Wisdom Seekers Handbook

2020-2021

Blessed are those who keep His statutes and seek Him
with all their heart. Psalm 119:2
 Homeschool Co-op
“Blessed are those who keep His Statutes, and seek Him with their whole heart.”
Psalm 119:2

REGISTRATION AND MEMBERSHIP

1) All families MUST agree with Wisdom Seekers Statement of Faith.

2) To be considered as a possible family, the family MUST have a child in one of our classes, Preschool
or above.

3) All families, new and current, will have a registration form, liability form, and photo release form on
file by the August Planning Meeting yearly. Please notify the Director of any changes to your
registration form as soon as possible.

4) There is a non-refundable registration fee of $30 per family, and a supply fee of $5 per child (subject
to change depending on class supplies needed). All fees are DUE AT THE AUGUST PLANNING
MEETING. Make all checks payable to Wisdom Seekers.

CLASS PLACEMENT

1) Our classes are grouped together as follows: Nursery (Birth-2 years old), DiscoveryLand Kids (18
months-2 years old), Kingdom Kids (3 years old – 4 years old), K-2 nd Grade, 3rd-5th Grade, and 6th-
12th Grade.

2) All students will be placed in the class according to the current grade level being taught at home
with the exception of academically advanced students.

3) Academically advanced students will be placed according to their current age.

ATTENDANCE & SICKNESS

1) Wisdom Seekers is a year long commitment from September-April.

2) All families will actively participate in co-op each Friday with the exceptions of sickness,
death in the family, and etc.

3) Please DO NOT ATTEND co-op if you or your child has been running a fever. You and/or your
child have to be fever free (without the aid of Tylenol, Motrin, or any other fever reducing substance)
for a MINIMUM of 24 hours before coming to Wisdom Seekers.

4) DO NOT attend if you and/or your child has a fever AND sore throat.

5) DO NOT attend if you and/or your child has diarrhea (runny, watery, bloody stools, or greater than
2 loose stools within the last 4 hours prior to co-op).

REVISED 2/2020
 Homeschool Co-op
“Blessed are those who keep His Statutes, and seek Him with their whole heart.”
Psalm 119:2

6) DO NOT attend if you and/or your child has been vomiting. You MUST BE vomit free for 48 hours
prior to co-op.

7) DO NOT attend if you and/or your child is having trouble breathing, continuous hacking cough, or
swollen glands.

8) DO NOT attend if you and/or your child has frequent scratching of body or scalp (lice or rash
resembling Ring Worm).

INCLEMENT WEATHER

1) Wisdom Seekers will monitor the closing of Madison County School System. If the Madison County
School System closes for snow and/or ice then Wisdom Seekers will cancel classes as well.

2) In the event Wisdom Seekers has to cancel classes, the Director will utilize our phone tree. The
Director will call the elected person for each class who will then call each person in their class.

3) Wisdom Seekers will not add any extra days to our calendar to make up for missed classes.

4) If inclement weather (ice or snow) occurs during co-op hours, then the Director will closely monitor
the weather to determine if it is safe for families to leave the facilities.

5) Tornado Warnings- All teachers & students will calmly proceed to the Youth Room located in the
basement of the church. Each class will check attendance once arriving in the basement & NO ONE
WILL BE ALLOWED TO LEAVE HULL BAPTIST CHURCH UNTIL THE WARNING IS LIFTED .

TEACHING RESPONSIBILITY

1) All teachers will come prepared each week to teach with a biblical world view on the subject being
discussed.

2) All classes will be taught following our Statement of Faith.

3) All teachers should arrive in advance to prepare your classroom with the needed supplies you will
use during class. All supplies are kept in the supply closet located in the Children's Church Area. A
Need to Buy Supply List is located on the wall to write down any supplies that are low or no longer
available.

4) All teachers assigned to the class will assist in planning for each semester and work cooperatively as
a team.

5) Notify all class workers & Director of any absences. During an absence, please make arrangements
for another teacher in your class to teach the lesson for the day.

REVISED 2/2020
 Homeschool Co-op
“Blessed are those who keep His Statutes, and seek Him with their whole heart.”
Psalm 119:2

FACILITIES

1) Wisdom Seekers is blessed to use the facilities of Hull Baptist Church, and all members will respect
and care for church property.

2) Any furniture moved must be placed back in its original place at the end of co-op.

3) No chairs are to be leaned against the wall.

4) No taping of banners or other items to walls, glass, or doors.

5) No playing of any musical instrument that belongs to Hull Baptist Church (pianos, organ, & etc).

6) If any damages occur, please notify the Director immediately.

7) All trashcans are to be emptied & a new trash bag will be placed in the trashcan.

8) All floors & tables will be cleaned (includes vacuuming & sweeping).

9) Kitchen is to be left clean including dishes, stove, refrigerator, sink, countertops, and floors. No
dishes are to be left out or in the dish drainer. Personal dishes are to be removed at the end of the
facilities use.

10) All chairs will be neatly pushed in at each table at dismissal.

BUILDING SAFETY

1) Teachers and students will wear Wisdom Seekers name tags during co-op hours.

2) There will ALWAYS be AT LEAST TWO TEACHERS in a classroom.

3) There will always be a teacher in the hallway when any child needs to use the restroom.

4) On the playground and in the gymnasium, parents are to circulate for supervision.

5) The side entrance at the Main Building will be the ONLY DOOR used during co-op hours & will
remained locked until dismissal from morning announcements. If you need access to this building,
please see the Director.

6) All Wisdom Seekers students will be chaperoned walking to rooms after dismissal to classes (walk
between orange cones & vehicle) and for end of day dismissal.

REVISED 2/2020
 Homeschool Co-op
“Blessed are those who keep His Statutes, and seek Him with their whole heart.”
Psalm 119:2

7) Prior to the start of our co-op day and after dismissal, please make sure your child/children are with
you at all times (example: child needs to come back inside to use the restroom then you must come
inside as well).

8) NO CHILD will be left unattended in any HBC facility, vehicle, or outside (playground) during or
after Wisdom Seeker classes.

ARRIVAL AND DISMISSAL

1) All Wisdom Seekers families will come to the Hull Baptist Church Gym upon arrival each Friday.

2) The check-in station will be located inside the gym doors, and all name tags will be in a red basket
separated by class. All Wisdom Seekers members will wear the name tags during co-op hours. These
name tags allow us to recognize Wisdom Seekers teachers & students immediately as well as list
your child's name, class, allergies, parent's name, & parent's cell phone number.

3) At 9:45am, all Wisdom Seekers families will gather in a circle for our opening with pledges (American
Flag, Christian Flag, & Bible), announcements, prayer requests, and prayer prior to dismissal for
classes.

4) Wisdom Seekers will dismiss on the playground, weather permitting. The Dismissal Supervisor will
be stationed at the entrance to the playground to ensure no child leaves the playground without an
adult as well as each child is dismissed to the correct adult in charge of their care. All name tags will
be returned to the correct red basket upon dismissal.

5) Rainy Friday Arrival & Dismissal- In the rear of the Hull Baptist Church Main Building is covered
drop-off & pick-up that will be utilized. Arrival-Parent will drive to covered area to drop off children
who will wait with the Director while the parent parks the vehicle. Dismissal- All children will sit on
the steps of the covered area as the Director AND Dismissal Supervisor monitor children & place
them in the correct vehicle. The Director will notify all families the night before co-op of Rainy Friday
Arrival & Dismissal.

DISICIPLINE & BEHAVIOR

1) All children will be respectful of Wisdom Seekers teachers, students, visitors, and families. Love the
Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength (Mark 12:29-31,
Deut. 6:4-5), and Love your neighbor as yourself (Lev. 19:18).

2) All students will listen respectfully when any speaker (co-op teachers, visiting instructors, & fellow
students) is talking.

REVISED 2/2020
 Homeschool Co-op
“Blessed are those who keep His Statutes, and seek Him with their whole heart.”
Psalm 119:2

3) All students will respect others and their property. This means being kind to fellow Wisdom Seekers
students, making everyone feel welcome as well as keeping hands to oneself, and not distracting
your neighbor. All students must refrain from touching things in the rooms unless we have
permission to do so.

4) Show respect for God's house. Walk (don't run) in the hallway and stay in assigned rooms.

5) If a behavior problem does arise (example: child is consistently disobedient or disrespectful) then
verbally redirect the child and the teacher will need to address the parent concerned so they may
speak with the child.

6) If the behavior problem persists then a parent will be required to sit in the class with the child to
enforce the expected behavior or the child will be removed from the class.

7) Wisdom Seekers Behavior Policy also applies to all field trips, service projects, and holiday parties.

8) Any unusual or uncontrollable behavior will be reported to the Director immediately.

FIELD TRIPS

1) Wisdom Seekers will schedule monthly field trip opportunities for current members.

2) It is not mandatory to participate in field trips.

3) Occasionally, the field trip may have a small fee, and all money is DUE PRIOR to the field trip.
SERVICE PROJECTS

1) Wisdom Seekers will offer service opportunities to encourage our students and families to help
others & spread the love of God.

2) It is not mandatory to participate in service projects, but is highly encouraged.

PICTURE DAY

1) Wisdom Seekers annual picture day is during Fall Semester. A local photographer comes to Hull
Baptist Church to take individual, sibling, class, and group pictures.

2) All students and teachers are photographed for our yearbook.

3) You are not required to purchase a CD or any package that the photographer offers.

REVISED 2/2020
 Homeschool Co-op
“Blessed are those who keep His Statutes, and seek Him with their whole heart.”
Psalm 119:2

BOOK CHARACTER DAY

1) Book Character Day is the last Friday in October.

2) All students & teachers are encouraged to dress-up as their favorite book character.

3) No costumes that are scary or immodest as well as no weapons.

DR. SEUSS DAY

1) Wisdom Seekers will celebrate Read Across America and Dr. Seuss' Birthday the Friday around March
2nd.

2) All teachers and students are encouraged to come dressed as their favorite Dr. Seuss Character. All
outfits most be modest.

3) We will have a special visit from the Cat in the Hat at the beginning of co-op. All classes will gather
for singing and reading of Dr. Seuss Books.

HOLIDAY PARTIES

1) Wisdom Seekers offers a Christmas Party (Jesus' Birthday Party) and Valentine Party (God's Love
Party) yearly.

2) The Christmas Party is the 1st Friday in December during normal co-op hours. We will share the true
meaning of Christmas by reading a Christian book, make an ornament, sing Happy Birthday to
Jesus, play games, and have a finger food fellowship. All families who attend are asked to bring a
finger food to share. All paper products, drinks, and cupcakes are provided. You must RSVP for this
event to ensure the correct number of items are purchased.

3) The Valentine Party is always the Friday prior to Valentine's Day after co-op dismissal. We will read
scripture about God's love for us and exchange valentines with our co-op friends. Each child will
make a valentine card to give each individual child that is attending OR each family will make a
“family” valentine to give each individual child that is attending. Pack your lunch and use your
creativity to design a valentine box!

YEARBOOK

1) Wisdom Seekers offers yearbooks that may be purchased during Spring Semester.

2) The cost of the yearbook will vary depending on the number of ads sold and the number of
yearbooks purchased.

REVISED 2/2020
 Homeschool Co-op
“Blessed are those who keep His Statutes, and seek Him with their whole heart.”
Psalm 119:2

3) You may purchase one yearbook for your family, or you may purchase a yearbook for each child.

4) We will allow time for the children to sign yearbooks.

FIELD DAY
1) Wisdom Seekers Annual Field Day is the last Friday of Spring Semester during normal co-op hours
(10:00am-12:00pm).

2) Fun activities, including water activities, will be planned & executed by Wisdom Seekers Families &
Volunteers. Children may wear bathing suits to this event. Boy dress code-swimming trunks with rash
guard/t-shirt. Girl dress code-one-piece bathing suit with shorts & rash guard/t-shirt.

3) Children will remain with assigned group & chaperones at all times.

4) Snack & drink will be provided to all children & volunteers.

FALL & SPRING PROGRAMS

1) At the end of each semester, Wisdom Seekers will offer an end of semester program for all classes
to demonstrate or display skills that have been taught during the semester. You are welcome to
invite family and friends to attend these events.

2) The Fall Program is held on the 2nd or 3rd Friday in November at 6:30pm Hull Baptist Church.

3) The Spring Program is held on the last Friday in April at 6:30pm Hull Baptist Church. This program
will include the graduation ceremony for our Kindergarten and Senior students. Please see the
GRADUATION section for additional details.

STANDARDIZED TESTING

1) Wisdom Seekers offers the ITBS (Iowa Testing of Basic Skills) for 3rd-12 th grade students only. You
must be a current member of Wisdom Seekers.

2) The test will be administered at Hull Baptist Church, and the cost of the testing booklet is an
additional cost to each family.

3) All snacks and drinks are provided daily to each tester.

REVISED 2/2020
 Homeschool Co-op
“Blessed are those who keep His Statutes, and seek Him with their whole heart.”
Psalm 119:2

GRADUATION

1) Wisdom Seekers provides our families with the opportunity to participate in a graduation ceremony
held at our Spring Program. The child MUST be an active participant in the Wisdom Seekers
Kindergarten or 12th Grade class.

2) All Kindergarten graduates will wear a white robe, cap, and tassel.

3) All Senior graduates will wear a burgundy robe, cape, & tassel.

4) Graduation attire is an extra expense to the family.

5) Each family will submit 10 photographs of the graduate and answers to questionnaire that will be
used to make a presentation during the ceremony.

6) Participation in the ceremony is NOT mandatory.

MARCH & APRIL PLANNING MEETING

1) The March Planning Meeting is held on the 3rd Sunday of March each year. This meeting is for all
returning & new families with the purpose of selecting the classes Wisdom Seekers will offer as well
as the placement of teachers.

2) The August Planning Meeting is held the 2nd Sunday in August each year. The purpose of this
meeting is to pay all fees, submit all documents (registration form, liability form, & Photo Release
form), & discuss curriculum that will be used in each class.

REGISTRATION FEE & SUPPLY FEE

1) Each family will pay a registration fee of $30 per family. This money is allocated toward a love
offering to Hull Baptist Church for use of facilities & copy machine, field day supplies including
snacks provided the day of, all paper products as well as drinks that are used throughout the year
for Christmas Party, Valentine Party, & programs, snacks provided for ITBS testing & certified return
shipping for testing booklets, and for any decorations that are needed for fall & spring programs not
limited to tablecloths, balloons, & etc.

2) Each family will pay a $5 supply fee per child (subject to change depending on class supplies
needed) preschool and above. The supply fee will vary per child depending on the items needed.
This supply fee is used to purchase items that your child will be using in their specific class.

REVISED 2/2020