What’s Next for House Bills 1263 and 1650
About 600 homeschoolers turned out for the hearing on House Bill 1263 on January 25. Next, the Education Committee will meet in executive session (not scheduled yet) and they will vote their recommendation on the bill. The public may attend the exec session, but they will not be allowed to speak. The Committee could vote to recommend passage of the bill, ITL (inexpedient to legislate, which is a recommendation to kill the bill), or decide to amend the bill or have further study. As soon as we see when the executive session will be, we’ll let you know. In the meantime, you can still express your opinions to the committee members. http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/…/co…/committeedetails.aspx…. After the Committee has exec’d the bill, it will go to the entire House of Representatives for a vote.
House bill 1263 would once again require that homeschoolers’ annual evaluations be submitted to their participating agency (school district or private school). You can read the text of the bill here http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/bill_status/billText.aspx….
House Bill 1650, removes “education as required by law” as a criterion for determining child neglect. In effect, it would take educational neglect cases away from DCYF. It was heard before the Children and Family Law Committee, who will vote on it at an executive session. You can read the text of the bill here http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/bill_status/billText.aspx?sy=2018&id=1637&txtFormat=html and find contact info for the Children and Family Law Committee members here http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/house/committees/committeedetails.aspx?code=H37.
Remember the New Hampshire Homeschooling Coalition cannot take a position on legislation. We are a 501 (c)3 organization and have a wide range of members with varying opinions.
Prom poster
Homeschoolers are invited to attend the Milton Homeschool Group’s Fourth Annual prom at the Elks Ballroom in Rochester on May 26, from 6 to 10. Tickets are $30 per person. For more information email miltonhomeschoolgroup@gmail.com.
Rotary Club Speech Contest
The annual Concord Rotary Club “Four Way Test” speech contest for high school students in grades 9 – 12 will be conducted on Wednesday, April 11 from 6 – 8 p.m. at Pleasant View
Retirement Community Auditorium, 227 Pleasant St., Concord. Any student from Concord or the surrounding area can give a speech, five to seven minutes in length, using the elements of the “Four Way Test” of 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?”
For more information contact Warren Emley at weemley@comcast.net.
Circus Arts Class for Homeschool Families
Thursdays, March 8 – April 26, 10:30-12:00. First Congregational Church, 10 Union Street, in Milford, Ages: 7-14. Register for all 8 weeks: $95. Drop in: $20 per week; one time 75% discount on the first class. Bring a friend to the class and receive a one time $15 discount for that day.
Parents are welcome, though not required, to stay and observe. Register at www.homeschoolcircusclass.org. For more information, call 413 313 1778 or email director@flyinggravitycircus.org.
Lions Club Operation Kidsight Vison Screening Offered to Homeschoolers in Raymond and Candia
Why Screen Vision in Young Children? According to educational experts, 80% of learning is visual. Unless vision problems are detected early and corrected, they risk becoming permanent by age 7. For example approximately 5% of all children under age 7 will have amblyopia, a treatable disorder that can result in permanently reduced vision when not addressed by an early age.
Raymond screening, Friday, April 25, 2018 , 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM, Dudley-Tucker Library, 6 Epping Street, Raymond.
Candia screening, Thursday, April 19, 2018, 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM, Smyth Public Library, 55 High Street, Candia.
If you live in another town, contact your local Lions Club for vision screening in your area.
All students must have a consent form submitted ahead of time (see dates below). Forms are available from the librarian in each town. Forms must be mailed to the Lions Club coordinator by the following dates: Candia due March 2 Raymond due Feb. 28. Lions Club Contact: Sandra Perry, Secretary; noniperry@gmail.com.
Homeschool Soccer in April in Derry
Homeschool Soccer every Tuesday for 10 weeks at 1:00 in Derry, starting April 3. Soccer is offered for kids ages 7-15, split into a number of different age groups, in a fun, no-pressure environment. The goal is to get every player maximum playing time throughout the game while teaching basic elements of strategy and fair play through scrimmages and drills. Each child will need shin guards, a soccer ball for practice, and cleats.
We are also looking for parents interested in coaching. A pizza party and trophy presentation will be held at the end of the eight weeks. For more information about soccer or bowling, email Lori at polkadotsmoonbeams@comcast.net, and include your child’s name and age.
Bowling League in Manchester Starting in April
Homeschool Bowling League every Friday for 10 weeks at 11:00 in Manchester, starting April 6
Participants ages 7-18 will be divided into teams. Homeschool price is $3.50 per game with free rentals. A pizza party and award ceremony will be held on the last day.
For more information about soccer or bowling, email Lori at polkadotsmoonbeams@comcast.net, and include your child’s name and age.
Homeschooling question
Does New Hampshire law allow a child to be homeschooled in only one subject and be enrolled in all the other classes at the school?
The idea that the parents be responsible for at least 51% of the home education is not in the law (RSA) or the rules. It’s just a statement that’s been used for years by homeschoolers and the Department of Education to give a sense of what is homeschooling and what isn’t.
This situation would not be homeschooling and it’s up to the school whether or not it would be allowed. We have heard of this being done by students in elementary school. In high school, a student can always take an outside class. But if the class in question is part of the school’s core curriculum, say U.S. history, the issue is whether or not the school would accept the credit.
New Hampshire Academy of Science Invites Homeschoolers to Join their Summer Program
The New Hampshire Academy of Science (NHAS) has received two large grants to support STEM education/workforce development in the Upper Valley and adjoining
areas. Our approach will be to engage private and public organizations to design what works for their middle and high school aged students within the scope of the grants. The grants
include but are not limited to scholarships for students at our research lab in Lyme, substantial scientific equipment loans, and providing long-term visiting scientists to participating groups.
The NHAS is particularly interested in helping homeschooled students in middle and high school obtain access to a science lab, authentic scientific equipment, and the mentorship of STEM
professionals. For more information visit nhacadsci.org.
Marine Biology Program in New Brunswick
The Huntsman Marine Science Centre in St. Andrews, New Brunswick invites homeschoolers to consider a new program. Explore the unique environment of the Bay of Fundy at All Things Marine, an overnight program for families and friends, ten years old and over, to take place May 29 to June 1.
The program includes meals, accommodations, boat and lab rentals, aquarium admission, instructional fees, and taxes. For more information contact Laura Barrett at lbarrett@huntsmanmarine.ca or visit huntsmanmarine.ca.
Leadership Program
The Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership Program of New Hampshire (HOBY NH) invites high school sophomores to attend a leadership seminar June 1-3 at Saint Anselm’s College in Manchester. For more information visit nhhoby.org.