WELCOME TO GRACE HOMESCHOOL CONNECTIONS!

Thank you for considering joining us at Grace Homeschool Connections.  We are humbled by the many families that have chosen to entrust their children with us and consider it a privilege to partner with them in instructing and leading their children.

GHC is an extension ministry of Grace Bible Church Naples that seeks to provide enrichment classes taught from a biblical worldview for homeschooled students in Kindergarten through 6th grade.  It is our desire to honor the Lord by showing the love of Christ to participating students while providing a quality educational program based on biblical truth. 

Please understand that the following policies are an effort to be proactive in light of our swiftly changing culture that promotes (and sometimes celebrates) evil, anti-Biblical ideologies.  These policies are not at all a reaction to or a reflection of the current culture of students and families that are involved with Grace Homeschool Connections.  

Our desire is to allow families to make an informed decision on where we stand on these issues before there is a commitment to join our program.  If any of our stances on these topics are confusing to you or if you’d like to discuss them further we are happy to do so.  

STUDENT CODE OF CONDUCT GUIDED BY THE BIBLE

God has graciously given us the Bible to teach us His ways and to use it as an instruction book to develop healthy relationships and live a joy-filled life. In the interest of coming alongside GHC families and affirming the God-given authority parents have in their children’s lives, we’d like to make you aware of the following scriptures we will use to inform and counsel students when they are struggling in certain areas.  

if a person is caught in any wrongdoing, you who are spiritual are to restore such a person in a spirit of gentleness;  Galatians 6:1

These verses from the Bible  will be used as tools to help us encourage students and help them to recognize what God says is poor, unrighteous behavior (what we are to “put off”) and what He says we should replace it with:  fruitful, righteous behavior (what we are to “put on”).   

FIRST OFFENSE:  
Students will be verbally counseled.  Parents will be notified. 

SECOND OFFENSE:
Students will be verbally counseled and will stay in from recess to copy verses.  
Parents will be notified. 

GHC staff will make every effort to work with parents and students to help a student grow in areas of repeated offenses.  However, if there is a repeated pattern of offensive behavior without improvement, a student will be asked to withdraw for the remainder of the term without a refund.   Depending on the situation a student may not be invited back to participate in future terms at GHC.  

BEHAVIORS WARRANTING INSTRUCTIONS AND COUNSEL

1.  Aggravating Others or Stirring Up Strife
-There are…things which the Lord hates….one who spreads strife among brothers. Proverbs 6:16, 19

-Avoiding strife is an honor for a person, but any fool will quarrel.  Proverbs 20:3

-A dishonest man spreads strife, and a whisperer separates close friends.  Proverbs 16:28 

-counselors of peace have joy. Proverbs 12:20
(God gives joy to those who promote peace.)

-Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God. Matthew 5:9

2. Destruction of and/or Poor Stewardship of Property
Students will be reminded often that we are to be good stewards of our church building and the building should be kept clean and orderly.  

Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men.  Colossians 3:23

Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow.  James 1:17

3. Not Receiving Instruction/Disobedience/Defiance
Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether to a king as the one in authority or to governors as sent by him for the punishment of evildoers and the praise of those who do right. For such is the will of God that by doing right you may silence the ignorance of foolish men. 1 Pet. 2:13-15

One who loves discipline loves knowledge, But one who hates rebuke is stupid. Proverbs 12:1

4. Quarreling, Arguing 
…a harsh word stirs up anger.  Proverbs 15:1

Turn from evil and do good; Seek peace and pursue it. Psalm 34:14

If possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men. Romans 12:18

Do all things without grumbling or disputing.  Philippians 2:14

5. Teasing, Tearing Others Down
Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear.  Ephesians 4:29

Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things.  Philippians 4:8

6. Foolish Speech or Cursing
There must be no filthiness or foolish talk, or vulgar joking, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks. Ephesians 5:4

OTHER SITUATIONS WARRANTING COUNSEL

Conversation on Homosexuality or Gender Confusion

There is much confusion in our culture about gender and sexuality. The Bible tells us that God created one man and one woman. It also teaches that gender is a concrete, unchanging gift determined by God at conception and it is not to be manipulated or changed in any way by man.  Any conversation or behavior promoting a homosexual or gender-fluid lifestyle is prohibited. 

A woman shall not wear man’s clothing, nor shall a man put on a woman’s clothing; for whoever does these things is an abomination to the Lord your God. Deuteronomy 22:5

So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.  Genesis 1:27

You shall not lie with a male as one lies with a female; it is an abomination. Leviticus 18:22

abstain from every form of evil.  I Thess 5:22

For You formed my inward parts; You wove me in my mother’s womb. Psalm 139:13
 

Conflict Resolution

GHC staff will always encourage students to handle conflict in a biblical manner using the Matthew 18 principle.

If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother. But if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, that every charge may be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses.  Matthew 18:15-16

DRESS CODE 

• All clothing must be modest and not excessively baggy or tight.

• No spaghetti strap tank tops, straps should be at least 1” wide.

• All tops must cover the chest/cleavage, stomach, midriff, and back: students should be able to raise their hands without skin showing. 

• "Bermuda" length shorts only please.  

• Dresses or skirts should have shorts worn underneath.

• Clean, well-groomed, and non-distracting hair color and styles.  No extreme hairstyles.

• Boys and girls should wear gender appropriate clothing.  Boys may not wear nail polish or make-up.   Deuteronomy 22:5

• Ear piercings are only acceptable for girls.  All other piercings are prohibited.

• Clothing should depict positive messages.  Illegal activity, violence, sexual, drug or alcohol references are unacceptable. 

• Students should wear closed- toe shoes for safety. (Please, no crocs)

Optional: Students may bring sunscreen and a hat for hot, sunny days. 

ADDITIONAL  POLICIES

What to Bring:

• A backpack

• A folder for any handouts being sent home.

• A snack and packed lunch. (Unfortunately, we are not able to heat up food at our facility).

• A water bottle and lunch box LABELED with STUDENT NAME. We do have a drinking fountain for refills. *Please avoid glass water bottles as we have had them break.  

• As many items as possible labeled with your student's name is extremely helpful!

What NOT to Bring

• Cell phones or smart watches (Parents will be notified by GHC staff in the case of an emergency.  Parents can email GraceConnectionsFL@gmail.com or call or text 239-784-9338 on Wednesdays OR 863-303-9525 on Thursdays to communicate a message to a student in the event of a change for pickup, etc.)

• Toys, trading cards

• Electronics of any kind (Parents will be notified if laptops may be necessary for specific classes)

• Pocket knives or any other weapons

If any of these items are noticed by GHC staff they will be confiscated and given to parents in car line.  Repeated offenses may result in a student will be asked to withdraw for the remainder of the term without a refund.   Depending on the situation a student may not be invited back to participate in future terms at GHC.