Phoenix Collective Handbook
2025-2026
WHO WE ARE
The Phoenix Collective is a secular homeschooling group administered by volunteers that inspires families to explore the world, uncover their passions, build their toolbox, and thrive in community. We envision a community of critically thinking, creative and curious people flourishing together.Started by Lawrence families looking for a community of home-based educators, the Phoenix Collective is a group of all-ages children and their primary caregivers. Each week throughout the school year, we meet for one Exploration Day (Tuesday) and one Adventure Day (Thursday) to embrace community in a wide variety of subjects.We Value:
Community (safety & belonging)
Passion (inner spark, unique interests)
Tools (skills to do purposeful work)
Exposure (to many ways of being, opportunities in the world)
WHEN WE MEET
During the 2025-2026 school year, the Phoenix Collective will meet for 28 weeks on Tuesdays and Thursdays, continuing informally throughout the summer.
Semester 1 (2025): September 9 - December 18 (Thanksgiving break: November 25 & 27)
Semester 2 (2026): February 3 - May 14 (Spring break: March 17 & 19)
TUESDAYS are held at the building of the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Lawrence, Kansas.
A typical schedule includes:
10:00 am Doors open
10:30 - 12:00 Morning Session
12:00 - 1:00 pm Lunch & free play
1:00 Community circle time
1:15 - 3:00 Afternoon offerings & clubs
3:00 - 4:00 Finish activities and clean up
Our rental agreement ends at 4:00 pm, and all supplies and cleaning should be finished by that time.
THURSDAYS are half-day field trips, with the location and times varying from week to week.
These are NOT drop-off events.
The Phoenix Collective strives to keep these events free or low-cost to members, but some field trips may require extra fees in order to participate.
MEMBERSHIP REQUIREMENTS
Each semester requires completed Registration Forms and a paid family Semester Fee.
Each returning family is responsible for the planning and execution of 1 programming session per semester: either a Tuesday Session OR a Thursday Field Trip.
New families are excused their first semester of membership.
All events require an adult guardian to be present for each family of children. If the adult guardian member is not available to attend, another adult such as a relative or friend must be responsible for the member’s children. Each adult can be responsible for no more than two families: their own and one other.
Adult guardians are expected to be responsible and available for their children throughout the duration of all activities. Use of devices (phones, computers, etc.) should be kept to a minimum.
Adult guardians are expected to proactively help with regular shared duties as needed, such as set up, clean up, assisting with activities. On Tuesdays, the rental agreement ends at 4:00 pm, and all clean up should be finished by that time.
Parents & guardians are required to have access to the app Slack, and to engage with it frequently. This is where Phoenix Collective events and communications will be posted and discussed.
COLLECTIVE EXPECTATIONS
The success of the Phoenix Collective as an organization depends on mutual trust and goodwill among its members. All members are expected to treat each other with civility and respect. Behavior which conflicts with the cooperative spirit of the group as a whole is not condoned and will not be accepted.
Adult parents and guardians are expected to be actively responsive to their own children’s behavior during all Phoenix Collective events.
The Collective does not operate as a school, not are the facilitators or leaders responsible for any of the children present for its activities. Parents are expected to be present and participating during activities to model all ages learning, for any assistance their child may need, and to ensure their child is cooperative and not disrupting any activity. During field trips, adults should be with their children at all times. In an emergency, another adult may intervene to prevent a dangerous or escalating situation.
Three rules should be followed by all members and enforced by all guardians with their children:
Respect people and property: Treat others how you would like to be treated.
Personal responsibility: Tidy up after yourself, take care of things.
Be safe: All members are expected to stay in the appropriate areas at UUCL - entry and kitchen, bathroom hallway, Founder’s Hall (upstairs), basement, and backyard. No children should be in the driveway or front yard.
PROGRAMMING
Programming for Phoenix Collective events depends on the active participation of its members. Each returning family is responsible for at least 1 programming session per semester: either a Tuesday Morning Session OR a Thursday Field Trip. New families are excused during their first semester.
We are a community of critically thinking, creative and curious people, each with our own interests and backgrounds. Leading workshops, classes or clubs, or organizing special interest field trips, are all great ways for families to share these special interests and skills, and to encourage a diverse selection of offerings.
Please refer to the Programming Guide in the Family Portal for more information, including participation guidelines and suggestions.
MEMBERSHIP MEETINGS
Membership Meetings are designed for members to actively participate in the business of running the collective. Important announcements and new family orientation will take place at these biannual meetings. Committees will also present their current business to the rest of the membership. Childcare will be provided.
To facilitate effective decision making, except in case of emergency, guardians wishing items discussed at a semester’s Membership Meeting should present said item to the Coordinating Council prior to its meeting the preceding month.
ADMISSION & TWO-WEEK TRIAL PERIOD
Admission to Phoenix Collective is on a first-come, first-served basis, with priority given to returning families.
New Families interested in joining the Phoenix Collective should first contact the administrator at hello@phoenixcollectiveks.com. All new families are required to attend Phoenix Collective events during a Two-Week Trial Period. Once this trial has completed, they may decide whether to enroll. Registration forms and payment of the semester fee are due at this time. Families enrolled the previous school year are not eligible for a trial.
For Returning Families, each semester will have an early-enrollment period during which previously-enrolled families are given priority admission. After that deadline passes, any applicants on the waitlist will be enrolled on a first-come, first-served basis. (Note that spots will not be held past the early-enrollment deadline. After the early-enrollment period, returning families who have not completed the registration process will go in the queue of new applications in the order they are received.)
REGISTRATION FORMS & FEES
Registration is required each semester, and includes submitting completed Registration Forms and paying the Semester Fee.
Registration Forms will be made available by the Coordinating Council via email and Slack, along with communication of their due dates.
The Semester Fee for 2025-2026 is $250 per family. Additional expenses may be required for some Thursday field trips.
Payment arrangements and scholarships for financial hardship will be accepted and negotiated on an individual basis, as funds are available. Please contact a member of the Coordinating Council with this request.
FAMILIES WITH SHARED CUSTODY
All custodial parents must sign the Registration Form. In the event of a custodial dispute related to the Phoenix Collective, the parents must resolve their issues and present a written document of the resolution with both parents’ signatures to the Coordinating Council in order for their children to continue participation in the Collective.
HEALTH REGULATIONS
The following regulations are required in order to safeguard the health of the entire group:
Children and adults should not attend Phoenix Collective events when they exhibit any signs of illness, including:
A temperature exceeding 100° F within the past 24 hours
Vomiting or diarrhea within the past 24 hours
Any contagious condition such as pink eye
Listlessness, irritability, unusual fatigue
In the event that your child is exposed to a communicable disease such as COVID, measles, strep, chickenpox, diphtheria, mumps, polio, whooping cough, ringworm, pinworms, or impetigo, please inform a member of the Coordinating Council so that incubation and isolation dates may be verified, and the health needs of all members may be protected.
ALLERGIES & FOOD RESTRICTIONS
There may be members who have severe and life-threatening food allergies to common food allergies, such as peanuts, tree nuts, eggs, and shellfish, in addition to other less common food allergens, such as coconut, sunflower seeds, legumes, chocolates, etc.
All guardians are encouraged to discuss the existence of food allergies with their children.
Each adult guardian is responsible for ensuring the safety of their own children during Phoenix Collective events. We urge families to supervise children with food and clearly label the ingredients of any shared food items so that families can make the safest decisions for themselves.
Best practices include:
Teaching your children not to share food and drinks with others, without permission from a guardian
Cleaning your eating area when finished
Practicing good hygiene, including hand washing before and after meals
Members with life-threatening allergies (food and/or environmental) are urged to disclose this information so that the Phoenix Collective community can help respect their needs and safety.
FINANCIAL POLICY
The Phoenix Collective operates as a 501c3 with non-profit status. It employs one part-time administrative position, and is otherwise operated by volunteers. A Coordinating Council of volunteer board members manages the financial decisions of the group by consensus.
All registration fees collected are spent towards operational costs of the Phoenix Collective. The Collective also utilizes fundraising and grant funding to help supplement expenses and scholarships for financial hardship.
The Phoenix Collective operates with financial transparency to its members. Financial reports will be a regular part of Coordinating Council Meetings and Membership Meetings, which are open to all current members.
COORDINATING COUNCIL
The business of the Phoenix Collective is managed by a volunteer board of directors called the Coordinating Council. Composed of at least three board members, the Coordinating Council is responsible for maintaining the overall policy and direction of the organization. It has the authority and is responsible for all services, programs, classes and all other activities of the Phoenix Collective, and for the functioning and implementation of the policies established by the Coordinating Council.
The Coordinating Council will hold monthly meetings that are open to all members of the Phoenix Collective. Dates will be posted on Slack.
All board members may serve up to three-year terms. At the end of a three-year term, board members take a minimum of a one-year break before re-applying to serve. In special circumstances, the Coordinating Council reserves the right to vote to adjust terms as needed.
New board members apply and are elected by the current Coordinating Council. Please contact a current board member for more information.
To apply for a position on the Coordinating Council, you must meet the following qualifications:
Current adult home educator committed to home education
Member of good standing who has taken an active role in the Phoenix Collective for at least one year prior to applying
Available for monthly Coordinating Council meetings
Available at least 2-3 hours per week for potential Phoenix Collective responsibilities
Awareness of Phoenix Collective activities and a willingness to be a regular participant
Computer literate and willing to participate in Phoenix Collective communication mediums (email, Slack, etc.)
Pass a Background Check
CONFLICT RESOLUTION
The Phoenix Collective values personal growth, open hearted non-violent communication, consensus building, and supporting each other through challenging times. It is not our intention as a collective to sit in judgement over each other or to police the behavior of other members.
The success of Phoenix Collective as an organization depends on mutual trust and goodwill among its members. All adults are expected to treat each other with civility and respect. Behavior which conflicts with the cooperative spirit of the group as a whole is not condoned and should not be accepted.
If an adult has a concern over their relationship with another adult, or with the collective, they are encouraged to voice their concerns to a member of the Coordinating Council, who may then present it at the next board meeting. The Coordinating Council will then make a plan for attempting mediation or resolution. At the discretion of the concerned adult and the Coordinating Council, the matter may be brought before the collective at the following Membership Meeting.
REVOCATION OR NON-RENEWAL OF MEMBERSHIP
The Phoenix Collective may revoke or refuse to renew a family’s membership if the Collective Expectations and/or Membership Requirements are being disregarded, and attempts by the Coordinating Council to resolve the issues have not been productive.
The following process will be initiated if revocation or non-renewal are being considered:
An appointed Coordinating Council member will arrange an in-person meeting with the family of concern to discuss the issues.
The family will be offered a one-month continuance during which to address the issues.
After that one month, the Coordinating Council will determine whether or not the issues have been resolved.
If necessary, the Coordinating Council will then decide whether or not membership should be officially revoked or marked for non-renewal.
In the event of revocation, a refund of enrollment fees will be at the discretion of the Coordinating Council. In the event of non-renewal, no refund will be given as the member will be allowed to finish the semester. Revocation or non-renewal excludes future enrollment.
LEAVING THE COLLECTIVE
Families may discontinue their involvement with the Phoenix Collective at their own discretion. Semester fees will not be refunded in this event.
EMERGENCY POLICY & PROCEDURES
Each facility shall have on file at the facility written permission of the parents, guardian, or legal custodian for emergency medical treatment on a form which meets the requirements of the hospital or clinic where emergency care will be given.
Please make sure that your family is aware of what to do in case of an emergency while at Phoenix Collective events.
Evacuation
In the event of an emergency that requires building evacuation (fire, gas leak, etc.) at UUCL on a Tuesday, an “EVACUATE” notification will be announced. All guardians are to lead their children, and any children they are responsible for, through the nearest outside EXIT to the grass near the parking lot. Everyone is to stay together as a group, staying away from emergency vehicles.
Members of the Coordinating Council will make sure that everyone is accounted for, and will communicate with the emergency personnel to determine if we can re-enter the building or if we should disburse. Ultimately, it is each individual’s responsibility to make sure they get to where they are supposed to be and stay in a safe spot.
Shelter in Place
In the event of an emergency that requires a lockdown (tornado, chemical hazard, etc.) at UUCL on a Tuesday, a “SHELTER IN PLACE” notification will be announced. All guardians are to lead their children, and any children they are responsible for, downstairs to the basement and close the door. Everyone is to stay together as a group.
Members of the Coordinating Council will make sure that everyone is accounted for, and will decide when it is safe to leave the room. Ultimately, it is each individual’s responsibility to make sure they get to where they are supposed to be and stay in the safe space.
Thursdays
Emergency procedures on Thursdays will vary depending on the location. All guardians are expected to be aware of the nearest exits and to follow the instructions of the individual facility. During an event, all guardians are to lead their children, and any children they are responsible for, to the safe space instructed by the facility.
HANDBOOK MODIFICATIONS
This handbook may be modified at any time at the discretion of the Coordinating Council. If the handbook is modified, notice will be given to all collective participants. Any member who would like to request a modification may do so in writing. Requests will be considered at a subsequent board meeting.