RCOA plans its annual budget, hires teachers, and rents facilities for the year based on student sign-up numbers. By signing up and paying for your first installment of face-to-face program tuition, you indicate your intention to participate for the year or duration of the program if it is a single term. While circumstances may necessitate a withdrawal, it is important to understand that you make a financial commitment to a minimum of half a year, or duration of the program if shorter, of fees, to be paid either in full or in monthly installments. Deadlines for non-refundable payments and commitment are as follows:
Program fees are invoiced as follows:
Deposit
$50upon enrolment
- Non-Refundable
Sept-Jan
50%10% invoiced each month
- 5-month financial commitment
Feb-June
50%10% invoiced each month
- 5-month financial commitment
In the event that you withdraw from a program after September 1st or February 1st, your financial commitment to the remaining monthly payments continues to a maximum of the next 5-month payment period. In the event that RCOA cancels a program, you will receive a refund for any fees pre-paid, and financial commitment will be dissolved. In the event that RCOA is required to transition to a comparable online, virtual program, your financial commitment will continue. Pricing for mid-year enrolments varies by program.
Topics of Study Stop Light Policy for F2F Opportunities
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:
GREEN ZONE:
Topics we focus on teaching/studying in our classes
YELLOW ZONE:
Topics that may be ‘controversial’
RED ZONE:
Topics we avoid covering in a F2F class setting
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, B, Cs of How Staff Will Deal with Difficult Behaviour Situations
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.
Student Conduct
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.
F2F Opportunities for Learners with Special Needs
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 Learners with special needs.
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.
- The meeting cost will come from the learner’s special education budget.
- The meeting must happen before a learner with special needs may attend a Community or F2F Class/Club/Activity
- Subsequent year’s meetings will be called as the Class Coordinator and SEC determine a need.
- IEP details pertaining to group learning situations will be provided to the team members/staff
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 Needs 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