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Student's "Job Description"
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(As student's take classes in the HomeLink Program, they are "working" on
their courses. Their "job" is to do the best they can to glean the most
they can from the courses offered. This "Job Description" helps to define
the relationship between the student and HomeLink.)
STUDENT'S ROLE
PART 1 -- Courses and Advisors
The Student and the Parent will review the course offerings, course
descriptions, and course advisors for possible classes for his or her son or
daughter. Questions about courses, advisors, or curriculum can be addressed
to the advisor or to the director.
Each advisor has developed, printed, and can make available (to registered
Parents) the weekly assignment sheets for each of the courses he or she
teaches. These lesson plans are valuable tools, and as such are NOT made
available to families who are NOT registered in the HomeLink Program. We
ask that our registered HomeLink students keep these materials confidential
and not distribute these lesson plans to others outside of the Program.
One special feature of the HLP is the "Electives". Electives are generally
short-term classes focused in a specialty area (such as horsemanship,
forensics, Mount St. Helens, hurricanes, etc.).
Electives are usually available during three periods:
Several weeks before these sessions, newsletters are mailed announcing the
elective classes. These short-term specialties may be especially inviting
for HLP student¹s friends who are not otherwise registered with the Program.
All are invited.
PART 2 -- Students and HomeLink Staff
Students may seek occasional counsel, and direction from the HomeLink staff
concerning their studies. HomeLink has a special option available called
"Independent Study" which can assist families and students on a one-on-one
basis. The Independent Study option can be used for 2 or 3 sessions, or as
long as it is needed. Any student who believes he could benefit from the
Independent Study option is encouraged to speak to his or her parent first,
then to the HomeLink advisor.
To the best of his or her ability, each advisor will maintain a good working
relationship with the students and with the Parents. One of the advisor's
jobs is to maintain beneficial communication with Parents concerning each
student's achievement, performance, and classroom conduct. If at any time
it appears that this is not being accomplished, the Student is encouraged to
bring the issue to his or her parent. The parent may then decide to meet
with the advisor, and if necessary to bring the matter to the director.
Each advisor will provide the Parent with a direct access email address and
the HomeLink office phone number. This is necessary to facilitate healthy,
on-going communication from the Parents to the advisor. Phone messages left
at the HomeLink office will be relayed to the advisor, who in turn will
reply to the Parent. It is the policy of the HomeLink Program that the
Advisor is NOT to give out his or her private phone number to Parents or
students.
The HomeLink Program emphasizes and reinforces that Parents are the primary
decision-makers for their students' education, even in the courses their
students may take through HomeLink.
PART 3 -- Parents and Other Support
Students and Parents are encouraged to use other support groups in the area
to enhance their homeschool experience. While HLP provides some specific
services to Parents, there are many other resources available. HLP Students
and Parents are encouraged to be part of these other groups. The HLP
director can provide the contact information to help Students and Parents
find these other support services.
From time to time, Students in the HomeLink Program may be asked to provide
narratives, articles, anecdotes, testimonials, or other information for the
HomeLink Program web site. This is strictly voluntary, but is appreciated.
PART 4 -- Students and Program Management
HomeLink is not a school. But any time we gather a group of students
together, we need some guidelines to outline the expectations and
responsibilities of the group. Here is some information we think you will
need to function in the HomeLink Program.
A.
HLP academic policies include the following:
The academic calendar is divided into four quarters. The specific dates for
each quarter will be available when the course offerings are announced.
A written grade report will be issued following the completion of each
quarter for grades 6 through 12. The grading scale is a numeric scale as
follows:
93 - 100 = A
90 - 92 = A-
87 - 89 = B+
83 - 86 = B
80 - 82 = B-
77 - 79 = C+
73 - 76 = C
70 - 72 = C-
67 - 69 = D+
63 - 66 = D
60 - 62 = D-
Below 60 = F
Due dates are important to your grade. All work is due one week from the
date assigned, unless otherwise stated. Check the assignment sheet for
information on due dates for specific subjects. Work must be completed
before the student begins class. Work that is late will receive an
automatic deduction of 10 points -- REPEAT -- work that is late will
receive an automatic deduction of 10 points!
B.
Academic Probation
HomeLink policy states that if a student earns an "incomplete" or a grade
below 61% in one or more subjects for any quarterly grading report, the
student will enter academic probation for the following quarter. Close
Parental monitoring and/or adjustments will be necessary to help the student
improve that grade. Improvement of a grade during the next period will
remove the probation status. Students who receive "incomplete" on the
report are expected to make up the missing assignments before they are
allowed to pass on to the next grade.
C.
Arrivals and Departures to/from Class
There is no supervision for students outside of the classroom. Please make
every responsible effort to arrive at class safely. Arrange with Parents
for pick up promptly after class. Parents are asked to call the HomeLink
office if there will be a delay in picking up their student.
D.
Absences
Since classes meet so briefly, each class period is important. If illness
or unforeseen circumstances prevents a student from attending class, he or
she is encouraged to contact the advisor to arrange for the lessons missed.
HomeLink understands that planned absences for the student are sometimes
necessary. In such cases, we encourage students and parents to arrange for
lessons ahead of time.
E.
Discipline
From time to time, some Students exhibit disruptive behavior. If disruptive
behavior persists or becomes immediately destructive to the class, the
HomeLink advisor or the director will request that the Parent sit through
the next class session with the Student. If, in the opinion of the advisor,
a student's behavior is so disruptive as to cause harm to the goals of the
class, the advisor will notify the director with the necessary details. The
director will then take the necessary steps to remedy the problem.
F.
Dress Code
Students are expected to dress and groom themselves modestly, as to not
attract undue attention to themselves. It is preferred that sleeveless
tops, low necklines, bare midriffs, or skimpy clothing be avoided in class.
Such clothing can be distracting to others and should be avoided. Lettered
shirts with slogans or other symbols should be tasteful and contain no
profanity or suggestive language or artwork. Classes are short and all
need to focus attention on the subject at hand.
CLOSING THOUGHT
In a classroom, there is an important difference between "teaching" and
"learning". There is an old "tongue-and-cheek" among teachers that goes
like this.
"Teaching" is what the relatively old people do in front of the relatively
young people. "Learning" is what the young people do in spite of the old
people!
The point here is real -- learning is not the same as teaching. Learning is
far more important. The true goal of teaching is to assist your learning.
HomeLink's classes are designed to enhance your learning. We strive to
prod, to probe, and to motivate you to learn.