| The New Hampshire Homeschooling Coalition News February 2019 Volume XXX Number 6 |
****************************************************************************************************************** NEW DATES DUE TO SNOW CANCELLATIONS Home School Classic Movie Morning and Luncheon in ConcordThe Red River Theatre, Concord February 13 We’ll be watching the classic The Sound of Music. If you were not signed up for the original Classic Movie Morning but would like to join us please contact Cheryl at cherylsark@gmail.com. Yule Ball, MosaicManchesterFebruary 16Mademoiselles and Messieurs, aged 12 and older, please grace us with your presence at this year’s Yule Ball hosted by Beauxbatons. Join us in the great hall on 16th February (new date due to snow on January 19) for an evening of dancing, fine hors d’oeuvres, and merriment. For full details follow this link mosaicexplore.com/tween-and-teen-dances/ Semi-formal attire desired however no one shall be turned away. Musical requests tomosaicteenevents@gmail.com. Repondez s’il vous plait! **************************************************** German classes, NH German School, Manchester Spring Term begins week of February 4The New Year is a great time to try out a class!! NH German School’s Spring classes are online. Find more info at: nhgermanschool.com or nhgermanschool@gmail.com Newmarket Recreation Acting classes – Express Yourself! Grades 3-7, Tues 2/5-2/19; 5:30-6:30, $30 all/$12 drop in. For students who want to explore the fundamentals of acting, character building and improvisation. All experience levels welcome! -Tell It Like It Is! Grades 7-12, Thurs 2/7-2/21; 5:30-6:45pm, $35 all/$12 drop in. Challenge your imagination and explore your ability to be creative and think on your feet. All experiences welcome. Family Early Literacy Workshop Series Ages 2-6 Foundations for Futures’workshops engage families with hands-on, practical early literacy based strategies that are fun, easy, and simple to replicate at home. Family Workshops are open for registration and are taking place in the comfort of the Newmarket Recreation Community Center beginning February 5. Call 659-8581 to register, email recdesk@newmarketnh.gov, or register online http://www.newmarketrec.org/ Kaleidoscope Exhibition, Belknap MillPre-exhibit meeting Wednesday, Feb. 6, 3:45pm at the Belknap Mill Belknap Mill Arts Committee announces that the Kaleidoscope exhibition will run during March to celebrate Youth Art Month. This not a competition. The emphasis will be on creating two-dimensional works (limited space available for 3-D projects). All pieces of art must have a theme related to some aspect of the Belknap Mill. Photos of people, places and things associated with the Mill and a brief history of the Belknap Mill can be found on the website, www.belknapmill.org, under Artist-in-Residence, Kaleidoscope Event. – We will provide “helpers” on the first hanging day, Friday, March 1st from 3-6pm. No “helpers” will be available on Saturday, March 2nd from 10am-3pm. – 30 minute pre-exhibit meeting on Wednesday, Feb. 6th at 3:45pm at the Belknap Mill (with refreshments) for you to view the spaces, meet each other, and answer your questions. – “Meet the Artist” reception planned for March 13th from 5–7pm. You do not have to do anything for the reception except distribute the invitations (template provided) to your community. For more information, call 524-8813 Email: Tara Shore, operations@belknapmill.org or Maggie Leary, admin@belknapmill.org Report from the Home Education Advisory Council The Home Education Advisory Council (HEAC) serves as a bridge between homeschoolers and the public schools, the Department of Education, and other educational institutions in New Hampshire. Homeschoolers on the council bring up issues that homeschoolers are having with school officials or citizens, and school officials have an opportunity to present their concerns. Together, the Council works to fix problems before they become serious. HEAC members encourage homeschoolers to get in touch with them about any concerns they have with the law or with dealing with school districts. Several topics were covered at the HEAC meeting January 24. Probably of most concern to homeschoolers are inquiries from people who contact homeschooling organizations and school officials to report that a homeschooling family is “not homeschooling” or that that family’s children are not receiving an “adequate education.” The NHHC has received a couple of these recently. Since school districts and private schools no longer have evaluation results on file, it isn’t as simple as it used to be to resolve these questions. Sometimes these questioners have been referred to the Division for Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF). Commissioner of Education, Frank Edelblut, a homeschooling dad himself, has said that homeschooling groups and school districts should refer these questions to him, and he will deal with them as truancy issues, not educational neglect. Some members were skeptical about this solution, and others brought up recent statements from DCYF that the Division will follow through to investigate reports of educational neglect. The biggest project the HEAC is working on is looking at proposed revisions to the home education rules, Ed 315. I was part of the committee that looked over proposed changes from the Commissioner of Education. Most of these changes simply clarify the rules and streamline the wording. Rules cannot go beyond the scope of the law, so we are careful to make sure that no more is required of homeschoolers than that stated in the law. Representative Glenn Cordelli, talked about HB 673 (that’s House Bill 673), which would provide scholarship money for students who want to take the CLEP (College-Level Examination Program) exams. He pointed out a program run by Modern States, which offers free online CLEP preparation classes. These could be useful for homeschooled students. Homeschoolers are encouraged to create artwork for the multi-media State House Bicentennial Contest. If you have concerns about dealing with your participating agency (school district, private school) or you have other questions about homeschooling, please don’t hesitate to contact me or the New Hampshire Homeschooling Coalition representative for your area. I’m anxious to bring any issues you have to the HEAC so that they can be dealt with and so that the Department of Education can be made aware of them. HEAC meetings are held on the fourth Thursday of alternate months. Visitors are welcome. Their comments are taken at the public input session at the end of meetings. Stefanie Marsh, NHHC representative to the Home Education Advisory Council tumbledowngrl@gmail.com, 603-569-6382 Old Sturbridge Village Sturbridge, MA Home School DayMarch 1 Please join us for our next Home School Day ! For this first Home School Day of the 2019 season, we’ll be exploring women’s history through hands-on activities and in-Village activities. Bake a cake with maple sugar and explore the contributions women made to the abolitionist movement, imitate the style of women artists, and more. Cost is $10 per child for full-day admission to Old Sturbridge Village. One adult per child ages 5 and above is admitted at the discounted rate of $15. Additional adults pay the full price rate. For an additional $5-$15 per activity, your young scholars can try their hands at variety of workshop activities. Hurry! Space is limited and registration is required. Concord Rotary Club “Four Way Test” Speech ContestMarch 27, 6-8pm Pleasant View Retirement Community Auditorium 227 Pleasant St., Concord Any student in grades 9-12 from Concord or the surrounding area (Concord High School, Bishop Brady High School, Merrimack Valley High School, Pembroke Academy, Trinity Christian School, Concord Christian School, Parker Academy, Second Start, and homeschooled students from the area are also eligible to participate) can give a speech and compete for a cash prize. It must be 5-7 minutes on length and consist of the presenter’s utilizing the elements of the “4 Way Test” with regard to a personal experience: “Is it the Truth, Is it Fair to all concerned, Will it Build Good Will and better Friendship, Will it be Beneficial to all concerned?” Contact Warren Emley, Rotary Club of Concord, weemley@comcast.net , for application forms and more materials. Applications are due in as soon as possible, with a March 11 deadline. TeenPact State Classes ConcordApril 12 for 8-12 year olds April 8-11 for 13 -19 year olds – TeenPact is a dynamic, hands-on leadership experience for Christian students whose mission is to inspire youth in their relationship with Christ. We teach them to understand the political process, value their liberty, defend the Christian faith, and to engage the culture. TeenPact students learn how to embrace their call as the next generation of leaders, find encouragement among like- minded peers, and develop the skills to impact those around them. You are never too young to be a leader–will you answer the call? Learn more and register at https://teenpact.com/states/nh/ Changing Lives to Change the World Personal finance program, NH JumpStart NHJump$tart has been helping to teach kids how to manage their money for almost 20 years! www.nhjumpstart.org Their FinLit300 program is a high school competition specifically devoted to personal finance! Learn more about it here: https://www.nhjumpstart.org/finlit300/ Also visit their site to see a video of last year’s state championship with Sean McDonald from WMUR, click here. They would love to see home-schooled teams participate! Plenty of time to coach a team! Feb. 22, coach registration ends. March 4, online competition opens. March 29, online competition ends. April 30, State Championship in Concord. NH Audubon Winter Homeschool Sessions at MassabesicWednesdays, 10-11:30 am Wee Wonders classes are for ages 4-6 Junior Explorers are for ages 7-12 Please dress to be outside and wear appropriate footwear. Pre-registration required for all classes. Call us at 668-2045 or visit http://www.nhaudubon.org/learn/ to register online. Cost: $12 M/$15 NM (per child/parent pair) Wee Wonders Winter Session Feb 13: Life Under Ice Fish, frogs and turtles spend their winter under ice. Who else might we find in this wintery water world? How do they survive? Explore this hidden world under the ice, and meet a few of the animals that spend their winter there! Junior Explorers Winter Session Parents are encouraged to stay and participate. Feb 13: Life Under the Snow and Ice What is happening under that ice and snow? Discover New Hampshire’s native species that hunker down for the long New England winter. Fish, amphibians, reptiles, mammals-learn how they adapt to survive the winter. February Fun Nature Day Camp February 25 – March 1 Massabesic or McLane Center 9am-4pm For Children Ages 6-12. Call 668-2045 or Register online: http://www.nhaudubon.org/get-outside/camps/ Amoskeag Fishways Learning and Visitors Center4 Fletcher Street, Manchester Saturday Nature Seekers presents River Otter Fun! Feb. 2, 9, 16, 23 from 11– 12pm. We have fun nature programs for all ages. Stop by with your family to learn about Manchester’s Merrimack River wildlife! Donation of $5/family encouraged. No registration required. Slithery, Slimy & Scaly – Local Reptiles & Amphibians Friday, Feb. 8, 10-11:30 Learn the difference between these two fascinating groups of creatures. Hands-on activities and observation of live animals help students explore their lifecycles, adaptations and fascinating behaviors. Cost: $5/student, ages 6+. Registration with payment required. Call 626-FISH Let’s go ICE Fishing! Friday, Feb. 15, 6-8pm Feb. 16, 9am-1pm Learn how to ice fish with NH Fish and Game during this two-part series covering ice safety, fish ecology, equipment, etc. Parents and participants over 16 do not need a fishing license during the organized field trip on Saturday. All angling gear will be provided. Bring your own lunch and wear proper outdoor clothing for Saturday. Cost: FREE Registration required, ages 8+. Call 626-FISH Critter Meet and Greet February 25, 26, 27, 28 and March 1 11am & 2pm + crafts all day During vacation week we invite you and your children to visit at 11am or 2pm for a special opportunity to meet our reptiles and amphibians face-to-face and learn a few fun facts from our staff. Don’t miss “Friday Feeding Frenzy” on March 1 at 11am where visitors can watch our animals enjoy their favorite foods. Cost: FREE, donations kindly accepted. No registration required. Find more information at www.amoskeagfishways.org Teen Weekend Art Workshops, NHIABe sure to check out New Hampshire Institute of Art’s upcoming lineup of weekend workshops for teens (12-18). For more information or to register, visit http://www.nhia.edu/youtharts?fbclid=IwAR0_4Bh-3j4IATbwptos60DvXkUKovURd1fA3aZmUHspOpU0H_UD45W2Di4 Basketball, Northwood SchoolSpring 2019 Travel Team Evaluations Feb 26th: Middle School Boys, 5-6:30pm; High School Boys, 6:30–8pm Feb 28th: Middle School Girls, 5-6:30pm; High School Girls, 6:30–8pm The evaluations are for team placement as well as to select players that want to work hard, develop as a player and play team basketball. We do not charge a tryout fee or an evaluation fee, however you are required to have an AAU membership # ($15 & available through the AAU Basketball website) prior to participation. CONTACT: 603-247-3600 or you can email us at trifectabball@gmail.com. Find more info at: www.trifectabasketball.com Kroka Community Outing ClubAdventure awaits! Join the Kroka Community Outing Club for a day of ice-climbing on February 16. This club is open to anyone interested in learning new wilderness skills and joining a community of young adventurers! Register today to hold your space: https://www.kroka.org/program_show/?uuid=qKTVdXIf68Jzdw Homeschool Bowling LeagueManchester Join the league for their 4th season of homeschool Bowling! Ages 7-18 year old groups that will be divided into teams. Homeschool price is $3.50 per game with free rentals! Bowling is Fridays at 11 am for 15 weeks starting in March. Awards and a pizza party will take place at the end of the 15 weeks. If your homeschooler would like to participate in this fun activity, please reply with your child’s name and age to Lori Trickel at polkadotsmoonbeams@comcast.net. Classes at Impact Gymnastics Academy, BowHome School Ninja Obstacle Class: In this class you will be challenged by the salmon ladder, warped wall, peg board and many other obstacles. Work to “beat that wall” gain strength and flexibility all while having a great time. Tuesdays 10-11am, Thursdays 12:30-1:30pm. $80/month + $40 annual fee, or $25/class Homeschool Gymnastics: Gain strength and flexibility while you learn basic to immediate gymnastics skills. Tuesdays 2:30-3:30 pm, Thursdays 1:45-2:45 pm. $80/month + $40 annual fee, or $25/class. For more info, contact staff@impact-gymnastics.com, 603-219-0343 or visit: https://www.impact-gymnastics.com/ Get Involved in Contra Dancing!Are you interested in introducing your children to a new activity? One that combines exercise, music, and socializing and is intergenerational and family friendly? Contradance is the answer. A caller will teach the moves and dance sequence. Then the band strikes up the music; the caller calls and the dancers dance. Lots of fun. Check out the New Hampshire State Council on the Arts website www.nh.gov/folklife to find a dance near you. (Note from Stef Marsh—Quite a few homeschoolers attend the contra dance in Wolfeboro on the fourth Saturday of each month.) For more information write to Alice Morris at weareampm@gsinet.net with a subject of Homeschooling Activity. DanceWorks Movement DesignMilford Hour long dance class is offered for homeschool groups. Tanya Bosse has 17 years of teaching experience, and has received numerous awards for choreography, dance artistry and technique. Contact Tanya for more information at danceworksmovementdesign@gmail.com Fledgling homeschool group in LancasterThe Lancaster HomeschoolersWe are a group of families that meet twice a month for recreation. Information can be found on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/groups/1788187137893480/ Contact Heather LeFoll, heatherlefoll@gmail.com 802-676-2684 or Mandy Rancourt, mandylsrancourt@gmail.com 603-991-9614 FREE SEEDS!UNH Cooperative ExtensionVegetable, flower and herb seed packets are available to homeschoolers throughout NH this year. Pick up your seed order at the Education Center in Goffstown or have it mailed to you (tax deducible donations are encouraged to cover the cost of postage). Orders can be placed until May 1, 2019. Visit the following link of more information: https://extension.unh.edu/blog/2019-free-seed-program Native Roots ExcursionsSeptember 15 – October 15 2019 Native Roots Excursions are experiential, place-based educational immersion opportunities based upon the premise that youth require mythical adventures by which they forge a personal navigation system to serve throughout their unique life journey. These excursions are part of a social responsibility project created by Native Roots NH and are offered at no profit to the leaders. The cost of the program is limited to the actual expenses of the trip, therefore making this kind of opportunity accessible to more families. The Thames Path: A Journey of Discovery is a month-long journey, through 180 historical miles of history alongside the Thames River, through London, past castles, into Oxford, and through English villages and fields, where the land will yield its story! Scheduled for Fall 2019, this educational immersion opportunity for youth, ages 14 ~ 17 years (recommended age) ,is facilitated by experienced educator, naturalist, and long walker Keith Badger, and life coach and college guidance counselor Andrea Badger. Taking only what one can carry on one’s back, and the inner drive to know oneself and the world, this direct experience of the world is a gift to provide the youth of today. Deadline for application is February 15, 2019. Click here for more information Excursions , email us at greenjane@verizon.net or go to our website nativerootsnh.org ****************************************************************************************************************** A writing submitted by a student… LIBRARIES Libraries are places of adventure and discovery, and are very important to learning new things and getting lost in different worlds. Libraries hold thousands of stories and histories of people and places. In a book, one can witness a murder and follow the thoughts and methods of a world-famous homicide detective; be brought to the edge of their seat in suspenseful moments and interactions. – Or follow the life of someone with superpowers who puts themselves in perilous dangers in order to defeat their enemies. One can get lost in the thoughts and worlds of intriguing characters in stories that may be made-up, or real… And all this can be done in the safety and familiarity of a comfortable chair surrounded by shelves upon shelves of amazing things to discover. Libraries can hold archives of people in history that have made life-changing discoveries and done magnificent or horrible things. These events and people are important to learn about, as it can teach one many lessons; whether the lessons and nuggets of information are good, or, bad. Everything in a library holds in itself a story or record that is unique and special. – Even just the shelves that hold the stories contain a history of the many books that have gone out and come in. – The switch on the lamp next to everyone’s favorite reading chair holds a history of how many people have sat there and read by the orange glow while engrossed in a mystery, or biography, or fantasy. – The ‘date due’ slip inside a book’s cover holds a history of when and how many times a book has left the library. – The worn edges of an old book in the classics section shows how much it has been loved over the many years it has existed… and so on. It is exhilarating to be brought into the realm of a different time period while still living in the present. Books, and the libraries that contain them, are a way for individuals to explore without actually leaving the building; to learn and experience things without actually experiencing them; to gain knowledge and wisdom from the pages of a book. It is also possible, and quite likely, to meet incredible and unique people while in a library – A kind grandmother who loves mystery novels; a wise old man who enjoys biographies and historical records; a silly child who adores fantasy stories. And from these people, one can learn many things, whether it be how to treat others with compassion and kindness, or all about the lives of past important figures and happenings, or the ways to enjoy life and be a fun person… – And lots more can be learned from people one encounters in a library. I think that everything a person learns is important to their being in some way, as long as it is applied to their life the right way. In conclusion, more humans should go into libraries and get lost in the histories, fictional tales, biographies, fantasies, mysteries, and so on, meet new people – make new friends, and discover new concepts, ideas, facts… et cetera. For more information go to https://nhhomeschooling.org/ NHHC Newsletter StaffPaula-Marie Passen, Editor, 7 Douglas Drive, Amherst, NH 03031 603-465-8295, pmlp65@gmail.com Portions of NHHC publications may be reprinted for information purposes provided that credit is given to the New Hampshire Homeschooling Coalition. Contributors retain full rights to their writing, and their permission should be obtained before reprinting. If you’d like to receive the NHHC News, please join the NHHC. It’s free! Just sign up at https://www.nhhomeschooling.org/join-us. To unsubscribe, please email membership@nhhomeschooling.org. Copyright © 2019, New Hampshire Homeschooling Coalition. All rights reserved. |