Labyrinth Parent Handbook

This page gives lots of details about our co-op. Please also read the Labyrinth Policies page in the sidebar. If you have questions we haven't answered, please let us know! You can find our contact info in a tab on the sidebar menu.

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WHO WE ARE:


Labyrinth was founded in 2004 to facilitate a sense of community among homeschool families on the Eastside by providing classes, organizing events and providing a place where homeschoolers can meet. Our group consists of families united to meet their needs and aspirations with the common purpose of educating our children. Labyrinth is an all-volunteer organization. Labyrinth Board Members and families volunteer their time and talent to make Labyrinth the strong and vibrant community that it is. By cooperative effort we can provide classes and a sense of community to all members.


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NEW FAMILIES/REGISTRATION 


How can I find out more about Labyrinth?  Our website has some general information about the co-op, class schedule, class descriptions, contact information, and more to help you get to know us better. Also, please contact our new family coordinator to set up an onsite tour, answer your questions, and discuss Labyrinth with you. We hope that you will be comfortable and excited about our co-op and class options before you register and pay.


How do I join? Please email our new family coordinator at info@labyrinthcoop.org 


How do I enroll in classes? First you will need to get an invitation link to join the co-op from our new family coordinator. Sometimes there is a waitlist. Then once you become a member, you will use the Enroll or Drop Classes link on the website to add classes. Tuition is due at the time of enrollment. You will be charged for the first (or current) 4 week session, plus the last session of the year. If you join part way through a session, you will be prorated from the day you enroll. Because you prepay for the last session upon enrollment, you will not pay tuition during our last session of co-op in May. 


For each family member there is a drop down menu of classes. Be sure to select the correct child when enrolling. You will be charged tuition for the current session and the last session.. Once paid, tuition is non refundable. Adults should only enroll in classes they plan to take themselves.  


Some classes have one time supply fees that will be arranged and paid directly to the teacher.


How do I drop a class?  If you need to drop a class, use the tab for Enrolling and Dropping classes. Then click on "Drop" next to the class you are dropping. There is a space to give your reason. 


Dropping a class can be done at any time during a 4 week session, but tuition cannot be reimbursed for missed classes. If your invoice has a class you want to drop before the next session tuition is due, please drop the class before paying. The tuition will automatically be removed from your bill.


If you drop a class during the middle of the year, you wont be reimbursed as the cost will go towards a drop fee for that class. 


Any time you add a new class, or re-add a dropped class, you will need to pay for the current and also the last month's tuition. 




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JOBS


Do I need to have a job?  Yes. Labyrinth is a co-operative, and requires the effort of all the members. Each Labyrinth family is assigned at least one co-op job for which the adult is responsible every week (including weeks s/he cannot attend for any reason). In case of absence, members are responsible for arranging a back-up for their position.  


How and when do I note my job preferences?  Jobs are typically assigned in late summer. Use the tab on the sidebar of your welcome screen to indicate job preferences. In addition to selecting your preferred jobs, you can record other information such as having an infant with you, any physical limitations you have or time constraints to be noted. Remember to save your preferences before leaving the screen. 


If your schedule changes or you cannot do your assigned job on an ongoing basis, please contact the Jobs Coordinator as soon as possible. As per our job policy, you will be required to continue to work your job until a replacement can be found.  
                    
How do I find a backup person for my job? It is important that each family identifies a backup person at the start of the year and has contact information for that person. 


Record your back up person by going to your welcome screen and selecting View My Job Assignments on the left hand side. There you will find spots to record backup people and their phone numbers. 


Often just asking around during co-op will do the trick to locate a backup, especially if you can reciprocate and be a backup for that person. 


Posting on our Labyrinth Families FaceBook page is also a good way to reach people.


Teacher helpers can ask the teacher for names of parents with children in the class who might be willing to act as a backup.


Advise your backup person and inform the Jobs Coordinator as early as possible in the event you are unable to do your Labyrinth job for any particular class day. jobs@labyrinthcoop.org


Please alert the Jobs Coordinator or a Board Member if you need help in finding a back up after reasonable attempts to find one. jobs@labyrinthcoop.org




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ATTENDING LABYRINTH/GENERAL POLICIES 


Can I drop off my child while they attend Labyrinth? No. Parents need to remain on site with their children.


What do parents/siblings do while a student is in class? We have a variety of spaces where our families gather to study, chat, eat, and play including a large seated area in the sanctuary, a community room in the lower level, and playground outside. Gathering in the common spaces is a great way to meet families and get support. Students must be with a parent when not in class. 


Can my children play outside?  Yes. Children may use the playground, and be outside, but need to be supervised by a parent when not in class.


Where can we eat lunch while at the Co-op?  Food may be eaten in the community room on the lower level, outside, or in the gym during lunch 12-12:30pm. Food is not allowed in any classroom. This helps to protect our kids with severe food allergies. Please only water or drinks with non-spill lids in the sanctuary. 


Do you have a Lost and Found?  Yes. It is located near the Information Desk. Periodically items remaining in the Lost and Found will be donated. These donations will be announced beforehand in the weekly email. 


How is information sent to members?  A weekly email is sent by the Labyrinth Board. If you have information to include, please email the board. We also have a closed Facebook group for Labyrinth families. 


Can I sell my products and services at Labyrinth? No. This is against our contract with the church. If you have non-Labyrinth information about activities that would be of interest to other homeschoolers, you may bring printed flyers to the information desk and obtain permission from a Board Member to place them out for distribution. You can also post a link on Facebook. We do not allow dissemination of political flyers. 




What about Weather Closures? If Issaquah School District is closed, Labyrinth classes will be canceled. If a decision to close is made, an email will be sent to all families. It is good to check your email prior to leaving for Labyrinth on winter mornings.


Can I attend classes with my student?  Yes, we welcome parents in the classroom. Please observe quietly. Siblings are not allowed in classes they are not registered in. Infants are allowed with the parent as long as they are not disruptive to the class.


My child has special needs. Can Labyrinth work for us?  We welcome all families and all learners. Please use the class descriptions to find classes that would be appropriate for your child and talk to the teachers to see how to work together to make your child successful at Labyrinth. We strive to meet the needs of all students, but please recognize that some children will require more one-on-one help than our teachers can provide. Open, frequent communication will help both the teacher and parent decide if the class is a good fit for both parties.


My child is having trouble in class, what do I do?  Start by communicating with the teacher. Our teachers are anxious to work with families and students to help them address their education needs. A phone call, email, or conference is often helpful. Ask the teacher when might be the best time to talk about your student. 




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PAYMENT AND WEBSITE QUESTIONS


Can Labyrinth bill a public school alternative program? No. We can not provide this service. Printing out your invoice should provide you with the appropriate information to send to the alternative program. 


I paid the annual co-op fee and tuition, but my plans changed. Can I get a refund?  No. Payments are non-refundable. Our strict no refund policy protects our rental space and also our teachers who commit to the classes, purchase supplies, and spend their summers preparing. 


We are planning a long trip, can we stop paying for Labyrinth while we are gone? A leave of absence as such is not permitted. We have a waiting list of families wanting to join the co-op. If a current family withdraws from all classes, they will become inactive, and a family from the waiting list will be admitted in their place. Any family wanting to rejoin Labyrinth can contact us to be placed on the waiting list. They will be readmitted as room permits. Many teachers require students present to continue in the class. However, if the situation allows you to get permission from your teachers to miss, continue to pay all tuition, and get complete coverage for your jobs, you may ask the board as an exception for a leave of absence. These are rare, but sometimes possible.




How do I change my password?  On the website, click on "forgot my password". You will be prompted to enter your username (your email address) and then receive an email to change your password. Please follow the directions. 




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PLANNING CLASSES FOR THE NEXT YEAR 


I would love to teach a class at Labyrinth. What do I need to know? . Teacher interviews and class proposals take place in later winter. Anyone interested in teaching or talking about the possibilities should email directors@labyrinthcoop.org.. Input from families helps determine what classes end up on the schedule. 


I have a great idea to improve the co-op, who do I tell? Come find one of the Board Members, or shoot us an email. We are always happy to hear a great idea and tap into the talents and skills of our co-op members.








Updated 3/2022 

Please email info@labyrinthcoop.org for more information and how to get on the waitlist for enrollment in 2024-2025 Classes.

Our Mission at Labyrinth Co-op

To support home schooling families by organizing classes and events, and by providing a sense of community. Our teachers are encouraged to provide adequate information so that families can choose classes that best ensure consistency with the teachings of their home and family values.


In turn, we require that our co-op families come with a cooperative attitude in helping us make Labyrinth run safely, effectively, and as efficiently as possible. Families are responsible for knowing and abiding by all of the policies and procedures as posted on the Labyrinth website. We expect a high standard of respectful behavior from all members, both adults and children.


We believe the best thing for children is a strong family base and we work to support our families in that endeavor. Families joining Labyrinth provide the foundation for building an atmosphere of respect where learning and sharing can occur successfully.

We are an inclusive Homeschool Co-op, open to all.

Classes are weekly on Tuesdays from Mid-September through Mid-May (32 weeks) from 9:00 am-2:30 pm

We meet at Pine Lake Covenant Church, 1715 228th Ave SE, Sammamish, WA

Labyrinth Home Education Co-op is a registered 501c3.




NOTICE OF NONDISCRIMINATORY POLICY AS TO STUDENTS
Labyrinth Home Education Co-op Inc. admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship programs, and other school-administered programs.