SHEAF FAQs

  1. What is SHEAF?

    SHEAF, the Secular Home Educators Association of Florida, is a Florida nonprofit incorporation and a state-wide homeschool support association. SHEAF is a collection of homeschoolers whose goal is an annual secular convention in the State of Florida, beginning with SHEAF Convention 2009 planned for early 2009, in Orlando, Florida.

  2. Why did you choose to use the word secular?

    We chose to include the word secular in our groups name so that there would be no confusion as to the purpose of our group- we want a religion-free focus for our organization. Our ’secularness’ is more about what stuff we cover…the business-end of homeschooling. We don’t do purity balls, “Jesus loves Me Because I Homeschool”, or any other religious based activities. In that sense we are TRULY inclusive. Our goal is to provide a community where ALL homeschool families are provided a voice.

  3. Is it legal to homeschool in Florida?

    Yes, it is definitely legal to homeschool in Florida. Florida is actually pretty homeschool-friendly and it is fairly easy to comply with Florida laws with regards to homeschool.

    For detailed information, see the Florida Department of Education’s website:
    http://www.floridaschoolchoice.org/information/home_education/

  4. Is it legal to unschool in Florida?

    Yes. Unschooling is a form of homeschooling and it is legal in Florida.

  5. How do I join?

    There are 3 ways to join SHEAF:
    1. Mail a check to us along with an application form that you print off.
    2. Pay online via Paypal funds, along with your online application form.
    3. Pay online with VISA/MC via Paypal along with your online application form.
    http://oursheaf.org/membership/

  6. What do I get for my membership fee?

    Every SHEAF member:
    · Receives a membership card which can be used to secure homeschool discounts around the state
    · helps support and fund our 2009 secular convention
    · receives access to our members-only forum
    · is able to list and purchase from our online members-only used curriculum classified iTrader forum
    · is able to volunteer to help plan and create our convention and our state-wide association.

  7. I want to get involved! How do I help out with the convention, newsletter, et al.

    Once you become a member, you can view the list of volunteer opportunities in our members-only forum, and you can offer to help with the area(s) you choose. There are numerous volunteer opportunities and more presenting themselves all the time. If you would like to assist in a way that you do not see listed, email us at membership@oursheaf.org .

  8. Can my homeschool support group join SHEAF?

    Yes, any homeschool support group in Florida that accepts our Mission Statement and sends in an application with at least 10 members and their group membership fees, may join SHEAF. Member groups will be listed on our group directory.

  9. What sort of convention will it be?

    SHEAF’s 2009 Convention will be a Secular Convention. The offerings at the SHEAF Convention will be based on the mechanics of home education. The board members of SHEAF have been greatly inspired by the InHome Conference in Illinois, which you can view at this link: http://www.homeeducatorsconference.org/index.html As we finalize convention details, they will be added to the “Convention” link on this site. Check back often for additional details.

    For more information on what we mean by “secular”, please go here:
    http://oursheaf.org/about/

  10. Can I rent a booth at the convention?

    Yes, we are accepting vendors at the SHEAF Convention. More information will be posted on our site as we confirm details and get closer to the date of the convention. Please stay tuned. Meanwhile, if you would like to get on the list of possible vendors, please e-mail us at vendors@oursheaf.org .

  11. Our homeschool support group is inclusive or secular, can we join
    SHEAF?

    Yes, absolutely, all you need to do is fill out the group application form and send it in with payment. Your group will be listed on our directory, with information about your group.

  12. Our homeschool support group is a religious group with a required
    statement of faith, can we still join SHEAF?

    Yes, any group who is willing to stand by our Mission Statement and join us to speak about home education matters (not religious ones) is welcome to join SHEAF with at least 10 members. We will add your group to our directory noting that you require a statement of faith, along with your mission statement, once you send in your group application with fees for at least 10 members.

    Please note that this group is about secular discussions of home education and is not a good fit for all people or groups.

  13. How do I join the SHEAF discussion forum?

    Once you are a member, you will receive an e-mail, explaining how you can join our members only forum.

  14. Is there a place on your website where you can list used curriculum for sale?

    Yes, in our members-only forum, we utilize iTrader to facilitate members listing and selling used curriculum to one another.

  15. I’ve heard about XYZ group starting. Are you going to be merging with them? Are you going to be merging with any state-wide groups or umbrella schools?

    No, SHEAF has no plans to merge with any other groups. We like that there are other group options in Florida and feel that each one offers different and wonderful things, including SHEAF. We encourage home educators in Florida to join as many as they would like to join.