GRACE GRACE Home Educators
 

G.R.A.C.E. Guidelines

G.R.A.C.E. is a cooperative organization of Christian homeschooling families who meet together on the south side of Indianapolis. We provide a classroom experience for homeschooling students in preschool through high school, as well as other social opportunities.

G.R.A.C.E. will have two group meetings a month, usually held on the second and fourth Fridays, September through April, from 9:30am – 11:45am. Our meetings are held at LifePoint Church, 8540 Combs Road, Indianapolis, IN 46237. We also have a monthly parent meeting, usually held the first Monday or Tuesday of the month, with two mandatory meeting in August and March.

 

Participants

Families with at least one child in K-12 (must be 5 or older by Dec. 1st) are eligible for participation. Participation requires committing to the Guidelines and Statement of Faith; completing and signing the Participation Agreement; and submission of participation fees ($50 per family.) Participation fees are non-refundable. Make checks payable to G.R.A.C.E. Home Educators. Participation forms for returning participants are due by April 30th. Once the roster includes 25 families, the ability to accept participants will be closed, and families will be placed on a waiting list.

 

Leadership

The leadership of G.R.A.C.E. Home Educators consists of the Director, Co-Director, and a Treasurer.

 

Parent Meetings

Parent meetings are held on the first Monday or Tuesday of the month, year round. The meetings start at 7:00pm unless otherwise listed. A participant family will host the meeting each month in their home or another location of their choosing. The location for the meeting will be announced on the website calendar and our Facebook page. These meetings are intended primarily to form friendships and to encourage and support one another. Pertinent information regarding the group will also be shared and discussed. The August and March meetings are mandatory. Parent Meetings are open to other homeschooling parents. If you would like to invite someone to attend, please communicate with the Director at least one week before the meeting.

 

Field Trips
An effort will be made to schedule field trips on the third week of the month. Field trips will be announced on the website calendar and our Facebook page. Sign-ups will be done through our website system. If space allows, field trips are open to other homeschooling families.

 

Jr./Sr. High Activities

At least one social activity will be scheduled each semester for the jr./sr. high students. These activities are designed for the students to build camaraderie and rapport among their peers.

 

Playdate Activities

At least one social activity will be scheduled each semester for the elementary students. These activities are designed for the students to build camaraderie and rapport among their peers.

 

Guidelines

Objectives:

To provide educational and recreational experiences, as well as support for homeschooling families. To aid in the development of Christian socialization.

 

Grade Change Requests:

For social or academic reasons, you may want to place your child in a grade above or below his/her age level. Grade changes will be considered on an individual basis but are not guaranteed. Grade change requests must be submitted in writing. Before honoring a grade change request, the parent must receive a scope of work or syllabus from the teacher(s) so that the parent can make an informed decision. Teacher(s) and parent(s) must also have the understanding that the first two group meetings will be deemed a trial time to see if the grade change is a good fit and adjustments can be made. Any final decision that would need to be made in reference to a grade change request will be made by the G.R.A.C.E. board as to what is best for the group as a whole.

 

Dress Code

The Bible says that Christians should show love and consideration for their fellow man in all things (Romans 14). Applying this, participants will not wear something that would make another student, teacher, or group participant uncomfortable or that would be distracting to the meeting. Dress appropriately for recreational events.

Girls and women should wear dresses or skirts of modest length (you should be able to safely bend over), athletic pants, slacks, jeans, or modest-length shorts. Shirts and blouses should have a modest neckline. Off-the-shoulder tops are unacceptable. Tops should be long enough to cover the top of your skirt or pants.

Boys and men should wear athletic pants, jeans, slacks, or modest-length shorts.

For both male and female, t-shirts and clothing with offensive slogans should not be worn.

In general, hair styles, clothing, jewelry, or accessories worn in meeting times must not be distracting to the group meeting or distracting or offensive to group participants. A director will approach the parent if offenses occur. Acts 24:16 “I also do my best to maintain always a blameless conscience both before God and before men.”

 

Illness

If one of your children is ill (not contagious) on a co-op day, your other children may attend co-op under the direct supervision of another parent. If you have a child who is contagious, DO NOT bring or send your family to group. You will need to notify the Director (or designated person) ASAP, as well as make sure that your assigned job is covered for the day.

 

Attendance

You are expected to attend all regular group sessions. In the event that you would be absent, it is your responsibility to contact the Director as soon as possible and no later than 8:00am Friday morning and ensure that your responsibilites are covered. Dropping off your child is not allowed; however, you may place your child under the direct supervision of another attending parent who will take direct responsibility for your child. Please make sure the Director knows who is responsible for your child(ren).

 

Parent Responsibilities

G.R.A.C.E. Home Educators is primarily a support group. This means that all families must participate for the group to be successful.

  • Commit to participate for the entire year and attend all regular group sessions.

  • Check email and website updates regularly. Respond promptly to group emails. Sign up on the website as requested. Group communication is conducted via email and Facebook.

  • Be punctual for class sessions by arriving at the designated location no later than 9:25am. It is very important to be on time for field trips, as well as to be faithful and prompt in payment of fees related to field trips, special events, tickets, or publications ordered.

  • Help your children demonstrate responsible, Christian behavior. This includes, but is not limited to, respecting authority, careful treatment of property, polite behavior toward others and refraining from gossip. When behavior is inappropriate, take your child aside and speak to them. Running is not allowed in the church building. Children are not allowed in the sanctuary. Adults should likewise demonstrate a Christ-like spirit by extending love and grace toward one another, especially refraining from gossip.

  • Participate in at least one of the Committees. You will have the opportunity to sign-up with your Participant Agreement. The director will assign you to a committee based on preference.

  • Teach/co-teach one class per year (minimum). Your situation will be considered when making assignments.

  • Please pick up your child promptly after group time. Once co-op is over, there should be NO unsupervised students wandering in the building. In respect to the church and group leadership, all participants are asked to leave the church building by noon.

  • Attend two mandatory Parent Meetings in August and March. You will gain more from your participation in G.R.A.C.E. if you attend the parent meetings. Leadership reserves the right to call other mandatory meetings as needed.

  • Provide either the facility or refreshments for one Parent Meeting.

  • Provide snack for one of the group meetings.

  • Immediately bring to the attention of Leadership any inappropriate behavior. Every family has standards for what is or is not acceptable. Please be mindful of words you use and consider how they may offend your “brother.”

  • The standard of behavior at G.R.A.C.E. for children preschool age and above is first-time obedience. If this is not the standard in your home, please teach your children that it will be the standard at G.R.A.C.E.

  • The family roster for G.R.A.C.E. Home Educators is confidential and is for the group’s use by current participants only. The list may not be given to any individual outside GHE or any other organization.

 

Teacher Responsibilites

  • Have a syllabus available one month before class commences. Present at the mandatory meeting in August for fall semester and send to the Director by Dec. 1st for the second semester.

  • Require appropriate classroom behavior.

    • Student must listen when the teacher speaks.

    • Student must not interrupt teacher or other students.

    • Student must respect teacher and others, both physically and verbally.

    • Students may not make unkind remarks to, or about, others.

  • Report classroom problems to parent and Leadership.

  • Remove from class any uncooperative students for the benefit of the other students.

 

Student Responsibilities

  • Show respect for all adults and peers. Address adults with titles of respect.

  • Stay in assigned areas. Students must be in class or in the gymnasium under supervision or with their parent at all times. Students may not linger in the restrooms or hallways.

  • Keep hands, feet, and other objects to self.

  • Refrain from using crude, vulgar, intimate, or suggestive communication or physical behavior. Slang for body parts is not acceptable.

  • Leave all toys, electronic devices, laser pointers, and pocket knives at home. Cell phones are to be silenced and should be unseen during group time.

  • Show respect for the church property. Walk in the hallways.

  • Participate willingly in class. Use appropriate classroom behavior as defined by the teacher. Anyone disturbing class will be asked to leave.

  • Clean up after yourself. Throw away your plate, napkin, and cup at snack. Help keep restroom clean.

  • Do not remove food from snack area or bring food to class.

  • Read the GHE Statement of Faith and Guidelines. Over 12 years of age is required to initial the Participant Agreement.

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