Parent Handbook

Creative Learning Place (CLP) is a unique learning center that offers classes in a variety of subjects with the purpose of opening hands, hearts, and minds. CLP was founded by Karen Golden, a professional storyteller, arts educator, community activist, and homeschool mom. After thirty years of teaching, organizing conferences, classes, festivals, and events, and hosting a daily talk show on public radio, Karen decided to put her knowledge of connecting people and ideas together at CLP. Each instructor is meticulously handpicked by Karen, and they are not only qualified to teach but are also passionate visionaries who bring education to the next level. 

Class Drop policy:

If you enroll your child in a class and wish to drop it after the first class, you will be charged for one class but not the remainder of the session. There will be NO REFUNDS after the first week of class except for special emergency circumstances. Please choose your classes wisely! If you commit to a class, you must pay for the entire session by the end of the session. Students enrolling in classes after the start of the semester will have their tuition prorated and will be billed accordingly. There will be NO REFUNDS for classes if the class protocols change due to COVID policies, such as the wearing of masks or in-person classes being moved to online if needed. 

Charter School Payment Instructions:

CLP is a vendor for a number of charter schools, and we are happy to add your school if it is not listed on our CLP charter school partnership page. Please follow these instructions to make sure we are paid in a timely manner:

  • 1. It is YOUR responsibility to submit your class requests to your charter school-assigned teacher. Your charter school's assigned teacher will then submit this request to your school. After your charter school receives this request, they will send us a Purchase Order (PO), and we will bill your school and be paid. Please write: Karen@karengolden.com to let us know how much your school will be paying toward each class. 
  • 2. If you use all your charter funding and do not have enough funding to cover your class payments, you will be billed and must pay the difference. You can always find your outstanding balance here
  • 3. We require that a PO be received by CLP prior to the start of class, or your child will be dropped from the class.
  • 4. If your child is not part of a charter school, we require a $100 payment prior to the first day of class to hold your space in the class. Payment options can be found here. 

If you are unable to pay your bill in one lump sum, we are happy to work with you to set up a payment plan. Please see our payment link to learn how you can pay us. Your out-of-pocket balance will be due one month prior to the end of the semester. Please plan accordingly. 

Lunch and snack policy

There will be no eating in classrooms. All snacks and lunch are to be consumed outside on the patio. There is a 15-30 minute break in the middle of the day when students can eat lunch. The Synagogue asks that lunches be“Kosher Style” (no pork products, no shellfish, no meat and milk in the same meal). Thank you!

CLP Drop Off Policy

All students will enter the back gate of Temple Akiba off of Sepulveda Blvd. You will receive further drop-off instructions prior to the first day of class. There is plenty of street parking around the Synagogue and a large parking lot. Please park in spaces reserved for Temple Akiba. Students will not be allowed to leave the premises unaccompanied by an adult.  Please do not park in front of the gate. 

Courtyard Policy

We are fortunate to have outside space at Temple Akiba, which allows our students to eat between classes and make friends. The classrooms we are renting are across from the Synagogue, and we ask that students be mindful of noise and any other disruptions to those working in the Synagogue. We are guests on this property and must be respectful.

There will be no yelling in the courtyard or loud courtyard play. If students aged 12 and under have a gap in their schedule (they are not taking classes that are adjacent to each other in the CLP schedule), they must have adult supervision provided by a parent or guardian. We will only provide supervision during lunch.

Students age 13 and up may remain at CLP without adult supervision during gaps in their schedule, provided they:

  1. Bring quiet, non-electronic activities to occupy themselves, such as homework, reading materials, art projects, or board games.
  2. Do not enter non-designated areas of Temple Akiba, including the main building or the back section of the yard near the temple storage areas.

If a student does not follow these guidelines, a parent or guardian will be required to supervise the student during all future breaks in their schedule for the remainder of the semester.

Electronics Policy:

No electronics usage, cell phones, or game devices are allowed during class or break times, unless instructed by a staff member. If a student is seen using one of these devices, it will be collected and stored in a secure location until the student leaves campus. We cannot monitor electronic use, and for this reason, we will no longer allow any form of electronics. If you need to communicate with your child, please text Karen at (323) 839-9569.

Parent Policy

Parents will have access to Wi-Fi, and we will provide you with the password. Unless you are assisting your child as an aide or for emotional support, we request that parents not enter the classrooms. Thank you!