Partnership Principles
At Sunrise Pine, we believe students flourish when families and educators work in true partnership. Learning is not limited to our digital classroom. It is heavily shaped by the support students receive at home. Parents and guardians play a vital role in helping students stay motivated, organized, and accountable.
While our teachers provide highly personalized instruction and regular communication, families are essential in creating a stable and encouraging environment. We ask families to be active participants in their child’s education. You can do this by fostering a positive attitude toward learning and maintaining open communication with our staff.
For related guidance, please review our Attendance and Participation Policy, Code of Conduct, Academic Integrity Policy, and Health and Safety Policy.
Technology and Learning Environment
A successful online learning experience depends entirely on having the right tools and setting. Parents are responsible for ensuring that their child has access to the necessary equipment and a quiet workspace.
Equipment Requirements To participate in online classes and complete coursework, students need:
- A modern computer capable of running our learning platform and Zoom video software. Supported operating systems include Windows 11, macOS Ventura, macOS Sonoma, or macOS Sequoia.
- A modern web browser like Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Microsoft Edge, or Apple Safari.
- A working microphone and camera. These are essential for our live classes unless the student has an approved accommodation.
- A stable internet connection to prevent disruptions during live lessons.
Note on Tablets: While iPads and Chromebooks can be used to read content, they offer limited support for certain course activities. We strongly recommend using a standard Windows or Mac computer.
Creating a Productive Workspace Parents should help students set up a consistent learning environment that minimizes distractions. Ideally, the space should be:
- Quiet, well lit, and separate from noisy areas in the home.
- Equipped with necessary materials like notebooks and pencils before each session begins.
- Protected from outside interruptions while the student is on a live Zoom call.
Attendance and Accountability
Because our classes are heavily personalized, regular attendance is critical to your child’s success. Parents are expected to ensure their child attends classes on time.
If your child needs to miss a class, we ask that you email the teacher at least 24 hours in advance, except in the case of sudden emergencies. Early communication is vital because our teachers spend time planning specific lessons just for your child. Please review our Attendance and Participation Policy for more details on absences and rescheduling.
Monitoring Progress with an Observer Account
Families are encouraged to stay deeply informed about their child’s academic progress. This helps with accountability and shows your child that their daily efforts are recognized.
Parents have the option to request a personal Observer Account. This allows you to monitor your child’s academic progress directly through our learning platform. This is especially helpful if you have more than one child enrolled with us. Through the Observer Account, parents can view:
- The gradebook, showing current scores and teacher feedback.
- The calendar, displaying due dates and upcoming assignments.
- The activity stream, showing recent submissions and updates.
- The student to do list, helping you track any outstanding tasks.
We highly recommend that all parents utilize an Observer Account to stay closely involved in their child’s academic journey.
Communication and Resolving Concerns
Sunrise Pine values open, respectful, and fast communication between families and our staff. Because we are a small micro school, you will never get lost in a bureaucratic system.
We encourage parents to reach out early with any questions or concerns. You can easily schedule a meeting with a teacher via email. We simply ask that you respect school business hours for non urgent matters. If you need to reschedule a meeting with our staff, please provide at least 24 hours of notice.
We have a very clear and simple pathway for addressing issues:
- Contact the teacher first for any classroom related concerns, scheduling questions, or feedback on grades.
- If an issue remains unresolved, or if you have broader concerns about your child’s emotional well being, you can escalate the conversation to info@sunrisepine.com.
Appropriate Academic Support at Home
Parents are highly encouraged to support their child’s learning. However, it is essential to maintain the integrity of the student’s work. Coaching is welcome. Completing the work on the student’s behalf is strictly prohibited.
Permitted forms of support include:
- Helping your child organize assignments and materials.
- Reading instructions aloud, especially for younger students.
- Encouraging them to brainstorm ideas for an essay or project.
It is not appropriate to:
- Write, rewrite, or edit graded work for your child.
- Translate full assignments.
- Solve test questions or math equations for them.
- Use AI tools to generate answers for your child.
For a full breakdown of these rules, please review our Academic Integrity Policy.
Privacy, Safety, and Boundaries
To protect the integrity of the classroom and the safety of all enrolled students, we ask families to respect a few strict digital boundaries:
- Parents should not appear on camera or participate in live classes unless specifically invited by the teacher.
- You may never record live classes, take screenshots, or share content featuring other students or teachers.
- If you ever have a concern related to student safety, including suspected abuse or neglect, please contact the school immediately. We follow strict procedures outlined in our Child Protection and Mandatory Reporting guidelines.
Respecting these boundaries creates a safe learning environment for all. Please see our Health and Safety Policy for more information.
Parent Agreement and Handbook Acknowledgment
By enrolling at Sunrise Pine, parents and students agree to uphold the values and responsibilities outlined in this guide. This includes a commitment to our attendance, conduct, academic integrity, and technology use policies.
At the time of enrollment, and annually thereafter, families are required to sign the Handbook Acknowledgement Form. This confirms that you have reviewed the content and understand your role in supporting your child’s success. This signed form will be kept on file to ensure our community standards are always maintained.