THE CO-OP FAMILY CONSTITUTION YOU ARE CREW, NOT PASSENGERS Preamble: We aim to come together as a family to learn

about ourselves, each other and the world around us to expand our vistas. To help make this happen were open to exploring new ways of learning and willing to make mistakes. We want to create a safe environment where people can make mistakes and share their ideas without being made fun of. We will respect each other, tell the truth, be caring, treat others how theyd like to be treated and help each other succeed. Each of us is responsible to keep our classroom tide, to be on time, to do our work, to listen to others and to stay focused on the task at hand. The following specific rules are intended to facilitate this: 1) ATTENDANCE: Daily attendance is essential for success in Co-op. If you will be absent: 1. Call the school and leave a message for Mr. Stipp or Mr. Schieve in advance (604-588-7601 ext 2309). 2. Get work missed from the website or a classmate before you return and show up prepared. 3. Bring a note from your parents excusing your absence and give it to Mr. Stipp/ Schieve without being asked for it. Any time missed because of unexcused absences will be made up after school. Unexcused absences are serious and will very quickly result in your exit from the program. 2) LATES: If you are late, enter the room quietly and complete a late sheet. Present this late sheet to Ms. Bath at an appropriate time. 1st Late talk to Ms. Bath; 2nd late meet with Ms. Bath; 3rd late: Meet with Ms. Bath, VP, parent phoned; 4th late: Meet with Ms. Bath, VP, parent. 3) HOMEFUN AND ASSIGNMENTS: Homefun and assignments are due at the beginning of the block in which they were assigned most with completed self-assessments (good pink sheet), and students will submit an explanation of why its not complete if thats the case (bad pink sheet). Students with two late assignments will follow the same procedure and progression as outline above under 2) Lates. Incomplete or poorly done work must be completed that day in the After School Fun Club. If you are unable to complete an assignment on time, see your teachers before the deadline to receive a possible extension. 4) SUPPLIES: Learning Log, three different colour pens, a pencil, two different colour hi-lighters, 100 flash cards, and a little pouch/ box in which to keep these items. 5) AFTER SCHOOL FUN CLUB: This club will meet daily in Mr. Stipp or Schieves room and will provide a quiet atmosphere for students. Everyone is welcome and attendance is mandatory for students with missing or poorly done assignments and homework. The club meets from 2:30 3:30. 6) ENVIRONMENTAL CITIZENSHIP: Our planet has limited resources and can only deal with so much waste. To make a positive contribution in this area I ask that you please: recycle paper, pop cans and bottles write on both sides of your pages and use scrap paper whenever appropriate 7) CITIZENSHIP MISSION : All Co-op family members will volunteer for a Citizenship Mission to be completed at appropriate times. One person will be randomly chosen for duty day as well. 8) MISCELLANEOUS RULES
You may eat and drink in class as long as its reasonably healthy food (no chips, chocolate bars, candy, pop, other sugar drinks) and as long as it doesnt interfer e with our learning. Its ok to listen to your pod quietly at appropriate times if it helps you work. Complaining, whining and other negative means of expression can powerfully affect the mood and learning environment in a class. If youre not excited by what were doing please write down your complaints and include suggestions for improvement and place them in the honesty box. Dont express them verbally as it tends to be contagious. When someone else in the room is speaking to the whole group, be quiet and listen attentively. Respect others stuff, your surroundings and keep your hands to yourself You may use the bathroom when needed. Just sign out.

9) CONFLICT WITH OTHER COMMUNITY MEMBERS (INCLUDING TEACHERS): We will approach such situation with openness, honesty and humility. In a spirit of love we will 1. Clearly identify the issue 2. Talk to the person in question Ideally, but not 3. Talk to an adult in charge necessarily in this order 4. Participate in mediation 5. Use the Honesty box DONT GOSSIP or suppress your emotions 10) CHIT CHATS: If you are unable to comply with any of the expectations above you may be asked to leave the room. Please leave quietly and complete the, I Love This Class; Please Let Me Back In sheet and carefully follow its instructions culminating in a CHIT CHAT with Mr. Stipp or Mr. Schieve. If you repeatedly interfere with others opportunities for learning, a class meeting to address these issues may be called or other important people may be involved to help you get back on track. 11) LEARNERS LICENSE : Co-op aims to make you an independent learner by providing you with powertools for learning . These will help you make your learning more purposeful. You will be challenged to increase your awareness of your strengths and areas you need to work on (ex. Im good organizing a persuasive essay, but need to work on my transitions and vocabulary). Students who become consistently proficient users of the powertools will earn their Learners License. This license, allows students to decide how they spend their classroom time ex. opting out of note-taking, or chapter questions, reading a novel instead of working on the project, etc. and to use their device for learning. 12) AMENDMENTS AND ADDITIONS:

I hereby solemnly swear to abide by the above constitution and to cheerfully accept any consequences for actions which contravene the Co-op Family Constitution. Student Signature __________________ I read the above Co-op Family Constitution and am aware of the expectations facing my son/daughter in Co-op this semester. Its ok for him/ her to stay after school if hes missing work or needs help. Parent Signature ___________________ Comments __________________________________________________________________