Frequently Asked Questions
Please select any of the following topics for more information:
CONTACT
REGISTRATION PERIOD
MATERIALS FEES
REFUNDS
MINORS
RESIDENT AND NON-RESIDENT FEES
WALK-IN REGISTRATION AND FEES
COURSE CANCELLATIONS
HOW TO PAY
NO CONFIRMATION OF CLASSES
WEATHER CANCELLATIONS
SUBSTITUTION OF INSTRUCTORS
TOBACCO AND ALCOHOL POLICY
YOUR INPUT
Q: How can I
contact someone?
A: You may leave messages for the FCAAE Director by phone at
(412) 696-1410 (NEW NUMBER) or by email at
director@fcaae.com.
The FCAAE mailing address is: Fox Chapel Area Adult Education
Committee, 611 Field Club Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15238
Q: What is
the Registration Period?
A: Mail-in Registration begins as soon as brochures have been mailed
each semester. Please use official registration forms only (either
the one you received in the mail or the
download form) and make
sure to sign the release on the form. There is NO registration by
email. Space fills quickly; registrations are entered in the order
received as long as all information is entered correctly, the
release form is signed, and payment is complete.
Q: What are
"Materials Fees"?
A: For a few classes, a materials fee will be charged to cover the
costs of special supplies. These fees should be paid directly to the
instructor the first night of class.
Q: Can I get a
refund?
A: We cannot stress enough that FCAAE is a non-profit organization.
Your registration in a class represents a financial commitment that
directly tells us if there is adequate interest and funding to hold
the class. Thus we cannot issue refunds for cancellations or
withdrawals unless the request is received at least 48 hours in
advance of the first class.
A full refund will be given only if your course selection was canceled or filled when we received your payment.
Partial refunds, however, can be given to any student who is unable to attend a course and has notified the coordinator at least 48 hours prior to the first meeting. To cover our administrative costs, a $5 cancellation fee is assessed per course for any refund issued.
Q: Can my child attend a class?
A: Family Swim is the only class that is designed for adults with
minors.
Our brochure will designate other classes from time to time where
attendance by minors of a certain age, if accompanied by a paying
adult, are welcome.
However, in general, we will only allow a student under 18 to attend our classes under very precise conditions:
- First, no minor may take a classroom slot which can be filled by
an adult; in other words, adult registration takes priority.
- Second, both the Executive Director and the instructor must give
permission.
- Third, to meet the liability requirements of our program, no minor may register or even attend any class unless accompanied by a registered adult*.
Example: There are three slots remaining in a class one night before the class runs. The instructor and Executive Director have given permission. The minor is allowed to register, but her mother or another adult must register with her for the same class. One night, her mother is ill. The minor cannot attend that class that night.
Does the adult have to pay? Usually, yes. Again, please contact the Executive Director for more specific information about any course in question.
Please note: On the registration form, we ask if the student is 18 or over. We reserve the right to refuse entry and to deny a refund to anyone who has provided false information.
Q: What is meant
by "Resident" and "Non-Resident" fees?
A: All classroom space, classroom tools, heating, maintenance
services, and so much more are provided free of charge by the Fox
Chapel Area School District to this non-profit program. Therefore,
Fox Chapel Area employees and taxpayers--both residents and business
owners--receive a reduced tuition fee.
We are sorry, but Fox Chapel taxpayers and employees may not
register for non-taxpayer students in order to provide those persons with
the reduced tuition.
Q: Is it possible
to be a "Walk-In" student?
A: Sometimes. If you didn't pre-register for a class and would like
to try to get in, FCAAE can sometimes allow Walk-In
Registration. Here are the two conditions: 1) Walk-ins are
permitted ONLY on a space-available basis and 2) ONLY with the payment
of an additional Walk-In $5 Fee.
This ADDITIONAL* $5 fee for EACH student for EACH class for which he/she is considered a "Walk-In" student will apply to anyone whose official registration form and payment has not been received by the FCAAE Director at least 24 hours before the start of the class in question. The Walk-In Policy applies to both district and non-district residents.
Please note that students joining classes after the start of the term must pay the FULL class tuition PLUS the Walk-In Fee.
*We must also stress that the $5 fee is in no way, shape or form a substitution for regular class tuition, and we must also stress that no student can automatically expect "Walk-In" status in any class. That status is defined by BOTH the class instructor and the Director. Want to make sure you can be a Walk-In? Email the Director.
Q: Why would
a course be cancelled? What happens if my course is cancelled?
A: As a non-profit institution, we work hard to keep tuition fees
low while maintaining as many classes as we can. If the total
course enrollment can cover the cost of the teacher salary, we run
the course. If enrollment is inadequate to meet the financial
costs of the course, then most times, we are obligated to cancel it.
Although it is rare, we have in the past had to cancel a course because of instructor illness, etc.
Therefore, the FCAAE must always reserve the right to cancel any course because of inadequate registration, instructor illness, etc. Notification of cancellation will be given to you as soon as possible, a refund of your tuition is guaranteed, and either your check will be returned or you will be issued a refund check.
Q: How should I
pay?
A: Please make out your check or money order to "Fox Chapel Area
Adult Education." There will be a $25 charge for NSF checks.
Q: I have
received no class confirmation. Should I be worried?
A: No news is good news. Unless you receive information to the
contrary, report to your class on the scheduled night. No
confirmations will be sent.
Q: It's snowing
out. Is my class going to run?
A: If Fox Chapel Area Schools are CLOSED for snow or for emergency
reasons, there will be NO Adult Education that night. Classes will
be made up at a later date. Please listen to KDKA for closings
caused by inclement weather, or call (412) 696-1410 (NEW NUMBER) after 5 pm
and listen to the recorded message to learn whether or not classes
will be held. Cancellations will also be posted on the
HOME page of this website as soon as and
if possible (our website is staffed by volunteers.)
Q: I had a
different instructor tonight. Why don't I have the person named in
the brochure?
A: The Adult Education Committee reserves the right to substitute
instructors when necessary. In rare instances, between the time the
brochure is printed and classes start, instructors can suffer health
problems, family conflicts and so on. Personal emergencies
throughout the semester will necessitate a substitution. We do our best to make sure
your course will run as scheduled.
Q: I can't seem to
find a place to have a cigarette in the building. Where can I
smoke?
A: Nowhere. Not inside, not outside. Again, nowhere.
Tobacco and alcohol use are expressly forbidden in Fox Chapel Area
School District buildings and on Fox Chapel Area School District
grounds.
Q: I have some
ideas for a course. I also would like to evaluate my current
course and instructor. How do I do that?
A: We would enjoy your feedback. Please let us know if you
have a course idea. And we
welcome you to grade your course.