​

In my words and actions, I will strive to create harmony whenever on the Harmony Center grounds in the following ways:

​

1.  I will lead with kindness in all my interactions.

​

2.  Hate has no home here.  Together we will strive to respect and celebrate everyone, regardless of ability, age, cultural background, ethnicity, faith, gender, gender expression, gender identity, ideology, income, national origin, race, or sexual orientation.  This is an LGBTQIA+ affirming and BIPOC inclusive space.  Diversity is a fact, but inclusion is a choice we make.  At Harmony, we choose to embrace and not just tolerate diversity.  I affirm that everyone who leads with kindness and acceptance is welcome at Harmony, and I will not pre-judge or exclude others based on "labels" or presumptions.

​

3.  I will choose my words conscientiously.  I will tread lightly, speak sensitively, and keep an open mind when approaching deeply divisive topics of conversation while on Harmony grounds–politics, legislation, religion, parenting, personal beliefs about others’ lifestyles, deeply controversial topics (e.g. abortion, immigration), etc.  I will refrain from using any unkind, hateful, disparaging, discriminatory, or derogatory language in reference to those I disagree with, present or not.

​

For every person who has an opinion on a given topic, there may be a Harmony family who holds an opposing view (and they may be standing next to you, or there may be little ears listening.).  We must be mindful that on Harmony grounds, everyone should feel welcome and safe.  We want to be a place of belonging for all homeschoolers who desire it and who practice acceptance of differences.  Pontificating on divisive opinions and/or making disparaging comments about those you disagree with is a sure-fire way to make people feel hurt, excluded, angry, unwelcomed, unsafe.   

​

Harmony exists for children to build innocent friendships and learn to live civilly with others. Therefore, as a Harmony member, I will work hard to model this “good neighborly” kindness and acceptance for their sake.  Individuals who do not feel they can successfully put differences and arguments aside, accept others freely as individuals (vs. labels), and lead with kindness toward all may not find Harmony to be a good fit.  

​

4.  I will keep germs at home!  I will respect others’ rights to health and safety by staying home when symptoms of illness are present.  I support a culture where we take care of each others' health and safety by staying home or masking when needed.

​

STAY HOME if you have/are:

• coughing every few minutes/persistently

• sneezing frequently, repeatedly

• an actively dripping nose that requires regular wiping/blowing

• conditions contagious through contact such as pink eye, herpes, hand-foot-mouth, ringworm, etc.

• difficulty breathing or “keeping up” with normal activity

• fever, vomiting, or diarrhea.  Must be 24-hours fever/diarrhea/vomiting free without medicine.  

• For five days after a close COVID encounter or a COVID case in the household

• For a full seven-day week following a positive COVID test.  

• If you’ve tested positive for COVID, you and your household members must mask days #8, 9, 10 if symptom-free and choose to attend. 

​

Members with obvious symptoms/illness will be asked to leave and return another day.

​

Masks are WELCOME at Harmony at any time it makes you feel more comfortable attending events, either to protect yourself or others, or if you have any type of uncertainty! 

​

5.  I'll watch my kids and accept help from the "village."  I will model and expect respect for the physical space and for others.  This means I will supervise my children/students well at all times, and I will intervene if my children are behaving in a way that does not uphold the Harmony tenets.  I will support other parents in their efforts to politely and respectfully uphold the Harmony tenets--even with my own children.

​

6.  I'll take care of the facility.  I will actively share in the care for the physical indoor and outdoor spaces at Harmony by treating the property as my own home and by cleaning up after my family.

​

7.   I'll keep behavior safe.  I will keep my child and other children (and adults!) safe at Harmony by following certain basic norms for safe, pro-social behavior.  

​

• Gentle hands and feet (No hitting/kicking/slapping/pushing)

• Hold, don't hurt! (No throwing dirt/sand/rock/toy/objects)

• Climb where it's meant (No climbing on counters, tables, roofs, desks, appliances, etc.)

• Walk inside; Run and yell outside (No running/yelling inside unless given permission)

• Kind words only (No threatening speech or menacing speech/behavior including during imaginary play)

• Care for all (No name-calling, hurtful teasing, shaming, or bullying behavior)

• Courtesy & respect (Listening to others, taking turns, waiting patiently, respecting boundaries, etc.  See #8.)

​

8.  I'll respect meaningful rules.  I respect the right of the adult/instructor supervising my child to establish and civilly enforce purposeful rules for everyone’s safety, security, and quality experience. (examples might be listening respectfully to others, waiting for turns, staying in the supervised area until dismissed, etc.)

​

9.  I'll keep it old-school.  In true homeschool fashion, we want to encourage relationships with people, promote physical, mental, and emotional development, and foster a relationship to the natural world.  Therefore, we will not allow anyone under 18 to have/use a smartphone or personal electronic gaming device while on Harmony grounds. 

​

Social media has a place in the world, but it does not support children’s well-being and is therefore not allowed on premises.  Children can use the Harmony phone to call for rides as needed, and parents can reach us in case of emergency as well.  (Please note, there may be legitimate extenuating circumstances for some kids/teens that necessitate having a personal device, such as medical monitoring, etc., and exceptions will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis for special permission with a contract for specific use.  Please reach out if this applies.) 

​

Laptops and iPads must have “safe search” software installed and can only be used for legitimate academic purposes/with permission & under supervision.  Using the internet to search graphic, explicit, sexual, hateful, violent, or otherwise inappropriate material is grounds for immediate removal from Harmony Center membership without refund.

​

10.  I'll keep it secular.  We support having a robust spiritual life, but to make everyone feel welcome and included, I will save my religious and spiritual speech and practices for places outside Harmony, similar to keeping "church and state" separate in the public sector.

​

11.  I understand that Harmony is an organization that enforces these rules.  If you feel they are too restrictive for your family to follow, then Harmony is probably not going to be a good fit.  Mistakes happen--especially with kids!!--and they provide opportunities for growth; however, families who repeatedly willfully disregard these tenets will be warned & may ultimately be removed from the organization without a refund.  Future re-application will be considered on a case-by-case basis.