“Teach us to number our days so that we
may gain a heart of wisdom.”
Sovereign Grace
Academy
SovGRACE Academy.
This newsletter will serve as our Hand-
book for SGA. It will contain all the informa-
tion you need to get started - or continue -
with your enrollment at SGA: a Private School
Satellite Program.
1
In this newsletter, we want to help ac-
quaint you with the policies and practices of
the school. While we’re not doing any drastic
overhauls this year, we will be making a few
changes that we trust will serve and support
you as you teach your children at home.
We personally know the challenges of
being a wife and mother, managing your
various roles, caring for the household, being
a faithful church member and topping it all off
with home schooling - sometimes several chil-
dren at once!
Academic Year:
08-09
Our goal is to serve you, to help you So welcome to a brand new school year!
navigate through the questions, the ups and
downs and inevitable challenging times we all
face as homeschooling mothers.
So wether we are a newbie or a veteran,
Table of Contents
we all can use prayer, support, encourage-
ment, tips, resources and on-going training to Parent’s Welcome
help us keep our perspective--and sanity in the
midst of a very busy but wonderfully produc-
Classes 2
tive and God- glorifying life! Registration & Enrollment 3
The main theme for this year will be
Teacher Support - spiritual encouragement as Dates 4
well as practical tips for not just SURVIVING
the school year - but for embracing our call- Academy Schedule 5
ing, enjoying our children, managing our lives School Days Calendar 6
and school and THRIVING in this wonderful
task of teaching, training and discipling our Student Behavior 7
children for the glory of God!
“In the OT, the goal of education is a godly life, one that expresses the believer’s loving fear of
the Lord...Thus while teaching and learning involve the word coming from outside, that word is
sharply focused on the moral life. To learn is to attain wisdom, discipline, and insight and to
acquire prudence so that one does what is right and just and fair...Because learning is viewed
as shaping values, character, and lifestyle itself, the content must be processed in a life trans-
forming way. It is not enough to gain mental mastery of biblical information. The divine word
must be taken into the heart of the learner and expressed in his every choice and act...”
-Lawrence O. Richards
 Academy Day
Classes
Elementary Co-Op
This will be run like a regular co-op. If
your student is in a class, you will be required
to teach, assist, babysit - or participate in
some way. The classes offered will be based
on the number of volunteers to teach and
administrate each class.
Jr. High and High School
Classes:
Junior High and High School classes will
be run differently from the elementary co-op.
Some of these classes will charge a class fee
to cover the cost of materials and a teacher
stipend. These fees are not included in regu-
lar tuition charges and will be paid to Sover-
eign Grace Academy by each family partici-
pating. SGA will pay teachers and cover
materials with amount collected.
Classes offered will be based on the
group’s needs for specific subjects and finding
a suitable teacher as well as a meeting place.
Students are expected to attend all the
classes, participate in class discussion and
projects and complete all course work in or-
der to receive full credit for the class. Teach-
ers will provide grades at the end of the
semester.
Things to Note:
Teacher Meetings
These meetings are designed for your
benefit - for encouragement, prayer,
training, announcements, accountabil-
ity, communication, transmitting values
and vision, giving and receiving tips &
resources to help you navigate suc-
cessfully through the year.
One of the biggest challenges home
schooling mommies face: discourage-
ment. We’ve designed these Teacher
Meetings to be of great value and
benefit for you - to help you guard
against common pitfalls and to help
keep you encouraged all through the
year.
You need to be aware that being a
part of SGA includes committing to
attending these Teacher Meetings. We
have purposefully designed them to be
Other Classes: brief (90 minutes), relevant and bene-
All other classes: music, choir, P.E. vol- ficial.
leyball will be offered only if there are teach-
ers available and willing lead and organize We will be offering a variety of topics
them and enough students committed to par- this year and some fun activities as
ticipate. Please refer to the Co-op and Class well. Occasionally the topic won’t be
schedule on our blog. relevant to you specifically and we will
notify you that you are released from
Parent-Participation your commitment to attend. That’s a
great night to go out for coffee with
other SGA Moms and have fun!
Here is a list of ways that you can par-
ticipate in making the Academy a success.
Tips.
* Mark off every 1st Tuesday on your
Where can you serve?
calendar at the beginning of Sep-
tember, that way the meetings won’t
Student Records
come as a surprise as they occur
Office Helper
each month.
Wednesday Overseer
* Arrange for Daddy to care for the
Lunch Monitor
kids (and take them out to eat!)
Graduation and Promotion Night
* Fix a quick meal so you can be out
Senior Night Coordinator
the door by 6:45pm
Monthly Teacher Training
* Don’t wait until Tuesday at 4pm to
Achievement Program Coordinator
decide that you don’t feel like com-
Co-op Teacher
ing.
Babysitter for Teachers
* Using a schedule and planning
Jr. High and High School Teacher
ahead will help make your life eas-
Park Day Point Person
ier!
SAT Test Administrator
Accountability Partner
If you are unable to attend a monthly
Student/Teacher ID Cards
teacher meeting, you are required to
Field Trips
notify the office and arrange to get the
PE Classes
information/announcements/handouts
that you missed.


Benefits:

EDUCATION CODE REQUIREMENTS FOR PRIVATE 1. Private School Covering. We file

a private school affidavit with the
SCHOOLS: State of California
2. Record Keeping. We keep all
According to the California Education Code (Sections 48222m 48415 and state required records as indicated
33190) these are the requirements for private schools: under the Education Code Require-
ments for Private Schools as well
1.A private school affidavit must be submitted each school year (Oct.1-Oct.15) as
in order to legally exempt enrolled students from compulsory attendance at pub- student cumulative files.
lic schools. 3. Teacher Training. Monthly meet-
ings where you will receive training,
encouragement, and prayer de-
2. The instructors must be “capable of teaching.” There is no requirement for a signed to support you and help
teacher in a private school to be certified. keep you strong for the task.
4. Wednesday Academy Classes
3. The name and address of each teacher is to be kept on file, along with a re- and Co-Op. This year we are
cord of their educational qualifications. pleased to announce that classes
will be held all day and will include:
4. The instruction must be taught in English. Biology, Physical Science, General
Science, Choir, Elementary Sci-
5. Instruction must include the “several branches of study required to be ence Co-op, Jr and Sr. High Writ-
taught in public schools.” ing, Spanish, PE, Volleyball, Art,
Year Book Club, Violin and Guitar .
TUIT
5. Accountability & Structure
The several branches of study are: In order to help keep you on track
Grades 1-6: and
English, Math, Social Science, Science, Fine Arts, Health meeting the educational goals you
and Physical Education set
Grades 7-12: for your children, we will provide
All of the above, Foreign Language, Applied Arts, Vocational Training private monthly accountability
and Driver’s Education. check-ups.
6. Curriculum Counseling
6. The Courses of Study offered by the school shall be kept on file. 7. Park Days
8. Field Trips
7. The attendance records of each enrolled student must be kept in a register
indicating every absence of a half day or more. [SGA asks that you comply with 9. Homeschooling Resources
the recommended 175 days] 10. SAT Testing
11. Use of SGA Office Supplies &
8. California state law requires all private schools in California for children six
years and older to keep two health records on file and to complete a health re- Copier
port, all of which are operated through the county health department: 12. Rent-free facilities for classes &
a. California State Immunization Record (PM286) meetings
b. Report of HEalth Examination for School Entry (PM171B)
13. Achievement Recognition Pro-
gram

For more information, please refer to: 14. Graduation and Promotion
http://www.hslda.org/laws/default.asp?State=CA 15. Pastoral Oversight
16. School and Teacher ID Cards
17. Member Only School Blog
18. Scholastic and Book-It Clubs
19. Sports - Volleyball, Wrestling,
Tennis, President’s Fitness
20. Geography and Spelling Bees
21. School Administrator to over-
see the Academy.

Registration and En-
rollment Process:
Requirements, Forms and Re-
cords Needed
Sovereign Grace Academy:
a Private School Satellite Pro-
gram.
Statement of Purpose:
We recognize that it is a God-given
responsibility for parents to provide for their
children’s education and to raise them in the
fear of the Lord. We recognize that parents
may choose different ways to accomplish
these goals: private school, parochial school,
public school, correspondence school or
homeschool. Parents are free to decide the
best course of action for their individual fam-
ily.
One way Sovereign Grace Church sup-
ports families in this responsibility is offering
a Private School Satellite Program designed
to assist parents by providing:
1. Compliance with California Education
Code Requirements for Private Schools
2. Accountability and Structure
3. Support and Encouragement
4. Parent-Teacher Training
Each year, we file a Private School Affi-
davit with the State of California. Anyone
listed on our enrollment is exempt from com-
pulsory attendance at the public schools. We
fulfill all the state requirements for private
schools which include official record keeping
and student cumulative files.
Must be a member of Sov Cal School Immunization Teacher’s Contract
Grace Church Record & Health Exam
Application/Registration Course of Study Teacher Qualification
HSLDA- Member Proof Authorization of Transfer Progress Reports
of School Records
Copy of Birth Certificate Attendance Records Report Cards
QUOTES:
Registration and Tuition
Registration: $50 - per family
The Secret to Successful
Home Schooling
Tuition: $25 - one student
$35 - two students
$45 - three or more
“The duties God requires of us
Tuition fees are due the first Tuesday of
each month: September through June (10 are not in proportion to the
months). You may pay at the Parent Teacher
Meetings or mail your checks to the church strength we possess in ourselves.
office. All checks must be processed at the
office; please do not hand your tuition in on Rather, they are proportional to
Sunday mornings as we will not be able to
accept it. the resources available to us in
There will be a $5 late charge for tuition
Christ. We do not have the ability in
received after the deadline.
ourselves to accomplish the least of
God’s tasks. This is a law of grace.
Director’s Hours
I will be in the office every Wednesday When we recognize it is impossible
from 8a-5p and will be available for phone
calls, appointments, etc. between the hours of for us to perform a duty in our own
1-5p.
strength, we will discover the secret
SGA Phone: 398-2418
of its accomplishment. But alas,
SGA Email: this is a secret we often fail to dis-
academy@sovgraepasadena.org
cover...”
Because all records, calendars, informa-
tion and everything having to do with SGA is John Owen, Transforming Grace
at the office, please don’t call me at home
regarding school stuff.


Dates: september october november

Please keep these dates handy

as you plan out the school
2- Parent Orientation 7 - Tues. 4 - Tues.
year.
3- Student Orientation Teacher Meeting Teacher Meeting

Teacher Meetings
Remember that Teacher Meet-
ings are a part of your respon- WED. WED. WED.
sibility and commitment as a
member of the school. You will
have the entire year’s calen-
CLASSES CLASSES CLASSES
dar to plan ahead for schedul-
ing and making arrangements 1 5
for husbands to care for the
children on these nights.
10
8 12
Academy Days, Field 17
Trips, Special Classes and Park
15 19
Days are all optional. Teacher
Meetings and Accountability
24
are not.
22 no classes
Park Days: TBA
29
Bring a lunch. There’s a play
ground, beautiful garden land-
scaping, trees to play hide and
seek in, a track for roller-
blading and bike riding; lots of
space for kids to run and
lovely shade for moms to sit in.

lunches, books, bags, purses, etc. are allowed

Academy Day: Wednesdays
Here are some things that you need to
know in order to make our Academy Days run
smoother. stage or play with the instruments, sound
POLICIES:
No children are allowed unaccompanied
in the church office or the SGA office.
Children are not allowed to run rampant
in the hallways or on the grounds in between
classes. And should not be on the lower floor
as this is designated office space.
We are not able to babysit your child in
between classes. You must appoint a respon-
sible adult to oversee your child if you are
not there personally.
in the foyer, hallways, bathrooms...etc.
Children are not allowed to be on the
equipment or be in the auditorium unless in a
class with an adult.
Children are not allowed to use the
kitchen or the coffee house or the nursery
with out adult supervision.
There will be one point person to handle PLEASE NOTE:
all questions, requests for keys or supplies,
etc.- on Wednesdays. All school business will be conducted
Children are expected to behave in a at the Tuesday’s Teacher Meetings or
respectful and obedient manner and to re-
spond properly to adult input and instruction. on Wednesdays during office hours.

Personal belongings are to be stored in Tami’s e-mail for school business:

the cubicles we provide for students. No Please refer to Student Code of Conduct.
academy@sovgracepasadena.org


Academy Day Class Schedule

Time Jr/Sr. High 4 - 6 Grade K-3

8:20 - 8:50 Memory Class Memory Class

n9“Some of you are called

- 10:20 to some extraordinary
Biology/Physical
General Science
Science / duty and do (2-5)
Spanish not feel
strong enough. Follow that call, for surely the Lord is in that place. He
will help you.” - Spurgeon
10:30-11:50 Spanish (6-9) Science Co-Op Science Co-op

“Parents, do you wish to see your children happy? Take care then,
12 train them toLunch
- 12:30
that you obey when they are spoken to -Lunch
to do as they are Lunch
bid...Teach them to obey while they are young, or else they will be fret-
ting against God all their lives long, and wear themselves out with the
12:40 - 1:50 Writing/ Study Hall/ PE - Recess Choir (K-4)
vain idea of being independent of His control.” - J. C. Ryle
Tennis

2 - 3:20 Writing/ Study Hall Choir (4-12) Art

3:30 - 4:30 Year Book Art (4-9) Recess

PLEASE NOTE:

Because the school is getting larger, and we are at the limit as to how many students we can accommodate, only enrolled members of SGA
may participate in the Academy Day Classes and Co-Op.

“QUOTES”

“Some of you are called to some extraordinary duty and do not feel strong enough. Follow that call, for
surely the Lord is in that place. He will help you.” - Spurgeon

“Parents, do you wish to see your children happy? Take care then, that you train them to obey when
they are spoken to - to do as they are bid...Teach them to obey while they are young, or else they will be
fretting against God all their lives long, and wear themselves out with the vain idea of being independent of
His control.” - J. C. Ryle
 School Days Calendar

1st Qtr 2nd Qtr 3rd Qtr 4th Qtr

Sept. 2-5 Nov 3-7 Jan 19-23 Mar 30 - Apr 3

Sept. 8-12 Nov 10-14 Jan 26-30 Apr 6-10

Sept. 15-19 Nov 17-21 Feb 2-6 Apr 13-17

Sept. 22-26 Nov 24-26 Feb 9-13 Apr 20 -24

Sept 29 - Oct 3 Dec 1-5 Feb 16-20 Apr 27 - May 1

Oct 6-10 Dec 8-12 Feb 23 - 27 May 4-8

Oct 13-17 Dec 15-19 Mar 2-6 May 11-15

Oct 20-24 Jan 5-9 Mar 9-13 May 18-22

Oct 27-31 Jan 12-16 Mar 16-20 May 25 - 29

Here is one sample of a school calendar: 4 quarters, 9 weeks each, 178 days total. You could take 3
additional days off to meet the 175 days goal of days schooled.

Suggested School Breaks

Thanksgiving Break: Nov 27 & 28

Christmas Break: Dec 22 - 26

Dec 29 - Jan 2

Spring Break: Mar 23 - 27

Academy Days falling on any of the above dates during breaks will not be in session unless communicated
otherwise. Please check the school blog for confirmation of specific dates for your class.


STUDENT CODE OF CONDUCT:

Honor the Gospel with our lives...

Honesty, Respect, Responsibility, Guarding, Protecting,

Humility, Gratitude, Honor, Submission, Obedience, Purity, Modesty

Everything God requires of us is summed up in the verse:

Love God with your whole heart and love your 9. I will conduct myself at all of the off campus ac-
neighbor as yourself. tivities as if I were on the campus of the school.

Here are a few categories of student-behavior that we
would like to work on with our children - espe-
cially as it relates to our Wednesday Academy
Days- as they interact with one another, with
teachers, other adults and church/school prop-
erty.
10. I will not engage in tale bearing (gossip or
tattling). I will be responsible to report the mis-
conduct of my peers for their protection as well as
for the honor of the school. I acknowledge that
by my silence I become a partaker (partner) with
them in their misconduct.

11. I will be careful to conform to the Biblical standard

1. I will be truthful in all of my affairs. for godliness in all that I do and will honestly con-
fess my guilt in any infraction.
2. I will esteem the gospel and all those who em-
brace it. I will bring no reproach against the gos-
pel or against those who embrace it. 12. I will dress in an appropriate and modest way for all
school activities - on and off campus.
3. I will be careful with and protect my fellow
students. I will strive to be a positive and en-
couraging influence on all my peers. Thus I will
not shame my fellow students through ridicule or
name calling. I will give special consideration to ACADEMY ASSEMBLY
those weaker than I and especially strive to en-
courage them. We will be holding an Academy Assembly for all students
in SGA on:
4. I will not use profanity.

5. I will not engage in public displays of affection Wednesday, Sept. 3 @ 1 PM.

between the sexes such as hand-holding, kissing,
etc.
6. I will honor and quickly submit to all those who
are in authority over me and do all I can to make
their responsibility a joy and not a burden. I will
respectfully address them as Mr. or Mrs. or Miss.
7. I will treat the school facility and grounds in a
manner that is reflective of gratitude and respect.
This means I will keep them clean and orderly
and take responsibility to put away what I have
used and clean what I have messed up.
Every student enrolled is required to attend this meeting
and sign the Student Code.
This will serve as an orientation and instructional time to
make sure that they all hear and understand the
changes and policies and the expectations that
we have for their conduct.
We understand that some of the High School Students
have work and college schedules that need to be
considered. Please call the church office if you
cannot make this meeting.

8. I will treat any facility that I am using (homes in

which classes are held) in the name of Sovereign
Grace Academy- with the same attitude that I
have at the school facility.
Sovereign Grace

Academy
SOVEREIGN GRACE ACADEMY

1530 ELIZABETH ST.

PASADENA, CA 91104
626.398.2418