Frequently Asked Questions
What is a cooperative and how does it function?
We are a cooperative in that we corporately work together to create an environment of learning for our children, one that is more affordable than a traditional preschool. CHLG is licensed by the District of Columbia and has six paid staff members (a director, who teaches weekly music classes and handles most of the administrative functions of the school, as well as five classroom teachers). Families contribute by assisting their child’s teacher in the classroom on a rotating basis, by participating in at least one school wide clean up day, and by serving in a particular volunteer position during the course of the year (parents choose from a list of opportunities).
What is the difference between CHLG's preschool classes and CHLG's Hybrid Academy
The Hybrid Academy is our primary school program. We currently have a Kindergarten class and plan to add a First Grade for 2012-2013. You can read more about our Hybrid Academy (including a Hybrid Academy Q & A document) under the "classes" tab.
How often am I “On Duty” and what do I do as the teacher assistant?
Duty days vary per group. Refer to the "Class Offerings" page under the "classes" tab to see the number of duty days required for each class. Your job as the classroom assistant consists of preparing the morning snack, engaging in play with the children, participating with the children in the direct teaching times (and helping them stay focused), helping out with hands-on activities, assisting with training and discipline, helping with diaper changes and/or potty breaks and hand washing, and generally having fun with the kids! Those on duty also help clean up at the end of the day.
Can our nanny serve duty days for our family?
While our desire is that a parent/guardian (or a grandparent) be on duty in the classroom we do allow nannies to serve one duty day for every five duty days required (as long as they speak English and have the proper paperwork on file).
Can I chose the days that I will serve duty in the classroom?
Yes. Each class has a Yahoo! group which is used for communication between those involved (ie: parents, teacher, director), and the calendar connected with that Yahoo! group is also used for the scheduling of duty days. A few weeks before the start of each semester parents are contacted with information about the required number of duty days for that particular semester, and are then informed of when they can begin signing-up for duty days. Those with more flexibility are asked to wait and allow those with less flexibility (such as those who have or will be welcoming a newborn, those who are planning a move, those with less flexible work schedules, etc.) to sign-up first.
What if I find that I cannot serve duty on my scheduled day?
If you have some notice, such as travel that you were not aware of when you initially chose your duty day, you can post to your class Yahoo! group and request a trade. There is typically enough flexibility within the group that you will be able to find someone to trade duty days with you. This can also be done the night before or even the morning of, if you find that you or your child is ill. Families are encouraged to check their e-mail in the morning and, as a group, CHLG families seek to be helpful to each other, since we all have these emergency situations come up. In the event that a trade cannot be found we also provide a list of qualified substitutes that parents parents can hire ($90/day) to serve a duty day.
What sort of task might I be doing to fulfill my required volunteer position for the year?
There are many, many ways to serve. Most parents are able to find a volunteer position that easily fits their skill set and schedule. Some examples of volunteer tasks (you would sign up for one of these for the year) would be:
a.) Organizing a teacher luncheon (either by collecting money and having it catered or by organizing
members of the group to bring in food, drinks, table decorations, etc.)
b.) Overseeing the scheduling of duty days for your class on the class Yahoo! site
c.) Giving tours on one of the Open House dates in February
d.) Purchasing and delivering supplies approximately three times during the year
e.) Cleaning carpets with the school's carpet cleaning machine
f.) Managing your class's medical forms and sending reminders to parents when new forms are due
g.) Writing for grants
Does CHLG follow the DCPS school calendar?
We have our own calendar, but we follow DCPS fairly closely for Christmas break and Spring break.
My child's birthday places him/her in the Grasshopper/Cricket/Junebug class range. How do I figure out the group for which my child is qualified?
The Grasshoppers class is our Pre-K class, and as such is typically composed of those children who have reached the age of 4 by the end of September. The remaining children are placed into either the Crickets or Junebugs class, based on age and gender, just before the start of school. Please note that because all of the children in any given class are within a certain age window, we do not move any child up to an older group at second semester. All of the children in each group “age” together.
My child has allergies, how do you handle this?
We actually have many children who have minor to severe allergies. The first thing we do is ensure that everyone is aware of your child's allergies (teachers, parents, snack schedulers). Secondly, we figure out how to make snack work for you. If your child has allergies to things like wheat or dairy we may encourage you to send along a special snack for your child. Finally, we discourage children from sharing their food at either snack or lunch times. Additionally, due to the fact that we typically have several children who have severe nut allergies, CHLG is a nut-free program. No nuts or nut butters of any kind are allowed in the classrooms or lunchroom (this also includes items containing nuts like granola bars, etc).
What does the “Faith-based Program” look like at CHLG?
We approach things from a Christian worldview in the classroom. We talk about the fact that God made this world and each of us, and that we are called by God to walk in His ways because He made us, He loves us and He knows what’s best for us. As we train the children in how to helpfully live with each other (and with those in authority over them) they will hear things such as, "God calls us to be kind to our friends", "God wants us to share the good things we have", and "God calls us to obey all the way, right away, with a happy heart", etc.
Additionally, at CHLG we understand that God has given us His Word, and that we come to know Him through the Scriptures. Each month we have a specific Bible story that we incorporate into our teaching times which ties into our other themes for the month. You may see references to Jesus Christ and God as well as verses from the Bible on the children's crafts or work texts. We also learn scripture memory verses and sing songs which stem from truths we are learning from the Bible.
While we are organized in such a way that there is freedom to talk about God, Jesus Christ and the Bible, we welcome families from other faiths as well as families who do not consider themselves religious. Though our group is not a fit for everyone (and we certainly respect the choice not to participate with us) we are proud of the fact that we have had great support from the community-at-large and continue to be supported by a diverse group of families.
How can I find out more about CHLG and make application?
Click the "apply" tab for more information about our program. We have a few spots available for the remainder of the 2011-2012 school year. Please inquire about these spots using the contact tab.
If you have interest in making application for the 2012-2013 school year applications are now being accepted (see the "apply" tab for information). Additionally, we would love to have you visit the school, so mark your calendar for our open house dates scheduled for Thursday and Friday, February 23rd and 24th, from 10:00-Noon. If these dates don't work with your schedule you may use the "contact" tab to request another day for a tour.
We are a cooperative in that we corporately work together to create an environment of learning for our children, one that is more affordable than a traditional preschool. CHLG is licensed by the District of Columbia and has six paid staff members (a director, who teaches weekly music classes and handles most of the administrative functions of the school, as well as five classroom teachers). Families contribute by assisting their child’s teacher in the classroom on a rotating basis, by participating in at least one school wide clean up day, and by serving in a particular volunteer position during the course of the year (parents choose from a list of opportunities).
What is the difference between CHLG's preschool classes and CHLG's Hybrid Academy
The Hybrid Academy is our primary school program. We currently have a Kindergarten class and plan to add a First Grade for 2012-2013. You can read more about our Hybrid Academy (including a Hybrid Academy Q & A document) under the "classes" tab.
How often am I “On Duty” and what do I do as the teacher assistant?
Duty days vary per group. Refer to the "Class Offerings" page under the "classes" tab to see the number of duty days required for each class. Your job as the classroom assistant consists of preparing the morning snack, engaging in play with the children, participating with the children in the direct teaching times (and helping them stay focused), helping out with hands-on activities, assisting with training and discipline, helping with diaper changes and/or potty breaks and hand washing, and generally having fun with the kids! Those on duty also help clean up at the end of the day.
Can our nanny serve duty days for our family?
While our desire is that a parent/guardian (or a grandparent) be on duty in the classroom we do allow nannies to serve one duty day for every five duty days required (as long as they speak English and have the proper paperwork on file).
Can I chose the days that I will serve duty in the classroom?
Yes. Each class has a Yahoo! group which is used for communication between those involved (ie: parents, teacher, director), and the calendar connected with that Yahoo! group is also used for the scheduling of duty days. A few weeks before the start of each semester parents are contacted with information about the required number of duty days for that particular semester, and are then informed of when they can begin signing-up for duty days. Those with more flexibility are asked to wait and allow those with less flexibility (such as those who have or will be welcoming a newborn, those who are planning a move, those with less flexible work schedules, etc.) to sign-up first.
What if I find that I cannot serve duty on my scheduled day?
If you have some notice, such as travel that you were not aware of when you initially chose your duty day, you can post to your class Yahoo! group and request a trade. There is typically enough flexibility within the group that you will be able to find someone to trade duty days with you. This can also be done the night before or even the morning of, if you find that you or your child is ill. Families are encouraged to check their e-mail in the morning and, as a group, CHLG families seek to be helpful to each other, since we all have these emergency situations come up. In the event that a trade cannot be found we also provide a list of qualified substitutes that parents parents can hire ($90/day) to serve a duty day.
What sort of task might I be doing to fulfill my required volunteer position for the year?
There are many, many ways to serve. Most parents are able to find a volunteer position that easily fits their skill set and schedule. Some examples of volunteer tasks (you would sign up for one of these for the year) would be:
a.) Organizing a teacher luncheon (either by collecting money and having it catered or by organizing
members of the group to bring in food, drinks, table decorations, etc.)
b.) Overseeing the scheduling of duty days for your class on the class Yahoo! site
c.) Giving tours on one of the Open House dates in February
d.) Purchasing and delivering supplies approximately three times during the year
e.) Cleaning carpets with the school's carpet cleaning machine
f.) Managing your class's medical forms and sending reminders to parents when new forms are due
g.) Writing for grants
Does CHLG follow the DCPS school calendar?
We have our own calendar, but we follow DCPS fairly closely for Christmas break and Spring break.
My child's birthday places him/her in the Grasshopper/Cricket/Junebug class range. How do I figure out the group for which my child is qualified?
The Grasshoppers class is our Pre-K class, and as such is typically composed of those children who have reached the age of 4 by the end of September. The remaining children are placed into either the Crickets or Junebugs class, based on age and gender, just before the start of school. Please note that because all of the children in any given class are within a certain age window, we do not move any child up to an older group at second semester. All of the children in each group “age” together.
My child has allergies, how do you handle this?
We actually have many children who have minor to severe allergies. The first thing we do is ensure that everyone is aware of your child's allergies (teachers, parents, snack schedulers). Secondly, we figure out how to make snack work for you. If your child has allergies to things like wheat or dairy we may encourage you to send along a special snack for your child. Finally, we discourage children from sharing their food at either snack or lunch times. Additionally, due to the fact that we typically have several children who have severe nut allergies, CHLG is a nut-free program. No nuts or nut butters of any kind are allowed in the classrooms or lunchroom (this also includes items containing nuts like granola bars, etc).
What does the “Faith-based Program” look like at CHLG?
We approach things from a Christian worldview in the classroom. We talk about the fact that God made this world and each of us, and that we are called by God to walk in His ways because He made us, He loves us and He knows what’s best for us. As we train the children in how to helpfully live with each other (and with those in authority over them) they will hear things such as, "God calls us to be kind to our friends", "God wants us to share the good things we have", and "God calls us to obey all the way, right away, with a happy heart", etc.
Additionally, at CHLG we understand that God has given us His Word, and that we come to know Him through the Scriptures. Each month we have a specific Bible story that we incorporate into our teaching times which ties into our other themes for the month. You may see references to Jesus Christ and God as well as verses from the Bible on the children's crafts or work texts. We also learn scripture memory verses and sing songs which stem from truths we are learning from the Bible.
While we are organized in such a way that there is freedom to talk about God, Jesus Christ and the Bible, we welcome families from other faiths as well as families who do not consider themselves religious. Though our group is not a fit for everyone (and we certainly respect the choice not to participate with us) we are proud of the fact that we have had great support from the community-at-large and continue to be supported by a diverse group of families.
How can I find out more about CHLG and make application?
Click the "apply" tab for more information about our program. We have a few spots available for the remainder of the 2011-2012 school year. Please inquire about these spots using the contact tab.
If you have interest in making application for the 2012-2013 school year applications are now being accepted (see the "apply" tab for information). Additionally, we would love to have you visit the school, so mark your calendar for our open house dates scheduled for Thursday and Friday, February 23rd and 24th, from 10:00-Noon. If these dates don't work with your schedule you may use the "contact" tab to request another day for a tour.
