Hope for Tomorrow Homeschool Co-op
Co-op Agreement
September 12th - December 12th, 2023 ​
​January 16th - April 25th, 2024
Graduation & Promotion Ceremony: May 3rd, 2024

I. Purpose/Mission

Hope for Tomorrow Homeschool Group provides an environment where homeschooling families can gather as a community to:

• Support each other in successful education
• Encourage growth in Christian principles
• Inspire excellence in all aspects of life 

This environment will be led by Pastor Saffi Harper and facilitated by our homeschool families and teachers. While recognizing that we cannot provide educational options that are a perfect fit for every family, we aim to have multiple options for class and co-op arrangements to help meet the needs of as many students and families as possible.

Hope for Tomorrow is an all-volunteer program where one parent volunteers for two of the five meeting hours. All classes will be founded on Christian principles. While a particular curriculum for some subjects (such as math or a foreign language) may not be overtly Christian, no curriculum used will be contradictory to biblical teachings.

II. Statement of Beliefs

Hope Church Statement of Faith

Hope for Tomorrow is an outreach ministry of Hope Church Newport News. We are a Christian homeschooling co-op. We believe:

• God fearfully and wonderfully made each one of us.
• We are to love our neighbor (anyone we come into contact with in person, over the phone, or on electronic devices) as we love ourselves, or even better.
• We desire to grow and encourage growth in Christian principles such as:
  • Revering the Bible as God's inerrant Word is useful for teaching us what's true, exposing what's false, including sin, and correcting and training us in righteousness. (2 Timothy 3:16)
  • Living generously, cheerfully giving of our time, gifts, talents, and finances as the Lord provides. (2 Corinthians 9:6-7)
  • Living humbly, not counting ourselves as better than any other person. (Philippians 2:3)
  • Live a life that shows gratitude to the Lord for His free gift of Salvation and brings glory and honor to His name. (Ephesians 4:1; Matthew 5:16)
• We strive to love each other well, despite differences in age, gender, ethnicity, financial status, disability, family makeup, denomination, or background. To do this, we endeavor to see each person as God sees us, do life together, and love each other well through His grace and mercy. 1 Corinthians 13 Love…
  • is patient
  • is kind
  • does not envy
  • does not boast
  • is not arrogant
  • is not rude
  • does not insist on its own way
  • is not irritable
  • is not resentful
  • does not rejoice at wrongdoing
  • rejoices with the truth

111. Co-OP agreement

• Families who would like to participate in Hope for Tomorrow Homeschool Co-op will be asked to sign this document which will acknowledge:
  • • They have read and understood the Family Member Policies and Procedures Handbook.
    • They agree to abide by the Building Use Policies.
    • They agree to abide by the Co-op Honor Code.
  • They commit to actively participate in the co-op for the entire school year, except for unforeseen circumstances.
• Registration Policies
  • Register with Hope for Tomorrow by filling out the online registration form and paying the registration fee.

iV. ​Co-op Class Participation Policy

It is critical for a group that is dependent on the volunteers of others to have a policy to help us follow through with the commitments we made to this group. Please honor your obligations to this community, and do not sign up for an event unless you plan to follow through with it. If, for some reason, you will be unable to attend an event that you have previously signed up for, please get in touch with the coordinator as soon as possible so that they can adjust their schedule. Co-op attendance is mandatory. While we realize that sometimes things come up, such as illness, please do not schedule engagements or doctor appointments on co-op days. We count on you each week to be at the job you have committed to.

Parents are committed to serving in some capacity for two of our five hours of meeting time. 

 V. Safety Policies

Parents and students are urged to use extreme caution while driving on campus. We will not be the only people on campus, and our goal is to keep everyone safe. Follow all safety rules and laws with an abundance of attention to pedestrians.

• No student will leave the campus under any circumstances unless accompanied by their parent or a designated responsible adult.
• Students are not allowed to play outside without direct parental supervision. 
• Teachers will be responsible for the students in their classes for their class period.
• Students are not allowed to hang out in the parking lot during class time.

​VI. Conduct Policies

Hope for Tomorrow does not function as a school with a principal or support staff. Each member is asked and expected to take ownership and part in helping to keep our co-op facilities clean, quiet, and orderly. Students are asked to remember that Hope for Tomorrow represents a Christian homeschooling community and should demonstrate behavior exemplifying the fruit of the Holy Spirit while participating in all co-op classes and activities. We, by no means, expect participants to behave perfectly at all times, but we do expect students and parents to strive to live out in a way that reflects God's righteousness and grace.

• Behaviors expected while meeting for co-op classes are:
  • Stay in areas for which we have permission to use.
  • No running or loud, active play indoors unless your teacher/parent leader leads in an activity.
  • If you make a mess or spill, please clean it up promptly and thoroughly.
  • Bathrooms are to be kept clean. Please report any toilet malfunctions immediately.
  • All trash created during classes/meetings should be disposed of properly in trash cans.
  • Do not eat in the sanctuary.
• Students, please show thoughtfulness and respect to co-op leaders:
  • Arrive on time. Don't linger past the bell ringing, as teachers have other classes immediately following each other.
  • Cell phones, electronic games, and personal music should not be used in class.
  • Maintain an inside (not high volume) voice while indoors.
  • Refrain from expressing inappropriate attitudes and unacceptable (vulgar, profane, disrespectful) language.
  • Be an active listener in class, paying attention to the teacher. Class time is not for socializing with classmates.
  • Engage in active discussion and respectfully ask questions. Raising a hand instead of interrupting someone is always preferable.
  • Complete assignments on time and bring them to class.
• Parents, please show thoughtfulness and respect to other teachers:
  • Arrive on time for the Welcome/Announcements during opening in the sanctuary.
  • Please keep your phone on and close to you in case a teacher needs to get hold of you during class.
  • Make tuition payments correctly and on time.
  • Refrain from interrupting classes unless there's an urgent reason.
  • Respect teachers' requests and help hold your student(s) accountable for completing their work.
  • If you are teaching a class, you need to arrive to set up your classroom before announcements begin.
• All members should:
  • Conduct themselves so that their words and actions promote unity and encouragement.
  • Avoid disrespectful, offensive, rude, or immoral behavior.
  • Avoid gossiping about one another.
  • Handle conflict privately and with maturity. If your dispute is not resolved, engage Hope for Tomorrow's leadership in conflict resolution.
  • Exhibit grace and gratitude for teachers, volunteer leaders, and other students and families.
• If a student chronically breaches codes of conduct after being corrected, or if the offense is considered severe by the observing adult, that student will be referred to the Hope for Tomorrow leadership, who will meet with the observing adult, student, and parent to determine appropriate disciplinary action. As a last resort, a student may be dismissed from the co-op.

VII. Honor Code

Any form of academic dishonesty is a serious offense. Such dishonesty will be addressed by leadership and may result in any combination of the following:

• ​A failing grade
  
• Removal from a class
  
• A request for a formal apology
  

​Forms of dishonesty include, but are not limited to:

• Plagiarism
• Falsification of data in coursework
• Using one piece of work to fulfill more than one assignment
• Cheating on exams or tests
• Turning in work completed by another individual as one's own

​VIII. General policies

1. Digital Media/Photographs
   1. All members acknowledge and agree that personal photos are permitted to be taken by students or parents without the specific consent of the photo subjects' parents. However, if a digital media image is taken during co-op classes, meetings, or activities is posted online, a parent may request its removal. Hope for Tomorrow leadership will convey this request to the member family who uploaded the image(s). All members agree to respect and respond promptly to any such request.
   2. Any photo or other digital media image that Hope for Tomorrow authorized members may be used for promotional purposes.
   3. Dress Code: Students and parents should dress in such a way that is not a distraction to other students and parents. Inappropriate or obscene pictures, slogans, or words are not allowed. Clothing with excessive rips or holes are not allowed. 
2. Illness policy: Please do not send your child to class while they are experiencing symptoms of a contagious illness. This includes, but is not limited to: Cough, Sneezing (not due to allergies), Fever, Rash, Pink eye, Vomiting/diarrhea.
   
   1. Students should be symptom-free (except for a long-term cough which could last past all other illness   symptoms) for at least 24 hours and preferably 48-72 hours before returning to participating in groups and classes.
3. Student driver policy:
   1. Student drivers are expected to heed all traffic laws.
      
   2. All drivers and vehicles should be appropriately licensed, registered, and insured according to state laws.
      
   3. Hope for Tomorrow is not liable for drivers or passengers traveling to and from co-op classes, meetings, or activities.
4. ​Parents of adolescent drivers acknowledge, understand, and abide by the following:
   1. That their student is allowed to arrive and depart from Hope for Tomorrow activities without the direct supervision of an adult.
   2.  Leadership, teachers, and volunteers are not responsible for their students before classes begin or once they are concluded.

We are glad that you have chosen to be a part of our community and ask for grace as we grow and deal with unique situations and circumstances. We invite conversation and feedback as we continue to develop and hone our policies and procedures.

If you have any questions, don't hesitate to get in touch with us at hopefortomorrowcoop@gmail.com. 
Now on to various Releases...

IX. Medical Treatment Authorization ​

Any teacher, volunteer, or leader of Hope for Tomorrow Homeschool Co-op can give the following minor(s) medical care as needed while students are in class. The adult will use discretion based on the circumstances and can obtain immediate care in case of a medical emergency when we cannot get in touch with a parent or legal guidance and the need for care is deemed urgent. Parents will be solely responsible for any expenses incurred in providing treatment to their child(ren).

Parents are responsible for allowing Hope for Tomorrow teachers, volunteers, and leadership to be aware of any allergies or other pre-existing medical conditions that may impact a student during co-op activities. If needed, parents will provide an Emergency Action Plan to include a step-by-step plan to respond to and treat a medical emergency caused by an allergy or other chronic medical condition. The plan will serve as information and a guide for Hope for Tomorrow-affiliated adults who agree to follow the plan to the best of their ability but don't make those adults responsible for the outcome of any medical emergency. Hope for Tomorrow, and its associated adults assume no responsibility for any treatment or actions in response to medical emergencies, incidents, or conditions.

X. Releases of Liability

In consideration of being permitted to participate in Hope for Tomorrow Homeschool Co-op classes, groups, and activities, all participants agree to the following:

1. Release, covenant not to sue, waive, and discharge Hope for Tomorrow Homeschool Co-op Group, their independent teachers, their affiliated teachers, advisors, administrators, board members, volunteers, participants, other family members, or Hope Church At Lee Hall from all liability for any loss or damage and any claim or damage on account of injury to the person or property or resulting in the death of a family member while the family is participating in Hope for Tomorrow Homeschool Co-op activities.
2. Each family agrees to indemnify release from any loss, liability, damage, or cost that may incur due to other homeschoolers' presence or on Hope Church At Lee Hall's premises. We realize that each family is responsible for transportation to and from Hope for Tomorrow Homeschool Co-op. Leaving a child anytime with Hope for Tomorrow Homeschool co-op and on the premises of Hope Church without supervision is not allowed and will be at the sole risk of the family. 
3. Each family will assume full responsibility for and risk of bodily injury, death, or property damage while in or at Hope Church and while working for any purpose participating in the group activities. 
4. Each family expressly agrees that this release waiver and indemnity agreement is intended to be as broad and inclusive as permitted by the laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia and that, if any portion of the agreement is held invalid, it is agreed that the balance shall, notwithstanding, continue in full legal force and effect. 
5. In consideration of being permitted to participate in Hope for Tomorrow Homeschool Co-op, for family and families errors, executors, administrators, and assigns, releases and forever discharges all releases, and their heirs, administrators, and executors of and from any and every claim, demand, action, of whatsoever kind of nature, either in law or in equity arising from or by reason or any bodily injury or personal injuries known or unknown, death or property damage participation in Hope for Tomorrow Homeschool Co-op or any activities in connection with Hope for Tomorrow Homeschool Co-op or on the host property location. 
6. We release Hope Church Newport News and Hope for Tomorrow leadership, teachers, and volunteers from any claim whatsoever on the account that first aid, treatment, or service rendered during participation in Hope for Tomorrow Homeschool Co-op activities. Each family understands that they will be solely responsible for and will promptly pay any expenses which may have been incurred while providing treatment to a participant. 
7. We agree that each family or legal guardian(s) of participants should inspect the facilities and equipment to be used, and if the parent or guardian believes anything is unsafe, they should immediately advise someone at Hope for Tomorrow Homeschool Group or Hope Church leadership of such conditions and can refuse to participate. 
8. We acknowledge and fully understand that each member or participant might engage in activities that involve the risk of serious injury, including permanent disability and death, and severe social and economic losses, which might result not only from their own actions, inactions, or negligence, but the action, inaction, and negligence of others, or the condition of the premises or at any equipment used. Further, there may be other risks not known to Hope for Tomorrow Homeschool Co-op leadership or not reasonably foreseeable at this time. 
9. We assume all the foregoing risks and accept personal responsibility for the damages following such injury, permanent disability, or death. 
10. We additionally assume all of the foregoing risks and accept personal responsibility for and release, waives, discharges, and covenants not to sue or hold Hope for Tomorrow or any individual affiliated with the organization responsible for the transmission of any disease or virus, which may cause injury, damage, or death, including the novel coronavirus known as Covid-19 or any other viral, bacterial, or another agent of disease which may already exist or be created or discovered anytime in the future.
11. We release, waive, discharge, and covenant not to sue Hope for Tomorrow Homeschool Co-op, its affiliates, their respective administrators, directors, agents, volunteers, and other employees of the organization, or other members or participants, sponsoring agents, advertisers, and if applicable owners or lessors or premises used to conduct events, all of which are hereinafter referred to as "releases," from all liability to each of the undersigned, their next of kin for all claims, demands, losses or damages on account injury, including death and damage to property, caused or alleged to be caused in whole or part by the negligence of the releasees or otherwise. 
12. We, the parent or guardian, have carefully read the above release and know and understand the contents of the waiver and its significance and this release as a family's free act. 
13. This agreement shall be binding on each family member, their representatives, assigns, heirs, and next of kin.
14. This release contains the entire agreement between the parties to this agreement, and the terms of this release are contractual and not a mere recital. 

XI. Building Use Policies and Procedures

1. The entirety of the building used for co-op meetings should be left in as good as or better condition than how we found it.
2. Teacher and parent volunteers are to take a picture of a room when they arrive before setting up so they will know how to put tables, chairs, etc., back to the places in which they found them.
3. Food and drinks can be consumed only in designated areas and when supervised by adults.
4. Students, parents, and teachers are not to use food or beverage items belonging to the church. Members of the co-op are to bring their own snacks or meals. If something is needed and the church has it, the co-op member agrees to replace the said item.
5. Children and youth should have adult supervision at all times while they are on the premises. There will be no running or horseplay within the buildings (except for supervised playtime).
6. If something is spilled, co-op members should clean it up. If a mark is made on something, it should be cleaned off. If something is broken, it should be reported to a Hope for Tomorrow Homeschool Co-op leader immediately, and they will communicate the situation to the church liaison.
7. At the end of each co-op day, designated members will return all Hope Church items to where they were found, vacuum or sweep each room, wipe down tables and chairs as needed, and empty trash cans. Bathrooms are to be inspected and verified clean. Outside areas used for recreation or lunch are to be checked to ensure no items or trash has been left behind.
8. The director will coordinate with all co-op members a cleaning schedule and checklist to be used throughout the year.

XII. Co-op Contract

​Co-op fees can be paid by CashApp at $HopeChurchNN

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