Enrollment for classes comes around one time a year, before the fall semester. We host a New Family Meeting that is mandatory for all families that have not previously participated in the co-op. This is usually sometime in July.
Those planning to participate in classes will need to have completed the online registration form and online class submissions form, which requires a description of at least two classes they are willing to teach, by the specified date. The leadership team will put together the master schedule based on the information that has been submitted by all participating families. A list of class choices will be sent out, and class rosters will be made based on a first-come, first-served basis, as you register your children at the specified date/time.
Classes are 10 weeks in fall, and then 10 weeks in the spring. We meet Fridays for 3 hours of classes, from 9am to noon at Lamar Avenue Church of Christ.
Here’s an example of a typical fall schedule:
July 2 and 29: New parent meetings will be held on these dates. All new families wishing to be a part of the co-op are required to have a parent attend one of these meetings. However, you do not have to have made the decision to join the co-op before attending the meeting. It is informational and should help you in making this decision.
August 5: Both online forms (Family Registration and Submitting Class Offerings) are due.
August 23: This will be the day that you use an online form to sign your children up for classes. Details will be sent out in an email to co-op members.
September 6: Parent Orientation Meeting. You will pay the treasurer for both your classes and the building use fee. Please bring your medical release forms and class fee forms that are emailed to you. We will go over class schedule and room assignments.
September 20: First day of classes. Class times are from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon. You should plan to arrive at least 10 minutes early.
November 22: Last day of fall classes with our Open House to be held in the evening. Your class will set up their table display or have the opportunity to practice their presentation on stage during class time.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact someone on the leadership team or contact us.
Who can enroll in CHIP Enrichment?
Classes are offered for any family who has at least one child school age, 5 years by September 1st.
The classes are split according to the number of children in a given age group; therefore, the split is subject to change with each enrollment. Below is one way we have offered classes:
- Nursery: Infants to 2 or 3 years
- Preschool: 3 and 4 year-olds who are potty trained
- Kindergarten-1st Grade: 4-6 years old
- 2nd-3rd Grade: 7-9 years old
- 4th-6th Grade: 9-12 years old
- 7th-12th Grade: 12-18 years old
The class split is determined after enrollment is complete for each year.
Who teaches the classes?
As many classes as possible are taught by parents within the group. Each individual has a unique talent to offer and all members pull together to bring our students the most educational and nurturing classes possible.
When the parents desire a class that no one within the group feels comfortable teaching, an outside teacher may be hired. Preferably, this person would have a personal connection with at least one of the families within the group. All parents would be consulted in the hiring of an outside teacher, and said teacher would need to be given our vision statement and must agree to uphold the statement while teaching our group.
How much do classes cost?
The classes your child chooses to take will determine the cost. Class fees vary from none at all to up to $100 for outside instructors to come in and teach. We try to use “parent-power” for most of our classes because that’s where our heart is, but we occasionally bring in an outside teacher and pay them for their time. Parents who teach do not charge for their time – only supplies. Most classes are in the $10-$15 range. Before you sign up for a class you will know what the fee will be. There is a $7.00 building use/administrative fee per child per semester.
What are some of the classes that have been offered in the past?
This list is not exhaustive, but will give you a good idea of what classes have been held in past semesters for the older grade levels:
- Literature
- Creative writing
- Art/sketching
- Art through history
- Get to Know Edgar Allen Poe
- Drama
- Movie making
- Home economics
- Cooking
- Cake decorating
- Ultimate frisbee
- Paintball
- Auto mechanics
- Field trips
- WWI
- WWII
- Civil War
- Texas History
- Anatomy
- Science dissections
- Speech
- Debate