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IWS Enrollment Terms
Pre-Agreement Terms & Conditions
Tuition Agreement Terms & Conditions
IWS Policy on Vaccination
IWS Enrollment Terms
A. It is agreed that enrollment as specified by this enrollment contract may be cancelled in writing within two weeks of signing. The deposit (including the tuition down-payment of $450 and the $300 Supply Fee) is non-refundable, except in the case of Financial Aid applicants, who will be refunded the Supply Fee only.
B. It is agreed that new students and first graders will undergo a two-month period of evaluation. During this time, the parent(s)/caregiver(s) will have the opportunity to become familiar with the program, and teachers will be able to observe the student’s needs and abilities. During this evaluation period, either parent(s) or school may terminate the enrollment contract. Contracts must be terminated in writing with at least two weeks’ notice. This period of evaluation is measured from the first day of attendance.
C. I/We understand that the overhead expenses of the school do not diminish with the departure of students during the course of the year. The obligation to pay tuition according to this agreement is unconditional. If outside funding sources (DSS, Americorp, other) change, I/we understand that the obligation to meet the difference in payments remains my/our responsibility.
D. The school reserves the right to terminate this contract and require the child(ren) to leave school if the Board of Trustees or the teacher, in their sole discretion, determines that the behavior of a student or parent is jeopardizing the functioning of the school or the education of the student.
E. I/We agree that the school reserves the right to refuse admittance to class any student whose financial account is considered delinquent if not paid in accordance with this agreement. If a family’s account is more than 60 days in arrears, the student may be suspended until satisfactory arrangements are made to bring the account up to date.
F. If enrolling in AfterSchool care, I/we agree that points A through E above also apply to the AfterSchool program.
G. If enrolling a child who turns 5 before December 1 in a part–time Kindergarten program, I/we acknowledge my/our sole responsibility for knowledge, and fulfillment, of the home-schooling requirements of the State of New York.
H. I/We understand that enrolling my/our child(ren) encompasses involvement in our school community. I/We will be called upon to provide voluntary assistance in activities which contribute to the healthy functioning of the Ithaca Waldorf School. These may include (but are not limited to) festival and event support, beautification of the buildings and grounds, attendance at parent meetings, and service on committees which particularly suit my/our area of expertise and interest.
I. Any contractual changes made at the request of the parent(s), including, but not limited to, changes in the days of student attendance, requires a $100 processing fee.
J. I/we understand that my child will only be permitted to attend the Ithaca Waldorf School on the first day of classes if, prior to August 1, 2022, I/we have submitted the down payment and fees plus the first month of tuition and all administrative and health paperwork.
K. Ithaca Waldorf School will make its best effort to maintain classroom continuity for continuing students but reserves the right to re-configure class composition and staffing to meet the needs of the class and based on enrollment.
L. I/we understand that my child (listed below) MUST be registered with the district in which we live in order to be fully enrolled at the Ithaca Waldorf School.
M. We agree to enroll our child for the academic year 2022-23 in the program(s) indicated above. This electronic form must be finalized with payment from the parent(s) or guardian(s) who are financially responsible for the above named student.
N. I/We have read the IWS media policy and agree to follow it to the best of my/our ability.
O. I/We acknowledge that there is a Family Handbook for IWS, which I/we am/are responsible to read and understand. I/we will strive to implement & support the Family Handbook guidelines to the best of my/our ability/ies in the following ways:
· During the course of the year, the IWS Faculty may revise the in-school recess guidelines, which I will follow during any and all After School activities during which I am responsible for my child/ren.
· Should questions/conflicts arise during After School hours, I will inform the Director of School Administration and/or the Class Teacher (depending if the matter is Administrative or Pedagogical in nature) on the following school day.
· Currently, the After School play area is limited to a portion of the outside grade recess yard, the boundaries with which I will familiarize myself and within which my child/ren will stay.
· I understand that there are IWS AfterSchool programs (Grades/Early Childhood/Music Lessons/Other) which require their own spaces and levels of quiet. The IWS Faculty are solely responsible for supervision of those children enrolled in these programs.
P. I/We understand that in the event of an impact from COVID-19 (including extended illness or loss of employment) the enrollment contract can be amended or cancelled by mutual agreement between our family and the Director of School Administration. Requests for contract amendment and/or cancellation must be submitted in writing, within at least 30 days, with relevant supporting documents substantiating loss of work or extended illness. Refunds of tuition payments will be given for contracts cancelled in writing by July 15th, 2022. Contract cancellation/amendment requests made during the 2022-23 school year will be considered by the first of each month and will include a 10% processing fee.
Q. I/We understand that in the event of any failure or delay in IWS’s performance under the Enrollment Contract resulting from unforeseeable causes, beyond IWS’s control, and occurring without fault or negligence on the part of IWS, including without limitation, Acts of God e.g. hurricane, tornado, floods, fire, pandemic, government restrictions, wars, and insurrections, the tuition and fee obligations under the Enrollment Contract shall continue, and IWS shall not be liable for any such failure or delay in its performance. In such circumstances, IWS’s obligations and duties may be postponed until IWS, in its sole discretion, may safely reopen. School schedules may be extended for a period of time equal to the time lost and/or classes may be conducted remotely, or under any other reasonable accommodation, at the School's discretion. IWS recognizes its duty to mitigate the loss/disaster and shall make all reasonable efforts to make up for gaps/losses as a result of any unforeseen disaster.
Pre-Agreement Terms & Conditions (TADS)
I have been given the option to complete the Ithaca Waldorf School Forms either electronically or by completing them in hard copy and delivering hard copies to the School. I have chosen to submit my child’s required Forms with an electronic signature. By typing in my name in any and all of the Forms available to me here, I am completing the parent signature field on the Forms with an electronic signature. My electronic signature certifies that I have read, understand, and agree to the terms and conditions of the Forms. If I would prefer to print and sign a paper copy or if I do not want my Forms to be submitted electronically in the future, I can discontinue the use of electronic Forms by notifying the Ithaca Waldorf School in writing, and submitting paper copies to the School
By submitting your electronic signature on the School Forms you understand and agree with the following statements:
I have agreed to conduct my transactions, forms, and paperwork with the Ithaca Waldorf School by electronic means. I authorize the Ithaca Waldorf School to rely on my electronic signatures and I understand that they have legal binding effect. I understand and acknowledge that I can receive and retain a record of all Forms I am signing by printing them or storing them on my computer.
If I choose to terminate this authorization, I will notify the Ithaca Waldorf School in writing, but I understand that any termination of this authorization will not relieve me of my obligations under the previously signed forms.
Tuition Agreement Terms and Conditions (TADS)
Agreement with TADS: The Responsible Party (You) agrees to be bound by the terms of this TADS agreement until the amount owed The Ithaca Waldorf School (School) and TADS are paid in full. Funds collected by TADS as agent for the School are remitted to the School. Any refunds will be handled by the School. All transactions involving funds must comply with provisions of U.S. and Minnesota law.
TADS Payment Terms: I authorize TADS to initiate payments from the account or card listed on my account to satisfy the amount owed to the School or to TADS for fees. This authorization will continue upon re-enrollment for subsequent years at the School in accord with the then current TADS Terms and Conditions. TADS will complete credit card and/or ACH payments from the account or card listed (or subsequently provided account or card) on the dates agreed (or the following business day if the agreed upon day falls on a weekend or legal bank holiday). TADS will initiate transactions on the due date and ACH transaction one banking day prior to the due date. A returned item fee will be charged to the account for each returned item. Any changes to the credit card and/or ACH payment must be communicated and agreed to by TADS two banking days prior to the due date. This agreement shall in no way be construed to be a lender-borrower agreement between the parties.
Invoiced Amounts: Invoiced amounts will be due as indicated on the invoices. Invoicing and fees will be assessed as indicated in this document.
Changes to the agreement: If You authorize the School to change the amount due them during the term of this TADS agreement, the total amount due and the installment payments will change to reflect the adjusted charges. The School may provide You a copy of any changes, but You will be bound to continue payments until the amount due and fees are paid in full without notification by TADS or the School. Inconsistencies in the information on the application will be resolved in invoices sent to You by TADS. Changes in the information will be incorporated when available for communication.
Termination: If You and the School agree to terminate your mutual agreement, TADS will process any change provided it is submitted at least 10 days before scheduled payment date.
Arbitration: Arbitration in Minnesota. Any dispute or claim arising or related to this TADS Agreement, its performance, breach, or interpretation (including issues about its validity or enforceability), shall be exclusively (except as provided below) resolved by final binding arbitration before the American Arbitration Association (AAA), utilizing its Commercial Arbitration Rules in conformance with the Federal Arbitration Act (Title 9 of the United States Code). One arbitrator shall be selected using AAA procedures. The arbitrator shall use all reasonable efforts to minimize discovery and to complete the arbitration proceedings as expeditiously as possible. The Arbitrator shall render a written decision within thirty (30) calendar days of the hearing. The arbitrator will not award attorney’s fees, or punitive, incidental, consequential, treble or other multiple or exemplary damages, and the parties hereby agree to waive and not seek such damages. The arbitration shall be held in Minneapolis, Minnesota; both parties hereby give their irrevocable consent to jurisdiction of courts of or in the State of Minnesota, as well as processes of the AAA in Minnesota. Awards shall be final, binding and non-appealable (except on the minimal grounds required under the Federal Arbitration Act or other applicable law). All awards may be filed with one or more courts, state, federal or foreign having jurisdiction over the party against whom such award is rendered or its property, as a basis of judgment and of the issuance of execution for its collection.
Funding source: Any form of payment presented to TADS by You must be drawn on a U.S. financial institution.
Checks: Receipt of a check from You will be used as authorization for the check to be used as a source document for an Accounts Receivable Entry, whereby the check may be converted to an ACH debit entry for presentation to your financial institution. Any check returned unpaid by your financial institution may be collected electronically through ACH as a Re-Presented Check Entry. Payments are considered collected when items have cleared.
Notice of Privacy Policy: TADS provides tuition management services for institutions. While providing these services, TADS receives non-public information from their customers. This information is used only in providing such services. From time to time, TADS may share this information with You, our banking partners or with the School to enable the transaction. TADS does not sell any of this information, but may be reasonably required to disclose it under applicable law. TADS maintains appropriate safeguards on the information.
Ithaca Waldorf School Policy on Vaccination
The Ithaca Waldorf School (IWS) is committed to protecting and supporting all people in our community so that they may live healthy and rich lives. It is central to the school’s mission that each community member is respected, and that the school actively works to build a safe environment for all students and their families.
As required by the New York State Department of Health, IWS follows the New York State Immunization Requirements for School Entrance/Attendance, which requires all school children to be fully vaccinated, unless a medical exemption has been granted. In addition, IWS follows the NYSED Immunization Guidelines for Schools, which explains the purpose of vaccination policy and procedures in schools, and makes best practice recommendations. Vaccinations are usually obtained through a child’s health care provider as part of routine health care. If that is not possible, the Tompkins County Health Department (607-274-6616) will provide vaccinations on a sliding fee scale if you meet their eligibility criteria.
Exemptions
Medical
If a physician licensed to practice medicine in this state certifies that any vaccination may be detrimental to a child's health, then a medical exemption can be requested. IWS requires an annual, written exemption request to be submitted that identifies the specific vaccination(s) and the length of time the vaccination(s) is(are) contraindicated, along with a current letter from the student’s physician confirming the exemption.
Please make sure that the acceptance letter
is signed by a medical doctor (apparently a practitioner 's signature is not sufficient)
includes a date-stamp, as medical exemptions are only good for one year
lists all the vaccines from which the child is medically exempt (see the 2019-20 NYS list of vaccinations required for school attendance)
Please see your primary health practitioner with further questions regarding medical exemptions.
If there are any vaccinations for which the child is NOT medically exempted, IWS will need to have proof of the current vaccination status. Please refer any medical questions to Nurse Gibbs, regarding the Department of Health requirements.
All exemptions to this policy will be reviewed by the Director of School Administration in accordance with review procedures recommended by the NYSED and Department of Health that were issued in March 2016.
Exclusion Protocol
Parents/guardians of medically exempt students must sign an acceptance letter which acknowledges that their child(ren) has(have) been granted an exemption, and will be excluded from school in the event of an outbreak of disease for which the student is not vaccinated or does not have a lab-confirmed immunity. Please check with the Ithaca Waldorf School School nurse for Tompkins County Health Department exclusion policies for specific illnesses.
The staff, parents, and children of the Ithaca Waldorf School thank you for your thoughtful care of the whole community. The IWS school nurse and/or the Director of School Administration are happy to discuss this policy further with you or to connect you with local health care providers who can work with your family to establish a catch-up vaccination schedule.