parents in this decision and believe they have a right to raise their children in a manner that seems best to them. In order to facilitate this and respect every parent's rights, adult conversations involving ideologies, sexuality, orientation, race, religion, and other mature topics should be discussed ONLY with other parents and away from any students.    

10. Safety and Supervision

• Students must remain under approved supervision of 2 adults (teacher, staff member, or parent volunteer) during program hours.  
• 2 Adult Rule: One-on-one adult/child situations (where the child is with a non-parent adult) during class or other events are not acceptable. Private conversations between an adult and child should always be done with at least 1 additional adult present. All classrooms/events will maintain at least 2 adults at all times.
• Parents are responsible for on-time drop-off and pick-up. There is a ten minute window for drop-off and pick-up.
• Parents must physically come into the building to sign in and sign out their students with Academy staff to ensure accountability of students at all times.  
• Every teacher, staff member, parent volunteer, and any parent staying on site will complete a yearly background check. 
• Every teacher will complete an annual CPR certification. 
• One staff member will maintain a stocked First Aid Kit and LifeVac. 
• The Academy maintains emergency plans in the event of fire, active shooter, or medical emergency. 

11. Dress Code

• Clothing, footwear, and accessories must be safe, appropriate, and suitable for the activity.  
• Commonwealth Academy prohibits clothing and other items (jewelry, backpacks, etc..)  with offensive language, images, or unsafe features. 
• Clothing should be modest, adequately covering all private body parts. No crop tops, booty shorts, saggy pants, lowcut dresses/skirts or shirts.

12. Health and Illness

• Parents must inform the Academy of any allergies, medical needs, or special accommodations.
• The Academy is not responsible for administering medication except for emergencies.
• Please DO NOT come to class, clubs, or any events if anyone in your household has had the stomach bug in the last 72 hours or anyone in your household has had any of the following symptoms in the last 24 hours. 

1. Fever (100.4℉ and higher)
2. Diarrhea
3. Vomiting
4. Severe coughing
5. Sore throat with other symptoms
6. Body rash with other symptoms
7. Eye discharge

• If you or your student is on antibiotics, please be sure you’ve been on them for at least 48 hours before returning to class. 
• Students and parent volunteers must be fever-free without medication for 24 hours before returning to class, clubs, or attending any events. 
• If you or your student come to class with any of these symptoms, you will be asked to leave. If someone in your household is sick, please do not bring the rest of your family. If your student develops any of these symptoms during class, you will be notified immediately.
• We understand that allergies exist. If you know your child's symptoms are allergy related, they are welcome to attend.

13. Media and Privacy

• Photos, videos, and student work may only be shared with parent permission.
• Families should not post images of other students or families without consent.
• Confidential family information must be kept private.
• A parent can either choose to accept or decline the Photo and Media Release.

14. Discipline and Removal

Members should inform Academy staff about incidents that do not adhere to the policies in this document.  Commonwealth Academy reserves the right to dismiss a family if conduct, safety, or policy compliance becomes a concern. The following is an overview of disciplinary steps; however, the Academy may use discretion and evaluate situations on a case-by-case basis.  

• General Corrections: Parent volunteers and teachers are permitted to make corrections to students not following rules or disrupting class. General corrections such as these should always first be made gently and with kindness. 
• For serious discipline issues and policy infractions, an Incident Report should be submitted to the Executive Director. Incident reports are reviewed by the Board and disciplinary action issued, if necessary. 
• Discipline Process

1. 1st step: An adult provides a verbal warning.   
2. 2nd step: If verbal warnings are not effective, the student will be taken to a staff member for discussion. If appropriate, the staff member may allow the student to return to prior activity. 
3. 3rd step: If the student was allowed to return to activity but continues the behavior, the student will be taken to parent.
4. Repeated issues, whether similar in nature or not, may result in the student being removed from the Academy. 
5. Students may be immediately removed from class for issues requiring prompt attention. Some examples are safety issues, vulgar language or gestures, threatening behavior, violence, bullying, dress code violation, or any other issue needing immediate attention.

• Grounds for Immediate Expulsion

1. Repeated or blatant disregard of policies
2. Sexual abuse
3. Vandalism
4. Threatening behavior
5. Bullying
6. Physical Violence
7. Possession of illegal items
8. Possession of items prohibited by the Academy
9. Any issue that directly impacts the safety of other members

15. Policy Changes

• Commonwealth Academy may update policies at any time.
• Families will be notified in writing of major changes in advance.
• Continued participation after notice of changes means the family accepts the updated policies. 

16. Class Cancellations/Inclement Weather Policy

In the event of inclement weather or if it is necessary to cancel classes for any other reason, we will post in our Facebook group and send an email no later than 8:30am Tuesday morning.

17. Cell Phone/Personal Technology

• Students are not allowed to use their phones during the class day. All cell phones must be turned off and placed in the student’s backpack before entering class and must remain off and in the student’s backpack during the entire class day. If a student needs to call their parents during class hours, they may do so only with permission from a teacher. Cell phones that are used during the class day without permission will be collected and given to a staff member until the end of the class day. 
• If a parent needs to get ahold of their student, they can call the church office or the Executive Director.  
• Using any personal technology in a bathroom will be deemed a major violation.
• Access to Inappropriate Materials (Zero Tolerance Policy): Any student who uses electronic devices to access inappropriate materials in the co-op building will be subject to immediate suspension or expulsion from the Academy. 

18. Homework Policy: 

• In the elementary levels, there should be very minimal to no homework. If students are assigned homework, they are responsible for completing the assignment on time so they can fully participate in class.

19. Wildroots Policies: 

• Weather Policy: Wildroots is a nature club that will primarily take place outdoors. Wildroots will meet rain or shine, unless the following weather conditions make it unsafe:

1. Air quality is 101 or higher.
2. Heat index above 110°F
3. Wind chill below 10°F
4. Thunderstorms and high winds
5. Tornado warnings predicted

• If Wildroots needs to be cancelled for unsafe weather conditions, the Wildroots Coordinator will notify families via Facebook Messenger and email no later than 8:30am Wednesday morning.
• Wildroots is geared for ages 5-9. Siblings of any age are welcome to attend. Parents must ensure that the activity for the day will be age appropriate for younger siblings, or bring an alternate activity for them. 
• Families are responsible for bringing recommended equipment, clothing, water, snacks, and any other item that the Coordinator deems necessary for the activity.