Introduction

Learning Together is a homeschool ministry of Calvary Fellowship Church. Each family involved in Learning Together is actively homeschooling at least one child in grades kindergarten through sixth grade. There are two important facets of Learning Together: the monthly Moms Meetings and Learning Together Days.

The Moms Meeting is the heart of Learning Together. This unique feature gives us the opportunity to meet together, without our children, to fellowship, study Scripture and pray, discuss homeschool issues, share ideas, and get to know one another. It is a time to build Biblical community. Currently we are meeting on the second Monday of each month at Calvary Fellowship Church. A general outline of our meetings is as follows:

7:00pm-7:30pm Socializing and munching

7:30pm-8:00pm Devotions and prayer

8:00pm-8:30pm Learning Together business

8:30pm-9:15pm Discussion of homeschool topics

9:15pm-10:00pm More socializing (CFC closes at 10 PM)

We meet with our children approximately every other week to provide them with educational and social experiences that they could not receive at home. The group allows for our children to develop relationships with other children in their peer group while incorporating worship, community and equipping. Our day is divided into three segments:

9:00 – 9:15 Arrival and settling in

9:15 – 9:30 Opening

9:30 – 10:30 Classes

10:30 – 11:00 Recess

11:00 – 12:00 Clubs

The children are divided into groups by grades. Each class pursues age appropriate, academic activities. The mothers of the children decide what topics will be pursued.

The children have an opportunity to play with each other in the gym. They may also have a snack. Note: CFC is a peanut-free environment. Only snacks that do not contain peanuts or peanut-products are permitted.

Clubs

The children are divided into groups by gender and age to pursue areas of interest during a 5-session club*. Each child will be involved in three clubs during the course of the school year. The mothers of the children decide what topics will be pursued. * Co-ed or multi-aged clubs may be offered based on the interest of members.

Responsibilities

Members of Learning Together are committed to meeting together regularly for moms meetings and Learning Together Days. Members are expected:

• To regularly attend moms meetings
• To actively participate in the planning process
• To actively participate in the learning experiences on Learning Together days
• To be actively homeschooling at least one child in kindergarten through sixth grade

• To pay membership fees. Currently the fee is $42 per year per child that participates. This covers costs for 2 classes, 3 clubs, special events and operational expenses.

The Leadership Team is constantly evaluating the size of Learning Together. Since the heart of Learning Together is the Moms Meeting, we want to be careful that the size is comfortable for good community. As openings occur, new members are welcome to join Learning Together prior to the fall semester. If someone is interested in joining Learning Together, she should contact the Shepherding Coordinator and will then be added to a waiting list for the following school year.

Due to the internal demand to join Learning Together, membership is limited to 1) those that currently attend Calvary Fellowship Church or 2) had previously attended CFC and are currently serving in a CFC ministry. Current attendees will be given first priority as openings become available.

We want to provide those who are considering joining Learning Together an opportunity to visit both a Learning Together Day and a typical Moms Meeting. Anyone interested in visiting Learning Together should contact the Shepherding Coordinator.

• Visiting Day will be the first Friday of April. Moms and their children will be invited to come to Learning Together to observe our activities. If possible, the children will join in the activities of the day. Sometimes this is not possible due to ongoing activities such as projects or plays. During the club hour, the moms will take a tour of Learning Together with the Ministry Leader. The Ministry Leader will share information with prospective new members and answer questions.
• Prospective new members are invited to the May Moms Meeting where they can observe a typical meeting. They may also attend the April Moms Meeting when we share curriculum.
• Prospective members are welcome to participate on field trips with Learning Together at any time during the year.

Prospective members must give a firm commitment to joining prior to May 15 th for the upcoming school year.

Note: Learning Together, as a group, is not affiliated with any national or local organization. The group participants are aware of the many educational opportunities available to Calvary Fellowship Church’s congregation. We appreciate that other church members may not feel led to home educate their children and respect their decision to send them to school.

The Leadership Team works together to make decisions for Learning Together. The Leadership Team solicits input from all members of Learning Together to make our homeschool group run as smoothly as possible and to meet the needs of our members.

• Oversees the activities and planning for Learning Together
• Facilitates the moms meetings by setting the agenda and leading the meetings
• Is the point of contact for those unable to attend LT Days
• Is the point of contact between LT and Calvary Fellowship Church

• Documents leadership team decisions
• Maintains Learning Together documents
• Sends leadership meeting minutes to team
• Collects the membership fee
• Reimburses members for expenses incurred
• Coordinates Special Events Committees
• Service Projects, Field Day, An Evening with Learning Together, annual parties
• Ensure committees are on schedule during planning phase and within budget

Shepherding Coordinator – Dawn Haines

• Makes sure women are feeling connected in the group by overseeing Social Coordinator and planning Mom’s night out activities
• Facilitates prayer groups for the monthly Mom’s meeting
• Oversees Mom devotional groups
• Is the point of contact for woman interested in joining LT
• Gathers information from new members (address, phone #’s, names/ages of children, etc.) and passes it on to the Business Coordinator
• Spends time getting to know potential new members that are not recommended by current LT members
• Coordinates meals for LT families as needed.