WHEAt Policies

As a Christian support group, it is our desire to honour Jesus Christ and to raise our children according to Biblical, Christian values. To become a member of WHEAt, we would ask that one or both of you, as parents, have accepted Jesus Christ as your personal Saviour and that you have the same desire for your
children.

You must be a member of WHEAt in order to participate in our activities.

Woodstock Home Educators and Treasures is a support group. All of our activities are co-operative efforts. Your participation is required to allow the group to function. Please seriously evaluate your other commitments and then offer your assistance. Once you have committed to help, the other leaders rely on your contribution so please make your attendance a priority. When each family assists at each activity, then no one is overwhelmed.

WHEAt is a non-denominational, Christian faith community. All communication by members should respect others, especially on matters of conscience (see Romans 14:1-10). 
 
Parents are expected to remain with their children during all our activities. Even if someone else is running the program, you are needed to help with supervision, security, and emergency situations. Two, unrelated, over 18 adults, who are WHEAt members, will oversee each activity with at least one of the adults being a parent. It will be the responsibility of the coordinator and team leaders to enforce this policy. Team leaders can delegate other committee members if they are unable to attend. For example: If the team leader is not going to be at gym, they will find someone to make sure the two person policy is enforced. The organizer of a field trip will make sure two qualified persons are attending.

In order to participate in WHEAt events including, field trips, gym, social, etc.) you MUST be a member of WHEAt. Membership is in effect after the treasurer receives a completed application form and the membership fee. Each WHEAt membership includes the parents and biological and adopted or foster children. WHEAt alumni are welcome to visit from time to time. Any family whose children will be attending our events more than once a month must be a WHEAt member.

WHEAt is a chapter member of Ontario Christian Home Educators Connection (OCHEC). OCHEC is a province-wide volunteer organization that seeks to connect, support, and equip all those involved in home education in the province of Ontario. 

WHEAt strongly recommends that you join Home School Legal Defence Association (HSLDA). HSLDA provides legal counsel to its members, lobbies the government on behalf of home educators, and holds an annual leadership conference for provincial home schooling leaders. Your OCHEC membership through WHEAt entitles you to a discount on your HSLDA membership.

For more information about HSLDA www.hslda.ca

Respect for Property:
Remember we are guests in various facilities.  I will show respect for the building, furniture, and property.  I will leave each room cleaner than when I came.  

Respect for Others:  
I will listen to and obey ALL adults the first time without arguing.  (If there is a legitimate reason not to be involved, respectfully ask the adult to discuss this.)
I will listen when others are speaking and wait my turn to speak.
I will show kindness and respect with my words and actions (no unkind words, no unkind actions, no bullying)
I will participate in all planned activities. (parents should inform teacher ahead of time of exceptions)
I will address all adults by title of “Mr., Miss, or Mrs.” according to my parents’ direction.
I will be on time.
I will not exclude anyone or act in a snobby manner. Cliques hurt others.
I will not bring media players of any kind (eg. MP3, Ipod, cell phone, etc.) into activity. 
I will dress in a manner suitable to participate in the activities at WHEAt. I will not bring  undue attention to myself.

Discipline means training and helping children to achieve self-control. We need to praise and affirm children for good behaviour and things they do well. In situations where inappropriate behaviour occurs, the following procedure needs to be consistently followed.

1. The adult leader will speak to the child, explaining what the inappropriate behaviour was, discussing a more appropriate behaviour, and explaining the consequences of continued inappropriate behaviour.  
2. If the same behaviour occurs again, the child will be removed off to the side. (ex. time out chair)
3.   If the child will not respond appropriately, or continues the behaviour, he/she is brought to their parent so the adult leader can explain the problem to the parent and discuss a solution.
4. If a solution is not reached after following the above steps the matter shall be brought to the coordinator and the Dream Team, and they will make a final decision as to how to handle situation. (ex. This may include removal of this child from activities)
5.   These procedures will be followed up that day with the parents being informed by the leader of the situation either personally, by phone call, or by email, so they may talk to their child about it. The coordinator will be informed that day as well, in the case of it being an on-going problem. The coordinator is going to assume that the situation will be taken care of that day.