CHEER HOMESCHOOL CO-OP FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
1. Who heads this homeschool co-op group?
CHEER is run by parent volunteers and is administered by members of a Parent Committee who share decision-making and administrative tasks. Because it is a direct ministry of Crossroads Community Church, the Parent Committee often works with and is ultimately under the authority of the Session leadership of the church.
2. Who can come to this homeschool co-op?
CHEER classes are available to homeschoolers, age 4 – 18 and is open to anyone. While the co-op does not require members to submit or sign a statement of religious belief or faith, it is a community of Christians and classes may
contain religious perspectives and teaching. Please email [email protected] for further
information.
3. When does CHEER meet?
CHEER meets on Friday mornings for two semesters: 12 weeks in the fall and 12 weeks in the spring. The opening program starts at 8:45 a.m. and classes run until 12:15 p.m. Each semester there are after-lunch classes for most ages that meet until approximately 2:30pm. Many families choose to bring a lunch and share social time in between. A final program showcasing the work of the arts classes is held at the end of each semester in the week following the final week of classes.
4. What classes are available?
CHEER is an enrichment co-op, offering group and elective classes that supplement whatever core curriculum parents are teaching at home. While some electives may focus on topics from academic subject areas, they are not generally intended to be a substitute for core classes.
See menus above for a full listing of classes and class descriptions.
5. Who teaches the classes?
Classes are taught by parents, and we encourage all members to help create interesting and fun electives that reflect our diverse backgrounds and areas of expertise. From time to time, outside teachers from CHEER’s extended network may be involved in instruction.
6. Is this a drop off program?
Though parents seek a co-op to provide learning and community to their children, one of CHEER’s biggest strengths is the support community it fosters among the adults! Most of us reach Friday as a finish line crossed, and enjoy sharing conversation, experiences and advice with each other.
Thus, every parent must be involved in some way with CHEER. There are many opportunities to contribute both on a
weekly or more intermittent basis. Volunteers who serve on a weekly basis, as well as those who hold coordinator
positions are given a tuition discount. Others are asked to serve as parent helpers, and are scheduled on a rotating
basis throughout the semester. We also encourage our parents to share their knowledge and teach a course for a
semester, for which they receive an invoice credit.
7. What if I don’t want to take all the classes?
Because we believe that building a peer community is important for emerging homeschoolers (4-6 year olds), the Adam and Boaz groups require students to register for all four classes. However, as kids get older, we realize that parents are balancing many outside classes and activities. Thus 7-18 year olds have the option of registering for classes a la carte. There is no minimum number of classes. Many older students choose to stay at CHEER during their off periods, using them as a study hall or a time to socialize with friends. Supervision during these unscheduled times is the responsibility of the parent.
8. What is the cost?
The cost is $25 per class for all age levels. There is also a $35 registration fee per family each semester. The spring
registration fee will be waived for returning families who complete their spring registration by the deadline.
9. Are there extra fees?
Some classes have materials fees associated with their activities. Fees associated with electives can be found in the course descriptions.
10. What forms do I need to fill out?
You will need to register for the classes. You will also need to fill out a family information and
waiver form; and you will need to obtain background checks per the PA law in order to participate
in CHEER.
11. What about background checks?
State law requires that all adults working with CHEER in any capacity, even parent volunteers, must complete the necessary background checks. This may incur some additional cost for incoming families. Information about how to obtain clearances will be provided at the beginning of the semester.
12. Is there a nursery?
A nursery is available for teachers, helpers, or other volunteers whose duties prevent them from caring for or
supervising their children under age three.
Still have questions?
Please email [email protected].
1. Who heads this homeschool co-op group?
CHEER is run by parent volunteers and is administered by members of a Parent Committee who share decision-making and administrative tasks. Because it is a direct ministry of Crossroads Community Church, the Parent Committee often works with and is ultimately under the authority of the Session leadership of the church.
2. Who can come to this homeschool co-op?
CHEER classes are available to homeschoolers, age 4 – 18 and is open to anyone. While the co-op does not require members to submit or sign a statement of religious belief or faith, it is a community of Christians and classes may
contain religious perspectives and teaching. Please email [email protected] for further
information.
3. When does CHEER meet?
CHEER meets on Friday mornings for two semesters: 12 weeks in the fall and 12 weeks in the spring. The opening program starts at 8:45 a.m. and classes run until 12:15 p.m. Each semester there are after-lunch classes for most ages that meet until approximately 2:30pm. Many families choose to bring a lunch and share social time in between. A final program showcasing the work of the arts classes is held at the end of each semester in the week following the final week of classes.
4. What classes are available?
CHEER is an enrichment co-op, offering group and elective classes that supplement whatever core curriculum parents are teaching at home. While some electives may focus on topics from academic subject areas, they are not generally intended to be a substitute for core classes.
See menus above for a full listing of classes and class descriptions.
5. Who teaches the classes?
Classes are taught by parents, and we encourage all members to help create interesting and fun electives that reflect our diverse backgrounds and areas of expertise. From time to time, outside teachers from CHEER’s extended network may be involved in instruction.
6. Is this a drop off program?
Though parents seek a co-op to provide learning and community to their children, one of CHEER’s biggest strengths is the support community it fosters among the adults! Most of us reach Friday as a finish line crossed, and enjoy sharing conversation, experiences and advice with each other.
Thus, every parent must be involved in some way with CHEER. There are many opportunities to contribute both on a
weekly or more intermittent basis. Volunteers who serve on a weekly basis, as well as those who hold coordinator
positions are given a tuition discount. Others are asked to serve as parent helpers, and are scheduled on a rotating
basis throughout the semester. We also encourage our parents to share their knowledge and teach a course for a
semester, for which they receive an invoice credit.
7. What if I don’t want to take all the classes?
Because we believe that building a peer community is important for emerging homeschoolers (4-6 year olds), the Adam and Boaz groups require students to register for all four classes. However, as kids get older, we realize that parents are balancing many outside classes and activities. Thus 7-18 year olds have the option of registering for classes a la carte. There is no minimum number of classes. Many older students choose to stay at CHEER during their off periods, using them as a study hall or a time to socialize with friends. Supervision during these unscheduled times is the responsibility of the parent.
8. What is the cost?
The cost is $25 per class for all age levels. There is also a $35 registration fee per family each semester. The spring
registration fee will be waived for returning families who complete their spring registration by the deadline.
9. Are there extra fees?
Some classes have materials fees associated with their activities. Fees associated with electives can be found in the course descriptions.
10. What forms do I need to fill out?
You will need to register for the classes. You will also need to fill out a family information and
waiver form; and you will need to obtain background checks per the PA law in order to participate
in CHEER.
11. What about background checks?
State law requires that all adults working with CHEER in any capacity, even parent volunteers, must complete the necessary background checks. This may incur some additional cost for incoming families. Information about how to obtain clearances will be provided at the beginning of the semester.
12. Is there a nursery?
A nursery is available for teachers, helpers, or other volunteers whose duties prevent them from caring for or
supervising their children under age three.
Still have questions?
Please email [email protected].