General Information

Absences

To ensure smooth operation and maintain clear communication within our co-op, all members are required to post a notification on the website forum whenever they anticipate an absence. This notification should include the dates your family will be absent and may include a brief explanation if you wish. Please try to avoid scheduling non-emergency appointments or other plans on co-op days. This practice allows other members to adjust schedules, redistribute tasks if necessary, and ensures everyone is aware of who is unavailable. This helps teachers, volunteers, and other families plan accordingly while minimizing disruptions to the co-op.

Your choice to participate in Our Lady of Walsingham Homeschool Co-op means that our Friday classes should be a priority for your family. If your family is absent for three consecutive co-op days, your enrollment may be discontinued unless other arrangements have been made with the Leadership Team. Please communicate clearly with the Leadership Team regarding your family’s situation.

Class Attendance

This policy outlines the attendance expectations for students while their parents are volunteering at the co-op. It helps to ensure the safety and supervision of all children present at the co-op while also helping to support a productive and enriching learning environment for all students participating in our co-op.

Mandatory Attendance: All enrolled students are required to attend their assigned classes during the co-op's operating hours while their parents are fulfilling their volunteer duties.
Parent Volunteer Requirement: The co-op operates on a cooperative model, requiring active participation from parents. A student's enrollment is contingent upon their parent/guardian fulfilling their assigned volunteer responsibilities.

Class Cancellations

If it is necessary to cancel classes for any reason, you will be notified as soon as possible.

Class Changes

To maintain consistent class sizes and ensure a stable learning environment, student class changes are permitted only during the first week of each semester. After this initial period, students are expected to remain in their selected classes for the duration of the semester. This policy promotes continuity and allows instructors to effectively plan and deliver their curriculum. Exceptions will only be considered under extraordinary circumstances and require approval from the Leadership Team. This measure ensures fairness and stability for all students and instructors within the co-op program.

Communications

To ensure efficient and reliable communication, all information regarding Our Lady of Walsingham Homeschool Co-op activities, updates, and announcements will be disseminated through two primary channels:

Our Website: Please check our website regularly for updated schedules, resources, and general information.
Private Signal Group: We have created a private Signal group for real-time communication and updates.

It is the responsibility of each parent to stay informed by actively checking both the website and the Signal group for the latest information. Individual emails/texts will not be sent for routine announcements or updates.

Community Events

Throughout the year, our co-op hosts a variety of community events that help strengthen friendships and build our parish community. These events are made possible through the generosity of our families. Volunteer opportunities will be shared with each event, and families are encouraged to serve in whatever way they are reasonably able, whether by helping with setup, cleanup, food, activities, or other needs. Every contribution, big or small, helps make these gatherings a success.

Electronic Devices - For All Students Attending Co-op

To maintain a focused and engaging learning environment for all students attending co-op, electronic devices are prohibited during co-op hours. This includes, but is not limited to, cell phones, tablets, laptops, and gaming devices.

Specifically:

During Class Time and Recess: Electronic devices are strictly prohibited during all scheduled classes and recess, unless explicitly permitted by a teacher for a specific educational activity.
Study Hall: Study Hall is a designated device-free zone.
General Co-op Time: Students are encouraged to engage with their peers and participate in co-op activities rather than use electronic devices.

Rationale:

The internet presents numerous challenges for safe navigation, and we are committed to maintaining co-op as a safe and innocent environment for all our children. By limiting electronic device use, we can minimize potential exposure to inappropriate content and encourage positive social interaction.

We understand that there may be rare instances where a student needs to use a device for urgent communication or a pre-approved educational purpose. In such cases, prior approval from the Leadership Team is required.

This policy aims to foster an environment of interaction, learning, and community. We appreciate your cooperation in helping us create a positive and productive co-op experience for all.

Extended Guardianship

In situations where parents are unable to participate during co-op hours due to extenuating family circumstances, extended guardianship may be considered. To facilitate a child's continued participation, Our Lady of Walsingham Homeschool Co-op may approve a qualified adult, not already involved in the co-op, to serve as a guardian. This approval process requires a detailed explanation of the family circumstances. Once approved, the parent must complete the Our Lady of Walsingham Homeschool Co-op registration form and pay all applicable fees. It is crucial to understand that the extended guardian assumes full responsibility for fulfilling all co-op requirements, including volunteering for classes and meeting all Church and State volunteer obligations, just as any other participating family.

Food

To help keep our facility clean and in accordance with parish guidelines, food and drinks should be consumed outdoors unless they are provided as part of a classroom activity by the teacher.

Grade Level Placement

To ensure academic success and a positive learning experience, students are permitted to move only one grade level up or down from their designated grade. This policy is designed to align students with appropriate curriculum and peer groups, fostering an environment where they can thrive. Factors such as academic readiness, maturity, and individual learning needs are considered to optimize each student's educational journey. By limiting grade level movement, we aim to provide a supportive and engaging classroom environment that sets every student up for success. Exceptions to this rule will only be considered under extraordinary circumstances and must be explicitly approved by the Leadership Team.

Illnesses

Please do NOT come to the co-op if anyone in your family has had the stomach bug in the last 72 hours. Everyone in the household needs to be symptom free for 72 hours.

Please do not come to the co-op if anyone in your household has had a fever for any reason or yellow/green mucus, severe coughing, sore throat, pink eye or any other contagious conditions in the last 24 hours. Everyone in the household must be symptom free.

Kindergarten Class

To ensure a focused and productive learning environment for our registered kindergarten students, and due to the limited space within the classroom, the following policies apply:

Age Requirement: Students must be five (5) years old by the start of the school year.
Classroom Focus & Toddlers: To maintain a dedicated learning space, toddlers are not permitted to participate in or attend kindergarten class activities. This ensures that the teacher and volunteers can focus entirely on the registered students.
Volunteer Requirements: While any cleared parent may volunteer in the kindergarten classroom, volunteering in this class does not permit the inclusion of younger siblings. Parents with toddlers who are volunteering must utilize the on-site Nursery or make alternative arrangements for their younger children.

Lost & Found

Please be sure to keep track of your child’s coats and backpacks. Label all personal items with the child's name. Be mindful to check lost and found periodically. At the end of the semester, remaining items will be donated to a charity.

Nursery

The co-op offers a nursery to provide a safe and engaging environment for toddlers while their parents are actively teaching or assisting in classes. To ensure this remains a manageable and secure space for our volunteers and children, the following policies apply:

Eligibility and Usage: The nursery is reserved exclusively for toddlers whose parents are currently fulfilling a volunteer shift on campus. Parents are responsible for signing their toddlers in and out and must provide all necessary items, including labeled diaper bags, snacks, and water bottles.
Supervision and Safety: Our nursery is staffed by parent volunteers who focus on supervised play. For the protection of both the children and our volunteers:
- Emergency Protocol: In the event of a medical emergency, injury, or facility evacuation (e.g., fire drill), nursery volunteers will immediately notify the Leadership Team and the child's parent. Volunteers are responsible for moving the toddlers to the designated safe zone or exit, where parents must meet them to resume direct supervision.
- Diapers & Restrooms: Nursery volunteers are not permitted to change diapers or take toddlers to the restroom. If a child needs a diaper change or bathroom assistance, the parent will be notified immediately to handle it.
- Behavior: While play is encouraged, "rough play" is not permitted. Volunteers will maintain a clean and organized space to ensure the safety of all toddlers.
Parent Responsibilities:
- Availability: Parents must remain on campus and be available should nursery volunteers need to contact them.
- Cleanup: To respect the space and the next shift of volunteers, parents are responsible for cleaning up after their toddler and assisting with a general tidy-up of the room before leaving.
Health Policy: Please remember our Illness Policy applies here as well; do not bring any child to the nursery who has had a fever or stomach bug within the designated 24 or 72-hour timeframes.

No ‘Drop Off’ Co-op Rule / Parent Participation

Our Lady of Walsingham Homeschool Co-op is a parent-led cooperative. For this reason, it is not a drop-off program, and every enrolled student must have a participating parent or approved guardian on campus throughout the co-op day. Families who do not follow this policy will first be contacted by the Leadership Team. Continued violations may result in a review of the family's participation in the co-op.

Sacrament Prep Class

Please note that for the 2026-2027 school year, Our Lady of Walsingham Homeschool Co-op will no longer be offering a Sacrament Prep class. If you have a child who is ready to receive their Sacraments (First Holy Communion and/or Confirmation) and would like them to participate in the parish program, please contact the Holy Martyrs Secretary, Michele, directly at [email protected] to enroll your child in the parish-led course.

Families are encouraged to reach out early in the summer to ensure they meet the Ordinariate's requirements for registration and attendance.

Student of the Week

Parents and teachers will have the opportunity each week of co-op to nominate a Student of the Week. This should be a student who has been exceptional either in the classroom or in character. They may have excelled in a class project, displayed an especially good attitude, or been particularly helpful to another student or adult. Parents are not allowed to nominate their own children. A name will be drawn each week from those nominated.

Study Hall

To maintain a secure and productive learning atmosphere during scheduled class times, all students are required to be in a designated class. If a student is not enrolled in a class, either due to a lack of interest in available offerings or placement on a waitlist, they must register and attend Study Hall.

Study Hall is a designated device-free zone. This policy is in place to ensure a focused and uninterrupted learning environment, allowing students to maximize their study time and engage in productive, independent activities.

Study Hall provides a structured alternative for students needing to utilize their time effectively, whether for independent study, completing assignments, or awaiting class enrollment. This ensures accountability and maintains order throughout the co-op during class hours.

Study Hall will be proctored by a parent volunteer. This ensures that students have adult supervision and assistance as needed, and that the device-free policy is adhered to.

By adhering to the device-free policy and procedural guidelines, students contribute to a positive and conducive learning environment for all.

Visitors and Guests

No unregistered children or adults may attend Our Lady of Walsingham Homeschool Co-op classes. However, occasional visitors are allowed.

With prior approval, those seeking membership may attend co-op one time while still in process for membership.

If a registered member has a visiting guest, they may bring them to the co-op with the understanding that members are responsible for the conduct of their guests and should be certain that their guests adhere to our Guidelines. With prior approval for each visit, a member’s guest may come up to two co-op days without registering or paying any fees. If a guest plans to attend more than two co-op days, the guest's parent must register as a member, agree to the Statement of Faith and all Policies & Procedures, receive approval, and pay the Registration Fee unless other arrangements have been made with the Leadership Team.

The needs of registered members always take priority over guest attendance. The Leadership Team reserves the right to deny or discontinue guest participation at its discretion.