First we had a contest to choose the name of the school.  We had come up with several names (none of which was the final outcome) and put them up on a board.  Then we had a silent vote.  Everyone wrote their choice on a piece of paper and the papers were collected and tallied.  The Holy Family must have been very active in the room that day for, as we counted through the papers, we were overwhelmed with the fact that just about every paper had the name "Holy Family Academy" written on it.

Working on setting up the school was a difficult job.  Besides all the legal and business aspects, I had to make sure that we created all the necessary forms and that a parent handbook was created.  I got a lot of help from another ISP leader, who provided much of the handbook information for us to work with.  The final outcome was very satisfactory to all the families.

Non-Discrimination Statement
     Holy Family Academy admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs and activities generally accorded or made available to students in Holy Family Academy.  Holy Family Academy does not discriminate on basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin in administration of its education policies, admission policies, scholarship programs or other school administered programs.

Verification of School Attendance
     Verification of Holy Family Academy attendance is based on parents' keeping school records current with: timely registration, faculty qualifications on file, course of study on file, current progress reports and attendance records, and parents participation in the "faculty meetings".

Philosophy
     "Parents have a most grave duty and enjoy the primary right of educating to the very best of their ability, their children physically, socially, and culturally and morally and religiously as well."

School Administration
     The Administrators are sharing their services in response to God's calling and are first, spouses, parents and instructors of their children.  We, just like yourself, will be teaching our children at home and suffering the same joys, frustrations, interruptions, and problems as you do. Guidance, curriculum counseling and support for the Holy Family Academy members is offered willingly balancing our families needs and the needs of those in Holy Family Academy.

School Policies
Holy Family Academy

• Is a private school for Catholic families loyal to the Magisterium using independent study programs to educate their children within their home.
• Acknowledges parents/faculty as the primary educators of their children and confirms the uniqueness of each family and individual child/student.
• Guides and monitors its families' education programs under an Independent Study Program Agreement signed by the parents upon registration.
• Provides record keeping, curriculum counseling, resource information and support for families registered in Holy Family Academy, maintaining cumulative student records in a fire-proof file cabinet.  Request for past school records are done by the school as soon as possible after we receive your registration forms.
• Provides sample curriculum guidelines and typical Scope and Sequence of courses.
• Provides newsletters and field trips for Member families.
• Provides educational and social interaction opportunities for families, faculty and students.
• Operates under the provision and in accordance with California Education Code Sections 33190, 48222 and Adm. Code Chapter 15 P51745-517, filing a Private School Affidavit with Los Angeles County in October of each year.

Attendance
     Public schools in California are required by the Education Code to teach school for 175-180 days per year.  This is not required of private schools.  The California Constitution sets the minimum school time per year at six months which could be interpreted as 130 days per year.  The general public school rule for absenteeism is that if a child misses more than 25 days in  aschool year he cannot pass to the next grade level, leaving his attendance at 150 days.  HSLDA  recommends    180 days, remembering to include legal and religious holidays into this 180 days.  School hours are between 8:00 AM and 2:00 PM.  Education Code requires 31/2 hours per day (3 hours academic, 1/2 hour break) for grades 1 through 6.  Grades 7 through 12 are listed in the High School section of this manual.

Parent/Faculty Policies

• Parents/Faculty:
• Acknowledge that it is their primary responsibility to consistently educate their children.
• Are responsible for the actual Course of Study and may choose to create their own curriculum or select from established programs.
• Have the responsibility to send Holy Family Academy reports in a timely fashion.
• Will provide at least 50 percent of instruction to their own children but may team teach with other families.
• When hiring a tutor, there is a State requirement to have all non-credentialed teachers finger printed.
• May choose traditional (September to June) or year-round school calendar.
• Will help with school activities, to the best of their ability, such as field trips, science fair, babysitting, etc.
• Weekly family meetings are provided on Friday afternoons.
• Parents' support meetings are once a month and are normally adults only, no children (with the exception of nursing infants).  These meetings normally include a small amount of school business, however the majority of the meeting is support group information.
• Meetings provide opportunities to document and assist parents/faculty with lesson and educational plans.
• Neither of the above meetings is mandatory.
• Quarterly mandatory Accountability Meetings.  These may be done in common with the other school families or in a private appointment with the administration.

Quarterly Attendance and Progress Reports

• Holy Family Academy begins the School Year on September 1st.  However, each family may choose its own teaching/vacation days for traditional (September to June) or year-round education.
• Reports are on a year round basis with each report covering a three month period.
• These three month periods DO NOT need to cover a 9 week school quarter.  They only need to be filed on time.
• Quarterly progress evaluation and attendance records for each student must be returned to Holy Family Academy by the due dates given: First Quarter Report due 12/1 - 12/15; Second Quarter Report due 3/1 - 3/15; Third Quarter Report due 6/1 - 6/15; Fourth Quarter Report due 9/1
• Missing quarterly attendance and progress reports, will result in notice of withdrawal from Holy Family Academy. (State law)
• LATE REPORTS must include penalty payment of $5.00/child/student.

Holy Family Academy Refund Policy
Registration Fees are NON-REFUNDABLE
     Tuition Fees are prorated during the first three months of the school year.  If your child is withdrawn before the school year begins, you are entitled to a full refund of the Tuition paid.  If  your child is withdrawn during the month of September, you are entitled to a 75% refund of the Tuition paid.  If your child is withdrawn during the month of October, you are entitled to a 50% refund of the Tuition paid.  If your child is withdrawn during th emonth of November, you are entitled to a 25% refund of the Tuition paid.  After the first quarter of the school year, no refunds will be issued.
ALL REFUNDS WILL BE ISSUED WITHIN 45 DAYS OF WITHDRAWAL REQUEST.

School Services

• School records are kept by Holy Family Academy.  The School Director will send for transcripts of new students.
• Faculty status for teaching parents.  Teaching qualifications must be on file.
• Student status for registered school age children.
• Independent Study Program Agreement signed by the Parents/Faculty and the School Administrator.
• Forms provided for required record keeping:
•  Course of Study
•  Faculty Qualifications
•  Quarterly Progress Report
•  Quarterly Attendance Records
• Families may teach year round or traditional school year.
• Attendance records indicate all days as either:
• (V)vacation days, (W)weekends, (H)holidays, (A)absent, (P)present days, or (S)sick.
• 175 days of education is the State requirement for public schools.
• Parent/Faculty Manual with policies and procedures.
• Curriculum and Resource Assistance Available
• Scope and sequence for the typical K - 12
• Resource lists for Curricula, Catholic textbooks and publishers.
• Experienced teachers are available for guidance.
• Assistance in developing Daily Lesson Plans
• Parent/Faculty Education Meetings - These meetings, though not mandatory, are highly recommended so that they can provide contact within the faculty and with the administration.
• Field Trips, Family outings, Educational Experiences, Socialization.
• Newsletter - Provides calendar of events, information and samples of student work.
• Graduation Exercises and Diplomas
• Elementary grades - promotion certificates,
• Diploma for eighth grade
• High School Diploma (twelfth grade)
• Promotion & Awards Ceremonies
•  Recognition and sharing of talents by all students.

Grading Policies
     Colleges may require transcripts with G.P.A., grade point average. The below will assist parents/faculty with grading guidelines:

Letter Grade Percentage Correct  G.P.A.

  A             91 - 100                4.00
  B             81 - 90                  3.00
  C             71 - 80                  2.00
  D             61 - 70                  1.00
  F              60 or less              0.00

Affidavit
     Between October 1st and 15th, Holy Family Academy files a private school affidavit with the State of California. Therefore, we are recognized as a legitimate private school, obeying all the laws pertaining to private schools.

Cumulative Records
     Permanent cumulative student records will be maintained in the school's fireproof file cabinet.  Request for past school records are done by the Holy Family Academy Director as soon as possible after we receive your registration forms.

Withdrawing
     To withdraw from Holy Family Academy, it isnecessary to notify the office in writing.  All fees and forms are required until we receive your written withdrawal notification.  Your cumulative and family files will be forwarded when all fees are paid and upon our receiving an official written request.  We have no room for permanent storage.  You must retrieve your records from our files within three months of withdrawal.

Planning for High School
     If you think you might enter a traditional school before graduation, it is suggested that you follow the recommended course of study from your local school district.  In this way you will be better able to fit into a traditional system at any point in the future. Students scoring below their grade level on the achievement tests will be required to pass the California High School Proficiency Exam to qualify for graduation.  If you plan to attend a university or college, find out what the prerequisites are for the school or schools you are interested in attending.

Holy Family Academy High School
Graduation Requirements for 8th Grade
     Holy Family Academy does not have specific Graduation Requirements to move from 8th grade into High School.  Since the State Education Codes include 7th and 8th grade in the "branches of study" for upper levels, Junior High can be used as a preparation period for High School.  If you do testing on an annual basis, oneof the best ways to establish a graduation requirement for 8th grade in on the basis of these test scores.  In addition to completing specific courses, the student must score at an overall 8th or 9th grade level on a particular test in order to graduate into high school.  Remember though, some students simply do not test well, so test scores should not be used as the only effective measure of what a student does or does not know.   Some basic requirements for graduation could be mastery of the basic skills in reading, writing, and arithmetic.  Also knowledge of how to use research materials and the ability to think things through to a logical conclusion (or be getting better at it).

Emergency Quick Start for Home Schooling High School
     If you have found yourself in the situation of pulling your child out of another school in the middle of the school year, you may feel like you don't have the time to plan carefully and set goals before getting started.  In order to "buy time" to set up your own program and order materials, you can try some of the following ideas to keep your teen happy.  These ideas can run from a few days to a few weeks of study.

RELIGION

Choose a book of the Bible for the student to read.
Choose a subject in the new Catechism for the student to research all the corresponding information.

Assign a literary classic from the list in the Scope and Sequence OR Have the student write a letter each day to a relative or a friend.

Have the student balance your checkbook, following the instructions on the back of the statement.
Have the student research what it would cost to rent an apartment in your area,  Using the newspaper, your household bills, or calling local utilities, have the student create an itemized budget that includes rent, electricity, water, natural gas or like installation, and a monthly budget.

Graduation Requirements
A student can earn a high school diploma through Holy FamilyAcademy by one of three ways:

•  1. Completing a Course of Study which meets the graduation requirements - Formal curriculum of pre-planned courses by a recognized publisher or school, informal curriculum (using less traditional materials), or a combination of both may be used.  A Course Description must be turned in to the school office at the start of each semester.  There are several ways to meet the course requirements.  Parents should help their student to prepare a standard for completion for each course.  This will outline what work is required in each course to earn credit.
•  2.  Junior College Work - Any student who completes 24 units, with a 2.5 GPA, at a Junior College will be awarded a high school diploma from Holy Family Academy.  This is in addition to the "Certificate of High School Equivalency" awarded by the college.
•  3.  Testing - STANDARDIZED TESTING - Any student who scores above the twelfth grade level on an accepted standardized test (an average GPE score of all tested subjects) will be awarded a diploma from Holy Family Academy.  Parental permission is required for any student under age 18.   Please note that Standardized tests are not designed to show graduation equivalence.

High School Course Requirements
MINIMUM NUMBER OF CREDITS REQUIRED - 195

Religion- 40 credits (5 credits per semester)

• Religion is required every year (ninth through twelfth)
• SAMPLE:Religion I, Religion II,  Morality, Catholic Adulthood

• Most colleges and universities expect 40 credits of English.
• American and English Literature should be included for the college-bound student.
• High School English should stress writing skills and literature.
• SAMPLE:English I, English II, English III, English IV

• Colleges expect students to have Algebra and Geometry, and higher math is recommended.
• Remedial and Consumer math courses will meet the math requirement.
• SAMPLE:Pre-Algebra, Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II, Trigonometry, Math Analysis, Pre-Calculus

• United States History - 10 credits
• One year of U.S. History is required.  It may be taken any year, ninth through twelfth.
• World History - 10 credits
• One year of World History is required.  It may be taken any year, ninth through twelfth.
• American Government/Civics - 5 credits
• One semester of government may be taken any year, ninth through twelfth.
• Federal, state, and local governments should be covered.
• Economics - 5 credits
• One semester of Economics is required any year, ninth through twelfth.
• SAMPLE:Western Civilization, American Studies, American Government & Economics

• Colleges usually require one year of Biology.
• It is recommended that at least one course be a laboratory class.
• SAMPLE:Zoology, Advanced Placement Biology

• Colleges usually require one year of Chemistry.
• It is recommended that at least one course be a laboratory class.
• SAMPLE:Physics, Chemistry, Introduction. to Computer Programming, Computer Science

• Art, Dance, Drama, or Music may be used to meet the Fine Arts requirement.
• SAMPLE:Music/Art Appreciation, Music History, Basic Drawing, Fundamentals of Painting, Drama, Journalism, Keyboard, Choir

• Some colleges require two years of the same Foreign Language.
• SAMPLE:Foreign Language I, Foreign Language II, Foreign Language III, Foreign Language IV

• One year of Physical Education is required in addition to one semester of Health.
• SAMPLE:Physical Education I, Physical Education II, Health

• SAMPLE:Public Speaking, Speech, First Aid/CPR, Driver's Training, Vocational work

Planning for College
College and University Contacts
     It is highly recommended that each family, during the tenth and eleventh grades, contact the colleges/universities of your choosing and request requirements for admission.  The above list is required for graduation from Holy Family Academy and is not necessarily the requirement for admission to a four year college. The School administration will be happy to assist you in planning your High School requirements and in contacting the colleges/universities.

Planning for College Admission
Student:
1) Send for college catalogs and READ them.
2) Determine eligibility for UC and Cal State Schools.
3) Decide on a tentative major.
4) Take SAT for the first time in May or June.

Parent and Student:
1) Visit college campuses and talk with admission officer.
2) Discuss finances.
3) Discuss areas of interest and possible majors.
4) Have on-going dialogue concerning future interests and educational goals.

College Entrance Requirements: Community Colleges
     Community colleges serve the various needs of different levels of education.  Students may prepare themselves for admission to a four-year institution with junior standing, or they may choose one of many one or two-year certificate programs which lead to immediate job placement.
     High school students may be able to take courses at a local community college while still in high school.  Credit would be earned toward high school graduation at the same time the student is earning college credits.

Setting High School Course Requirements
     In a 180 day school year, there are 180 hours per 2 semester course.  That comes to 90 hours per semester for each course. However, in the public high school classroom, the class time runs only 50 minutes instead of 1 hour.  This brings us to 75 hours per semester or 150 hours per year.  We could break this down even farther by allowing for only 40 minutes of actual instruction time and 10 minutes of self-work.  This total would bring us to 60 hours per semester or 120 hours per year.  I prefer the 75 hours per semester and 150 hours per year because it is easier to figure out in setting course requirements. Use these hours when planning out your course.
     When a course is completed a certain number of credits are awarded to the student.  One semester earns 5 credits, a full year earns 10 credits.  Holy Family Academy tallies these credits as they accumulate in the form of transcripts.

Holy Family Academy High School Course Descriptions
Students should take a minimum of five classes per semester.
Course descriptions need to include:

•  Name of student
•  Number of credits for each course
•  Grade
•  School Year
•  Date of the beginning of semester
•  Length of course (semester or full year)
•  Title for each course being taken
•  Description of each course
•  Curriculum used for each course

Designing Individual Courses
There are five areas of emphasis to every course that you teach your child.
Mastery - These are the concepts or parts of the subject that everyone should master.  These concepts will be used again and again throughout the student's life.  As an example, in the subject of science, one concept that would be part of a mastery area is that there is a difference between scientific facts and scientific theories.  Mastering the concept of scientific method to be able to make an educated guess about something, and then design a test or experiment using the skills of observation, measurement, recording of data, and analysis of facts to arrive at a correct conclusion -this is the part of science that everyone would benefit from knowing.
Exposure - There are some parts to every subject or course that would be of benefit to most students if the students were simply exposed to the ideas of topics, without necessarily spending hours and hours trying to master them.  In science, an exposure area might be the study of the classification system of living organisms.  Latin names for every kingdom, phylum, class, etc. are well worth being exposed to for the concept of orderliness and for the understanding of the differences among the various types of creatures.  However, most adults cannot recite all the kingdoms, nor can they remember that there are seven levels of classification.  The important part for most of us is understanding that there is a classification system in place so that, should we ever need to identify some creature scientifically, we can look up the necessary information to do so.  The exposure to the classification system was good; devoting hours and hours to memorizing every detail of it should not be the emphasis of the course.
Gifts - Gift areas are fun because they are unique to each person. In planning your courses, give special consideration to your student's gift areas if you are aware of them.  The areas where your student has a gift will require extra time and harder work to fully develop that gift.  That hard work may prove fruitful by leading to a lifelong hobby or career.
Interests - The difference between an interest and a gift is that an interest may crop up for a short time, provide worthwhile studies, and then fade away.  Take time to delve into a course that grabs your student's interest.
Continuing Learning Areas - There are some areas of study in which we all need to continue learning and growing, especially areas where facts continually change.  As an example, in government, elected officials change every few years.

Curriculum Choices
     There are many ways to plan your teen's course of study.  But most importantly, you must first decide on what you want your student to learn.
     If you decide on a pre-packaged course of study, realize that there are always more assignments and projects than anyone could complete in one year.  The writers do this specifically because of the many different teaching and learning styles, allowing for these different preferences.  Do not be afraid to alter a pre-packaged course.

Setting a Course Standard
     A Course Standard is needed to tell how the grade will be assigned. A well-designed Course Standard will let the student know what is expected to earn a particular grade.
SAMPLE
75%-daily work done on time and corrected; 25%-tests
Formula=(Total daily work pts X 75%)+ (Total test pts X 25%)
63 daily lessons were completed on time and corrected for full credit, so the grade for daily work is 100%
16 tests were taken with grades as follows:

 Test 1   85%      Test 9    70%
 Test 2   75%      Test 10  75%
 Test 3   80%      Test 11  75%
 Test 4   70%      Test 12  80%
 Test 5   80%      Test 13  85%
 Test 6   75%      Test 14  85%
 Test 7   75%      Test 15  80%
 Test 8   75%      Test 16  75%

 Grade on Daily work of 100 X 75% = 75
 Grade on Tests of 77.5 X 25% = 19.38

Earthquake Preparedness
     All schools are to have an Earthquake Preparedness Plan. ...and once a quarter have a practice drill.  Below you will find a list of items that are a must for your survival kit.  Keep these items to a minimum, yet don't exclude anything vital to food preparation. Where can you store all these necessities?  The best place is to find an interior closet or large flat crates under a bed or two. Storing needs in a large plastic trash can with a flat top is a space saving idea.  Keep in mind that items should be well-sealed, air tight and in separate containers.  Make sure to find two or three areas in your home to store your emergency preparations.
BEFORE THE SHAKING STARTS......
Prepare Your Family:

• Know the safe spots in each room:
• against inside walls, undertables, desks or supported doorways.
• Know the danger spots: windows, mirrors, hanging   objects,bookshelves, and fireplaces.
• Practice drills: Physically place yourself in safe locations.
• Have an evacuation plan and safe meeting place outside.
• Practice evacuation: Learn First Aid and CPR from the American Red Cross.

• Learn how to shut off gas, water, and electricity
• Secure water heater and appliances which could move enough to rupture lines.
• Secure hanging plants and heavy picture frames or mirrors(especially over beds).
• Close drapes over windows at night.
• Put latches on cabinet doors to hold closed during shaking.
• Keep flammable or hazardous liquids such as paints, pest spraysor cleaning products in the garage  or outside shed (out ofchildren's reach).
• Maintain emergency supplies for a 72 hour period; i.e., food, water, and other supplies, including a flashlight, portable battery operated radio, extra batteries, medications, first aid kits, fire extinguisher, copies of important documents, emergency numbers, and clothing, blankets and toiletries.

• If indoors, stay there.  Get under a desk or table, or stand in a doorway.
• If outdoors, get onto an open area away from trees, buildings, and power lines.
• If driving, pull your car to the side of the road and stop. Avoid overpasses or power lines.   Remain inside the car until theshaking is over.
• If in a high-rise building, stay away from the windows and outside walls.
• Move to an interior wall or get under a table ordesk.
• Do not use the elevator.  Do not run outside.
• If in a crowded public place, do not rush for the doors or exits.

• Check for injuries.  Apply first aid.  Do not move seriously injured unless in immediate danger.
• Do not use the telephone unless there is a severe injury or fire. Hang up telephone if off the hook.
• Check for gas and water leaks, broken electrical wiring or sewage lines.
• If there is damage, turn utilities off at the source.
• Check food and water supplies.  Emergency water may be obtained from:
• water heaters, melted ice cubes, toilet tanks and canned vegetables.
• Turn on your portable radio for instructions and news reports.
• Cooperate fully with public safety officials.
• Do not use your vehicle unless there is an emergency.  Keep the streets clear.
• Be prepared for aftershocks.  Don't panic, stay calm and lend a hand to others.

• Flashlight, Radio, First Aid Kit (including)
• Drugs: Antibiotic ointment, Aspirin tablets, Spirit of Ipecac, Kaopectate, Doctor prescribed medication
• Bandages/Dressings: Plastic Strips, Cotton-tipped swabs, Sterile absorbent cotton, Ace Bandage, Gauze pads (4" x 4"), Adhesive tape, 2" wide roll, Sterile bandage, 2" & 4" wide roll, Bandages, large triangular
• Miscellaneous: Scissors, Tweezers, Thermometers, Tissues, Pocket knife, First Aid Handbook

• Food: Three-day supply of food requiring no refrigeration.  Date all food items.  Write out a menu for each day.
• Example:
• Canned tuna or pork & beans (1/2 lb/ person)
• Canned orange or tomato juice
• Nonfat dry milk (1/2 lb/person)
• Peanut Butter (1/2 lb/person)
• Graham crackers (1/2 lb/person)
• Dried apricots (1/2 lb/person)
• (This supplies daily 2100 cal and essential nutrients)
• Water: 1 gal./person/day, store separately

• Bedding: Sleeping bag/blankets, Plastic sheet/tarp
• Equipment: Can Opener, Dish pan/soap
• Clothing: One change/person
• Dishes (disposable)
• Utensils (disposable)
• Personal supplies: Toiletries, Good book, Paper/pencil
• Ax, Shovel
• Infant Needs: If applicable
• Bucket (plastic bag liners)
• Personal Documents
• Fuel & Light: Matches
• Money:  Cash
• Candle
• Other: Water purification tablets, Signal Flare, Liquid chlorine bleach, Sterno canned heat, Eye dropper

• First: Use all edible food in the refrigerator, opening door only once per meal and never between meals!
• Second: Use as many freezer food as possible, before spoilage sets in.
• Use supply of non-perishable foods last.
• Third: Devise a cooking area - for instance hibachi, bar-be-que or fireplace.  Never BBQ indoors.

• Day 1: Use refrigerator items as much as possible today. Cook overfire in fry pan or baking pan.
• Day 2: If refrigerator remains cool use items remaining. Place all items together on one or two shelves laying towels or newspapers to retain coldness.  Substitute with available foods as needed.
• Day 3: You should not have opened your freezer until today.  Items should still be very cold, if not totally frozen. Move items together as directed above & further insulate with newspapers.
• Day 4: Items from freezer should still be cold.  Use protein foods first, such as fish, meat and cheese or milk.  Supplement with other frozen food.
• Day 5: Finish what you can from your freezer and begin with pantry items.
• Day 6: More than likely you will need to rely on your pantry items as most freezer items will now be thawing or thawed.
• Day 7: Notice, you're still not desperate!  Your pantry should still be well stocked to continue on if necessary.