Three School Rules for Students
Rules and structure are important standards to live by in life. As Christians, these standards are laid out in great detail in the Bible. Students of Enlightium Academy also have the Family Handbook, which is provided to students by the administration to set expectations for families for the school year. At Enlightium Academy, we fine-tuned three rules that you are expected to understand and follow to have the best year possible.
1. Students should keep all communications honoring to God.
Good communication is essential when it comes to online homeschooling. Communication between you and your teachers should be done in a respectful, well thought out manner. “May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable to You, Lord, my rock and my Redeemer” (Psalm 19:14). We as Christians ought to be choosing our words thoughtfully when we communicate with those who are in higher authority than us, as God has put these people on earth to train us and guide us in the way where we should go.
Not only should we consider if our communication honors God we should also consider how we respond to each person in our lives. “Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person” (Colossians 4:6). When we think about how we respond to each person in our lives, no matter what the situation may be, we are putting our best foot forward towards avoiding conflict, which is also a way of honoring God.
Finally, good, God-honoring communication also means not gossiping or putting down someone with your words. “Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear” (Ephesians 4:29). We should not fall into the sin of slandering other people just because we are upset with or don’t like a particular person. Good, God-honoring communication entails building up your fellow brothers and sisters in Christ so they do not get worn down or discouraged.
2. Students should obey parents and teachers as they work collaboratively on their education.
Not only does good, God-honoring communication go a long way to being a good student, obedience also plays a factor as well. First and foremost, you should show respect and obedience to your parents, who are working hand-in-hand with you to succeed in their education. “Honor your father and mother—which is the first commandment with a promise - so that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth” (Ephesians 6:1–3). The command for children to obey their parents is found often in the Bible, which illustrates the importance of this command to God.
“My son, keep your father’s command and do not forsake your mother’s teaching” (Proverbs 6:20). There are times where it may be hard to fully grasp where your parents are coming from when they make the rules that they do. You may be under the impression that you already know what you need to know and that your parents are just a tad bit “out of touch” with your generation. That is not the case. No matter how frustrating it may be, your parents are wiser than you are and have experienced a lot of the same issues you may be going through now. They make the rules and give the advice that they do because they love you and want to see you succeed. It is worth it to stop, take a step back, and listen to what they might have to say.
It is also very important to listen to your teachers as well. They are there to help you do your best and succeed in school. Any instruction or correction they may have to give you should be heeded that you may enrich your knowledge as well as earn the best grades possible. “Do all things without grumbling or questioning, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world” (Philippians 2:14–15). So whenever you receive any feedback from your teachers, instead of sighing and thinking of it as one more thing that you have to get done, take heed to their corrections. If you do, you ensure that you are not cutting corners to get a job done fast, but that you are doing a job correctly to receive the best grade you possibly can get.
3. Students should do their best in completing their schoolwork.
For some of you, you may love the thought of logging in every day to complete your schoolwork. For others, it may just be another chore that you cannot wait to get through so you can actually go and do what you want. No matter where you may fall, it is good to remember that your schoolwork is one of the most important jobs God has assigned to you at this point in your life. “Whatever you do, do it enthusiastically, as something done for the Lord and not for men” (Colossians 3:23). The work we are assigned to do is to be done for God and not just for the grade or just because your parents and teachers want you to do it. If you ever find your schoolwork to be a chore, just remember you are not doing it so you can make your teachers and parents happy by receiving good grades. You are doing it as an act of love and service to the Lord.
These rules are vital to your success during your time as a student here at EA. If you keep these rules and the corresponding scriptures a priority in your education, you are not only building up good habits for now, but you are laying a firm groundwork for the rest of your life. Remember that rules are not just some mundane thing you need to follow, but a good standard through which you can build a healthy lifestyle around.
