These are a few of the questions that parents are wondering about as they consider attending The Social with their kids. If you have any further questions, feel free to contact us through our form or by email.
Do you teach academics at this co-op? We do not provide instruction for academics in standard subjects like math or language arts. However, our activities and projects reinforce many areas of academics that students are learning at home. This is a very intentional part of our program as our experience indicates that students need less assessment and more exploration and play. As students progress through our program, we begin to identify gifts and interests and encourage the development of these abilities. A more formal assessment of skills begins in our middle school program, but there are no graded activities. For more questions about this approach and why we don’t provide academics or grading, contact us. We’re glad to share how it works.
Can I drop off my children here during the session? We encourage parents to stay in the vicinity of our location in the event the student needs a parent to be present. We encourage parents to take a break at the coffee shop or spend time in the library if they have younger siblings. We have a moms coffee group led by our team that helps parents along the journey of building the best education experience for their children. We encourage all moms to participate.
What kinds of activities will my child be participating in? We will be following seasonal and holiday themes for some projects. Along with free time, students will participate in hands-on activities that may be collaborative and include problem solving tasks that encourage creativity and exploration. Both our K-5 and 6-8th grade programs use PBL methods to help build problem solving skills. For example the K-5 students will explore the world of butterflies and develop (create) a new habitat to help butterflies find food easier. Part of this project will be visiting Frederik Meijer Gardens during the butterfly exhibit. If you’ve ever watched “Sid the Science Kid,” you know about Teacher Suzy and her class. This is a good example of our environment and atmosphere. We do not conduct any academic assessments, but we do reinforce academics within our projects naturally. Our Middle School program also uses PBL and works through a problem-solving process used in many vocational settings. Each grade level has a unique level of challenge that provides students with an excellent opportunity to build skills outside of standard academics.
Where is The Social located? Within the Howard Miller Community Center located at 14 S Church St. Zeeland, MI 49464 adjacent to the Howard Miller Library. Parking available by the library.
Are there other locations of The Social nearby? We are expanding to nearby cities soon. If you’re a mom/dad/former educator with a desire to join an innovative education program, send us a note about openings available. This is a great opportunity for parents with young children.
Can I receive a refund if I don’t attend or can’t any longer? Tuition is paid yearly or monthly. If a student misses sessions that have been paid for, no refunds will be provided. Under extenuating circumstances where a student can no longer attend due to unexpected events, refunds may be considered. Please communicate in email to margo@thesocialzeeland.org or by phone to 616-820-9186 in this situation.
What type of organization is The Social classified as? We are an educational support business that provides families with extracurricular social enrichment activities.
Do you require face coverings? We will follow all legal mandates from the State of Michigan concerning face coverings for public or in person events. In the event laws change, we will be in immediate communication with parents about any changes. Property owners may also enact face coverings in the space we are using. We will notify parents of any changes to face covering rules. We respect the right of participants to wear face coverings or not to. We encourage you to follow standard procedures for sickness or symptoms of any contagious sickness. Please stay home if you are sick, show signs of fever, or if you or your family members have been in contact with anyone who could spread sickness like the flu or cold. Do not return until family members are no longer sick or show signs, symptoms of sickness, and have been fever free for over 24 hours.
What are your safety measures for cleaning? All surfaces will be disinfected and cleaned prior to student arrival. Hand sanitizer will be provided and hand washing will be encouraged as needed. Students are welcomed to bring their own supplies to use during sessions
What is your sick day policy? If you miss a day, you will still be charged for the absence. If you decide to no longer attend, you will not be charged. Once you decide to cancel your attendance, another parent may take your place from the wait list.
Do you have a virtual option available? Not at this time.
Will activities extend over multiple days? (will my child miss out if we only attend one day?) Some activities will continue from previous sessions while most will be completed in one day.
Can I as the parent attend with my child? Yes, we encourage parents to participate with your children as you feel comfortable. While space is limited, students will take priority if we reach capacity.
Will The Social be providing snacks or food? Not on a regular basis. Some holiday themes may include a food item, which will be communicated with parents. We will be following a nut-free policy to ensure any nut allergies are regarded.
Can my child bring their own food or drink? Yes, students can bring in a small snack and water bottle. Please no juice, sports drinks or other flavored drinks. Due to allergies, all food brought into The Social must be nut free.
What age ranges will be present at The Social? Age ranges are based on grade levels, 1st through 8th grade are welcomed to join. We have flex programming for our 4th and 5th graders that are interested in middle school programming. We don’t like to limit students based on grade levels as all students progress differently through their education experience. To see where your child would fit best, contact us.
What if my child is too young for the activity? The multi-age classroom setting will include younger and older children in our group. Accommodating activities will be provided for younger children and will be encouraging older children to help younger kids as they may do at home.
What type of philosophy will be used for student management? Love and Logic is a popular method used for student management that encourages a calm and non-confrontational way to manage student situations. We will be using that approach to help guide positive behaviors. This is an effective non-punitive method that can also be used at home. We also will be encouraging students using growth mindset strategies that encourage self-confidence, positive language and self-efficacy.
Will there be grades/assessments for activities and/or participation? No grades/assessments will be given to our K-5 program. However, we will be recognizing and acknowledging work skills like collaboration, team work, and other positive attributes with positive reinforcement. Our program encourages skill building outside of academics. Our middle school program will be using a skills assessment that isn’t based on academic performance but rather skills that we aim to develop like problem solving. This isn’t a punitive assessment and only serves to help confirm skills and gifts we are observing.
What services are available for cognitively impaired or special needs students? At this time we are not offering special needs classes or programming.
Do you take field trips? Yes, our schedule for events will indicate when field trips will be scheduled.
Do staff receive background checks? All staff involved in leadership have received cleared background checks within the last two years and have worked with children in an educational setting for several years prior to.
What qualifications do leaders have? As mentioned in the About Us page, leaders have led and taught at multiple levels within schools throughout Ottawa, Van Buren and Kent Counties including multiple grade levels from K-12th.
These are a few of the questions that parents are wondering about as they consider attending The Social with their kids. If you have any further questions, feel free to contact us through our form or by email.
Do you teach academics at this co-op? We do not provide instruction for academics in standard subjects like math or language arts. However, our activities and projects reinforce many areas of academics that students are learning at home. This is a very intentional part of our program as our experience indicates that students need less assessment and more exploration and play. As students progress through our program, we begin to identify gifts and interests and encourage the development of these abilities. A more formal assessment of skills begins in our middle school program, but there are no graded activities. For more questions about this approach and why we don’t provide academics or grading, contact us. We’re glad to share how it works.
Can I drop off my children here during the session? We encourage parents to stay in the vicinity of our location in the event the student needs a parent to be present. We encourage parents to take a break at the coffee shop or spend time in the library if they have younger siblings. We have a moms coffee group led by our team that helps parents along the journey of building the best education experience for their children. We encourage all moms to participate.
What kinds of activities will my child be participating in? We will be following seasonal and holiday themes for some projects. Along with free time, students will participate in hands-on activities that may be collaborative and include problem solving tasks that encourage creativity and exploration. Both our K-5 and 6-8th grade programs use PBL methods to help build problem solving skills. For example the K-5 students will explore the world of butterflies and develop (create) a new habitat to help butterflies find food easier. Part of this project will be visiting Frederik Meijer Gardens during the butterfly exhibit. If you’ve ever watched “Sid the Science Kid,” you know about Teacher Suzy and her class. This is a good example of our environment and atmosphere. We do not conduct any academic assessments, but we do reinforce academics within our projects naturally. Our Middle School program also uses PBL and works through a problem-solving process used in many vocational settings. Each grade level has a unique level of challenge that provides students with an excellent opportunity to build skills outside of standard academics.
Where is The Social located? Within the Howard Miller Community Center located at 14 S Church St. Zeeland, MI 49464 adjacent to the Howard Miller Library. Parking available by the library.
Are there other locations of The Social nearby? We are expanding to nearby cities soon. If you’re a mom/dad/former educator with a desire to join an innovative education program, send us a note about openings available. This is a great opportunity for parents with young children.
Can I receive a refund if I don’t attend or can’t any longer? Tuition is paid yearly or monthly. If a student misses sessions that have been paid for, no refunds will be provided. Under extenuating circumstances where a student can no longer attend due to unexpected events, refunds may be considered. Please communicate in email to margo@thesocialzeeland.org or by phone to 616-820-9186 in this situation.
What type of organization is The Social classified as? We are an educational support business that provides families with extracurricular social enrichment activities.
Do you require face coverings? We will follow all legal mandates from the State of Michigan concerning face coverings for public or in person events. In the event laws change, we will be in immediate communication with parents about any changes. Property owners may also enact face coverings in the space we are using. We will notify parents of any changes to face covering rules. We respect the right of participants to wear face coverings or not to. We encourage you to follow standard procedures for sickness or symptoms of any contagious sickness. Please stay home if you are sick, show signs of fever, or if you or your family members have been in contact with anyone who could spread sickness like the flu or cold. Do not return until family members are no longer sick or show signs, symptoms of sickness, and have been fever free for over 24 hours.
What are your safety measures for cleaning? All surfaces will be disinfected and cleaned prior to student arrival. Hand sanitizer will be provided and hand washing will be encouraged as needed. Students are welcomed to bring their own supplies to use during sessions
What is your sick day policy? If you miss a day, you will still be charged for the absence. If you decide to no longer attend, you will not be charged. Once you decide to cancel your attendance, another parent may take your place from the wait list.
Do you have a virtual option available? Not at this time.
Will activities extend over multiple days? (will my child miss out if we only attend one day?) Some activities will continue from previous sessions while most will be completed in one day.
Can I as the parent attend with my child? Yes, we encourage parents to participate with your children as you feel comfortable. While space is limited, students will take priority if we reach capacity.
Will The Social be providing snacks or food? Not on a regular basis. Some holiday themes may include a food item, which will be communicated with parents. We will be following a nut-free policy to ensure any nut allergies are regarded.
Can my child bring their own food or drink? Yes, students can bring in a small snack and water bottle. Please no juice, sports drinks or other flavored drinks. Due to allergies, all food brought into The Social must be nut free.
What age ranges will be present at The Social? Age ranges are based on grade levels, 1st through 8th grade are welcomed to join. We have flex programming for our 4th and 5th graders that are interested in middle school programming. We don’t like to limit students based on grade levels as all students progress differently through their education experience. To see where your child would fit best, contact us.
What if my child is too young for the activity? The multi-age classroom setting will include younger and older children in our group. Accommodating activities will be provided for younger children and will be encouraging older children to help younger kids as they may do at home.
What type of philosophy will be used for student management? Love and Logic is a popular method used for student management that encourages a calm and non-confrontational way to manage student situations. We will be using that approach to help guide positive behaviors. This is an effective non-punitive method that can also be used at home. We also will be encouraging students using growth mindset strategies that encourage self-confidence, positive language and self-efficacy.
Will there be grades/assessments for activities and/or participation? No grades/assessments will be given to our K-5 program. However, we will be recognizing and acknowledging work skills like collaboration, team work, and other positive attributes with positive reinforcement. Our program encourages skill building outside of academics. Our middle school program will be using a skills assessment that isn’t based on academic performance but rather skills that we aim to develop like problem solving. This isn’t a punitive assessment and only serves to help confirm skills and gifts we are observing.
What services are available for cognitively impaired or special needs students? At this time we are not offering special needs classes or programming.
Do you take field trips? Yes, our schedule for events will indicate when field trips will be scheduled.
Do staff receive background checks? All staff involved in leadership have received cleared background checks within the last two years and have worked with children in an educational setting for several years prior to.
What qualifications do leaders have? As mentioned in the About Us page, leaders have led and taught at multiple levels within schools throughout Ottawa, Van Buren and Kent Counties including multiple grade levels from K-12th.