(Wednesday & Thursday specifics can be found at the end of this document)

Mission, Vision & Values

Mission

To connect homeschool families with passionate teachers and exceptional classes in a supportive community where learning happens joyfully and lasting friendships develop.

Vision

We envision a vibrant, tight-knit community where homeschooled children and families gather to learn within real-world contexts that foster curiosity and support the pursuit of lifelong learning.

Values

West Village Overview

• West Village Homeschool Co-op offers engaging classes and community experiences for homeschool families in a supportive, relationship-centered environment. Wednesday programming varies by semester and Thursday programming varies by school year.
• Students participate in age-appropriate classes and activities designed to encourage curiosity, responsibility, friendship, and hands-on learning. Some classes may be mixed-age based on enrollment and program design.
• Membership in West Village includes participation in a shared community culture built on kindness, communication, and mutual support.

Notable Contact Information
Registration Questions- Val @ website@westvillageMN.com
Financial Inquiries- Katie @ treasurer@westvillageMN.com
General Inquires- Anna @ homeschool@westvillageMN.com

Withdrawal and Refund Overview

Membership dues are non refundable. Resource benefits will remain available through the end of the school year.

- After July 1st/December 1st will result in loss of initial membership fee and an additional $50 per registrant.

- After Sept 1st/January 1st will result in loss of half tuition paid.

- After the start of classes will result in loss of all paid tuition as teacher contracts have been finalized and supplies have been purchased.

- Refunds: Please note that merchant and credit card processing fees are non-refundable and will be deducted from any refund issued. Tuition payments are forfeited if behavior issues necessitate removal from the program.*

Student Expectations & Agreements

West Village students are expected to respect the building, themselves, and others

Be Safe

• Walk in the halls.

• Leave weapons and unsafe items at home.

• Use assigned doors.

• Stay with your class or approved group.

Be Responsible

• Help care for classrooms, hallways, and bathrooms.

• Clean up projects and personal messes.

• Listen, participate, and avoid disrupting others’ learning.

Be Kind

• Participate cheerfully and speak respectfully to and about others.

• Avoid bullying, aggression, disrespectful language, and excessive negativity.

• Make an effort to include others and grow in friendship.

Students may not use cell phones or other unassigned electronic devices during co-op hours/events as this detracts from the educational and social environment we aim to create.

Behavior / Intervention Policy

• A teacher and/or member of leadership will respectfully address the student directly.

• A parent will be alerted to the concern.

• A parent is required to attend class with the child, or the child may need to miss a week of classes.

• Leadership may discuss next steps, including an action plan or possible withdrawal.

**If a child has support needs that may affect safety, transitions, or classroom participation, families are asked to communicate with leadership in advance so we can determine whether WV is a good fit and what support may be needed.

Student Signatures

Policies & Agreements

Parent Expectations & Agreements

I understand the expectations for my student(s) and agree to support the West Village community in the following ways:

• My child(ren) want to be here and are expected to participate respectfully.

• I will review this handbook with my child(ren) and hold them accountable for these expectations.

• I support the no cell phone policy for my child(ren) during co-op classes and sponsored activities and will help enforce it.

• I will support the community when and where I can.

Cultural Awareness

West Village welcomes families from a variety of backgrounds and perspectives. We ask everyone to help maintain a respectful, family-friendly atmosphere that supports trust across the community

Parents agree to:

• Help their children understand that co-op is not the place for discussions best reserved for the home, including sexual content and highly charged political or religious topics.

• Support leadership in helping children choose words that are respectful and considerate of others.

• Understand that name-calling, put-downs, repeated harsh language, and excessive negativity are not in keeping with the culture we are working to build.

Volunteering

Volunteer expectations vary by program and participation level. Families are expected to fulfill the volunteer commitments connected to their enrollment option (usually twice/semester) unless otherwise noted in the day-specific sections later in this handbook.

Volunteer help may include student check-in and check-out, clean-up, classroom assistance, basic first aid support, and other reasonable tasks as needed. Families who cannot volunteer on site may have other options available if communicated prior to the start of the semester.

If a family does not show up for an assigned volunteer shift, a $100 per missed day fee may be applied to the family account (Wednesday Families) OR the family will be invoiced the difference of the tier signed up for (Thursday families). Please communicate in advance whenever possible so alternate arrangements can be made.

Check-in/ Check-out

For safety, children must be checked in each week by a parent at the check-in counter until they are comfortable and able to do so responsibly on their own. Parents are required to check their children out each day. Children will not be released to the parking lot without a parent present at check-out.

Parent Signatures

Liability Release Waiver

I, ____________________________, (printed name of parent/guardian) assume all risks of membership and participation in West Village Homeschool Co-op (“WVHC”). I understand that unforeseen hazards may exist and that there are inherent risks in participating in a homeschool cooperative.

I agree not to hold our hosting church (FPCMP) and/or WVHC, including without limitation their respective administrators, agents, board members, contracted instructors, congregants, contractors, deacons, directors, employees, invitees, ministers, officers, Session members, workers, and volunteers, liable for personal injury, property damage, or loss incurred by me or any individual for whom I am responsible, unless caused by gross negligence, to the extent permitted by law.

I have read this document, fully understand its contents, and understand that this is a release and waiver of liability. I sign it of my own free will.

Sick Policy

To help prevent the spread of illness, please keep your child home if they are experiencing any of the following:

• Vomiting or diarrhea

• Contagious rash

• Persistent or croup-like cough

• Fever (children must be fever-free for 24 hours without fever-reducing medication)

• Obvious contagious conditions or active infections, such as unresolved head lice or pink eye

• Heavy green or yellow nasal discharge

• Strep throat

• Flu, bronchitis, or pneumonia

• Ear infection

• COVID

Children should be feeling well and should complete treatment (when applicable) before attending West Village classes or activities. Thank you for helping keep our community healthy.

For prolonged absences, please email homeschool@westvillagemn.com so leadership can relay the information to mentors as needed. Single absences do not need to be reported.

Photo Policy

Children may be photographed during co-op classes and events.

• Photos of children may be shared within West Village platforms, including the BAND app, subscriber newsletters and current family bulletins.

• Photos may also be used in the (Thursday) yearbook..

• Parents may not publicly post or share photos of a non-relative child without the express permission of that child’s parent.

Parents must send an email to website@westvillagemn.com if they would like WV leadership to proactively keep their children’s photos off of subscriber newsletter or family bulletins.

I agree not to publicly share photos of children without parent permission.

FAQ

FAQ

What are your values?

Community, Quality Mentorship, Kindness, and Support.

Are you a religious co-op?

No. Both religious and non-religious families are welcome and represented in our community.

Are you equipped to accommodate my child with special needs?

It depends. If a child needs accommodations related to physical access or learning support, we will do our best to work with families so the child can participate successfully. Parents are encouraged to communicate openly during registration and to reach out with specific questions.

Children who contribute positively to the learning environment are welcome. Ongoing aggression, chronic disruption, name-calling, or behaviors that significantly interfere with others’ learning will be addressed promptly.

What safety measures are in place?

Students are dropped off by parents and checked in by volunteers or a member of leadership. Volunteers may help with basic first aid, support needs, and limited hall monitoring. Teachers supervise students during classes and during outdoor activities.

Students are given age-appropriate independence in the building. Students who are at risk of wandering must have a parent or caregiver on site.

Parents should consider whether they are comfortable with the inherent risks of a drop-off program and must sign the liability waiver.

Do you accommodate food allergies or preferences?

Teachers are asked to be mindful of common food concerns and to avoid high-sugar treats and food dye when possible. Families should note important allergies or restrictions during registration so that information can be shared as needed.

We also ask families to be considerate of allergies and food preferences during co-op events where food may be shared.

Do I need to volunteer?

Volunteer expectations depend on the program and enrollment option. Please see the Wednesday and Thursday sections of this handbook for the volunteer expectations that apply to your family.

Participating families are also invited to help in additional ways as needs arise. Tax-deductible donations are welcome and support programming, opportunities, and scholarships.

How is communication handled?

Most communication takes place through our community BAND groups. Cancellations will be communicated by both email and BAND. Families should also check BAND regularly for daily updates, opportunities, and other important announcements.

Wednesday Program Details

The Wednesday program offers semester-based community classes in Maple Plain. Classes are organized by age group when possible, though mixed-age offerings may also be available based on enrollment. Current class offerings are listed on the West Village website.

Commitment

Wednesday classes require a semester commitment.

Schedule

• Fall: 13 classes

• Spring: 16 classes

Teacher Absences

If a teacher is unavailable, West Village will make reasonable efforts to provide a substitute or alternative class experience. Substitute lessons may differ from the originally planned content.

Wednesday Tuition, Membership & Fees

Detailed registration dates, deadlines and rates, can be found on the website.

• Families enrolling students in 3–4 classes (each) receive an auto discount per child of $50

• Families enrolling students in 5–6 classes (each) receive an auto discount per child of $100

• The annual family membership fee is $50 and covers both Wednesday and Thursday participation.

• A $25 class change fee applies for schedule changes made after the posted deadline (Sept 1 / Jan 1)

Wednesday Withdrawal & Refund Policy

Withdrawal & Refund Policy

• Membership dues are non-refundable. Resource benefits remain available through the end of the school year.
• Withdrawal after July 1 / November 1: loss of registration/supply fee, plus a $50 withdrawal fee per student.
• Class changes after the posted deadline (July 1 / Nov 1) incur a $25 fee.
• After September 1 / January 1: 50% tuition refund.
• After classes begin: no tuition refund — teacher contracts are finalized and supplies purchased by this point.
• Processing fees (merchant/credit card) are non-refundable and will be deducted from any refund issued.
• The board reserves the right to initiate withdrawal when necessary. If removal is required due to unfulfilled responsibilities or behavior concerns, payments may be forfeited.

Wednesday Volunteer Expectations

• Families enrolled in 1–2 classes are not required to volunteer and do not need to remain on campus during class time, though they are welcome to stay.
• Families enrolled in 3 or more classes are expected to volunteer twice/ semester, typically in roles such as classroom support, check-in/check-out, setup, or cleanup.
• If a family cannot serve on an assigned volunteer day, they may find a substitute volunteer or pay a $100 missed volunteer day fee.

Thursday Program Details

The Thursday program is a school-year co-op membership running from mid-September- Early May (see current year Calendar on website)

Thursday Schedule Highlights

• Students ages 7–15 may be dropped off as early as 9:30 a.m. for a 9:40 a.m. gathering on the 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th Thursdays of each month for community building. See “Morning Meeting” below for info on the 1st Thursdays of each month.

• Little Learners (ages 5–6) who are younger siblings of older students rotate with Jamie through indoor and outdoor learning activities. Little Learners may attend the early gathering with a parent or guardian.

• Grads (ages 13–15) participate in a variety of immersive experiences on and off campus. Additional details are provided to interested families before registration, and an application is required prior to enrollment.

Morning Meeting

On the first Thursday of each month, West Village holds a community morning meeting beginning promptly at 9:40 a.m. Families should arrive a few minutes early.

Students help lead this meeting. It may include project sharing, talent sharing, student highlights and announcements.

Parent Meetings

A parent meeting follows the 1st Thursday morning meeting and typically lasts 30–45 minutes. A parent or primary caregiver from each family is expected to participate in all 7 parent meetings during the school year. One absence due to emergency or unavoidable conflict is acceptable.

Field Trips

West Village plans field trips monthly.

RSVP and payment deadlines must be followed to participate. Refunds are given only when events are canceled. Some field trips include age restrictions.

Thursday Tuition, Membership & Volunteer Tiers

Thursday families put in extra time and effort to ensure the co-op runs successfully. As such, families have the opportunity for subsidized annual tuition.

Additional Thursday Program Fees

• The 5–6-year-old class fee is $1500 and volunteering is expected.

• Families who wish to opt out of required volunteering after registration for these options may pay an additional $400 for each opt out for the school year.

• The annual family membership fee is $50, is non-refundable, and covers both Wednesday and Thursday participation.

Tax-deductible donations help support programming, student opportunities, and scholarships.

Thursday Registration & Withdrawal

Enrollment in the Thursday co-op is a one-year commitment.

Registration, emergency contacts, waivers, agreements, signatures, and payments are completed online. All must be completed before participation begins.

Online payments may be made in one or multiple installments, when available.

Withdrawal

Refunds are available minus $100 per child per month from April through September, regardless of when a family enrolls. The $50 membership fee is non-refundable. Withdrawals after September 1 forfeit all dues. Extenuating circumstances may be reviewed by the board on a case-by-case basis.

The co-op depends on active and responsible family participation. The board reserves the right to discuss withdrawal with families when necessary. If a family cannot fulfill its responsibilities or behavior issues require removal, payments may be forfeited.