FAQs

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Grace Baptist Church in Monroeville, every Thursday from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm (optional classes are 9:30 to 10:45 am).

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We provide enrichment via unit studies that fuse Christian values with knowledge, using hands-on projects.

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Mostly science, literature, and social studies.

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Teachers work with TLC leaders to select age-appropriate curricula.

Some home-use materials may be required, especially for older groups.

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Roughly by grade or age, but at the discretion of the parents, and taking into account friendships, siblings, and other factors.  The approximate group breakdown by grade is:

Primary (Christine Lovett): PreK-1 grade

Junior (Kristie Deemer): 1-3 grade

Middle (Leanne Bullock, Elizabeth Sarber, Marie Zajdel): 3-5 grade

Adv. Middle (Erika Zajdel , April Vogel, Rose Owens): 5-7 grade

Senior (Erika Zajdel, April Vogel, Rose Owens): 7-9 grade

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Primary & Junior - None.

Middle, Advanced Middle & Senior - Up to an hour or two per week.

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No.

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Teachers must be professing and practicing Biblical Christians with good references, showing Fruit of the Spirit.  Candidates should have multiple years of teaching background (homeschool teaching counts) - including some at the approximate age level as the position. A teacher must be willing and eager to share his/her faith testimony.

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Paid staff, who may be TLC parents.

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Informally - but closely - by the administrators of TLC.  Parents are welcome to occasionally sit in on classes and provide feedback.

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Turnover rate is very low; typically, a teacher will teach at TLC for at least five years.  New teachers are usually TLC parents or are recommended by TLC parents. 

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Tuition is $550 per student with discounts available after 2 sibling registrations which cover classes and most materials. There is a per-family utilities fee to compensate the hosting church for additional utility costs.

Before TLC classes start at 11:00, optional classes meet from 9:30 - 10:45.  Optional classes typically cost $5 per student per session, which works out to $70 per semester. 

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TLC registration fees are non-refundable.  Tuition will be refunded on a pro-rated basis if a student is leaving due to a family move out of the area, serious health issues in the family, etc.

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Families can pay their full tuition at the start of the academic year or pay half at the start of each semester.   Need-based scholarships are available. A limited number of “work options” are also available - earning a tuition discount.

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Yes.  Each family must serve as lunch supervisor or end-of-day clean-up person at least once per semester. Parents are NOT required to teach classes. Five work option opportunities for a $100 discount will be available and shared in early August of every upcoming school year.

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A 1/2 tuition discount is available to teachers, aides, and in some cases for people who help with administrative tasks or projects.

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A parent can swap times or pay someone else to do the job - but he/she is responsible for ensuring the task is completed.

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Yes (in development).

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8-11 students and one teacher (plus an Aide for Primary group).

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The teacher is the authority and has the right to impose or allow consequences for bad behavior.

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TLC is committed to providing a safe and supportive environment for all students. Teachers communicate serious behavioral or safety concerns to TLC leadership and complete an Incident Report when an incident warrants formal documentation. Incident reports help TLC leadership and families communicate clearly, identify patterns when necessary, and ensure significant incidents are handled appropriately. Teachers are also encouraged to communicate directly with parents regarding day-to-day concerns, behavioral patterns, or classroom issues as appropriate.

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Yes, on a temporary basis - to be worked out with the teacher.

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Each group is assigned to a half-hour lunch slot, such as 12:00 or 12:30.

Each group is assigned to a half-hour recess slot, such as 2:00 or 2:30.

Students must get permission to have a bathroom break, although teachers of older classes can choose “blanket permission.”  No more than one student at a time per group may be on break (barring extenuating circumstances).

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Occasional field trips.  Many parents help their children cultivate TLC friendships through non-TLC parties, excursions, etc.

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LLC - run as a nonprofit.

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The teachers are responsible and the Co-Directors of TLC, Erin Roberts and Whitney Patterson.

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Feedback is welcomed and appreciated by families. Parents may email Whitney Patterson ([email protected]) or Erin Roberts ([email protected]).

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Online portal : HomeSchool Life (HSL) 

Email or texting

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Each family is responsible to check the TLC website (HSL) before leaving for TLC but after 8:00 am.  Email will be used as a backup.

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There are designated Study hall / lounge areas. For HELP students, there is a bench in the lobby at the end of the hall and folding chairs outside Room 5. For everyone else, lounge areas consist of the main lobby or room 13.

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Drop-offs are not allowed for TLC. A responsible teen or adult must take the student to class or wherever he/she belongs.
Students will wait in designated locations for after-class pick-up.

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Yes.

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(Well-developed by GBC).

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All teachers, aides, and other paid staff must have 3 PA clearances: 

• Department of Human Services Child Abuse History Clearance
• Pennsylvania State Police Request for Criminal Records Check
• Federal Criminal History Record Information (CHRI)

Unpaid volunteers (including all parents helping with lunch supervision) need the first two clearances, but not the third; they need:

• Department of Human Services Child Abuse History Clearance
• Pennsylvania State Police Request for Criminal Records Check

See https://www.pa.gov/agencies/education/programs-and-services/educators/clearance

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Yes, but within limits… so as to improve the classroom experience for all.

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Yes, as coordinated with the teacher.