General CC/CC+ Information

Parent Handbook

The CC Parent Handbook from your CC Campus Lead has a lot of important information so please save it so that you can refer to it throughout the year, together with the information below and in our CC FAQ page. 

Most CCs have a Parent Orientation Meeting before the first class, where the campus lead will review the CC ethos and expectations, introduce the teachers and assistants, and field questions. We expect that at least one parent of each family attends. Please carefully note the scheduled dates for classes in your agenda/calendar and plan to attend, as each class is about a week’s worth of learning in a campus school.

Instructors will be in touch with you about the following:

• What to bring with them to class (for the first day and particulars at other times)
• Homework or practice for the next class
• How you can best contact them about missing a class or any questions you have
• End of term comments (CC) or report cards (CC+)

Email is the primary method of communication with your Campus Lead and instructors. If your child is sick, please keep them home. If your child has symptoms caused by allergies or if your child misses a class, please let their instructor AND the campus lead know ASAP and then be in touch with the instructor about what they missed. 

Christian Worldview and Content

HCOS is a Christian IPOL school and therefore, the majority of teachers and students involved in the Learning Groups will be Christians. There is still, however, diversity in faith and practice.  Christian and Biblical content will be included in the lessons when it is fitting and natural. In all of our teaching, learning, and communication, our goal is to love and serve God and each other. In doing this, we will develop an atmosphere of respect and generosity, a most important way of incorporating our Christian faith. 

Please note that at CC, our split-grade classes alternate topics annually, taking from the even or odd grade level's content focus each year. 

For CC+: While interacting with these topics, even if not at their current grade level, students continue to develop their competencies and skills at their grade level, as listed in Encom; they will be assessed accordingly and receive course credit.  CC’s multi-year rotation ensures students cover all required content over time, so staying with CC provides the most seamless path to completing these requirements. If a student leaves CC at the end of the year, this may mean that they will do the next year as an individualized course and not be permitted to do the next course online or through other synchronous options like Crew or SEED, to avoid duplication of content. If you have any concerns about your child’s learning and understanding in the class, please be in touch with the instructor quickly and regularly.

Homework

Depending on the grade and subject matter, instructors will email some homework and practice options to reinforce their learning as we build on concepts and contribute to group assignments. At CC, homework is encouraged as your child will gain so much more from their learning if it is completed.

At CC+, homework expectations increase through the grades, and completion is required to finish the course. See time expectations laid out in the parent handbook. For PE and Health, students are expected to be active throughout the week for at least 2.5 hours, which should be communicated to the instructor.

Special Circumstances or Needs – Behavioural, Learning, Medical

On your application, you noted any health or learning needs that your child has. Following the emails received, please fill out the  appropriate forms in order to help us care for your child well.  If there is anything else we should know about your child with regard to group learning and teaching situations, or if you learn of additional information during the school year, please email the campus lead so the instructors can be best prepared to help your child. 

For IE students with EA support, if an EA is absent due to illness and a substitute is not available, please do not send the students for that day, without EA support.

Behaviour Expectations

While we don’t anticipate regular problems as we aim for relationships of mutual respect, it is good to be clear about expectations and proactively develop a learning environment that grows relationships, encourages learning, and honours God. While these are quite obvious and straightforward, please discuss these with your children before class.  

Listening and Focusing:

1. When a teacher or other student is talking, all others should be listening.

2. When you want to say something, raise your hand.

3. If you are chatting with classmates, if something is funny, if you’ve had break time, enjoy and participate, but then do your best to refocus promptly. 

Distractions:

1. Games or toys are reserved for break times and not during class.

2. Please leave all electronics off during class (unless needed for your class).

3. Save eating and drinking for snack time.

For students who ‘struggle’ to meet the expectations, this will be the standard course of action:

1. For a once-off or infrequent situation, the teacher will talk to the student.

2. For a common recurrence, the student will be sent out of the room to talk with the campus lead, who will inform you so we can chat about it.     

3. If the situation continues or for a major occurrence, then the campus lead will set a time when we will all sit down and discuss the issue in order to make a plan for the way forward.  It may be that the parent is required to join their child in the class until the problem is changed or resolved.

Typical Supplies List for CC

Check the particulars for your CC. Typically students would bring each week their water bottle, nut-free lunch, any required medication, and a labelled pencil case/box with the following labelled items:
sharpened pencils,eraser(s), pencil crayons,  coloured markers, including black, glue stick, scissors, ruler

Additionally, students in grades 4 and up should also bring: blue pens and binder with 8 ½ x 11” lined paper and some blank paper & 4 dividers

 If PE is offered: appropriate clothing and footwear (non-scuff shoes), deodorant

Grades 7 and up: Tablet or laptop if possible; required for grades 10 and over

Cell phones should be turned off during class time, or not sent at all.

Cancellation of Classes: 

If there are extreme weather conditions or a closure is declared in the local School District, classes will be cancelled. I will notify you all by email with as much notice as possible. If classes are cancelled due to extreme weather, there will be no make-up class.

Fire, Earthquake and Lockdown Drills

We will have a fire drill a few times through the year, as well as earthquake drills and one lockdown drill. Some children may be averse to loud noises, so please prepare them for these drills.

Maintaining Campus Health Safety

Our campus will follow the protocols listed by the Ministry of Education. Precautionary measures may include:

● daily cleaning of high-touch surfaces

● regular hand washing routines (or using hand sanitizer)

● asking students and all those on-site who are sick to stay home

● monitoring the health of those present

To reduce health risks, please remind your children to:

● Wash their hands frequently and thoroughly using soap and hot water and keep their hands to themselves

● Practice other good hygiene habits: do not touch one’s face/eyes/mouth with one’s hands and cover one’s

mouth and nose when sneezing or coughing.

● Maintain good general health (eat a balanced diet, get enough sleep, exercise in moderation).

● Illness: If your child is exhibiting any level of sickness or symptoms (other than from allergies), please keep him/her at home, to provide care to your child and others in our community.