Membership Guidelines

Application for participating and voting Membership is open to any homeschooling family in Greater Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky and surrounding areas that supports the purpose and mission statements found in Article I, Sections 2 and 3 of the SPARK Homeschool Co-op By-Laws. Membership is granted after the receipt of the following completed items:

1. Accepted Enrollment Form which includes:

• Emergency Contact

• Authorization for Medical Treatment

• Membership Agreement

• Waiver of Liability, Assumption of Risks,
  & Indemnity Agreement

• Photo & Video Release

2. Family Membership Fee
3. Payment towards Tuition or Payment Plan Set Up
4. Currently attending SPARK

Membership requirements may be waived by the Board in extenuating circumstances. The Board may deny membership to any applicant by a majority vote if they feel an applicant would compromise the mission, purpose or cohesion of SPARK.

Food Allergy Policy

Several of our members have food allergies and intolerances. To ensure the safety of all members, we ask that everyone honor the following guidelines:

• Check with an adult before sharing food

• Eat only at designated areas

• Do not leave open containers of food unattended

• Clean all surfaces, including chairs, after eating

• Wash hands and face thoroughly after eating 

• Do not bring cupcakes or other food items to share for birthdays or special occasions. * We have frequent, scheduled potlucks when sharing food is welcomed! 

Sickness Policy

We ask that you and your family not come to Spark if you feel ill or are contagious. Before you return, be symptom-free for 24 hours, without medication, from fever, vomiting, sore throat, and diarrhea. Also, please notify Spark if you or a family member test positive for Covid.

Member Expectations 

We are a parent-run cooperative and non-profit with a Board of Directors responsible for directing the overall policy and direction of SPARK and ensuring day-to-day operations run smoothly. The Board is made up of elected parent volunteers. In addition, the Board works cooperatively with families to coordinate and delegate specific duties to members. For more about our governing structure, please review our ByLaws.

Members may be asked to jump in and help facilitate activities or Offerings, organize, clean, plan, support, discuss, collaborate and care for our space, our daily tasks and each other. Families pay a membership fee and tuition which covers costs such as renting space, insurance, resources, hired mentors, and supplies.

Please read our Member Agreement for a list of specific member expectations and co-op policies that we ask each family to agree to when they join. We have an annual All Family Meeting where we review the year, discuss feedback, plan for the future, and hold elections for open Board positions.

Members are expected to work through the discomforts of conflict to help mediate conflicts involving kids in their care, and/or themselves. See our Conflict Resolution Process at the bottom of this page for more information.

Attendance & no drop offs

SPARK is a co-op and we do not have paid staff to take responsibility for anyone’s children. Each child in attendance must have an adult there taking responsibility for their safety and providing their support. Individual families sometimes make arrangements between themselves to take responsibility for each other’s kids on certain days to provide some flexibility for parents. This is accepted as long as each family continues to contribute fairly to the co-op and meets their Member Expectations. 

Attendance is not compulsory, but we do encourage regular attendance. Being prompt and ready to participate in Offerings and activities will help the day run smoothly and build community. Offerings are planned based on current enrollment so regular attendance helps leading families estimate group dynamics and material quantities. If you are not able to attend on your regular day(s), please post to the Facebook member group.