Muscatine 252

“Jesus grew in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and all the people.” Luke 2:52

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HANDBOOK

HANDBOOK

  Muscatine 252 Handbook 

“Jesus grew in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and all the people.” Luke 2:52

MISSION

Muscatine 252 is a homeschool co-op of Christian families who join together for fellowship, building relationships, and group classes in order to supplement and enrich our children’s education. Our vision is to provide a Christ centered environment that is facilitated by parents who desire to encourage and equip families through supplemental learning, service projects, field trips, play dates, and holiday celebrations. 

BELIEFS

We believe that home education is fundamental but not exclusive to fulfill the responsibility God has placed on us. (Deut. 6:6-9) We believe learning and serving alongside a community of Christian homeschool families enhances the education of our children. Members are required to indicate their agreement with our written Statement of Faith. All teaching in and out of the classroom is expected to conform with these beliefs. 

STATEMENT OF FAITH

We, the members of Muscatine 252 Co-op, in order to encourage the body of Christ, strengthen the family, spread the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, promote Christian ethical and moral behavior, and aspire to teach our children a Godly legacy, do ordain and establish this statement of faith:

  • THE SCRIPTURE: The sole & final authority basis of our beliefs is the Bible, the 66 books of the Old and New Testaments. It was uniquely, verbally, and fully inspired by the Holy Spirit and was written without error in the original manuscript. It is the supreme and final authority in faith and life in every age. Matthew 24:35, 1 Thessalonians 2:13, 2 Timothy 3:16-17, 2 Peter 1:20-21

  • GOD: There is but one God, infinite in power, wisdom, justice, goodness, and love. The Creator of the universe, eternally existing in three persons–Father, Son, and Holy Spirit–each of whom possesses all the attributes of Deity and the characteristics of personality. Genesis 1:1, John 10:30, 37-38

  • JESUS: We believe in the death of our Lord Jesus Christ, in His virgin birth, in His sinless life, in His miracles, in His cross, in His bodily resurrection, in His personal return in power and glory. Isaiah 7:14, Matthew 1:23, Luke 1:35, Hebrews 4:15, Hebrews 7:25, John 2:11, Hebrews 9:12, Hebrews 1:14, John 11:25, Acts 1:11, Revelation 19: 11-16

  • SALVATION: Men and women are freed from the penalty for their sins not as a result, in whole or in part, of their own works, goodness, or religious ceremony, but by the undeserved favor of God alone. God declares righteous all who put their faith in Christ alone for their salvation. John 1:12, Ephesians 1:7-8, Ephesians 2:8-9, Colossians 1:21-22

  • HOLY SPIRIT: The Holy Spirit has come into the world to reveal and glorify Christ, to convict men and women of their sins, and to impart new life to all who place their faith in Christ. He indwells believers from the moment of spiritual birth, seals them until the day of redemption, and empowers them to live a life pleasing to God. John 3:5-8, John 16:7-11, 13-15, Acts 1:8, Romans 8:9

  • ASSURANCE: All who are born again of the Spirit can be fully assured of their eternal life from the very moment they put their faith in Christ. This assurance is not based on any kind of human merit, but upon the fact of God’s election, upon Christ’s complete payment for our sins, and upon the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, whom is the deposit guaranteeing our inheritance. John 5:24, John 6:37-40, John 10:27-30, Romans 5:9-10, 1 Peter 1:3-5

  • THE RESURRECTION OF THE DEAD: At physical death, the believer enters immediately into eternal, conscious fellowship with the Lord and awaits the resurrection of his or her body to everlasting glory and blessing. At physical death, the unbeliever enters into eternal, conscious separation from the Lord and awaits the resurrection of his or her body to everlasting suffering, judgment, and condemnation. Luke 16:19-31, Luke 23:43, Phillippians 1:23, Romans 8:10-11, Revelation 6:9-11

  • MARRIAGE: God wonderfully and immutably creates each person as male or female. These two distinct, complementary sexes together reflect the image and nature of God. The term “marriage” has only one meaning: the uniting of one man and one woman in a single, exclusive union, as delineated in Scripture. Marriage is between one man and one woman and uniquely reflects Christ’s relationship with His Church. God intends sexual intimacy to occur only between a man and a woman who are married to each other. Genesis 1:26-28, Proverbs 5:1-23, Romans 1:32, Hebrews 13:4 

  • VALUE OF HUMAN LIFE: We believe that all human life is sacred and created by God in His image. Human life is of inestimable worth in all its dimensions, including pre-born babies, the aged, the physically or mentally challenged, and every other stage or condition from conception through natural death. We are therefore called to defend, protect, and value all human life. Genesis 1:26-27, Psalm 139: 1-24

LEADERSHIP

The role of the leadership team is to streamline decision making and ensure the integrity and purpose of 252. Ideally, those on the leadership team shall assume their roles for at least two years. At the two-year mark, positions will be open to prospective candidates, though current candidates may keep their positions, if willing. In order to ensure a smooth transition between school years, no more than one position should be transferred at one time. Prospective candidates should plan on serving during the semester prior to assuming their new role full time. 

Leadership Positions (current holders) and Responsibilities are as follows:

President (Andra Travis)

  • Main communicator with enrolled families (GroupMe admin, orchestrates meetings)

  • Organizer and creator of class schedule (gather class descriptions, class survey, schedule classes and volunteer spots, coordinate registration)


Building Coordinator & Treasurer (Katie Struckman)

  • Calvary Church Liaison; works with Calvary staff in arranging class & meeting dates, space usage, background checks, hold harmless forms, contract agreements, events coordination, and all communication between 252 and Calvary.

  • Manages bank account (all monetary transactions)

  • Insurance contact

Enrollment and Document Coordinator (Emily Aschbrenner)

  • New enrollment contact and application process (provides interested families with co-op information, sees prospective families through the application process)

  • Maintains and updates pertinent 252 documents (medical release forms, allergy notifications, online family directory, student and parent sign in sheets)

Community Building Coordinator (Ashley Spitler)

  • Encourage community building events such as service projects, parties, play dates, field trips

  • Outside teacher contact (welcome, provide group info/schedule, gives updates, check-ins, end of semester thank you’s)

  • Check-ins with every family at least once each semester (documented, with brief, bi-weekly updates provided via GroupMe to the leadership team.) 

  • Welcome/assist new families

  • Family follow ups in the case of conflicts necessary to be involving the Leadership Team

  • At least 1 hour onsite on 252 class days for community support (8:45-9:15 AM & 2:45-3:15 PM.)  Initiates conversations with multiple families during this time. 


ELIGIBILITY AND REQUIREMENTS

Families who wish to enroll will contact the Enrollment Coordinator. Eligibility is subject to the completion of the application, and approval by the Leadership team. All decisions concerning membership will be decided by the Leadership team for the benefit of the group at large. New families for approval are required, but not limited to:

  • Submission and approval of a background check by the participating parent (to be completed with registration after admission) 

  • Signed Statement of Faith

  • Approved active church members via individual’s Church Leadership 

  • A good standing with the facility in which the classes are held

  • Ability to fulfill parent and student responsibilities as listed below

252 Parent Responsibilities 

  • Be willing to teach at least 1 class per year

  • Be willing to teach, help, or supervise 2 blocks per class day (or more if needed)

  • Must attend Yearly Orientation and Semester Planning Meetings - frequent absences from these important date could result in membership cancellation. 

  • Discuss expectations for class days with your child (room assignments,  course scope, attitude, respectfulness, out of ordinary logistical requests from Leadership or Calvary)

  • Pay agreed upon class fees at registration 

  • No refunds once fees are paid

  • Ensure your child comes prepared for class ( materials or outside homework)

  • Be willing to utilize GroupMe app for necessary Leadership or parent/teacher communications

  • Complete necessary background check, hold harmless, and medical release forms

  • Pay necessary insurance fees 

  • Strive to promote unity within the 252 co-op members

252 Student Responsibilities

  • Come to class prepared

  • Agree to expectations set forth for each class 

  • Respect and follow rules of the class set forth by each teacher

  • Respect and follow Calvary building guidelines

  • Cell phones are not allowed during the co-op school day unless given permission by teacher

252 Teaching Responsibilities

  • Provide a written class description

  • Provide a quality class a described on the class description

  • Maintain control of the class and monitor students AT ALL TIMES for the duration of the class

  • Communicate necessary information to parents in a timely manner; such as outside class assignments or materials needed

  • Provide a teacher and activity in your absence

  • In instances where a male adult or outside teacher is leading or supervising, we require another adult from our group to also be present. 

Conflict and Discipline

  • Teachers and/or helpers should address conflict with or between students within the classroom setting. If a conflict is not resolved within the classroom setting, parents will be included to discuss conflicts along with the President and/or other Leadership member.

  • Discipline by the teacher can include separating the student from the classroom or excluding the student from group activities within the classroom until the end of that block. 

  • Routine disruptions or disrespect can result in the removal of the student for the semester. The teacher, parents, and Leadership Team will be included in the discussion. 

Facility

  • We are a separate entity from Calvary Church. Calvary leadership values our group and has allowed us to use the space, waiving the standard usage fee. 

  • Every teacher, parent, and student must sign in and out upon entering and exiting the building in order to maintain an accurate count of individuals in the building should an emergency occur.  

  • The only balls to be used in the FLC are Nerf type or what is supplied. There is to be no dunking on the basketball equipment. No pulling of nets or moving equipment without permission from the 252 Building Coordinator. 

  • All trash must be emptied from each classroom and restroom, and placed in the dumpster outside of the Northeast door of FLC. 

  • The only technology we are permitted to use in the TV and DVD players already exists in the classrooms.

  • No smoking, intoxicating beverages, or illegal drugs permitted on campus.

  • Candles are not permitted.

  • We will be provided a locked storage closet in C4; leave items at your own risk.

  • We may use whiteboards in classrooms with 252 writing supplies in the designated storage closet.

  • Rooms must be cleaned, spot vacuumed, trash removed, and reset at the end of the day by designated parent helpers and students. 

  • Restrooms must be clean, wiped free of water and trash removed. 

Inclement Weather Policy

ROAD CONDITIONS: We will follow what Muscatine Schools (MCSD) decides. If there

is a 2-hour delay, we will begin our classes at 10 AM. We will omit first hour and start

with Block 2. The schedule will be a regular schedule the rest of the day {no shortened

classes.} A whole day cancellation will result in a whole day cancellation for us.


WIND CHILL ADVISORIES: Since our kids are not waiting at bus stops or walking to

school, we've decided to continue our classes as scheduled - even if MCSD has a late

start.

Please help out by posting on GroupMe when you see a Muscatine delay or

cancellation announced.








     

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