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HOW YOU CAN PROTECT YOUR KIDS IN PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Being a Christian child in a public school can be challenging due to teachings that conflict with their beliefs. The clash between secular ideologies and Christian values can create internal struggles, as children face perspectives that contradict their faith and encounter situations where their values are misunderstood or questioned.

These experiences can lead to feelings of isolation or discrimination. In this secular environment, it may be difficult for Christian children to find supportive, like-minded peers. In elementary school, especially with the promotion of gender ideology and evolution, it’s essential for Christian children to form friendships with other believers. These friendships provide a strong support system when faced with anti-Christian teachings, such as being asked to use inaccurate pronouns in class.

Christian friends share similar values and beliefs, creating a sense of belonging and understanding. This environment allows children to express their faith confidently, fostering positive self-esteem and resilience. Meaningful Christian friendships help kids feel secure in their identity as children of God, equipping them to navigate school life with confidence and grace

​CHRISTIAN HUDDLES IN ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS

This is why FCA is now launching huddles in elementary schools. God is on the move. 
Our new President  wants prayer back in schools. 
Principals can now lead without fear. 

Christian Huddles bring love, faith, and joy into schools by creating a supportive environment for students to explore and develop their faith. Huddles focus on building relationships, developing character, and learning about the teachings of Jesus Christ.

Schools are still welcoming Christian huddles, so let's make the most of this opportunity. Especially now that FCA is starting huddles in elementary schools and helping to open doors with its reputable name.

A huddle will help your kids find friends who share their God-given identity and Christian values. These friendships can provide a foundation of support as they grow  and help them stay grounded in their faith and resist any unbiblical influences.

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​FCA HUDDLES

​FCA hosts huddles in more than 7000 schools across the United States and has a presence in over 100 countries worldwide. The following organizations support Christian clubs and huddles: Department of Education, ACLU,  and the Supreme Court.

​In an interview, Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona, shared, “If it weren't for my Faith I would not be here” (Source: Religion News Service; Dec.21,22) Christian huddles have always been legal. They will be easier to start now that we have a more supportive political climate.
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​LUNCH HUDDLES

​What? Kids gather around the lunch table with  other Christian  students to foster friendships and talk about God or  hear inspiring faith-based stories from a mom or huddle leader. We send out information to parents so they can sign up their child.

When? Huddles typically run one day  a week during the  20 minute lunch  break for 6-8 weeks each semester  such as Mighty Monday huddles or Fun Friday Huddles or anything in between.
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Where? We arrange with  the school for kids to bring their lunch to a classroom so they  can have an undisturbed devotion time.

Parents are welcome to stop by or stay. The huddle  is free and wer’re also looking for parent volunteers to help out.

Empowering Young Hearts

Why not call to inquire about a Huddle at your school.
Kids will enjoy a fun, caring environment where they can learn about God's love. 
They'll discover their true identity and understand how wonderfully they are made. 
With school often being a stressful place, a supportive group of like-minded friends can make it easier to navigate challenges.
Hall of  Fame FCA 
Serving Stark and surrounding counties
https://halloffamefca.org
330.309.5333
dedecker111@gmail.com

Oh and one more thing: Moms will you join us :)

Are you a Christian mom looking for a meaningful way to connect with your child at school and help them  find Christian friends. 

Would you be willing  to  come to school one day a week and share lunch with your child and some other Christian  kids  in a classroom setting as you lead a brief devotional guiding them in faith. 

Simply join us for about 6 to 8 weeks in the fall and spring to speak with the kids during their 20 minute lunch break once a week. We’ll provide guidance, handle sign-ups, and get approval from the principal for these huddles and then let you know which kids are interested in attending.

This is a unique opportunity to connect with your child and their friends supporting them on their Christian journey.
Many grandmas, youth leaders, and pastors also help lead huddles for the K-2nd grade and 3-5th grade huddles.

Because the lunchtime in most elementary schools is only 20 to 30 minutes, some people want to go a step further and start a Christian club which meets after school.

Want to go a step further?

We also help set up faith-based clubs which meet after school.

When it comes to Christian clubs most people think about high school first. Yes, our teenagers definitely need that kind of support as you see in the high school section, but so do our elementary school kids. Why not make sure that they get a good start in school with the right friends. With young children we often don't notice the negative influences bad relationships can have on them. After all they are not yet interested in music, parties, or drugs. Why not have your kids be around likeminded people with good character from an early age. 

Can elementary schools form Bible clubs⁠?

Yes, even in elementary schools students have the right to form clubs. These clubs need to be voluntary and offered during non-instructional time, meeting inside or outside the school. In elementary schools, parents make the decision about joining the club. Students will bring home an invitation to the club with a sign-up portion on the flyer which is then returned to the school. This way, only students with parental permission can attend the club⁠2.

Who sets up the club?

Typically a parent, pastor, grandparent, youth leader, or any concerned adult establishes the clubs. At the elementary school level, the club does not have to be student led. Instead the club leader communicates with the parents and obtains parental approval for the program that the club teacher proposes.
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How are elementary school Christian Huddles or clubs formed?

Elementary school Christian clubs are organized as community groups via the First Amendment’s Free Speech Clause. (The Equal Access Act does not apply to elementary schools).  The Club Teacher will request a community “ facility use” form for using the school facility.  But a meeting with the principal comes first. Club Organizers obtain approval from the principal for an after-school faith-based club according to Free Speech rights.  The principal will approve the flyer so it can be distributed to all students. A parental sign up portion is part of the flyer which will be returned to school. This sign up signature also constitutes permission from the parent to faith-based teaching in the club. School sponsors are not needed because parents give permission for their child to attend the program. This is explained in much greater detail in the book: Bring the Light to School. 

Some elementary schools prefer to have a Christian program be part of their enrichment program or their after-school program. Schools send a program out to the parents listing all the classes students can take with the sign-up form attached. This works just as an individual form going out to the parents. In all cases it's important to mention that this is a faith-based club. This will guarantee that only students whose parents want them in a Christian activity will attend. As the flyer explains, these clubs will freely talk about God
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Thousands of Schools nationwide have already implemented such voluntary after-school clubs and programs.

Partner with Schools is just one of hundreds of local and national organizations bringing faith-based hope into elementary schools. The two biggest national organizations alone hold clubs in over 3500 elementary schools nationwide. The majority of clubs are  are focused on the local level resulting in thousands more schools partnering with faith-based organizations.

For six weeks each semester a club focuses on faith, social emotional learning and character education.

Each christian club or program typically meets once a week for an hour after school for six weeks in fall and spring right on school premises. Because this is a voluntary after-school club you can freely teach a bible story and share about the faith.  

When you send out the club invitation to parents you will receive a sign up sheet back from the parents giving you permission to talk about God.  Instructional time is followed by games, music, small group discussion and activities.   The classes are fully planned and structured to prevent disciplinary problems and to keep students engaged.  

For holidays such as Valentine's Day, Easter, Thanksgiving and Christmas we always encourage to prepare something special for the students.  If it’s a time of the day where students get hungry we provide a healthy but kid-friendly snack.  We usually have one party during each semester for Christmas and Easter where we step it up yet another notch.

You can add a character education component to your club. Character education is required teaching in elementary schools and school staff appreciate any effort in helping to reinforce those character traits. One such program that many schools use is called character Counts. It reinforces six pillars of character: respect, trustworthiness, fairness, responsibility, caring, and citizenship. Since you can easily incorporate these character traits into your existing Bible stories and lessons you might want to do that as a service to the school. 

A Typical Schedule

Welcome & Roll Call:        5 minutes                            
Character Counts:           10 minutes                           
Music:                                  5 minutes
Bible Story:                       10 minutes
Small Group:                     10 minutes
Games or Craft:                10 minutes
Prayer and Dismissal      10 minutes

​What a great opportunity for christian students to find the right friends and share their faith with others.

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​Young students have their whole life in front of them. If we provide effective tools at an early age, future problems can be prevented.  The primary goal is for students to see themselves the way God sees them with their unique set of abilities and personalities. Bible stories are used for inspiration and teaching but will not focus on doctrinal division. The christian faith at large has so much in common that we focus on subjects such as: love, wisdom, and inner peace.

Steps to help your kids make friends in school.

​In a world buzzing with excitement and learning, a young Christian named Ava embarked on her elementary school journey with enthusiasm. However, Ava had a special desire—to connect with other kids who shared her faith in Jesus. Her journey of faith and friendship began with a step-by-step approach, guiding her to find like-minded friends right within her classroom.

Step 1: Sharing Faith in Discussions
Ava understood that sometimes, small actions can lead to meaningful connections. As she sat in class discussing stories or values, she gently included references to her beliefs in God and Jesus. When topics like kindness, love, or helping others arose, she openly shared how her faith inspired her to embrace these values. Her classmates listened intently and started to notice her genuine faith-filled perspectives.

During one discussion about helping those in need, Ava said, "I remember a story from the Bible about a kind Samaritan who helped a stranger in trouble. It reminds me of how important it is to show love and compassion to others." Her teacher and classmates nodded, appreciating her unique perspective.

Step 2: Observing Reactions
As Ava talked about her faith in class discussions, she keenly observed her classmates' reactions. Some classmates nodded in agreement, while others wore curious expressions. A few even approached her after class to ask more about her beliefs. These subtle cues helped Ava identify potential friends who might share her Christian values.

One day, after discussing the concept of forgiveness, a girl named Olivia approached Ava. "I really liked what you said about forgiveness and how your faith plays a role," Olivia admitted. Ava smiled warmly and responded, "It's something I believe in strongly. Do you feel the same way?" Olivia's eyes lit up, and a friendship began to bloom.

Step 3: Initiating Conversations
Building on these cues, Ava started friendly conversations with the classmates who seemed interested in her faith-based perspective. She asked open-ended questions like, "Have you ever read any Bible stories?" or "Do you go to church on Sundays?" These questions allowed her to explore common ground and discover whether her classmates shared her Christian values.

During a group project, Ava turned to Olivia and asked, "Do you have a favorite Bible story? Mine is about David and Goliath. It shows that even when faced with challenges, faith can help us overcome." Olivia grinned, sharing her love for the story of Noah's Ark. Their conversation flowed naturally, and they found themselves chatting about their faith for the rest of the project.

Step 4: Sharing Stories
As Ava's conversations deepened, she found a kindred spirit in Olivia. They discovered their shared belief in Jesus and their love for Bible stories. The two of them decided to share their favorite stories with each other during lunch breaks.

One day, Ava animatedly recounted the story of Daniel in the lion's den, emphasizing how Daniel's unwavering faith led to a miraculous rescue. Olivia was captivated by the tale and responded by sharing the story of Jonah and the whale. Their lunchtime discussions became a cherished tradition, strengthening their bond and allowing them to express their faith freely.

Step 5: Organizing Group Activities and Beyond
The foundation of faith and friendship Ava built with Olivia led to even more wonderful connections. Together, they decided to create a faith-centered group where kids could share stories, ask questions, and learn about Christianity. This group quickly grew as more classmates with similar interests joined in.

Through this faith-centered group, Ava, Olivia, and their new friends organized activities like reading Bible stories, creating artwork inspired by their faith, and even planning visits to local community service projects. Their shared passion for living out their Christian values brought them closer, and they discovered a supportive community within their school.

In the heart of the classroom and beyond, Ava's journey of faith and friendship transformed her school experience. By sharing her beliefs, observing reactions, initiating conversations, and sharing stories, she not only found friends who shared her Christian values but also created a vibrant community of young believers right within her elementary school. Ava's story teaches us that faith can be a bridge to authentic friendships, even in the most unexpected places.
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