Home Educators of New Brunswick

Christmas Blessings

2009-12-22T17:42:00.002-05:00

Hello Everyone,

Just wanted to tell everyone to have a Merry Christmas from the Executive of the Home Educators of New Brunswick. May you have a blessed Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Blessings to you and your family from:
Jodie and Benoit, Peter and Betty-Lou, Norman and Arlene, Jamie and Carol, Marcus and Heather and Andrea and Derrick

Legislature Day is tommorow December 8th, 2009!!!

2009-12-07T12:40:00.000-05:00

Hello Everyone!

Just a quick reminder about Legislature Day tommorrow (Tuesday December 8th). It's not too late to decide to come...the more the merrier. Register if possible. Give the kids a break and come to the Legislature...an educational field trip worth attending. We have over 85 kids coming!! Please make an effort to come...be part of a history making event. There is a special presentation to all MLA's in New Brunswick on behalf of HENB.

Blessings to all
See you tommorrow
The Legislature Day Committee
Benoit & Jodie Grondin, Norman & Arlene Brown, Peter & Betty-Lou Ferris, and Kevin & Jessica Rogers

Legislature Day is coming Tues. Dec. 8th Join Us!!!

2009-12-01T15:32:00.002-05:00

Dear Fellow Home Educators,

Just 1 week from today is our Legislature Day. Come and join us as we enjoy a tour of the legislature, observe the opening and listen to the floor discussions of the day. Your attendance is appreciated as we represent home educating families in the province of New Brunswick.

Many people still have misconceptions about home educating and wonder "Is it really working?", "Is it really legal?" Does home education create good citizens? Are they happy with their lives? Is it only for the wealthy and educated?

By organizing this event, HENB presents home educating to our MLA's. HENB has made special arrangements to give each MLA a packet of information about home educating in Canada that will include a personal letter and an informational brochure about HENB. Each MLA will also receive a mug and plate of Christmas cookies with an attached card with the Christmas story. Imagine all 56 MLA’s and the house speaker receiving the story of the birth of Christ with the salvation message. This is an outreach you can be apart of. By attending this event, you show our MLA's that home educators are real people, and a real part of their constituency.

As a reminder, we do have over 65 children registered (and 31 parents) to come to the Legislature already and would love for you and your family to come as well. Come join in the fun we would love to have at least 90 children present. Help make that happen!

The upcoming Legislature Day, is on Tuesday December 8, 2009. Please email info@henb.org to advise us how many children and how many adults are coming.

Some things to note:*Please note adults need a piece of ID

From your Legislature Day Committee
Benoit & Jodie Grondin, Peter & Betty-Lou Ferris, Norman & Arlene Brown, Kevin & Jessica Rogers

Bus for Legislature Day

2009-11-24T18:09:00.002-05:00

Hello All,

Just a quick note to advise you that there will be no HENB buses going to the Legislature. There was just not enough interest in the bus ride.

As a reminder we do have 60 children registered to come to the Legislature already and would love for you and your family to come as well. Come join in the fun we would love to have at least 90 children present. Help make that happen!

We are going on December 8th!!

Blessings to you
Jodie

Bus Proposal for Legislature Day

2009-11-02T13:50:00.003-05:00

Home Educators of New Brunswick is considering renting 2 school buses from Saint John To Fredericton and return, and from Moncton to Fredericton and return .

The bus would leave Saint John around 8am and leave Fredericton to return in the area of 3:30 ish.

The bus would leave Moncton between 7 and 7:30am and return around 4-4:30pm.

It would cost $5.00 per person for members of HENB and $10.00 per person for non-members. A bus holds 48 people. Families wishing to travel by bus will be asked to pre-pay.

Everyone interested from Saint John area should sign up at the email ferris6@nb.sympatico.ca.

Everyone interested from Moncton area should sign up at the email jodieinnewbrunswick@yahoo.ca

Please write Bus for Legislature Day in the Subject line.Let us know how many adults and how many students.

*The Legislature Day Committee:*
Kevin and Jessica Rogers, Norman and Arlene Brown, and Benoit and Jodie Grondin

Attention Parents of High School students!!

2009-10-30T19:27:00.000-04:00

"Post Secondary Days" is being held this NOV. 4 from 7-9pm at the HMCS Brunswicker Naval Reserve Building, 160 Chesley Drive. Saint John, NB.

Representation (tables/booth format) will be there by various groups that offer post secondary education. There will be universities, community colleges, technical schools, you name it.

Apparently, this is an annual event and various high schools have appointments through the day.

HENB Legislature Day and HENB Annual Conference

2009-10-20T14:27:00.001-04:00

Just a note with a couple of dates for you to pass along to your home educating friends and family and mark on your calendar.

HENB is sponsoring A Day at the Legislature in Fredericton on December 8, 2009

Free Tours of the Legislature Building will be available at 10 AM & 11 AM.
The house sits at 1:00 pm & we have to back before the prayer starts (12:45 pm) to be seated in the visitor’s gallery.

Also Science East has been booked for 10 AM and 11 AM as well (Cost will be $4.00 per person).

Mark your calendar. More details will follow soon.

HENB ANNUAL CONFERENCE WILL BE HELD IN Sussex May 28 & 29, 2010
Key note speakers will be Mike and Elizabeth Smith. Mike Smith is President of HSLDA and serves on the HSLDA Canada Board.

MARK YOUR CALENDAR.

Home School Nobel Prize Winner!!!

2009-10-07T17:21:00.000-04:00

On CBC News: http://www.cbc.ca/canada/ottawa/story/2009/10/06/nobel-prize-physics-kao-boyle-smith281.html

Check it out!

Info for Spelling Bee...be a Participant!!

2009-10-07T17:19:00.001-04:00

TEACHERS AND PRINCIPALS:
Register now for the 2010 Canwest Canspell National Spelling Bee program!

· What is Canwest Canspell? It’s a free spelling bee program, presented by Canada Post, that offers students in Grades 4-8 an opportunity to sharpen their study and spelling skills. Students take part in classroom and/or school-wide events for a chance to compete regionally, nationally and internationally for great cash and prizes!
· What is a teacher’s role in Canspell? Teachers are an integral part of the Canspell program. Teachers encourage students to study spelling materials and organize verbal or written classroom spelling bees.
· What materials does a teacher need? Registered schools receive a Teacher’s Kit with everything you need: study material, activity sheets, word lists and A-Z instructions.
· How does a school get involved? Just visit our website at www.canspell.com to register and find out more about the program or contact us directly:

Justine MacLean
Brunswick News Inc. / The Telegraph Journal
(506) 458-6432
maclean.justine@brunswicknews.com

If you are interested...The first step is getting your home school organization signed up, and you can do that through a link found in the attachment. Once you are signed up, I’ll send you a teacher’s kit with information on how to organize a school bee.

Book December 8th

2009-10-05T22:49:00.002-04:00

Hello All,

We will be going to the Legislature in Fredericton on December 8th, 2009.

Please plan to attend to help represent NB Home Educators to our MLA's and the premier.

More info to follow!!

St John...Fundy Home Educators 1st Mtg Date

2009-09-02T15:35:00.001-04:00

Fundy Home Educators 1st Meeting

Registration at 6.30 Meeting at 7pm.
At the Stone Church on Carleton Street, Saint John,NB
Fee $25
First meeting is on *SEPTEMBER 14, 2009*. (first Monday after Labour Day)

1ST Moncton Support Group Mtg

2009-09-01T21:27:00.001-04:00

1st Meeting of the Year MONCTON CHRISTIAN HOME EDUCATORS

Hello Everyone,

Hoping everyone had a wonderful summer. Looking forward to seeing many of you on Friday at the picnic.

Our 1 st Support Group Meeting: We will be meeting at The Christian Church on Mountain Rd on Thursday September 17th at 6:30pm.

Agenda: Register for the year $25 , election of 2 new officers, HENB and HSLDA short discussion, new books for the library, Read-A-Thon information, and …

a panel discussion that will give us a “DAY IN THE LIFE OF…” that will give us a glimpse of what others do in their home school .

6:30 – 7:00 pm registration.

If you would like to bring snacks or other finger food or desserts along to share that would be wonderful.

If you have found the book Cathy Duffy’s 100 Top Picks that belongs to Jodie from the library please email Jodie and bring it to the meeting please. jodieinnewbrunswick@yahoo.ca

Thank you, See you there… Jessica, Jodie, Cynthia, Rachael, and Mary Beth
P

Dyslexia Seminar in Moncton

2009-08-31T10:13:00.000-04:00

Good morning. I have attached a flyer for the Ron Davis lecture on “Discover the Answer to Dyslexia” as well as a link with more information.

Moncton registrations
http://www.rondavislectures.com/Sept09/nb.html

Thank you,
Bernice Taylor
Licensed Davis™ Facilitator
Imagine - A Solution For Dyslexia202 Downey Ave, Suite #2
Riverview, NB, Canada, E1B 1W7506-871-5674
bernice@dyslexia-solution.com
http://www.dyslexia-solution.com

Margie Christ New Brunswick’s Home Educated student DID AWESOME at the Spelling Bee in Washington, DC.

2009-05-28T18:39:00.003-04:00

Margie Christ, a New Brunswick’s Margie Christ New Brunswick’s Home Educated student DID AWESOME at the Spelling Bee in Washington, DC. We (friends, family and fellow home educators) are so proud of her. She is the best speller in New Brunswick. She represented New Brunswick at the National Spelling Bee and went far at the Spelling Bee in Washington. Way to go Margie and her parents Marcus and Heather for all their hard work!

Margie was able to get to Round 3 and was only 2 points off of the semifinals position. Only 41 of the original 293 students went to the semifinals. All Canadians went out in Round 5.

On another exciting note Margie was interviewed on CBC Radio on Thursday afternoon live on Shift.

Way to go Margie…you have done awesome and we are so proud of you!!
in Washington, DC. We (friends, family and fellow home educators) are so proud of her. She is the best speller in New Brunswick. She represented New Brunswick at the National Spelling Bee and went far at the Spelling Bee in Washington. Way to go Margie and her parents Marcus and Heather for all their hard work!

Margie was able to get to Round 3 and was only 2 points off of the semifinals position. Only 41 of the original 293 students went to the semifinals. All Canadians went out in Round 5.

On another exciting note Margie was interviewed on CBC Radio on Thursday afternoon live on Shift.

Way to go Margie…you have done awesome and we are so proud of you!!

Friday Night Conference Contest...bring friends!!

2009-05-19T12:39:00.001-04:00

Dear Home School Support Group Leader,

Did you miss the National Home School Leadership Conference that was held in Buffalo, New York in September of 2008? Here's an opportunity for your support group to have an MP3 of those conference speakers.The HENB Conference is fast approaching! It will be held at the Sussex Wesleyan Church, Friday, June 5 & Saturday, June 6. In the Friday PM Rally starting at 7 PM we will give a MP3 of that National conference to the Support Group that has the most people represented. That is a $140.00 in US dollars value!! So do some last minute recruiting and encourage the membership of your local support group to attend. Friday's schedule will begin at 5 PM with a Used Curriculum sale. In the evening Rally Mike & Debra Flewelling from Tree of Life will be sharing from their years of experience and we'll end with a Cafe connection where you can sharpen your home schooling sword by sharing around the table with other home school parents. "Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend." Proverbs 27:17 So pick up the phone and encourage a fellow Home Schooler to attend.

See you there!
Benoit Grondin & Norman Brown
2009 HENB Conference Coordinators
www.henb.org

HENB Conference Coming Soon

2009-05-14T21:13:00.001-04:00

Hello Fellow Home Educators ~

Did you know the Annual HENB Homeschool Conference is only 3 1/2 weeks away?! Final preparations are being made for "Be Thou My Vision" being held in Sussex on Friday, June 5, and Saturday, June 6.We have a great weekend planned with opportunities for parents, teens, and children. Friday night will offer our Used Curriculum Sale, our first session of the weekend with the Flewellings, and a new component - Cafe Connection. This dessert time is an opportunity to get to know some of the other homeschoolers in our province. Share ideas, ask questions, and come away encouraged by other "in the trenches" homeschoolers. We will also be offering a Teen Cafe Connection for our youth.

Saturday morning our children's program for ages 5-12 will start at 8:30am. Help your children get settled and then grab a coffee and a muffin and join us in the main auditorium as we kick off our day at 8:45am. We have a full day planned with seasoned homeschoolers who are preparing to share their hearts and experience in hopes that you will be encouraged, refreshed, and better equipped with practical ideas for your homeschool. Our vendor hall will be open from 10:00am-4:30pm. Vendors with years of experience and knowlege about homeschooling and the materials they carry will help steer you in the direction that is right for your family.

The Early Bird registration date of May 22 is approaching fast. Check out www.henb.org <http://www.henb.org/> under "Conferences" for more information and a printable registration form. You can help us out and bless another homeschooling family by putting this information in the hands of those in your area who may not be aware of this conference.

Hope to see you in a few weeks,
Benoit Grondin & Norman Brown
HENB Conference Coordinators
www.henb.org <http://www.henb.org/>

Heritage Fairs in New Brunswick for Home Educators

2009-04-16T08:36:00.000-04:00

Every year Heritage Fairs are held where students present projects they have done about some aspect of our Canadian Heritage. Here are 3 events that are occuring in the New Brunswick Home School Community in the next few weeks. THE ONE IN MONCTON IS TONIGHT- Thursday, April 18th Everyone is invited to all of these. Take the time to go and view the projects even if your children are not involved!

In conjunction with these fairs, Home Educators of New Brunswick is sponsoring an annual "Christian Heritage Award"

HENB Guidelines for the Christian Heritage AwardHENB will present an annual trophy for the Regional Heritage Fair, inBloomfield, NB. The fair is open to all Homeschoolers in New Brunswickand to all Christian School students in New Brunswick."preference will be given to a Home student""preference will be given to a student whose project portrays Christian Heritage"The decision of who should receive the HENB honour goes to the Heritage Fair Committee. HENB will be responsible for providing the trophy and take home trophy *or *small gift each year for the winning student.

Mention of the recipient of this year's award will also be made at the Home Educators of New Brunswick Conference in Sussex June 5, 6th.

MONCTON AREA HOMESCHOOLERS HERITAGE FAIR
Our first local heritage fair will be held at the Moncton Public Library on Thursday, April 16th from 6:00 p.m. until 7:30 p.m. You are most welcome to drop in for a few moments to see the wonderful displays of projects of 16 of your children's colleagues. You never know, perhaps next year, your children will want to participate as well! Entrance is free.

Notre première fête du patrimoine aura lieu à la bibliothèque publique de Moncton jeudi le 16 avril de 18h à 19h30. Venez quelques minutes pour voir les beaux projets qui seront exposés par 16 collègues de vos enfants. Qui sait, peut-être que l'an prochain, vos enfants auront aussi le goût de participer. Entrée gratuite.

Fundy Home Educators Heritage Fair
-April 27th 7pm Saint John, at Vineyard Christian Fellowship, 204 Carmarthen Street.
We are looking forward to a great Evening. Great projects and Great presentations. Even if you are not in the program mark your calendar and plan on attending. This is our largest Homeschool assemble of the year. Invite family and friends to join in on the excitement. It is a wonderful opportunity to celebration our Homeschool community in Saint John. Your participation will make this our best fair yet!*
Questions? Betty-Lou 738-3366 ferris6@nb.sympatico.ca

Regional Heritage Fair
Central Norton United Baptist Church
435 Route 121, Bloomfield. E5N 4T7
Friday, May 1st at 7pm
All are welcome to come and see the Canadian fair Projects that Home Schooled students have prepared.
Plan to stay an enjoy Birthday Cake and help us celebrate New Brunswick's 225th Birthday!

Questions? Emile Matheson 506-485-2507 bfmath@nb.sympatico.ca

Home Educated Margie Christ won the Canwest Canspell Spelling Bee (NB)

2009-04-15T22:47:00.001-04:00

Hi Folks!

You may or may not be aware that a home schooled student has won the Canwest Canspell Spelling Bee for New Bunswick which earned her the right to represent NB in Ottawa. That student is Margie Christ, daughter of Marcus (HENB board member) and Heather Christ of Saint John.There are 22 finalists from across Canada. The preliminary rounds take place tomorrow, Thursday and can be watched at www.canspell.ca on live-stream at 12 noon, our time. The final rounds will be broadcast on Global TV on Saturday. I am not sure of the time. Check your listings. Margie will also be travelling to Washington DC to compete there later on. (May?)

We can all celebrate this accomplishment along with Margie and her parents! Even if she can't hear you, you can still tune in and cheer her on!

Marilyn Conley
Fundy Home Educators

Margie2.jpg

Regional Heritage Fair

2009-04-14T22:10:00.001-04:00

Heritage Fair
Central Norton United Baptist Church
435 Route 121, Bloomfield. E5N 4T7
Friday, May 1st
7pm
All are welcome to come and see the Canadian fair Projects that Home Schooled students have prepared.
Plan to stay an enjoy Birthday Cake and help us celebrate New Brunswick's 225th Birthday!

Deadlines for Submissions for the Spring Newletter

2009-04-01T11:07:00.000-04:00

GOOD NEWS! In spite of what may still be outside your window, Spring is here. Won't we be glad to see some warmer weather arrive this year!

With that thought in mind..... the deadline for submissions to the Spring Issue of Homeward Bound is Monday, April 13th. This is for all submissions to Local Support Groups News, Home Schoolers in the News, Humor in the Home, etc. Let those in your groups know we are looking for news and fun stuff.

Thank you to those of you who have started making submissions to those areas when they happen. That is good for us so we have a feel how our space is going and for you so you don't forget them. Would love some more "Humor in the Home." As a mother of 6 I know funny things happen often. Let us laugh with you. "A merry heart doeth good like a medicine...." Proverbs 17:22 Also we are open to ideas for ideas and things that we can include. If your child does an awesome job on a short poem or paragraph send it along. Seeing it in print just might inspire them to put those words on paper more often!

Keep warm till this snow melts and then enjoy the warm weather when it arrives. AND DON'T FORGET TO MARK June 5, 6 on your calendars for the Home School Conference in Sussex. Conference Info is on the website (www.henb.org). In an effort to reduce expenses, HENB is not doing a mailing of the conference brochure this year. It can be viewed in PDF format on the website on the Conference page. There is a registration form there as well as information about the Used Curriculum Sale which will be Friday only this year.

Have a great day!

God Bless,

Arlene BrownCoEditor for Homeward BoundHome Educators of New Brunswickmrmrsdnb@nb.sympatico.ca

Attention NB Home Educator with Grads this year!!

2009-04-01T10:58:00.001-04:00

Just a reminder that HENB is now sending out our newletter to HENB members by e mail. We trust this is working satisfactorily for everyone.

This year we will be producing a SPECIAL EDITION of the Newsletter to Honor our New Brunswick Home School Graduates. The sooner we can receive the information the better, but the DEADLINE is April 24th to get the graduation info to us. It will be in color this year so we can use color pictures.

Please forward this to or contact any graduates in your area that may be interested.

The things we usually include are:
Name:
Parents:
Place of Residence
Grad. date: (if known)
Local Support Group (if any):
Plans for the future.
A color photo. (Best if can be emailed.)

Info should be emailed to Arlene Brown mrmrsdnb@nb.sympatico.ca with SUBJECT LINE: Home School Graduate.

HENB Home School Conference in Sussex

2009-03-31T19:54:00.001-04:00

Spring is here and just around the corner on June 5th & 6th is the Home Educators of New Brunswick's Annual Home School conference in Sussex!!

All the Conference information, as well as many more details, are on the HENB website (www.henb.org). Please share this information with those in your support group and encourage them to set aside the time to attend.

The conference theme for this year is:

Be Thou My Vision…….
"Where there is no vision, the people perish. .." Proverbs 29:18a

Homeschooling can be a very daunting task. Those who choose to embark on this adventure soon understand that it is more than just academics. The decisions we make as parents as we seek to help our children develop their character, foster healthy relationships with others, find direction for their lives, and become devoted followers of Christ are not ones we are equipped to make on our own. God has a vision for each of our families and He wants to help us with the details, if we will only seek Him. Do you know what His vision is for your family? What do you need to hear from God during this season of your homeschooling? With honest discussion, practical advice, and the perspective that only experience can bring, we trust this weekend will leave you equipped, encouraged, and refreshed.

This year’s conference will feature workshop speakers from our own Maritime Provinces. Check out their workshop descriptions on the Home Educators of New Brunswick’s website (www.henb.org). After checking out the information, print off the registration form and send it before May 22 to take advantage of the EARLY BIRD SAVINGS. Next, share this information with others whether they are currently homeschooling or are curious about the possibility for their family. And finally, MARK June 5 & 6 on your calendar and be sure to join us!

"HOPE TO SEE YOU THERE!!

It's Almost Conference Time Again!!

2009-03-30T21:11:00.002-04:00

I received this from The Old School Magazine emails I get and thought it would be a great addition to the blog:

Getting the Most out of a Homeschool Convention

Ahhh, the homeschool convention! There's nothing like it.

To some, it's an oasis of learning opportunities, and like-mindedness, listening to some of the top homeschool leaders in the country, basking in the glow of curriculum, and discovering new learning aids and other resources. Go ahead--thumb through those workbooks! Fan yourself with the breeze of all those new textbook pages flying through your fingers, and take in the intoxicating aroma of fresh ink on a newly printed page! I said it before; I'll say it again--ahhh! This is the homeschool mom's version of heaven on earth.

But if this is your first homeschool convention, your first steps inside the door of the convention hall--especially the vendors' hall--can strike a little fear and confusion in your heart and put a tremble in anyone's step. How will you EVER decide what will be best for your family? How will you ever navigate your way through this place?

What you need is to listen to the advice of someone who is a veteran of many conventions, someone who has held many hands and directed many homeschool paths. I just happen to be able to introduce you to such a person.

Wanda Gibert has been involved in state leadership, serving on the board of Illinois Christian Home Educators (ICHE) for ten years. She has been an organizer of ICHE's state homeschool conventions not only by serving on the speaker committee but also by supervising the vendor hall. Wanda is a homeschooling mother of six, and she, along with her husband, John, hosts the Minority Resources Web portion of ICHE's website.

TOS: Wanda, let's get down to the basics. What are the first steps we should take once we arrive at the homeschool convention? What are some things we can expect to do and see?

WANDA: Attending the state convention is the highlight of my school year. Upon arriving at the convention, you can expect an atmosphere charged with excitement, enthusiasm, and numerous opportunities to fellowship with other homeschoolers. However, a multitude of decisions also greet you.
A little preparation helps to minimize the sense of being overwhelmed.
Before the convention, I usually assess where our children are in these four areas: spiritually, academically, physically, and emotionally. I also determine if they are developing their spiritual gifts and natural bents or talents.
Then I evaluate my own weak areas that were exposed over the last year. For example, if I'm experiencing difficulty with my 7-year-old being disruptive, is it because I haven't provided enough creative options for him? Or is it because he is in need of mothering? My husband and I spend time talking and seeking the Lord for guidance. We secure our babysitter and make plans to attend the convention together. I have found homeschooling is not only for the children, but it is a vehicle which the Lord uses to promote spiritual growth and development within the entire family.
After identifying these areas I list them in my notebook. Then I check to see if I have any resources (books, CDs/tapes, games, manipulatives, etc.) that I can use. If not, I make a note to check at the conference and choose workshops that will address these concerns.
If this is your first year of homeschooling, this will be a year of transition. Don't be overwhelmed by making major decisions at the convention. Take the time to develop relationships within your family. Your family is unique with its combination of different personalities and giftings. At the convention, attend workshops that will help you build a strong family foundation.
On the day of the conference wear comfortable clothing and shoes. Don't forget a jacket or sweater, because it can be cool in some of the air-conditioned buildings. If you are physically uncomfortable you won't be able to enjoy the convention. Remember to eat a good breakfast and schedule rest periods throughout the day.
Bring your tote bag, admittance ticket, map of the facility, return address labels (for mailing lists), cash, debit or charge card, spiral notebook, extra pens and paper . . . and an open heart.

TOS: Okay, now that we've gotten there, are comfortable, and are ready to learn, how do we decide what to do next?

WANDA: After we arrive and receive the convention schedule, we choose what keynotes and workshops we will attend together or decide if we need to divide and conquer (workshops designed specifically for dads, moms, etc.).
In order to find each other later, we decide on a time and meeting place to discuss our next move. Our cell phones come in handy!
At times a particular speaker will really minister and challenge us, so we change our plans and may attend all of her workshops. Over the years we've learned to allow the Holy Spirit to change our agenda.
I've found it helpful to find a "quiet place" in the midst of the convention so that I can regroup and make wise decisions.

TOS: Once it's time to go to the vendor hall, what's the best way to navigate? Would you recommend taking a list of items that we would like to see? Compare prices?

WANDA: The vendor hall is another facet of the convention that needs to be properly understood. It can appear overwhelming! Don't allow yourself to be driven by the abundance of resource materials.
The best way to navigate through the vendor hall is to study the vendor hall map. This alleviates a lot of stress. Decide which vendors you would like to visit first and then work your way through the vendor hall, stopping to browse and take advantage of the knowledge bank that each vendor possesses. Take time to linger and ask questions, handle manipulatives, scan books, listen to sample tapes, and see if they comply with your family goals.

TOS: Wanda, what would be the best advice, something that you wish someone had told you, that you could share with our readers about making the most of their state homeschool convention?

WANDA: One of the best tips I could share with TOS readers is to purchase speaker tapes/CDs. This is an important key to staying encouraged and refreshed throughout the school year. When I was younger, I couldn't wait to get home from the convention and implement all the new teaching tips and spiritual nuggets I had gleaned. But I soon recognized that my excitement didn't transfer to the rest of my family so easily. Learning how to gently implement new ideas and teaching methods into our home without overwhelming everyone with expectations of instant change became necessary to maintain family unity.
My husband and I decided to listen to tapes/CDs again (sometimes multiple times) and decide what we wanted to implement. We then met with our children and discussed our new "family goals." Sometimes we would have the children listen to the tape/CD, especially if it pertained to character issues, family unity, or issued a challenge in spiritual growth. This helped all of us to work together.
I found that it's more productive to implement only one or two MAJOR ideas into your home or homeschool per year. This way you can focus on one thing at a time and master it.

TOS: You have been involved in the homeschool community for quite a while. How have you seen the importance of the state homeschool convention grow over those years?

WANDA: One of the critical components to the long-term success of homeschooling is the state homeschool convention. State leaders who network with international leadership to safeguard the freedom we have to homeschool organize the state homeschool convention. The homeschool convention is the platform by which the home educating community receives its vision, maintains its unity, and gains encouragement. Families are instructed and inspired by nationally-known speakers and are given the opportunity to meet and network with other families that help build a strong homeschooling community.
This is key due to the large influence the Internet has had over the past five years. Some families are opting to develop "virtual friends" rather than take the time and energy to invest in other families. If you have a well-designed website, declare yourself as an "expert," or stamp "official" on your webpage, you have generated a virtual audience of unsuspecting homeschoolers. Some of these websites are hosted by people who have very little homeschooling experience or, worse yet, aren't even homeschooling.
It's very important that our families and especially our children "see" themselves thriving within the homeschool community. If not, they will lose hope and fail. It's up to us to pass a rich, exciting, thriving homeschooling community along to them. So let's support our state organizations and build a strong future for us all!

TOS: Thank you for all that you do for the homeschool community.

Wanda and John Gibert are the parents of six children. Wanda is a vivacious speaker who shares at women's retreats, support groups, conferences, and various churches. Her passion for ministering to others from her home is clearly shown through the ministry of hospitality. You can reach her at j.gibert@comcast.net.

Kim Wolf loves living in a small Ohio town with her husband of 21 years and their two teen daughters. They have homeschooled since 1993 and are very active in the music ministry of their church. She is a Miami County homeschool coordinator, a freelance writer, speaker, and Ohio coordinator for TOS.www.HomeschoolBlogger.com/BuckeyeBlog

2009-02-27T09:50:00.000-05:00

Hi Everyone,

Please call me (Linda Nadj) or e-mail me (see bottom of this post for address) if you want to participate in the School on Skis. Please note that the Ski Waiver Form is attached to this notice. If you are planning to be part of the School on Skis, please print off one copy for each child participating. You must bring this form with your child to the hill. Please have it signed and filled out properly. If you are planning to ski on you own, and are not participating in the School on Skis, you do not have to sign up with me.

Because of a theft which occurred on our last trip to Poley, people who are participating in the School on Skis will be given a ticket to give to the Poley Staff. This will show that they have paid to participate in the School on Skis. If you do not have this ticket, the staff will not be giving you rental equipment.

Skiing at Poley

Monday, March 16, 2009

Lift ticket, lesson and rental is $30.00 per person.
Lift ticket and lesson is $24.00.
Lesson only is $18.00.

Interested families should contact Linda Nadj by March 9, 2009.
linda_tonynadj@hotmail.com

ABU Science Opportunity for Upper High School Home Educated Students

2009-02-25T19:20:00.000-05:00

Hello,

I would like to make contact with HENB to determine if there would be any interest among your members for participating in a week of Science labs here at Atlantic Baptist University.
The program that we run is called LabEx (Laboratory Experience) and consists of a full week of labs (ten periods of three hour lab periods) in Biology and Chemistry. Our intention is to provide a resource to homeschooled and private schooled students that might not have an opportunity to carry out the laboratories that students in the public system would normally do. The program normally runs for a week in the month of May.
The program is subsidized by the Science department of ABU and the tuition only partially covers the cost of materials used in the labs with the ABU Science faculty teaching the lab periods for free. We are still in the planning phase and at this point we do not have enough students interested to justify the time and expense for our faculty.

Would there be any way of communicating with your membership to see if there would be any interest?

If you would like further information on LabEx feel free to contact me directly or follow the following link:

http://mjs07.blogspot.com/

Thank-you

Mel Schriver