Venture
Homeschool Academy
Cashion, OK
Cashion, OK
To glorify God and keep His commandment to
faithfully teach the next generation about His goodness by providing mutual
support, encouragement, accountability, and fellowship to new and experienced
homeschool families through cooperative learning experiences, field trips, seasonal
activities, and mentor relationships.
LEADERSHIP:
The leadership of Venture Homeschool Academy shall
consist of a leadership team, made of 3-4 husband/wife couples. All couples are
equal in power and purpose, although gifted in different ways and capable of
functioning in different capacities.
Duties:
§
Leadership
couples shall prayerfully give direction to all activities occurring within
Venture Homeschool Academy. They reserve the right to allow or refuse any
activity if not in accordance with the purpose and goals and/or not in the best
interest of the membership/families of Venture Homeschool Academy.
§
Leadership
couples shall be in agreement on all decisions affecting the entire membership
of Venture Homeschool Academy.
§
Leadership
couples shall/may delegate any reasonable planning, coordinating etc. as
necessary if in the best interest of the membership/families of Venture
Homeschool Academy.
§
Leadership
couples shall oversee, accept or reject membership applications to Venture
Homeschool Academy.
§
Leadership
couples shall create an attitude and environment of encouragement and support,
which is consistent with the purpose of Venture Homeschool Academy.
§
When
positions for the leadership team become vacant the existing husband/wife teams
shall prayerfully seek God’s direction and leadership in selecting a couple to
serve in the vacant position. The selection will be done privately until all
parties have agreed on the new team members and the new couple up for
consideration has accepted the leadership team position.
Qualifications:
Leadership couples shall meet the
following qualifications:
§
Leadership
team members shall be a married couple practicing their biblical roles in
marriage.
§
Leadership
team members shall have been committed to homeschooling, based on the biblical
commandment, for the past 2
years.
§
Leadership
team members shall continue to homeschool at least one child while serving on
the leadership team. If the leadership couple ceases to homeschool at least one
child they shall resign their position as team leader. (Homeschooling is
defined as the parent or parents providing the majority of education).
§
Leadership
team members shall live a lifestyle in accordance with biblical standards. If
moral failures arise and are unresolved under the “Conflict Resolution Policy”
the leadership couple shall resign their position on the leadership team.
MEMBERSHIP:
§
Venture
Homeschool Academy shall be compromised of Christian homeschooling families.
§ Venture Homeschool Academy, following guidelines established by OCHEC (Oklahoma Christian Home Educators Consociation) and HSLDA (Home School Legal Defense Association), defines the term "homeschooling" exclusively as the privately-funded, home-based education and discipleship of children by their own parents or guardians. Government-funded school-at-home programs such as Epic Charter Schools and K-12, administrated by local public school systems, are "public education" and not considered by Venture Homeschool Academy, OCHEC and HSLDA to constitute 'homeschooling.'
§ Venture Homeschool Academy, following guidelines established by OCHEC (Oklahoma Christian Home Educators Consociation) and HSLDA (Home School Legal Defense Association), defines the term "homeschooling" exclusively as the privately-funded, home-based education and discipleship of children by their own parents or guardians. Government-funded school-at-home programs such as Epic Charter Schools and K-12, administrated by local public school systems, are "public education" and not considered by Venture Homeschool Academy, OCHEC and HSLDA to constitute 'homeschooling.'
§
Membership
shall be reserved for those who attend the yearly orientation/planning meeting,
concur with the Statement of Faith, Conflict Resolution Policy, Standard of
Conduct, sign the Liability Waiver and agree to abide by the support nature and
purpose of Venture Homeschool Academy. (Yearly signing of the above documents
is required for each family. Make-up meetings will be scheduled at the
discretion of the leadership team).
§
Membership
dues will be exacted per family and will be determined each year by the
leadership team. Failure to pay dues forfeits participation in all Venture
Homeschool Academy activities.
§
Members are
expected to pay for all classes/events as determined by each instructor or the
Leadership Team in a timely manner as well as attend classes as enrolled unless
unforeseen events occur that make attendance impossible. Please notify
instructor as per his/her preferred method as indicated in the class syllabus
if a class will be missed.
§
Members must
sign a liability waiver prior to attending or participating in any Venture
Homeschool Academy event. Members are expected to take full responsibility for
their own actions and the actions of their family members.
§
Members may
be affiliated with other local support groups or co-ops.
§
Members are
required to accompany their children to all events and be on-sight for all
classes unless arrangements have been made with another adult to supervise and
take responsibility for their child and the organizer of the event is aware of
the arrangements.
§
Members are
strongly encouraged to seek membership in the Home School Legal Defense
Association. Discounted memberships are available to Venture Homeschool Academy
members through OCHEC.
§ The process for new membership begins by emailing venture.hsa@gmail.com to communicate the desire to be added to the Interest List. Please include your name, ages of children, and confirm you have read all of the membership documents and both you and your spouse would sign them upon membership.
§ The process for new membership begins by emailing venture.hsa@gmail.com to communicate the desire to be added to the Interest List. Please include your name, ages of children, and confirm you have read all of the membership documents and both you and your spouse would sign them upon membership.
Venture
Homeschool Academy
Statement
of Faith
Tenets
of Christian Theology
We believe the Bible to be the verbally
inspired and only infallible Word of God, inerrant in the autographs (II Tim.
3:16, II Peter 1:20-21).
We believe God is one being who eternally
exists as three persons, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. All of the persons are
equal in power and glory (Matt. 28:19, II Cor. 13:14).
We believe Jesus Christ is fully God and man
(John 1:1, 14), born of a virgin (Matt. 1:18), sinless in His life (Heb. 4:15).
He died on a cross as a substitution for sinful men (Heb. 9:15). He rose bodily
from the grave (John 20:1-9, 24-31, Acts 2:24) and now reigns with the Father
(Acts 2:33, Heb. 10:12). He will return visibly and personally to the earth
both in salvation and judgement (Acts 1:11, Heb. 9:28, Matt. 24:35).
We believe all humans are sinful by nature
(Rom 3:23, 5:12) and can only be forgiven by repentance and statement of trust
in Jesus as Savior (John 3:16), brought about by the regenerating work of the
Holy Spirit (Titus 3:5-7).
We believe in the continuing ministry of the
Holy Spirit by whose indwelling the Christian is enabled to live a godly life
(Romans 8:1- 17).
We reject the anti-Christian tenets of
secular humanism, including the general theory of evolution, one-world
government, government-mandated sex education, government-mandated parenting
courses, modern feminist ideology, abortion, and the promotion of homosexuality
as an alternative, acceptable lifestyle.
Family
We believe that the family is the basic
governmental, social and spiritual unit created by God. In it each child learns
self- government, social relationships, and develops a relationship with the
Creator and Savior (Eph. 6:1-3; Col. 3:18-20).
We reject homosexual marriages or homosexual
orientation because it is contrary to Scripture and the intentions of God in
creation (Rom 1:18-32, Gen. 1:26-31, Gen. 2:18, 24), and we believe that such
relationships are destructive to children and the very idea of family. We also
reject transitory co-habitation relationships as being equally in violation of
God’s laws and incapable of providing the long term nurture and instruction
needed by children and commanded by God (Prov. 1:8-9, 2:1-11; Col. 3:21; Eph.
6:4). In view of God’s word, no homosexual or merely co-habitating “parents”
are eligible for membership.
Parental
Rights and Responsibility in Education
We believe the ultimate responsibility for
the education of children belongs to parents (Deut. 4-9; 6:1-25; 4:1-4). We
believe this is an inalienable right given by God, which the State cannot
create, destroy, nor alter. Authority for such training can be delegated to
other forms of education; however, the ultimate responsibility for this
education remains with the parents.
We believe that the government, at all
levels, should respect the right of parents to choose the academic alternative
of home education. We believe that parents who have chosen this educational
alternative are accountable to discharge these duties in an honorable and
responsible manner to the attaining of educational excellence and good
citizenship.
We believe education in the home to be the
best form of education.
Nature
of Education
We believe that all education is religious in
nature since one’s view of the world and life is involved in teaching (Prov.
2:1-8; 3:1-2; 6:20-23; Matt. 28:18-20). Every discipline of knowledge, whether
it be subjects such as mathematics, science, or history will have as its final
reference point either a theistic or a humanistic view of reality (Col. 1:15-20
and 2:8-15), and there is no neutral academic discipline.
Venture
Homeschool Academy
*Conflict
Resolution Policy
The
Peacemaker’s Pledge
As people reconciled to God by the death and resurrection of
Jesus Christ, we believe that we are called to respond to conflict in a way
that is remarkably different from the way the world deals with conflict. We
also believe that conflict provides opportunities to glorify God, serve other
people, and grow to be like Christ. Therefore, in response to God’s love and in
reliance on His grace, we commit ourselves to respond to conflict according to
the following principles. (Gal. 5:19-26; Matt. 5:9; II Cor. 10:31-11:1; Rom.
8:28-29; James 1:2-4)
GLORIFY GOD
Instead of focusing on our own desires or dwelling on what others may do, we seek to please and honor God-by depending on His wisdom, power, and love; by faithfully obeying His commands; and by seeking to maintain a loving, merciful and forgiving attitude. (I Cor. 10:31; James 4:1-3; Psalm 37:1-6, Phil. 4:2-9; Col. 3:1-4, I Peter 2:12; John 14:15; James 3:17-18; Rom. 12:17-21; Mark 11:25)
Instead of focusing on our own desires or dwelling on what others may do, we seek to please and honor God-by depending on His wisdom, power, and love; by faithfully obeying His commands; and by seeking to maintain a loving, merciful and forgiving attitude. (I Cor. 10:31; James 4:1-3; Psalm 37:1-6, Phil. 4:2-9; Col. 3:1-4, I Peter 2:12; John 14:15; James 3:17-18; Rom. 12:17-21; Mark 11:25)
GET THE LOG OUR OF YOUR OWN EYE
Instead of attacking others or dwelling on their wrongs, we
will take responsibility for our own contribution to conflicts—confessing our
sins, asking God to help us change any attitudes and habits that lead to
conflict, and seeking to repair any harm we have caused. (Matt. 7:3-5; I John
1:8-9; Proverbs 28:13; Col. 3:5-14; Luke 19:8)
GO AND SHOW YOUR BROTHER HIS FAULT
Instead of pretending conflict doesn’t exist of talking
about others behind their backs, we will choose to overlook minor offenses, or
we will talk directly and graciously with those whose offenses seem too serious
to overlook. When a conflict with another Christian cannot be resolved in
private, we will ask others in the body of Christ to help us settle the matter
in a biblical manner. (Matt. 18:15-20; James 5:9; Proverbs 19:11; Gal. 6:1-2;
Eph. 4:29; II Tim. 2:24-26; I Cor. 6:1-8)
GO AND BE RECONCILED
Instead of accepting premature compromise or allowing
relationships to wither, we will actively pursue genuine peace and
reconciliation-forgiving others as God, for Christ’s sake, has forgiven us, and
seeking just and mutually beneficial solutions to our differences. (Matt.
5:23-24; Matt. 6:12; Eph. 4:1-3, 32; Matt. 7:12; Phil. 2:3-4)
By God’s grace, we will apply these principles as a matter
of stewardship, realizing that conflict is an assignment, not an accident. We
will remember that success, in God’s eyes, is not a matter of specific results
but of faithful, dependent obedience. And we will pray that our service as
peacemakers brings praise to our Lord and leads others to know his infinite
love. (Matt. 25:14-21; I Peter 2:19, 4:19; Rom. 12:18, John 13:34-35)
Conflict
Resolution Checklist
Seek to please and honor God
-by depending on His wisdom,
power and love.
-by faithfully obeying His commands.
-by seeking to maintain a loving, merciful and forgiving attitude.
-by faithfully obeying His commands.
-by seeking to maintain a loving, merciful and forgiving attitude.
Take responsibility for your own contribution to the
conflict -by confessing your own sin.
-by asking God to help you change any
attitudes and habits that lead to conflict.
-by seeking to repair any harm you have
caused.
Overlook minor offenses and talk directly and graciously
with those whose offenses seem too serious to overlook.
Attempt to resolve this in private, remembering these
principles:
-Deal gently, not critically.
-No condemning, NONE!
-No commanding, power-play.
-No condescending, making fun, belittling, discounting.
-No diversions, deal only with the present conflict, no other issues.
-No commanding, power-play.
-No condescending, making fun, belittling, discounting.
-No diversions, deal only with the present conflict, no other issues.
-Respect the person and his
possessions.
-Trust the other person.
-Trust the other person.
If not resolved in private, ask others to help you settle
the matter in a biblical manner.
Actively pursue peace and reconciliation
-by forgiving others as God has
forgiven you.
-by seeking just and mutually beneficial solutions to your differences.
-by seeking just and mutually beneficial solutions to your differences.
*Standard of
Conduct
For adults:
· Maintain order
and discipline of your own children and any other children for whom you are
responsible, knowing where they are and what they are doing at all times.
· Never drop a
child off and leave them unsupervised at any time. If you are unable to attend
an activity with your child, another adult must be designated to be responsible
for your child. Be sure your child knows who is in charge of them. Make sure
the adult in charge knows you will not be in attendance.
· When attending
an activity, be in submission to the adult(s) in charge.
For students:
· Obey adults in
charge of the activity at all times.
· Be polite and
show respect to adults in charge of the activity by being quiet and listening
well when they are speaking to you.
· Always respect
adults in charge of the activity by not arguing or talking back when
disciplined.
· You must have
permission from your parents or an adult in charge to leave the group.
· Respect others
by keeping your hands and feet to yourself, never pushing, shoving or hurting
anyone, even with words.
For all,
including the adult(s) in charge:
· Persons
attending and/or participating in activities, competitive or otherwise, must
behave in a Christ- honoring manner at all times.
· No tobacco
usage, consumption of alcoholic beverages, or profanity is permitted at any
activity.
Violations of the Standard of
Conduct will be handled according to the Conflict Resolution Policy. If the
safety and well-being of the others involved in the activity require it, the
offending party will be asked to leave the activity immediately by a person in
charge.
* “Conflict Resolution Policy” and “Standard of Conduct”
have been taken from the OCHEC Conflict Resolution Policy.
Venture
Homeschool Academy
Waiver and
Release of Liability
This
family waiver form covers parent(s) and child(ren) listed below:
Father’s
Name:____________________________
Mother’s
Name:___________________________
Children: (Name/Date of Birth)
Children: (Name/Date of Birth)
___________________________________________ ___________________________________________
___________________________________________ ___________________________________________
___________________________________________ ___________________________________________
___________________________________________ ___________________________________________
This Waiver and
Release of Liability (“Agreement”) is a legal and binding agreement which, when
signed, will permanently limit your ability, your spouse, heirs, executors,
administrators, personal representatives or assigns to hold Venture Homeschool
Academy or any host facility liable for injuries or losses you may cause or
sustain as a result of participation in activities.
Venture Homeschool Academy - A Christian Home School Support
Group will not be held liable for personal injury, damage to property, or
expenses of any nature that may be incurred by any participant or member of any
Venture Homeschool Academy sponsored activity, class, or event. Neither shall
any host of said activity, class, or event be held liable. Curriculum advice or
educational counsel is also given and must be received as a free,
non-professional, personal opinion only and parents/legal guardians will retain
all responsibility for any and all legal and educational choices they make for
their children. All parents/legal guardians will assume all risk of personal
injury, sickness, damage and expense of any kind caused by their children or
self at all Venture Homeschool Academy functions.
To the fullest extent permitted by law, on behalf of myself,
my spouse, heirs, representatives, executors, administrators and assigns, I
agree to forever RELEASE, INDEMNIFY, HOLD HARMLESS and COVENANT NOT TO SUE Venture
Homeschool Academy or any host facility from any cause of action, claim, or
demand, including one related to bodily injury, property damage, death or
accident arising out of or related to my or my families participation in the
activity.
This Agreement shall be constructed and enforced in
accordance with the laws of the State of Oklahoma, and I consent to the
jurisdiction of this state. I expressly agree that this Waiver and Release of
Liability is intended to be as broad and inclusive as permitted and that if any
portion is held invalid, the remainder shall continue in full legal force and
effective.
Signed by the Father/Legal Guardian:_____________________________________________
Date: ________________________
Signed by the Mother/Legal Guardian:_____________________________________________Date:_________________________
Child 18 years or older:__________________________________________ Date:______________________
Adult Participant:__________________________________________________Date:______________________
Adult Participant:__________________________________________________Date:______________________
Notes: 1. Children 18 years or
older who plan on participating in field trips, classes, events, etc. will need
to sign the release form.2. Adults other than parents or legal guardians who
plan on participating with your family in field trips, classes, events, etc.
will need to sign release form. 3. This release form is good for one year from
date signed.
Venture
Homeschool Academy
Communication
It
is our desire to communicate as effectively, inexpensively, and thoroughly as
possible.
Methods
of communication:
· Email- The Leadership Team will
communicate with individuals about specific things and with the entire
membership of Venture Homeschool Academy about general items as needed through
email. The leadership team can be reached @venture.hsa@gmail.com
· Blog site- The Leadership Team
will communicate with the membership of Venture Homeschool Academy through the
use of the blog located at www.venturehsa.blogspot.com Communication on that
site will be specific to the group, not one particular person. The site will
include definitions of the group, events, dates, times etc.
· Phone- On occasion the
Leadership Team will communicate about specific events through phone calls.
· Internet services such as
MySign-Up and Evite may also be used to communicate about certain events.
Communication
concerning cancellation, change in planned events, or teachers unable to
fulfill their roles will be communicated:
· Greater
than 24 hours notice- Leadership will email the involved participants.
· Less than 24 hours notice-
Leadership will call/text all involved participants in addition to sending an
email.
Inclement
weather cancellations follow Cashion Public Schools as reported through local
news stations.
We
ask that Participants will also do their best to notify Leadership/Event
Planner according to specific deadlines for RSVP’d events. Please call if
canceling RSVP within 24 hours of event.
Any
challenges concerning communication will be handled according to Venture
Homeschool Academy’s Conflict Resolution Policy.
Venture
Homeschool Academy
Guidelines for
Appropriate Dress
All
participants shall maintain modest dress at all times. Including students,
parents, teachers, and guests.
-Appropriate length shirts. No midriffs showing when hands
are raised above the head.
-Modest neck-lines.
-No undergarmets showing, including straps.
-Modest length shorts (Please try the bend, spin, squat, sit
test at home before coming to an activity).
-Modest length skirts, dresses and skorts when appropriate.
Check skirts, dresses and skorts with the bend, spin, squat, sit test for
activities that require lifting hands, movement or even sitting in a chair.
Evaluate skorts for appropriate length even with the shorts underneath.
-Evaluate t-shirts with slogans, saying or pictures for
appropriateness.
If
conflict arises concerning a participant’s dress, the Venture Homeschool
Academy Conflict Resolution Policy will be used to deal with the conflict. We
fully trust parents to follow God’s word and His leading when choosing clothing
that is orderly, well arranged, decent, and modest for their families. (Greek
definition of modest used in the New Testament)
Venture
Homeschool Academy
Health and
Illness Guidelines
Please
be considerate of others when evaluating the health and well-being of your own
children. In order to protect the health of others, please do not bring your
child to events if they have had...
- A fever in the past 24 hours- Diarrhea in the past 24 hours- Vomiting in the past 24 hours- A diagnosis of a known communicable disease i.e. chicken
pox, untreated head lice, untreated strep throat, etc.
Siblings
of sick children will be permitted to attend at parents’ discretion. Please
evaluate the mode of transmission of the illness and possible incubation
period, trying not to put others at risk.
Please
cover wounds that are open, weeping, or new injuries. If your child has an
active case of MRSA, please let the Leadership Team know. Follow your doctor’s
instructions for treating, covering the site, and hand-washing to decrease
transmission.
Please
review all forms of prevention of disease transmission with your family.
-Covering your mouth when you
cough or sneeze using a cupped hand or elbow.
-Hand-washing after using the
restroom, changing a diaper, before eating, and when visibly soiled.
-Refraining from sharing drinks
or eating after another.
-Having
parents on site alleviates Venture Homeschool Academy’s need to know much of
the following information. Please share what you deem is important for us to
know about you and your family. The following information may be shared at your
discretion.
· If your child has a medical
condition that might be exacerbated by a specific activity.
· Possible allergens that your
child might come in contact with in class.
· If your child is taking certain
medication that might impact his/her ability in class.
· Certain chronic diseases.
Venture
Homeschool Academy
Boy/Girl Relationships
Guidelines
· We desire to create an
environment where both genders can come and feel comfortable in their own skin
with their brothers and sisters in Christ, free from the pressures of the world
to act, look, or dress a certain way.
· The Leadership Team recognizes
young adults and their need to socialize and have meaningful relationships with
friends of the opposite gender.
· We support friendly interaction
during class time and free time.
· We discourage
boyfriend/girlfriend relationships at any time.
· We discourage openly
talking/discussing about a person and their external qualities, clothing, or
physique that might attract attention toward him/her (a boyfriend or
girlfriend).
Venture
Homeschool Academy
Guidelines for
Parents On-Site
The
Leadership Team desires for you and your children to have a wonderful class
experience. We do desire mothers, fathers, or another responsible adult to be
on-site during class time in case of emergency, disciplinary needs, or class
projects requiring more adult assistance. However, adults do not have to rotate
through class times unless a child truly needs help or if the teacher requests
your presence. If a child is doing fine in class without you, please feel free
to fellowship with other adults or look for opportunities to serve.
· Keep fellowship time between
adults outside the classroom. Talking during class is disruptive and makes it
difficult for the teacher and students.
· Do not drop off and leave the
facility without another adult in charge of the care and discipline of your
children.
· Communicate with your child
where you will be during class time. Teachers
will come get you if a child is having difficulty with a project, is
disruptive, disrespectful, sick or injured. Venture Homeschool Academy teachers
are not taking your place academically, spiritually, or emotionally but are
coming alongside you in a supportive role as you homeschool your children.
Venture
Homeschool Academy
Mutual
Respect Guidelines
Concerning
Life-Threatening Food Allergies
Because we are instructed by the Lord to consider one
another as more important than ourselves, the Leadership Team deems it
necessary to protect the families and children in our membership who have life-threatening
allergies.
Please report life-threatening allergies to the leadership
team.
Reasonable accommodations will be made to protect at-risk
individuals with the help of parents and other children.
Families will be expected to be flexible even though some food
allergies may eliminate an easy option for their own family, since the life and
well-being of another person is more important than convenience.
If a life-threatening allergy is reported to the leadership
team, we will communicate to the whole group so that allergen (i.e. peanuts)
will not be brought for group consumption at pot-lucks, parties, etc. If
necessary, the Leadership Team will deem an Allergy-Free zone during lunch. All families bringing a known allergen-product
for personal consumption are asked to eat in an area other than the
Allergy-Free zone and immediately wash their hands after eating prior to
proceeding to classes or touching any other children, and wash their eating
space with soap and water when finished. When no separate eating arrangements
are available (i.e. field trips), families are asked not to bring the known
allergen-products.
Venture Homeschool Academy
Harassment and Intimidation Guidelines
Harassment and intimidation are prohibited: this means any gesture, written, verbal or physical act that
a reasonable person should know will harm another student, damage another student’s property, place
another student in reasonable fear of harm to the student’s person or damage to the student’s property,
or insult or demean any student or group of students in such a way to disrupt or interfere with Venture’s
educational mission or the education of any student.
Venture Homeschool Academy
Student Cell-phone Guidelines
Student's will not be allowed the use of cell-phones while at Venture Homeschool Academy. Student cell-phones should remain at home or in the possession of his/her parent during the duration of the VHA class day.
Venture Homeschool Academy
Severe Weather Guidelines
If the area is under a tornado watch, the Leadership Team will dismiss classes to allow families to seek appropriate shelter. If the weather changes too rapidly to safely leave the premises and the weather risk escalates to a tornado warning, everyone on campus will shelter in the innermost rooms without windows to include Rooms 104, 105, and 106.
If the area is under a severe thunderstorm watch or warning, students will not be allowed to play outside.
Venture Homeschool Academy
Fire Safety Plan
Each classroom teacher, study hall monitor, and childcare leader is provided a Fire Evacuation Plan prior to the first day of class where they identify the nearest two exits from their room, fire alarm, and fire extinguishers. See the full document here https://docs.google.com/document/d/1LY6O86G_4OC-n9TfJ1qyttqftE09Ui9ZLrLFGqo8--I/edit?usp=sharing. It is important that all classrooms complete roll call and remain in a classroom group at the Designated Meeting Place until Leadership Team has verified that all students have been evacuated.
Venture Homeschool Academy
Contact
Information
Group Contact Information
venture.hsa@gmail.com
