EXCEL is proud to present "Global Community"!

EXCEL is a true co-operative, run entirely by volunteers, and we are grateful to the parents and kids who cheerfully pitch in and support our community in a myriad of ways-- teaching classes, cleaning up, watching the playground, planning pizza parties, running web sites, balancing the checkbook, and more.

For over a decade EXCEL families have worked together to create a warm and caring community that supports and encourages both kids and adults as we grow and learn together. Our members are widely spread across DFW, but they find that the drive is worth it. We have organized and enriching classes in a clean, predictable, updated and well-maintained facility and playground. We are able to socialize with like-minded families, get the parental support that we need, build friendships and make learning FUN for the kids. We hope you can join us for our next semester of co-op classes.

Announcements

Registration for our Spring semester will begin on January 2 on a rolling basis, with priority given to current teachers and returning co-op attendees. See "Registration" below to determine when you are eligible to register.
Our theme for the Spring is "Global Community"! Check out the class offerings here. Again, we will meet for 8 class days, with 3 field trips (dates to be announced) interspersed.

Location and Time

We meet for eight weeks of classes every semester at Horizon Unitarian Universalist Church. It is located in Carrollton, TX with easy access to 121. Classes are held on Thursdays from 9:30 to 3:00. Off-site field trips will also be scheduled throughout the semester, usually on Thursdays, for the weeks that we don't have classes. For details about our upcoming semester of co-op classes, download the information packet.

Fees

Each family pays a facility fee for the semester. The facility fee covers the cost of renting classroom space from Horizon UU.

$130 per semester per family

In addition, class fees are set by the teachers, and are noted in the class descriptions. All classes are taught by volunteers, and class fees are used to cover the cost of materials and supplies for the class. Our teachers do not receive compensation for their work. Occasionally, classes may require a textbook or supplies that are not included in the class fee. Check the class descriptions or ask the teacher.

Please understand that facility fees and class fees will not be refunded if your child drops out of class.

Our Approach

Our members are very excited about a new "vertical alignment" approach to our classes. All ages and educational levels will explore a common theme, from many different perspectives. The Fall semester will be all about Africa, with classes in a variety of subjects: Art, Science, Nature, Literature, Yoga, Community Awareness, Political Science, Philosophy, Social Studies, and History.

Registration

Online registration will be available in January, on a rolling basis. If you are teaching at Excel in Spring 2012, you may register beginning on January 2. If you attended Excel co-op in Fall 2011, you may register beginning on January 5. All other 2010-2011 Excel members may register beginning on January 8. If you are just now joining Excel, you may register beginning on January 11. Please respect these dates. Our highest priority must be our teachers, as co-op could not be held without them. Our continuing members have also made Excel a home, and we appreciate their support.

Be sure to review the Spring 2012 Packet prior to registration for a complete listing of all classes and the schedule.

Parent Jobs

  • Assistant Teacher We need an assistant teacher for every class. Assistants work with the teacher to hand out materials, help students with class activities, help maintain order in the classroom, and clean the room at the end of class. Assistants should plan to participate actively in the class, but usually do not have much preparation to do outside of class. If you aren't sure what the job entails, contact the teacher for the class you would like assist. (You can do this via our Yahoo! group.)
  • Playground Supervisor We need playground supervisors during each class period, during lunch, and at the end of the day during clean-up (3:00-4:00).
  • Lunch Room Supervisor We need people to supervise the lunch room and clean up afterwards.
  • Hall Monitor We need people to watch the hallways during each class period, to help control the noise level and help us keep track of our younger kids.
  • Clean-up Crew The older students will be assigned cleaning tasks like taking out the trash or vacuuming a classroom. We also need adults to supervise, clean up, and shut everything down at the end of the day (3:00-4:00).

Responsibilities

These are co-op classes, and our success depends upon the cooperation of everyone who participates. Volunteers teach all of our classes. Our teachers put in a lot of time and effort to prepare for classes, in addition to the time they spend in the classroom each week.

We ask all participants to do their part to support the work that our teachers do and to help make our co-op classes a great experience for everyone involved.

  1. Parents are expected to be present at co-op when their children are in class. You may not drop off your children and leave for the day.
  2. Parents must take some of the weekly co-op jobs. If your children are participating in more than one class, you should take two jobs. There are over 70 jobs that need to be filled each week including teaching, assistant teaching, supervising play areas, lunchroom and hallways, and cleaning up at the end of the day. Plan to do your jobs each week for the entire semester, and take responsibility for finding a substitute if you will be absent. When you register, you should sign up for two jobs. Jobs are filled on a first-come, first­serve basis, so sign up early!
  3. Plan to attend class regularly and to complete assignments to prepare for class. All students will get more out of the classes if everyone is prepared to participate in class.
  4. All participants should know the rules for co-op and help each other follow the rules. We will cover all the rules with the students during orientation.
  5. All participants are expected to attend Orientation, held just before the start of the first day. If you will be out of town that week, please let us know when you submit your registration.
  6. Keep in mind that our co-op community is a cooperative. We all have specific responsibilities that help the days run smoothly. In addition, we have a more general responsibility to watch out for one another and assist when needed.

Rules of Conduct

  1. Please treat our teachers with the respect they deserve in class. We want our children to participate; we love to hear their insights and witness their creativity! However, a rowdy, chaotic atmosphere is distracting in the classroom. If behavior becomes an issue, your child will be gently redirected. If it's still an issue, the assistant will bring your child to you.
  2. Due to the potential for distraction, TOYS OF ANY KIND are not allowed in the classroom. Most classrooms have a shelf to hold these items during class.
  3. Please use the playground equipment appropriately. We want to keep our children safe!
  4. No tree climbing is allowed on the church property.
  5. Children should not go to the parking area without a parent or parent's permission.

Important Dates

Date Event
01.02.2012 Registration begins for Spring 2012 teachers
01.05.2012 Registration begins for Fall 2011 co-op attendees
01.08.2012 Registration begins for all other EXCEL members
01.11.2012 Registration begins for the general public
02.02.2012 First day of classes *Mandatory Orientation at 9:30 a.m.*
03.15.2012 Spring Break *no classes*
04.19.2012 Eighth and final day of classes
04.26.2012 World's Fair (end-of-semester celebration)

Please note that there are 12 weeks between the first and last days of class. We will only meet for class on eight of those weeks. Three weeks will be field trips, the dates of which are still to be determined, and we'll skip a week for Spring Break. Check back here for updates!