Directors Update #6 COVID-19

Update #6 COVID-19 for Directors

Dear there,

I know you’re working hard to help families understand the value of CC for this fall. As we come together to explore options during this time, the continuity of gathering with your CC community is more important than ever. Classical Conversations affords a lot of flexibility in how communities are organized and operated. As Directors, be sure you’re working closely with each family to use creative ideas to facilitate community this fall to meet their family’s needs.

No matter what a family’s, or city’s or state’s situation might be, we can tell families confidently that we will be there to support them no matter what the health restrictions in their area. I have some ideas to share with you about what that flexibility can look like, but first I would appreciate if you could take a few minutes to complete this short survey to help us help you!

As we partner with you to help explain the value of CC, I am excited to share that we are giving all F/E Directors free access to CC Connected Foundations and Essentials tiers this fall for first semester. The F/E Directors must be licensed by July 31 and have at least two students enrolled in the Portal. This is a thank-you gift from Home Office to bless F/E Directors who may incur additional logistics related to adapting their program in these unusual times.

In-person community is always best, of course, but there are options that can be part of a community's contingency plan. Remember, my mom, Leigh, started CC in our basement. As you read some of the suggested solutions below, I realize it could be challenging to find enough rooms in one home or to find a couple of homes close together; however, remind everyone that even if it is two or three families meeting together it is worth the cost of tuition because of the support, the continuity for families, the discounted CC Connected access, and weekly accountability.

If there is a need to meet remotely, here are some solutions that you can consider, as well as their benefits:

Families meet in homes

Provides continuity for students and families
Helps with facility limitations in the short or long-term
Families can move into a facility when it becomes available
A facility fee may not need to be collected
This is how CC began!

F/E Directors contract a parent to tutor in their home

Provides continuity for students and families
Parent can tutor in a home to begin the year—for his/her family or a few families with similar circumstances
This is great for families who have individual concerns or needs
Families can move into a facility or someone else’s home when its conducive for them
F/E Directors can have more than eight tutors if they are incorporating this “family-style directing”
Parent will receive discounted CC Connected access, Academic Orientation tutor training, and tutoring support resources
A facility fee may not need to be collected
Reduce or don’t collect a supply fee since many families may feel safer bringing their own art or “school” supplies to the meeting home

Families with needs that differ from a community’s needs or plans

Provides continuity for students and families
Contact your SR. That family could direct a program for their own family or a small handful of families
Parents can continue to participate while addressing individual concerns or needs
The parent that becomes a Director will receive free F/E tiers CC Connected access as outlined above, as well as SR and Academic Team support and Academic Orientation training

Meet in an outdoor space such as a park or backyard

Provides continuity for students and families
Allows the program to move into a facility or home when available or prudent
Be in God’s nature while learning about His world
A facility fee may not need to be collected

Online community

Still provides continuity for students and families
Consider this option as a last resort for community
The Academic team is developing tutorials for how to host two 40-minute virtual meetings for F/E per week
Even online community beats no community

Subscribe to a CC Connected membership without being in community

Provides some continuity for students and family
If someone cannot be in community for some reason
Can join community when they are ready
CC support even while they’re not in community
Less than $15 a week for Foundations
Less than $15 a week for Essentials
Access to CC Connected resources and forums

As you explore these creative options, one important aspect is to assess insurance coverage. If you as a Director need insurance or are not satisfied with your coverage, please reach out to CC’s insurance partner, Homeschool Insurance Solutions.

Later this week we’ll be connecting with parents to help them further understand the value of the CC programs and community, as well as launching a landing page of resources to support you and all CC families as we navigate these unusual times. That landing page will also include the full details about the free CC Connected tiers for F/E Directors this fall. Through these resources, we want to encourage parents to see the unique ways in which they can participate in your program regardless of health restrictions.

I realize that you may not be able to simultaneously satisfy all families’ needs and concerns. For those families that are not satisfied with how the arrangements have worked out in your program or community, work with your SR to see if there are other solutions available, perhaps even in a nearby program. Ultimately, the operation of your program is up to you as the Director, but please thoughtfully consider and intentionally communicate with each family about your plans and work to maintain the overall integrity of the program as you adapt in these times.

Leigh’s vision of a CC community in every neighborhood and on every corner to bless and serve families is very possible. Every indicator tells us that homeschooling is going to grow tremendously this fall. Work with your SR for guidance on any other solutions you can offer your community this fall, but regardless of the circumstances, our goal is to serve families. How can we serve them? There are so many options!

Peace be with you,

Robert Bortins, CEO
Classical Conversations