Group Information and Policies
OCHEA is a support group for home schooling families in the Orangeburg area. We are not an accountability group! Our members vary in experience from new to veteran and teach children of all grade levels using their own choice of curricula and scheduling. While many different Christian denominations are within this group, our focus remains the same--working together to do what is best for our children.
Our group has two yearly planning meetings at which we schedule opportunities for our children to learn and grow together. Members are expected to attend both of these meetings. We send out monthly e-mail reminders which inform members of upcoming events and topics of interest. We have a Yahoo internet group where we can e-mail messages and reminders to members. We also offer standardized testing by certified testers once per year for our active members.
Without member involvement, our group cannot remain productive. Our group is only as good as we make it. Therefore, those families who year after year do not host or help with at least one OCHEA activity and participate in OCHEA-sponsored activities may forfeit the privilege of testing and/or may be denied renewal of membership. Exception: first year members are not required to host or help with any events. Listed next are the activities offered by our group followed by committees. Please prayerfully consider how you can contribute this year.
Activities offered by OCHEA
Social Studies/History Night-Students will present what they have learned in the areas of Social Studies, Geography, International or American History. Students may bring display boards, recite essays, perform, bring native foods, etc.
Spelling Bee- Students will compete on their grade/age levels to earn the title of Best Speller.
Science Night- Students will present a science project or report of his/her choice.
Family Talent Night- An evening of fun for the entire family. Students and parents are encouraged to come out and show off their talent. (combined with graduation)
Mom’s Night Out- A couple of nights a year set aside for the mothers of our group to get together for down time, fun time, or just to eat and chat.
Holiday Parties- Our children and teens celebrate holidays with a party hosted by a volunteering member(s). It can be held at the member’s home, church, or wherever the host decides. The host is asked to plan a craft or activity, games and serve light refreshments. Usually these are a Back to School Party, Thanksgiving, Christmas, Valentine’s
Day, Easter, and End of the Year party.
Graduation- A commencement ceremony for graduating seniors and to recognize our 8th graders and kindergarteners.
Co-op -Co-op participation is optional to our members. However, you must be a member of OCHEA to attend co-op. There is a mandatory annual orientation meeting held each August. It is the parent's responsibilty to send a representative to the meeting if unable to attend.
Various field trips-These will be planned at our meetings.
~Please note that OCHEA collects box tops. Please save your box tops and bring them to meetings or see Barbara Smith. Thank You!
Committees
Listed below are volunteer committees that need your help. Each position is for one school term. These committees may meet in addition to the regular planning meetings.
Yearbook- on this committee, you will be responsible for helping organize OCHEA’s annual yearbook. You may be asked to submit photos, layout pages, help sell ads, etc. High school aged students are encouraged to volunteer for this committee as well.
Graduation-committee members meet and help plan all of the following for our graduation ceremony- meeting dates, securing a convenient location, printing programs, setup, and serving refreshments, clean up and any other areas which help alleviate some of the responsibilities of the parent of graduates. Parents of graduates as well as OCHEA board members make up this committee.
Promotional- As a member of this committee you will be responsible for any group advertising and /or newsworthy correspondence such as writing an article for the newspaper and/or submitting pictures.
OCHEA is a support group for home schooling families in the Orangeburg area. We are not an accountability group! Our members vary in experience from new to veteran and teach children of all grade levels using their own choice of curricula and scheduling. While many different Christian denominations are within this group, our focus remains the same--working together to do what is best for our children.
Our group has two yearly planning meetings at which we schedule opportunities for our children to learn and grow together. Members are expected to attend both of these meetings. We send out monthly e-mail reminders which inform members of upcoming events and topics of interest. We have a Yahoo internet group where we can e-mail messages and reminders to members. We also offer standardized testing by certified testers once per year for our active members.
Without member involvement, our group cannot remain productive. Our group is only as good as we make it. Therefore, those families who year after year do not host or help with at least one OCHEA activity and participate in OCHEA-sponsored activities may forfeit the privilege of testing and/or may be denied renewal of membership. Exception: first year members are not required to host or help with any events. Listed next are the activities offered by our group followed by committees. Please prayerfully consider how you can contribute this year.
Activities offered by OCHEA
Social Studies/History Night-Students will present what they have learned in the areas of Social Studies, Geography, International or American History. Students may bring display boards, recite essays, perform, bring native foods, etc.
Spelling Bee- Students will compete on their grade/age levels to earn the title of Best Speller.
Science Night- Students will present a science project or report of his/her choice.
Family Talent Night- An evening of fun for the entire family. Students and parents are encouraged to come out and show off their talent. (combined with graduation)
Mom’s Night Out- A couple of nights a year set aside for the mothers of our group to get together for down time, fun time, or just to eat and chat.
Holiday Parties- Our children and teens celebrate holidays with a party hosted by a volunteering member(s). It can be held at the member’s home, church, or wherever the host decides. The host is asked to plan a craft or activity, games and serve light refreshments. Usually these are a Back to School Party, Thanksgiving, Christmas, Valentine’s
Day, Easter, and End of the Year party.
Graduation- A commencement ceremony for graduating seniors and to recognize our 8th graders and kindergarteners.
Co-op -Co-op participation is optional to our members. However, you must be a member of OCHEA to attend co-op. There is a mandatory annual orientation meeting held each August. It is the parent's responsibilty to send a representative to the meeting if unable to attend.
Various field trips-These will be planned at our meetings.
~Please note that OCHEA collects box tops. Please save your box tops and bring them to meetings or see Barbara Smith. Thank You!
Committees
Listed below are volunteer committees that need your help. Each position is for one school term. These committees may meet in addition to the regular planning meetings.
Yearbook- on this committee, you will be responsible for helping organize OCHEA’s annual yearbook. You may be asked to submit photos, layout pages, help sell ads, etc. High school aged students are encouraged to volunteer for this committee as well.
Graduation-committee members meet and help plan all of the following for our graduation ceremony- meeting dates, securing a convenient location, printing programs, setup, and serving refreshments, clean up and any other areas which help alleviate some of the responsibilities of the parent of graduates. Parents of graduates as well as OCHEA board members make up this committee.
Promotional- As a member of this committee you will be responsible for any group advertising and /or newsworthy correspondence such as writing an article for the newspaper and/or submitting pictures.
OCHEA Leadership
Our Board is elected for two year terms. Board members offer advice and provide information to members and prospective members, lead planning meetings, handle fundraisers and monies, provide an internet support loop, help plan graduation and lead the various aspects of the group. The officers for the 2021-202 term are as follows:
Heather Chavis
Michelle English
Leslie Harwell
Our Board is elected for two year terms. Board members offer advice and provide information to members and prospective members, lead planning meetings, handle fundraisers and monies, provide an internet support loop, help plan graduation and lead the various aspects of the group. The officers for the 2021-202 term are as follows:
Heather Chavis
Michelle English
Leslie Harwell