BCERC FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions about the BCERC

**What Is The BCERC?

The Bucks County Educational Resource Center was founded in the winter of 2001 in order to serve the local homeschooling community. We strive to provide academic & social opportunities to area families.

**When Is The BCERC In Operation?

The BCERC operates on a traditional school calendar--September through May. We close in the summer, though we do try to get together at local parks or playgrounds to socialize during the summer. We also close during December.

**How Often Do You Meet?

The BCERC is open each Wednesday, between the hours of 10 a.m. and 3 p.m.

**Where Are You Located?

We operate out of the Faith Reformed Church in Levittown, PA. Please see our DIRECTIONS page for more information.

**Do Members Have to Stay All Day?

No. Your membership entitles you to attend all the hours we are open, but it is up to you how often you attend. If you are signed up for a class, you are expected to attend, but otherwise, you can come and go as you please.

**How Much Does It Cost To Join?

Members pay $10.00 per operating month for the entire family. This fee covers our rental of the church and is contingent on the number of members currently attending. Assuming it is a 4 week month, this fee works out to just 25 cents per hour to be a member! So far, after nearly two years, we have not had to raise our Family Fee.

**How Do You Collect The Family Fees?

We pay the Family Fee at the beginning of each session, meaning you pay for 2 months at a time ($20 per family). This makes bookkeeping a bit easier for me. If you wish to pay for the entire year at once, you're welcome to do so.

Payments are accepted in the form of cash, check, or money order. There is a $20 fee for checks returned for insufficient funds. If a member has 2 checks returned, they will be required to pay with cash or money orders from that point on.

**What Ages Are The Children Who Attend?

All ages. We have babies through teenagers at the BCERC and something for all of them.

**How Many Children Attend The BCERC?

Hard to say, since the numbers fluctuate, but the average seems to be about 50 children in any given session.

**Are Classes Optional?

Yes. Members are free to pick and choose which classes they wish to attend. You are also more than welcome to come and simply hang out. We have a cabinet full of open-ended activities (puzzles, games, paints, balls, etc.) for your child to play with.

**How Does The BCERC Work?

The BCERC is run basically as a co-op situation, in the sense that all members are expected to contribute in some way to the running of the center.

**How Do I Offer To Teach?

Simply contact me (Totsntikes@aol.com) and we'll go over your needs & the availability of time slots and classrooms. Please have in mind the following information: Name of class, short description of class, length of class (both how many weeks and how long each class will last), the age range, the minimum and maximum student limits, & the total cost.

**How Do I Sign Up For Classes?

We do sign-ups through e-mail. Once the session offerings are confirmed, I send out a notice with all of the pertinent information. You simply email me with your choices.

In the event that a class has a limited number of slots, it is done on a first come, first served basis.

**Do we have to join for the whole year?

No. You might opt to only join per individual sessions. It would be great if you could let us know ahead of time if you plan to take a session or two off, though, so that we may keep a good handle on the financial details.

**How Can I Contribute?

We try to be flexible about the ways members can contribute. Teaching a class is the best way to do this. Those needing ideas or help putting a class together should notify me. I'm more than happy to guide you.

If teaching is not possible, you can assist a class (with the teacher's permission), offer childcare services, donate supplies to the center, arrange for a community program to come to the BCERC, etc. There are also many *special projects* you can work on.

For now, we would like to continue working on *the honor system*, meaning that we trust members to contribute fairly to the center. There are no stringent requirements, but you are expected to serve in some form.

If you have your own ideas, feel free to talk to me about it. We want you to feel comfortable with your contributions.

**Is Childcare Available?

Childcare is currently handled on an as-needed basis. Teachers, and those who wish to participate in classes with older children, may arrange for another member to watch over her children. We are not opposed to setting up a more formal arrangement if it is deemed necessary.

**What If I Want To Teach a Class For Just 1 or 2 Weeks?

That's fine. Though we operate in 4 *sessions* throughout the year (8 weeks each), teachers are encouraged to set up classes in a manner that suits them. You can teach for 1 week or 8 or any number in between. You can opt for a class length of 30 minutes or two hours. Those details are up to the teacher. I will work with you and the calendar to find the best fit for your potential classes.

**Do Parents Teach/Assist The Whole Time They Are There?

No! Part of our goal is to give parents a chance to relax, chat with friends, network, enjoy a little free time, etc. If, for example, you teach one class and your child takes 3 that day, you are free to enjoy that downtime unless your presence is required in the other 2 classes (if your child is very young, it might be, but otherwise, probably not). You must stay on the church grounds unless your child is being cared for by another adult, but otherwise, feel free to bring a book or a project you're working on, or just enjoy talking to another adult!

**Do The Classes Cost Money?

Sometimes, yes. We have had plenty of free classes, but some charge an additional fee. Up to this point, all class fees have been nominal and only enough to cover the cost of the materials used. All class fees are to be paid directly to the teacher on the first day of the class. If we elect to bring in outside sources, there may be additional fees set by them.

**Are There Age Restrictions on Classes?

Yes, most of the time. We have had activities open to all ages, but in the more formal situations, the age range is up to each individual teacher. It is also up to the teacher to make exceptions or not. The teacher has the final say on what ages she will accept.

If you are attending a class with your older child, it is best if you can arrange for another parent to watch your younger child (one who is too young for the class). In any case, if a child of any age is being disruptive during a class, please immediately remove them from the class to be fair to the teacher and students.

**Is The Facility Child-Friendly?

Yes. As with any environment, though, there are rules to abide by.

Children can usually have free access to the Fellowship Hall and the toy nursery, as well as the outside grounds.

When classes are in session, children are to stay out of those classrooms unless enrolled in the class.

We are expecting a brand new fenced-in playground to be built soon and there is also a large grassy area for running and playing. Picnic tables are set up outside for relaxing and/or eating.

**Which Rooms Can We Use?

The BCERC has access to 8 rooms in the building:

1--A spacious kitchen with a large island counter, 6 stools, a small table, and two chairs.

2--A large classroom which can accommodate about 20 students if necessary.

3--A small classroom, which seats 6 or so comfortably.

4--A media room, which houses the TV & VCR. Two couches.

5--A nice-sized nursery, stocked with lots of toys to fuel the imagination.

6--A huge Fellowship Hall with plenty of tables and chairs to accommodate large groups

7--A music room, which contains a piano, a table, and chairs.

The BCERC is specifically set up as a secular group, in order to accommodate all who wish to participate. Though we meet in a Christian Church and many of our members are Christians, we do welcome all faiths. We do not, however, hold any functions or classes that go against the teaching of the Christian Church, nor will we even consider doing so.

**Can I Drop My Child Off at the BCERC?

Normally, no. While there may be some exceptions made for older children, we are not a baby-sitting service. Parents are required to attend with their children, unless their children are in the care of another adult member.

**Do I Have To Go To The Classes With My Child(ren)?

That depends. You'll need to speak to the individual teachers. Some teachers prefer that parents do not come into the classroom, as it could be distracting. If the teacher does not mind that you sit in, please be respectful that she is conducting a class. In other words, please don't chit chat!

Other times, a class calls for a parent to attend. In the case of younger children, parental help is often needed.

**Do You Have Specific Rules I Should Know About?

Yes. They are basic, common courtesy rules, such as:

1--Respect all persons and property.

2--Parents are responsible for their childrens' whereabouts at all times.

3--If you sign up for a class, you are expected to attend.

**How Do You Handle Snow Days?

If the forecast calls for a significant amount of snow, chances are, we will close for the day. An e-mail will be sent no later than 8:30 if the BCERC is closing due to inclement weather.

**Do You Have Make-Up Days?

Not formally, no. The individual teachers will decide how to handle missed classes, due to illness or weather.

**What If I Cannot Attend a Class I Signed Up For?

You will have the e-mail address of the teacher and it will be your responsibility to notify her in a timely manner in the event of illness or if you are dropping out of the class. No refunds are given should you decide not to attend the center and/or a particular class.

**How Do You Keep In Contact With Each Other?

We have a group run through Yahoo that most of us belong to. If you have e-mail access, we encourage you to join the list. If you are not familiar with the concept, Yahoo makes it easy to write an email to the entire group. Other benefits of a Yahoo e-list include: a calendar feature; storage space for favorite links, articles, and studies; personal chat rooms; reminder notices; polls; and more.

**Do You Allow Off Topic Posts to The E-List?

We don't normally do much off topic chatting on the e-list. Basically, we use the list to notify members of upcoming classes, changes in the schedule, and other homeschool-related activities, such as field trips, great websites, community offerings, etc.

**I'm Still Not Sure The BCERC is The Right Place For Me. Now What?

We gladly welcome any family to arrange for a tour of the BCERC during our operating hours. Come spend a free day with us! Look around, meet some members, participate in a class, and then decide for yourself whether you'd like to be a part of the BCERC.

**Do I Need To Sign A Statement Of Faith?

No. We do not ask any member to sign a statement of faith. We are only interested in members who are genuinely good, moral people, but your personal beliefs are your own business.

**My Children Are Not Technically Homeschoolers Yet. Is It OK For Us To Join?

Sure! Because the compulsory age in PA is so high, we have plenty of members with children who are not technically homeschooling yet. We welcome children of all ages.

**Are You A Support Group?

Yes, I guess we are in a way. We provide moral support to homeschooling families who need guidance, along with socialization, academic classes, and extracurricular activities. There are plenty of members who have been homeschooling for years who are happy to help you with issues such as dealing with the requirements of the law, choosing a curriculum, finding your style, etc.

**Do You Have A Discipline Policy?

We do not have a formal policy, no. If we feel we need one in the future, we can implement one, but for now, we expect all parents to be conscious of their own children's whereabouts and behaviors. We expect the parents to discipline their own child if necessary. If a child is being disruptive in a class, the teacher has the right to ask that child to leave the room. We'd like to continue to operate on those conditions, and yet also trust that parents will help each other keep a watchful eye on the children. If there is a dispute of any kind, it is our hope that it can be worked out amicably between the families involved. So far, so good!

**Is There A Dress Code?

The Church has asked that all members, both children and adults, dress in a modest, respectful manner.

**Do You Serve Lunch?

While at times we may make a dish in a cooking class, most of the time members are on their own for lunch. Most bring a packed lunch. We do have access to a refrigerator for your convenience.

**I Don't See My Question Answered Here. Now What?

Feel free to email me with your question(s). I'll do my best to get back to you promptly. Totsntikes@aol.com.