Homeschool Co-op scheduled to open in Fall 2021

6 11 homeschool co op
Christine Fiske, wife of Pastor Henry Fiske of First Baptist Church of Pulaski, announced plans to host a Christian Homeschool Co-op at the church located at 325 Randolph Avenue in Pulaski.  (Danielle Reid/The Patriot)

By DANIELLE REID

The Patriot

During an information meeting on Monday, June 6th, Christine Fiske, wife of Pastor Henry Fiske of First Baptist Church of Pulaski, announced plans to host a Christian Homeschool Co-op at the church located at 325 Randolph Avenue in Pulaski.

Another informational meeting will be held June 21st at 6:30 in the fellowship hall at First Baptist Church of Pulaski.  Registration for the co-op begins around mid-July.

Starting in the fall of 2021, the Homeschool Co-op will be held on Wednesday mornings from 9:30 a.m. to 11:40 a.m. followed by lunch (brought from home) in the church fellowship hall.   The Homeschool Co-op will run for 10 to 12 weeks during the fall and spring semesters, giving homeschool parents a day of grace and providing a safe and healthy environment in which kids can learn and fellowship.

Fiske views the Co-op as a mission and a ministry.

“We know there is a need and now an opportunity to teach our kids using Christ-centered values.  We are a faith-based Co-op with a Biblical world view.  The Co-op will provide a safe place for educational experiences and fellowship for families and children as we build into the next generation for Christ; and to encourage one another to walk in faith in all the promises of God, through Scripture, for His glory.”

Because the church is sponsoring this ministry, it falls under the Evangelism and Outreach line item in the church budget and any money collected by the Co-op will be given to the church for Evangelism ministry.

This is specifically designed to keep the cost of the Co-op low, so as not to burden parents.

A fee of $5.00 per child, $15.00 per family per year, will be required.  Teachers are asked to keep class costs below $20.00 per child.

For several years, the Fiskes have wanted to use extra space in their church building and believe that God has called them to utilize some of the space for use by the Homeschool Co-op.  Although the focus will be on kindergarten through high school age students, preschool children are welcome.  Curriculum offerings will be based on what parents, who will be teaching or assisting in the classrooms, can offer.

“Our plan is to offer things that homeschoolers don’t typically have in their homeschool environment.  Classes will be designed to serve the needs of the Co-op families.  To keep costs down, parents, guardians or adult volunteers will be teaching the classes and there will be no extra fees exept for classroom supplies such as crayons, glue sticks, etc. and if required, a specific book,” explained Fiske.

Fiske specifically wanted the people attending the meeting to know that this is not a daycare program.  Parents or adult family members are required to be present in the church building during classes.  Anyone instructing will need a background check (using a computer program at the church) and to sign a waiver of liability.

“Children attending the Co-op will have nametags, showing their class assignments so we know where each child is supposed to be.  The church doors will be locked at 9:30 a.m. to provide security for the students.  We want to promote a safe space for them to learn and link-up with other homeschool kids in the area.”

“First Baptist Church desires to provide a more godly influence for children in the face of an increasingly godless culture.  Families can benefit greatly from additional support in community with others as they navigate homeschooling – it is no easy feat!  This First Baptist Church Homeschool Co-op will provide weekly support for homeschooling families – a place to come together and support each other in a Gospel-centered way that cannot be achieved openly in public school.  We can be a place for hope, love and truth, and to be a place in our community that builds into our next generation for Christ,” said Fiske.

To get additional information about the First Baptist Church Homeschool Co-op, contact Christine Fiske at Facebook First Baptist Church Pulaski or AVFBCPulaski@gmail.com