G.I.F.T. Policies

Code of Conduct

• Each family and student is required to sign a Code of Conduct before the first day of classes.

Sign-in

• Each member, teacher, and board member is required to sign in and out.  Sign-in is for emergency procedures.

• If parents leave the premises and their children remain, they must have an adult over the age of 18 to be responsible for their children, under the age of 13.  They must record who that person is in the sign-in book.

• Only G.I.F.T. registered students, teachers, invited guests and their member's family are allowed in the building due to insurance liability.

Property of the Church of the Brethren

G.I.F.T. rents the property from the Church of the Brethren.  The elders of the church have made some requests as a condition of our rent agreement.  We ask our families to follow these requests:

• Food and liquid is allowed only on the laminated eating area on the ground floor.

• Only water may be brought in the carpeted area on the ground floor or on the above floors.

• Adult presence is required in the kitchen.

• Do not climb trees, break tree branches, or otherwise harm any landscaping.  Please keep children away from the memorial garden/patio located to the east of the building.  No sports play is allowed outside.

• Please have students remain on the ground floor between classes.

• The staircases behind the kitchen and stage are not to be used.

• The elevator is available for special needs.  It is not to be used instead of stairs.

Volunteers

G.I.F.T. is a volunteer organization.  We rely on our family volunteers to keep G.I.F.T. running smoothly.

• Families are asked to volunteer at least one hour each week.

• Board positions are volunteer and do not receive any compensation for services.

• G.I.F.T. Requires that teachers have a volunteer assistant in group classes.

• Parents are encouraged to sit in on private lessons as volunteer assistants are not present for these lessons.

• Child protection: all families and teachers are screened for registration on offender lists.

Cancellation of Classes by G.I.F.T.:

• G.I.F.T. may cancel all or some classes scheduled due to weather or other reasons.

• Closure due to weather will be determined as soon as possible.

• Cancellation of classes will be posted on the G.I.F.T. website by 7:00 a.m.

• Automated calling will be utilized to contact families and teachers before 7 a.m. on the primary phone number provided at registration.

Health Issues

• Please let the Registrar know of any allergy concerns, these will be listed on class rosters.

• If your child has learning disabilities please speak to the teacher directly.

Communication

• The board communicates with families through G.I.F.T.'s web page at gifthomeschool.org, monthly newsletters, emails, automated phone messages, written notifications on the sign-in table, and in person.

• The board may not always be able to communicate to families who do not have an email address or a phone answering machine.

Member Attendance

• If you are not able to attend your classes, please contact your teacher directly.

• If you volunteer during the day, please try to arrange coverage for your absence.  If you are unable to provide coverage, please contact the Volunteer Coordinator.

• In the case of short notice decision, please notify G.I.F.T. as soon as possible.  Please let the board member know what volunteer service you provide during the day when you call so a replacement can be organized.

Directories

• There is a directory of families and teachers involved at G.I.F.T., Please do not use the directory for solicitation purposes.

Classroom Conduct/Issues

• A teacher can get help and suggestions from the Teacher Liaison or another member of the board.  The board is here to help the teachers and families resolve conflicts.

• If behavioral problems arise with a student, the structure in the Code of Conduct will be followed.

Teacher Attendance

• Teachers will notify families directly if they are unable to hold class.

• In the case of short notice, teachers may ask board members to help notify families of the class cancellation.

Registration Policies

• Registration begins June 1st for the school year beginning in September of the same year.  Online and paper registration for returning families begins June 1, and for new families June 15.  Paper registrations will be processed as they are received.

• All paper registration applications need to be posted to G.I.F.T. P.O. Box 1055, Elgin, IL 60123-1055.

• The registration fee must accompany the registration in order for the registration to be accepted.

• Teachers determine the age and class size.  Children's age will be calculated as of September first.

Private Lessons

• Returning students will receive priority in scheduling private lessons.

• Private lesson schedules will be finalized at Teacher Orientation and given to families at the Family orientation.

Family Orientation

• Orientation will be in September before classes start.

• Attending orientation is a requirement to attend G.I.F.T.

• Class supply fees are due at orientation - by check payable to the teacher.

• Classes that do not meet the minimum number of students at orientation will be canceled.

Change of Enrollment After Orientation

• Change of enrollment cannot be done online.  E-mail the registrar to change your enrollment.

• Speak with the teacher to work out any change in class times and notify the Registrar of changes to keep enrollment records updated.

• If dropping enrollment in class, please notify the teacher and Registrar directly.  Teachers need a minimum of one week notice at the end of the month to avoid paying the monthly tuition for the following month.  Failure to provide proper notification will result in the full monthly tuition being due for the following month.  Tuition will not be refunded when withdrawing in the middle of the month.

Student Supplies

• This is the estimated cost of equipment and supplies your student may incur if you were to purchase all the items your student needs to participate in class.  E.g. A Dremel and safety glasses are needed for the Wood Sculpting class. If a student owns the equipment, no additional cost is present.  All costs are estimates.

• A list will be provided on the website for families to prepare for the first day of class.

Tuition Policy

• Tuition must be paid by check and is due the first Tuesday of the month.  Monthly tuition is non-refundable and is not pro-rated for joining a class mid-month.

• Teacher's absences will be adjusted in future month's payments at the direction of the teacher. 

• Tuition for group classes is based on a monthly format.  Payments cover 28 classes, divided into 8 equal monthly payments covering September to May.

• Tuition for private lessons are per lesson, divided into equal monthly payments for ease of billing.  Adjustments will be made to the following month's bill for teacher absences only, if make-up lessons are not available.

• Teachers receive payments the last week of classes each month.

• Post-dated checks will not be accepted.

• Tuition statements will be provided each month.

• Returned checks:  Any direct fees incurred by a returned check to GIFT and/or the teacher are to be covered by the family.

• Unpaid tuition is handled at the teacher's discretion and may be handled by the GIFT Board if requested.

• No cash payments are accepted.

Joining a Class After Orientation

• Check with the teacher or Registrar to see if a class has available space.

• The full monthly tuition is due when enrolling.

Dropping a Class

• Classes cannot be dropped online.

• Families are to notify the teacher and registrar at least one week in advance and one week prior to the beginning of the next month to avoid paying the following month's tuition.  Failure to provide proper notification will result in the full monthly tuition being due for the following month.

• The current month's tuition will not be refunded.