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For Dual Enrollment University courses, classes begin in mid-August. For all others, classes begin the day after Labor Day and continue until Mid May. An additional optional session may be offered for several weeks after the close of regular classes.
Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays 8:20am – 3:00pm with optional On-campus Satellite Days Wednesdays.
Preschool students must be 3 years old by September 1.
Kindergarten students must be 5 years old by September 1.
There are many good pedagogical reasons for grouping students of several ages together.
First, it helps to avoid students being stereotyped as always the smallest, youngest, shortest, slowest, fastest, tallest, biggest, smartest, etc. This is good for the character and self-image development of all students including those who are always at the head of the class.
Second, it increases the amount of peer learning that can occur between students.
Third, it increases opportunities for student leadership within the classroom and students learn that sometimes I lead and sometimes I follow.
Fourth, while some degree of competition may be good, multiage classes tend to reduce cutthroat competition, pecking orders and bullying.
Fifth, multiage classes facilitate friendship across age groups, which apart from traditional schools is how families and the rest of life operates. Groups of kids in neighborhoods almost always play sports and other things across an age range of 3-5 years.
A multiage classroom and a grade-level classroom are more similar than different, because even in a single-grade classroom, students are at different reading, writing and math levels. But sometimes teachers in grade-level classes teach to the middle leaving the slower students lost and the overachievers bored.
In a multiage classroom, it is a given that there are a variety of levels that the teacher must accommodate. Paying attention to individual student needs is the norm not the exception. Since our classrooms will be blessed with parent members, students will sometimes be working with the teacher, sometimes working with a teacher associate or class aide and sometimes working independent of adult direction either alone or in a group with other students.
Some subjects such as reading need to be taught by ability level. Reading abilities can vary greatly with some kindergarteners reading at the level of a second grader or perhaps higher. So, for reading we will group students by their ability.
For math, the variance is less, because math progresses linearly, so most students can be grouped with similar age students in primary grades.
For science, social studies, Bible and most enrichment subjects (with the exception of foreign languages) students can be taught as a whole group with older or more advanced students having more challenging projects and assignments
During the first week, students will be given diagnostic tests to estimate their reading and math levels.
The tests we use test grade-correlated word recognition and include reading comprehension to estimate reading level. After initially placing students in reading groups, teachers will quickly develop an understanding of a student’s level and will be able to select appropriate level material and adapt their teaching to a student’s needs.
1st-4th Grade will look different from 5th-8th Grade. Both will begin the day with prayer, the pledge of allegiance, a short Bible reading and often a discussion of what the students did the day before in their satellite classes.
The focus on God should set a positive tone for the rest of the day when students rotate through the different subject areas they are learning including reading groups, writing, math, nature & science, history & geography.
Each day includes a Bible lesson or chapel, lunch and recess, physical education and enrichment classes of Spanish, music, art, life skills, and games and activities.
The day will end with a time for personal reflection on what they have learned, how they have behaved and culminating in answering the question: Did I do my best today?
We will accept students that have learning challenges if we are able to meet their needs. We are blessed to have some teachers and parent helpers with skills and training in certain aspects of special needs, but, as a smaller learning community, Foundations is not equipped to handle every student with special educational, emotional or disciplinary needs. Teachers and administrators will work closely with member families to determine the best plan for the welfare of all parties, which may result in declining or discontinuing enrollment of the student.
Everyone serving at FFC on campus, both paid staff and A & B members, must pass a background check. Parent members work in teams with one of our professional teachers or with one or more other parent members. Safety protocols are regularly reviewed and the premises secured.
There are a few things to remember regarding the satellite or at home classroom days:
First, parents are a child’s first and most important teachers. Even parents who think they are not equipped to teach their children are, in fact, teaching them all the time, especially through the example of their lives, their attitudes, how they relate to other people and how they respond to problems, tragedies, challenges, and how they spend their time. Luke 6:40 tells us a very sobering fact: “everyone when he is fully taught will be like his teacher.”
Second, the satellite lessons for all academic subjects are prepared by professional teachers, who are preparing 5 days of lessons per week. The satellite at-home days are about establishing heathy, lifelong habits, a love of learning outside the classroom, independence and responsibility. Mastering specific content knowledge is secondary. Satellite at-home days involve reading, and practice through projects and activities that the student has learned on-campus. Satellite days also involve learning deeply other things the student is interested in, building quality relationships with their families, fulfilling family responsibilities, playing, doing fun stuff and having time to reflect on life, especially their own life.
Third, no one knows or cares about your child more than you do. Teaching your child is something you already do and improving that is within the grasp of all parents who take their responsibility to parent seriously. Teaching is not just one skill. It is, in fact, many numerous skills that involve listening, observing, asking questions, reinforcing, explaining, etc. - all of which we need to be aware of and can be continually improving.
Prior to beginning of classes in September and periodically throughout the year, we will provide training for all family members who desire it. At these events, you will meet and get to know the other parents, the teachers and members of our leadership team, be able to exchange ideas, discuss challenges and receive support for satellite day responsibilities.
The length of the satellite classroom learning will vary with the ages of the students and their maturity level as well as the assignments and family situation. Below is a rough guide:
6-8 years old = 1.5-2 hrs./day
8-10 years old = 2.5 hrs./day
10-12 years old = 3-4 hrs./day
12-14 years old = 4-5 hrs./day
14-16 years old = 5-6 hrs./day
The satellite learning time at home ideally is at a regular time, begins with prayer, a discussion/overview of how that day’s class time is going to be spent. It will be good to read something from the Bible to establish perspective and tone for the time. Then during the class time, younger students may do a variety of things such as work on smaller projects, read, complete assignments, build things, do art, play strategy games, practice a skill, or watch a relevant documentary.
Older students may have projects related to real life problems or areas of personal interest. Projects will involve conducting primary and secondary research, gathering, compiling and analysis of data, preparing written and oral presentations. They will sometimes work individually and sometimes will need to collaborate in groups. They will learn to assume responsibility for their own learning.
There can be time spent outside and time practicing an instrument can be incorporated into the satellite classroom time.
It is good to conclude the satellite time with the student reflecting on how it went and asking themselves the question: Did I do my best today? Then, thanking God for the day.
Students and families are provided written or online assignments and a Personal Assignment Interactive Log (PAIL) to record their activities.
No. We do not have uniforms, but students are expected to dress modestly and neatly in clothes that are not torn or dirty.
Yes. We are committed to do everything in our power to make a Christian education available to every family that wants one. We have a multi-pronged approach to helping families that would not otherwise be able to attend Foundations First. Our tiered approach to joining the FFC community, which involves both service and dues is one way a family can control the cost of a Christian education.
Families who believe they are in need of financial assistance may talk with our Executive Director to receive help in finding a solution.
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