TLC Information
GROUP SUCCESS
For the TLC Homeschoolers to be a successful support group, member involvement is necessary. The demands of homeschooling are great, but many hands make light work and less stress for everyone! Hosting an event would greatly benefit the group.
EMAIL LOOPS
The TLC Homeschoolers maintains two email loops to serve our group. Both email loops are by membership only and are restricted from unapproved senders. The group leader manually adds your email address to the proper loops, so no extra work on your part is needed.
When sending a message to all the homeschool families in our group, please address your email to eloop@tlchomeschool.com
When sending a message containing only TLC Co-op information, please address your email to coop.loop@tlchomeschool.com
In ensure viruses are not passed around the TLC email loops and that our members do not feel harassed, the following restrictions apply when using these above loops:
(1) Please only send items relating to family or homeschool information which could include but is not limited to upcoming events and activities, as well as pertinent advice and articles.
(2) When sending an email, do not send attachments of any kind. Reference a website address or copy-paste the information from the orginial source into your email. Please make sure to reference where the information originated.
(3) We recommend sending your email with the TLC or CO-OP as the only addressee. Many emails have been delayed from getting on the loop due to a large number of recipents. This is a built in protection feature to prevent spamming.
(4) The more we communicate about local homeschool events and activities, the more successful those activities will be. Please don't hesitate to send that email and invite us all to join in. It may be just what one of our homeschool families has been looking for.
MEMBERSHIP
We sugggest that potential members visit with the Training for Life in Christ group for a few activities / meetings before joining the group. This gives us an opportunity to get to know each other and ensure that membership of a new family is mutually beneficial.
Along with an informal interview with the Group Leader, completion of the membership application is required which includes: Statement of Commitment, Statement of Group Doctrine, Statement of Church Attendance and Family Information. Please contact the group leader for mailing and payment information. Your annual membership dues should accompany your application form.
MEMBERSHIP DUES
All TLC families pay annual membership dues to cover expenses for managing the group which are $20 for member-level families OR $40 for co-op level families. Membership begins on September 1st and expires on August 31st of the following year. Dues will be the same no matter what time of year you join and are non-refundable. All the dues directly benefit our group by covering associated cost for group events, service projects, field trips, and socials. Funds will also be used to cover copying, mailings, guest speaker gifts, church gifts, website maintenance and email loop support. Furthermore, a portion of all membership fees are set aside for general liability insurance required by our event locations as well as small incidental building repairs. Membership in the TLC Homeschoolers also provides your family membership in Maryland Association of Christian Home Educators (www.machemd.org) where we receive FREE admission into the Frederick Homeschool Fair, discount six flag tickets, and more fieldtrips!! A discount rate for membership into Homeschool Legal Defense Association (www.HSLDA.org) is yet another perk you receive with your TLC membership.
MONTHLY SUPPORT MEETINGS
Monthly support meetings are usually attended by the mother and occur once a month on the 2nd or 3nd Sunday evening of each month from September through May (no meeting in December). Meetings may move to accommodate holidays so please check the event calendar for details. During these meetings we will cover upcoming events, have pre-arranged topical discussions (with periodic guest speakers), as well as prayer and devotion. Throughout the school year, we will also meet at various locations for social gatherings, field trips and group events.
COOPERATIVE CLASSES
Co-op classes are available for children Kindergarten through high school with prek and nursery available for siblings only. Please visit our Co-op Classes and Co-op Info pages for more information on this exciting and growing program.
FIELD TRIPS
Field trips are coordinated by group members and schedule to fit their families needs. It is not recommended to schedule events for the months of December and May since homeschool families are very busy during this months. To advertise your fieldtrip, send an email around the tlc loop with your contact information. If it is an activity that requires an advanced reservation based fee (that is unchangable), it is recommended that you collect any money in advance instead on the day of the event.
GROUP COURTESY
Anyone who registers for our activities should make every effort to attend all sessions of the scheduled activity. (Weather, health, and family trips aside!). When circumstances beyond one's control arise, the teacher or the activity contact person should be notified as soon as possible of the child's (or children's) anticipated absence. Please give the teachers and volunteers the utmost respect that they deserve, after all, they are sharing their time and talents. For field trips, group events and classes, TLC group members will have first priority. These events may be open up for other homeschoolers to attend if minimum numbers need to be met.
GUESTS
All homeschooling guest families are to be invited by a TLC group member. This group member will be responsible for ensuring their guests follow the behavior guidelines outlined under the Children’s and Parent’s Behavior sections listed above. Guest families may join our group on field trips or fellowships, if and only if there is ample space or maximum numbers have not been met after all Training for Life in Christ members have had an opportunity to sign-up. This policy would not apply if you are the contact person for the activity and are sharing this activity with another group. Also, a person who is regularly attending our activities may be asked to place membership with our group.
CHILD CARE
At this time, child care during parent meetings is not provided. However for selected activities such as the History/Geography Share, Spelling Bee and Accomplishment Night, child care MAY be arranged by request for our group members. Please make sure food allergies and special needs are effectively communicated during these childcare situation. Nursing infants are always welcomed at our monthly support meetings and ladies socials. All family members including grandparents and extended family are encouraged to attend all other events.
CHILDREN'S BEHAVIOR
Appropriate behavior of children is expected at all times, as it is our greatest desire to maintain a favorable group reputation and to prevent elimination of privileges within the community. There will be absolutely no dropping off of children for group classes, field trips, social activities or any other activities. Parents are expected to accompany their children at all times. However, in the event of illness of a sibling or unexpected circumstances, a substitute guardian may be appointed by the parents for that particular class or field trip. This appointment must be made in writing noting the following information: the reason the parent is absent; whom is in charge of the child(ren); an emergency contact number; and the parent’s signature. If at anytime a child were to behave in a willfully disrespectful manner after a warning, he/she would be excused from the group class, field trip, or activity for that day. Too many "violations" could lead to suspension from group classes, field trips, or future activities. However, the child would be welcomed back when the child is able to continuously stop the unacceptable behavior.
PARENT'S BEHAVIOR
We as Christian parents are expected to abide by God's laws as stated in the Bible. Christian oversight for your children is mandatory. Therefore, parents are expected to provide the necessary discipline to their own children. Such discipline should occur immediately to ensure that group order is maintained. Parents are expected to work with the group leadership, group teacher or activity coordinator to correct willfully disrespectful behavior.
Since we are examples to our children, we ask that parents exhibit Godly character during group events as outlined in 1Timothy 3:
* Use Edifying Words: No malice gossip
* Blameless: Above reproach
* Vigilant: Temperate, guarding others
* Sober: Self-controlled, wise, sensible
* Of Good Behavior: Respectable
* Given to Hospitality: Hospitable
* Apt to Teach: Able to teach, teachable
* No Striker: Not violent, gentle, not quarrelsome
* Patient: Forbearing, longsuffering
* Not Covetous: Not a lover of money, not avaricious