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SOCIETY OF SAINT SCHOLASTICA HOMESCHOOL POLICIES AND MISSION STATEMENT Society of Saint Scholastica Mission Statement: Our priority as Catholic homeschooling parents is to evangelize and educate our children in the virtues of the Catholic faith. In order to fulfill our vocation as “primary educators of our children,” we must immerse them in Catholic culture through the sacraments, our example, prayer, and activities without compromising our Catholic identity. We, the members of the Saint Scholastica Homeschool Group, adopt the following policies, so that we, Catholic homeschool families, may have the spiritual, academic, and practical support from each other as we endeavor to educate our children. We desire that our children have other Catholic homeschool children with whom to socialize so they mutually strengthen their Catholic faith and values. PLEASE NOTE: I and II of this policy are not changeable, whereas III and IV could be changed as the need arises. To be a member of the SOCIETY OF ST. SCHOLASTICA HOMESCHOOL GROUP: I. ONE MUST BE CATHOLIC AND FOLLOW THE MAGISTERIUM OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH, THAT IS, THE POPE AND THE BISHOPS UNITED TO HIM. A. At least one of the spouses must be a practicing Catholic and raising the children Catholic OR B. The family must be in the process of becoming Catholic and is: 1. Currently taking instruction from a priest, or 2. Waiting for the next OCIA class to begin II. ONE MUST BE HOMESCHOOLING AT LEAST ONE OF HIS/HER CHILDREN. A. The parent is in charge and: 1. Chooses the curriculum. 2. Implements the lesson plans of another school or write their own. 3. Teaches the lessons. 4. Corrects the work. 5. Sends the work in (if enrolled in a homeschool program). 6. Issues report cards, if appropriate. B. Homeschooling may include: 1. The use of tutors, music teachers, or special needs teachers. 2. A child being taught in someone else’s home by the parent in that home. 3. A child taking a course at a local school. 4. The use of a substitute if the parent is temporarily unable to fulfill her home school duties for reasons beyond her control (such as illness of mother or child) . If the situation becomes chronic and/or permanent, the parents may hire someone to home school their children full-time. 5. Co-ops in which: a. PARENTS group-teach their own and/or other children. b. There is no hired teacher. C. Homeschooling excludes (an individual child would not be considered homeschooled in any of the following circumstances): 1. Any child enrolled fulltime in another school which is: a. Public b. Parochial c. Independent with: 1. Children from multiple families 2. Legal incorporation 3. One or more hired teachers d. Cottage with: 1. Children from multiple families. 2. A one-room schoolhouse or a home which serves as a school building. 3. With one or more hired teachers. III. WHO CAN PARTICIPATE? If a family is a current member of St. Scholastica Home School Group, all members of that family may participate in all “FAMILY ACTIVITIES” while “STUDENT ACTIVITES” are reserved for home schooled students only. FAMILIES ARE EXPECTED TO OPERATE ON THE HONOR SYSTEM. Family Activities Student Activities (Homeschooled Students Only) *Beginning Mass and Picnic Spelling Bee *Harvest Party Poetry Recital *All Saints Day Party Science Fair Christmas Caroling School Pictures Roller /ice skating party Graduation Candlemas Day Music Recital/Talent Show *May Crowning *Olympics Field Trips Camping Trip Rosary Making *St. Nicholas Craft Day Teen Group (Homeschooled and non-homeschooled teens of members families may attend) * We always welcome Catholic families who are interested in joining our home school group to these events as they do not require any RSVP or special accommodations. But please make sure they bring the requested dish-to-pass.

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Events will be at different locations. Events are hosted in member homes, churches, parks, restaurants, activity places, and other event spaces as chosesn by the host/hostess.  

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The minimum requirement to be a member in good standing: Each Member Family is required to work with another family (or more) to put on ONE Family Event per year or serve in a volunteer Job position.

Additionally, if you participate in Teen, Tween, or Mom groups, you will be required to host/cohost ONE event for EACH group in which your family participates.

This group's success is completely dependent upon the generosity of member families to host/ cohost events!

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Family Events: Paper goods are pre-purchased by our group and made available for all family events. Each family event is allotted a small budget from the membership fees for necessary supplies (crafts, prizes, facility rental fees, priest stipends, ticket subsidies, etc). Hostesses seek reimbursement for their event directly from the Treasurers. 

Mom's Nights: do not have a budget.  These events are funded through the generosity and hospitality of the moms. The hostess typically offers her home, while the co-hostess(es) provide light refreshments.  If events are at a venue, the cost is independently assumed by the participants.

Teen / Tween Events: These groups are pay-to-play. They do not have a prepaid budget. The cost for each event is set by the host/ cohost for these events, and it is their responsibility to collect payment from participating families. Costs should be kept to a minimum so that members can reasonably participate without burden.

Family event example: a family ice cream social is held at a local park on a Sunday afternoon. The hostesses pay for the pavilion rental reservation, tablecloths, decor, and ice cream, and request reimbursement from the treasurers in the event budget for these items. Additionally, they request each family to bring one topping to share.

Teen/Tween event example: Teens are invited to a family home for a bonfire & outdoor game night. Hostess requests $3 per attendee for pizza, drinks & paper goods to cover the costs.

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The Society of St. Scholastica is members-only (current & active homeschooling Member Families), and it strives to be at the service of Member Families. We want all of your family members to benefit and participate whenever possible. 

FAMILY EVENTS: ALL members of current and active Member Families may participate in all FAMILY ACTIVITIES. (*Potential new member families may attend one family event before joining.)

TEEN EVENTS: are open to ALL Teens 13-19 of Member Families.

TWEEN EVENTS: are open to ALL Tweens (10-13 years) of Member Families. 

MOM'S NIGHTS: are open to ALL moms (and babes in arms) of Member Families (regardless of who does the homeschooling).

FIELD TRIPS: open to all members of Member Families.

ACADEMICALLY NATURED ACTIVITIES: (eg: academic bees, academic fairs, graduations, etc) are designed for the "actively homeschooling students" to participate in, while all other family members may, of course, attend in support. FAMILIES ARE EXPECTED TO OPERATE ON THE HONOR SYSTEM.

Family Activities:  *Beginning Mass and Picnic, *Harvest Party, All Saints Day Party, Christmas Caroling, Roller Skating/ Ice Skating Family Party, Candalmas Day, *May Crowning, *Olympics, Field Trips, Camping Trip, Rosary Making, *St. Nicholas Craft Day, Daddy Daughter Dance

*Activities with (*) We have always welcomed Catholic families who are interested in joining our home school group to these events, as they do not require any RSVP or special accommodations. But please make sure they bring the requested dish to pass.                                           

Student Activities (Homeschooled Students Only): Spelling Bee, Poetry Recital, Science Fair, School Pictures, Graduation, Music Recital/Talent Shows

Teen Group (ALL Homeschooled AND non-homeschooled teens of member families may attend)

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Policies & Waiver of Liability:

1. Membership requires an acceptance of this document. Please click the box to choose "Yes", you agree to the policies of the group.

2. We reserve the right to approve, deny, or revoke membership to any family, for any reason, at any time, without refund.

SOCIETY OF SAINT SCHOLASTICA HOME SCHOOL POLICIES

Society of Saint Scholastica Mission Statement: Our priority as Catholic home schooling parents is to evangelize and educate our children in the virtues of the Catholic faith. In order to fulfill our vocation as “primary educators of our children,” we must immerse them in Catholic culture through the sacraments, our example, prayer, and activities without compromising our Catholic identity.

We, the members of the Saint Scholastica Home School Group, adopt the following policies, so that we, Catholic home school families, may have the spiritual, academic, and practical support from each other as we endeavor to educate our children. We desire that our children have other Catholic home school children with whom to socialize so they mutually strengthen their Catholic faith and values.

PLEASE NOTE: I and II of this policy are not changeable, whereas III and IV could be changed as the need arises.

To be a member of the SOCIETY OF ST. SCHOLASTICA HOME SCHOOL GROUP:

I. ONE MUST BE CATHOLIC AND FOLLOW THE MAGISTERIUM OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH, THAT IS, THE POPE AND THE BISHOPS UNITED TO HIM.

At least one of the spouses must be a practicing Catholic and raising the children Catholic, OR

The family must be in the process of becoming Catholic, and is:

currently taking instruction from a priest,or 

waiting for the next RCIA class to begin.

II. ONE MUST BE HOME SCHOOLING AT LEAST ONE OF HIS/HER CHILDREN. 

The parent is in charge and:

Chooses the curriculum.

Implements the lesson plans of another school or write their own.

Teaches the lessons.

Corrects the work.

Sends the work in (if enrolled in a home school program).

Issues report cards, if appropriate.

Home schooling may include:

The use of tutors, music teachers, or special needs teachers.

A child being taught in someone else’s home by the parent in that home.

A child taking a course at a local school.

The use of a substitute if the parent is temporarily unable to fulfill her home school duties for reasons beyond her control (such as illness of mother or child) . If the situation becomes chronic and/or permanent, the parents may hire someone to home school their children full-time.

Co-ops in which:

PARENTS group-teach their own and/or other children. There is no hired teacher.

Home schooling excludes (an individual child would not be considered home-Schooled in any of the following circumstances):

Any child enrolled fulltime in another school which is:

Public

Parochial

Independent with:

Children from multiple families

Legal incorporation

One or more hired teachers

Cottage with: Children from multiple families. A one-room schoolhouse or a home which serves as a school building.

With one or more hired teachers.

III.  WHO CAN PARTICIPATE?

If a family is a current member of St. Scholastica Home School Group, all members of that family may participate in all “FAMILY ACTIVITIES” while “STUDENT ACTIVITES” are reserved for home schooled students only.   FAMILIES ARE EXPECTED TO OPERATE ON THE HONOR SYSTEM.

Family Activities                                        

*Beginning Mass and Picnic

*Harvest Party

*All Saints Day Party                                    

Christmas Caroling                                       

Roller /ice skating party                                

Candlemas Day                                            

*May Crowning

*Olympics

Field Trips

Camping Trip

Rosary Making

*St. Nicholas Craft Day

Teen Group (Homeschooled and non-home schooled teens of members families may attend)

Student Activities (Homeschooled Students Only)

Spelling Bee

Poetry Recital

Science Fair

School Pictures

Graduation

Music Recital/Talent Show

*We have always welcomed Catholic families who are interested in joining our home school group to attend ONE of these events, as they do not require any RSVP or special accommodations. But, please make sure they bring the requested dish-to-pass.

IV. GOVERNMENT

      Elected Officers:

A three member council will serve for a term of two years, beginning in the 2024-2026 school year. They will be elected every other May from those who have been members for five (5) consecutive years.

The responsibilities of the Council can be clarified as time goes on, but at present would be to interpret policy, oversee the smooth running of the group, and be a sounding board for members who would like to introduce new issues or ideas.

Voting:

In the event a member would like to bring an issue to the group for a vote, she may either: 1. Go to the board for a decision and agree to abide by that decision; OR 2. She may bring her issue to the group at large. (The choice would be up to the individual mother.)

The voting procedure will be followed as written in the “Additional Notes”. Policy sections I and II can never be changed.

***Note: Original Document is listed under Publications/Article Tab

3. Waiver of Liability

This Waiver of Liability is between the parent (stated below in the "Signature of Participating Adult..." field; hereinafter, "the parent") wishing to register his/her family in the Society of Saint Scholastica Home School Group (hereinafter, “SOSS”). Specifically, the parent hereby specifically, expressly, knowingly, willingly, and voluntarily releases SOSS, and all of its members, from any and all liability arising from any injury which may occur to the parent and their child(ren) during SOSS activities, whether said injury is caused by accident, negligence, or intentional action. The parent does retain the right to attempt to hold liable any individual actor who causes injury to the parent or his/her child(ren), but the parent understands that SOSS is a volunteer-driven cooperative effort, and that if any parent were to attempt to hold SOSS and its members responsible for said injuries, then no families would be able to take advantage of the SOSS Home School Group in the future. Because the parent desires for SOSS to be available in the future to provide educational and enrichment opportunities, the parent elects to waive any right he/she may otherwise have to hold SOSS and its members liable for any injury to the parent or his/her child(ren) that may arise.

By signing below, the parent forfeits any right to bring suit against SOSS and its members for any reason. In exchange, the parent receives the opportunity to become a member of SOSS, and to have his/her child(ren) participate in educational and enrichment opportunities provided by SOSS now and in the future. The parent further acknowledges that the parent hereby assumes the obligation to pay all attorneys’ fees and court costs incurred by SOSS in defending against any suit brought against SOSS by the parent in violation of this Waiver of Liability.

By submitting this Committee Registration Form, the parent acknowledges that the parent has read the above Policies and the Waiver of Liability in its entirety, that the parent understands all of the terms contained herein, and that the parent agrees and assents to all of the conditions noted.

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