Important Statements & Policies



Who We Are

Heritage Home Educators (HHE) is a group of home educators in the Knoxville area devoted to supporting one another by encouraging and assisting member families in a variety of ways throughout the journey of homeschooling.

Some of the ways we provide support include regular field trips, communication through email, summer picnics, regular family nights, Mom’s Meetings, and a monthly Activity Day.

The Network of Iowa Christian Home Educators (NICHE) recognizes HHE as a local support group in our state. HHE is not affiliated with other educational groups, the local school district, or homeschool assistance programs.


Group Convictions

Heritage Home Educators holds the following convictions:

  • We welcome Christian families of all ethnic backgrounds.
  • We believe that heterosexual marriage is the only God-ordained model for sexual relationships.
  • We believe in the literal six-day creation of the world as recorded in the first chapters of Genesis.
  • We believe in the Biblical principles and procedures regarding reconciliation as described in Matthew 18 and 2 Corinthians 2.
  • Members are expected to adhere to the HHE Statement of Faith.

Membership & Program Fees

All applicable fees are due with registration by the registration deadline.

  • HHE Annual Membership: $25
  • Activity Day + HHE Membership: $75
  • HHE Graduation: $75
  • Late Registration Total: $100

Wellness Policy

It is important that Activity Day and all HHE events are conducted in a safe and responsible manner.

For the health of everyone in the group, please keep your child(ren) home if you observe any of the following:

  • Fever
  • Persistent crying or lethargy
  • Uncontrolled coughing
  • Diarrhea or vomiting
  • Contagious illnesses such as pink eye, scabies, head lice, impetigo, strep infection, whooping cough, or chicken pox

You and your children should be symptom-free for a minimum of 24 hours before attending an HHE event.

Public Display of Affection Policy Among Students

Public displays of affection are not recommended at HHE Activity Day, field trips, or other HHE-sanctioned events.

Severe Weather Policy

Activity Day will be canceled due to inclement weather if Knoxville Schools have a two-hour delay or are canceled.

Heritage Acting Troupe (HAT)

Heritage Acting Troupe (HAT) is a program offered by HHE for our high school students.

Because the number of high school students interested and able to participate in the play may fluctuate from year to year, the Drama Team may call upon junior high students to help fill roles based on the needs of the director and the script.

Activity Day participation is not required for the 2026–2027 school year in order to participate in the HAT production.

HAT fees are collected separately by the Drama Team:

  • HHE Member: $25
  • Non-Member: $40

HAT registration, participation guidelines, and fees will be announced at a later date.

Leadership Team

The HHE Leadership Team provides oversight, leadership, and direction for the group. The Leadership Team is also responsible for planning the structure and content of Activity Day.

Questions and concerns may be directed to the Leadership Team.

At the time of the annual planning meeting, Leadership Team members may express their desire to continue or discontinue serving for the following year.

Current Leadership Team

Darin and Alyssa Clark (515) 401-0528

Daniel and Tiara Fopma (641) 891-0307

Darrel and Jody Brown (641) 820-0006

Activity Day

Purpose

Activity Day is an opportunity for HHE parents to work together to provide information and instruction to their children in a cooperative group setting.

Signatures indicating agreement with the Activity Day Statement of Faith are required for Activity Day membership and participation, along with the annual membership fees.

Visitors are welcome to attend one Activity Day before committing to membership.

Vision & Goals

Activity Day is a Christian fellowship.

Therefore, we will seek to glorify God in all that we do and encourage one another in our walks with Christ.

Activity Day is an opportunity to serve one another in a Christlike manner.

Therefore:

  • Parents are expected to be actively involved in Activity Day. We function as a cooperative by sharing in instruction, nursery care, providing snacks when needed, and helping with cleanup.
  • Mothers with newborns are excused from taking lead teaching responsibilities for one year.
  • New participants must be active HHE members for one year before teaching a class.
  • Children are expected to be on their best behavior, listening and speaking respectfully to all Activity Day adults and to one another.
  • Parents are responsible for the discipline of their own children. Please see the Activity Day Classroom Discipline Policy below for more specific information.
  • Parents are expected to be present at Activity Day except in rare circumstances. When a parent is unable to attend with her children, she will assign responsibility for her children to another HHE parent for that day.
  • Activity Day parents and children are asked to leave the building in the condition in which it was found. This includes returning furniture to its proper place, cleaning up messes, and refraining from behavior that may be destructive or harmful to the building or its belongings, such as running inside or throwing rocks.

Activity Day is a time to learn and have fun.

Activities will be structured to provide useful or needed help in both academic and non-academic areas and to ensure that everyone present has an opportunity to participate.

Activity Day is a work in progress.

All participating parents are welcome to offer suggestions and comments to the Leadership Team.

Activity Day Classroom Discipline Policy

“He who obeys instructions guards his life...” — Proverbs 19:16

The intent of the Activity Day Classroom Discipline Policy is to maintain a respectful, God-honoring environment, ensure open and effective communication, and provide a positive learning experience for everyone.

Teacher Assistants are responsible for helping maintain classroom discipline so that Lead Teachers are free to teach without interruption.

Expected Behaviors

Students are expected to:

  • Follow directions the first time they are given. No arguing with an adult.
  • Show respect for the property and person of others. No touching; keep your hands to yourself.
  • Tell the truth.
  • Respectfully raise your hand and wait to be called on when you have a question or would like to say something.
  • Use kind words. No put-downs or teasing.
  • Refrain from swearing of any kind.

Basic Procedure for Activity Day Discipline

1. Talk to the student.

If a student is being disruptive, the Teacher Assistant will quietly approach the student and explain how the behavior needs to change.

Example: Whisper to Freddie, “Freddie, please stop talking.”

2. Move the student.

If the behavior continues, the Teacher Assistant will quietly move the student to a seat next to the Teacher Assistant.

3. Remove the student.

If the behavior continues, the Teacher Assistant will remove the student from class and take the child to his or her parent to discuss the situation one-on-one.

This is considered Level 1 of the Activity Day Classroom Discipline Policy, and a report will be filed.

All discipline concerns will be handled on Activity Day.

4. Continued disruptive behavior

If disruptive behavior continues, the subsequent levels of the Discipline Policy will be followed.

Three-Strike Discipline Procedure

Disciplinary actions will follow a three-strike approach, with a documented report for each incident.

These reports are used to maintain consistency in expectations and communication throughout all HHE activities.

The Leadership Team reserves the right to move immediately to Level 3 if the behavior is severe. The Leadership Team has the authority to make the final decision.

Strike 1

The first time a student is removed from class by the Teacher Assistant to discuss his or her behavior, an incident report will be completed and filed.

The Teacher Assistant and/or Lead Teacher will inform the child’s parent of the incident.

Strike 2

If another incident occurs, the student will again be informed of the infraction. A report will be filed and communicated as described under Strike 1.

At this time, the student will be suspended from all HHE activities, including field trips and Activity Day, until the parent(s) have discussed the situation with the Leadership Team.

Strike 3

The student will be informed of the infraction, and a report will be filed as with the previous strikes.

The student will then be suspended from all HHE activities for the remainder of the year.

Reimbursements will not be made for removals due to discipline.

Parents wishing to enroll a student for the following year after a removal must meet with the Leadership Team before enrollment will be allowed.

Activity Day Teachers

For the most part, Activity Day parents serve as Lead Teachers and Teacher Assistants.

Parents interested in teaching should express that interest to one of the Leadership Team members, should be regular attendees of Activity Day, and should spend one year serving as an assistant before taking responsibility for an Activity Day class.

In most cases, it is preferred that a prospective teacher present a specific idea for a class—such as geography, writing, logic, or another subject—to a Leadership Team member.

The Leadership Team will do its best to place each teacher in his or her desired role of service.

Activity Day Announcements & Communication Forum Policy

Please keep announcements and communication forum posts focused on HHE activities and concerns.

This helps ensure that the primary purposes of HHE are honored and that group communication remains focused on HHE-related information.