Classes-Billing and Payment Policies
By selecting the box, you agree to the terms and conditions of the enrollment. You will be automatically charged monthly to your selected method of payment. Your bill may show the name 'STEM ED', as STEM ED, LLC operates under the name of Science Cosmos in Fairfax and Loudoun counties in Virginia. It will be your responsibility to ensure that your payment method remains valid to avoid any penalties.
Makeups and Cancellation Policies
For bad weather related closure, we follow local school and county announcements. All bad weather related and emergency/disaster related cancellations are considered unscheduled.
Any changes (cancellations or suspensions) should be informed in writing 1 month in advance. Any payments already made will not be refunded.
If you are cancelling from a yearly contract, you will pay the difference in the yearly and monthly regular tuition for all the months already completed in the contract plus a break-fee of $100.
One-time fees such as for short courses, once paid, cannot be refunded back.
For Camp cancellation policies, read below.
Camps Cancellation Policies
For cancelling out a camp, a written notice (via email) needs to be sent at least 1 month in advance of the start date to get a full refund on remaining dues.
Any cancellations with less than 1 month notice will only be refunded at 50%.
Any cancellations with less than 1 week's notice will be charged in full. In all cases, the $50 deposit will not be refunded.
FOR OFF-SITE campers (Schools, Community centers, etc): Payment is due in full and there are NO refunds or make-ups for Absentees. FOR ONSITE campers: $50 deposit is required during registration in order to hold the spot. This deposit is non-refundable.
FOOD POLICY WAIVER: I hereby waive and release and forever discharge Loudoun Science Cosmos from any claim whatsoever which arises or may hereafter arise on account of any food served or food ordered from an external vendor by consumed at Loudoun Science Cosmos facilities or any first-aid treatment or other medical services rendered to me or my children in connection with an emergency during the time at the facility.
FACILITY USE: Facilities used by Loudoun Science Cosmos are well child-proofed and the children are consistently well supervised. However, accidents do happen. The undersigned(s) assume(s) all risk of injury or harm to the child associated with participation in the program and agree(s) to release, indemnify, defend and forever discharge *** Loudoun Science Cosmos and its staff, employees, and agents of and from all liability, claims, demands, damages, costs, expenses, actions and causes of action in respect of death, injury, loss or damage to the child, or by the child, howsoever caused, arising or to arise by reason of or during the child's participation in the center.
Science Cosmos Ashburn is not a licensed child day center, and therefore in accordance to Virginia Code § 63.2-1715, school-aged children are free to enter and leave the premises without permission or supervision of Loudoun Science Cosmos staff. However, as the undersigned, parent or guardian, for the safety of my child, I have advised my child to obtain my permission prior to entering or leaving the any facility used by Loudoun Science Cosmos program(s) and not leave the facility without a parent or authorized person.
HEALTH COMPLIANCE POLICY: If I am informed that my child is sick, I will pick up my child as soon as possible. I further agree that in the event that any person in our household even if they do not attend this school, contracts a communicable disease, I will inform this school immediately. This is in compliance with state regulations.
SUNSCREEN: I understand that the sunscreen sent by me will be used for my children.
BAD WEATHER POLICY: We will follow the county's school weather policy which means that our lessons will not happen when there is no school. Note that there will be no refunds or reschedules for these lessons. However, in some cases, our teachers may want to conduct the class regardless, and we will coordinate that with you.
Release of Liability
I give the student full permission to participate in all Science Cosmos programs. I agree with all the terms and conditions. I release Science Cosmos, its affiliates, directors, officers, employees, sub-contractors, and volunteers (collectively "Releases") from all liability for any loss or damage to property or injury or death to person, while student is in any Science Cosmos' location, and hold releases harmless.
MEDIA RELEASE AND PHOTOGRAPHS: I understand that photographs and videos may be taken of my children within the classroom, on the grounds and in-house field trips for use in articles and use in Loudoun Science Cosmos advertising (Website, Facebook, flyers etc.)
NO POACH POLICY: Students and their parents may not approach our teachers or staff to conduct lessons outside of Loudoun Science Cosmos arrangement.
ILLNESS: Science Cosmos reserves the right to release a child if he or she appears too ill to participate in the program or is considered contagious. Science Cosmos will notify the child's parent/guardian or emergency contact for the child to be picked up within a half hour. If the child has not been picked up within the allotted time frame, Science Cosmos reserves the right to take any action necessary to ensure the health and safety of the child. If a child has been diagnosed with a fever in or outside of the center, the child is not permitted back to the program for 24 hours after the fever has subsided. It is the parent's responsibility to notify us of any medical conditions or allergies, which could affect students' activity in class. You may update students' medical conditions anytime by filling out the 'Student information form'.