I've joined! How do I learn about our group's events?
Great! We are looking forward to meeting you! When you join, you will be put on our email contact list. ALL of our communications are sent via email. We encourage you to have the emails sent to BOTH the primary parent AND the teen members. You will get some from the Adult Leadership as well as other what we call "articles" that our student leaders write to promote our events. These invitations to join an event will be sent out a number of times prior to a registration deadline or RSVP deadline. They are always sent out by our Communications Coordinator.
RSVP? Deadline? Huh?
Our group is a learning group. We want our teens to feel equipped & prepared for life. To that end, we give them everyday life opportunities that help them in these areas...including phone & communication skills. While some events require a simple email to the adult leader, most RSVPs are just a phone call away to our student leaders. To attend our events, the TEEN member will need to call (yes, on a telephone) the student leader listed on the invitation for the event. Your teen will want to ask to speak to that person and give them the basic RSVP information the student leader asks...cell phone number for that event & if a parent will be attending with them (parents are invited to most of our events). If it is a bring-a-thing food event, they will be asked about that and told any reminders. No need to remember all of this! Our student leader will use their training to help them along. Just remember to RSVP by the deadline listed for that event. A lot goes into event planning, and we need to be considerate of our fellow teens who are making preparations so everyone has a great time...including them. We do NOT allow for text RSVPs; a phone call must be made.
I called to RSVP, but all I got was the voice mail. What do I do?
If you get a voice mail, please leave a message with your name, the phone number to call you back, and say something like,
"I am calling to RSVP for the ___________________ event." If the person does not call you back within 24 hours, call them again. If you still don't hear from them, email the Senior Adult Leader at whheteeninfo@gmail.com.
What is our group's Covid policy? What about other situations of illness?
Our group is grounded in RESPECT for one another. ANY time you are not feeling well, we ask that you be considerate of others in the group and do NOT ATTEND the event. If possible, please call the same person you RSVPd to and let them know or send an email to our Senior Adult Leader at whheteeninfo@gmail.com. If you have a fever at all, you may not attend. If you have had a fever in the recent past, you will need to be fever free for 24 hours WITHOUT use of any fever reducing medications like Tylenol or aspirin, etc. The same is true for other severe symptoms (vomiting, etc.). This is a standard practice.
During Covid, we have continued to have very meaningful & fun virtual events. As we return to in person events, please note that we need to follow the rules at any venue where we have an event. We also need to be thoughtful of members and families in our group who live with or otherwise spend a significant amount of time with grandparents, older adults, or others in their lives who are immune-compromised or have pre-existing conditions that make them especially vulnerable to Covid or other illnesses. There may be some who choose to follow different protocols or we may have events that necessitate wearing masks and social distancing...again, particularly if we are at a venue that requires us to follow their policy. While there are many differing views on these practices, we hope you will choose to participate AND cooperate for the unity of the group and out of respect for all. For those who refuse to cooperate, they will be required to leave the event. Refunds will not be provided.
How can I get involved in all that WHHE has to offer?
Come to events--virtual & in person! In addition, all of our members have the opportunity to learning & leadership opportunities. No experience necessary!
Those who want to stretch themselves creatively are welcome to join the Yearbook Staff.
Yearbook Staff members are trained on using the online publisher, learn magazine style writing to write event recaps, & learn to be creative while following the publishing guidelines. There are NO in-person meetings...except our end of the year celebration & Hot Off the Press Preview Party. All work is done online from your own home computer. No purchases or special equipment are needed. They are using a professional publishing program on our private yearbook pages online. They will learn to edit their own work their first year while second year (& subsequent year) participants also gain experience in editing the full yearbook while serving in leadership on the staff. You do NOT need to be an experienced writer or know anything about layout and design. All of that will be taught. Please note that while all students and parents are invited & encouraged to submit photos for the yearbook, the Yearbook Staff members are NOT in any way held responsible for taking photos at events. We want them to enjoy the event and not feel they have to work. Everything they need to complete the pages online will be provided--including photos.
Those who want to gain leadership skills can become a Student Leader-in-Training (L-i-T) with the option to run for Student Council the following year (provided they have completed their requirements as a Student L-i-T). Student L-i-Ts learn how to do select elements of event planning like taking RSVPs and learning how to write articles/ invites for events that they will later do if they decide to run for Student Council (L-i-Ts are NOT required to continue as Student Council members; this is an option they have.) They may also begin learning how to research and develop ideas for events, speaking skills, and more!
ALL Student Leaders: Student Council Members, Yearbook Staff, & Student L-i-Ts
-need to have access to a computer or laptop
-need to be willing to check their email regularly (2-3 times per week)
-are expected to reply to emails in a timely fashion (within 2-3 days)
-work with guidelines & deadlines.
Even if you have never done these things before, these groups will give you the opportunity to learn these important life skills. Both Yearbook Staff & Student L-i-Ts are great first steps to making the most of your WHHE membership!
For those who have taken a standardized test and have a qualifying score, apply to be a part of the WHHE's Omicron Chapter of Eta Sigma Alpha Honor Society. With your application & qualifying score, you become a Prospective Member and must meet other chapter requirements during the year--specifically in conduct, academics, & service including participating in 3-4 WHHE service projects over the course of the year (one service project may be done independently or with another group). When requirements are met by the spring deadline, Prospective Members are inducted as ESA Members in a very special ceremony. Returning members also have a role in both the ceremony at the end of the year and in leadership. Service is at the core of honor societies, and our chapter members help facilitate 2 service projects each year with the opportunity to do a solo project for the group their senior year.
As a parent, I just need a break from my kids! Can I just drop my teen(s) off?
As a parent, am I allowed to stay at the event?
There are certainly times when we all need a break from the busyness that is homeschooling. Can you just drop off your teen? The answer to this question is SOMETIMES. We also understand the parent who prefers to stay at the event whether for convenience or any other reason. Some events are designed so that parents have the option to drop off their teen and pick them up at a designated pick up time -or- stay if they wish. Some events, however, are NOT drop off events; for a teen to attend, a parent MUST stay. These distinctions are always noted on the article. On rare occasions, like our friend-only formal or the etiquette class, these are drop off events & the Adult Leadership Team supervises students.
How does the group work? How are events planned? Do parents plan events?
The Adult Senior Leader and other adults who are part of the Adult Leadership Team work as mentors to the Student Council members, Yearbook Staff, ESA Honor Society members, & Student L-i-Ts. This is done largely through emails and occasional phone calls directly with the student leaders in each sub-group.
Student Council members plan most of the events. ESA Honor Society members plan 2 of the service projects. Student Leaders-in-Training (L-i-Ts) learn some of the elements of event planning that can lead to running for Student Council (optional). Yearbook Staff members are not involved in planning events, but they are involved in documenting the events in the yearbook. While parents of all of these members may offer support and advice in accordance with the guidelines given to the students during their training, they may not do the students' work for them. We welcome parents --especially at the beginning of these student leadership roles-- helping their teen get used to remembering deadlines or to reply to the mentor in a timely fashion. They might also refer them back to their training materials, encourage them when they are going through their respective steps of event planning or designing a yearbook page, etc. Parents should also direct the student leader to the mentor to answer specific questions so misdirection can be avoided. Parents serving on the Adult Leadership Team plan the formal & classes / workshops.
Does WHHE need parent support & help at events?
YES! You probably joined this group because of our offerings & goals. Help SUPPORT these opportunities for your teen to happen and happen successfully by staying at an event when possible and helping with small support roles-- hospitality, logistics, membership, and other tasks. Whatever time or talent you have to share, we are confident we can find a way for you to contribute while also being respectful of your time.
What is my role as a WHHE parent?
READ & REPLY: Read emails from WHHE and stay informed about our events. Reply as needed whether in asking a question or sending in photos for the yearbook. We are here to serve you, but we also need parental support to set our teens up to succeed as they learn to lead & create.
ENCOURAGE: One of the most important things a WHHE parent can do is ENCOURAGE their teen(s) to participate. It may be something new...it may be something they tried once before and are not sure they want to do again or didn't like it that first time. Encouraging them to try or give something another chance is important in their development as a person as well as helps them see other reasons (like making friends :-) for participating. It might even spark a new interest. Service projects are of course for helping others and develops empathy for different populations. Even if your teen isn't into crafting, for example, encourage them to participate in making the birdhouses for the nature center because it is a good, worthy cause. Likewise, their fellow teens who are serving as student leaders need their support by having them attend their event.
SUPPORT: We'll say this one again... You probably joined this group because of our offerings & goals. Help SUPPORT these opportunities for your teen to happen and happen successfully by staying at an event when possible and helping with small support roles-- hospitality, logistics, membership, and other tasks. Whatever time or talent you have to share, we are confident we can find a way for you to contribute while also being respectful of your time.
REMIND: Additionally, both new families and returning families can REMIND teens about the group's Code of Conduct & Policies while getting ready for an event or on the way there. We want WHHE to be a safe place for all. We want all members to feel welcome & have a positive environment in which to get to know one another, serve the community, & learn. Support the goals of the group and make sure your teen is being respectful in their dress before they leave the house & remind them to be respectful in their speech & behavior before the event. Parents can also serve as great role models. Remind them the only time to use their cell phone is if they are contacting you --not communicating with other friends during an event. No one should post pictures taken at an event on social media unless they have the express permission of all others in the photo.
Are siblings or friends who are NOT teens allowed to attend WHHE Teen Group events? *
Siblings and friends who are NOT teens MIGHT be allowed to attend SELECT events with advance notice. This is always indicated on each event article / invitation by saying it is a FAMILY event---or not. When you call to RSVP, the member will ask if a parent is staying at the event. If you would like to bring others, you will need to share that at that time. If this is NOT an event that welcomes younger siblings & friends, then the student leader will explain that. PARENTS: Please review the articles/ invitations yourselves and do not rely on your teen to inform you. If a teen wants to attend an event, but the parent has another child(ren) in their care, please contact the Senior Adult leader at whheteeninfo@gmail.com in advance to see if it is possible / what could be worked out. Non-teen Siblings & Friends MUST ALWAYS be accompanied by the member's parent; they can NOT be dropped off.
Are siblings or friends who ARE teens allowed to attend WHHE Teen Group events? *
If you have a sibling or friend who is a teen, they may come to ONE event as your guest. After that, they would be expected to become a paying member. Perpetual teen guests, whether a family member or friend, are not allowed. Teen Guests MUST be homeschooled & need to fill out a guest form and have it signed by the teen and the teen's parent.
*Please note that often fellow teen leaders & sometimes parents are preparing materials, games, etc. in the days leading up to events, and thus advance notice of any guest --sibling or otherwise-- is REQUIRED by the DEADLINE in order to participate. We feel strongly that we need to set our teen leaders up to succeed and do not allow for walk-ins. If non-teens are allowed by special arrangement to attend a non-family event, please keep in mind that they will only be allowed to be present WITH the parent or the member's parent accompanying them.
What is important for us to know as a family of WHHE?
One of the key things to know is that in order to be a learning group, we invest a lot of time in helping students learn to lead events. Student Council members have spent time coming up with ideas, doing research, contacting members of the community (often facing their fears and making cold calls to get information from multiple places), writing, editing, & getting approval for their article to promote their event, recording RSVPs, thinking of how their event ties to a spiritual truth & writing a devotional for the event, preparing materials in advance of the event when needed, showing up early to set up, decorate, or handle other logistics. They have submitted a scheduled outline and have gone over what they plan to say...and possibly even went on a shopping trip for some items. It has been A LOT of work---even before the event itself or the clean up! They need to know that you support them by RSVPing on time & showing up to their event. They are serving you all, & it goes against our group's credo-- our goals & purpose of our group-- when members do not support their fellow members' very serious & time consuming efforts. Be a COMMITTED MEMBER of the group. Whether 5 or 15 show up for an event, the same amount of hard work goes into the planning. We understand that not every event is going to work out for everyone's schedule. Please make concerted effort: being a committed member shows respect for your student leaders and for the adults who help make the group function well to give everyone opportunities. If you find that not enough events are on days and times when you would like them to be -or- you have different ideas of what would be a fun event, be a part of the solution and become a Student Leader-in-Training.
Great! We are looking forward to meeting you! When you join, you will be put on our email contact list. ALL of our communications are sent via email. We encourage you to have the emails sent to BOTH the primary parent AND the teen members. You will get some from the Adult Leadership as well as other what we call "articles" that our student leaders write to promote our events. These invitations to join an event will be sent out a number of times prior to a registration deadline or RSVP deadline. They are always sent out by our Communications Coordinator.
RSVP? Deadline? Huh?
Our group is a learning group. We want our teens to feel equipped & prepared for life. To that end, we give them everyday life opportunities that help them in these areas...including phone & communication skills. While some events require a simple email to the adult leader, most RSVPs are just a phone call away to our student leaders. To attend our events, the TEEN member will need to call (yes, on a telephone) the student leader listed on the invitation for the event. Your teen will want to ask to speak to that person and give them the basic RSVP information the student leader asks...cell phone number for that event & if a parent will be attending with them (parents are invited to most of our events). If it is a bring-a-thing food event, they will be asked about that and told any reminders. No need to remember all of this! Our student leader will use their training to help them along. Just remember to RSVP by the deadline listed for that event. A lot goes into event planning, and we need to be considerate of our fellow teens who are making preparations so everyone has a great time...including them. We do NOT allow for text RSVPs; a phone call must be made.
I called to RSVP, but all I got was the voice mail. What do I do?
If you get a voice mail, please leave a message with your name, the phone number to call you back, and say something like,
"I am calling to RSVP for the ___________________ event." If the person does not call you back within 24 hours, call them again. If you still don't hear from them, email the Senior Adult Leader at whheteeninfo@gmail.com.
What is our group's Covid policy? What about other situations of illness?
Our group is grounded in RESPECT for one another. ANY time you are not feeling well, we ask that you be considerate of others in the group and do NOT ATTEND the event. If possible, please call the same person you RSVPd to and let them know or send an email to our Senior Adult Leader at whheteeninfo@gmail.com. If you have a fever at all, you may not attend. If you have had a fever in the recent past, you will need to be fever free for 24 hours WITHOUT use of any fever reducing medications like Tylenol or aspirin, etc. The same is true for other severe symptoms (vomiting, etc.). This is a standard practice.
During Covid, we have continued to have very meaningful & fun virtual events. As we return to in person events, please note that we need to follow the rules at any venue where we have an event. We also need to be thoughtful of members and families in our group who live with or otherwise spend a significant amount of time with grandparents, older adults, or others in their lives who are immune-compromised or have pre-existing conditions that make them especially vulnerable to Covid or other illnesses. There may be some who choose to follow different protocols or we may have events that necessitate wearing masks and social distancing...again, particularly if we are at a venue that requires us to follow their policy. While there are many differing views on these practices, we hope you will choose to participate AND cooperate for the unity of the group and out of respect for all. For those who refuse to cooperate, they will be required to leave the event. Refunds will not be provided.
How can I get involved in all that WHHE has to offer?
Come to events--virtual & in person! In addition, all of our members have the opportunity to learning & leadership opportunities. No experience necessary!
Those who want to stretch themselves creatively are welcome to join the Yearbook Staff.
Yearbook Staff members are trained on using the online publisher, learn magazine style writing to write event recaps, & learn to be creative while following the publishing guidelines. There are NO in-person meetings...except our end of the year celebration & Hot Off the Press Preview Party. All work is done online from your own home computer. No purchases or special equipment are needed. They are using a professional publishing program on our private yearbook pages online. They will learn to edit their own work their first year while second year (& subsequent year) participants also gain experience in editing the full yearbook while serving in leadership on the staff. You do NOT need to be an experienced writer or know anything about layout and design. All of that will be taught. Please note that while all students and parents are invited & encouraged to submit photos for the yearbook, the Yearbook Staff members are NOT in any way held responsible for taking photos at events. We want them to enjoy the event and not feel they have to work. Everything they need to complete the pages online will be provided--including photos.
Those who want to gain leadership skills can become a Student Leader-in-Training (L-i-T) with the option to run for Student Council the following year (provided they have completed their requirements as a Student L-i-T). Student L-i-Ts learn how to do select elements of event planning like taking RSVPs and learning how to write articles/ invites for events that they will later do if they decide to run for Student Council (L-i-Ts are NOT required to continue as Student Council members; this is an option they have.) They may also begin learning how to research and develop ideas for events, speaking skills, and more!
ALL Student Leaders: Student Council Members, Yearbook Staff, & Student L-i-Ts
-need to have access to a computer or laptop
-need to be willing to check their email regularly (2-3 times per week)
-are expected to reply to emails in a timely fashion (within 2-3 days)
-work with guidelines & deadlines.
Even if you have never done these things before, these groups will give you the opportunity to learn these important life skills. Both Yearbook Staff & Student L-i-Ts are great first steps to making the most of your WHHE membership!
For those who have taken a standardized test and have a qualifying score, apply to be a part of the WHHE's Omicron Chapter of Eta Sigma Alpha Honor Society. With your application & qualifying score, you become a Prospective Member and must meet other chapter requirements during the year--specifically in conduct, academics, & service including participating in 3-4 WHHE service projects over the course of the year (one service project may be done independently or with another group). When requirements are met by the spring deadline, Prospective Members are inducted as ESA Members in a very special ceremony. Returning members also have a role in both the ceremony at the end of the year and in leadership. Service is at the core of honor societies, and our chapter members help facilitate 2 service projects each year with the opportunity to do a solo project for the group their senior year.
As a parent, I just need a break from my kids! Can I just drop my teen(s) off?
As a parent, am I allowed to stay at the event?
There are certainly times when we all need a break from the busyness that is homeschooling. Can you just drop off your teen? The answer to this question is SOMETIMES. We also understand the parent who prefers to stay at the event whether for convenience or any other reason. Some events are designed so that parents have the option to drop off their teen and pick them up at a designated pick up time -or- stay if they wish. Some events, however, are NOT drop off events; for a teen to attend, a parent MUST stay. These distinctions are always noted on the article. On rare occasions, like our friend-only formal or the etiquette class, these are drop off events & the Adult Leadership Team supervises students.
How does the group work? How are events planned? Do parents plan events?
The Adult Senior Leader and other adults who are part of the Adult Leadership Team work as mentors to the Student Council members, Yearbook Staff, ESA Honor Society members, & Student L-i-Ts. This is done largely through emails and occasional phone calls directly with the student leaders in each sub-group.
Student Council members plan most of the events. ESA Honor Society members plan 2 of the service projects. Student Leaders-in-Training (L-i-Ts) learn some of the elements of event planning that can lead to running for Student Council (optional). Yearbook Staff members are not involved in planning events, but they are involved in documenting the events in the yearbook. While parents of all of these members may offer support and advice in accordance with the guidelines given to the students during their training, they may not do the students' work for them. We welcome parents --especially at the beginning of these student leadership roles-- helping their teen get used to remembering deadlines or to reply to the mentor in a timely fashion. They might also refer them back to their training materials, encourage them when they are going through their respective steps of event planning or designing a yearbook page, etc. Parents should also direct the student leader to the mentor to answer specific questions so misdirection can be avoided. Parents serving on the Adult Leadership Team plan the formal & classes / workshops.
Does WHHE need parent support & help at events?
YES! You probably joined this group because of our offerings & goals. Help SUPPORT these opportunities for your teen to happen and happen successfully by staying at an event when possible and helping with small support roles-- hospitality, logistics, membership, and other tasks. Whatever time or talent you have to share, we are confident we can find a way for you to contribute while also being respectful of your time.
What is my role as a WHHE parent?
READ & REPLY: Read emails from WHHE and stay informed about our events. Reply as needed whether in asking a question or sending in photos for the yearbook. We are here to serve you, but we also need parental support to set our teens up to succeed as they learn to lead & create.
ENCOURAGE: One of the most important things a WHHE parent can do is ENCOURAGE their teen(s) to participate. It may be something new...it may be something they tried once before and are not sure they want to do again or didn't like it that first time. Encouraging them to try or give something another chance is important in their development as a person as well as helps them see other reasons (like making friends :-) for participating. It might even spark a new interest. Service projects are of course for helping others and develops empathy for different populations. Even if your teen isn't into crafting, for example, encourage them to participate in making the birdhouses for the nature center because it is a good, worthy cause. Likewise, their fellow teens who are serving as student leaders need their support by having them attend their event.
SUPPORT: We'll say this one again... You probably joined this group because of our offerings & goals. Help SUPPORT these opportunities for your teen to happen and happen successfully by staying at an event when possible and helping with small support roles-- hospitality, logistics, membership, and other tasks. Whatever time or talent you have to share, we are confident we can find a way for you to contribute while also being respectful of your time.
REMIND: Additionally, both new families and returning families can REMIND teens about the group's Code of Conduct & Policies while getting ready for an event or on the way there. We want WHHE to be a safe place for all. We want all members to feel welcome & have a positive environment in which to get to know one another, serve the community, & learn. Support the goals of the group and make sure your teen is being respectful in their dress before they leave the house & remind them to be respectful in their speech & behavior before the event. Parents can also serve as great role models. Remind them the only time to use their cell phone is if they are contacting you --not communicating with other friends during an event. No one should post pictures taken at an event on social media unless they have the express permission of all others in the photo.
Are siblings or friends who are NOT teens allowed to attend WHHE Teen Group events? *
Siblings and friends who are NOT teens MIGHT be allowed to attend SELECT events with advance notice. This is always indicated on each event article / invitation by saying it is a FAMILY event---or not. When you call to RSVP, the member will ask if a parent is staying at the event. If you would like to bring others, you will need to share that at that time. If this is NOT an event that welcomes younger siblings & friends, then the student leader will explain that. PARENTS: Please review the articles/ invitations yourselves and do not rely on your teen to inform you. If a teen wants to attend an event, but the parent has another child(ren) in their care, please contact the Senior Adult leader at whheteeninfo@gmail.com in advance to see if it is possible / what could be worked out. Non-teen Siblings & Friends MUST ALWAYS be accompanied by the member's parent; they can NOT be dropped off.
Are siblings or friends who ARE teens allowed to attend WHHE Teen Group events? *
If you have a sibling or friend who is a teen, they may come to ONE event as your guest. After that, they would be expected to become a paying member. Perpetual teen guests, whether a family member or friend, are not allowed. Teen Guests MUST be homeschooled & need to fill out a guest form and have it signed by the teen and the teen's parent.
*Please note that often fellow teen leaders & sometimes parents are preparing materials, games, etc. in the days leading up to events, and thus advance notice of any guest --sibling or otherwise-- is REQUIRED by the DEADLINE in order to participate. We feel strongly that we need to set our teen leaders up to succeed and do not allow for walk-ins. If non-teens are allowed by special arrangement to attend a non-family event, please keep in mind that they will only be allowed to be present WITH the parent or the member's parent accompanying them.
What is important for us to know as a family of WHHE?
One of the key things to know is that in order to be a learning group, we invest a lot of time in helping students learn to lead events. Student Council members have spent time coming up with ideas, doing research, contacting members of the community (often facing their fears and making cold calls to get information from multiple places), writing, editing, & getting approval for their article to promote their event, recording RSVPs, thinking of how their event ties to a spiritual truth & writing a devotional for the event, preparing materials in advance of the event when needed, showing up early to set up, decorate, or handle other logistics. They have submitted a scheduled outline and have gone over what they plan to say...and possibly even went on a shopping trip for some items. It has been A LOT of work---even before the event itself or the clean up! They need to know that you support them by RSVPing on time & showing up to their event. They are serving you all, & it goes against our group's credo-- our goals & purpose of our group-- when members do not support their fellow members' very serious & time consuming efforts. Be a COMMITTED MEMBER of the group. Whether 5 or 15 show up for an event, the same amount of hard work goes into the planning. We understand that not every event is going to work out for everyone's schedule. Please make concerted effort: being a committed member shows respect for your student leaders and for the adults who help make the group function well to give everyone opportunities. If you find that not enough events are on days and times when you would like them to be -or- you have different ideas of what would be a fun event, be a part of the solution and become a Student Leader-in-Training.