• Frequently Asked Questions

    Joining, Payment, and Referrals

    Each new family that joins will be required to view the code of conduct, policies, terms, and conditions in our handbook during registration. Each family must sign to affirm that they agree and will abide by this handbook. A violation of this handbook by anyone of any age, gender, rank, etc. may be grounds for immediate removal from SBC and all related apps, groups, and events.

    SBC uses the BAND app to organize events, communicate between members, and more. This free app will be necessary to download to your mobile device when joining. Please turn notifications on, so you can receive any and all important information and updates about SBC and maintain an active membership.

    Membership has specific fees per enrolled student per season. This cost varies based on enrollment selections (see the "What We Do" page for more information), but we aim to keep costs as low as possible to allow for accessibility and inclusivity for all. Financial aid may be available for homeschoolers in need.

    There is no membership fee for instructors during the seasons they are teaching. These teachers' children also attend curriculum day, at no cost to them, and receive a teaching stipend as dictated by budgeting constraints. SBC values the labor of teachers and wishes to recognize that work in this way. Thank you!

    Payment must be received before attending co-op classes, clubs, branching out, special events, etc. Payment occurs monthly and can be processed through invoices sent to your e-mail.

    You are welcome to refer other families who you feel would be a good match for SBC. We rely on word of mouth to spread throughout the community.

    SBC is a New Jersey Nonprofit Corporation and strives to offer financial aid to families in need, supported by fundraising efforts, grants, and more. Since SBC is not for profit, and all fees, fundraising, and other financial gains will be returned to the co-op in the form of location fees, insurance, organizational costs, materials, etc.

    SBC is designed to be financially accessible to all families. Membership fees will be used to gain access to class facilities, pay administrative costs, and provide scholarships to members who need financial assistance. Fees will be used to purchase supplies, curricula, and other needed items for our offerings.

    Cancellations , Respect, and Responsibility

    Cancellations for weather or other unforseen circumstances will be made at least 3 hours before the start of the first class or special, or 24 hours before the start of an enrichment event, through the BAND app. Keep your notifications on to receive updates.

    SBC is expressly open to and welcoming of individuals regardless of race, ethnicity, color, religion/faith tradition, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, marital status, citizenship, national origin or genetic information. Expressions and behaviors which do not affirm this are not permitted.

    In this Co-Op, we believe that Black Lives Matter and that LGBTQ+ rights are human rights. We pledge to see and honor each other’s differences while taking the time to learn the world outside of our own, realizing that the experiences of others are valid and real.

    In the case of teacher illness, a substitute teacher may be assigned. For the safety of all of our members, please do not attend co-op with a fever or other signs of illness.

    South Branch Cooperative recognizes children as human beings and individuals, exactly as they are. SBC vows respect children in many ways, including (but not limited to): respecting their personal space, exercising politeness towards them, creating an enrivonment in which they feel welcome, allowing them to solve their own problems, avoiding constant ordering/ correcting/ directing, building them up, encouraging them to follow their interests, modeling respectful behavior for them to witness, and comparing them only to themselves.

    Guardians are responsible for ensuring the safety and supervision of the children in their care during classes, lunch/recess, clubs, before/after co-op, and all other times, though SBC thrives as a space where communal parenting is encouraged and welcomed.

    Every adult member of SBC will be required to assist wherever possible while present at SBC. This includes, but is not limited to: class assistants, bathroom checks, set up and tear down, and other tasks as needed and appropriate.

    Adult members are welcome and encouraged to assume leadership roles. Our cooperative is by our community, for our community. We aspire to a diverse array of voices in a variety of leadership positions. Please speak to a program director to get involved.

    Drop-offs are not available. In order to work as a cooperative, we'll be working as a team each time we meet. This includes all classes, camps, clubs, adventures, celebrations, or outings of any kind.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    SBC's educational philosophy is deeply influenced by Montessori philosophy. However, SBC is not strictly a Montessori co-op, so members will sometimes experience a variety of teaching styles or class offerings that may or may not line up with typical Montessori teaching methods. All teachers and offerings are chosen with care and a trust in the value that they bring to SBC. The core value of this philosophy, which SBC thoroughly embraces, is that children are respected and embraced as individuals, exactly as they are, and SBC vows to honor each child's needs while facilitating their growth in all areas: knowledge, independence, emotional well-being, social development, and more.

    SBC meets in the general area around Round Valley Reservoir, Hunterdon County, and the surrounding areas. Enrichment adventures, community-building days, and other outings will spread outwards from this central area. Curriculum days occur at a consistent location in Town of Clinton, New Jersey.

    We value time in the fresh air, in a variety of weather conditions. Please dress in layers, bring extra clothes when necessary, use waterproof clothing if applicable, have protective items (sunscreen, insect repellent, sun hats) available, and come ready to enjoy nature while we learn together, when appropriate.

    SBC meets mostly in the morning, through the afternoon. Please come prepared with any lunch or snacks that anyone in your group may need or want, as well as plenty of water.

    While we schedule events on any day of the week and at any time of the year, Curriculum days and after-class club time are always scheduled for Thursdays and Branching out is always scheduled for Tuesdays. Engichment adventures, community-building days, and other events may be scheduled for any day of the week, to be as flexible as possible to be inclusive of every family's unique schedule needs.

    There will be a registration fee per enrolled family, which covers insurance, location costs, and more. Students who attend classes will pay a curriculum/branching out/club fee per enrolled child, which covers supplies, location costs, and more. These costs will be divided by the 12 months of the year and set up as a recurring payment to occur for 12 months, for ease of budgeting.

    Refund Policy

    Last Updated: 6/2/2024

    All Sales Are Final

    Please carefully review your invoice before confirming your payment. All payments are considered final. We do not offer refunds or exchanges for any products or services sold through South Branch Cooperative.

    Non-Refundable Items or Services

    All items or services purchased from South Branch Cooperative are non-refundable unless otherwise specified in writing by South Branch Cooperative. This policy applies but is not limited to:

    - Co-op seasonal membership

    - Classes

    - Clubs

    - Field Trips or outings

    - Special events

    Exceptions to the No Refund Policy

    The only exceptions to our No Refund Policy include:

    - Catastrophic Situations: In the case of a catastrophic situation for a registered member family (death or major illness, house fire, etc.), South Branch Cooperative leadership will consider their case. In such cases, a refund may be provided at the discretion of South Branch Cooperative.

    - Incomplete Service: If a purchased service is not fully delivered (i.e. the family member does not receive access to the BAND app as advertised), a partial or full refund may be considered. This exception does not include the violation of South Branch Cooperative's code of conduct, terms, conditions, handbook, or policies in any regard. Violations of these policies by a person of any age, gender, rank, etc. may result in immediate removal from all events, apps, and groups without a refund.

    - Legal Requirements: Following applicable laws, any other conditions or circumstances where we are legally required to offer a refund will be honored.

    How to Contact Us

    For any questions or concerns regarding this No Refund Policy, please contact us at: southbranchcooperative@gmail.com.

    We reserve the right to modify this No Refund Policy at any time, effective upon posting of an updated version on our website. Please regularly check this website for updates.

    Privacy Policy

    Last updated 6/2/2024

    This privacy notice for South Branch Cooperative (doing business as SBC) (“Company,” “we,” “us,” or “our”), describes how and why we might collect, store, use, and/or share (“process”) your information when you use our services (“Services”), such as when you:

    - Join our BAND app

    - Complete or fill our a survey or form of any kind

    - Interact with SBC on Facebook

    - Make a payment or donation to SBC in any form

    - Engage with us in other related ways ― including any sales, marketing, or events

    Questions or concerns? Reading this privacy notice will help you understand your privacy rights and choices. If you do not agree with our policies and practices, please do not use our Services. If you still have any questions or concerns, please contact us at southbranchcooperative@gmail.com.

    Personal Information

    - What personal information do we process? When you visit, use, or navigate our Services, we may process personal information depending on how you interact with South Branch Cooperative and the Services, the choices you make, and the products and features you use.

    - Do we process any sensitive personal information? We may process sensitive personal information when necessary with your consent or as otherwise permitted by applicable law.

    - Do you receive any information from third parties? We may receive information from public databases, marketing partners, social media platforms, and other outside sources.

    - How do you process my information? We process your information to provide, improve, and administer our Services, communicate with you, for security and fraud prevention, and to comply with law. We may also process your information for other purposes with your consent. We process your information only when we have a valid legal reason to do so.

    - In what situations and with which types of parties do we share personal information? We may share information in specific situations and with specific categories of third parties, such as to enroll in field trips or outings, etc.

    - How do we keep your information safe? We have organizational and technical processes and procedures in place to protect your personal information. However, no electronic transmission over the internet or information storage technology can be guaranteed to be 100% secure, so we cannot promise or guarantee that hackers, cybercriminals, or other unauthorized third parties will not be able to defeat our security and improperly collect, access, steal, or modify your information.

    - What are your rights? Depending on where you are located geographically, the applicable privacy law may mean you have certain rights regarding your personal information.

    - How do I exercise my rights? The easiest way to exercise your rights is by or by contacting us. We will consider and act upon any request in accordance with applicable data protection laws.

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