Arnold Region Christian Home Educators

                            

 

 


The Following are commonly asked questions regarding A.R.C.H.E.

WHO IS A.R.C.H.E.?

Arnold Region Christian Home Educators is an association which has been formed by and for Christian home educators in the Arnold region and surrounding areas.  Each member family has chosen their own curriculum and methods for teaching their own children. We come together to participate in activities, events and fellowships to encourage one another.

WHO DOES ALL THE WORK FOR A.R.C.H.E.?

Volunteers! A.R.C.H.E. has a panel of board member and member coordinator volunteers. These individuals donate their time and energy to make A.R.C.H.E. the success that it is. However, each would tell you that it would be impossible for A.R.C.H.E. to operate effectively without the assistance and participation of all members, some of whom volunteer for craft days, sponsor field trips and help at monthly meetings with set up and clean up.  We encourage all of our members to get involved and participate in some manner.

CAN NON-MEMBERS ATTEND MEETINGS?

Sure! Our meetings are open to all homeschooling families and offer information, activities and speakers in order to help support our families in a variety of ways.  Coming to meetings is a wonderful way to connect and fellowship with other homeschooling families.

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF A.R.C.H.E. MEMBERSHIP?

A.R.C.H.E. offers many great benefits to its members.  They include Workshop classes for supplemental education offered in both the fall and the spring semesters, reading incentive programs, book clubs, field trips, programs such as Moms' Night Out, Girls' Night Out, and Boys' Night Out, family fellowships, etc. 

Access to our newsletter, The A.R.C.H.E. Chronicle, is another benefit of membership. This monumental information provider keeps our members abreast of all our activities & meetings so you don't miss a thing.  It also contains uplifting articles, recipes, information from several other area homeschool support groups, legislative information, devotions, riddles and poems.  Many of these submissions are from our members and include items submitted by our children.

Other benefits:

*Members may participate in our special events including: Craft days, annual Project Fair, Kindergarten Graduation & Recognition Ceremony, and 8th and 12th Grade Graduations.
*Members in need may receive "Helping Hands," a ministry that supports members in difficult times by making and delivering meals.
*Members may submit a family page for the A.R.C.H.E. yearbook.
*Members may choose to be added to the A.R.C.H.E. Directory which allows us to stay in contact with other members.               
*Members may choose to be added to the LAN (Legislative Action Network) phone tree that alerts us to action that is needed in the local, state, and federal government areas of homeschooling and/or the family.
*Members are offered an annual Retreat just for moms.                                                                                 

WHAT IS THE COST OF MEMBERSHIP?

The membership fee to join ARCHE is $50 per year, which now combines the fees for ARCHE and ARCHE Workshops.  This fee covers the cost of building and equipment usage, mailings, printing, and all expenses incurred for meetings such as paper products, speakers, etc. A.R.C.H.E. is a non-profit organization.

WHAT ARE WORKSHOPS?

Workshops is a program designed to offer homeschoolers a variety of extra curricular classes, with the purpose of enriching student and family educational goals.  Classes change each semester, and may include Driver's Ed, Physics, Nursery Rhymes, Oil Painting, PE, Missouri State History, the Study of Chocolate, Sign Language and many, many more. Some classes are specifically academic and others are for pure fun and enjoyment.

Workshops are comprised of 11-week semesters with classes held on Thursdays in both the fall and spring.  There are separate registration times and classes for each semester.  These classes are taught by Christian individuals who are willing to share their knowledge with our children.  These include teachers, parents, and grandparents; some who have homeschooled and some who have not.

HOW LONG DOES A.R.C.H.E. MEMBERSHIP LAST?

 The official calendar year for ARCHE activities and events will run from Sept. 1st to August 31st.  Applications are taken throughout August and September and will also be accepted throughout the school year with a pro-rated fee not beginning until April.  Please note that late applicants will miss many sign-ups, book clubs, and field trips that are scheduled early on.  A membership fee is required with each application.  Existing members may submit a renewal fee to retain their membership.

WHERE DO MEETINGS AND WORKSHOPS TAKE PLACE?

Both meetings and workshops are held at First Baptist Church of Arnold. Classes are held in the Davidson Family Life Center. Click for directions.

        
AS A NEW HOMESCHOOLER, WHERE DO I START?

Start by coming to the next A.R.C.H.E. meeting at First Baptist Church of Arnold.  We'll do our best to answer all of your questions, and if we can't we'll try to put you in contact with someone who can.  For meeting topics, dates, times, check out the "Home" page.

 HOW DO I JOIN?
   
First, download the A.R.C.H.E. constitution, complete the application, sign and return it with your check to the address listed on the form. Then, get involved! 

       

Choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve…as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD.                                                                                                                            Joshua 24:15 NIV