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As of May 2006, the Ministry of Education has mandated that DL schools may not directly reimburse parents of the student for any purchase they have made to support their educational goals. "School authorities using third parties to provide educational services, materials, educational resources or supplies to students must pay the third party directly and not the parent of the student or any other person."

RCOA will now purchase for you all needed curriculum, supplies, and services through a Purchase Order system. Our procedure to procure for you the finest in academic tools and still allow you to have input and choice in flexible options will be as follows:

1. All purchases must be linked to your Student Learning Plan (SLP). Therefore,
2. Each family must have their curriculum consultation with our coordinator, Mrs. Brenda Fawkes, before RCOA can purchase materials for you.
3. Our curriculum coordinator will contact you immediately after you have officially enrolled or re-enrolled for the new academic year.
4. Once you have been enrolled and after you have formed your SLP from this consultation, you may contact the RCOA office Carolyn Langley and obtain your Purchase Orders (POs) for your academic program needs for the current year.
5. Presently, we have budgeted $1000 per student (Gr 1-9) and $500 per student (K). Grades 10-12 are offered on a per course funding basis, and your budget will be determined by how many courses your student signs up for. Please keep in mind that the Ministry will not fund students who enrol but never participate in the course, or courses.
6. RCOA has established a working relationship with a great variety of suppliers of educational materials. We have worked, and will continue to work diligently to obtain any and all curriculum that is best for your child, and in most cases, have it delivered to your door.
7. If your SLP calls for it, we will purchase dancing lessons, music lessons, sport team registration fees, etc., or any other activity that is within your school program.
8. Please note that in the case of equipment, such as computers, RCOA may only lend, and not give the same to families.
9. We have established a quality working relationship with nearly every major educational curriculum provider. However, if you have in mind a provider that we do not have listed, then please advise us of contact information and will will endeavor to create a working relationship with them, as well.
10. We are allowed to reimburse parents for internet and internet hookups. We will be issuing each family two cheques for $150 each, one at the end of October, and the other at the end of March, providing there is room leftover in your curriculum budget.
11. RCOA will issue a convenience card to families that are enrolled/registered with us, and who have had their consultation to form their SLP, to ease the purchase of curriculum at the two large conventions, one in Kelowna in April and the other in Surrey in May/June, or at any of RCOA's own workshops.
12. We have budgeted $150 for each registered homeschooler, as well. Once registered with RCOA, you do not need to have a consultation to form an SLP, but may contact the RCOA office directly to receive a PO to obtain curriculum or services.
13. In conclusion, with your patience and understanding, we can certainly make this work. We, at RCOA, will continue to offer families schooling at home flexible options that honour your convictions and that meet your needs.