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CHRSM stands for Catholic Homeschool Resource and Support Ministry. The name was chosen to symbolically represent our mission statement. 

Chrism oil is a sacramental oil used in the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation, and Holy Orders. At the special Chrism Mass celebrated during Holy Week, the bishop breathes on the chrism oil, symbolizing the gesture instituted by Christ when he breathed on the disciples after his resurrection, sending them the Holy Spirit. In ancient times, oils infused with hyssop and other herbs were used for healing and strengthening. Athletes would use them to help limber up prior to competition; it also made it difficult for their opponents to grasp and defeat them easily. Ancient prophets were anointed with oil as a public sign of having been chosen by God; they in turn used it to anoint fellow prophets and kings.

Our prayer is that the CHRSM community will assist our families and our young ones to be armed with the tools they will need to stand 'as a city on a hill' within this generation.

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You do not have to be Catholic to participate-- we welcome students of all faith backgrounds that recognize Christ as our Lord and Savior, and the son of God the Father. We do require a signed Statement of Faith. Here are some testimonials from some of our families from other churches: 

"Our family has been so blessed by CHRSM this year.   We felt immediately welcomed and loved by the wonderful families involved in the ministry, both old friends and new, Protestant and Catholic!  The classes offered have helped fill a void in our homeschool to have excellent live teachers, as well as enriching and fun electives.  But just as importantly, CHRSM has provided us with a supportive and encouraging community, both for our children and for me!  We all look forward to Tuesdays!  Our family is truly grateful for the opportunity to be involved in CHRSM!"

Catherine Gilanshah
Parent

We do want to affirm that CHRSM is run by Catholic families, as a ministry to our fellow Catholic families. Our registration process is tiered in order to meet our parish and community needs first.

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All of our teachers are devout followers of Christ, and are excited to share their faith within the context of their subject matter. While some come from other Christian denominations, most are practicing Catholics.

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Thank you for your interest in our ministry!  Before proceeding with a request for membership in our organization, please review the following documents to be certain that our ministry will fit your family's needs:

-  Mission Statement

-  Statement of Faith

-  Code of Conduct

-  Policies & Procedures

After reviewing these carefully, you have an interest in becoming part of our CHRSM family, you will need to fill out the family application form located here.  Once we have approved your application, you will have access to the secure portion of our website that will allow you to register for classes.  In order to register for any of our classes, you will need to indicate that you have read, are in agreement with, and will commit to adhere to the documents above. You will also be required to submit a signed Statement of Faith and a non-refundable application fee of $50 per child (max family fee of $150). This fee covers our ministry expenses such as insurance, background check fees, website, supplies, etc. 

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In addition to the application fee (which covers ministry costs such as website maintenance, background checks, copy costs, etc), each class carries a facilities fee that goes toward maintenance and upkeep of the building. It covers business office and maintenance staff salary, upkeep and repairs, cleaning supplies, etc. The facilities fee is $50 per class with a minimum family fee of $100 and a max of $300, and is due by May 15th along with your first tuition installment.

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PAYMENT SCHEDULE:

APPLICATION FEE

The non-refundable application fee is due (along with the signed Statement of Faith) at time of application.  This amount is $50/child with a maximum of $150/family.  Please make your check out to SAINT FRANCIS DE SALES CATHOLIC CHURCH and write "CHRSM App Fee" in the memo line.  Please mail your signed Statement of Faith and application fee to:   Attn: CHRSM Registrar, Saint Francis de Sales Church, 37730 Saint Francis Court, Purcellville, VA, 20132.

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All high school level students may be dropped off. All students younger than high school must be accompanied by their parent. If you cannot be present in the building during your child(ren)'s classes due to special circumstances, you must designate another on-site adult who is willing to be responsible for your child(ren) in your absence and have this approved by CHRSM Directors. 

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The only way we can achieve our vision is if we all pitch in.  Parents will have a minimum requirement of volunteer hours to assist with various responsibilities within the ministry such as welcome desk, classroom aide, lunch monitor, study hall monitor, clean up staff, etc.  The number of required hours will be determined based on the number of class hours for which you have registered. 

If your situation in life makes it difficult to help during CHRSM hours, there are some jobs that can be done at home on your own time. We trust that you will be as generous with your time and assistance as you are able.  By doing so, you help to build our vision of a family-oriented community. On the day each family comes to St. Francis to pay fees, the chance to choose volunteer positions will be available. If a family does not sign up for a job, one will be assigned to them.  If you are unable to make your selected time, you will be asked to find someone to cover your responsibilities.

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We recognize that there are many extenuating and unforeseen circumstances that can occur. However, we are a ministry of our parish, and must consider the requirements of our Business Office, as well as the needs of our teachers. Our church must maintain absolute transparency with bookkeeping. Teachers prepare and plan for the year based on enrollment numbers, so this policy is a courtesy to all. 

We are able to allow limited refunds only under the following circumstances:

1) If an instructor’s class minimum is not met and the class is cancelled, a full refund of tuition and the facility fee for that class will be given.

2) Prior to the start of the year, if an instructor is no longer able to offer a class, and a replacement cannot be found, a full refund of tuition and the facility fee for that class will be given. In the instructor can no longer teach a class after the course has begun, a prorated refund of tuition and facility fee will be given.

3) Prior to July 1st, families may drop classes with no penalty by utilizing the drop feature on the website.  

4) From July 1st -September 14th, all drop requests must be emailed to the Registrar at chrsmregistrar@gmail.com.  Each class dropped will be assessed a $25 processing fee. If a class has a standing waitlist with another student willing to take the spot immediately, a full refund of tuition and the class facility fee will be given. If the dropped spot cannot be immediately filled with a waitlisted student, a 50% refund of tuition and a full refund of facility fee will be given. Please allow up to a week for drop requests to be processed. They can be very time-consuming.

5) From September 15th onward, no refunds of tuition or facility fees will be given.

6) If a family applies for membership and pays the application fee, but they are unable to secure a spot in any of their desired classes, a full refund of the application fee will be mailed after September 15th.

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In order to promote an environment of mutual respect for ourselves and others, we require students to adhere to a dress code.  All students are required to wear a navy blue polo shirt on Tuesdays. Boys may wear solid colored slacks or dress shorts.  Girls may wear solid color slacks, dress shorts/skorts or skirts to modest length (right above knee).  No jeans, leggings, jeggings, yoga pants, short skirts/skorts, or athletic wear. Girls may wear solid-color leggings or jeggings under a skirt or dress that is to just above the knee. Tops cannot be tightly fitted.

TUESDAYS:  

Navy blue polo shirt and solid pants or skirt***  

THURSDAYS: 

Any collared shirt with sleeves and solid pants or skirt

During the colder months, layering pieces are allowed in the classroom but are limited to lightweight jackets or fleeces or sweaters, as long as the collar underneath is still visible. No hooded sweatshirts are allowed. 

Children participating in PE may change clothes for PE but must change immediately after class back into dress code unless it is the last period of the day.  If PE is immediately after lunch, the child must wear dress code through lunch and then change for PE.  

On Spirit Days, the dress code may be relinquished, but ONLY if the student is participating in the spirit day.  Otherwise, students must wear the usual dress code.  Jeans may be worn along with the spirit day theme, but they must be free from rips and holes.  Leggings/jeggings and athletic wear are not permitted on spirit days, unless the theme for that day specifically calls for it.

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CHRSM ACADEMIC CALENDAR 2023-2024

Tuesday, August 22nd: CHRSM Open House

Tuesday, August 29th: First Day of Classes

(August 29th - November 16th: Weeks 1 - 12)

November 21st & 23rd NO CLASSES: Thanksgiving Break

(November 28th – December 14th: Weeks 13 - 15)

December 15th - January 8th NO CLASSES: Christmas Break

Tuesday, January 9th: Classes Resume

(January 9th – February 15th: Weeks 16 - 21)

February 20th & 22nd NO CLASSES: Winter Break

(February 27th – March 21st: Weeks 22 - 25)

March 22nd – April 8th NO CLASSES: Easter Break

(April 9th - May 23rd: Weeks 26 - 32)

Thursday, May 23rd: Last day of classes