We are delighted to offer a wide variety of in-person & virtual programming options. If you have questions, reach out to us at info@rcoa.ca.
Please be aware RCOA plans its annual budget, hires teachers, and rents facilities for the year based on student sign-up numbers for each program and location. By paying the deposit you indicate an intention to participate for the duration of the program. This deposit is non-refundable and non-transferable.
In the event that you need to withdraw from a program, your financial commitment is to pay the next month’s payment owing (or equivalent), you will receive a refund for any fees above this amount that you pre-paid. In the event that RCOA cancels your selected program(s) you will recieve a full refund.
Some Families have asked for clarity on how this looks if they withdraw before the school year starts. If you remain enrolled with RCOA but you withdraw from a program prior to June 30th the portion that was required to secure your seat is lost. If you withdraw from a program during the summer (July 1st to August 31st) the September portion will still be required. This applies regardless of the source of the payment (Ministry Funds or Out-of-pocket)
As outlined in the Parent/Guardian Resources Agreement concerning Ministry Funds Grades K-9 enrolled families are provided a per child allotment of ministry funds which many families have allocated to the RCOA in-person and virtual programming fees. Ministry funds allocated to programming must be repaid to RCOA if you withdraw your enrolment or change from enrolled to registered status on or before September 30th. If you withdraw from RCOA on or after October 1st, I will repay Ministry funds above half of the total allotted.
In the case of the programs that lock Ministry Funding (K-7 PIE & 8/9 HUB) the portion returned to the family’s Ministry Funding pot will follow the same refund policy as for a family who pre-paid. Also, Term-by-Term Clubs and single day Activities require full payment to secure seats and will follow the same policies as a deposit if there are changes.
Regarding changes make in response to Provincial Health Orders – In the event that RCOA is required to transition to comparable in-person or virtual programming, your financial commitment remains the same.
As a Blended Learning School, RCOA enters into a partnership with our parents/learners by providing coverage of BC Ministry Learning Objectives via face to face (F2F) learning opportunities. In order to do what we can to avoid conflict around topics that may be controversial, we have developed a policy that will guide teachers, parents and learners in what topics are appropriate for coverage in our F2F.
As a Christian School, RCOA takes seriously our mandate to model Christian principles and to provide a Christian Worldview in all of the courses we oversee in our face to face opportunities K – 12. There are times when ‘learning’ in our classes involves topics where a possibility of perspectives exists. In an effort to respect each family’s right to educate their children as they see fit, we have created a ‘Stop Light Policy’ that categorizes topics into three areas:
We are equipped for basic first aid emergencies only. Parents will be called if a situation needs attention above this level, emergency services will be called if warranted. We will have at minimum one staff member trained in level one first aid on site. Should an incident occur during face time, our staff will complete an Incident Report Form.
Learners who have a history of serious allergic reactions need to supply their own medication (allergen creams, Epi-pen etc.) and parents must provide our staff with written instructions to be kept with the medication and if requested provide training by way of a demonstration. Because we rent public use facilities, we cannot ensure a site to be free of potential allergens (e.g. peanuts, latex, stinging insects etc.). Learners with the potential for extreme, life-threatening reactions may be asked to attend classes with a parent or guardian remaining on site who is responsible for them and/or sign a waiver stating they understand and accept the risks.
We will rely on local support systems should such an earthquake or fire occur.
A) We will speak to the learner respectfully pointing out what the behaviour is that is unacceptable and why.
B) We will give the learner a warning that he/she will have to be removed if the behaviour does not improve.
Work through options – move to another location, speak to another adult regarding what is happening etc.
C) We will remove the learner from the activity and partner them with an EA or parent chaperone for the remainder of the time that day reminding them as to why this action is taken.
Parents and Administration will be informed of the situation at this point.
Please note that it is RCOA’s school wide policy that no student brings into the facilities or uses tobacco or vapour products while in attendance of any RCOA Activities, Clubs or Classes. The student will be asked to leave, parents contacted and RCOA will need to reassess the student’s suitability for further attendance.
In order to help ensure that every student is successful and enjoys the RCOA Community Classes, Face to Face Classes, Clubs and Activities, we have put in place the following guidelines intended to prepare us to accommodate the unique needs of SE Learners.
Families of Learners with Special Needs will be required to attend a Special Education Support Team meeting with staff that are going to be involved with their child at class.
Families will provide an SEA, paid for from their child’s SE budget, or a parent assistant for one-to-one support. It is the parent and the Special Education Coordinator’s responsibility to communicate with the SEA regarding their attendance and what support is expected of the SEA while there.
After the first term, parents (in collaboration with their child’s SE Coordinator), may request that the student be permitted to attend without one-to-one support. Permission must be obtained from the Class Coordinator, the learner’s SEC and the Director of Special Education. Decisions will be made on a case-by-case basis, in recognition of each unique situation.
If you have any questions or concerns about these guidelines you may contact our Special Education Director Marilyn Smith at msmith@rcoa.ca
