Parent handbook2012-2013

Grace Community Church3098 I Avenue

Toledo, IA

52342-9501

(641) 484-3451

ContentsWelcome to Awana……………..………..pg. 1

All About Awana Clubs.………..………..pg. 2

Annual Dues………………..……………..pg. 3

Calendar.………………….…………….….pg.4

Description of Theme Nights……...pg.5 & 6

Behavioral Guidelines……………….….pg. 7

Wellness Policy……………………….…..pg. 8

Awards System…………….……………pg. 9 Uniforms, Bibles & Handbooks

Awana check in & dismissal……….…pg. 10

Precautionary measures for security

Cancellation……………………………..pg. 10

Parent Participation…………...……….pg. 11

Welcome to AwanaAwana is a children ministry organization which actively involves parents, mentors and church leaders in educating and encouraging youth ages 2-18 in learning and practicing the Truth of the Gospel.

Awana clubs involve more than1.5 million youth, 250,000 volunteers in 22,000 churches both nationally and internationally.

Awana represents and stands for" Approved workmen are not ashamed" as taken from 2 Timothy 2:15 of the Bible.

At Grace Community Church, we strive to teach and invest the Truth of the Bible in your Children’s hearts. We look forward to working with each youth and helping them on their spiritual journey.

We believe salvation is the key to eternal life and would like to offer your child the opportunity to accept this free gift, as well as learn about God and how he reveals himself. We strive to help children understand about God, His son, His Holy Spirit, the Church and how beneficial living as a Christian can be. This educational approach is fun, exciting and intriguing for children. It offers a positive community process with in the church from peers and adults. The Gospel is the message we believe and strive to incorporate into our daily lives. Salvation is a free gift. If you would like more information on salvation, please contact one of our pastors, leaders or helpers. The circle below represents the main points of the Gospel.

Awana ClubsCubbies

3yrs old – Preschool: built on 2 principles: spiritual training and learning home is where spiritual training occurs. Teaches the basics of Christianity. This group remains in the same class room the entire time, as well.

SparksKindergarten – 2nd grade: Getting deeper into God’s Word

& allowing guidance and understanding with salvation for anyone and everyone. This group transitions through the building to different places each night (*Awana circuit)

Truth & Training (T&T)3rd grade – 6th grade: Helping kids have Christ become a

way of life. This group focuses on leadership in the Church at a youth age. This group also transitions through the building throughout the evening (* Awana circuit)

*Awana Circuit for Sparks and T& T – each night, youth will go to each designated activity (Game Time, Counsels Time & Handbook Time) in a specific area for approx. 30 minutes at a time. T&T stay with their group and Sparks stay with their group when they

transition from one activity to the next. During Handbook time, groups may divide up to better allow children the opportunity to work through their handbook with more individualized attention.

Game Time is comprised of exciting circle games that are a popular draw for children

Council Time is a large-group setting consisting of praise and worship, Bible teaching, awards, announcements & presentation of the gospel.

Handbook Time provides small-group interaction, recitation of Scripture that kids learned during the week, friendship building & opportunities for leaders to mentor children and to help them understand the Bible verses they memorize.

Annual DuesRegistration Fee and Quarterly Dues (payment options and discounts):

Registration fee and dues includes Entrance Booklet, First Book for the Club Year, and awards. Uniforms, additional handbooks and replacements for lost items will have additional charges. See your club secretary for specific costs.

Multi-Child Discount: If more than 3 children from the same household are enrolled in club, the remaining children’s registration is $20 and dues are waived. Cost for uniforms, additional handbooks and/or replacement items will still apply.

Awana Service Discount: For one parent serving in Awana as an official Leader, Director, Secretary, or Listener, quarterly dues can be waived for one of your children. For two parents serving, dues will be waived for two of your children.

Partial and/or Full Scholarships: Grace Community Church is committed to helping those who may need financial assistance. Please speak to Awana commanders for more information about partial scholarships.

Please select one of the following payment options:

OPTION 1: Onetime payment of Registration and Dues $50

OPTION 2: Registration 1st quarter dues = $20 now, then quarterly dues of $10 payable on every 3 months

OPTION 3: Registration 1st quarter dues = $20 now, then $1 each Wednesday clubber attends Awana

Costs of Uniforms: $10.00 Costs of replacement or additional books: $10.00 Costs of entrance book: $5.00

**Reminders are sent home with child for quarterly or weekly dues for options 1 & 2

September January5th Kick off 2nd No Awana12th Bad Hair Night 9th Freedom Night19th Show & Tell 16th Jammies for Jesus26th BARF Night 23rd Ugly Sweater NightOctober 30th Pump up the Pastor Night3rd Go Fishing Night February10th Silly Sock Night 6th Sport Your Favorite Team17th Twins Night 13th Meet it to Eat it24th Drive in Movie Night 20th Store Night31st Store Night 27th Cast your BurdensNovember March7th Deck out the Decade 6th Grandparent’s Night14th Life Saver Night 13th Mustache March21st No Awana 20thCan Food Drive28th Superhero Night 27th Parents NightDecember April5th Career Night 3rd Silent Night12th Store Night 10th Store Night

19th Celebrate Jesus’ B-day 17th Nonsense Olympics26th No Awana 24th Awards Night

Description of Calendar Events

Awana kick off: get registered and meet your new Awana leaders and peers

Awards Night: last night of the year to recognize the achievements and acknowledge the leaders and work

BARF Night: Bring a real friend to share the Awana experience

Bad Hair Night: Wear your craziest hair do, because either way, God loves you

Can Food Drive: Bring nonperishable food items to donate to our local food pantry

Cast your burdens: Watch your burdens be lifted

Celebrate Jesus Birthday: Through a party, singing and sharing our spiritual gifts we appreciate

Deck out the decade- Pick your favorite decade of style and clothing and rock it out in costume to celebrate how God has loved us throughout time.

Drive in movie night: bring a Kleenex box (or something same in size) and design a car that can lead you to the path of righteousness. Plus movie & popcorn to celebrate following the path.

Freedom Night: write a letter, make a card or draw a picture to someone in the military to show our appreciation for salvation

Go Fishing Night: Dress up like you’re going out for a day on the lake, as we are sent to be “Fisherman” for Jesus’ word – Please no dangerous accessories please

G’parent Night: Bring a grandparent or adult friend to come check out our cool Awana night

Jammies for Jesus: dress up in your comfy Pj’s. Please make sure it coordinates with weather conditions

Life Saver Night: for every verse you say, get a life saver candy to celebrate, because accepting that Jesus was sent for us DID save us

Meet it to Eat it: Clubbers will work to meet a organizational goal set up by commanders (i.e. number of clubbers, Bible memorization, etc) and be rewarded with a meal

Mustache March: design a cool a mustache and attach it to a stick of some sort to show your silly side – be careful…..this gets a little hairy

Nonsense Olympics Night: Youth will engage in Olympic games with ridiculous objects

Parent’s night: parents and/or caregivers feel free to come and see how we spend our nights of fun and learning the Gospel

Pump up the Pastor Night: Each kid brings questions they have about the Bible

Show & Tell: bring an inexpensive item from home that means something to you and share its meaning

Silent Night: kids are encouraged and rewarded if they can practice focus and communication to God through acts of kindness, caring and love

Silly Sock Night: wear your silliest or unmatching socks to celebrate the unique people God made us to be

Sport Your Favorite Team: come dressed in your coolest sports team clothes and memorabilia

Store Night: use your shares from reading verses to purchase a gift from our store

Superhero Night: Dress up like your favorite Bible character or superheroTwins Night: Bring a friend or two and dress up all the same or pair up with another clubber

Ugly Sweater Night: Break out the ugliness in your wardrobe, because no one’s perfect

Behavioral & Discipline Guidelines

Discipline is teaching desirable behavior and self-control. We will make an effort to teach the behaviors we deem desirable and essential. First, our expectations are clearly stated from the beginning of club and repeated, modeled, encouraged and rewarded. Our leaders us a positive behavioral support approach to reinforce desirable behavior. As part of our goal to train boys and girls to serve Christ, we will acknowledge and redirect behaviors, which don’t line up with God’s Word. We will use a “3” count system in order to enforce established rules and expectations for behavior. If a child is intentionally disrespectful or disruptive to the club, we will use the following procedures: 1. A “1” count will be given for the first offense and a verbal explanation as to the inappropriateness of the behavior will be given by his/her leader. 2. A “2” count will be given for the second offense and the child will be counseled by a leader or Club Director. 3. A “3” count is given for the third offense and the child is then taken to the Commander who will then call the parents. The child will be given a chance to talk to his/her parents, with a conversation between the Commander and parents following. They will discuss if further action is necessary or if an additional meeting is necessary.

It is our prayer that no situation will ever have to be resolved in this manner, but in fairness to all clubbers and leaders, the above procedures will be enforced as necessary.

We will also use a “5” count system in order to manage and obtain attention from youth in a large group setting. A leader will begin counting down from 5 down to 1, becoming softer each time a number is called. It is the goal for the group to be totally quiet and ready to listen by the time 1 is reached. In the event that a particular clubber refuses to settle down and cooperate with leaders once club has begun, the “3” count system as described above, will be used.

Wellness PolicyWe do believe in working to keep children’s health and personal wellness at optimal levels. This helps and means that children are more eager and available to learn God’s word. As a result, we ask parents/caregivers to please consider the following request to not send your children to Awana if they’ve had any of the symptoms in past 24 hours:

Fever Coughing, croup or sneezing Vomiting or diarrhea Green or cloudy runny nose Inflamed throat or mouth Runny or pink eyes Any skin inflammation such as rashes, ringworm, impetigo Symptoms of any childhood disease (chicken pox,

measles, mumps, etc) Lice/Knits

No medications can be dispensed by the child or your child’s leader. In cases where medication is imperative and if the parents can’t be reached, an Awana director or commander will dispense the medication.

On the wellness side of the aspect, Awana game time allows for children to exercise and elevate heart rates for healthy exercise and fun.

ACCIDENTAL INJURY POLICY

If an accident or injury occurs while at Awana, an accident report will be completed and minor first aid given by someone certified in first aid, if necessary. We ask that you sign the form before leaving with your child. A copy is kept on file on the ministry office.

Awards SystemEach Awana clubber has the opportunity to earn “bucks” or “play” money as reward for wearing their uniform, club attendance, passing sections, and bringing a friend. The bucks are issued by leaders according to our set guidelines, but those guidelines are subject to change without prior notification. However, we strive to be consistent and fair when awarding bucks. The Awana bucks become the responsibility of each individual clubber and cannot be replaced if lost or stolen. The Awana store is set up with items that kids love, ranging from small novelty items to gift cards to their favorite stores. Clubbers have the opportunity to spend their bucks whenever the store is open. The store will be open 30 minutes before and 15 minutes after designated club meetings, at least once a quarter, but could be more. Store hours are subject to change without prior written notification. Donations that might encourage kids to learn are greatly appreciated! See any Awana leader for suggested donations. We encourage all clubbers to spend all their bucks the last store night. Bucks should not carry over to the next year. Sorry, but Awana bucks cannot be replaced if lost or stolen. We provide an envelope stapled to the handbook for storing your child’s bucks. Please make sure your child’s name is on the envelope (not the money! Just like the real stuff, it is used over and over). All bucks should be spent at the end of the year. Awana bucks will be awarded to each clubber using the following guidelines:

Club Attendance 1 buck Bringing Bible 1 buck Bringing Handbook 1 buck Wearing Uniform 1 buck

Participating in Theme Night 1 buck Passing a section 2 bucks Bringing a first time visitor 5 bucks Showing good Christian Character 1 buck* Bring a visitor 2nd or 3rd visit 1 buck* *Christian Character bucks are awarded by any leader to any club

member who demonstrates Biblical behavior Exemplifies Christ-like behavior. *A visitor is anyone who has not attended more than 3 times.

Once they have attended 3 times, they are added to the members list and are considered a member.

Awards System Continued….

Each clubber will also be acknowledged through specific club awards for the progress they’ve made in their hand book. Cubbies will earn patches and a small cubby bear to acknowledge handbook and attendance. Sparkies will get a set of wings to pin on their vests after they’ve completed their start zone, along with an official Sparkie club card. The hand books are designed to acknowledge bench marks through “jewels”. These jewels are awarded the following week during hand book time. Jewels will be placed onto their wings, to acknowledge how far they’ve gotten through their handbook. T&T has a similar award system, but it’s set up through a pin with a dog and dog dish on it. When T&T progress and meet bench marks, they are rewarded with “doggie bones” the following week. These too, will be placed onto their pins to recognize their progress. Attendance awards are also acknowledged through patches and other awards throughout the year or on awards night at the end of the Awana year. Parents are welcome and encourage attending the awards night, to cheer their children and leaders on with learning righteous ways of life through God’s Word.

Awana check in & dismissal

Check in: Children will check in at the secretary station no earlier than 6:20pm. Once attendance is recorded, the child will report to their designated club area. The AWANA circuit will start promptly at 6:30pm.

Check out: The person picking up the child must come into the Church at 8pm and pick their child up in the sanctuary. We will not be sending children out to cars, unless circumstances are necessary. In this case, directors/leaders will walk youth to the vehicle to assure authorized person/s are transporting child.

**On the registration form under “Pick up Authorization”, there are guidelines stating parents and four other authorized adults over 18 can pick up your child. If other arrangements are necessary, the parent must contact the club director, a commander or group secretary of specific person/s

picking up the child. The child must recognize the person and if there are suspicions, the person may be asked to show identification.

IF SOUTH TAMA SCHOOLS IS CANCELED OR DISMISSED EARLY FOR BAD WEATHER THERE WILL BE NO Awana THAT EVENING!

Additional Safety Precautions: All leaders, helpers, volunteers and persons associated through Grace Community Church are screened through the legal system and abuse registries prior to be being eligible to participate in Children’s ministry. Helpers are also trained in safety precautions to reduce the risk of other children placing children at risk.

Parent Participation1. First of all, we covet your prayers for the children and their families involved in our program.

2. You can pray for our church and its leaders.

3. You can pray for your child’s Awana leaders.

4. Financial support through Awana offerings and club dues are a blessing to us.

5. You can volunteer! We offer training and will place you in an age group of your preference. It is highly encouraged parents participate as a helper or listener.

6. You can review the discipline guidelines found in this handbook and review them with your child. We have very few rules, but in order to ensure all clubbers have an opportunity to learn and have fun, the rules of behavior will be enforced.

7. You can arrive and pick up promptly on time. This shows a tremendous respect for our leaders’ time!

8. The most important thing you can do is encourage and support your child’s efforts. Be their cheerleader! Praise every effort!

9. Help your child read and practices the memory verses and understanding.

10. Help your child be regular in attendance and arrive at club on time. Some awards are based on attendance, so please be here if you can. If your child misses a club meeting due to an illness, please let us know the next club meeting in order for us to excuse that absence.

11. Once your child has a uniform, try to ensure it is worn each week. This reinforces the idea of community and discipline. Your child should be in uniform to receive club awards. Uniform or theme night attire will be honored.

12. Attend church and Sunday school, somewhere. Our desire is to teach the Word of God to your child and your family. It is not our desire to take you away from your home church. However, if you do not have a home church, you are always invited to worship with us! We offer a worship service at 10am. We also offer Sunday school for all ages at those same hours.