CEDAR Handbook and Expectations Guide

Please carefully review the material in this handbook and expectations guide.  CEDAR classes will take place on Tuesdays at Riverside Christian Fellowship (957 SW 71st Ave., North Lauderdale, FL 33068).

Mission Statement

Our mission is to provide quality, God-honoring academic classes to assist parents in educating their children.

Philosophy

CEDAR is not a school and its classes are not intended to fully replace parent education.  CEDAR endeavors to assist parents in the home education of their children by locating and providing quality independent instructors.  The CEDAR instructor is a lecturer and facilitator, instructing the student in class while the parent oversees and leads the student throughout the week.

Organization

CEDAR is in the process of organizing as a corporation and filing for non-profit 501C3 status.  Throughout this start up process CEDAR will operate as a part of the ministry structure of Riverside Christian Fellowship.  Riverside seeks to provide this ministry to serve home school families in the South Florida community.  Donations are much needed and gladly accepted to help in the start up of this ministry.
CEDAR Directors are responsible for leading the ministry.  CEDAR directors are: Brian Brookins, Adam Greenfield, and Tim Smith.  They may be contacted at info@learnwithcedar.com.

Commitments

CEDAR Directors commit to:

  1. Seek to match available instructors and courses with the academic needs of students. Criteria for instructors will include educational experience, mastery of material, ability to teach, personal integrity and a love for the Lord.  CEDAR requires that instructor candidates undergo a criminal background check. CEDAR directors reserve the right to replace one instructor with another if the circumstances become necessary.
  2. Attempt to maximize learning by maintaining an appropriate class.
  3. Provide an active website and updates to inform CEDAR families of all pertinent information and announcements.
  4. Provide an appropriate facility.
  5. Moderate and oversee in the resolution of conflicts and disagreements related to CEDAR classes/activities according to the guidelines of Matthew 18:15-17.

CEDAR Instructors commit to:

  1. Provide quality instruction in a Christian environment.
  2. Provide parents with course description, textbook list, and class syllabus with schedules to specify expectations and assignments for each class.
  3. Provide parents with periodic progress reports for their records.
  4. Attempt to handle all difficulties and conflicts with integrity and in a biblical manner, according to the guidelines of Matthew 18:15-17.

Parents commit to:

  1. Purchase books and materials and pay instructors in a timely manner at the beginning of the school year.
  2. Oversee their student’s CEDAR classes, to provide their students with proper accountability to ensure that all assignments are completed on time with integrity, and that their student is fully prepared to participate in class. Many courses will require the parent to correct work at home.
  3. Communicate with CEDAR instructors, to inform them of planned absences, make arrangements for missed lessons, or any changes or concerns about their student’s work.
  4. Make sure students arrive on time for classes (no earlier than 10 minutes prior to class) dressed appropriately and that they are picked up promptly after class. (See Dress Policy.)
  5. CEDAR parents must pick up or supervise their students if the students have more than one free period between classes. Students may stay for 1 free period at CEDAR if it is between two classes.
  6. Pick up their children in a timely manner after classes.  When not in class, students younger than 13 years old are required to have parental supervision. They are not permitted to be left alone at CEDAR unless in class. (Lunch is not a class.)
  7. Attempt to handle all difficulties and conflicts with integrity and in a biblical manner, according to the guidelines of Matthew 18:15-17.
  8. Review with their children and then sign and agree to abide by the policies set forth in the CEDAR Handbook and Expectations Guide at the beginning of each year.

Students commit to:

  1. Abide by the rules of dress and conduct. (See Dress Policy and Code of Conduct.)
  2. Come prepared for class and complete all assignments on time. Students who fall significantly behind on assignments without legitimate reason, in the judgment of the instructor and the CEDAR board, will be dismissed from class with no refund.
  3. Participate in class without being a distraction to the instructor or other students in class. There are absolutely no cell phones allowed on in class. This includes text messaging and phone calls.
  4. Be in their seats and prepared for class at the start of the class period. Students are expected to go to the restroom during the breaks between classes, and not during the classes.
  5. Attempt to handle all difficulties and conflicts with integrity and in a biblical manner, according to the guidelines of Matthew 18:15-17.
  6. Read and agree to abide by the CEDAR Handbook and Expectations Guide by signing the CEDAR application form.
  7. Treat all instructors, directors and volunteers with respect and honor.

Dress Policy

Dress is expected to be respectful and modest.  Dress may be casual provided it is not sloppy or immodest. Students dressed inappropriately at CEDAR according to the judgment of any CEDAR instructor or administrator may be sent home.


In Young Men

Men are required to show respect for others in the manner they dress.  Clothes may not display words or symbols which contain profanity, which promote alcohol, drugs or immoral behavior, or which dishonor Christ. Pant’s waistlines may not be worn below the hips; underwear must be covered.


In Young Women

Women are required to dress modestly (please see Modesty Guide). Clothes may not display words or symbols which contain profanity, which promote alcohol, drugs or immoral behavior, or which dishonor Christ.

Facility Use

Students are only permitted in designated areas.  Students are absolutely prohibited from entering undesignated areas unless directed by a CEDAR instructor or administrator (Students must remain in the Riverside Student Center and may not enter into the Riverside main facility).  Riverside Christian Fellowship is blessed to be the owner of a shopping center – please respect the needs of Riverside’s tenants and do not wander throughout the shopping center.

Lunch and Eating

Students are only permitted to stay throughout the lunch period if they have a class sometime before the lunch hour and after lunch. Eating and drinking is permitted only in the lunch room and snack area.  Please respect church property by cleaning up after yourself.


CEDAR Expectations Guide 2010-2011

  1. Students will act in such a way that their words and actions promote the unity and encouragement of fellow CEDAR students.
  2. Students violating personal or academic integrity (plagiarism or cheating) may be dismissed from CEDAR with no refund.
  3. All cell phones must be turned off during class and may only be used during breaks if absolutely necessary.  NO TEXTING.
  4. Students will avoid acting in such a way that is considered disruptive, distracting, disrespectful, offensive, immoral, intimidating or rude.
  5. Students will avoid gossiping to or about others.
  6. Poor attitude is grounds for dismissal without refund.
  7. Students must dress modestly adhering to the Dress Policy set forth in the CEDAR handbook. Students who arrive at CEDAR dressed inappropriately (in the judgment of any CEDAR instructor or director) will be sent home.
  8. Students must be in their seats and prepared at the start of the class period. They may not wait for other students or for their instructor to call them to class.
  9. Students younger than 13 years old are required to have parental supervision when they are not in class.  (Lunch is not a class)
  10. The church has ministry functions throughout the week, an active church office, and tenants conducting business. Students may not go into any part of the building or shopping center other than the Riverside Student Center.
  11. Students must respect the church property (including the shopping center).
  12. Students must respect the property of others by not touching anything that does not belong to them unless they have permission.
  13. Halls and areas between classes must be kept clear and quiet.
  14. Students may not run in the building.
  15. Students may eat in the designated eating areas only.
  16. Students must pick up after themselves immediately. All trash must be thrown away and all belongings cleaned up and removed before an area is left.
  17. No chewing gum is permitted on the church property.
  18. Students may not bring pocket knives, or any other object that could be used as a weapon.
  19. Any damage caused by a student to the building, tables, or other church property is the financial responsibility of that student and his/her family.