GRACE Conduct Policy

Why a Conduct Policy

GRACE is a homeschool organization. GRACE is also a Christian organization. Both of these descriptions require that our conduct be exemplary, above reproach. Every time our families step out into the world we are witnessing to everyone we encounter, both as homeschoolers and as Christians. Whether the people are in a retail environment, at a park, on a field trip, or in a business office, they will form an opinion of homeschoolers and of Christians based on your family. The rights and freedoms we have are fragile, and unfortunately, they are easy to take for granted. Our country’s founders fought tirelessly to win our religious freedoms. The early homeschoolers also fought a difficult battle. We must not forget the efforts of either group, and we must not, through our apathy, threaten the loss of those freedoms.

We also have a responsibility to each other. When we get together, we expect that every family in attendance holds to the same basic set of values and beliefs, even though we have diverse methods and personalities. We trust each other and each other’s children in a way we may not trust others. The mothers are content to spend necessary time being refreshed and seeking the advice of others, knowing that their children will be treated fairly by all, and that all will be watching out for each other’s welfare. The children are content to develop friendships with each other, knowing that in this environment they will not experience the bullying and peer pressure common to so many childhood gatherings.

The Policy

• All children must be supervised by a responsible adult at all activities.
• If the parent is not present, the parent must have spoken with another attending adult and given disciplinary responsibility to that adult.
• The supervising adult must be aware of his/her child(ren)’s activities and behavior.
• Inappropriate behavior requires immediate consequences.
• Appropriate language is expected. This excludes cursing, teasing, using the Lord’s name in vain, etc.
• Physical contact such as general roughhousing, hitting or pushing is not acceptable.
• Children need to understand when they are required to be still and quiet (i.e. while we are being spoken to on a field trip).
• Any parent within our homeschool group who witnesses inappropriate behavior has the authority to verbally correct the child(ren). Children must understand that they are expected to respect any adult in our gathering. Note: Be sure children are aware that if any adult would make a suggestion which makes them uncomfortable, they should immediately check with their own parent.
• It is unacceptable for any person, child or adult, to bring any weapon, concealed or revealed, to any GRACE activity. A weapon is a knife, a gun, or any other object whose purpose would be to cause injury to another person. ANY failure to comply with this policy item will result in that family being permanently removed from membership in GRACE.

Families who have difficulty meeting these requirements will be counseled by a member of the Board, and repeated conduct problems will result in that family being restricted from attending some or all group activities.