CHECC
Parent Handbook & Guidelines
Mission Statement
Parent Meetings
Membership
Release of Liability Statement
Role & Responsibility of Individual Members
Code of Conduct
Field Trip Policy
Funding
Financial Reimbursement
Leadership
Email Loop
Lending Library
Frequently Asked Questions
Mission Statement
In everything that we do as a group, we seek to glorify God and honor one
another. CHECC is a cooperative support group. Our focus is on encouragement,
fellowship and education of one another in various aspects of homeschooling.
Parent Meetings
Our meetings and events are held at Walnut
Creek Presbyterian Church at 1801 Lacassie in Walnut Creek. CHECC
meetings/events will be held in the Parlor located between the office and the
sanctuary. Our meeting date is the fourth Monday of the month unless otherwise
specified. Meeting times will be from 7pm to 9 pm unless otherwise specified.
Except during explicitly stated times, parent meetings are for adults only.
Exceptions can be made for nursing infants with thoughtful parents.
Membership
To become a member, we ask that you carefully read and sign the
Membership/Release of Liability Form and pay an annual fee. Membership is open
to all homeschoolers regardless of religious beliefs, homeschooling philosophy
and methodology.
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Release of Liability Statement
Christian Home Educators of Central County (CHECC) is a group of Christian
families who voluntarily choose to associate together. The leadership is made
up of those who have volunteered to oversee the running of the group. All
events are coordinated by parent volunteers. Participation in any event is
strictly voluntary, with no family ever being required to attend any meeting or
event. Neither CHECC, its leaders, nor any facility that CHECC rents for
meetings, etc., is liable for any injuries or damages, whether connected with a
group event or not.
Moreover, we acknowledge that as parents, we are responsible for the safety and behavior of our children and ourselves at all times. We acknowledge that the attitudes and actions of our family reflect upon the support group, upon home education at large, and upon the body of Christ. In accordance with Philippians 1:27, “…conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ,” we agree to accept the following behavioral guidelines:
At every event we will be responsible for our own children at all times. If you find it necessary to send your child to an event with another adult, it should be one who is comfortable enough with your child to correct her/him if necessary, and who has approval to authorize medical attention should it become necessary.
We will obey the instruction of our tour guide, field trip manager or event sponsor. We also agree to follow any additional rules requested from us by a facility being used for meeting activities or field trips. We will abide by the CHECC field trip policies.
We will take personal responsibility for our actions, the actions of our children and our guests who damage property or cause injury either willfully or through neglect.
By signing this form I am stating that I have read the Statement of Faith, the Release of Liability Statement, and the Field Trip Policy and will abide by the guidelines set forth. I further agree by signing below, voluntarily and without reservation that I, in accordance with 1 Corinthians 6:1-8, will hold Christian Home Educators of Central County (CHECC), its leadership, any rented facility and all CHECC field trip coordinators or other activity coordinators harmless of liability for any injuries or damage my family may incur while participating in any support group function or event. I agree that this Membership/Release of Liability Form is valid until revoked by me in writing. I will execute a new Membership/Release of Liability Form in the event any information changes regarding my family.
Role & Responsibility of Individual Members
CHECC is a “cooperative support group,” and as such each member is a critical
part. A substantial number of members take on leadership of specific areas as
“coordinators.” Some of these include Park Day Coordinator, Library
Coordinator, and Hostess Coordinator.
Other members provide short-term, yet still much-needed assistance, by working with various coordinators facilitating events such as a Christmas Festival or an End-of-the-Year Tea. These positions require less time, but really add to the fun and variety of our group. Moreover, “many hands make light work.”
Still, there are
others, perhaps with a newborn, sick spouse, outside work on top of family and
homeschooling, etc., who cannot take on a particular title. This last group, as
well as everyone else, however, is equally vital. Two of CHECC’s primary goals
include support and encouragement of one another. Every CHECC member has the
title of Supporter and Encourager! Has someone crossed your mind? Pray as the
Spirit leads you that God would encourage/comfort/sustain that brother or sister
in Christ! Fellowship with one another. Listen to someone. Mention a helpful
resource (bearing in mind that God leads us in many varied directions, and no
one way is right). Take a meal. Our God who is full of grace blesses both the
encouraged and the encouragers. You are so important!
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Code of Conduct
As homeschoolers and Christians, it seems that the general public watches and
assesses us sometimes more so, and in a different way, than they do others from
other walks of life. We very well may be the only Christians and/or
homeschoolers they will ever come in close contact with, and they will certainly
form an opinion of both.
Our conduct, parents’ and children’s, greatly affects our privileges as well as how many events CHECC will be able to offer. Thus, it is vital that we and our children represent Christianity and homeschooling in a positive light, conducting ourselves as God directs in His Word - the Bible. Let us bring glory and not dishonor to His great name.
Therefore, we acknowledge that as parents, we are responsible for the safety and behavior of ourselves and our children at all times. We acknowledge that the attitudes and actions of our family reflect upon the support group, upon home education at large, and upon the body of Christ. In accordance with Philippians 1:27 “…conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ,” we agree to accept the following behavioral guidelines:
PLEASE GO OVER THIS CODE OF CONDUCT (and supportive scriptures) WITH YOUR FAMILY.
At every event, we will be responsible for our own children. If we find it necessary to send our child to an event with another adult, it will be one who is comfortable enough with our child to correct him if necessary, and who has approval to authorize medical attention should it become necessary.
Please be respectful of authority figures. (I Peter 2:13-17 and Romans 13:1) We will obey the instruction of our tour guide, field trip manager, or event sponsor. We also agree to follow any additional rules requested from us by a facility being used for meetings, activities, or field trips.
Please be attentive, obedient, respectful, and courteous (in speech and actions). (James 3:13)
All children, please refrain from physical horseplay, running, throwing objects, etc. (Galatians 5:24; Romans 12:10; Ephesians 5:3)
Please refrain from doing, saying or having in your possession anything that may be offensive to others you are with or are visiting. Respect their property and feelings. (I Corinthians 8:9-13; Philippians 2:3-4; Romans 12:17b)
Children should be accompanied by an adult when using the restroom.
We will take personal responsibility for the actions of ourselves, our children, and our guests, who damage property or cause injury, whether deliberate or not.
NOTE: Parents MUST be in COMPLETE CONTROL of their children at ALL TIMES.
If your child/children
are being disruptive, destructive and/or breaking any of the above rules, you
have two choices: a) Take the child/children aside quietly and get control, or
b) Leave the event.
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Field Trip Policy
Most field trips will be limited to 20 children maximum. This will ensure a
good ratio for learning and questions, while allowing us to spread out the cost
of the field trip.
Field trip sign-ups will be available at monthly meetings and via the email loop, and are offered on a first-come, first-served basis.
Payment for field trips is required at the time of the sign-up. Do not sign up unless you are prepared to pay, as you may be bumped by a family on the waiting list who has already paid, and you will not be notified. The cost of field trips is not refundable. However, on your own you may arrange to transfer your payment to another family and collect your cost from them. If you do so, please let your field trip hostess know ahead of time so she can plan accordingly.
When field trips have an age limit, it must be strictly adhered to. Most of the time the limit is set by the tour guides. Occasionally, the Field Trip hostess may have a reason to set an age limit.
If the field trip is full, parents are encouraged to place their names on a waiting list. There may be space that opens up at the last minute or a parent may volunteer to arrange another tour date for those on the waiting list.
If, after signing up for a field trip you find that you are unable to attend, please call the field trip hostess as soon as possible so that she can notify someone on the waiting list.
Parental supervision on field trips is required. If the parent is unable to accompany her children, she must find another parent or adult to be responsible for her children. The safety of our children on these outings is our first priority.
Transportation to and from the field trip location is the responsibility of the parent. Car-pooling with other families is encouraged, but is not arranged by CHECC or the field trip hostess.
Children are expected to mind their manners and exhibit Jesus Christ in their behavior. Remind your children to raise their hands for questions and to respect the authority of the tour guides and adults in charge. We enjoy the comments we receive from our tour guides about how good our group is. What a great witness for homeschooling!
Parents are responsible for the behavior of their children, especially pre-schoolers and toddlers. Unruly behavior spoils the field trip for all; however, tour guides often give us extra privileges when they see our group is well behaved.
Field trips are for the children. We ask that parents do not ask questions during the tour, but rather that they are saved for a point in the tour where asking the question will not be disruptive. Adult questions frequently bore children and discourage them from asking their own questions. Adult questions also remove the tour guide’s focus from the children and place it on the parents.
Enjoy the field trip,
your children, and the fun and fellowship of being with other homeschool
families!
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Funding
CHECC is a not-for-profit organization. The annual membership fee covers our
parents’ meetings, newsletter, and liability insurance costs. Other operating
expenses such as resource materials and special speakers are provided for by our
annual fundraiser. Field trips, workshops, and various special activities are
paid for directly by participating families. CHECC donates ten percent of its
funds to Family Protection Ministries.
Financial Reimbursement
As a not-for-profit organization and as a Christian organization, it is
critical that all financial transactions are not only appropriate, but also
defensible and documented. There must be no room for concern from anyone inside
or outside of CHECC. We take pride in accounting for every cent that comes
through the group. We maintain an “open book” policy regarding our finances.
Everyone in CHECC benefits from each other’s contribution of time, materials and resources. However, when planning an event for the group some expenses can be reimbursed, provided there is prior approval from the CHECC Co-chairs. Please submit your request for pre-authorization to the CHECC co-chairs well in advance of incurring any expense or receiving any monies.
CHECC will not accept funds for an unauthorized activity, nor reimburse expenses for an unauthorized cost. If you are authorized to work through CHECC financially, only documented expenses will be reimbursed. Requests for reimbursement must be submitted promptly to the CHECC Treasurer within 30 days of your event.
Leadership
Due to our charter to promote private, Christian homeschooling, all leaders must
homeschool privately (either through filing an R4 with the State Department of
Education or through a private independent study program), must personally
affirm each tenet of CHECC’s Statement of Faith without reservation, and must
currently practice personal faith as God leads. Leaders must also be filled
with grace and wisdom to allow each CHECC member to practice his own faith in
good conscience and accept that God guides individuals in varying ways on
varying paths.
Email Loop
CHECC has a moderated email loop as our forum for communication. All
announcements are to be sent to CHECC-It-Out@yahoogroups.com. All items should
be homeschooling and/or CHECC related, edifying and pleasing to the Lord. The
moderator has full editing rights and reserves the right to decline posting a
message. Please allow 1-3 day lag time for posting. It would be most helpful
if you send information of your event in the following format:
<> Name of event
<> Where this will occur
<> Location
<> When this will occur: Date & Time
<> Deadline, if any
<> Contact Person
<> Cost
<> Then the body of the email
To help us deliver messages to your computer, please be sure that we have your correct email address. If you change email addresses during the year, please be sure to notify the email loop moderator at CHECC-It-Out-owner@yahoogroups.com.
Lending Library
The materials available will be out for people to look over and to check out if
desired. Small items such as magazines will be left in folders but will be
available for viewing. Each item will have a card for your name and phone
number when it is checked out. Any material checked out should be returned at
the next meeting. For materials not returned on time, a post card will be
mailed out as a reminder. Remember that other people may be waiting to check
out the item you have. Also, we have an inventory list and materials can be put
on reserve upon request. Any material checked out should be returned to the
librarian at the next meeting. You will be held responsible for any unreturned
or damaged materials that you have signed out.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do we require a signed membership/release of liability form?
We want everyone who participates in CHECC to realize that they are personally responsible for their actions. The membership form familiarizes each person specifically with our rules and conduct.
Why does CHECC promote private Christian homeschooling?
Since CHECC is a support network member of CHEA, we adhere to their mission statement which says, “The mission of the Christian Home Educators Association of California is to Advance the Kingdom of Jesus Christ by: Promoting private Christian home education as an outstanding educational opportunity…”
Can homeschooling parents other than Christians participate in CHECC?
Yes. We welcome homeschoolers of any faith and any philosophy of education.
Do we allow membership by those in public ISPs and charter schools?
Yes! One of CHECC’s goals is to promote private Christian home education which ultimately promotes all types of home education. Nonetheless, it is our desire to build up the entire community, and we welcome into our fellowship any who would join with us regardless of the legal structure under which a family places itself.
Why does CHECC promote private homeschooling over public?
This is tough to answer in such a brief format. But essentially there are four concerns:
Homeschooling families in either a public ISP program or in a charter school have resigned their God given authority and responsibility to direct the education of their children and have placed themselves under the authority of the state government.
The education code of the State of California clearly states that it is illegal to teach anything sectarian (for instance, Christian) during normal school hours. Although some public homeschool leaders are themselves Christian and may state something to the contrary (or recommend you teach Christian materials on the sly), the law states that it is illegal.
God provides, and we can trust Him completely without looking to our government to provide something which God did not intend to come under its legitimate jurisdiction. If every good gift comes down from the Father of Lights, as James declares, would He likely disseminate it through an agent that demands we deny Him?
The legality of homeschooling by any means is vigorously attacked every year. In California private homeschoolers are deemed private schools by the education code, and we therefore stand arm in arm with campus-based private schools, increasing our clout. Public ISP members and charter school members, on the other hand, fall completely under the domain of government education and have zero clout in regard to homeschooling. As more homeschoolers join the public school ranks, the private ranks diminish, and the rights of all homeschoolers are threatened.
CHECC has more information in a document entitled “Why Charter School won’t Work for Christians”. The content applies equally well to public school ISPs. CHECC would be delighted to share a copy with you, or you can order it directly from CHEA at 562-864-CHEA or from Family Protection Ministries at 916-786-3523.
Most of all this is a matter of much personal and family prayer. If you (or your spouse) choose to take the public homeschooling route CHECC’s love and fellowship will remain the same.
Why can’t I bring my children to Parent Meetings?
CHECC is required by the management of their Parent Meeting facility to disallow the attendance of children, other than nursing infants. Unfortunately, this came about in years past due to a few individuals’ ignoring our longstanding Code of Conduct. CHECC was actually asked to leave as a tenant, and it is only through the grace of God, that we have been allowed to return with the stipulation of no children. Thankfully, this sad note is not typical of our organization. We typically hear good reports of our families during field trips, etc. Nonetheless, children are no longer allowed at CHECC parent meetings.
Is a phone directory available?
We do not print a directory for distribution in the group. We value your privacy and CHEA recommends that all support groups not publish a directory for their members’ protection. If you need to call someone, call a CHECC Co-chair and request the phone number. We encourage the sharing of each other’s phone numbers through the Parents’ Meeting, Park Days and other activities.
Christian Home Educators of Central County is a Christian support group for parents who educate their children at home. We began meeting in a living room in 1979 and have outgrown two facilities since. Our goal is to provide encouragement, fellowship, support, and activities to homeschoolers in Central Contra Costa County, California. We also see our mission as one of equipping homeschool parents to be able to minister to one another. We belong to the support network of Christian Home Educators Association of California (CHEA).
This is a
Christian support group. As a reminder, these are the principles upon which the
group operates. The objective is to honor and please the Lord Jesus Christ in
every detail of the group.
1. We believe the Bible to be the inspired and only infallible,
authoritative and inerrant Word of God. (2 Tim. 3:16)
2. We believe that there is one God, eternally existent in three persons:
Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. (Gen. 1:1, John 10:30)
3. We believe in the virgin birth of our Lord Jesus Christ, in His
sinless life, in His miracles, in His vicarious and atoning death through His
shed blood, in His bodily resurrection, in His ascension to the right hand of
the Father, and in His personal return in power and glory. (Is. 7:14, Matt.
1:23, Luke 1:35, Heb. 4:15, Heb. 7:25, John 2:11)
4. We believe that man is sinful by nature and that regeneration by the
Holy Spirit is essential and an absolute necessity for salvation. We believe
salvation is the gift of god brought to man by grace and received by personal
faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, whose precious blood was shed on Calvary for the
forgiveness of our sins. (Eph. 2:8-9, Tit. 3:5-6, John 3:14-17, Rom. 3:19-23,
John 3:16-19)
5. We believe in the continuing ministry of the Holy Spirit by whose
indwelling the Christian is enabled to live a godly life. (Eph. 5:18, Eph. 4:30,
1 Cor. 6:19-20)
6. We believe in the resurrection of both the saved and the lost, they
who are saved unto eternal life, and they who are lost unto eternal damnation.
(John 5:28-29)
7. We believe in the spiritual unity of believers in our Lord Jesus
Christ. (Rom 8:9, 1 Cor. 12:12-13, Gal. 3:26-28)
8. We believe in the creation of man by the direct act of God. (Gen.
1:26-28)
9. We believe God in His Word has given us the responsibility and
authority to educate our children in a godly manner. (Col. 3:17, Duet. 6:6-8,
Duet. 11:18-21, Prov. 22:6, Psalm 1:1-2)