Village Framework

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What is a Village? 

Parents of similarly aged children work together to create co-operative day camps.  Groups ranging from 10 – 16 children and one learning manager will meet during the school day.  

 

How does it Work?

Each child will be taught by the virtual study program as set by their current school district.  Outside of that, the terms are set in each Village by the parents who agree on terms of their COVID-nents (governing covenants agreed to by all Village members.)  

 

Who would join a Village? 

Villages may be ideal for: 

• Parents who work virtually and cannot assist their kid with virtual education, 

• Parents who work outside the home, 

• Parents who want their child to safely interact with other children  

 

How was this concept created? 

The model village is housed at the Kingdom of God Church in the Welcome All Park community of South Fulton, Georgia.  Created in the wake of COVID 19, this village is designed for families of 1st – 5th and 6th – 8th grade students.  As a result of creating a model village for the south fulton Community, the information collected was gathered as a resource for others to share. 

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What does this packet do?

The purpose of this packet is a quick start guide for Georgia parents seeking immediate solutions to school closings. 

Who created the Village and Why? 

 

The Village concept was not created for profit and nothing in this packet constitutes legal advice.  We are simply self-determined community members and parents who care. We took time to speak to stakeholders in education, other parents, and medical professionals to create the contents of the framework and model Village. 

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QUICK START GUIDE

What would we need to create a Village? 

1. Find your Village 

   1. Start with calling other parents you personally know have similarly aged children and may be looking for options.  

   2. A small group of parents with similar needs and interests should begin considering your COVID-nents, which are the COVID safety rules your village will follow.

   3. Use social media and referrals to seek out other parents interested in your COVID-nents who may want to join your village.  POD pages on social media are very common.  Find one or start your own. 

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COVID-nents

The COVID-nents are the agreements of your village that lay out COVID specific rules and specifications for your day camp.  The terms of your COVID-nents are essentially what makes you a village.  For example, you may prefer a village of parents who all agree outdoor exercise for children is most important.  Another village may prefer only parents that are working from home.  This framework helps to walk your village members through considerations to begin including cost, learning manager responsibilities, and classroom direction.

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A Learning Manager

A learning manager is NOT a teacher.  They will not create lesson plans and may or may not have teaching certifications.  A learning manager is a professional that has whatever qualifications your village agrees upon in your COVID-nents.  They are the adults responsible for fulfilling the day to day requirements in your village day camp.  A complete sample job description is included in this framework that can be edited and used to identify your learning manager.  The requirements for your learning manager are also included in your COVID-nents. 

 

A waiver process 

The reality is, this is a pandemic.  There is nothing that can be done to guarantee no one will catch COVID.  A key component of the village system is that the families agree to the COVID-nents and a waiver that together are designed to protect the families and the learning manager from concerns posed by COVID 19.  A sample waiver is included in this framework.  It is not legal advice, but rather a template of things you may want to consider including in your village waiver.  

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A location for your Village

Village locations can be wherever you mutually agree.  However time is of the essence and therefore consider selecting a local church, a business whose staff work virtually due to COVID, a basement of a village members home, a neighborhood clubhouse, a short term lease storefront or office space.  Keeping it simple is key.