HOPE Informational Letter
Homes Offering Positive Education (Revised 8/2009)Â Â
Rose Theater We generally offer one performance per month that we can attend together as a group. Registration can be done by contacting the HOPE Rose Theater Coordinator or by signing up at each monthly meeting. Payment is due at time of sign-up. Unless otherwise instructed, all checks for activities should be made payable to HOPE. Payment envelopes are available so you may write one check for multiple functions: (i.e., field trip, Rose Theater, class fees). Contact the HOPE Rose Theater Coordinator if you have further questions. There are no refunds.  If you cannot find someone else interested in purchasing your tickets and attending in your place, rain checks are available through the Rose Theater. If you need to cancel, you will need to contact the Rose Theater prior to the event to make those arrangements. As a courtesy, also contact the HOPE Rose Theater Coordinator to let her/him know you are unable to attend.  Again, punctuality is vital for maintaining good public relations and “no-shows†reflect poorly on the entire group. Please plan to arrive early for the Rose Theater productions.  Reminder: the Rose Theater productions will be cancelled if Omaha Public Schools have a weather closure. NOTE: It is your responsibility to insure that your child behaves properly during the field trip/Rose Theater performance. Such behavior includes listening to and obeying instructions, respecting the facilities being visited, respecting the other adults and children present, and staying with the group. Parents must accompany their children unless another adult who is attending has agreed to accept responsibility for them.Â
Network of Iowa Christian Home Educators (NICHE) NICHE is a statewide, non-profit organization serving the needs of homeschoolers. They have an annual membership fee. You may contact them for more information at: NICHE, Box 158, Dexter, IA 50070, voicemail 1-800-723-0438, or email niche@homeschooliowa.org.   You may also visit their web site at www.homeschooliowa.org.
Home School Legal Defense Association (HSLDA) HSLDA is an organization of attorneys who are dedicated to the preservation of the rights of home schooling families. Should the need arise, they represent their members’ families in court at no additional cost other than their annual membership fee. They also keep updated on legislation, both at the state level and the national level, which affects homeschoolers. You may contact the HOPE New Homeschool Contact Coordinator for information about this organization and/or visit their website at: www.hslda.org. Â
 Our meetings are currently held at Salem United Methodist Church, 14955 Somerset Avenue, Council Bluffs, Iowa. Absolutely no smoking or alcoholic beverages are allowed on church property (inside or outside). No children are to be wandering the building without adult supervision. We should leave the building as clean or cleaner than when we arrived!Â
 v     We agree to maintain a Christian organization, reflecting Christian morality, principles and love; to honor and glorify our Lord Jesus Christ; and to be a light to the world. We agree that all group activities will be in keeping with Christian beliefs and standards of conduct.
v     We believe each parent is responsible to the Lord for the raising and educating of their own children and each parent stands accountable to the Lord for the course that is charted and the course that is followed. We respect the different methods of education employed by each family.
v     We respect the privacy of our home schooling families and agree not to compromise that privacy. We will not release any information contained in the HOPE membership list to any entity outside of HOPE.
v     We understand that any information shared in this support group is not given as legal advice and does not take the place of legal counsel from an attorney.
v     We agree to maintain discipline of our own children while involved in any group activity, outing, or field trip. We understand that neither HOPE nor it’s members are liable for any injuries during HOPE sponsored events.
Welcome to HOPE
            This packet of materials has been assembled to help familiarize you with HOPE. and home schooling in general. The mission of HOPE is to provide information, inspiration and support to area home educating families. This is done through support meetings, a monthly newsletter and a variety of activities.  If you are new to homeschooling, we can help you with such things as complying with Iowa regulations, selecting curriculum materials, and finding out about extracurricular activities and field trips. If you are an experienced homeschooler and are looking for a source of support or extracurricular activities to broaden your children’s academic experience, we can certainly help you too!ÂSupport Group Meetings
 HOPE typically meets on the first Friday of each month (August through May). Occasionally there are some evening meetings scheduled to provide the opportunity for both parents to participate with the group. Morning meetings are held from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. with check-in starting at 9:00 a.m. We meet in Council Bluffs at the Salem United Methodist Church, 14955 Somerset Avenue (across the street from Risen Son Christian Village). Generally, children’s activities/classes are planned according to age/grade appropriate divisions. Occasionally a group activity is planned for all ages. Teen classes may not always be held as the teens might be utilized as facilitators/mentors in the younger grades. Children may remain with the parent(s) as long as they are quiet and not disruptive. A volunteer-staffed nursery is available upon request (contact Chairperson) for infants and toddlers. Volunteers are essential in helping with the nursery and children’s classes. Parents will be asked to sign up to help as needed.  All homeschoolers are encouraged to attend the HOPE meetings. With the exception of our newsletter and email loop, this may be your only opportunity to hear about upcoming events and sign up for activities. This is also an opportunity to get to know other homeschooling families. This is your group, and ideas for meeting topics and information for discussion are welcomed from everyone. Give your ideas to one of the HOPE Core members. We encourage you to share any problems you might have regarding legislation or any information about legislation affecting homeschoolers. We can all benefit by sharing our knowledge and experiences. However, any feedback given in this support group is not given as legal advice and does not take the place of legal counsel from an attorney.  We are a non-denominational Christian group and must be sensitive to each other’s faith and practices. We realize that many of us have strong convictions over such issues as abortion, pornography, etc. and feel the need to take a stand on such issues; however, the HOPE meetings are not for the purpose of providing an open forum to express such convictions or organize responses to these issues. ÂWeather
 If the Council Bluffs Public School System cancels classes because of inclement weather conditions, all HOPE activities will be cancelled as well. (Note possible exception: – The Rose Theater makes its determination based on the Omaha Public School system. If you have questions concerning play cancellations, you may contact the Rose Theater).ÂNew Homeschool Contact and Informational Packets
 We would like to encourage you and support you in your effort to educate your children. Each one of us has been a new homeschooler and we are keenly aware of the anxiety and questions you may have. Please let us be of service to you. If you have questions regarding how to file the Competent Private Instruction Form in Iowa, questions about curriculum, questions about multi-age teaching, what the support group has to offer, or anything else, please contact the HOPE New Homeschool Contact Coordinator.ÂThe HOPE Newsletter
 The purpose of our newsletter is to communicate the activities of the HOPE group and provide information that will educate and encourage homeschool support group families. Subscriptions are included with the yearly membership fee of $5. The newsletter is sent out by email; however, if a member chooses to receive it by USPS there is a $5 per year fee in addition to the yearly HOPE membership fee. You are welcome to submit articles and information for the newsletter. The deadline for submission is the 15th of the month. Articles should be directed to the HOPE Newsletter Editor.ÂField Trips
 We generally offer at least one field trip per month during the school year. Registration can be done by contacting the HOPE Field Trip Coordinator or by signing up at each monthly meeting.  Punctuality is vital for maintaining good public relations and “no-shows†reflect poorly on the entire group. Please plan to arrive at field trip destinations at least 15 minutes early. The Field Trip Coordinator accepts any ideas or suggestions for possible field trips. She/he also gladly accepts help planning these activities. If you have questions, want to get involved, or have field trip suggestions, contact the HOPE Field Trip Coordinator. Reminder: our field trips will be cancelled if Council Bluffs schools have a weather closure.ÂRose Theater We generally offer one performance per month that we can attend together as a group. Registration can be done by contacting the HOPE Rose Theater Coordinator or by signing up at each monthly meeting. Payment is due at time of sign-up. Unless otherwise instructed, all checks for activities should be made payable to HOPE. Payment envelopes are available so you may write one check for multiple functions: (i.e., field trip, Rose Theater, class fees). Contact the HOPE Rose Theater Coordinator if you have further questions. There are no refunds.  If you cannot find someone else interested in purchasing your tickets and attending in your place, rain checks are available through the Rose Theater. If you need to cancel, you will need to contact the Rose Theater prior to the event to make those arrangements. As a courtesy, also contact the HOPE Rose Theater Coordinator to let her/him know you are unable to attend.  Again, punctuality is vital for maintaining good public relations and “no-shows†reflect poorly on the entire group. Please plan to arrive early for the Rose Theater productions.  Reminder: the Rose Theater productions will be cancelled if Omaha Public Schools have a weather closure. NOTE: It is your responsibility to insure that your child behaves properly during the field trip/Rose Theater performance. Such behavior includes listening to and obeying instructions, respecting the facilities being visited, respecting the other adults and children present, and staying with the group. Parents must accompany their children unless another adult who is attending has agreed to accept responsibility for them.Â
Network of Iowa Christian Home Educators (NICHE) NICHE is a statewide, non-profit organization serving the needs of homeschoolers. They have an annual membership fee. You may contact them for more information at: NICHE, Box 158, Dexter, IA 50070, voicemail 1-800-723-0438, or email niche@homeschooliowa.org.   You may also visit their web site at www.homeschooliowa.org.
Home School Legal Defense Association (HSLDA) HSLDA is an organization of attorneys who are dedicated to the preservation of the rights of home schooling families. Should the need arise, they represent their members’ families in court at no additional cost other than their annual membership fee. They also keep updated on legislation, both at the state level and the national level, which affects homeschoolers. You may contact the HOPE New Homeschool Contact Coordinator for information about this organization and/or visit their website at: www.hslda.org. Â
Salem United Methodist Church
 Our meetings are currently held at Salem United Methodist Church, 14955 Somerset Avenue, Council Bluffs, Iowa. Absolutely no smoking or alcoholic beverages are allowed on church property (inside or outside). No children are to be wandering the building without adult supervision. We should leave the building as clean or cleaner than when we arrived!Â
HOPE Guiding Principles
 v     We agree to maintain a Christian organization, reflecting Christian morality, principles and love; to honor and glorify our Lord Jesus Christ; and to be a light to the world. We agree that all group activities will be in keeping with Christian beliefs and standards of conduct.v     We believe each parent is responsible to the Lord for the raising and educating of their own children and each parent stands accountable to the Lord for the course that is charted and the course that is followed. We respect the different methods of education employed by each family.
v     We respect the privacy of our home schooling families and agree not to compromise that privacy. We will not release any information contained in the HOPE membership list to any entity outside of HOPE.
v     We understand that any information shared in this support group is not given as legal advice and does not take the place of legal counsel from an attorney.
v     We agree to maintain discipline of our own children while involved in any group activity, outing, or field trip. We understand that neither HOPE nor it’s members are liable for any injuries during HOPE sponsored events.
