VaHomeschoolers Legislative Report

January 19, 2006

by Celeste Land, the Organization of Virginia Homeschoolers, Government Affairs

The 2006 Virginia General Assembly officially opened for business on Wednesday, January 11, in what promises to be an exceptionally significant year for homeschooling legislation.  Numerous important bills have been proposed which would directly affect the home instruction statute and Virginia’s homeschooling community.  .

VaHomeschoolers Introduces Home Instruction Improvements, PSAT Legislation

This year, the Organization of Virginia Homeschoolers (VaHomeschoolers) has two bills which would strengthen the home instruction statute and increase options for homeschooling families:

�The Home Instruction Revitalization Act of 2006� (patron Delegate Tata, R-Virginia Beach) would bring the home instruction statute into the twenty-first century, by increasing options for parents filing under option iv of the notice of intent, clarifying the language regarding mid-year withdrawal of children from public school, and providing objective testing options for families who submit achievement test scores to their local school district.

Our PSAT bill (patron Delegate Moran, D-Alexandria) would require school districts to implement plans to make the Advanced Placement (AP) and Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test (PSAT) examinations available to students receiving home instruction.  This is a follow-up to clarify our legislation from last year, which required school districts to notify homeschoolers of the availability of these tests.  Some school districts have interpreted this language as not requiring them to administer the tests.    

Both these bills were written during the off-season in cooperation with the Home Educators Association of Virginia (HEAV) and the Home School Legal Defense Association (HSLDA).  Our bill language was approved in advance by VaHomeschoolers, HEAV, HSLDA, and the Virginia Department of Education, as well as the patrons.  This collaboration improves the quality of the legislation overall and increases the likelihood that it will actually become law. 

As of this writing, our two bills do not have bill numbers or official bill language.  When a patron submits a bill for consideration, it must first be reviewed by the Legislative Information System (LIS) and its team of lawyers before it can be reviewed by a committee or the public.  As some of our members will remember from previous years, sometimes this process will unintentionally change the language of a bill beyond recognition, or turn a “good billâ€� into a “bad billâ€�.  We hope for the best, and will keep our members informed of the status of these two significant bills as they make their way through the legislative process.

High School Diploma Bills

HB 1340 (patron Bell, R-Charlottesville) and SB 499 (patron Puckett, D-Tazewell) would amend option i of the home instruction statute (22.1-254.1) to permit parents with a high school diploma to provide home instruction.  SB 499 has already passed the Senate Education & Health Committee by a 10-5 vote and now goes to the full Senate for its consideration.  VaHomeschoolers supports HB 1340 / SB 499.

The current language of 22.1-254.1 requires parents seeking to provide home instruction to comply with one of the following options:

• Have a baccalaureate degree
• Be a teacher of qualifications prescribed by the Board of Education
• Enroll the child or children in an approved correspondence school program
• Provide a program of study or curriculum which includes the standards of learning objectives for language arts and mathematics and provides evidence that the parent is able to provide an adequate education for the child

If HB 1340 and/or SB 499 became law, parents with high school diplomas would be able to file under option i of 22.1-254.1.  At this time, most parents without baccalaureate degrees file under either option iii or option iv.

Some of our members will remember an identical high school diploma bill, HB 675, which passed the legislature in 2004 after much media attention, but was eventually vetoed by Governor Warner.  Governor Kaine supported HB 675 in 2004 and is expected to support this legislation as well.

The language of HB 1340 / SB 499 was introduced by HEAV and agreed to by both VaHomeschoolers and HSLDA.  VaHomeschoolers supports HB 1340 / SB 499 and is working on behalf of these bills in the legislature.

Update on Restrictive Home Instruction Bill HB 537

Last week, VaHomeschoolers reported on HB 537 (Parrish, R-Manassas), a dangerous bill which would raise the minimum testing requirements for homeschoolers, require families to report to the school district whenever they changed curriculum mid-year, and give the local superintendent additional power to regulate and terminate home instruction programs.  You can read more about HB 537 in our January 13 Legislative Report.  VaHomeschoolers opposes HB 537.

HB 537 has been referred to the Student/Day Care Subcommittee of the House Education Committee for its consideration.  VaHomeschoolers is working with other homeschooling organizations and the patron to resolve this quickly and peacefully.  We will keep you informed of its status in the weeks to come.

Day Care Employees

SB 615 (Wagner, R-Virginia Beach) would establish qualification guidelines for program directors, program leaders, and general staff for regulated child day care centers.   The qualification guidelines for certain positions include the requirement of a “high school diploma or GED or verification of completion of a home school program approved by the stateâ€�.  This would exclude homeschool graduates who homeschooled under the religious exemption or approved tutor provision, and could also result in additional regulation of families who file under the home instruction statute.  VaHomeschoolers is working with the patron of SB 615 to craft new language which would address these concerns. 

Tax Credit Bills

As usual, there are several educational tax credit bills in the legislature this year which might affect homeschoolers.  Because VaHomeschoolers’ membership is sharply divided over the issue of tax credits for homeschoolers, we do not support or oppose any homeschooling tax credit legislation.  We do monitor such legislation closely for its possible impact on homeschoolers, and work with the patrons to craft or amend such legislation as needed.

SB 189 (Martin, R-Chesterfield) and HB 1294 (Saxman, R-Harrisonburg) are very similar bills which allow educational tax credits for individuals and businesses. Under both bills, individual taxpayers could receive a credit against their taxes for “qualified educational expensesâ€�, which are defined as “school-related tuition and instructional fees and materials, including textbooks and workbooks used solely for school-related workâ€�.  (HB 1294 also considers “suppliesâ€� as a qualified educational expense.) 

Under both SB 189 and HB 1294, the taxpayer would receive a “credit against any tax due…in an amount equal to...the total education expenses paid by the individual taxpayer for a student who is claimed as a dependent on the individual's income tax return of the individual taxpayer, not to exceed $800 for an individual taxpayer or $1,200 for taxpayers filing a joint return.â€�   Under SB 189, taxpayers who claimed such a credit would be required to submit receipts of their purchases to the Department of Taxation to verify their educational expenses.

Most of SB 189 and HB 1294 deal with how businesses and individuals could make tax-deductible contributions to public school foundations (to fund capital improvement projects or extracurricular activities) or to scholarship foundations (to provide aid to needy students who attend accredited private schools).  Home schools in Virginia are not considered private schools (accredited or otherwise), so homeschooling parents could not receive scholarships from these foundations.

SB 331 (Obenshain, R-Harrisonburg) grants educational tax credits to low-income families in certain parts of the state whose children attend schools charging tuition.  “Qualified schoolsâ€� for the purposes of this bill specifically exclude home schools. 

To Learn More or Take Action

Persons wishing to express an opinion on legislation should contact their
own delegate or senator as appropriate.  For complete text of any
bills, see "Legislative Information" on the General Assembly's web page at
http://legis.state.va.us/ or contact VaHomeschoolers for more information.

The General Assembly's Constituent Viewpoint office provides a toll-free,
intrastate telephone message center (during session) to take calls from
citizens of the Commonwealth wishing to express an opinion on legislation.  Callers
will be asked to provide their name, address, and the issue on which they are
expressing their opinion.  The message will be transmitted to the
constituent's appropriate legislators.  If a caller seeks additional information
concerning legislation or wishes to speak directly with a legislator, the operator will
provide the telephone number.  The hours of operation are from 8:30 a.m.
until 5:00 p.m.  The number for the toll-free opinion line is (800) 889-0229.
Callers in the Richmond area may dial 698-1990.

 

VaHomeschoolers Legislative Report
January 13, 2006
by Celeste Land, Government Affairs

New Home Instruction Bill HB 537 Would Heavily Regulate Homeschoolers

As the 2006 legislative session begins in Virginia, the Organization of Virginia Homeschoolers would like its members to be aware of an especially dangerous bill, HB 537, which has been introduced in the House of Delegates.  If passed, HB 537 would create significant additional regulation and oversight for homeschoolers across the state.  VaHomeschoolers opposes HB 537.

Status of HB 537:

HB 537 (Parrish, R-Manassas) was introduced at the request of the Manassas City Public Schools, at least partially in response to a difficult situation involving a custody dispute.   Hard cases make bad laws, and this particular bill, if passed, would have unfortunate implications for thousands of families well beyond the single case it was designed to address.

VaHomeschoolers is working with Delegate Parrish’s office and other homeschooling organizations to try to resolve this quickly and peacefully.  It is our hope that the patron will withdraw this legislation before it comes to committee. Delegate Parrish is a friend of homeschooling and did not intend to harm or offend homeschoolers with this legislation.  As such, we do not recommend action by our members at this time.  We will keep you informed of HB 537’s status as the session progresses.

Information about HB 537:

HB 537 would amend sections of the home instruction statute (22.1-254.1) regarding notification, testing/evaluation, and remediation plans:

Notification: 

HB 537 would require parents filing under the home instruction statute to immediately notify the division superintendent every time they changed their homeschooling curriculum during the year.  This would impose a hardship on homeschooling families who frequently change curriculums during the school year to reflect changing circumstances and individual needs.  It would make it harder for parents to make the best choices for their children’s education, and would significantly increase the paperwork required of homeschooling parents. 

Testing/Evaluation:  

Currently parents filing under the home instruction statute must provide evidence that their homeschooled child has attained “a composite score in or above the fourth stanine [24^th percentile or higher] on a battery of achievement tests approved by the Board of Education for use in the public schools.â€� 

HB 537 would require scores in or above the fifth stanine [41^st percentile or higher].    This would create an additional burden for homeschooling families whose children are making adequate progress but performing below grade level, and would make it harder for many families to continue homeschooling. 

Remediation Plans/Superintendent’s Powers:

HB 537 would give the division superintendent the power to place a home instruction program on one year’s probation or “terminate home instructionâ€� if proof of progress is not submitted or if he does not approve of the parent’s proposed remediation plan.    The division superintendent already has these rights under section 22.1-254.1.  There is no need to rewrite this section of the statute. 

HB 537 would also give the division superintendent the power “to terminate home instruction at any timeâ€� if the parent’s remediation plan is not satisfactory or “if it is evident that progress is not being made during the school yearâ€�.  This would place an additional burden on parents to prove that progress was being made throughout the school year, and would result in additional oversight and regulation for all homeschooling parents across the state. 

Persons wishing to express an opinion on legislation should contact their own delegate or senator as appropriate. For complete text of HB 537 or any other bills, see "Legislative Information" on the General Assembly's web page at http://legis.state.va.us/ or contact VaHomeschoolers for more information.

The General Assembly's Constituent Viewpoint office provides a toll-free, intrastate telephone message center (during session) to take calls from citizens of the Commonwealth wishing to express an opinion on legislation. Callers will be asked to provide their name, address, and the issue on which they are expressing their opinion. The message will be transmitted to the constituent's appropriate legislators. If a caller seeks additional information concerning legislation or wishes to speak directly with a legislator, the operator will provide the telephone number. The hours of operation are from 8:30 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. The number for the toll-free opinion line is (800) 889-0229. Callers in the Richmond area may dial 698-1990.

VaHomeschoolers Legislative Report
January 13, 2006
by Celeste Land, Government Affairs

New Home Instruction Bill HB 537 Would Heavily Regulate Homeschoolers

As the 2006 legislative session begins in Virginia, the Organization of Virginia Homeschoolers would like its members to be aware of an especially dangerous bill, HB 537, which has been introduced in the House of Delegates.  If passed, HB 537 would create significant additional regulation and oversight for homeschoolers across the state.  VaHomeschoolers opposes HB 537.

Status of HB 537:

HB 537 (Parrish, R-Manassas) was introduced at the request of the Manassas City Public Schools, at least partially in response to a difficult situation involving a custody dispute.   Hard cases make bad laws, and this particular bill, if passed, would have unfortunate implications for thousands of families well beyond the single case it was designed to address.

VaHomeschoolers is working with Delegate Parrish’s office and other homeschooling organizations to try to resolve this quickly and peacefully.  It is our hope that the patron will withdraw this legislation before it comes to committee. Delegate Parrish is a friend of homeschooling and did not intend to harm or offend homeschoolers with this legislation.  As such, we do not recommend action by our members at this time.  We will keep you informed of HB 537’s status as the session progresses.

Information about HB 537:

HB 537 would amend sections of the home instruction statute (22.1-254.1) regarding notification, testing/evaluation, and remediation plans:

Notification: 

HB 537 would require parents filing under the home instruction statute to immediately notify the division superintendent every time they changed their homeschooling curriculum during the year.  This would impose a hardship on homeschooling families who frequently change curriculums during the school year to reflect changing circumstances and individual needs.  It would make it harder for parents to make the best choices for their children’s education, and would significantly increase the paperwork required of homeschooling parents. 

Testing/Evaluation:  

Currently parents filing under the home instruction statute must provide evidence that their homeschooled child has attained “a composite score in or above the fourth stanine [24^th percentile or higher] on a battery of achievement tests approved by the Board of Education for use in the public schools.â€� 

HB 537 would require scores in or above the fifth stanine [41^st percentile or higher].    This would create an additional burden for homeschooling families whose children are making adequate progress but performing below grade level, and would make it harder for many families to continue homeschooling. 

Remediation Plans/Superintendent’s Powers:

HB 537 would give the division superintendent the power to place a home instruction program on one year’s probation or “terminate home instructionâ€� if proof of progress is not submitted or if he does not approve of the parent’s proposed remediation plan.    The division superintendent already has these rights under section 22.1-254.1.  There is no need to rewrite this section of the statute. 

HB 537 would also give the division superintendent the power “to terminate home instruction at any timeâ€� if the parent’s remediation plan is not satisfactory or “if it is evident that progress is not being made during the school yearâ€�.  This would place an additional burden on parents to prove that progress was being made throughout the school year, and would result in additional oversight and regulation for all homeschooling parents across the state. 

Persons wishing to express an opinion on legislation should contact their own delegate or senator as appropriate. For complete text of HB 537 or any other bills, see "Legislative Information" on the General Assembly's web page at http://legis.state.va.us/ or contact VaHomeschoolers for more information.

The General Assembly's Constituent Viewpoint office provides a toll-free, intrastate telephone message center (during session) to take calls from citizens of the Commonwealth wishing to express an opinion on legislation. Callers will be asked to provide their name, address, and the issue on which they are expressing their opinion. The message will be transmitted to the constituent's appropriate legislators. If a caller seeks additional information concerning legislation or wishes to speak directly with a legislator, the operator will provide the telephone number. The hours of operation are from 8:30 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. The number for the toll-free opinion line is (800) 889-0229. Callers in the Richmond area may dial 698-1990.

Be specific when writing or calling your lawmakers.   Tell them exactly what you like or dislike about these bills, which issues specifically concern you, and what (if anything) needs to be changed or addressed.  This will help Congress take the most appropriate action.    

VaHomeschoolers Update November 29, 2005

From The Organization of Virginia Homeschoolers: your fully inclusive, all
volunteer, member-directed state homeschool organization. Since 1993,
VaHomeschoolers has worked to protect and promote homeschooling through
action in legislative work, assisting homeschoolers on an individual level,
and providing information, speakers, events and resources. Join
VaHomeschoolers in a snap at http://www.VaHomeschoolers.org/join.html Visit
VaHomeschoolers's web site at http://www.VaHomeschoolers.org

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Did someone forward you this message? Skip the grapevine! Sign up to receive
VaHomeschoolers Biweekly updates by joining the VaHomeschoolers Announce
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VaHomeschoolersAnnounce-subscribe@yahoogroups.com . Be in-the-know for free!

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In this update:

1. Lock In Your VaHomeschoolers Membership for Up to Five Years at Today's
Prices!
Now here's an offer you can be thankful for!  Save up to $25 by beginning or
extending your membership in VaHomeschoolers before Jan. 1, 2006!

2. EVENTS
Washington D.C.: Daily Free Performances at The Kennedy Center's Millennium
Stage; all month (every month) at 6 p.m.
Charlottesville: Preparing for College, A Workshop for Students with
Learning Disabilities and Other Special Needs; Nov. 30, 7-8:30 p.m.,
Albemarle High School.
Fredericksburg: First Friday Art and Culture Night; Dec. 2, 6-9 p.m.
Richmond: Greater Richmond Children's Choir in Concert with the American
Youth Harp Ensemble at the Science Museum of Virginia; Dec. 4, 4 p.m.
Richmond: 30th Annual Victorian Christmas at Maymont; Dec. 4, 12-5 p.m.
Stanardsville: Community Book Sale at William Monroe High School Library;
Dec. 7-14, 8 a.m.-8 p.m.
Virginia Beach: Tidewater Musical Theater Presents "She Loves Me" at the
Chrysler Museum of Art Theater; Dec. 9-11.
Staunton: Children's Holiday Party at the Frontier Culture Museum; Dec. 10;
for ages 4-10.
Charlottesville: Make Edible Holiday Houses at the Virginia Discovery
Museum; Dec. 10, 10:30 a.m.; for ages 4-12.
Charlottesville: Mitchie Tavern Yuletide Traditions; Dec. 9 and 10, 5-9:30
p.m.

3. CONTESTS & OTHER OPPORTUNITIES
Mathcounts in the Peninsula Area seeking homeschooled participants!
Registration Deadline Dec. 9, 2005

4. FREE RESOURCES
Free Unit Studies from Sassafrass Grove

5. WEB SITES, GROUPS & E-MAIL LISTS
National Museum of Wildlife Art: Art Tales, Telling Stories with Wildlife
Art.
Cyberbee: Integrating Research and Technology
Castles on the Web:  Castles, Castles and more (you guessed it) Castles!

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"Each time I get the newsletter I am just blown away by the practical,
informative and very useful articles. The newsletter alone is well worth the
$15 membership fee!" -Stephanie Elms

"When I joined VaHomeschoolers I had no idea was also subscribing to such a
high-quality publication! I tend to devour it the moment it arrives --it's
extraordinarily well-written and densely packed with useful information and
support." -Jenny Meyer

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1. Lock In Your VaHomeschoolers Membership for Up to Five Years at Today's
Prices!

At its quarterly meeting in Richmond in October, the VaHomeschoolers Board
of  Directors voted to increase membership dues to $20.00 per year,
effective January 1, 2006. That means now is your chance to buy your
membership, for up to five years, at today's annual membership fee of
$15.00. Pay $45.00 for a three-year membership today, versus paying $60.00
for a three-year membership in January! Pay $75.00 for a five-year
membership today, versus paying $100.00 for a five-year membership in
January! If you're presently a member, your membership renewal will begin
when your present membership ends - at today's prices! The additional
revenue from membership dues, just $5.00 per year, means we can continue to
have a paid lobbyist, offer high-quality conferences, meet the increasing
cost of producing and distributing the newsletter and hire a web
administrator.

What else do you get for your membership dues?
* A high quality membership card, useful for helping you obtain discounts
from merchants and organizations, featuring our beautiful logo;
* The inspiring VaHomeschoolers bi-monthly newsletter;
* A nifty VaHomeschoolers bumper sticker;
* Satisfaction in knowing your membership dues go a long way toward
supporting  the Old Dominion's only fully inclusive, member directed, and
volunteer driven state homeschool organization.
Join or renew today!

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WHY BUY FROM THE VaHomeschoolers BOOKSTORE?

* Discount: You can often save 30% off the cover price!
* FREE Shipping: Most items qualify for Amazon's free shipping
* Homeschoolers' Book Reviews
* Supports VaHomeschoolers, which receives a small percentage of the
purchase price.
* More Than Books: toys, movies, music, software, housewares, clothing and
more!

Visit the VaHomeschoolers Bookstore at
http://www.VaHomeschoolers.org/bookstore.html . If you can buy it at
Amazon.com, you can support VaHomeschoolers with your purchase through the
VaHomeschoolers Bookstore--at no additional cost to you!

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2. EVENTS

Washington D.C.: Daily Free Performances at The Kennedy Center's Millennium
Stage; all month at 6 p.m.
There are so many wonderful performances scheduled that I can't list just
one. Choose from Christmas music performed by the D.C. Youth Orchestra and
the U.S. Army Band, several exciting gospel and blues performances, Hannukah
celebration performances featuring artists from all over the world, and much
more. See:
http://www.kennedy-center.org/programs/millennium/schedule.html

Charlottesville: Preparing for College, A Workshop for Students with
Learning Disabilities and Other Special Needs; Nov. 30, 7-8:30 p.m.,
Albemarle High School.
This is a program for all high school (including homeschooled) juniors and
seniors, their parents and interested professionals who wish to learn more
about navigating college applications and college life for students with
disabilities. The following colleges will be in attendance: UVa, PVCC,
Ferrum and Eastern Mennonite University. The presenters will be counselors
who work with students with disabilities on the college campus, not
admissions personnel (students with disabilities have to meet the same
admissions requirements as other students). Some of the topics discussed
will be the expectations of college, accommodations provided to students
with disabilities, documentation required, etc. Albemarle High School is
located at 2775 Hydraulic Road, Charlottesville, VA  22903
For more information, call Caroline Bertrand at 434-823-8700. FREE.

Fredericksburg: First Friday Art and Culture Night; Dec. 2, 6-9 p.m. FREE!
The first Friday of every month is a celebration of art and culture in
downtown Fredericksburg. The galleries are open with new exhibits, and they
often offer free live music and free food and drink to the visiting public.
The first Friday in December is particularly exciting, as the galleries (and
the rest of the downtown merchants) are gearing up for the holiday shopping
season. If you're looking for a fun, inexpensive evening and a chance for
the whole family to see the work of local artists and hear local musicians,
this is a great time! I have found that kids are welcome, but of course you
need to supervise them, as there can be crowds and some artwork is fragile.

Richmond: Greater Richmond Children's Choir in Concert with the American
Youth Harp Ensemble at the Science Museum of Virginia; Dec. 4, 4 p.m.
Richmond's nationally known youth musicians perform festive and fun holiday
music, classics, world music and selections from Harry Potter films. All
ages welcome. Ticket cost: Adults $10, children $5. For more information,
call 804-864-1431 or see:
http://www.smv.org/Programs/index26Nov.html

Richmond: 30th Annual Victorian Christmas at Maymont; Dec. 4, 12-5 p.m.
Father Christmas will be there, storytelling, musical performances and
living history demonstrations. Carolers in Victorian attire will serenade
with the sounds of the season. Maymont Holiday Shop has a "Little People
Only" area. All ages welcome. For additional information, see:
http://www.maymont.org/events/04-12.asp

Stanardsville: Community Book Sale at William Monroe High School Library;
Dec. 7-14, 8 a.m.-8 p.m.
Books for all ages, School Supplies, Educational Computer Software and more.
50%-70% off original prices. Please come and shop! For directions, please
call (434) 985-5262.

Virginia Beach: Tidewater Musical Theater Presents "She Loves Me" at the
Chrysler Museum of Art Theater; Dec. 9-11.
This romantic musical, by the team behind Fiddler on the Roof, is based on
the play that inspired the films The Shop Around the Corner and You've Got
Mail. George and Amalia work in the same perfume shop, where they bicker
constantly - little do they know that each is the other's secret pen pal!
Shows at 8 p.m. on Dec. 9 and 10; 2 p.m. matinees on Dec. 10 and 11. Adult
tickets $15, children $5. For Tickets & Theater Info, call 757-499-5468 or
email Kim Willett at kvwillett@...

Staunton: Children's Holiday Party at the Frontier Culture Museum; Dec. 10;
for ages 4-10.
A special Holiday party for children that brings 19th century games,
past-times, dances, and friends together. Refreshments and nature-friendly
Christmas ornament. Two sessions scheduled for 10 a.m.-12 noon or 2-4 p.m.
Advance tickets required ($8 per child). Directions: off I-81 North near
intersection of I-64 in Staunton. $8/child.  Recommended for ages 4 to 10.
For more info or to register, call: 540-332-7850 or see:
http://www.frontiermuseum.org/index.htm

Charlottesville: Make Edible Holiday Houses at the Virginia Discovery
Museum; Dec. 10, 10:30 a.m.; for ages 4-12.
Create your own holiday house with edible materials! Is that a snowman, or a
marshmallow? You can decide with a plethora of delicious goodies. The museum
is at the East end of Charlottesville's Downtown Mall. 10:30 to 11:15am.
$5/members, $7/non-members. Recommended for ages 4 to 12. Reservations are
required. For details or to register, call 434-977-1025 or see:
http://www.vadm.org/

Charlottesville: Mitchie Tavern Yuletide Traditions; Dec. 9 and 10, 5-9:30
p.m.
Adults and youth will be invited to sing traditional carols with our Tavern
musicians. Mr. Michie's apprentice will serve tankard drinks from the
original tap bar. Living history interpreters and story-tellers will be
available to entertain guests. Period refreshments will be served from the
18th-century tap bar. Admission is free to the original Tavern during the
evenings of our Yuletide Traditions. For more information, call 434-977-1234
or see:
http://www.michietavern.com/events/index.cfm?CFID=224841&CFTOKEN=20885880&

For other event listings, view VaHomeschoolers' Events Calendar at
http://plus.calendars.net/VaHomeschoolers . Send your event listing requests
to Calendar@... Because our publications are read in many
places around the state, be sure to include necessary information such as
the location, including city/town, as well as area code if a phone number is
given.

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WHAT'S IN THE VaHomeschoolers' NEWSLETTER?

The VaHomeschoolers' Newsletter is only available to VaHomeschoolers'
members, and you can join or renew your VaHomeschoolers membership or make
donations in a flash, online! Or, print and mail the form available at our
Web site. For either method, go to: http://www.VaHomeschoolers.org/join.html

"The VaHomeschoolers Newsletter is a burst of energy from the mail. There
are always articles that are informative and thought provoking, supportive
and inspiring. I keep them on file to read again and again." -Alicia Knight

DON'T MISS A SINGLE NEWSLETTER! JOIN OR RENEW TODAY.

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3. CONTESTS & OTHER OPPORTUNITIES

Mathcounts -- Registration Deadline Dec. 9, 2005
MATHCOUNTS is a national math enrichment, coaching and competition program
that promotes middle school mathematics achievement through grassroots
involvement in every U.S. state and territory. Students may participate
individually or as a team in one of the more than 500 written and oral
competitions held nationwide and in U.S. schools overseas. Winners at the
local level proceed to state competitions, where the top 4 Mathletes and top
coach earn the right to represent their state or territory at the national
level. At all levels, MATHCOUNTS challenges students' math skills, develops
their self-confidence and rewards them for their achievements.
Arun K. Verma, Ph.D., a professor of mathematics at Hampton University, is
specifically seeking homeschooled participants for the Peninsula Area
Mathcounts program. Contact Dr. Verma at 757-728-6983 or by email at
ARUN.VERMA@... for more information. Homeschooled participants must
fill out an affidavit (available from Dr. Verma) and also complete a contest
registration form, which is available at:
http://www.mathcounts.org/webarticles/anmviewer.asp?a=118&z=28

Of course, if you're not in the Peninsula area, you can still compete in
MathCounts! Just go to the website and register.

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4. FREE RESOURCES

Free Unit Studies from Sassafrass Grove
This site offers a long list of online unit studies for dozens of topics.
The list is a little dated, so some of the links in the studies may not
work, but there is plenty of information that you may find valuable, and
it's FREE!
http://www.angelfire.com/mo/sassafrassgrove/homeschool/unit_studies.html

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5. WEB SITES, BOARDS, GROUPS & E-LISTS

National Museum of Wildlife Art: Art Tales, Telling Stories with Wildlife
Art.
Discover the world of wildlife art. Create a story, write a wildlife field
guide, or curate a museum with our artwork. Add excitement with music and
sound effects. The publish your creation on our website.
http://www.wildlifeart.org/ArtTales/

Cyberbee: Integrating Research and Technology
This site offers lots of free educational (and fun) content aimed at helping
educators teach kids how to use the internet for research.  Materials
include curriculum ideas in a variety of subjects, research tools, internet
treasure hunts, web projects (including a Westward Ho! Wagontrain
adventure), research-related weblinks, and a free subscription service to
receive updates.
http://www.cyberbee.com/

Castles on the Web:  Castles, Castles and more (you guessed it) Castles!
This site celebrates its creator's enthusiasm for castles with lots of
wonderful stuff, including medieval studies, book lists, links to online
castle tours, pages just for kids, and much more.
http://www.castlesontheweb.com/

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

WHEN YOU THINK "AMAZON.COM," THINK "VaHomeschoolers!"

Shop for books, music, movies, housewares, apparel--anything--at Amazon
through the VaHomeschoolers Bookstore and let your purchases help support
VaHomeschoolers at no cost to you!

To order almost anything on your shopping list, just go to
http://www.VaHomeschoolers.org/bookstore.html Pass this link to your friends
and family, so their purchases can also support your member- directed,
volunteer driven and fully inclusive state homeschool association.
Homeschooling is our only agenda.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

DON'T MISS A SINGLE NEWSLETTER! JOIN OR RENEW TODAY.

"The VaHomeschoolers Newsletter is a burst of energy from the mail. There
are always articles that are informative and thought provoking, supportive
and inspiring. I keep them on file to read again and again." -Alicia Knight

You can join or renew your VaHomeschoolers membership or make donations
online! Or, print and mail the form available at our Web site. For either
method, go to:
http://www.VaHomeschoolers.org/joinVaHomeschoolers.html

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

HAVE YOU CHECKED THE VaHomeschoolers ONLINE EVENTS CALENDAR?

If you're looking for something neat to do, or if you know of an event you'd
like to share with fellow homeschoolers in Virginia, please go to
VaHomeschoolers' Events Calendar at
http://plus.calendars.net/VaHomeschoolers . Send your event listing requests
to Calendar@... Because our publications are read in many
places around the state, be sure to include necessary information such as
the location, including city/town, as well as area code if a phone number is
given.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Copyright 2005 VA Homeschoolers. Permission to forward this e-mail, in its
entirety for non-profit purposes, is hereby granted. Any other use requires
specific written permission. For questions, submissions or comments write:
Updates@...

Subscribe to VaHomeschoolers Updates by sending a blank e-mail
to: VaHomeschoolersAnnounce-Subscribe@yahoogroups.com

VaHomeschoolers Update November 15, 2005

From The Organization of Virginia Homeschoolers: your fully inclusive, all
volunteer, member-directed state homeschool organization. Since 1993,
VaHomeschoolers has worked to protect and promote homeschooling through
action in legislative work, assisting homeschoolers on an individual level,
and providing information, speakers, events and resources. Join
VaHomeschoolers in a snap at http://www.VaHomeschoolers.org/join.html Visit
VaHomeschoolers's web site at http://www.VaHomeschoolers.org

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Did someone forward you this message? Skip the grapevine! Sign up to receive
VaHomeschoolers Biweekly updates by joining the VaHomeschoolers Announce
List Yahoo group. Join on line at
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/VaHomeschoolersAnnounce or send an email to
VaHomeschoolersAnnounce-subscribe@yahoogroups.com . Be in-the-know for free!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

In this update:

1. How Valuable is This Organization to You?

VaHomeschoolers needs *YOU* as a volunteer! Please share just a little of
your skills, talents and time. Read below to find out more.

2. EVENTS

Everywhere: America Recycles Day; Nov. 15.
Lynchburg: Festival of Trees at Amazement Square; Nov. 18-20.
Charlottesville: Public Night at UVa's McCormick Observatory; Nov. 18, 9-11
p.m., FREE!
Richmond: Live Theater at SMV; The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe; Nov.
19, 2005-Jan. 1, 2006.
Charlottesville: Ash Lawn-Highland Annual Open House; Nov. 20; free for area
residents.
Roanoke: Mill Mountain Zoo "Thank Zoo Day"; Nov. 25, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Free!
Richmond: Opening of The Polar Express IMAX Film at the Science Museum of
Virginia; Nov. 25, 2005-Jan. 22, 2006.
Wintergreen: Pioneer Skills Workshop; Nov. 25, 1 p.m. Ages 6-12.
Charlottesville: The Moscow Boys Choir performs at The Paramount Theater;
Nov. 25, 7:30 p.m.; tickets cost $21-$30.
Washington, D.C.: Sandra Boynton at the Kennedy Center's Millennium Stage;
Nov. 26 at 6 p.m.; Free.

3. CONTESTS & OTHER OPPORTUNITIES

America Recycles Day Contest:  Win a Ford Escape hybrid vehicle -- enter
online today!
The Christopher Columbus Awards : Get Your Kids Psyched About Science!

4. FREE RESOURCES

Waterford Press: Free downloadable wildlife games, mazes, coloring pages,
origami, and much more!
E-Naturalist: a free, weekly educational series on animals, plants, and
environmental issues.
30 Thanksgiving Patterns and Projects: From Bella Online's Frugal Living
page

5. WEB SITES, GROUPS & E-MAIL LISTS

Boomerang Resources for Kids
Busy Teacher's Website
National Geographic for Kids
National Geographic Explorer

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Each time I get the newsletter I am just blown away by the practical,
informative and very useful articles. The newsletter alone is well worth the
$15 membership fee!" -Stephanie Elms

"When I joined VaHomeschoolers I had no idea was also subscribing to such a
high-quality publication! I tend to devour it the moment it arrives --it's
extraordinarily well-written and densely packed with useful information and
support." -Jenny Meyer

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

1. How Valuable is This Organization to You?

VaHomeschoolers works hard to protect your homeschool freedom, and empowers
you to homeschool with confidence. VaHomeschoolers presents many conferences
and seminars throughout the year, lobbies for you at the Virginia General
Assembly, maintains a high-quality *free* website, and produces a fresh and
vibrant newsletter.  Show how much you value the indispensable services
VaHomeschoolers provides you by volunteering!  If you can spare as little as
half an hour a week, you can add to VaHomeschoolers' effectiveness.  A
volunteer application, with space to indicate your talents and preferences,
is available at VaHomeschoolers' website:
http://www.vahomeschoolers.org/Volunteer%20Application.doc .

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

WHY BUY FROM THE VaHomeschoolers BOOKSTORE?

* Discount: You can often save 30% off the cover price!
* FREE Shipping: Most items qualify for Amazon's free shipping
* Homeschoolers' Book Reviews
* Supports VaHomeschoolers, which receives a small percentage of the
purchase price.
* More Than Books: toys, movies, music, software, housewares, clothing and
more!

Visit the VaHomeschoolers Bookstore at
http://www.VaHomeschoolers.org/bookstore.html . If you can buy it at
Amazon.com, you can support VaHomeschoolers with your purchase through the
VaHomeschoolers Bookstore--at no additional cost to you!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

2. EVENTS

Everywhere: America Recycles Day; Nov. 15.
November 15 is America Recycles Day! Talk with your kids about recycling,
plan a visit to your local recycling center or landfill, clean up trash and
recyclables from your local park or neighborhood area, join your local
Freecycle group to keep useful items out of the landfill, or celebrate in
whatever way suits you. You can learn about many recycling events throughout
the state (some have already passed, but there are quite a number still to
occur):
http://www.americarecyclesday.org/Get_Involved/results1.cfm

Lynchburg: Festival of Trees at Amazement Square; Nov. 18-20.
This is a fundraising event for Amazement Square children's museum and the
Forest Rotary Club. Located at one of Lynchburg's largest estates, the
historic Villa Maria, this three-day event has become a regional favorite
with its wide range of activities geared to excite the entire family! Enjoy
the open house and Children's Store on Friday from 3 to 5, a children's
breakfast with Santa on Saturday from 9:00 - 11:30 am ($5 advanced
registration), an afternoon tea from 1 to 4, and top it off with a Sunday
evening gala and silent auction from 6-9 p.m. (tickets are $35). Villa
Maria, Lynchburg.  Directions: Take 29S. 29 South turns into 501N, the
Lynchburg Expressway. Follow 501N, Villa Maria is the large estate on the
right. All ages welcome. For more information, call 434-845-1888 or see:
http://www.amazementsquare.org/information.php?p=i-fundraising (at the
bottom of the page)

Charlottesville: Public Night at UVa's McCormick Observatory; Nov. 18, 9-11
p.m., FREE!
Three telescopes at the McCormick Observatory offer amazing views of our
galaxy (weather permitting) while astronomy staff and graduate students
answer questions. A slide show and tour are also provided. Open every 1st
and 3rd Friday. McCormick Observatory.  Directions: From Emmet Street (Rt29)
near UVA and Ivy Rd (Rt250) turn onto McCormick, follow signs up the hill.
All ages welcome. For more information, call 434-924-7494 or see
http://www.astro.virginia.edu/public_outreach/pubnite.html

Charlottesville: Ash Lawn-Highland Annual Open House; Nov. 20; free for area
residents.
Our neighbors are invited to celebrate the anniversary of the Monroe's
arrival at Highland with an open house-admission is free on this day for
residents of Albemarle and the surrounding counties (Augusta, Buckingham,
Fluvanna, Greene, Louisa, Nelson, Orange and Rockingham). Included is a
visit with President Monroe. 11am to 5pm.  $Residents of Albemarle, Augusta,
Buckingham, Fluvanna, Greene, Louisa, Nelson, Orange and Rockingham admitted
free. For more information, call 434-293-9539 or see:
http://www.ashlawnhighland.org/se--openhouse.htm

Roanoke: Mill Mountain Zoo "Thank Zoo Day"; Nov. 25, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Free!
This free admission day is the zoo's way of saying "Thanks" for your
support. Come watch the animals receive special treats throughout the day,
and shop for holiday gifts in Whiskers Gift Shop! For more information, see:
http://mmzoo.org/

Richmond: Live Theater at SMV; The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe; Nov.
19, 2005-Jan. 1, 2006.
An important part of every scientist's activity is exploration. Join Peter
and Lucy as they explore the amazing world of Narnia in an action-packed
performance of this classic tale. This two-actor version of C. S. Lewis'
masterpiece originated at Lincoln Center and has been enjoyed by thousands
from coast to coast. It's a heroic tale of faith, love, courage and giving.
Recommended for children in grades K-6. Shows are at 1 and 3 p.m. on
Saturdays-Sundays and 11 a.m. Tuesdays-Fridays. Tickets are $7 for museum
members; $8 general admission; $7.50 for groups with advance reservations.
For more information, call SMV at (804) 864-1400 or 1-800-659-1727 or see:
http://www.smv.org/CST/CurrentSeason.html#Lion

Richmond: Opening of The Polar Express IMAX Film at the Science Museum of
Virginia; Nov. 25, 2005-Jan. 22, 2006.
Based on the beloved Caldecott Medal children's book by Chris Van Allsburg,
this inspiring adventure steams into the IMAX®DOME for the holidays. When a
doubting young boy takes an extraordinary train ride to the North Pole, he
embarks on a journey of self-discovery and learns that the wonder of life
never fades for those who believe. For information on showtimes and ticket
prices, a free Polar Express party kit (with printables for nametags,
invitations, crafts and games to have your own party or a fun unit study), a
trailer of the film and a teacher's guide with discussion questions and
more, see:
http://www.smv.org/Imax/films.html#polar
http://www.smv.org/Imax/schedule.html

Wintergreen: Pioneer Skills Workshop; Nov. 25, 1 p.m.
Do you have what it takes to make it as an early pioneer? Find out as you
practice some of the everyday tasks of the first European settlers in the
Blue Ridge Mountains. Wintergreen Nature Center. Directions: Rt. 29S to
I-64W to Exit 107 (Crozet, Rte 250). Take 250W to Rte 151S, turn left. Take
151 to Rte 664, 14.2 miles. Turn right at 664. $5 members, $10 non-members.
Recommended for ages 6-12. For more info, email info@... or call
804-325-8169.

Charlottesville: The Moscow Boys Choir performs at The Paramount Theater;
Nov. 25, 7:30 p.m.; tickets cost $21-$30.
Founded in 1957, the Moscow Boys Choir is Russia's most prestigious all-boy
choir. The Choir has enchanted audiences world-wide, having toured Germany,
Italy, Belgium, Holland, Poland, England, and United States. Richly dark
tones of tenor and bass voices singing along with the sopranos distinguish
the Choir, and make for a unique treat on this special program of holiday
music from around the world. Also included are classic favorites "The Twelve
Days of Christmas," "Silver Bells," and their hauntingly beautiful rendition
of "Silent Night." Join us to kick off the season and be musically
transported to far away places! Tickets start at $21 for children and range
up to $30. Call the box office at 434-979-1333 or see:
http://www.theparamount.net/calendar_shows_MoscowBoysChoir.aspx

Washington, D.C.: Sandra Boynton at the Kennedy Center's Millennium Stage;
Nov. 26 at 6 p.m.; Free.
The multi-talented illustrator, author, composer, and lyricist performs her
quirky and family-friendly music, which can be heard on the albums
Rhinoceros Tap and Philadelphia Chickens and her newest release, Dog Train.
It's a sing-along, dance-along, quack-along showcase of inspired tunes for
pretty much everyone (except mosquitoes!) Take Metro to the Foggy Bottom/GWU
station and ride the free KENNEDY CENTER SHUTTLE departing every 15 minutes
until midnight. For more information about the Millennium Stage call
202-467-4600 , or see:
http://www.kennedy-center.org/programs/millennium/

For other event listings, view VaHomeschoolers' Events Calendar at
http://plus.calendars.net/VaHomeschoolers . Send your event listing requests
to Calendar@... Because our publications are read in many
places around the state, be sure to include necessary information such as
the location, including city/town, as well as area code if a phone number is
given.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

WHAT'S IN THE VaHomeschoolers' NEWSLETTER?

The VaHomeschoolers' Newsletter is only available to VaHomeschoolers'
members, and you can join or renew your VaHomeschoolers membership or make
donations in a flash, online! Or, print and mail the form available at our
Web site. For either method, go to: http://www.VaHomeschoolers.org/join.html

"The VaHomeschoolers Newsletter is a burst of energy from the mail. There
are always articles that are informative and thought provoking, supportive
and inspiring. I keep them on file to read again and again." -Alicia Knight

DON'T MISS A SINGLE NEWSLETTER! JOIN OR RENEW TODAY.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

3. CONTESTS & OTHER OPPORTUNITIES

America Recycles Day Contest
America Recycles is offering a Ford Escape hybrid vehicle as its grand prize
this year.  Just go to the website to enter by pledging to do more
recycling -- but do it today! Entries must be submitted online no later than
midnight on Tuesday, Nov. 15!!
http://www.americarecyclesday.org/Enter_The_Contest/pledge.html

The Christopher Columbus Awards : Get Your Kids Psyched About Science!
Participating in the Christopher Columbus Awards is a fun and rewarding
experience for both students and coaches. It's easy to get started: just
visit our website at www.christophercolumbusawards.com and download the
2005-06 Competition Guidelines. Competition deadline is February 13, 2006.
If you have any questions, we're here to help. Give us a call at
800-291-6020 or send e-mail to success@....
The idea is simple. Three or four students working as a team put their heads
together to solve a problem in their own community. You act as their coach,
giving them a helping hand with some of the details. This is science at its
best. Your team will identify a problem, look into it, come up with an
innovative solution, refine the solution ...and have fun doing it! Plus the
team - including you as their coach - will be competing for an
all-expense-paid trip to National Championship Week at Walt Disney World, a
$25,000 grant to further develop their solution and U.S. Savings Bonds of
$2,000 for each student team member.
This program is for 6th, 7th and 8th graders, and is open to homeschoolers.
For complete contest rules and guidelines, see:
http://www.christophercolumbusawards.com/guides/coach/CCA_Teacher_Guide.pdf
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

4. FREE RESOURCES

Waterford Press
Waterford Press publishes some really wonderful activity books about nature
and wildlife for kids and adults. I recently bought one of their seashore
life books while we were at the beach, and I was very impressed. I was even
more impressed when I discovered that you can download and print lots of
Waterford's activities and games for free from their website!
http://www.waterfordpress.com/game1.html

E-Naturalist
The Electronic Naturalist is a free, weekly educational series on animals,
plants, and environmental issues. The Electronic Naturalist helps bring the
natural world to you. As a registered e-Naturalist user, you have access to:
Unit preview -- see upcoming units; unit standards -- see how our units
align to the national standards; E-Naturalist Newsletter -- receive weekly
email updates; Peterson Journal Online -- get monthly nature publications
from the Roger Tory Peterson Institute.
http://www.enaturalist.org

30 Thanksgiving Patterns and Projects
From Bella Online's Frugal Living page, here are fun crafts, downloads,
printables, recipes, clip art and history lessons to share with your family.
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art36571.asp

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

5. WEB SITES, BOARDS, GROUPS & E-LISTS

Boomerang Resources for Kids
This web page is a child's guide to information about boomerangs. The links
below will take you to web pages that will provide the young (8-14) reader
with an explanation as to why boomerangs return, how to throw them,
boomerang events and more. Please remember that a parent should help you
when you try to throw your first boomerang.
http://www.flight-toys.com/kids.html

Busy Teacher's Website
This Site is designed to provide teachers with direct source materials,
lesson plans and classroom activities online. Topic areas include
archaeology, art, astronomy, biology, careers, chemistry, engineering,
history and much more.
http://www.ceismc.gatech.edu/busyt/homepg.html

National Geographic for Kids
A site for kids (and parents), with stories, games and other interactive
features from the publishers of National Geographic for Kids magazine.
http://www.nationalgeographic.com/ngkids/index.html

National Geographic Explorer
This is the website supporting NG's magazine designed for classroom use. But
anyone can use the articles, word challenges, short movies, links and
activities available here.
http://magma.nationalgeographic.com/ngexplorer/

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

WHEN YOU THINK "AMAZON.COM," THINK "VaHomeschoolers!"

Shop for books, music, movies, housewares, apparel--anything--at Amazon
through the VaHomeschoolers Bookstore and let your purchases help support
VaHomeschoolers at no cost to you!

To order almost anything on your shopping list, just go to
http://www.VaHomeschoolers.org/bookstore.html Pass this link to your friends
and family, so their purchases can also support your member- directed,
volunteer driven and fully inclusive state homeschool association.
Homeschooling is our only agenda.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

DON'T MISS A SINGLE NEWSLETTER! JOIN OR RENEW TODAY.

"The VaHomeschoolers Newsletter is a burst of energy from the mail. There
are always articles that are informative and thought provoking, supportive
and inspiring. I keep them on file to read again and again." -Alicia Knight

You can join or renew your VaHomeschoolers membership or make donations
online! Or, print and mail the form available at our Web site. For either
method, go to:
http://www.VaHomeschoolers.org/joinVaHomeschoolers.html

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

HAVE YOU CHECKED THE VaHomeschoolers ONLINE EVENTS CALENDAR?

If you're looking for something neat to do, or if you know of an event you'd
like to share with fellow homeschoolers in Virginia, please go to
VaHomeschoolers' Events Calendar at
http://plus.calendars.net/VaHomeschoolers . Send your event listing requests
to Calendar@... Because our publications are read in many
places around the state, be sure to include necessary information such as
the location, including city/town, as well as area code if a phone number is
given.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Copyright 2005 VA Homeschoolers. Permission to forward this e-mail, in its
entirety for non-profit purposes, is hereby granted. Any other use requires
specific written permission. For questions, submissions or comments write:
Updates@...

Subscribe to VaHomeschoolers Updates by sending a blank e-mail
to: VaHomeschoolersAnnounce-Subscribe@yahoogroups.com

VaHomeschoolers Update November 1, 2005

From The Organization of Virginia Homeschoolers: your fully inclusive, all
volunteer, member-directed state homeschool organization. Since 1993,
VaHomeschoolers has worked to protect and promote homeschooling through
action in legislative work, assisting homeschoolers on an individual level,
and providing information, speakers, events and resources. Join
VaHomeschoolers in a snap at http://www.VaHomeschoolers.org/join.html Visit
VaHomeschoolers's web site at http://www.VaHomeschoolers.org

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Did someone forward you this message? Skip the grapevine! Sign up to receive
VaHomeschoolers Biweekly updates by joining the VaHomeschoolers Announce
List Yahoo group. Join on line at
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/VaHomeschoolersAnnounce or send an email to
VaHomeschoolersAnnounce-subscribe@yahoogroups.com . Be in-the-know for free!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

In this update:

1. NEXT TUESDAY IS ELECTION DAY! CAST YOUR VOTES FROM 6 A.M. TO 7 P.M.
Have you remembered to educate yourself about the upcoming elections? Voting
is a great vehicle for teaching your kids about what democracy means.
VaHomeschoolers offers you some links (but never endorsements) to help you
decide which candidates you will support.

2. EVENTS
Charlottesville: Piedmont Virginia Community College Faculty Art Show; Nov.
2-30; Free!
Urbanna: Urbanna Oyster Festival; Nov. 4-5, 8 a.m.-6 p.m.
Richmond: CARRY ME! a satirical story of Richmond, Race and Resistance; Nov.
4 and 5 at 8 p.m.; Nov. 6 at 2:30 p.m. Free!
Manassas: First Annual Manassas Chocolate Festival; Nov. 5, 8 a.m.-10 p.m.
Charles City: Celebrate the First Thanksgiving at Berkeley Plantation; Nov.
6; 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Fredericksburg: Fall Fun Day at Ferry Farm; Nov. 8, 11 a.m.-2 p.m.
Richmond: How to Buy a Telescope class at the Science Museum of Virginia;
Nov. 12, 9-11 a.m.
Baltimore, MD: Homeschool College and Career Fair; Nov. 12, 8:30-4 p.m.
Meadows of Dan and thereabouts: Tour Nancy's Homemade Fudge Inc., Mabry
Mill, Fairy Stone State Park and the Virginia Museum of Natural History;
anytime you like!

3. CONTESTS & OTHER OPPORTUNITIES
Lee-Jackson Educational Foundation 2005-2006 Essay Scholarship Competition

4. FREE RESOURCES
Cartoonster.com
Webmonkey for Kids
Learn2Type.com
Yodelcourse.com

5. WEB SITES, GROUPS & E-MAIL LISTS
HomeschoolRichmond.com
Reading Planet
Philosophy for Kids
The Great Mirror
Multiflyer

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Each time I get the newsletter I am just blown away by the practical,
informative and very useful articles. The newsletter alone is well worth the
$15 membership fee!" -Stephanie Elms

"When I joined VaHomeschoolers I had no idea was also subscribing to such a
high-quality publication! I tend to devour it the moment it arrives --it's
extraordinarily well-written and densely packed with useful information and
support." -Jenny Meyer

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

1. NEXT TUESDAY IS ELECTION DAY! CAST YOUR VOTES FROM 6 A.M. TO 7 P.M.
Despite many people's apathy -- and in part because of it -- state elections
are important; our representatives in Richmond make many of the laws that
directly affect us and our communities. We homeschoolers need to be informed
citizens. VaHomeschoolers never endorses any candidate for office, and
always remains neutral on matters of religion, partisan politics and
non-homeschooling issues. But we encourage our members and all homeschoolers
to educate themselves on the candidates, consider their positions on a
variety of issues and do your own research by checking their websites and
(if the candidate is an incumbent) voting records. Here are a few online
resources for you to consider as you make your decisions:

Homeschoolers and the November Elections
Virginia homeschooling laws and policies are made at the state and local
levels, so these are the elections that affect homeschoolers the most. Read
answers to a few of the questions that VaHomeschoolers has received from our
members and other homeschooling families about this important election
season.
http://www.VaHomeschoolers.org/HSers-Elections.PDF

Project Vote Smart
http://www.vote-smart.org/index.htm
Thousands of candidates and elected officials. Who works for you? Who is
seeking your vote? Project Vote Smart, a citizen's organization, has
developed a Voter's Self-Defense System to provide you with the necessary
tools to self-govern effectively: abundant, accurate, unbiased and relevant
information. As a national library of factual information, Project Vote
Smart covers your candidates and elected officials in five basic categories:
biographical information, issue positions, voting records, campaign finances
and interest group ratings.

Richmond Times-Dispatch Election Center
http://vaelections.mgnetwork.com/index.cfm?siteid=rtd&packageid=80
Articles, blogs, photos.

Washington Post's Guide to VA Elections:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/linkset/2005/08/08/LI2005080800811.\
html
Articles, blogs, poll results, etc.

VA State Board of Elections: Election Information
http://www.sbe.state.va.us/Elections_Section.htm
Includes "Where Do I Vote?," election results, candidates lists and ballot
issues, more.

US Elections.com
http://www.uselections.com/va/va.htm

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

WHY BUY FROM THE VaHomeschoolers BOOKSTORE?

* Discount: You can often save 30% off the cover price!
* FREE Shipping: Most items qualify for Amazon's free shipping
* Homeschoolers' Book Reviews
* Supports VaHomeschoolers, which receives a small percentage of the
purchase price.
* More Than Books: toys, movies, music, software, housewares, clothing and
more!

Visit the VaHomeschoolers Bookstore at
http://www.VaHomeschoolers.org/bookstore.html . If you can buy it at
Amazon.com, you can support VaHomeschoolers with your purchase through the
VaHomeschoolers Bookstore--at no additional cost to you!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

2. EVENTS

Charlottesville: Piedmont Virginia Community College Faculty Art Show; Nov.
2-30; Free!
This is a free exhibition of faculty work, to be shown in the V. Earl
Dickinson Bldg for Humanities and Social Sciences on the PVCC campus. The
show will be open 9 a.m.-10 p.m. Mondays-Thursdays; 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Fridays
and 1-5 p.m. Saturdays. For more information, call 434-961-5202 or see
http://www.pvcc.edu/arts.asp

Urbanna: Urbanna Oyster Festival; Nov. 4-5, 8 a.m.-6 p.m.
"A Salute to the Oyster," the Official Oyster Festival of the Commonwealth,
is sponsored by the Urbanna Oyster Festival Foundation. There will be food,
arts & crafts, a fireman's parade, an Oyster Festival parade, waterfront
educational activities, an oyster shucking contest and competition for the
titles of Oyster Festival Queen & Little Miss Spat. The Saturday parade of
the Urbanna Oyster Festival has become the focal point of the weekend. It
has grown from an event featuring antique cars and floats to a parade
encompassing a large Shriners contingency, numerous marching bands, and
beauty queens and their courts from across the state. This is an annual
tradition that cannot be missed.

Richmond: CARRY ME! a satirical story of Richmond, Race and Resistance; Nov.
4 and 5 at 8 p.m.; Nov. 6 at 2:30 p.m. Free!
Jennifer Hundley, actress and director in Richmond's Theatre Family, drama
teacher at Collegiate Middle School, wife, mother of two, is in her final
semester of graduate school at VCU. As a part of her thesis, she's written a
play with music titled CARRY ME! Set in Richmond's Jackson Ward in 1968, the
script explores race relations as well as social and political issues.
Rating is PG-13. Jenny writes, "I hope that you'll come see my 'work in
progress.' The play is in the early development stages and having an
audience is key to the process." This event is free and reservations are not
required (seating is first come, first served). CARRY ME! will be performed
at the Shafer Street Playhouse's Richard Newdick Theatre, 221 Shafer Street,
part of the VCU campus. You can call the Shafer Street Playhouse at (804)
828-6026.

Manassas: First Annual Manassas Chocolate Festival; Nov. 5, 8 a.m.-10 p.m.
Indulge your passion for chocolate. Start off with a pancake breakfast,
travel through Old Town Manassas during the day tasting a variety of
chocolates from around the world. Enter your favorite recipe in the
Chocolate Challenge. And end your day at the adults-only champagne and
chocolate event in our very own Candy Factory (now a Center for the Arts
facility.)
http://secure.cartsvr.net/catalogs/catalog.asp?prodid=3868410&showprevnext=1

Charles City: Celebrate the First Thanksgiving at Berkeley Plantation; Nov.
6; 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Celebrate the 1619 landing of the original colonists at Berkeley Plantation.
Join us at the site of the First Official Thanksgiving in America, for a day
dedicated to history, food, and fun with tours of the 1726 mansion, walks in
the colorful autumn gardens and a formal living history program. For more
information, visit Berkeley Plantation's website at:
http://www.berkeleyplantation.com/

Fredericksburg: Fall Fun Day at Ferry Farm; Nov. 8,11 a.m.-2 p.m.
On Election Day, Tuesday, November 8, vote 'yes' to having fun at the
boyhood home of our first president. If the children are out of school and
parents are looking for something fun to do with the family, come to the
Farm and enjoy crafts (pumpkin decorating and sachet making), colonial
games, storytelling, and the Mind and Muscle Obstacle Course. Safety and
crime prevention demonstrations will be presented by Stafford County DARE
and EMS representatives. Admission is $5 for adults and $3 for children.
http://www.kenmore.org/

Richmond: How to Buy a Telescope class at the Science Museum of Virginia;
Nov. 12, 9-11 a.m.
Science Museum Astronomy Director Ken Wilson helps you learn how to make an
informed purchase. He can translate the scientific jargon and answer the
important questions involved in buying a telescope. Cost is $7 for
non-museum members and $6 for museum members. Space is limited,
pre-registration is required. For registration and information, call (804)
864-1411.

Baltimore, MD: Homeschool College and Career Fair; Nov. 12, 8:30-4 p.m.
I know this is a trek for most of you, but it still seems worth mentioning.
The Excelsior Academy (formerly New Creation Academy) is sponsoring this
event, which is open to the entire homeschool community and is geared for
both college and career bound students. Featured Speakers include:
college admissions representatives, college professors and administrators,
The Princeton Review: Publishers of Cracking the New SAT, Maryland Higher
Education Commission, and career school, apprenticeship, and military
representatives. Workshops and Panels for Parents and Students, including:
High School at Home: It's Easier Than You Think!; Navigating the College
Admission Process; College Admission Representatives Panel; Community
College: The Smart Choice for High School and College; The New SAT;
Successful College Writing; Surviving and Thriving in Your Freshman Year;
Choosing a College; College Professor 101: What College Professors Want!;
How to Obtain Government Financial Aid; Career, Apprenticeship and Military
Options; Getting Special Needs Services on the College Level. Cost is $25
per family is registered by Nov. 5; $30 after Nov. 5 or at the door. To
register or for more information, call 410-654-6760, email connect@...
or see
www.theexcelsioracademy.com/events.htm

Meadows of Dan and thereabouts: Tour Nancy's Homemade Fudge Inc., Mabry
Mill, Fairy Stone State Park and the Virginia Museum of Natural History;
anytime you like!
Here's a fun and educational tour of southwestern Virginia that I've planned
just for you! If you're thinking of "peeping" at the beautiful fall foliage
in the mountains of Floyd and Patrick Counties (and I highly recommend it --
I have family in Woolwine and the area is absolutely breathtaking anytime of
year), you can arrange a tour of Nancy's Homemade Fudge.  Every day the
friendly folks at Nancy's have at least 40 different flavors of fudge and 60
varieties of chocolates on display, ready for you to sample. I have
personally stopped at Nancy's candy outlet, and have the hips to prove it!
You can call ahead (800-328-3834) to request a "chocolate talk" and candy
making video presentation.  And while you're in the area, you can stop and
see historic Mabry Mill, check out the cross-shaped stones at Fairy Stone
State Park and visit the Virginia Museum of Natural History in Martinsville.
So there you have it: economics, science, history and fun, all rolled into
one trip!
http://www.nancyshomemadefudge.com/
http://www.floydcountyinview.com/mabrymillinfo.html
http://www.dcr.state.va.us/parks/fairyst.htm
http://www.vmnh.net/

For other event listings, view VaHomeschoolers' Events Calendar at
http://plus.calendars.net/VaHomeschoolers . Send your event listing requests
to Calendar@... Because our publications are read in many
places around the state, be sure to include necessary information such as
the location, including city/town, as well as area code if a phone number is
given.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

WHAT'S IN THE VaHomeschoolers' NEWSLETTER?

The VaHomeschoolers' Newsletter is only available to VaHomeschoolers'
members, and you can join or renew your VaHomeschoolers membership or make
donations in a flash, online! Or, print and mail the form available at our
Web site. For either method, go to: http://www.VaHomeschoolers.org/join.html

"The VaHomeschoolers Newsletter is a burst of energy from the mail. There
are always articles that are informative and thought provoking, supportive
and inspiring. I keep them on file to read again and again." -Alicia Knight

DON'T MISS A SINGLE NEWSLETTER! JOIN OR RENEW TODAY.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

3. CONTESTS & OTHER OPPORTUNITIES

Lee-Jackson Educational Foundation 2005-2006 Essay Scholarship Competition
An official from the Lee-Jackson Education Foundation submitted this
information to me, noting, "We often have applications from homeschooled
students and have found that they generally do very well in our competition.
We'd like to see more!" The top prize is $10,000, so it's well worth
entering! This contest is for high school juniors and seniors, and the essay
deadline is January 27, 2006. For complete contest rules and guidelines, see
http://www.lee-jackson.org/images/2005-2006Packet.doc

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

4. FREE RESOURCES

Cartoonster.com
Cartoonster's free online tutorial teaches you, step by step, how to draw
and animate -- the easy and fun way. We even reveal some shortcuts and
animators' secrets along the way.
http://www.cartoonster.com/

Webmonkey for Kids
Webmonkey offers free tutorials to help kids learn to create websites. The
site includes a planning guide for parents and teachers who want to help
kids use the site as a learning tool.
http://hotwired.lycos.com/webmonkey/kids/

Learn2Type.com
Learn2Type is a free website that offers a typing test and typing lessons.
http://www.learn2type.com/

Yodelcourse.com
All right, this one is admittedly a little silly. But it's still free! Learn
Alpine-style yodeling and send an email to get your official Certificate of
Yodelology.
http://www.yodelcourse.com/

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

5. WEB SITES, BOARDS, GROUPS & E-LISTS

HomeschoolRichmond.com
HomeschoolRichmond.com includes up-to-date information about homeschooling
classes and events, links to Richmond homeschooling support groups, as well
as a calendar of fun things to do in Richmond. It is an inclusive website to
support all homeschooling groups and families in the Richmond area.
http://www.HomeschoolRichmond.com

Reading Planet
Reading is Fundamental's Reading Planet offers games, book lists, book
reviews (and you can submit reviews as well), e-postcards to send and more.
http://www.rif.org/readingplanet/

Philosophy for Kids
This is a website for materials to use in doing philosophy with children.
The introduction on the site explains that the method used (which was
originally developed for ages 8-11) involves using stories that raise
philosophical questions, then asking kids to discuss the questions and
various possible answers and come up with continuations for the stories
(read the site for a better explanation -- it sounds really neat, like a
seminar approach).
http://www.philosophyforkids.com/

The Great Mirror
The Great Mirror is a collection of photos, geographically grouped and
narratively sequenced and captioned to explain a wide range of cultural
landscapes.  All photos and captions are by Bret Wallach, a geography
professor at the University of Oklahoma.  This approach is termed "cultural
geography," and it seems (to me, anyway) much like photojournalism.
http://www.greatmirror.com/

Multiflyer
Multiflyer is an online game for anyone who is trying to learn
multiplication. As the pilot of a space ship far in the future, you must
save the solar system from gravitational anomalies while learning and
memorizing the multiplication tables.
http://www.gdbdp.com/multiflyer/

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

WHEN YOU THINK "AMAZON.COM," THINK "VaHomeschoolers!"

Shop for books, music, movies, housewares, apparel--anything--at Amazon
through the VaHomeschoolers Bookstore and let your purchases help support
VaHomeschoolers at no cost to you!

To order almost anything on your shopping list, just go to
http://www.VaHomeschoolers.org/bookstore.html Pass this link to your friends
and family, so their purchases can also support your member- directed,
volunteer driven and fully inclusive state homeschool association.
Homeschooling is our only agenda.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

DON'T MISS A SINGLE NEWSLETTER! JOIN OR RENEW TODAY.

"The VaHomeschoolers Newsletter is a burst of energy from the mail. There
are always articles that are informative and thought provoking, supportive
and inspiring. I keep them on file to read again and again." -Alicia Knight

You can join or renew your VaHomeschoolers membership or make donations
online! Or, print and mail the form available at our Web site. For either
method, go to:
http://www.VaHomeschoolers.org/joinVaHomeschoolers.html

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

HAVE YOU CHECKED THE VaHomeschoolers ONLINE EVENTS CALENDAR?

If you're looking for something neat to do, or if you know of an event you'd
like to share with fellow homeschoolers in Virginia, please go to
VaHomeschoolers' Events Calendar at
http://plus.calendars.net/VaHomeschoolers . Send your event listing requests
to Calendar@... Because our publications are read in many
places around the state, be sure to include necessary information such as
the location, including city/town, as well as area code if a phone number is
given.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Copyright 2005 VA Homeschoolers. Permission to forward this e-mail, in its
entirety for non-profit purposes, is hereby granted. Any other use requires
specific written permission. For questions, submissions or comments write:
Updates@...

Subscribe to VaHomeschoolers Updates by sending a blank e-mail
to: VaHomeschoolersAnnounce-Subscribe@yahoogroups.com

VaHomeschoolers Update October 18, 2005

From The Organization of Virginia Homeschoolers: your fully inclusive, all
volunteer, member-directed state homeschool organization. Since 1993,
VaHomeschoolers has worked to protect and promote homeschooling through
action in legislative work, assisting homeschoolers on an individual level,
and providing information, speakers, events and resources. Join
VaHomeschoolers in a snap at http://www.VaHomeschoolers.org/join.html Visit
VaHomeschoolers's web site at http://www.VaHomeschoolers.org

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Did someone forward you this message? Skip the grapevine! Sign up to receive
VaHomeschoolers Biweekly updates by joining the VaHomeschoolers Announce
List Yahoo group. Join on line at
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/VaHomeschoolersAnnounce or send an email to
VaHomeschoolersAnnounce-subscribe@yahoogroups.com . Be in-the-know for free!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

In this update:

1. NEWSLETTER SNEAK PEEK
What to look forward to in the November-December issue of the Virginia
Homeschoolers Newsletter.

2. EVENTS
Fredericksburg: Studio 17 Dance Open House; October 19; 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Newport News: Free Lecture, "Einstein - the Person and His Legacy"; October
20; 7 p.m.
Alexandria: "Dancing Through History" with Kathy Harty Gray Dance Theatre;
October 28; 10-11 a.m.
Alexandria: Gunston Hall's Colonial Militia Muster; Nov. 4 and 5; 10 a.m.-4
p.m.
Norfolk: Norfolk Botanical Gardens' "Science in a Room without Walls"; Nov.
4, 9:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
Alexandria: Gunston Hall Veteran's Day Free Admission for Vets and Active
Duty Military; November 11, 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m.
Chincoteague: Assateague Island Waterfowl Week; November 19-27; 8 a.m.-6
p.m. Free!

3. CONTESTS & OTHER OPPORTUNITIES
Narnia Art Contest
Greeting Card Kid Quotes Wanted

4. FREE RESOURCES
Tumblebooks: Children's E-Books Online
"The Little Toe Radio Show": Free Online Children's Storytelling Programs
and Newsletter from the BBC
Teaching Boxes from the Digital Library for Earth System Education

5. WEB SITES, GROUPS & E-MAIL LISTS
Science Tutorial Sites Written for Kids
Professor Garfield

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Each time I get the newsletter I am just blown away by the practical,
informative and very useful articles. The newsletter alone is well worth the
$15 membership fee!" -Stephanie Elms

"When I joined VaHomeschoolers I had no idea was also subscribing to such a
high-quality publication! I tend to devour it the moment it arrives --it's
extraordinarily well-written and densely packed with useful information and
support." -Jenny Meyer

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

1. NEWSLETTER SNEAK PEEK

The November-December issue of the VaHomeschoolers newsletter will be full
of important information: annual member survey results, new federal
homeschooling legislation, answers to your questions about portfolios,
transfer credits, and more. Plus: Members will receive a ballot to elect
candidates to the Board of Directors. Join or renew today and don't miss a
single issue!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

WHY BUY FROM THE VaHomeschoolers BOOKSTORE?

* Discount: You can often save 30% off the cover price!
* FREE Shipping: Most items qualify for Amazon's free shipping
* Homeschoolers' Book Reviews
* Supports VaHomeschoolers, which receives a small percentage of the
purchase price.
* More Than Books: toys, movies, music, software, housewares, clothing and
more!

Visit the VaHomeschoolers Bookstore at
http://www.VaHomeschoolers.org/bookstore.html . If you can buy it at
Amazon.com, you can support VaHomeschoolers with your purchase through the
VaHomeschoolers Bookstore--at no additional cost to you!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

2. EVENTS

Fredericksburg: Studio 17 Dance Open House; October 19; 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
This is a free open house for those interested in dance classes for
homeschoolers. Possible classes to be offered include Creative Movement (3-5
year olds), Pre-ballet, Tap/Jazz, Mini Hip Hop (5-7 year olds), Irish Step
Dancing, Scottish Highland, Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Hip Hop and Adult classes.
Studio 17 is located at 282 Deacon Road, Suite 102. For more information,
call 540-370-4866 or
e-mail studio17_1@... .

Newport News: Free Lecture, "Einstein - the Person and His Legacy"; October
20; 7 p.m.
In this celebratory year for physics, the world is marking the 100th
anniversary of Albert Einstein's "miraculous" contributions to physics. A
few people still remember Einstein in his last few years before his death in
1955. Dr. Vogt is one of those individuals; he heard Einstein's last lecture
and saw him often in Princeton. This talk will pertain to Einstein the man
and to his contributions to physics, and make a personal assessment of where
Einstein stands in the pantheon of physics among the giants who preceded and
followed him.This free one-hour lecture with a question-and-answer session
is being offered by Jefferson Labs and will be held at the CEBAF Center
auditorium, located at 12000 Jefferson Ave., Newport News. For security
purposes, enter at Jefferson Lab's main entrance (Onnes Dr.). Everyone over
16 is asked to carry a photo ID and security guards may perform ID, bookbag,
purse and vehicle checks. Call 269-5102 for more information. View the event
press release at:
http://www.jlab.org/div_dept/dir_off/public_affairs/

Alexandria: "Dancing Through History" with Kathy Harty Gray Dance Theatre;
October 28, 10-11 a.m.
This is a program for students in grades 6-12 (though younger siblings who
are able to follow appropriate decorum are welcome). Each dance piece
presented by this professional modern dance company will be narrated to
increase audience understanding of the important lessons dance can teach us
about our selves, our history, and our world. We'll take you and your
students from the Baroque period through 2004, showcasing the evolution of
modern dance and culture along the way. Plus, we'll take you "behind the
scenes" in our unique performance/studio space, where you and your students
will learn about dance technique, training, and technical elements. Cost is
$3 if you register TODAY (October 18), or $5 after today.  To register, call
703-413-3811. For more information, see
http://www.khgdt.org

Alexandria: Gunston Hall's Colonial Militia Muster; Nov. 4 and 5; 10 a.m.-4
p.m.
In November 1774, Virginia officials were recruiting a new army. Join
members of the local militia in drill practice and watch an exciting sham
battle intended as a recruiting tool. What will happen to the colonial
soldiers in their conflict with Great Britain? Come find out at Gunston Hall
Plantation in Mason Neck, just south of Alexandria. For more information,
including a coupon for $1 off admission (look under the "visit" tab on the
right of the screen), see:
http://www.gunstonhall.org/events/index.html

Norfolk: Norfolk Botanical Gardens' "Science in a Room without Walls"; Nov.
4, 9:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
Make science fun as you explore the Garden, a living museum with no roof or
walls. Visit Exploring Stations to discover the world's largest seed,
examine a flower, explore a pond, identify the State Tree and plant your own
biosphere. Each participating child will receive a Science Journal to record
measurements and observations. This program is appropriate for K-4 th grade
Cost:   $8 for each participating child and parent; additional children $5
each (NBG family members: $4 for each participating child) Non-participating
siblings age 3 and under are free. Enrollment is limited to home school
families. Register by October 28. To register or for more information, call
757-441-5830, ext. 338 or e-mail maryvitasek@... or see:
http://www.nbgs.org/education/programs/naturekids.shtml

Alexandria: Gunston Hall Veteran's Day Free Admission for Vets and Active
Duty Military; November 11, 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m.
In honor of Veteran's Day, Gunston Hall Plantation is offering free
admission to veterans, active duty military personnel and spouses on Nov.
11. Call 703-550-9220 for more information.

Chincoteague: Assateague Island Waterfowl Week; November 19-27; 8 a.m.-6
p.m. Free!
Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge holds open house for a week. There
will be a variety of ongoing programs and events. Special guided walks and
tours will be available on trails that are normally closed to the public.
This week is a delight for birders and photographers since migration is at
its peak. For more information, call 757-336-6122 or see:
http://www.chincoteaguechamber.com/

Owings Mills, MD: Junior Achievement/Exchange City Open House; 11 a.m.-2
p.m.
Yes, I know this isn't even in Virginia, but it sounds so cool! Junior
Achievement is a not-for-profit program whose mission is to educate and
inspire young people to value free enterprise, understand business and
economics, and be workforce ready. To support this program, Exchange City is
a 10,000 square foot miniature city designed to provide children in the 4th,
5th and 6th grades an experiential learning environment to learn first hand
what it takes to create a business, produce a newspaper, supervise
employees, hold elected offices as well as earn and manage money. Home
school students from Mount Oak Christian will be running Exchange City on
the day of the open house. Attendees will have the opportunity to talk to
the children as they work in the "City." Please contact Stephanie Blanchard
at sblanchard@... or 443-394-7211 ext. 226 to reserve your tour
today. For more information, see:
http://maryland.ja.org

For other event listings, view VaHomeschoolers' Events Calendar at
http://plus.calendars.net/VaHomeschoolers . Send your event listing requests
to Calendar@... Because our publications are read in many
places around the state, be sure to include necessary information such as
the location, including city/town, as well as area code if a phone number is
given.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

WHAT'S IN THE VaHomeschoolers' NEWSLETTER?

The VaHomeschoolers' Newsletter is only available to VaHomeschoolers'
members, and you can join or renew your VaHomeschoolers membership or make
donations in a flash, online! Or, print and mail the form available at our
Web site. For either method, go to: http://www.VaHomeschoolers.org/join.html

"The VaHomeschoolers Newsletter is a burst of energy from the mail. There
are always articles that are informative and thought provoking, supportive
and inspiring. I keep them on file to read again and again." -Alicia Knight

DON'T MISS A SINGLE NEWSLETTER! JOIN OR RENEW TODAY.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

3. CONTESTS & OTHER OPPORTUNITIES

Narnia Art Contest
Reading Is Fundamental is sponsoring an art contest for kids ages 5-15.
Entries must represent imagery, themes, or any interpretation of the world
of Narnia featured in C.S. Lewis' Chronicles of Narnia book series.
Submissions are due by November 7, 2005. Two grand prize winners will
receive a prescreening movie party for up to 200 friends and family members
for the upcoming Walt Disney film, "The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The
Witch and The Wardrobe." For complete contest rules and information, see:
http://www.rif.org/readingplanet/content/Narnia_Contest.mspx

Greeting Card Kid Quotes Wanted
Kate Harper Designs, a greeting card publisher in Berkeley California is
seeking submissions for their "Kid Quote" Greeting Card Line. They sell to
over 2,000 stores, including Whole Foods Markets and Papyrus. The "Kid
Quote" greeting cards express the wit and wisdom of children and their view
of the world. Child must be 12 our younger; quote must be 20 words or less;
all quotes must be the child's original work (or speech). Payment for quotes
accepted for use is $25, plus $45 worth of free greeting cards. Next
deadline is Feb. 1, 2006. For additional information, see:
http://hometown.aol.com/kateharp/myhomepage/business.html

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

4. FREE RESOURCES

Tumblebooks: Children's E-Books Online
I stumbled across this program today on my (Prince William County) library
system's website.  If your library participates, you can access dozens of
animated children's e-books, games and more online (there are even books in
Spanish, French, Chinese and other languages, under "Language Learning"). Go
to the website, choose "TumbleBook Library," and type in your library card
number. If your library doesn't participate, send them a letter and ask them
to -- perhaps they will. Or you can buy a family membership for $30 per
year.
http://www.tumblebooks.com/

"The Little Toe Radio Show": Free Online Children's Storytelling Programs
and Newsletter from the BBC
This is a great resource if you have a broadband internet connection (if you
don't, it will take too much time to download, I fear). You can go to this
site to listen to talented storytellers reading quality books for younger
kids (older kids might enjoy the "Big Toe" program, which you can reach via
a link on the page below). Try setting your kids up with an activity to keep
their hands busy (like art or Legos) while they listen, and maybe you can
even have a little time to do chores or have a cup of tea! You can sign up
for a free email newsletter that lets you know what programs are coming in
the next week. The site also offers games for kids.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/bbc7/bigtoe/littletoe/

Teaching Boxes from the Digital Library for Earth System Education
A Teaching Box is an online assembly of interrelated learning concepts,
digital resources, and cohesive narration that helps bridge the gap
between individual resources and understanding. Instructors and students can
pick a topic, view the concepts that build an understanding of that topic,
explore online resources that support learning of those concepts, and
benefit from the narration (the glue) that weaves concepts, activities, and
background information together into a complete teaching/learning story.
Students are excited to discover and engage their curiosity about science.
DLESE Teaching Boxes are now available on-line: Evidence for Plate
Tectonics, and Essentials of Weather. Additional Teaching Boxes on ocean and
earthquake related topics are currently under development.
http://preview.dlese.org/jsp/teachingboxes/

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

5. WEB SITES, BOARDS, GROUPS & E-LISTS

Three Great Sites "4 Kids":

Rader's Chem 4 Kids
A site that explains chemistry fundamentals, aimed at kids. Material
addresses atoms, elements, reactions, biochemistry and more.
http://www.chem4kids.com/index.html

Rader's Biology 4 Kids
Biology written to appeal to kids. Topics include cells, microorganisms,
plants, invertebrates, vertebrates and animal systems.
http://www.biology4kids.com/

Rader's Geography 4 Kids
A great tutorial all about geography. Takes kids through lessons in earth
structure, atmosphere, hydrosphere, biosphere, bio-geo-chemical cycles and
climates.
http://www.geography4kids.com/

Rader's Kapili.com
The above three FREE sites are affiliated with this fee-based site, which
offers tutorials, activities, an online library and other materials dealing
with all kinds of scientific topics. I have not paid to subscribe, but it
looks like a very well-done site, if the free stuff is any indication.
http://www.kapili.com/index.html

Professor Garfield
Garfield Cartoonist Jim Davis, in cooperation with Ball State University,
has developed this FREE website and loaded it with educational games,
activities, and lessons for students in grades K-8 and their teachers. A
visit to the site brings you to the door of Professor Garfield's Laboratory,
a space-age classroom with portals to interactive educational material
focused on mathematics, social studies, art instruction, science and health,
and (Jim Davis's personal favorite) reading.
http://www.professorgarfield.org
http://www.PGFteach.org is the teachers section for the Professor Garfield
site.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

WHEN YOU THINK "AMAZON.COM," THINK "VaHomeschoolers!"

Shop for books, music, movies, housewares, apparel--anything--at Amazon
through the VaHomeschoolers Bookstore and let your purchases help support
VaHomeschoolers at no cost to you!

To order almost anything on your shopping list, just go to
http://www.VaHomeschoolers.org/bookstore.html Pass this link to your friends
and family, so their purchases can also support your member- directed,
volunteer driven and fully inclusive state homeschool association.
Homeschooling is our only agenda.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

DON'T MISS A SINGLE NEWSLETTER! JOIN OR RENEW TODAY.

"The VaHomeschoolers Newsletter is a burst of energy from the mail. There
are always articles that are informative and thought provoking, supportive
and inspiring. I keep them on file to read again and again." -Alicia Knight

You can join or renew your VaHomeschoolers membership or make donations
online! Or, print and mail the form available at our Web site. For either
method, go to:
http://www.VaHomeschoolers.org/joinVaHomeschoolers.html

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

HAVE YOU CHECKED THE VaHomeschoolers ONLINE EVENTS CALENDAR?

If you're looking for something neat to do, or if you know of an event you'd
like to share with fellow homeschoolers in Virginia, please go to
VaHomeschoolers' Events Calendar at
http://plus.calendars.net/VaHomeschoolers . Send your event listing requests
to Calendar@... Because our publications are read in many
places around the state, be sure to include necessary information such as
the location, including city/town, as well as area code if a phone number is
given.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Copyright 2005 VA Homeschoolers. Permission to forward this e-mail, in its
entirety for non-profit purposes, is hereby granted. Any other use requires
specific written permission. For questions, submissions or comments write:
Updates@...

Subscribe to VaHomeschoolers Updates by sending a blank e-mail
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VaHomeschoolers Government Affairs Report
October 5, 2005
by Celeste Land, Government Affairs

Latest on Virginia Beach Homeschool Access Policy

For the past several weeks, the Organization of Virginia Homeschoolers
(VaHomeschoolers) has been working with families in Virginia Beach to change a
restrictive policy which bans homeschoolers from participating in public school
classes and activities.

Virginia Beach Public Schools Policy Number 5-10 B states:
Students enrolled in private or parochial schools and home school students
shall not be permitted to enroll in this school division on a part-time basis or
participate in academic or extracurricular activities, except as required by
law.

In recent weeks, this policy has been used to deny two homeschooled teens in
Virginia Beach access to classes and activities:

* A student was prevented from enrolling in a third year Latin class at her
local public high school.  The student had successfully taken second year Latin
at the school the previous year, and both the teacher and principal wanted
her to attend the advanced class this fall. (The school was unaware of Policy
5-10 B until recently, and did not realize that homeschoolers were not allowed
to take classes.)

* Another student was prevented from taking the PSAT exam at her local public
high school.  The school had plenty of space available, as well as numerous
extra exam booklets, and had no problem with her taking the exam at the school.
   The student was eventually able to find another venue for taking the PSAT,
but wishes to change the policy so that her younger siblings and other
students can take the exam through the public schools.

For the past two weeks, VaHomeschoolers’ Government Affairs team has been
working on resolving this situation and amending Policy 5-10B.  Our actions
include letters to the Virginia Beach School Board, extensive consultation with
the
parents and students involved, and discussions with the Virginia Board of
Education, local legislators, and both HEAV and HSLDA.

On Tuesday, October 4, the Virginia Beach School Board discussed Policy 5-10
B at both a workshop and a formal school board meeting.  Several members of
the School Board were willing to resolve this issue and change the policy.

VaHomeschoolers lobbyist Parrish Mort and HEAV Executive Director Yvonne Bunn
spoke in favor of changing the restrictive policy, as did members of the two
homeschooling families who were denied access.  Both of the homeschooled teens
involved became advocates for the cause, speaking to the school board about
how the policy had adversely affected them.

At the meeting, VaHomeschoolers made the following arguments in favor of
changing Policy 5-10B:

A restrictive policy like Policy 5-10B is divisive.  Homeschoolers are
members of the community who care deeply about families and educational issues.
Homeschoolers vote on school referendums, elect school board officials, and
purchase wrapping paper from the local PTA.  This policy alienates homeschoolers
from the public schools and creates an unnecessary “us vs. them� mentality. 
.
The Virginia Beach Public Schools are charged with providing the best
possible education for students of their city.  By denying access, the School
Board
members are not fulfilling their responsibility to the community.
By changing this policy, homeschoolers are not asking for anything outside
the law or any special treatment.  We are asking for a policy that allows us to
participate as the law prescribes and on a space-available basis.
Across Virginia, the trend has been towards open access policies for
homeschoolers.  In recent years, numerous school districts have adopted access
policies for homeschoolers, including such populous localities such as Loudoun,
Fairfax, and Prince William.
There is shown to be no negative impact from participation of homeschoolers
in part-time enrollment, PSAT testing, or even extracurricular activities in
the Virginia public schools.
We encourage the Virginia Beach School Board to work with the homeschooling
community as well as the statewide organizations in drafting a new policy.

While the original School Board agenda had recommended revising Policy 5-10B,
by the time of the workshop on Tuesday evening, that recommendation had been
changed.  The School Board decided instead to offer a one-time suspension of
Policy 5-10B so that the student who wished to take Latin could return
immediately to her class and not fall further behind in the school year.  (The
Board
is allowed by Policy 1-32 to offer a one-time suspension of a policy “to
rectify a correctable oversight�.) The School Board approved this unanimously
last
night.

This decision allows the School Board and the administration additional time
to gather information and study how Policy 5-10B could best be revised.  Board
members Mr. Dan Lowe and Mr. Arthur Tate assured VaHomeschoolers that this
issue would indeed be revisited, and wished to work with us in this regard.
Several other School Board members are also favorably disposed to a more open
access policy.

VaHomeschoolers is encouraged that a new policy can be adopted and in place
prior to the 2006-2007 school year.  We will continue to work with the School
Board members, as well as the homeschoolers in the Tidewater area, to resolve
this matter.

  If you live in the Virginia Beach school district and are interested in
assisting VaHomeschoolers with this matter, please contact us at
govtaffairs@....


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

VaHomeschoolers Update October 4, 2005

From The Organization of Virginia Homeschoolers: your fully
inclusive, all volunteer, member-directed state homeschool
organization. Since 1993, VaHomeschoolers has worked to protect and
promote homeschooling through action in legislative work, assisting
homeschoolers on an individual level, and providing information,
speakers, events and resources. Join VaHomeschoolers in a snap at
http://www.VaHomeschoolers.org/join.html
Visit VaHomeschoolers's web site at http://www.VaHomeschoolers.org

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Did someone forward you this message? Skip the grapevine! Sign up to
receive VaHomeschoolers Biweekly updates by joining the
VaHomeschoolers Announce List Yahoo group. Join on line at
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/VaHomeschoolersAnnounce or send an
email to VaHomeschoolersAnnounce-subscribe@yahoogroups.com . Be in-
the-know for free!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

In this update:

1.EVENTS
Richmond: National Folk Festival; Oct. 7-9. Free!
Mechanicsville: Presidential Fitness & Fun Day; October 14, 10
a.m.-2:30 p.m.
McLean: Claude Moore Colonial Farm Fall Market Fair; Oct. 15-16; 11
a.m.-4:30 p.m. Free!
Millwood: Shenandoah Valley Hot Air Balloon Festival; Oct. 14 (4:30-7
p.m.), Oct. 15-16, 7 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
Fairfax: City of Fairfax Band Concert; "Through the Years: A Salute
to Hollywood and Broadway"; Oct. 22, 8 p.m.
Chesapeake: Ghost Train at Northwest River Park; Oct. 20-29

2. CONTESTS & OTHER OPPORTUNITIES
American Foreign Service Association 2006 National High School Essay
Contest.

3. FREE RESOURCES
BrainFood Cryptogram Maker

4. WEB SITES, GROUPS & E-MAIL LISTS
Lots of Latin Sites !

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Each time I get the newsletter I am just blown away by the
practical, informative and very useful articles. The newsletter alone
is well worth the $15 membership fee!" -Stephanie Elms

"When I joined VaHomeschoolers I had no idea was also subscribing to
such a high-quality publication! I tend to devour it the moment it
arrives --it's extraordinarily well-written and densely packed with
useful information and support." -Jenny Meyer

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

WHY BUY FROM THE VaHomeschoolers BOOKSTORE?

* Discount: You can often save 30% off the cover price!
* FREE Shipping: Most items qualify for Amazon's free shipping
* Homeschoolers' Book Reviews
* Supports VaHomeschoolers, which receives a small percentage of the
purchase price.
* More Than Books: toys, movies, music, software, housewares,
clothing and more!

Visit the VaHomeschoolers Bookstore at
http://www.VaHomeschoolers.org/bookstore.html . If you can buy it at
Amazon.com, you can support VaHomeschoolers with your purchase
through the VaHomeschoolers Bookstore--at no additional cost to you!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

1. EVENTS

Richmond: National Folk Festival; Oct. 7-9. Free!
Now in its 67th year, the National Folk Festival is the oldest
multicultural festival in the nation, celebrating the richness and
diversity of American culture through its families, workers,
communities, tribal and ethnic groups. Enjoy Virginia's dynamic
culture through music, dance, ethnic and regional foods, stories,
arts and crafts, living history presentations and other folkway
activities! The festival will be held at Brown's Island, S. 7th St.,
Richmond. For more information, call (804) 780-5733 or visit:
http://www.nationalfolkfestival.com/

Mechanicsville: Presidential Fitness & Fun Day; October 14, 10
a.m.-2:30 p.m. Hanover Homeschoolers is hosting this event at a
member's private home. Students perform exercises that build
strength, endurance and flexibility as well as motivate one another
to adopt and maintain physically active lifestyles. After a brisk
group warm-up session, HHS Presidential Fitness Day participants
focus on the components of the President's Physical Fitness Program:
Curl-ups, shuttle run, mile walk/run (younger children do 1/4 or 1/2
mile), pull-ups OR flexed-arm hang, and V-Sit Reach. Your children
can join over 65 million participants since the school-based program
started in 1966. Hanover Homeschoolers participates by creating an
environment in which friendship and personal challenge motivate every
child to better his/her own record each year.  HHS does not award
certificates or patches or turn in scores to PCPFS, although
participants can look into doing this on their own. For more
information, view the President's Challenge Fact Sheet
http://www.fitness.gov/challenge/challenge_fact_sheet/challenge_fact_s
heet.html . There will be a potluck lunch and playtime after the
fitness event. RSVP REQUIRED for this event. To RSVP, or for more
information, email Jackie at aujug@... by October 10.

McLean: Claude Moore Colonial Farm Fall Market Fair; Oct. 15-16; 11
a.m.-4:30 p.m. Free!
At the Market Fair you will find artisans demonstrating their crafts,
activities for children and adults alike, vendors selling colonial-
era foods, beverages, merchandise and toys. For more information and
a free admittance pass, see: http://www.1771.org/market_fair.htm

Fairfax: City of Fairfax Band Concert; "Through the Years: A Salute
to Hollywood and Broadway"; Oct. 22, 8 p.m.
Join the award winning City of Fairfax Band on Saturday October 22 at
8PM at Fairfax High School Auditorium, 3500 Old Lee Highway, Fairfax,
VA for a fun-filled and exciting kick-off to their 36th season with
"Through the Years: A Salute to Hollywood and Broadway" featuring
highlights of the American stage and screen classics. Tickets are $10
for adults, $5 for seniors and students, season tickets for the 5
concert series are $35 for adults, $15 for seniors. For more
information, contact the City of Fairfax Band Association office at
703-757-0220 or online: http://www.fairfaxband.org

Millwood: Shenandoah Valley Hot Air Balloon Festival; Oct. 14 (4:30-7
p.m.), Oct. 15-16, 7 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
A fun filled celebration packed with excitement for all ages. Held
amidst the brilliant fall foliage of the scenic Blue Ridge Mountains
the skies are bursting with colorful hot air balloons & powered
parachutes as they glide above the splendid Shenandoah Valley. The
Hot Air Balloon & Pumpkin Glow kicks off the festivities Friday
evening as hot air balloons illuminate the dusk skies surrounding the
mansion. Participate in Pumpkin Carving & enjoy the Dixie Rhythm Band
until the balloon glow at dusk. Behold the view of 30+ Hot Air
Balloons, including special shapes, as they fly morning & evening
Satuday & Sunday(weather permitting). Wine Connoisseurs will enjoy
vintages from 15+ Virginia Wineries. Sunrise to sunset activities
include; Artisans, Crafters & Specialty Shopping, Antique Fire
Engines & Cars, Children's Amphitheatre, Amusements & Activities,
Live Entertainment, mansion tours, great festival foods, including
the Johnsonville Brats Big Taste Grill & so much more for visitors
of all ages. $5 per carload on Friday evening; $5 per person or $30
per carload Saturday and Sunday. For more information, see:
http://www.historiclongbranch.com/balloonfest/index.htm

Chesapeake: Ghost Train at Northwest River Park; Oct. 20-29
Ride the terrifying train and see the haunts and ghouls of the
haunted woods of Northwest River Park. Tickets go on sale at all
community centers, Northwest River Park, or register online at
www.cityofchesapeake.net/parks on October 1. (Reservations required).
Tickets will be available, however limited, at Northwest River Park
during train times on a space available basis. Train times to be
announced. Call (757) 421-7151/ 421-3145 for more information.

For other event listings, view VaHomeschoolers' Events Calendar at
http://plus.calendars.net/VaHomeschoolers . Send your event listing
requests to Calendar@... Because our publications are
read in many places around the state, be sure to include necessary
information such as the location, including city/town, as well as
area code if a phone number is given.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

WHAT'S IN THE VaHomeschoolers' NEWSLETTER?

The VaHomeschoolers' Newsletter is only available to VaHomeschoolers'
members, and you can join or renew your VaHomeschoolers membership or
make donations in a flash, online! Or, print and mail the form
available at our Web site. For either method, go to:
http://www.VaHomeschoolers.org/join.html

"The VaHomeschoolers Newsletter is a burst of energy from the mail.
There are always articles that are informative and thought provoking,
supportive and inspiring. I keep them on file to read again and
again." -Alicia Knight

DON'T MISS A SINGLE NEWSLETTER! JOIN OR RENEW TODAY.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

2. CONTESTS & OTHER OPPORTUNITIES

American Foreign Service Association 2006 National High School Essay
Contest.Students in grades 9-12 are to write a 750 to 1,00-word essay
on the following topic: "Analyze and explain how the members of the
Foreign Service promote United States national interests by
participating in the resolution of today's major international
issues." First prize is $2,500. Submission deadline March 1, 2006.
Homeschoolers eligible. For complete rules, registration and
additional information, see: http://mirror.afsa.org/essaycontest/

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

3. FREE RESOURCES

BrainFood Cryptogram Maker
This page can be used to create your own cryptograms for other people
to solve. You type in the phrase you want encrypted, and the site
puts it in secret code.
http://www.rinkworks.com/brainfood/cryptmaker.shtml

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

4. WEB SITES, BOARDS, GROUPS & E-LISTS

Here is a (perhaps too large) collection of sites related to Latin
and Classical studies (some sites address Greek as well). Whether
you're planning to learn Latin as a foreign language, study up on
Latin roots to help with vocabulary, or find out more about Roman
history, Latin has a lot to offer.

A to Z Home's Cool Homeschooling Latin Lessons
Great links from Ann Zeise, who offers homeschoolers so much!
http://homeschooling.gomilpitas.com/explore/latin.htm

The Pronunciation of Latin
From a University of Texas correspondence course. If you click on the
"Back to the Course Syllabus" link, there is a "Resources on the Web"
link on that page with some good sites.
http://www.utexas.edu/courses/cc303/sounds/

Cornell College's Department of Classical Studies
Latin Links including many specifically related to the Oxford Latin
Course books, volumes 1 through 3. (I got the first one for myself at
Borders, and it's got great color pictures.  It may not be for
younger kids, but it looks great for teens and adults.)
http://www.cornellcollege.edu/classical_studies/latin/latin-
links.shtml

Fun with Latin
The University of Notre Dame offers this site of "Fun with Latin."
http://www.nd.edu/~col/fun_latin.html

Greek and Latin Roots
"A Little Etymology: If you recognize the parts, you'll understand
the whole: learn the Greek and Latin roots, the prefixes and affixes."
http://ancienthistory.about.com/library/weekly/aa052698.htm

Greek and Latin Language Resources
Just what it says...
http://www.cs.utk.edu/~mclennan/OM/grk-lat.html

Labyrinth Latin Bookcase
From Georgetown University.  Links to many, many Latin texts online.
http://www.georgetown.edu/labyrinth/library/latin/latin-lib.html

Latin 1 The Easy Way
An online tutorial by C.J. Cherryh.
http://www.cherryh.com/www/latin1.htm

Latin Language and Literature
Links and essays from William Harris, Professor Emeritus at
Middlebury College. Some interesting Latin texts and tips on learning
the language.
http://community.middlebury.edu/~harris/SubIndex/classics.lat.html

Latin Teaching Materials at Saint Louis University
Grammar, timelines, elementary readers online, teaching information
such as "Verbal Brilliance in Latin: A Modular Plan for Building Verb
Mastery and Learning the Language." A great deal of free info.
http://www.slu.edu/colleges/AS/languages/classical/latin/tchmat/tchmat
.html

Electronic Resources for Classicists: The Second Generation
Lots and lots of information, including some resources for the K-12
level, from Maria C. Pantelia of UC Irvine.
http://www.tlg.uci.edu/index/resources.html

Tolle, Lege!: Pick It Up and Read!
"You have studied the fundamentals of Latin grammar, but reading real
Latin still seems to be a tricky job?  If so, these pages are aimed
at helping you."
http://dekart.f.bg.ac.yu/~vnedeljk/TL/

Textkit: Learn Greek and Latin!
Textkit is the Internet's largest provider of free and fully
downloadable Greek and Latin grammars and readers. With currently 146
free books to choose from, Greek and Latin learners have downloaded
699,515 grammars, readers and classical e-books.
http://www.textkit.com/

University of Oregon Yamada Language Center
Lotsa Latin Links!
http://babel.uoregon.edu/yamada/guides/latin.html

Latino Moderne
What would Latin have been like if it had survived to the modern age
as a living language? Latino Moderne seeks to answer this question.
http://www.geocities.com/Athens/3150/latinomoderne.html

Latin Examination
Which to Learn:  Complete Language or Just the Roots???
http://abasiccurriculum.com/homeschool/roots/essay.html

Classics 203: Latin Resources
A resource list from a Latin course at Georgetown University.
http://www.georgetown.edu/faculty/irvinem/classics203/resources/resour
ces.html

Basic Latin Elements that All English Speakers and Readers Should
Know In two sections, divided alphabetically.
http://www.lexfiles.com/basic-latin-a-j.html
http://www.lexfiles.com/basic-latin-l-v.html

Ancient Atlas
Lots of maps from the ancient world from the folks at About.com
http://ancienthistory.about.com/library/bl/bl_maps_index.htm

American Classical league
Many links.  Check out the ones under "Teaching Resources" and "Some
Entertaining Resources."
http://www.aclclassics.org/Links.asp#useful

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

WHEN YOU THINK "AMAZON.COM," THINK "VaHomeschoolers!"

Shop for books, music, movies, housewares, apparel--anything--at
Amazon through the VaHomeschoolers Bookstore and let your purchases
help support VaHomeschoolers at no cost to you!

To order almost anything on your shopping list, just go to
http://www.VaHomeschoolers.org/bookstore.html Pass this link to your
friends and family, so their purchases can also support your member-
directed, volunteer driven and fully inclusive state homeschool
association. Homeschooling is our only agenda.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

DON'T MISS A SINGLE NEWSLETTER! JOIN OR RENEW TODAY.

"The VaHomeschoolers Newsletter is a burst of energy from the mail.
There are always articles that are informative and thought provoking,
supportive and inspiring. I keep them on file to read again and
again." -Alicia Knight

You can join or renew your VaHomeschoolers membership or make
donations online! Or, print and mail the form available at our Web
site. For either method, go to:
http://www.VaHomeschoolers.org/joinVaHomeschoolers.html

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

HAVE YOU CHECKED THE VaHomeschoolers ONLINE EVENTS CALENDAR?

If you're looking for something neat to do, or if you know of an
event you'd like to share with fellow homeschoolers in Virginia,
please go to VaHomeschoolers' Events Calendar at
http://plus.calendars.net/VaHomeschoolers . Send your event listing
requests to Calendar@... Because our publications are
read in many places around the state, be sure to include necessary
information such as the location, including city/town, as well as
area code if a phone number is given.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Copyright 2005 VA Homeschoolers. Permission to forward this e-mail,
in its entirety for non-profit purposes, is hereby granted. Any other
use requires specific written permission. For questions, submissions
or comments write: Updates@...

Subscribe to VaHomeschoolers Updates by sending a blank e-mail
to: VaHomeschoolersAnnounce-Subscribe@yahoogroups.com

VaHomeschoolers Update September 20, 2005

From The Organization of Virginia Homeschoolers: your fully inclusive, all
volunteer, member-directed state homeschool organization. Since 1993,
VaHomeschoolers has worked to protect and promote homeschooling through
action in legislative work, assisting homeschoolers on an individual level,
and providing information, speakers, events and resources. Join
VaHomeschoolers in a snap at http://www.VaHomeschoolers.org/join.html Visit
VaHomeschoolers's web site at http://www.VaHomeschoolers.org

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Did someone forward you this message? Skip the grapevine! Sign up to receive
VaHomeschoolers Biweekly updates by joining the VaHomeschoolers Announce
List Yahoo group. Join on line at
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/VaHomeschoolersAnnounce or send an email to
VaHomeschoolersAnnounce-subscribe@yahoogroups.com . Be in-the-know for free!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

In this update:

1. "DO YOU STILL BEAT YOUR WIFE?": HOW TO RESPOND WHEN WELL-MEANING PEOPLE
LINK ABUSE WITH HOMESCHOOLING.
We've all seen the horrific news accounts of what some adults do to children
in their care. How can we respond to concerns that homeschooling may hide
abuse?

2. EVENTS
Charlottesville: "The Physics of Football" Lecture at UVa; Sept. 24, 1-2
p.m.
Ashburn: College Fair; Sept. 25, 4-8 p.m.
Chesapeake: Bark in the Park; October 2. Free!
Culpeper: Farm Tour; October 1-2; 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Lorton: Young People's Theater Production of "Clue! - The Musical!"; October
1-2 and October 8-9; 12 noon.
Fredericksburg: Dog Festival; October 3-4.
Norfolk: Sol Film Festival; October 7-10.
Syria: Graves' Mountain Apple Harvest Festival; October 8-9 and 15-16; 10
a.m.-4:30 p.m.
Moseley: Chesterfield Berry Farm 2005 Pumpkin Festival; October 15-16; 10
a.m.-5 p.m.
Washington, D.C.: Smithsonian Teachers' Night; October 21, 2005, 6:30-9:00
p.m.

3. CONTESTS & OTHER OPPORTUNITIES

Connect-4: Air, Land, Water and Life - Art Contest for Grades 2-4
National Geographic Geography Bee: Register by October 15!

4. FREE RESOURCES
"Okay Kids, Time for Bedlam!": Free Humorous E-Book about Homeschooling
Free Software from Planet CDROM.com

5. WEB SITES, GROUPS & E-MAIL LISTS
Albemarle County 4-H Cloverbuds Group
New Book and Movie Review Online Group for Homeschooled Teens
Spanish Language and Hispanic Culture Websites

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Each time I get the newsletter I am just blown away by the practical,
informative and very useful articles. The newsletter alone is well worth the
$15 membership fee!" -Stephanie Elms

"When I joined VaHomeschoolers I had no idea was also subscribing to such a
high-quality publication! I tend to devour it the moment it arrives --it's
extraordinarily well-written and densely packed with useful information and
support." -Jenny Meyer

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

1. "DO YOU STILL BEAT YOUR WIFE?": HOW TO RESPOND WHEN WELL-MEANING PEOPLE
LINK ABUSE WITH HOMESCHOOLING.

I'm sure you haven't missed the most recent media accounts of abused or
neglected children described as "homeschooled."  I've read things like,
"Nine of the eleven children slept in cages at night.they were reported to
be homeschooled." Or, "The Dollars were sentenced to 15 years each in prison
for starving and torturing their children..the children were homeschooled."
Aside from the normal human reaction to recoil from the horror of children
being abused by those whom our society trusts to protect them and love them,
and perhaps deep anger at the perpetrators of abuse, we homeschoolers have
another reaction to these kinds of stories:  "Oh, no, not again!"

We know that inevitably there will be another spate of letters to the editor
calling for increased regulation of homeschooling, to prevent parents from
"using homeschooling to hide abuse." There will be voices of concern around
the water cooler at the office, over the cash register at the supermarket,
or among the moms at the bus stop. And people we know and even those we love
may raise this subject with us, hopefully not in accusation, but out of
genuine concern for children - concern that we share. How can we, as
homeschoolers, respond confidently to these questions?

VaHomeschoolers offers the support you need to empower yourself to answer
these kinds of questions with confidence.  The VaHomeschoolers website has
the following articles to help you read up:

Homeschooling and Child Abuse: No Connection
VaHomeschoolers' official statement about the lack of connection between
child abuse and homeschooling.
http://www.vahomeschoolers.org/childabuse.html

Answering the CPS (Child Protective Services) Questions
A group of homeschoolers decided to find answers to common questions about
CPS and child abuse reporting.
http://www.vahomeschoolers.org/cps.html

How to Talk to a Politician
Includes VaHomeschoolers President Shay Seaborne's response to a state
legislator's question about "homeschool abuse."
http://www.vahomeschoolers.org/politician.PDF

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

WHY BUY FROM THE VaHomeschoolers BOOKSTORE?

* Discount: You can often save 30% off the cover price!
* FREE Shipping: Most items qualify for Amazon's free shipping
* Homeschoolers' Book Reviews
* Supports VaHomeschoolers, which receives a small percentage of the
purchase price.
* More Than Books: toys, movies, music, software, housewares, clothing and
more!

Visit the VaHomeschoolers Bookstore at
http://www.VaHomeschoolers.org/bookstore.html . If you can buy it at
Amazon.com, you can support VaHomeschoolers with your purchase through the
VaHomeschoolers Bookstore--at no additional cost to you!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

2. EVENTS

Charlottesville: "The Physics of Football" Lecture at UVa's Gilmer Hall
Auditorium; Sept. 24, 1-2 p.m. Free!
Ever wonder why a football should be thrown in a spiral? Or why it's
important for a football receiver to have soft hands? Professor of Physics
Lou Bloomfield will explain how physics affects the game of football and
other sports. He teaches the popular UVa physics course ³How Things Work."
Please make a reservation online at:
http://www.virginia.edu/provost/psoo/football.html

Ashburn: College Fair; Sept. 25, 4-8 p.m.
This is a free event for area students and parents, hosted by Stone Bridge
High School. Two sessions available: 4-5:30 p.m. and 6:30-8 p.m.  Nearly 200
colleges and universities will be represented. Shuttle service available
from Park View, Potomac Falls and Dominion at 3:30 p.m.;  from Heritage H.S.
and Freedom at 6 p.m.;  and from Loudoun Valley H.S. at 5:45 p.m. and
Harmony at 6 p.m.  Stone Bridge High School is located at 43100 Hay Road,
Ashburn, VA 20147.  For more information, call the school at 703-779-8900.
For a list of colleges that will be represented, see:
http://cmsweb1.loudoun.k12.va.us/loudoun/cwp/view.asp?A=3&Q=305476

Chesapeake: Bark in the Park; October 2. Free!
Bring your canine out to Chesapeake City Park for a dog-gone good time.
Games, contests, demonstrations and more! Sponsored by Parks and Recreation
and Chesapeake Humane Society. Free. For more information call (757)
382-6411.

Culpeper: Farm Tour; October 1-2; 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
Experience life on the farm in beautiful Culpeper County. Visit a variety of
farms growing everything from herbs to cattle to bison. You may even want to
try to milk a cow yourself! Come and join the fun. See the website for the
events schedule, a listing of farms on the tour, and downloadable pages for
the kids' coloring contest:
http://www.culpeperag.org/farmtour2005/welcome.asp

Lorton: Young People's Theater Production of "Clue! - The Musical!"; October
1-2 and October 8-9; 12 noon.
Who dunnit? In what room?  With what weapon? If you know these phrases, you
know CLUE! You'll get a kick out of seeing all the familiar characters you
love come to life in this exhilarating and fast-paced musical based on one
of the world's favorite board games. With 216 possible endings, this comic
murder mystery is not only entertaining to watch but also gives members of
the audience a chance to take part in the solution. Combining elements of
game plan and mystery with live theatre, audience members receive game forms
to play along deducing who dunnit, with what, and where. Come join the fun
and test your skills! Clue! will be performed at the Lazy Susan Dinner
Theatre at the intersection of Route 1 (Richmond Highway) and Furnace Road
in Lorton. Advance tickets, including lunch, are $12.00. Show only tickets
are available for $8.00. Advance tickets must be purchased by Thursday the
week of the show. Tickets at the door cost an additional $2 each. Doors open
at noon for lunch, curtain is 1 p.m. Group rates are available for groups of
ten or more. For reservations and more information:
http://www.yptnva.com/

Fredericksburg: Dog Festival; October 3-4.
Dog lovers will get two chances to show off their pooches this weekend. The
307th annual Dog Mart will take place Saturday at the Izaak Walton League
Park, and the Fredericksburg Dog Festival will take place Sunday at Hurkamp
Park in the city. For more information, call 540-372-1086.

Norfolk: Sol Film Festival; October 7-10.
Downtown Norfolk, Virginia will become the home of the first national film
festival to visit the region, "SOL Film Festival tm. (SOL)."  The festival
will take place on Christopher Columbus Day Weekend throughout the heart of
downtown, featuring feature 100 films, hands-on workshops, panel
discussions, a film competition, and many other spin-off events. The
festival will screen films throughout the downtown Norfolk area at cinemas,
hotels, and other venues. The festival's host hotel is the downtown Sheraton
Hotel located along the harbor of Waterside Drive. For more information,
see:
http://www.solfilmfestival.com/

Syria: Graves' Mountain Apple Harvest Festival; October 8-9 and 15-16; 10
a.m.-4:30 p.m.
Come and see nature's way of blanketing the mountains with beautiful colors
during the month of October. Enjoy fun-filled days complete with Food,
Entertainment including bluegrass music & cloggers, Arts & Crafts, Hayrides
& Horseback Rides, pick your own apples, and visit our family's working
educational farm. Experience the days of yesteryear watching apple butter
and Brunswick stew being cooked in kettles over an open fire. Graves
Mountain Lodge on Route 670 in Syria; free admission and parking. For more
information, call  (540) 923-4231 or see:
http://www.gravesmountain.com/

Moseley: Chesterfield Berry Farm 2005 Pumpkin Festival; October 15-16; 10
a.m.-5 p.m.
Come to our Farm and enjoy a day filled with fun and entertainment. Take a
wagon ride out to the fields to pick your own pumpkin. Find your way through
our corn maze or walk through Pirate's Cove(animated pirates and parrots).
Visit the animal barn and see all the farm animals(cows, chickens, pigs,
emus, peacocks, guineas, sheep, and rabbits). Wine tasting with Peaks of
Otter winery. Listen to the live entertainment while you eat your homemade
BBQ, coleslaw, and lip smacking beans or roast your own hotdog. Then for
dessert try some pumpkin ice cream. Picnic tables are available. Visit our
gift shop with fall decorations, Halloween treats, gifts, garden flags, jams
and jellies. Bring your family to join our family with a day down on the
farm. Free admission. For more information, call (804) 739-3380 or see:
http://www.chesterfieldberryfarm.com/

Washington, D.C.: Smithsonian Teachers' Night; October 21, 2005, 6:30-9:00
p.m.
Discover all that Smithsonian has to offer you and your students at
Smithsonian Teachers' Night. This year's location is the Smithsonian
National Postal Museum, steps from Union Station. Book signings, door
prizes, free totebag and more. Please note that Smithsonian Teachers' Night
is for educators only; no children please. Online registration and more
information:
http://www.smithsonianeducation.org/educators/professional_development/teachers_\
night_05_dc.html

For other event listings, view VaHomeschoolers' Events Calendar at
http://plus.calendars.net/VaHomeschoolers . Send your event listing requests
to Calendar@... Because our publications are read in many
places around the state, be sure to include necessary information such as
the location, including city/town, as well as area code if a phone number is
given.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

WHAT'S IN THE VaHomeschoolers' NEWSLETTER?

The VaHomeschoolers' Newsletter is only available to VaHomeschoolers'
members, and you can join or renew your VaHomeschoolers membership or make
donations in a flash, online! Or, print and mail the form available at our
Web site. For either method, go to: http://www.VaHomeschoolers.org/join.html

"The VaHomeschoolers Newsletter is a burst of energy from the mail. There
are always articles that are informative and thought provoking, supportive
and inspiring. I keep them on file to read again and again." -Alicia Knight

DON'T MISS A SINGLE NEWSLETTER! JOIN OR RENEW TODAY.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

3. CONTESTS & OTHER OPPORTUNITIES

Connect-4: Air, Land, Water and Life - Art Contest for Grades 2-4
Looking for a fun way to motivate elementary students about science? The
Institute for Global Environmental Strategies (IGES) is holding its 10th
Annual Art Contest for children in grades 2-4. This year¹s theme is
Connect-4: Air, Land, Water and Life. First place receives a savings bond
for $250, 2nd place is a savings bond for $100, and 3rd place is a savings
bond for $50. The 1st place artwork is also printed as the 2005 IGES holiday
greeting card. And all students in grades 2-4 who send in an entry will
receive a very cool certificate of
participation. Entries are due by November 9, 2005. The full announcement
and guidelines can be downloaded at:
http://www.strategies.org/ArtContest/2005_ContestAnnounce.html

National Geographic Geography Bee: Register by October 15!

The registration deadline for the 2006 Bee is October 15, 2005. Homeschooled
students can participate (Heads of homeschool groups may register to receive
contest materials to arrange a Bee for their homeschool members. There is a
$50 fee per group, and the group must have at least six participating
eligible students --see the website's FAQ section for more info.) "Each year
thousands of schools in the United States participate in the National
Geographic Bee using materials prepared by the National Geographic Society.
The contest is designed to encourage teachers to include geography in their
classrooms, spark student interest in the subject, and increase public
awareness about geography. Schools with students in grades four through
eight are eligible for this entertaining and challenging test of geographic
knowledge." State-level Bees will be held march 31, 2006, and the National
Bee will be held in Washington, DC on May 23 and 24, 2006. For additional
details, see the website at
http://www.nationalgeographic.com/geographybee/

More info on the rules for homeschoolers can be found at
http://homeschooling.gomilpitas.com/articles/032105.htm

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

4. FREE RESOURCES

"Okay Kids, Time for Bedlam!": Free Humorous E-Book about Homeschooling
"Okay Kids, Time for Bedlam!" is "A PDF book on the lighter side of
homeschooling" written by Debbie Harbeson. "This is what happens to you,
when you purposely allow your children to skip school to learn at home...
and it's a riot! The whole endeavor, needless to say, has been a learning
experience for everyone. And hopefully, a story you all can enjoy from the
safety of your own home."
http://bedlam.ihen.org/

Free Software from Planet CDROM.com
This site offers various software programs (including some they categorize
as "homeschool programs"), though you do have to pay for shipping. It's wise
to review the software's system requirements before ordering to be sure it
will work on your computer.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

5. WEB SITES, BOARDS, GROUPS & E-LISTS

Albemarle County 4-H Cloverbuds Group

There is a new group of 4-H Cloverbuds and Juniors starting in Albemarle
County! Meetings will be held the 2nd Monday of the month at the Stony Point
Ruritan Building, starting on October 10, from 2-4pm, and are mixed ages,
from 5 on up. To join the group or find out more, go to:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Albemarle4H/

New Book and Movie Review Online Group for Homeschooled Teens
This is for HS teens to post their reviews of books and movies, in order to
share their favorites and read recommendations from others. Not a discussion
list, just reviews. Any non-review posts will be rejected.
http://www.smartgroups.com/groups/hs-teen-reviews

Spanish Language and Hispanic Culture Websites
There's so much available for free on the internet (and at your local
library, most likely) that you may never need to purchase a text or
curriculum for learning Spanish! Check out these websites for the tip of the
iceberg...

SBC Blue Web'N
This site offers Spanish and so much more!  "Blue Web'n is an online library
of 1978 outstanding Internet sites categorized by subject, grade level, and
format (tools, references, lessons, hotlists, resources, tutorials,
activities, projects). You can also browse by broad subject area (Content
Areas) or specific sub-categories." It's definitely worth a few minutes'
exploration!
http://www.kn.pacbell.com/wired/bluewebn/

A to Z Home's Cool
Ann Zeise offers some wonderful links for learning Spanish on her amazing
homeschool website.  A great place to start!

Online Spanish Tutorial
This site offers a tutorial including pronunciation, grammar, vocabulary,
cultural notes and much more.
http://www.studyspanish.com/freesite.htm

Foreign Language Lesson Plans and Resources
Links to resources to help you teach (or learn!) Spanish, French, Latin and
more.
http://www.csun.edu/~hcedu013/eslsp.html#Lesson%20Plans

Mas Arriba: Spanish Language Exercises
Mas arriba is a full-color, interactive workbook of introductory Spanish
language exercises, based on the pictorial contextualization of basic
vocabulary and language points. There are audio clips, instant feed-back and
vocabulary help.
http://www.trentu.ca/spanish/masarriba/

Spanish Learning Blog: Raising Bilingual Children
Fun lessons & discussion about learning Spanish, links, news, recipes, and
more.
http://www.spanish.bz/blog/2004/12/raising-bilingual-children.htm

Mrs. McConnell's Super Spanish Web Site
A Spanish teacher's site with links to Spanish-related sites and activities
on the web.
http://zonorus.marlboro.edu/~jmcconn/capstoneproject/studentactivities.html

Hispanohablantes
A collection of literally hundreds of sites related to learning Spanish
language and about Hispanic culture. I checked out several of the sites, and
found some wonderful stuff!
http://www.uni.edu/becker/Spanish3.htm

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

WHEN YOU THINK "AMAZON.COM," THINK "VaHomeschoolers!"

Shop for books, music, movies, housewares, apparel--anything--at Amazon
through the VaHomeschoolers Bookstore and let your purchases help support
VaHomeschoolers at no cost to you!

To order almost anything on your shopping list, just go to
http://www.VaHomeschoolers.org/bookstore.html Pass this link to your friends
and family, so their purchases can also support your member- directed,
volunteer driven and fully inclusive state homeschool association.
Homeschooling is our only agenda.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

DON'T MISS A SINGLE NEWSLETTER! JOIN OR RENEW TODAY.

"The VaHomeschoolers Newsletter is a burst of energy from the mail. There
are always articles that are informative and thought provoking, supportive
and inspiring. I keep them on file to read again and again." -Alicia Knight

You can join or renew your VaHomeschoolers membership or make donations
online! Or, print and mail the form available at our Web site. For either
method, go to:
http://www.VaHomeschoolers.org/joinVaHomeschoolers.html

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

HAVE YOU CHECKED THE VaHomeschoolers ONLINE EVENTS CALENDAR?

If you're looking for something neat to do, or if you know of an event you'd
like to share with fellow homeschoolers in Virginia, please go to
VaHomeschoolers' Events Calendar at
http://plus.calendars.net/VaHomeschoolers . Send your event listing requests
to Calendar@... Because our publications are read in many
places around the state, be sure to include necessary information such as
the location, including city/town, as well as area code if a phone number is
given.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Copyright 2005 VA Homeschoolers. Permission to forward this e-mail, in its
entirety for non-profit purposes, is hereby granted. Any other use requires
specific written permission. For questions, submissions or comments write:
Updates@...

Subscribe to VaHomeschoolers Updates by sending a blank e-mail
to: VaHomeschoolersAnnounce-Subscribe@yahoogroups.com

VaHomeschoolers Update September 6, 2005

From The Organization of Virginia Homeschoolers: your fully inclusive, all
volunteer, member-directed state homeschool organization. Since 1993,
VaHomeschoolers has worked to protect and promote homeschooling through
action in legislative work, assisting homeschoolers on an individual level,
and providing information, speakers, events and resources. Join
VaHomeschoolers in a snap at http://www.VaHomeschoolers.org/join.html Visit
VaHomeschoolers's web site at http://www.VaHomeschoolers.org

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Did someone forward you this message? Skip the grapevine! Sign up to receive
VaHomeschoolers Biweekly updates by sending joining the VaHomerschoolers
Announce List Yahoo group. Join on line at
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/VaHomeschoolersAnnounce or send an email to
VaHomeschoolersAnnounce-subscribe@yahoogroups.com . Be in-the-know for free!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

In this update:

1. NEW ON the VaHomeschoolers WEBSITE: CLARIFYING THE NOI.
Have you ever been asked to include a list of books or tables on contents in
your NOI? Empower yourself with knowledge here!

2. EVENTS
Newport News: Learn About Scholarship Opportunities Through the Homeschool
Bowling League; Sept. 13, 7 p.m.
Lynchburg: Homeschool Open House at Amazement Square; Sept. 15 from 10 a.m.
to noon.
Richmond: Featuring the Autumnal Equinox at LiveSky and SkyWatch at the
Science Museum of Virginia; 6 p.m. and 8 p.m.; Free.
Glen Echo, MD: Beauty and the Beast, performed by The Puppet Company; Sept.
17, 18, 24 & 25; 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m.
Marriottsville, MD: Susan Wise Bauer Seminars; Sept. 17, 9 a.m. to 2:30
p.m.; $10 per person.
Alexandria: Mount Vernon 18th Century craft Fair; Sept. 17-18; 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
Virginia Beach: Teacher Appreciation Night at the Virginia Aquarium; Sept.
23, 5:30-9:30 p.m.
Harrisonburg: International Festival; Sept. 24, noon-6 p.m. Free.
Richmond: Richmond Symphony Musical Ambassadors Program concerts for
Homeschooolers; 9:30 a.m.-noon. $5.
Norfolk: History Alive Homeschoolers Day at Norfolk Botanical Gardens; Sept.
30, 1-4 p.m.

3. CONTESTS & OTHER OPPORTUNITIES
Mathcounts Competition; Register by Dec. 9, 2005.
18th Annual NRA Youth Wildlife Art Contest; Entries due by October 3, 2005
NRA 1st Annual National Homeschool Golf Championship; Fort Worth, TX; April
10-11, 2006.

4. FREE RESOURCES
Learning Disabilities Directory from the Learning Disabilities Council
Lesson Plans from Evan-Moor Educational Publishers
Printable Mazes and Educational Games from Amazingart.com
Science Books and Videos from Howard Hughes Medical Institute
Online High School Courses from Homeschoolers of Maine

5. WEB SITES, GROUPS & E-MAIL LISTS
Today's Front Pages from Newseum.org
New York Times Learning Network
PhysicsSongs.org -- yes, physics songs!
Campusi.com -- find the best prices on books

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Each time I get the newsletter I am just blown away by the practical,
informative and very useful articles. The newsletter alone is well worth the
$15 membership fee!" -Stephanie Elms

"When I joined VaHomeschoolers I had no idea was also subscribing to such a
high-quality publication! I tend to devour it the moment it arrives --it's
extraordinarily well-written and densely packed with useful information and
support." -Jenny Meyer

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

1. NEW ON the VaHomeschoolers WEBSITE: CLARIFYING THE NOI.

Have you ever been asked to include a list of books or tables on contents in
your NOI? VaHomeschoolers' Government Affairs Committee Chair, Celeste Land,
explains away any confusion you may have on this issue. Empower yourself
with knowledge, and you'll be ready if a fellow homeschooler has questions
or worries. Know what Virginia's homeschooling statue does -- and does
NOT -- require. See http://www.vahomeschoolers.org/NOIreport.html

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

WHY BUY FROM THE VaHomeschoolers BOOKSTORE?

* Discount: You can often save 30% off the cover price!
* FREE Shipping: Most items qualify for Amazon's free shipping
* Homeschoolers' Book Reviews
* Supports VaHomeschoolers, which receives a small percentage of the
purchase price.
* More Than Books: toys, movies, music, software, housewares, clothing and
more!

Visit the VaHomeschoolers Bookstore at
http://www.VaHomeschoolers.org/bookstore.html . If you can buy it at
Amazon.com, you can support VaHomeschoolers with your purchase through the
VaHomeschoolers Bookstore--at no additional cost to you!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

2. EVENTS

Newport News: Learn About Scholarship Opportunities Through the Homeschool
Bowling League; Sept. 13, 7 p.m.
This is an informational meeting being held at Classic lanes, 630 79th
Street in Newport News. Discussion will be about homeschooling bowling
league and opportunities to compete for $25,000 in scholarship money to be
awarded in April 2006. Scholarship winners in previous years have included
VaHomeschoolers families. If you plan to attend, please RSVP to the bowling
alley's contact person at vbvarner@...

Lynchburg: Homeschool Open House at Amazement Square; Sept. 15 from 10 a.m.
to noon.
Amazement Square invites home school families to a Home School Open House at
the museum. Families will learn about the many opportunities and resources
available to home educators such as the Regional Resource Room, Amazing
Adventures School Tours, educational programs and activities, teacher
workshops, and our discount museum membership for teachers. Home school
families will be admitted to the museum for the reduced group admission rate
of $4.00 per person during the Open House. Please present proper home
educator identification such as a letter from the school district or and ID
card from a home educators association in order to receive the reduced
admission rate. Please call the museum at (434) 845-1888 for more details.

Richmond: Featuring the Autumnal Equinox at LiveSky and SkyWatch at the
Science Museum of Virginia; 6 p.m. and 8 p.m.; Free.
Find out about the autumnal equinox and see the stars, planets and
constellations of the current sky at the Science Museum of Virginia's
interactive planetarium show LiveSky, on Friday, September 16, 6 p.m. During
the LiveSky planetarium show, SMV Astronomy Director Ken Wilson answers your
questions about the equinox and other highlights of the September sky. He
illustrates those answers with the Science Museum's DIGISTAR®2 planetarium
projector. Admission to LiveSky is free. Later that evening, join members of
the Richmond Astronomical Society on the Science Museum lawn at 8 p.m. as
they share their telescopes for Sky Watch. Sky Watch is a free program held
weather permitting. Call (804) 864-1400 for additional information.

Glen Echo, MD: Beauty and the Beast, performed by The Puppet Company; Sept.
17, 18, 24 & 25; 11:30 a.m. and 1 p.m.
The Puppet Company Playhouse is located in Glen Echo Park. Tickets are $7
for everyone over 2. For more information about this and other upcoming
productions (including The Nutcracker in December), see
http://www.thepuppetco.org

Marriottsville, MD: Susan Wise Bauer Seminars; Sept. 17, 9 a.m. to 2:30
p.m.; $10 per person.
Well-Trained Mind fans might be interested in traveling to this event. Susan
Wise Bauer will be presenting three topics at Chapelgate Presbyterian Church
at 2600 Marriottsville Road in Marriottsville, MD: The Joy of Classical
Education, Writing Well: a Plan for Teaching Grades 1-12, and Great Books:
History as Literature. Cost is $10 per person or $15 per couple. To
register, contact Dionne Leavitt at (410) 313-8645 or at leavittja@...

Alexandria: Mount Vernon 18th Century craft Fair; Sept. 17-18; 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
The 10th annual 18th-Century Craft Fair features dozens of America's finest
craftspeople and plenty of family fun! Rain or shine, colonial-attired
artisans demonstrate 18th-century crafts such as stone cutting, gunsmithing,
soapmaking, and paper making. Traditional wares such as baskets,
woodcarvings, tin and ironwork, leatherworkings, weavings, paper-cuttings
and furniture will be sold. Hearty specialty food will also be for sale
on-site. The event also features lively 18th-century entertainment. This
weekend, Potomac River sightseeing cruises, courtesy of Spirit Cruises and
Potomac Riverboat Company, are free-of-charge at Mount Vernon's Wharf at
10:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m., 2:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. (while supplies
last) Included in regular admission. Admission is $11 for adults, $10.50 for
children 6-11, and $5 for children under 6. See http://www.mountvernon.org
or call 703-780-2000.

Herndon: NatureFest; Sept. 18, 1-5 p.m. Free
Held at Runnymede Park, NatureFest features games, nature crafts, face
painting, music, and more. When visitors arrive they will receive a
"Passport to Nature's Treasures," which includes a treasure map with
descriptions of the various nature stations. Everyone who gets their
passport stamped at 10 of the 14 stations will receive a big gourmet cookie
reward after their tour through the park. The nature stations include:
Honeybees - See the inside of a display beehive and learn how bees make
honey by Garcia's Apiary; Bats - a "bat cave" for kids;  Snakes - Their
place in our lives; Stream Life/Water Quality - use microscopes to see the
wonder of life in a drop of stream water; and much more. Parking will be
available along the Herndon Parkway. Satellite parking and shuttle service
will also be available from the Atrium Building at 381 Elden Street. See
http://www.herndon-va.gov or email susan.lilly@... for more
information.

Virginia Beach: Teacher Appreciation Night at the Virginia Aquarium; Sept.
23, 5:30-9:30 p.m.
This is a free event for teachers; additional family members and friends are
welcome with an admission of $6.50. The Bay & Ocean Pavilion will be open
for you to tour on your own - touch our stingrays, come face-to-face with
sharks and sea turtles and enjoy a free larger-than-life IMAX® movie! Take a
behind-the-scenes tour of the Aquarium to learn how we care for all of our
amazing animals. Enjoy complimentary snacks and desserts and receive a 10%
discount at our Aquarium Store from 5:30 until 7:30 p.m. Register at
http://www.vmsm.com/teachNight.htm

Harrisonburg: International Festival; Sept. 24, noon-6 p.m. Free.
This free, one-day event features music, ethnic foods and artisans, and
activities for all ages. There will also be a variety of international music
and dance. The festival will be held at Hillandale Park on Rt. 42 South.
Free parking. For more information, email vaundabrown@...  or call
540-433-6228.

Richmond: Richmond Symphony Musical Ambassadors Program concerts for
Homeschooolers; 9:30 a.m.-noon. $5.
These are concerts especially for the home school community!  Students of
all ages, pre-school through high school, will enjoy seeing and hearing our
professional musicians "up close" in programs designed to explore orchestral
instruments and to thrill you with beautiful chamber music. Four 30-minute
concerts feature a percussion ensemble; string quartet; woodwind quintet and
brass quintet. Location is the Weinstein Jewish Community Center, 5403
Monument Avenue in Richmond. All tickets $5 at the door. For more
information, contact Diane Hilbert at dhilbert@... or
804-788-4717 ext.130.

Norfolk: History Alive Homeschoolers Day at Norfolk Botanical Gardens; Sept.
30, 1-4 p.m.
Have a Blast at the 8th annual History Alive! Learn about history from
medieval times to the 20th century from those who live it - even now.  Watch
a real-life Battle of the Ages in a mounted tournament challenge.  Try on
armor or wield a sword with the knights of yesteryear.  Experience the
sights and smells as re-enactment groups prepare, cook and eat food to
provide a taste of what life was like.  Watch a Mountain Man wedding, feel
the beat of the drumming and dancing of a Native American Pow-Wow, learn
about the first flights of the Tuskegee Airmen or sit behind the wheel of a
Model-A Ford.  Learn a little and have a blast as history comes to life!
This is a special time in this weekend-long program set aside for
homeschoolers. Registration deadline is Sept. 23.  Cost is $8 per child,
with one parent free. Siblings pay $5 each (under age 3 is free). To
register, call 757-441-5838, or visit the NBG's website at
http://www.norfolkbotanicalgarden.org/ and look under "Education" in the
menu.  From the pull-down menu, choose "Registration."

For other event listings, view VaHomeschoolers' Events Calendar at
http://plus.calendars.net/VaHomeschoolers . Send your event listing requests
to Calendar@... Because our publications are read in many
places around the state, be sure to include necessary information such as
the location, including city/town, as well as area code if a phone number is
given.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

WHAT'S IN THE VaHomeschoolers' NEWSLETTER?

The VaHomeschoolers' Newsletter is only available to VaHomeschoolers'
members, and you can join or renew your VaHomeschoolers membership or make
donations in a flash, online! Or, print and mail the form available at our
Web site. For either method, go to: http://www.VaHomeschoolers.org/join.html

"The VaHomeschoolers Newsletter is a burst of energy from the mail. There
are always articles that are informative and thought provoking, supportive
and inspiring. I keep them on file to read again and again." -Alicia Knight

DON'T MISS A SINGLE NEWSLETTER! JOIN OR RENEW TODAY.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

3. CONTESTS & OTHER OPPORTUNITIES

Mathcounts Competition

The MATHCOUNTS program is open to all middle schoolers (6th - 8th grades) in
Virginia and homeschoolers can form a four-person team or register as
individuals for the competition.  Regional competitions are held around the
state on various dates in February and the state competition will be held on
March 25th in Richmond.  The top four Mathletes in the state represent
Virginia at the national competition with all expenses paid.  There is
information about the Virginia Competition on the Virginia Society of
Professional Engineers (VSPE) web site, http://www.vspe.org . Additional
information can be found at http://www.mathcounts.org under the purple
Teachers link on the left side of the web page.  The registration form is
under the "Registration" link and the school handbook is under the "Math
Problems and Other Materials" link. The deadline for registration in the
competition is December 9, 2005, but don't wait until then to get your team
or individual practice started. Contact Bill Horton, PE, Virginia State
MATHCOUNTS Coordinator, 757-596-9681 or whorton@...

NRA Youth Wildlife Contest

The NRA is now accepting entries for its 2005 Youth Wildlife Art Contest.
The contest is open to students in grades 1 through 12 (including
home-schooled children). NRA membership is not required. The deadline to
enter is October 3, 2005. Prizes in each grade category are $500 for first
place, $250 for second place and $100 for third place. Entries may portray
any North American game bird or animal that may be legally hunted or
trapped. For more information, see http://www.nrahq.org/youth/wildlife.asp
or call (703) 267-1531.

1st Annual National Homeschool Golf Championship

Forth Worth, TX will host the two-day, 54-hole, metal play event on April
10-11, 2006.  There will be team and individual competition played on two
courses, a banquet Monday evening, special lodging rates, souvenir "goodie
bag" for all players.  Call Richard Driggers at 888-444-5420 for more
information.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

4. FREE RESOURCES

Learning Disabilities Directory from the Learning Disabilities Council
An updated "Learning Disabilities Directory" has just been published under
joint sponsorship of the Learning Disabilities Council and the Virginia
Branch of the International Dyslexia Association. You can download the
64-page, state-wide directory in electronic format, or receive a paper copy
for $3 shipping. Listed in the directory are assessment, counseling, and
educational services to children and adults with learning disabilities,
employment planning, public and private schools, state operated programs,
and colleges and post-secondary resources.  Also included are parent support
and resource centers, references to legal and legislative resources,
educational advocates, recreation, learning disability organizations, and a
comprehensive list of pertinent websites. To order a single copy of the
"Learning Disabilities Directory", send check made to VBIDA in the amount of
$3.00 to: Carolyn Russ, VBIDA, P.O. Box 17605, Richmond, Va. 23226.
http://www.ldcouncil.org (link to "Publications", click on the directory
cover, and then click on the download message)

Lesson Plans from Evan-Moor Educational Publishers
This website offers free lesson plans for various topics and grade levels.
There is also free clip art. New lessons added periodically.
http://www.evan-moor.com/free/index.asp

Printable Mazes and Educational Games from Amazingart.com
These challenging mazes focus on ancient history, and the site includes some
links to interesting historical information to go with come of the mazes. To
access the full-size mazes, use the printable PDF file downloads at the
bottom of each section. This site also offers many historical maze-related
items for sale. http://www.amazeingart.com/free-mazes.html

Science Books and Videos from Howard Hughes Medical Institute
This website offers free science-related books and lab safety videos, as
well as some free on-line publications. My favorite is "The Genes We Share
with Yeast, Flies, Worms and Mice." Even shipping was free!
http://catalog.hhmi.org/index.jsp

Online High School Courses from Homeschoolers of Maine
Links to free online high school courses and programs collected by
Homeschoolers of Maine. From Biology to Geometry in Art and Architecture,
there are lots of neat programs listed here. Please note that in some cases,
links are to course providers that offer some free courses and some
fee-based programs. Check it over carefully. Click the link that says "Free
Online Courses..."
http://www.homeschoolersofmaine.org/high_school_&_beyond.htm#Free%20Online%20Cou\
rses


~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

5. WEB SITES, BOARDS, GROUPS & E-LISTS

Today's Front Pages from Newseum.org
This is a really cool website! You can view front pages from hundreds of
newspapers around the globe, including pictures and everything. You can
choose "map view" and choose a country or state or city, then see front
pages from that area.
http://www.newseum.org/todaysfrontpages/

New York Times Learning Network
The New York Times Learning Network is a free service for students in grades
3-12, their teachers and parents. Subjects covered include History, Civics,
Math and Economics, Fine Arts, Geography, Language and Arts, Social Studies,
you name it!
http://www.nytimes.com/learning/

PhysicsSongs.org -- yes, physics songs!
Songs about physics? Who'd 'a thunk it? It's true, though. Check out this
website for songs about astronomy, relativity, thermodynamics or
electricity, to name a few.  Search by topic, musical style, keywords and
more. There are sound files so you can hear some of the songs.
http://www.haverford.edu/physics-astro/songs/

Campusi.com -- find the best prices on books.
This site will do a meta-search of lots of other sites (including ebay
auctions and a variety of new- and used-book sites) to find you the best
prices on whatever book you are seeking. Search results even include
shipping costs and estimated shipping time.
http://www.campusi.com/

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

WHEN YOU THINK "AMAZON.COM," THINK "VaHomeschoolers!"

Shop for books, music, movies, housewares, apparel--anything--at Amazon
through the VaHomeschoolers Bookstore and let your purchases help support
VaHomeschoolers at no cost to you!

To order almost anything on your shopping list, just go to
http://www.VaHomeschoolers.org/bookstore.html Pass this link to your friends
and family, so their purchases can also support your member- directed,
volunteer driven and fully inclusive state homeschool association.
Homeschooling is our only agenda.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

DON'T MISS A SINGLE NEWSLETTER! JOIN OR RENEW TODAY.

"The VaHomeschoolers Newsletter is a burst of energy from the mail. There
are always articles that are informative and thought provoking, supportive
and inspiring. I keep them on file to read again and again." -Alicia Knight

You can join or renew your VaHomeschoolers membership or make donations
online! Or, print and mail the form available at our Web site. For either
method, go to  http://www.VaHomeschoolers.org/joinVaHomeschoolers.html

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

HAVE YOU CHECKED THE VaHomeschoolers ONLINE EVENTS CALENDAR?

If you're looking for something neat to do, or if you know of an event you'd
like to share with fellow homeschoolers in Virginia, please go to
VaHomeschoolers' Events Calendar at
http://plus.calendars.net/VaHomeschoolers . Send your event listing requests
to Calendar@... Because our publications are read in many
places around the state, be sure to include necessary information such as
the location, including city/town, as well as area code if a phone number is
given.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Copyright 2005 VA Homeschoolers. Permission to forward this e-mail, in its
entirety for non-profit purposes, is hereby granted. Any other use requires
specific written permission. For questions, submissions or comments write:
Updates@...

Subscribe to VaHomeschoolers Updates by sending a blank e-mail
to: VaHomeschoolersAnnounce-Subscribe@yahoogroups.com

VaHomeschoolers Government Affairs Report
Augst 24, 2005
by Celeste Land, Government Affairs

Questions about Notice of Intent Paperwork

Recently some members have contacted the Organization of Virginia Homeschoolers
(VaHomeschoolers) with concerns about what information should be included in the
notice of intent filed annually with the school district.

The home instruction statute (22.1-254.1 in the Code of Virginia) addresses the
notice of intent as follows in subsection B:

Any parent who elects to provide home instruction in lieu of school attendance
shall annually notify the division superintendent in August of his intention to
so instruct the child and provide a description of the curriculum to be followed
for the coming year and evidence of having met one of the criteria for providing
home instruction as required by subsection A.

In subsection A of 22.1-254.1, parents who file under option iv are additionally
required to provide "a program of study or curriculum which, in the judgment of
the division superintendent, includes the standards of learning objectives
adopted by the Board of Education for language arts and mathematics...."  Option
i, ii, and iii filers do not have this requirement.

There is no mention anywhere in the law of a requirement that parents should
provide a list of books or tables of contents.  While some families do
voluntarily provide this sort of information to the school district with their
notice of intent, it is not necessary to do so in order to comply with the law. 
Local school districts do not have the authority to ask for more than the law
requires.

We have also been asked about a recent memo about book lists, reportedly
disseminated by the Virginia Board of Education.  VaHomeschoolers has spoken
with a representative of the Virginia Board of Education, who confirms that
Virginia law does not require book lists.  Furthermore, the Board has no
knowledge of any e-mails or memos sent out in its name which address this topic.

Many homeschooling and government organizations have information on their
websites about homeschooling laws in Virginia.  Much of this information mixes
legal language with interpretation of the law.  This can lead to
misunderstandings about what the law actually says.  VaHomeschoolers recommends
that all homeschooling families read and familiarize themselves with the full
text of the law, rather than relying solely on any one party's interpretation.

The ultimate authority on Virginia homeschooling law is the Code of Virginia,
which gives the complete text of the law without any interpretation.  You can
read the complete text of this or any other law at
http://legis.state.va.us/Laws/CodeofVa.htm .

If you have any questions about this or any other aspect of Virginia
homeschooling law, please contact the Organization of Virginia Homeschoolers at
GovtAffairs@... .


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

VaHomeschoolers Update August 23, 2005

From The Organization of Virginia Homeschoolers: your fully inclusive, all
volunteer, member-directed state homeschool organization. Since 1993,
VaHomeschoolers has worked to protect and promote homeschooling through
action in legislative work, assisting homeschoolers on an individual level,
and providing information, speakers, events and resources. Join
VaHomeschoolers in a snap at http://www.VaHomeschoolers.org/join.html Visit
VaHomeschoolers's web site at http://www.VaHomeschoolers.org Subscribe to
VaHomeschoolers's Updates by sending a blank e-mail to
VaHomeschoolersAnnounce-Subscribe@yahoogroups.com

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

In this update:

1. VaHomeschoolers INTERACTIVE CALENDAR: IT'S EVENT-ALICIOUS!
Find out what you've been missing if you haven't been visiting the calendar
page!

2. NEWSLETTER SNEAK PEEK: ELECTION SEASON IS APPROACHING!
Find out what's coming up in the next VaHomeschoolers member newsletter.

3. EVENTS
Arlington: "Vaudeville to Video" original theater performance; Aug. 25-Aug
27.
Washington, D.C.: U.S. Air Force Band presents "Christmas in August"; Aug.
26, 8 p.m.
Pembroke: Giles County Homeschool Group's "Not Back to School" Potluck
Picnic; Aug. 29, 6-9 p.m.
Fredericksburg: REACH Back to School Party and used booksale; Aug. 30, 9
a.m. to 5 p.m.
Tyro (Nelson County): Apple Pick-Your-Own Day at Silver Creek Orchard; Sept.
10-11.
Orange: Constitution Day at Montpelier; Sept. 17.
Hampton: Planet Exploration Parent/Child Workshop; Virginia Air & Space
Center/NASA Langley Research Center; Sept. 21, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.

4. CONTESTS & OTHER OPPORTUNITIES
Crazy 4 Math Contest 2006. "Help create the biggest list of Crazy-4-Math
ideas by kids-for kids!"

5. FREE RESOURCES
Free math e-newsletters.

6. WEB SITES, GROUPS & E-MAIL LISTS
Richmond Support Groups
Math Sites Galore!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Each time I get the newsletter I am just blown away by the practical,
informative and very useful articles. The newsletter alone is well worth the
$15 membership fee!" -Stephanie Elms

"When I joined VaHomeschoolers I had no idea was also subscribing to such a
high-quality publication! I tend to devour it the moment it arrives --it's
extraordinarily well-written and densely packed with useful information and
support." -Jenny Meyer

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

1. VaHomeschoolers INTERACTIVE CALENDAR: IT'S EVENT-ALICIOUS!
All right, I know that "event-alicious" isn't a word. But I wanted to get
your attention. Each issue of the Update has a mention of the
VaHomeschoolers calendar page, but have you tried it yet? View events by the
month, week or day. Click on each event's name and get more detailed
information. Looking for a "not back to school" event or picnic? Heading out
to visit another part of the state and looking for something fun to do
there? Are your kids (or you) ready to get out of the house for something
interesting, but you need some inspiration? The answer may be waiting for
you at the VaHomeschoolers Calendar website! If your homeschool group is
planning an event and you want to get the word out, you can just send an
email to Calendar@... to get your event listed. We're
talking free advertising for your homeschooling support group's events and
activities! Take a moment right now and click this link:
http://plus.calendars.net/VaHomeschoolers . See for yourself! Many thanks to
calendar update volunteers Peg Watson and Carrie Bartkowiak for making this
wonderful resource possible!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

2. NEWSLETTER SNEAK PEEK: ELECTION SEASON IS APPROACHING!

Election season is approaching! The next issue of the VaHomeschoolers
newsletter will contain articles that will help you approach the upcoming
local and state elections with confidence. We'll also be running a call for
candidates for the VaHomeschoolers Board of Directors elections. And did you
miss the VaHomeschoolers Day at the Science Museum of Virginia? Never
fear -- we'll have a recap and photos from the event in this issue.

If you're not a member, join today and don't miss another issue of the
newsletter!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

WHY BUY FROM THE VaHomeschoolers BOOKSTORE?

* Discount: You can often save 30% off the cover price!
* FREE Shipping: Most items qualify for Amazon's free shipping
* Homeschoolers' Book Reviews
* Supports VaHomeschoolers, which receives a small percentage of the
purchase price.
* More Than Books: toys, movies, music, software, housewares, clothing and
more!

Visit the VaHomeschoolers Bookstore at
http://www.VaHomeschoolers.org/bookstore.html . If you can buy it at
Amazon.com, you can support VaHomeschoolers with your purchase through the
VaHomeschoolers Bookstore--at no additional cost to you!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

3. EVENTS

Arlington: "Vaudeville to Video" original theater performance; Aug. 25-Aug
27.
STAR Company invites you to join us for Vaudeville To Video, an original
theatre performance celebrating the era of Vaudeville. With songs, comedy
sketches from Burns and Allen, Carol Burnett, and Abbott and Costello, and
original monologues by our performers, the evening promises to provide fun
and variety for all ages. If you have an interest in the stage, or just like
to be entertained, please come and see what STAR Company's youth theatre
company has to offer! Performances are Thursday, August 25; Friday, August
26; and Saturday, August 27 at 7 p.m., and will be held at The Comedy Spot
in Ballston Mall, Arlington, VA. Tickets are $5, and large families may
attend at a reduced rate (immediate family members only, please).
Reservations may be made by e-mailing laurel@... , or calling
703/978-8390. Tickets are also available at the door, but seating is
limited. In the fall, a shortened version of this production will be offered
to retirement homes, hospitals, and group homes for adolescents. Please
contact us if you are affiliated with such a group and would like to book a
performance.

Washington, D.C.: U.S. Air Force Band presents "Christmas in August"; Aug.
26, 8 p.m.
The United States Air Force Band celebrates the 30th anniversary of
"Christmas in August" on Friday, August 26th at 8 p.m. The concert will take
place at the Sylvan Theatre, located on the grounds of the Washington
Monument in Washington, D.C. In this year's program, the Concert Band and
Singing Sergeants will present a colorful tapestry of holiday music from
around the world. In conjunction with the concert, WETA is sponsoring a food
drive to benefit the area homeless. Concertgoers may bring donations of
non-perishable food to the concert. Bring the family and join The United
States Air Force Band and WETA as they celebrate the season through music!
Admission is FREE, so no tickets are required. The concert is subject to
cancellation in the event of inclement weather. Remember, no alcoholic
beverages are permitted on the grounds. For the latest information on this
and other concerts by The United States Air Force Band, please call the
24-hour concert line at (202) 767-5658 or visit our homepage at
www.USAFBand.com .

Pembroke: Giles County Homeschool Group's "Not Back to School" Potluck
Picnic; Aug. 29, 6-9 p.m.
Come to the Treasure Island Playground & Shelter in Pembroke to meet old
friends and make some new ones! Please bring a potluck dish to share and
drinks for your family. Paper products and ice will be provided. For more
information, please contact Susan at susanyvonne@... .

Fredericksburg: REACH Back to School Party and used booksale; Aug. 30, 9
a.m. to 5 p.m.
The REACH Homeschool Group is having their back to school party on Aug. 30th
at Belvedere Plantation in Fredericksburg off of Rt 17. The event runs from
9 a.m. to 5 p.m.. From 9 a.m. to noon will be a used booksale. Bring a snack
or dessert to share. You are welcome to bring a picnic lunch with you. Cost
is $5.50 per person, 2 and under are FREE. Come and see what REACH is
offering for the upcoming year and let the kids go play. There will be
hayrides, petting zoo, fun barn, ziplines, slides, playground area,
volleyball, door prizes, freebie items galore and more. From I-95, take Exit
126. Follow South 17, 7 miles to entrance to Belvedere Plantation on left.
Belvedere Plantation Information:
1-800-641-1212 or email belvederefarm@... .

Tyro (Nelson County): Apple Pick-Your-Own Day at Silver Creek Orchard; Sept.
10-11.
Come on out for some famous Nelson County apple-picking, apple cider, and
apple butter! Bring a picnic and enjoy Crabtree Falls, the highest waterfall
in Virginia. Nelson County. Sat 9a.m. to 5p.m.; Sun12pm to 5pm. $cost of
apples. All ages welcome. For details, see
http://www.flippin-seaman.com/silvr_creek.htm . For more information call:
1-434-277-5824.

Orange: Constitution Day at Montpelier; Sept. 17.
Celebrate the birthday of our nation's charter at the home of James Madison,
Father of the Constitution. Program includes United States Marine Corps
re-enlistment ceremony and loads of family fun and games. All ages. For
information: 540-672-2728 x411.

Hampton: Planet Exploration Parent/Child Workshop; Virginia Air & Space
Center/NASA Langley Research Center; Sept. 21, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
Come to this fun learning opportunities for homeschooling parents and kids,
ages 4 and up. Students will participate in science presentations while
parents are in their workshop. Admission of $10.50 per student includes
Exhibits & IMAX Admission and science demonstrations; parent admission of
$5.50 includes IMAX and presentation. Participants will also receive docent
tours of the museum exhibits, and parents will receive free NASA Educational
Materials. To reserve a space and/or make a credit card payment, please
email Swee Hart at shart@... . Or mail a check to Virginia Air and
Space Center; 600 Settlers Landing Rd.; Hampton, VA 23669; Attention: Swee
Hart. Visit the Virginia Air and Space Center's Educator Resource Center
online at http://www.vasc.org/erc .

For other event listings, view VaHomeschoolers' Events Calendar at
http://plus.calendars.net/VaHomeschoolers . Send your event listing requests
to Calendar@... Because our publications are read in many
places around the state, be sure to include necessary information such as
the location, including city/town, as well as area code if a phone number is
given.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

WHAT'S IN THE VaHomeschoolers' NEWSLETTER?

The VaHomeschoolers' Newsletter is only available to VaHomeschoolers'
members, and you can join or renew your VaHomeschoolers membership or make
donations in a flash, online! Or, print and mail the form available at our
Web site. For either method, go to: http://www.VaHomeschoolers.org/join.html

"The VaHomeschoolers Newsletter is a burst of energy from the mail. There
are always articles that are informative and thought provoking, supportive
and inspiring. I keep them on file to read again and again." -Alicia Knight

DON'T MISS A SINGLE NEWSLETTER! JOIN OR RENEW TODAY.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

4. CONTESTS & OTHER OPPORTUNITIES

Crazy 4 Math Contest 2006.
"Kids, Share your creative math ideas! Describe how you use math in any
activity you love to do -- a sport, game, craft, hobby or anything else.
Send in a description of the activity and how you use math. You can also
include a drawing or diagram. All participants will receive an MP3 of Googol
Power's new song "Crazy 4 Math" at the end. All finalists receive a copy of
Googol Power's award winning CD "Multiplication Vacation". There are many
other great prizes to be won including the chance to have your idea featured
nationally in David M. Schwartz's "Math Moments"T magazine column. Winners
will be chosen by online voting! Win or not, you'll have...Googols of Fun!"
Most prizes aimed at kids 12 and under, but contestants can be anyone under
18.
http://crazy4math.googolpower.com

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

5. FREE RESOURCES

The Gnarly Gnews. A free, humorous, bi-monthly math newsletter offered by
Gnarly Math.
http://www.gnarlymath.com/news/gnews1_1.html

Turtle Talk. A free monthly math e-zine. "Our goal is to help you enjoy math
and understand it better."
http://singingturtle.com/pages/turtle_talk.html

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

6. WEB SITES, BOARDS, GROUPS & E-LISTS

Richmond Area Homeschoolers
Looking for other homeschoolers in the Richmond area? Richmond Area
Homeschoolers is an inclusive group of Richmond (Virginia) area
homeschoolers to share ideas, organize get togethers, and for general
support. We have regular field trips and get togethers and are offering
French and Spanish classes in the Fall. For more information, contact
ellissa@... . To join, send a blank e-mail to:
Richmond_Area_Homeschoolers-subscribe@yahoogroups.com


Richmond Preschool Homeschoolers
If you live in Richmond and have preschool aged children, then you are
invited to join Richmond Preschool Homeschoolers. This is an inclusive group
of Richmond (Virginia) area homeschoolers of preschool aged children to
share ideas, organize get togethers, and for general support.  We have
regular play dates in the park and have field trips and Spanish classes for
preschool-aged children. For more information, contact ellissa@... . To
join, send a blank e-mail to:
RichmondPreschoolHomeschoolers-subscribe@yahoogroups.com

Math Sites Galore!
This is a list of some neat math-related websites I found. There are lots
more out there, though! Try searching on "fun math kids" or a similar
string, and see what YOU find.

Absurd Math. "Pre-Algebra from another dimension. Absurd Math is an
interactive mathematical problem solving game series. The player proceeds on
missions in a strange world where the ultimate power consists of
mathematical skill and knowledge."
http://www.learningwave.com/abmath/

Cool Math for Kids. "An amusement park of math and more -- especially
designed for kids and FUN, FUN, FUN!"
http://www.coolmath4kids.com/

CuriousMath.com. "Math is an attitude." Lots of math tricks and
brainteasers.
http://www.curiousmath.com/

Cut-the-Knot.org. "Interactive Mathematics Miscellany and Puzzles." This is
a pretty challenging site that includes LOTS of links for parents and
teachers.
http://www.cut-the-knot.org

Dansmath.com. "To think deeply of simple things." Math jokes and riddles,
math lessons from arithmetic through calculus and beyond, and much more.
http://www.dansmath.com

Ed Pegg Jr.'s Math Games (from the Mathematical Association of America). A
new math game every month, for those who enjoy a real challenge!
http://www.maa.org/news/mathgames.html

Funbrain.com. Games for kids to play covering math and lots of other topics,
as well as resources for teachers and parents.
http://www.funbrain.com/

Googolpower.com. Offers free online math music videos (registration
required), free worksheets and math games for kids.
http://googolpower.com/

Ivars Peterson's MathTrek Archives (from the Mathematical Association of
America). An unusual math topic each month.
http://www.maa.org/mathland/mathland_archives.html

Kodawari House. A site mostly in Japanese, but it includes the Children's
Room in English, with games and topics.
http://www.freewebs.com/keiichi_suzuki/index.html

MacTutor History of Mathematics Archive. Some neat information on the
history of mathematics in various cultures, as well as biographies of
mathematicians. Learn about the "mathematicians of the day."
http://www-groups.dcs.st-and.ac.uk/~history/index.html

Magic Squares, Magic Stars and Other Patterns. "This site has three
sections, with pages on magic squares, magic stars (a lot of original
material) and miscellaneous number patterns. This site should be of interest
to middle and high school students and teachers, and anyone interested in
recreational mathematics."
http://www.geocities.com/~harveyh/

Math Cats. A fun math learning site with games and activities aimed mainly
at elementary and middle-school aged kids.
http://www.mathcats.com/

Mathforge. This is a serious math site, with an archive of news items
related to math and science. There are also some neat links that may be of
more general interest.
http://www.mathforge.net/

MegaMath. "The MegaMath project is intended to bring unusual and important
mathematical ideas to elementary school classrooms so that young people and
their teachers can think about them together."
http://www.c3.lanl.gov/mega-math/welcome.html

PurpleMath. "Your algebra resource." Free online algebra lessons, links to
algebra-related sites, and a survey to assess your math study skills.
http://www.purplemath.com/

Teaching Ideas from GnarlyMath. "Here are some ideas on how to make math
fun, amusing, and entertaining for your kids (and for you!)."
http://www.gnarlymath.com/gnarart1.html

Vedic Mathematics. And now for something completely different... Learn about
Vedic math, a system that helps students do "mental math" to solve complex
problems.
http://vedicmaths.org/Home%20Page.asp

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

WHEN YOU THINK "AMAZON.COM," THINK "VaHomeschoolers!"

Shop for books, music, movies, housewares, apparel--anything--at Amazon
through the VaHomeschoolers Bookstore and let your purchases help support
VaHomeschoolers at no cost to you!

To order almost anything on your shopping list, just go to
http://www.VaHomeschoolers.org/bookstore.html Pass this link to your friends
and family, so their purchases can also support your member- directed,
volunteer driven and fully inclusive state homeschool association.
Homeschooling is our only agenda.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

DON'T MISS A SINGLE NEWSLETTER! JOIN OR RENEW TODAY.

"The VaHomeschoolers Newsletter is a burst of energy from the mail. There
are always articles that are informative and thought provoking, supportive
and inspiring. I keep them on file to read again and again." -Alicia Knight

You can join or renew your VaHomeschoolers membership or make donations
online! Or, print and mail the form available at our Web site. For either
method, go to:
http://www.VaHomeschoolers.org/joinVaHomeschoolers.html

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

HAVE YOU CHECKED THE VaHomeschoolers ONLINE EVENTS CALENDAR?

If you're looking for something neat to do, or if you know of an event you'd
like to share with fellow homeschoolers in Virginia, please go to
VaHomeschoolers' Events Calendar at
http://plus.calendars.net/VaHomeschoolers . Send your event listing requests
to Calendar@... Because our publications are read in many
places around the state, be sure to include necessary information such as
the location, including city/town, as well as area code if a phone number is
given.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Copyright 2005 VA Homeschoolers. Permission to forward this e-mail, in its
entirety for non-profit purposes, is hereby granted. Any other use requires
specific written permission. For questions, submissions or comments write:
Updates@...

Subscribe to VaHomeschoolers Updates by sending a blank e-mail
to: VaHomeschoolersAnnounce-Subscribe@yahoogroups.com

HAVE YOU TOLD VaHomeschoolers WHAT *YOU* THINK? IT'S TIME TO
RETURN YOUR MEMBER SURVEY!

A reminder that MEMBER SURVEYS are due! VaHomeschoolers is a member-
driven organization -- we rely on our members to give direction to
the organization, so your opinions are very important. If you are a
member of The Organization of Virginia Homeschoolers, you should
have received a green survey form in your July-August newsletter.
Please complete your pre-addressed survey and mail it in postmarked
by TODAY AUGUST 15. We want to hear from you!! If you're not a member of
The Organization of Virginia Homeschoolers, can you be sure your
voice is being heard in Virginia? Join VaHomeschoolers, the Old
Dominion's only member-directed, fully inclusive, state-wide
homeschooling organization. "Helping Homeschoolers is Our Only
Agenda." http://www.vahomeschoolers.org

Final VaHomeschoolers Special Event Update: Let the Fun Begin!

VaHomeschoolers Day at the Science Museum of Virginia
Saturday, August 13, 2005
2500 West Broad Street, Richmond

VaHomeschoolers' big event begins tomorrow!

COMFORTABLE, AFFORDABLE, FULLY INCLUSIVE
VaHomeschoolers is a grassroots, non-partisan organization that
provides a comfortable, affordable experience for the broad spectrum
of homeschooling families in the state.

REGISTER AT THE DOOR!
If you haven't pre-registered, never fear! Our Registration
volunteers are prepared to whisk you through your walk-in
registration. You can save time in line by having your forms ready in
advance. Download the forms at
http://www.vahomeschoolers.org/RB05.pdf . Then simply print, fill out
the forms, and bring them with you for a super-fast walk-in
registration.

HEAD TO THE SCIENCE MUSEUM OF VIRGINIA TOMORROW FOR:
*Jim Weiss' awesome storytelling sessions!
*Jeanne Faulconer's wit and wisdom!
*Gail Barker, Betty Delk, Stephanie Elms, Celeste Land, Parrish Mort,
Shay Seaborne, Joe Suits, Nan Vollette to encourage you and energize
you for another school year!
*Joe Suits and Moore Expressions to take your curriculum orders!
*A free and nifty VaHomeschoolers tote bag – the first to showcase
our new name and logo! Use it to collect autographs from all your
online friends that you'll finally meet IRL!
*Teen-only activities, including a Scavenger Hunt and lots of goodies
all day!
*Meet-and-greet gatherings all day in the Rotunda! Featured will be
special needs homeschoolers, preschool homeschoolers, teen
homeschoolers, and the VaHomeschoolers Board of Directors.
*One-day Special Event admission to the amazing Science Museum of
Virginia for only $7.50 – and that includes admission to one IMAX
film!
*One-day Special Event pricing on one-year family memberships to the
Science Museum of Virginia for only $52.00 – that's a savings of
$33.00 over the regular family membership and $13.00 over the teacher
discount!

There's nothing like being surrounded by like-minded families who
have made the best possible difference in their children's lives by
choosing to homeschool! The camaraderie you'll feel will inspire and
energize you!

See ya tomorrow!

Shay Seaborne, President of the Organization of Virginia Homeschoolers,
will be interviewed live on air tomorrow (Thursday, August 11) from
12noon to 12:30pm.  Shay will be a guest on Richmond Education Today,
hosted by John Richmond of WRIR radio, 97.3FM, an independent radio
station in Richmond.

Can't pick up Richmond radio stations?  Listen live by going to WRIR's
homepage at http://wrir.org/x/modules/news/ .  Then click on your
preferred format under "Listen Now!"

Shay and John will chat about homeschooling and Saturday's
VaHomeschoolers' Day at the Science Museum of Virginia!

********************************

If you haven't registered for VaHomeschoolers Day yet, simply download
and print the registration form at
http://www.vahomeschoolers.org/RB05.pdf , bring it to VaHomeschoolers
Day at the SMV on Saturday, along with cash or a check, and register on-
site!

VaHomeschoolers Update August 9, 2005

From The Organization of Virginia Homeschoolers: your fully
inclusive, all volunteer, member-directed state homeschool
organization. Since 1993, VaHomeschoolers has worked to protect and
promote homeschooling through action in legislative work, assisting
homeschoolers on an individual level, and providing information,
speakers, events and resources. Join VaHomeschoolers in a snap at
http://www.VaHomeschoolers.org/join.html Visit VaHomeschoolers's web
site at http://www.VaHomeschoolers.org Subscribe to
VaHomeschoolers's Updates by sending a blank e-mail to
VaHomeschoolersAnnounce-Subscribe@yahoogroups.com

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

In this update:

1. IT'S NOT TOO LATE! WE CAN STILL SEE *YOU* AT VaHomeschoolers' DAY
AT SMV THIS SATURDAY!
Hotel discounts still available; walk-in registrations welcome

2. SMV NOW SEEKING HOMESCHOOLED STUDENT VOLUNTEERS
Find out about this new volunteer opportunity for homeschooled
kids.

3. HAVE YOU TOLD VaHomeschoolers WHAT *YOU* THINK? IT'S TIME TO
RETURN YOUR MEMBER SURVEY!

4. EVENTS
Lynchburg: Amazement Square, Dinner and a Movie, Family Cook-out
and "E.T."; Saturday, Aug. 13; 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Harrisonburg: Harrisonburg Children's Museum "Build a Computer"
Class for kids ages 9-14; Aug. 16-19.
Bealeton (Faquier County): Flying Circus Hot Air Balloon Festival;
Aug. 20-21.
Charlottesville: Ash Lawn-Highland's Children's Day on the
Plantation; Sunday, Aug. 21; 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Culpeper: Tobin's Lab Open House; Aug. 27.
King George: REACH/Homeschool Day at Caledon Natural Area; Sept. 9;
9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Hampton Roads: Nauticus "Shiver Me Timbers" Family Overnight; Sept.
24-25.

5. CONTESTS & OTHER OPPORTUNITIES
Attention Lego fans: Junior First Lego League (JFLL) pilot program
team registration online through Sept. 30. (Ages 6-9)

6. FREE RESOURCES
FREE NEWSLETTER: Web English Teacher.

7. WEB SITES, GROUPS & E-MAIL LISTS
Virginia Naturally, the official Environmental Education Network of
Virginia.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Each time I get the newsletter I am just blown away by the
practical, informative and very useful articles. The newsletter
alone is well worth the $15 membership fee!" -Stephanie Elms

"When I joined VaHomeschoolers I had no idea was also subscribing to
such a high-quality publication! I tend to devour it the moment it
arrives --it's extraordinarily well-written and densely packed with
useful information and support." -Jenny Meyer

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

1. IT'S NOT TOO LATE! WE CAN STILL SEE *YOU* AT VaHomeschoolers' DAY
AT SMV THIS SATURDAY!
The big event is coming up this Saturday, August 13. I'm so excited
to have a whole day to meet and mingle, hear some really
inspirational speakers, and get all revved up for the fall! If you
haven't registered yet, never fear, because we will
be accepting walk-in registrations on the day of the event. You can
download the registration form for printing at
http://www.vahomeschoolers.org/RB05.pdf . This way, you can have the
form and payment at the ready when you walk in, to speed your
registration process! And last we checked, the Holiday Inn was still
offering discounts for hotel rooms for the weekend. You can reach
the hotel at (804) 359-9441 and ask for the VaHomeschoolers
discount. See you Saturday!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

2. SMV NOW SEEKING HOMESCHOOLED STUDENT VOLUNTEERS

If you have a teenaged homeschooler in your family who is looking
for a meaningful volunteer opportunity, the Science Museum of
Virginia in Richmond might be a great fit. Opportunities also exist
at the Virginia Aviation Museum at Richmond International Airport.
(And my guess is that these opportunities will likely expand to
include the Belmont Bay Science Center in Woodbridge in 2007.) "The
Science Museum of Virginia's Home-schooled Student Volunteer Program
offers home-schooled students the opportunity to expand their math,
science, aviation and technology knowledge and contribute a worthy
and important service to the surrounding community by assisting in
demonstrations, educational programs and provide museum support,"
says SMV's website. Beyond being a great learning experience and
resume-builder, the program's benefits include a museum store
discount, free museum admission for the volunteer when off-duty, and
a free family membership after 100 hours of service. For more
information, please call Beth Voelkel at (804) 864-1511, or e-mail:
evoelkel@... . View SMV's volunteer information page, which
includes information about homeschool student volunteer
opportunities, at
http://www.smv.org/getinvolved/volunteer.html#HomeSchool

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

3. HAVE YOU TOLD VaHomeschoolers WHAT *YOU* THINK? IT'S TIME TO
RETURN YOUR MEMBER SURVEY!

A reminder that MEMBER SURVEYS are due! VaHomeschoolers is a member-
driven organization -- we rely on our members to give direction to
the organization, so your opinions are very important. If you are a
member of The Organization of Virginia Homeschoolers, you should
have received a green survey form in your July-August newsletter.
Please complete your pre-addressed survey and mail it in postmarked
by AUGUST 15. We want to hear from you!! If you're not a member of
The Organization of Virginia Homeschoolers, can you be sure your
voice is being heard in Virginia? Join VaHomeschoolers, the Old
Dominion's only member-directed, fully inclusive, state-wide
homeschooling organization. "Helping Homeschoolers is Our Only
Agenda." http://www.vahomeschoolers.org

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

WHY BUY FROM THE VaHomeschoolers BOOKSTORE?

* Discount: You can often save 30% off the cover price!
* FREE Shipping: Most items qualify for Amazon's free shipping
* Homeschoolers' Book Reviews
* Supports VaHomeschoolers, which receives a small percentage of the
purchase price.
* More Than Books: toys, movies, music, software, housewares,
clothing and more!

Visit the VaHomeschoolers Bookstore at
http://www.VaHomeschoolers.org/bookstore.html. If you can buy it at
Amazon.com, you can support VaHomeschoolers with your purchase
through the VaHomeschoolers Bookstore--at no additional cost to
you!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

4. EVENTS

Lynchburg: Amazement Square, Dinner and a Movie, Family Cook-out
and "E.T."; Saturday, Aug. 13; 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
In conjunction with the RiverFlick Film Series' showing of "E.T.,
The Extra-Terrestrial," and Amazement Square's Membership
Appreciation Month, everyone is invited to a family cook-out before
the movie across from the museum. There will be great food, fun and
lots of extra-terrestrial games! Directions: 29S to the first
Lynchburg exit. Cross the bridge. Left onto Commerce St at the
light. Left on 8th St. Right at bottom of 8th St. Amazement Square
on left. $5 for non-members and $2 for members. All ages welcome.
For more info call: 434-845-1888 or see
http://www.amazementsquare.org/riverflick/index.html .

Harrisonburg: Harrisonburg Children's Museum "Build a Computer"
Class for kids ages 9-14; Aug. 16-19.
"Have you ever wondered how a computer works? We'll take parts from
old computers and attempt to build new ones that work!" This class
is part of HCM's Summer Clubs. Cost is $40 for museum members; $65
for visitors. Call 540-442-8900 for more information and to check
space availability. Registration form is available online at
http://www.hcmuseum.org/ . Look under the subtitle "HCM 2005 Summer
Clubs."

Bealeton (Faquier County): Flying Circus Hot Air Balloon Festival;
Aug. 20-21.
Balloon activities will be held at the Flying Circus Aerodrome in
Bealeton both morning and afternoon with the World Famous Flying
Circus Airshow being presented each afternoon at 2:30. Admission is
$10 for adults, $3 for children ages 3-12, free for kids under 3.
Gates open 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. For more information, see
http://www.flyingcircusairshow.com/

Charlottesville: Ash Lawn-Highland's Children's Day on the
Plantation; Sunday, Aug. 21; 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Work and play on a 19th-century plantation. Special youth tours of
the home of President James Monroe. Craft demonstrations, hands-on
workshops, music, colonial games, more. Bring a lunch and picnic on
the grounds. Ash Lawn-Highland is the home of President James
Monroe. Directions: 1000 James Monroe Parkway, Charlottesville, 2.5
miles past Monticello. $5 for youngsters 4-11 and local residents,
$9 for adults, and $8 for seniors. All ages welcome. Special Needs
Accommodation: Wheelchair accessible, foreign language tours
available. For more information, email ashlawnjm@... or call 434-
293-9539. See http://www.ashlawnhighland.org/

Culpeper: Tobin's Lab Open House; Aug. 27.
Mike and Tammy Duby run Tobin's Lab, supplying homeschoolers with
equipment, materials, games, books, and curricula for teaching a
hands-on, discovery approach to science and history. Tammy is a
popular convention speaker on the subjects of lesson planning, the
love of writing, and lapbook making--a wonderful way to "spice up"
and organize the details learned in any area of homeschool study.
Treat yourself to this opportunity to be motivated and encouraged by
the Dubys, as well as the chance to look over all their goodies
without having to fight crowds at their convention booths! For more
information and to RSVP, email the Dubys at mike@... or
call them at 540-937-7173.

King George: REACH/Homeschool Day at Caledon Natural Area; Sept. 9;
9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Caledon Natural Area and the REACH Homeschool Group will be
presenting Homeschool Day in King George, VA. The day's event will
include programs and presentations pertaining to history, science,
the environment, education and fun. We have a wide variety of
organizations and events already scheduled. We have the Chesapeake
Bay Foundation, NRCS, VA Dept of Forestry, Gunston Hall, Linda
Salisbury (local author), Belvedere Plantation, Battlefield Sierra,
The Wildlife Center of VA, Regency Sports, the REACH Homeschool
Group, Writing Game, caning demo's, eagle tours, Friends of the
Rappahannock, Ferry Farms, Kenmore, and much more. We also are
working with some other organizations to have them attend our event
like Maymont, Renaissance Faire, Mattoponi Museum, Civil War
Adventure Camp and more. All activities will take place on the lawns
at Caledon, except the eagle tours which will take place at the
river. The cost is $6.00 per person. Children 5 and under are FREE.
The cost covers all programs the day of the event except food or
items presenters may have for sale. If you are interested in
attending, RSVP via email to Wanda Sloper at Reachwanda@...
with the total number in your party, as well as the number of free
admissions for those age 5 and under. Payment will be collected at
the event, and must be made by cash or check. The last day to RSVP
is August 30.

Hampton Roads: Nauticus "Shiver Me Timbers" Family Overnight; Sept.
24-25.
Your family will have a "pirate" of a time at this exciting family
event! Participate in a treasure hunt, meet "Blackbeard the Pirate",
make crafts with your family, participate in science experiments and
much more! Pre-registration & pre-payment required. $25 for Nauticus
members; $30 for non-members. Rate includes admission, parking,
activities, snack, breakfast, and certificate. Call (757) 664-1041
to register by September 16.

For other event listings, view VaHomeschoolers' Events Calendar at
http://plus.calendars.net/VaHomeschoolers . Send your event listing
requests to Calendar@... Because our publications
are read in many places around the state, be sure to include
necessary information such as the location, including city/town, as
well as area code if a phone number is given.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

WHAT'S IN THE VaHomeschoolers' NEWSLETTER?

The VaHomeschoolers' Newsletter is only available to
VaHomeschoolers' members, and you can join or renew your
VaHomeschoolers membership or make donations in a flash, online! Or,
print and mail the form available at our Web site. For either
method, go to:
http://www.VaHomeschoolers.org/join.html

"The VaHomeschoolers Newsletter is a burst of energy from the mail.
There are always articles that are informative and thought
provoking, supportive and inspiring. I keep them on file to read
again and again." -Alicia Knight

DON'T MISS A SINGLE NEWSLETTER! JOIN OR RENEW TODAY.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

5. CONTESTS & OTHER OPPORTUNITIES

Attention Lego fans: Junior First Lego League (JFLL) pilot program
team registration online through Sept. 30. JFLL is geared to
children aged 6 to 9 years old and utilizes a modified framework of
FIRST LEGO League. Teams of up to 5 children and an adult mentor
receive a mini challenge, which is based on the FLL annual research
project. They will design a model depicting an aspect of this
year's "Ocean Odyssey" Challenge. Children will spend approximately
a month exploring, investigating, designing, and building a model
made with LEGO bricks on a 15" x 15" base plate. In conjunction,
teams create a "Show Me" poster that depicts the teams' experience
during this process, through drawings and words. The pilot
culminates with a celebration held in conjunction with the FLL
Official Tournament. Teams will connect all the models to form one
large creation. The celebration includes time to enhance the teams'
current models and show their poster, meet with friendly "Reviewers"
to share their experiences, and receive recognition for their
efforts. Team registration costs $75.

*Although there are no expo sites planned for Virginia this year,
there are some in nearby states (New Jersey and Ohio) - so this is
for the truly enthusiastic. But maybe if they see teams coming all
the way from Virginia, there will be some Virginia locations next
year! For more information on JFLL, including a registration form
and a listing of expo sites, see
http://www.firstlegoleague.org/default.aspx?pid=18130

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

6. FREE RESOURCES

FREE NEWSLETTER: Web English Teacher.
Web English Teacher is a website that allows English teachers to use
the internet to share support, ideas and inspiration. The site
offers a free newsletter once a month; sign up here:
http://www.webenglishteacher.com/newsletter.html . Or just browse
the site for lesson plans and other neat ideas related to grammar,
drama, critical thinking, journalism, prose and poetry, and much
more. See http://www.webenglishteacher.com

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

7. WEB SITES, BOARDS, GROUPS & E-LISTS

Virginia Naturally, the official Environmental Education Network of
the Commonwealth of Virginia, has some really cool educational
materials on its website. For example, if your kids bring home some
sort of weird bug from a nearby pond or creek, you (or better yet,
your kids) can identify it using the new "Visual Identification
Guide to Common Aquatic Macroinvertebrates." See
http://www.vanaturally.com/invertebrates.pdf . Check out Virginia
Naturally's Natural Resource Education Guide, with activities,
information and resources aimed at elementary teachers:
http://www.vanaturally.com/guide.html . Topics covered include
agriculture, air, bay & coast, forests, minerals & energy, open
space & public land; soil, water, wildlife and more.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

WHEN YOU THINK "AMAZON.COM," THINK "VaHomeschoolers!"

Shop for books, music, movies, housewares, apparel--anything--at
Amazon through the VaHomeschoolers Bookstore and let your purchases
help support VaHomeschoolers at no cost to you!

To order almost anything on your shopping list, just go to
http://www.VaHomeschoolers.org/bookstore.html Pass this link to your
friends and family, so their purchases can also support your member-
directed, volunteer driven and fully inclusive state homeschool
association. Homeschooling is our only agenda.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

DON'T MISS A SINGLE NEWSLETTER! JOIN OR RENEW TODAY.

"The VaHomeschoolers Newsletter is a burst of energy from the mail.
There are always articles that are informative and thought
provoking, supportive and inspiring. I keep them on file to read
again and again." -Alicia Knight

You can join or renew your VaHomeschoolers membership or make
donations online! Or, print and mail the form available at our Web
site. For either method, go to:
http://www.VaHomeschoolers.org/joinVaHomeschoolers.html

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

HAVE YOU CHECKED THE VaHomeschoolers ONLINE EVENTS CALENDAR?

If you're looking for something neat to do, or if you know of an
event you'd like to share with fellow homeschoolers in Virginia,
please go to VaHomeschoolers' Events Calendar at
http://plus.calendars.net/VaHomeschoolers . Send your event listing
requests to Calendar@... Because our publications
are read in many places around the state, be sure to include
necessary information such as the location, including city/town, as
well as area code if a phone number is given.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Copyright 2005 VA Homeschoolers. Permission to forward this e-mail,
in its entirety for non-profit purposes, is hereby granted. Any
other use requires specific written permission. For questions,
submissions or comments write: Updates@...

Subscribe to VaHomeschoolers Updates by sending a blank e-mail
to: VaHomeschoolersAnnounce-Subscribe@yahoogroups.com

http://www.vahomeschoolers.org/Event05.html

Planning to attend? Time is running out for pre-registration! In order
to ensure that your pre-registration and session selections will be
received in time for the event, please mail your form and payment by
today, Monday, August 8.

We will also be accepting walk-in registrations on the day of the event.
You can download and print the registration form at
http://www.vahomeschoolers.org/RB05.pdf .

That way, you can have the form and payment at the ready when you
walk in, to speed your check in process!

See you Saturday!

Planning to attend? Time is running out for pre-registration! In order
to ensure that your pre-registration and session selections will be
received in time for the event, please mail your form and payment by
Monday, August 8.

We will be accepting walk-in registrations on the day of the event.

The countdown begins . . .

VaHomeschoolers Special Event is *the* place to be on August 13!
Look at all you get for cheap!

*Jim Weiss' awesome storytelling sessions!

*Jeanne Faulconer's wit and wisdom!

*Gail Barker, Betty Delk, Stephanie Elms, Celeste Land, Parrish Mort,
Shay Seaborne, Joe Suits, Nan Vollette to encourage you and energize
you for another school year!

*Joe Suits and Moore Expressions to take your curriculum orders!

*A free and nifty VaHomeschoolers tote bag – the first to showcase
our new name and logo!  Use it to collect autographs from all your
online friends that you'll finally meet IRL!

*Teen-only activities, including a Scavenger Hunt and lots of goodies
all day!

*Meet-and-greet gatherings all day in the Rotunda!  Featured will be
special needs homeschoolers, preschool homeschoolers, teen
homeschoolers, and the VaHomeschoolers Board of Directors.

*One-day Special Event admission to the amazing Science Museum of
Virginia for only $7.50 – and that includes admission to one IMAX
film!

*One-day Special Event pricing on one-year family memberships to the
Science Museum of Virginia for only $52.00 – that's a savings of
$33.00 over the regular family membership and $13.00 over the teacher
discount!

*There's nothing like being surrounded by like-minded families who
have chosen to make the best possible difference in their children's
lives by choosing to homeschool!  The camaraderie you'll feel will
inspire and energize you!

*Fun, fun, and more fun!


FREE Children's Museum of Richmond Passes Still Available!

As if all of the above weren't enough to ensure that you and your
family have a great time at VaHomeschoolers Day, we've even received
a batch of free passes to the Children's Museum of Richmond (CMoR),
located right across the parking lot from the Science Museum!  The
passes are good thru December 31, 2005.  All you have to do is
indicate your request for passes on your registration form – the
passes will be in your registration packet at check-in on August 13th!

Check out our full event information page at:
http://www.vahomeschoolers.org/Event05.html

My enthusiasm for VaHomeschoolers' Day at the Science Museum of
Virginia seems to have gotten the best of me!  I noted in today's
update what a great value this event is at $15 for members and $35
for nonmembers (including a year's membership), with a full day of
wonderful discussions, presentations, storytelling, and terrific
opportunities to network with fellow homeschoolers.  There will be
catalogs from many businesses that provide homeschooling supplies,
publications and curricula, to take home with you so you can shop
from the comfort of home.  There will be free passes to the
Children's Museum of Richmond (while they last), which is literally
right next door to SMV.  There will be snazzy free VaHomeschoolers
canvas tote bags for carrying brochures and your notes on how to
reach all your new homeschooling friends once you get home.

And (here's the mistake I made) though admission to SMV will not be
included in your registration cost for the VaHomeschoolers event, it
will be greatly discounted to only $7.50 per person, which includes
admission to an IMAX film (this is less than half the price of
regular adult admission with an IMAX ticket).  And even better, SMV
will be offering event attendees a wonderful deal on an annual
membership to the museum, at $52, which is $33 less than the normal
family rate and $13 less than the usual teacher family membership.
I bought a membership when I visited SMV last year, and my family
has really loved it, even driving down from Woodbridge.  The new
cafe, located right near the front entrance to the museum, really
added to the pleasure and convenience of our visit last week!

I apologize for the error in the update, and hope to see lots of
folks at VaHomeschoolers Day on August 13!

Amy Wilson, Updates Editor

VaHomeschoolers Update July 26, 2005

From The Organization of Virginia Homeschoolers: your fully
inclusive, all volunteer, member-directed state homeschool
organization. Since 1993, VaHomeschoolers has worked to protect and
promote homeschooling through action in legislative work, assisting
homeschoolers on an individual level, and providing information,
speakers, events and resources. Join VaHomeschoolers in a snap at
http://www.VaHomeschoolers.org/join.html Visit VaHomeschoolers's web
site at http://www.VaHomeschoolers.org Subscribe to
VaHomeschoolers's Updates by sending a blank e-mail to
VaHomeschoolersAnnounce-Subscribe@yahoogroups.com

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

In this update:

1. NAN VOLETTE AT VaHomeschoolers DAY AT THE SMV!
You don't want to miss Nan's many science resources!

2. CHECK OUT THE CATALOGS AT VaHomeschoolers DAY!
Take these catalogs home with you and do all your not-back-to-school
shopping from the comfort of home!

3. HELP VaHomeschoolers EARN BOXTOPS POINTS
Find out how you can help VaHomeschoolers earn points through the
Boxtops for Education program.

4. FREE ONLINE COURSE BY LINDA DOBSON: "HOMESCHOOLING YOUR CHILDREN"
Find out about Linda Dobson's free class, being offered through
Barnes & Noble's Online University beginning August 1.

5. WHAT DO *YOU* THINK ABOUT TAX CREDITS FOR HOMESCHOOLERS?
VaHomeschoolers WANTS TO KNOW!

6. "BRINGING WALDORF HOME" CONFERENCE: GEORGE MASON UNIVERSITY,
FAIRFAX, AUGUST 26-28.

7. EVENTS
Charlottesville: 16th Annual African-American Cultural Arts
Festival; July 30-31.
Purcellville: Special Needs Support Group Meeting; August 1; 7:00
p.m.
Washington, D.C.: Discounted Basketball Tickets, Washington Mystics
vs. Charlotte Sting; August 2; 8:00 p.m.
Lexington: United States Pony Club National Championships; August 4-
7.
Alexandria: Alexandria Choral Society Auditions for 2005-2006
(Adults and Children); September 10; 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. by
appointment.

8. CONTESTS & OTHER OPPORTUNITIES
Focus on Nature Reflective Writing Contest, ages 10-14.

9. FREE RESOURCES
FREE PUBLICATIONS: United States Geological Survey publications on
Fossils, Rocks and Dinosaurs

10. WEB SITES, GROUPS & E-MAIL LISTS
Designing Video Programs for Youth

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Each time I get the newsletter I am just blown away by the
practical, informative and very useful articles. The newsletter
alone is well worth the $15 membership fee!" -Stephanie Elms

"When I joined VaHomeschoolers I had no idea was also subscribing to
such a high-quality publication! I tend to devour it the moment it
arrives --it's extraordinarily well-written and densely packed with
useful information and support." -Jenny Meyer

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

1. NAN VOLETTE AT VaHomeschoolers DAY AT THE SMV!
You don't want to miss Nan's many science resources!

Nan Vollette is a mother of 6, grandmother of 4, who has
homeschooled for over 22 years. She has a BA in Psychology and
currently works at the Educator Resource Center for NASA Langley.
Nan will demonstrate how the NASA Educator Guides can be used in the
home environment. Find out how to use the free resources available
to everyone, and learn about what workshops are available for
homeschoolers at NASA's Educator Resource Center at the Virginia Air
and Space Center. See http://www.vasc.org/erc and click on the image
of Mars to see the many FREE resources offered.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

2. CHECK OUT THE CATALOGS AT VaHomeschoolers DAY!
Take these catalogs home with you and do all your not-back-to-school
shopping from the comfort of home!

VaHomeschoolers will have the following businesses represented at
the Catalog Table. These companies have provided us with catalogs
and fliers to pass on to you:

Chinaberry Press http://www.chinaberry.com/
Consumer Jungle http://ww.consumerjungle.com
Dover Publications http://store.doverpublications.com
It's A Habit http://www.itsahabit.com/
Learnables Foreign Language http://www.learnables.com/
Memoria Press http://www.memoriapress.com/
Oak Meadow http://www.oakmeadow.com
Rainbow Resource Center http://www.rainbowresource.com
The Link homeschool newspaper
http://www.homeschoolnewslink.com/index.html
Timberdoodle http://www.timberdoodle.com
Tobin's Lab http://www.tobinslab.com/
Young Scientists Club http://www.theyoungscientistsclub.com

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

DON'T MISS A GREAT OPPORTUNITY TO STRETCH YOUR MONEY!

What does $15 buy? One book on Amazon.com? Two fast-food lunches?
Three fancy drinks at Starbucks? How about eight and a half hours of
fun, support and learning with fellow homeschoolers? That's what
you get if you're a VaHomeschoolers member and you spend your $15
on registration for VaHomeschoolers' Day at the Science Museum of
Virginia on Saturday August 13. But wait, there's more!
Storytelling by acclaimed performer Jim Weiss, lively discussions
and valuable information from Jeanne Falconer and other fellow
homeschoolers, admission to the Science Museum of Virginia for the
day, free passes to the Children's Museum of Richmond next door
(while they last), and even a free canvas tote bag! It's an
incredible value – and if you're not a member, you can spend
just an extra $10 to add a one-year membership to your event
admission (normally $15, so it's a double-good deal). If you
haven't already registered, you can access the registration
booklet online at: http://www.vahomeschoolers.org/RB05.pdf

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

3. HELP VaHomeschoolers EARN BOXTOPS POINTS

You can help earn points and funding for VaHomeschoolers by opening
an account with Boxtops for Education. Just go to
http://www.boxtops4education.com and open an account, then choose
VaHomeschoolers as your "school" (I know, it feels a little funny to
call it a school). Then you can earn points for VaHomeschoolers by
clipping boxtops and mailing them in, by shopping online through one
of the sponsoring companies (which include Barnes & Noble, ZooBooks,
Discovery Toys and many more) or by using a Boxtops for Education
Visa card. When you have boxtops to mail, just use the submission
form on the VaHomeschoolers website:
http://www.vahomeschoolers.org/boxtops-form.doc (you can choose to
donate all of the value of your boxtops, or to receive back half of
their cash value).
*Please note that as of this writing, VaHomeschoolers is listed
incorrectly on the Boxtops site under the name "Origination of
Virginia Homeschoolers."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

4. FREE ONLINE COURSE BY LINDA DOBSON: "HOMESCHOOLING YOUR CHILDREN"

Linda Dobson is the instructor for a free course being offered
through Barnes & Noble University's online program. "Homeschooling
Your Children" begins August 1 and runs for four weeks. Although
this class appears to be aimed at the beginning homeschooler and
those who are just exploring the possibility of homeschooling, Linda
has plenty of expertise to share with anyone. Learn more:
http://educate.barnesandnoble.com/educate/bn/home/catalog/overview.js
p?productId=25320

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

5. WHAT DO *YOU* THINK ABOUT TAX CREDITS FOR HOMESCHOOLERS?
VaHomeschoolers WANTS TO KNOW!

Have you formed an opinion on the subject of tax credits for
homeschoolers? That's just one of many topics addressed in this
year's VaHomeschoolers member survey. Everyone loves an
opportunity to share their views with others, and VaHomeschoolers is
a unique homeschooling organization in that it polls its members
each year, asking for their opinion on tax credit and other
legislation, newsletter content and more. If you haven't already
done so, take a few minutes to read a great article about the pros
and cons of tax credits for homeschoolers,
http://www.vahomeschoolers.org/TaxCrProCon.PDF , and then fill out
and return your VaHomeschoolers member survey. Your spouse or your
children may not listen to your opinion as often as you'd like,
but VaHomeschoolers is just waiting to hear from you!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

6. "BRINGING WALDORF HOME" CONFERENCE: GEORGE MASON UNIVERSITY,
FAIRFAX, AUGUST 26-28.

Second Annual Conference for homeschoolers, interested parents and
educators. Featuring Gene Campbell of the Chiron Initiative
(Ontario, Canada), Jody Grossman and Aniko Debrecny. Friday night
keynote and two days of presentations on Waldorf education. Topics
include background and application with intensives for grades 1-4,
music and handwork. Vendors, silent auction, book sales. Register by
August 1 for a discounted rate of $100; full rate is $135. Partial
schedule registration also available. Email contact is Nicole
Correri at waldorfstudygroup-owner@yahoogroups.com . Conference
details and registration form available online at:
http://www.waldorfhomeschoolers.com/brochure.pdf

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

WHY BUY FROM THE VaHomeschoolers BOOKSTORE?

* Discount: You can often save 30% off the cover price!
* FREE Shipping: Most items qualify for Amazon's free shipping
* Homeschoolers' Book Reviews
* Supports VaHomeschoolers, which receives a small percentage of the
purchase price.
* More Than Books: toys, movies, music, software, housewares,
clothing and more!

Visit the VaHomeschoolers Bookstore at
http://www.VaHomeschoolers.org/bookstore.html. If you can buy it at
Amazon.com, you can support VaHomeschoolers with your purchase
through the VaHomeschoolers Bookstore--at no additional cost to you!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

7. EVENTS

Charlottesville: 16th Annual African-American Cultural Arts
Festival; July 30-31.
Food to make your mouth water - African Village shopping -
entertainment - drumming -fun for all ages - featuring music and
Jamal Koram the Storyman. Rain or shine with tent. Washington Park
on Preston Ave. Free, all ages welcome. For more information, email
cville-aframerfest@..., call (434) 975-3929 or (434) 973-8792,
or see: http://www.cvilleafrican-amfest.com/index.html

Purcellville: Special Needs Support Group Meeting; August 1; 7:00
p.m.
If you have a child (or children) in your life with learning
disabilities and/or special needs, you are welcome to join us on
Monday, August 1 at 7 p.m. to continue growing our local support
group. We'll meet at King of Kings Worship Center located at 221 N.
21st Street in Purcellville (across from Magnolia's Restaurant and
the old train depot). Anyone and everyone is welcome to attend. Our
tentative topic of discussion for this meeting is the issue of
siblings. Come prepared with your dilemmas, suggestions or advice,
or just feel free to let your hair down in a safe environment. For
more information, please contact Valerie LaLonde at
Valerielalonde@...

Washington, D.C.: Discounted Basketball Tickets, Washington Mystics
vs. Charlotte Sting, August 2; 8:00 p.m.
See the Washington Mystics play the Charlotte Sting for only $5 for
tickets in lower or club level. Hurry, because this offer ends on
Wednesday, July 27 (tomorrow!) at 5:00pm. If you're interested in
attending, please email Linda Davies at bdainov8@... . Please
note that Linda is just a messenger , and that you will need to send
your payment and reservation form directly to the Mystics marketing
department.

Lexington: United States Pony Club National Championships; August 4-
7.
Visit the Virginia Horse Center in Lexington to watch more than 800
Pony Club members (all under age 21) compete in Dressage, Eventing,
Mounted Games, Polocrosse, Quiz, Show Jumping or Tetrathlon. The
United States Pony Clubs, Inc. is an educational organization that
teaches riding, mounted sports, and the care of horses and ponies to
those under twenty-one. It strives to develop horsemanship,
sportsmanship and leadership in its members. For more information,
see http://www.ponyclub.org/festival.php and
http://www.horsecenter.org/view.asp?id=home

Alexandria: Alexandria Choral Society Auditions for 2005-2006
(Adults and Children); September 10; 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. by
appointment.
The Alexandria Choral Society has both an adult chamber-sized choir
and a children's chorus. The children's chorus is comprised of a
training choir and a more experienced choir. Auditions will be held
at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 100 W. Luray Avenue in Alexandria.
To make an appointment to audition, call 703-548-4734. For more
information, see: http://www.alexchoralsociety.org .

For other event listings, view VaHomeschoolers' Events Calendar at
http://plus.calendars.net/VaHomeschoolers . Send your event listing
requests to Calendar@... Because our publications
are read in many places around the state, be sure to include
necessary information such as the location, including city/town, as
well as area code if a phone number is given.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

WHAT'S IN THE VaHomeschoolers' NEWSLETTER?

The VaHomeschoolers' Newsletter is only available to
VaHomeschoolers' members, and you can join or renew your
VaHomeschoolers membership or make donations in a flash, online! Or,
print and mail the form available at our Web site. For either
method, go to:
http://www.VaHomeschoolers.org/join.html

"The VaHomeschoolers Newsletter is a burst of energy from the mail.
There are always articles that are informative and thought
provoking, supportive and inspiring. I keep them on file to read
again and again." -Alicia Knight

DON'T MISS A SINGLE NEWSLETTER! JOIN OR RENEW TODAY.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

8. CONTESTS & OTHER OPPORTUNITIES

Focus on Nature Reflective Writing Contest, ages 10-14.
Your child's essay could be included in a forthcoming book by
nature photographer, naturalist and teacher Sharon Mammoser and her
brother Don (also a nature photographer). Children ages 10-14 are
invited to submit essays on nature-related topics. The author of the
best writing piece will be awarded $50 and a copy of the book. Two
finalists win $25 each and a copy of the book. (Book copies will be
signed by the photographers.) For more information about Sharon's
work and the contest, see
http://www.sharenaturemore.com/wst_page8.php Submissions due by
October 15, 2005.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

9. FREE RESOURCES

FREE PUBLICATIONS: United States Geological Survey publications on
Fossils, Rocks and Dinosaurs.
The USGS offers two publications: "Fossils, Rocks and Time"
and "Dinosaurs: Facts and Fiction" on its website. Read the
text of the publications online, or send in a snail mail request for
free printed versions. Links to additional fossil and paleontology
information also available. See
http://geology.er.usgs.gov/eastern/fossils.html

Additional free publications also available. See
http://geology.er.usgs.gov/outreach.html

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

10. WEB SITES, BOARDS, GROUPS & E-LISTS

Designing Video Programs for Youth
A youth video program can be a creative and powerful tool. In
addition to technology and multimedia skills, such a program
encourages creative expression, teaches youth to set achievable
goals, develops leadership skills, creates a collaborative work
environment, encourages youth to solve problems, and builds self-
esteem -- and it's great fun. To learn more, including a sample 10-
week program and lots of additional resources, see:
http://ga0.org/ct/371GyCK1Vz7-/

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

WHEN YOU THINK "AMAZON.COM," THINK "VaHomeschoolers!"

Shop for books, music, movies, housewares, apparel--anything--at
Amazon through the VaHomeschoolers Bookstore and let your purchases
help support VaHomeschoolers at no cost to you!

To order almost anything on your shopping list, just go to
http://www.VaHomeschoolers.org/bookstore.html Pass this link to your
friends and family, so their purchases can also support your member-
directed, volunteer driven and fully inclusive state homeschool
association. Homeschooling is our only agenda.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

DON'T MISS A SINGLE NEWSLETTER! JOIN OR RENEW TODAY.

"The VaHomeschoolers Newsletter is a burst of energy from the mail.
There are always articles that are informative and thought
provoking, supportive and inspiring. I keep them on file to read
again and again." -Alicia Knight

You can join or renew your VaHomeschoolers membership or make
donations online! Or, print and mail the form available at our Web
site. For either method, go to:
http://www.VaHomeschoolers.org/joinVaHomeschoolers.html

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

HAVE YOU CHECKED THE VaHomeschoolers ONLINE EVENTS CALENDAR?

If you're looking for something neat to do, or if you know of an
event you'd like to share with fellow homeschoolers in Virginia,
please go to VaHomeschoolers' Events Calendar at
http://plus.calendars.net/VaHomeschoolers . Send your event listing
requests to Calendar@... Because our publications
are read in many places around the state, be sure to include
necessary information such as the location, including city/town, as
well as area code if a phone number is given.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Copyright 2005 VA Homeschoolers. Permission to forward this e-mail,
in its entirety for non-profit purposes, is hereby granted. Any
other use requires specific written permission. For questions,
submissions or comments write: Updates@...

Subscribe to VaHomeschoolers Updates by sending a blank e-mail
to: VaHomeschoolersAnnounce-Subscribe@yahoogroups.com

VaHomeschoolers Update July 26, 2005

From The Organization of Virginia Homeschoolers: your fully
inclusive, all volunteer, member-directed state homeschool
organization. Since 1993, VaHomeschoolers has worked to protect and
promote homeschooling through action in legislative work, assisting
homeschoolers on an individual level, and providing information,
speakers, events and resources. Join VaHomeschoolers in a snap at
http://www.VaHomeschoolers.org/join.html Visit VaHomeschoolers's web
site at http://www.VaHomeschoolers.org Subscribe to
VaHomeschoolers's Updates by sending a blank e-mail to
VaHomeschoolersAnnounce-Subscribe@yahoogroups.com

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

In this update:

1. NAN VOLETTE AT VaHomeschoolers DAY AT THE SMV!
You don't want to miss Nan's many science resources!

2. CHECK OUT THE CATALOGS AT VaHomeschoolers DAY!
Take these catalogs home with you and do all your not-back-to-school
shopping from the comfort of home!

3. HELP VaHomeschoolers EARN BOXTOPS POINTS
Find out how you can help VaHomeschoolers earn points through the
Boxtops for Education program.

4. FREE ONLINE COURSE BY LINDA DOBSON: "HOMESCHOOLING YOUR CHILDREN"
Find out about Linda Dobson's free class, being offered through
Barnes & Noble's Online University beginning August 1.

5. WHAT DO *YOU* THINK ABOUT TAX CREDITS FOR HOMESCHOOLERS?
VaHomeschoolers WANTS TO KNOW!

6. "BRINGING WALDORF HOME" CONFERENCE: GEORGE MASON UNIVERSITY,
FAIRFAX, AUGUST 26-28.

7. EVENTS
Charlottesville: 16th Annual African-American Cultural Arts
Festival; July 30-31.
Purcellville: Special Needs Support Group Meeting; August 1; 7:00
p.m.
Washington, D.C.: Discounted Basketball Tickets, Washington Mystics
vs. Charlotte Sting; August 2; 8:00 p.m.
Lexington: United States Pony Club National Championships; August 4-
7.
Alexandria: Alexandria Choral Society Auditions for 2005-2006
(Adults and Children); September 10; 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. by
appointment.

8. CONTESTS & OTHER OPPORTUNITIES
Focus on Nature Reflective Writing Contest, ages 10-14.

9. FREE RESOURCES
FREE PUBLICATIONS: United States Geological Survey publications on
Fossils, Rocks and Dinosaurs

10. WEB SITES, GROUPS & E-MAIL LISTS
Designing Video Programs for Youth

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Each time I get the newsletter I am just blown away by the
practical, informative and very useful articles. The newsletter
alone is well worth the $15 membership fee!" -Stephanie Elms

"When I joined VaHomeschoolers I had no idea was also subscribing to
such a high-quality publication! I tend to devour it the moment it
arrives --it's extraordinarily well-written and densely packed with
useful information and support." -Jenny Meyer

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

1. NAN VOLETTE AT VaHomeschoolers DAY AT THE SMV!
You don't want to miss Nan's many science resources!

Nan Vollette is a mother of 6, grandmother of 4, who has
homeschooled for over 22 years. She has a BA in Psychology and
currently works at the Educator Resource Center for NASA Langley.
Nan will demonstrate how the NASA Educator Guides can be used in the
home environment. Find out how to use the free resources available
to everyone, and learn about what workshops are available for
homeschoolers at NASA's Educator Resource Center at the Virginia Air
and Space Center. See http://www.vasc.org/erc and click on the image
of Mars to see the many FREE resources offered.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

2. CHECK OUT THE CATALOGS AT VaHomeschoolers DAY!
Take these catalogs home with you and do all your not-back-to-school
shopping from the comfort of home!

VaHomeschoolers will have the following businesses represented at
the Catalog Table. These companies have provided us with catalogs
and fliers to pass on to you:

Chinaberry Press http://www.chinaberry.com/
Consumer Jungle http://ww.consumerjungle.com
Dover Publications http://store.doverpublications.com
It's A Habit http://www.itsahabit.com/
Learnables Foreign Language http://www.learnables.com/
Memoria Press http://www.memoriapress.com/
Oak Meadow http://www.oakmeadow.com
Rainbow Resource Center http://www.rainbowresource.com
The Link homeschool newspaper
http://www.homeschoolnewslink.com/index.html
Timberdoodle http://www.timberdoodle.com
Tobin's Lab http://www.tobinslab.com/
Young Scientists Club http://www.theyoungscientistsclub.com

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

DON'T MISS A GREAT OPPORTUNITY TO STRETCH YOUR MONEY!

What does $15 buy? One book on Amazon.com? Two fast-food lunches?
Three fancy drinks at Starbucks? How about eight and a half hours of
fun, support and learning with fellow homeschoolers? That's what you
get if you're a VaHomeschoolers member and you spend your $15 on
registration for VaHomeschoolers' Day at the Science Museum of
Virginia on Saturday August 13. But wait, there's more! Storytelling
by acclaimed performer Jim Weiss, lively discussions and valuable
information from Jeanne Falconer and other fellow homeschoolers,
admission to the Science Museum of Virginia for the day, free passes
to the Children's Museum of Richmond next door (while they last),
and even a free canvas tote bag! It's an incredible value – and if
you're not a member, you can spend just an extra $10 to add a one-
year membership to your event admission (normally $15, so it's a
double-good deal). If you haven't already registered, you can access
the registration booklet online at:
http://www.vahomeschoolers.org/RB05.pdf

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

3. HELP VaHomeschoolers EARN BOXTOPS POINTS

You can help earn points and funding for VaHomeschoolers by opening
an account with Boxtops for Education. Just go to
http://www.boxtops4education.com and open an account, then choose
VaHomeschoolers as your "school" (I know, it feels a little funny to
call it a school). Then you can earn points for VaHomeschoolers by
clipping boxtops and mailing them in, by shopping online through one
of the sponsoring companies (which include Barnes & Noble, ZooBooks,
Discovery Toys and many more) or by using a Boxtops for Education
Visa card. When you have boxtops to mail, just use the submission
form on the VaHomeschoolers website:
http://www.vahomeschoolers.org/boxtops-form.doc (you can choose to
donate all of the value of your boxtops, or to receive back half of
their cash value).
*Please note that as of this writing, VaHomeschoolers is listed
incorrectly on the Boxtops site under the name "Origination of
Virginia Homeschoolers."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

4. FREE ONLINE COURSE BY LINDA DOBSON: "HOMESCHOOLING YOUR CHILDREN"

Linda Dobson is the instructor for a free course being offered
through Barnes & Noble University's online program. "Homeschooling
Your Children" begins August 1 and runs for four weeks. Although
this class appears to be aimed at the beginning homeschooler and
those who are just exploring the possibility of homeschooling, Linda
has plenty of expertise to share with anyone. Learn more:
http://educate.barnesandnoble.com/educate/bn/home/catalog/overview.js
p?productId=25320

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

5. WHAT DO *YOU* THINK ABOUT TAX CREDITS FOR HOMESCHOOLERS?
VaHomeschoolers WANTS TO KNOW!

Have you formed an opinion on the subject of tax credits for
homeschoolers? That's just one of many topics addressed in this
year's VaHomeschoolers member survey. Everyone loves an opportunity
to share their views with others, and VaHomeschoolers is a unique
homeschooling organization in that it polls its members each year,
asking for their opinion on tax credit and other legislation,
newsletter content and more. If you haven't already done so, take a
few minutes to read a great article about the pros and cons of tax
credits for homeschoolers (
http://www.vahomeschoolers.org/TaxCrProCon.PDF ), and then fill out
and return your VaHomeschoolers member survey. Your spouse or your
children may not listen to your opinion as often as you'd like, but
VaHomeschoolers is just waiting to hear from you!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

6. "BRINGING WALDORF HOME" CONFERENCE: GEORGE MASON UNIVERSITY,
FAIRFAX, AUGUST 26-28.

Second Annual Conference for homeschoolers, interested parents and
educators. Featuring Gene Campbell of the Chiron Initiative
(Ontario, Canada), Jody Grossman and Aniko Debrecny. Friday night
keynote and two days of presentations on Waldorf education. Topics
include background and application with intensives for grades 1-4,
music and handwork. Vendors, silent auction, book sales. Register by
August 1 for a discounted rate of $100; full rate is $135. Partial
schedule registration also available. Email contact is Nicole
Correri at waldorfstudygroup-owner@yahoogroups.com . Conference
details and registration form available online at:
http://www.waldorfhomeschoolers.com/brochure.pdf

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

WHY BUY FROM THE VaHomeschoolers BOOKSTORE?

* Discount: You can often save 30% off the cover price!
* FREE Shipping: Most items qualify for Amazon's free shipping
* Homeschoolers' Book Reviews
* Supports VaHomeschoolers, which receives a small percentage of the
purchase price.
* More Than Books: toys, movies, music, software, housewares,
clothing and more!

Visit the VaHomeschoolers Bookstore at
http://www.VaHomeschoolers.org/bookstore.html. If you can buy it at
Amazon.com, you can support VaHomeschoolers with your purchase
through the VaHomeschoolers Bookstore--at no additional cost to you!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

7. EVENTS

Charlottesville: 16th Annual African-American Cultural Arts
Festival; July 30-31.
Food to make your mouth water - African Village shopping -
entertainment - drumming -fun for all ages - featuring music and
Jamal Koram the Storyman. Rain or shine with tent. Washington Park
on Preston Ave. Free, all ages welcome. For more information, email
cville-aframerfest@..., call (434) 975-3929 or (434) 973-8792,
or see: http://www.cvilleafrican-amfest.com/index.html

Purcellville: Special Needs Support Group Meeting; August 1; 7:00
p.m.
If you have a child (or children) in your life with learning
disabilities and/or special needs, you are welcome to join us on
Monday, August 1 at 7 p.m. to continue growing our local support
group. We'll meet at King of Kings Worship Center located at 221 N.
21st Street in Purcellville (across from Magnolia's Restaurant and
the old train depot). Anyone and everyone is welcome to attend. Our
tentative topic of discussion for this meeting is the issue of
siblings. Come prepared with your dilemmas, suggestions or advice,
or just feel free to let your hair down in a safe environment. For
more information, please contact Valerie LaLonde at
Valerielalonde@...

Washington, D.C.: Discounted Basketball Tickets, Washington Mystics
vs. Charlotte Sting, August 2; 8:00 p.m.
See the Washington Mystics play the Charlotte Sting for only $5 for
tickets in lower or club level. Hurry, because this offer ends on
Wednesday, July 27 (tomorrow!) at 5:00pm. If you're interested in
attending, please email Linda Davies at bdainov8@... . Please
note that Linda is just a messenger , and that you will need to send
your payment and reservation form directly to the Mystics marketing
department.

Lexington: United States Pony Club National Championships; August 4-
7.
Visit the Virginia Horse Center in Lexington to watch more than 800
Pony Club members (all under age 21) compete in Dressage, Eventing,
Mounted Games, Polocrosse, Quiz, Show Jumping or Tetrathlon. The
United States Pony Clubs, Inc. is an educational organization that
teaches riding, mounted sports, and the care of horses and ponies to
those under twenty-one. It strives to develop horsemanship,
sportsmanship and leadership in its members. For more information,
see http://www.ponyclub.org/festival.php and
http://www.horsecenter.org/view.asp?id=home

Alexandria: Alexandria Choral Society Auditions for 2005-2006
(Adults and Children); September 10; 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. by
appointment.
The Alexandria Choral Society has both an adult chamber-sized choir
and a children's chorus. The children's chorus is comprised of a
training choir and a more experienced choir. Auditions will be held
at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 100 W. Luray Avenue in Alexandria.
To make an appointment to audition, call 703-548-4734. For more
information, see: http://www.alexchoralsociety.org .

For other event listings, view VaHomeschoolers' Events Calendar at
http://plus.calendars.net/VaHomeschoolers . Send your event listing
requests to Calendar@... Because our publications
are read in many places around the state, be sure to include
necessary information such as the location, including city/town, as
well as area code if a phone number is given.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

WHAT'S IN THE VaHomeschoolers' NEWSLETTER?

The VaHomeschoolers' Newsletter is only available to
VaHomeschoolers' members, and you can join or renew your
VaHomeschoolers membership or make donations in a flash, online! Or,
print and mail the form available at our Web site. For either
method, go to:
http://www.VaHomeschoolers.org/join.html

"The VaHomeschoolers Newsletter is a burst of energy from the mail.
There are always articles that are informative and thought
provoking, supportive and inspiring. I keep them on file to read
again and again." -Alicia Knight

DON'T MISS A SINGLE NEWSLETTER! JOIN OR RENEW TODAY.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

8. CONTESTS & OTHER OPPORTUNITIES

Focus on Nature Reflective Writing Contest, ages 10-14.
Your child's essay could be included in a forthcoming book by nature
photographer, naturalist and teacher Sharon Mammoser and her brother
Don (also a nature photographer). Children ages 10-14 are invited to
submit essays on nature-related topics. The author of the best
writing piece will be awarded $50 and a copy of the book. Two
finalists win $25 each and a copy of the book. (Book copies will be
signed by the photographers.) For more information about Sharon's
work and the contest, see
http://www.sharenaturemore.com/wst_page8.php Submissions due by
October 15, 2005.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

9. FREE RESOURCES

FREE PUBLICATIONS: United States Geological Survey publications on
Fossils, Rocks and Dinosaurs.
The USGS offers two publications: "Fossils, Rocks and Time"
and "Dinosaurs: Facts and Fiction" on its website. Read the text of
the publications online, or send in a snail mail request for free
printed versions. Links to additional fossil and paleontology
information also available. See
http://geology.er.usgs.gov/eastern/fossils.html
Additional free publications also available. See
http://geology.er.usgs.gov/outreach.html

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

10. WEB SITES, BOARDS, GROUPS & E-LISTS

Designing Video Programs for Youth
A youth video program can be a creative and powerful tool. In
addition to technology and multimedia skills, such a program
encourages creative expression, teaches youth to set achievable
goals, develops leadership skills, creates a collaborative work
environment, encourages youth to solve problems, and builds self-
esteem -- and it's great fun. To learn more, including a sample 10-
week program and lots of additional resources, see:
http://ga0.org/ct/371GyCK1Vz7-/

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

WHEN YOU THINK "AMAZON.COM," THINK "VaHomeschoolers!"

Shop for books, music, movies, housewares, apparel--anything--at
Amazon through the VaHomeschoolers Bookstore and let your purchases
help support VaHomeschoolers at no cost to you!

To order almost anything on your shopping list, just go to
http://www.VaHomeschoolers.org/bookstore.html Pass this link to your
friends and family, so their purchases can also support your member-
directed, volunteer driven and fully inclusive state homeschool
association. Homeschooling is our only agenda.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

DON'T MISS A SINGLE NEWSLETTER! JOIN OR RENEW TODAY.

"The VaHomeschoolers Newsletter is a burst of energy from the mail.
There are always articles that are informative and thought
provoking, supportive and inspiring. I keep them on file to read
again and again." -Alicia Knight

You can join or renew your VaHomeschoolers membership or make
donations online! Or, print and mail the form available at our Web
site. For either method, go to:
http://www.VaHomeschoolers.org/joinVaHomeschoolers.html

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

HAVE YOU CHECKED THE VaHomeschoolers ONLINE EVENTS CALENDAR?

If you're looking for something neat to do, or if you know of an
event you'd like to share with fellow homeschoolers in Virginia,
please go to VaHomeschoolers' Events Calendar at
http://plus.calendars.net/VaHomeschoolers . Send your event listing
requests to Calendar@... Because our publications
are read in many places around the state, be sure to include
necessary information such as the location, including city/town, as
well as area code if a phone number is given.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Copyright 2005 VA Homeschoolers. Permission to forward this e-mail,
in its entirety for non-profit purposes, is hereby granted. Any
other use requires specific written permission. For questions,
submissions or comments write: Updates@...

Subscribe to VaHomeschoolers Updates by sending a blank e-mail
to: VaHomeschoolersAnnounce-Subscribe@yahoogroups.com

VaHomeschoolers Update July 19, 2005

From The Organization of Virginia Homeschoolers: your fully
inclusive, all volunteer, member-directed state homeschool
organization. Since 1993, VaHomeschoolers has worked to protect
and promote homeschooling through action in legislative work,
assisting homeschoolers on an individual level, and providing
information, speakers, events and resources. Join VaHomeschoolers
in a snap at http://www.VaHomeschoolers.org/join.html Visit
VaHomeschoolers's web site at http://www.VaHomeschoolers.org
Subscribe to VaHomeschoolers's Updates by sending a blank e-mail
to VaHomeschoolersAnnounce-Subscribe@yahoogroups.com

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

In this update:

1.  HEAR JOE SUITS LIVE AT VaHomeschoolers Day at the SMV!
"Who's Joe Suits?" you ask . . . read on!

2. MOORE EXPRESSIONS AT VaHomeschoolers DAY AT THE SMV!
You can't afford to miss this incredible resource!

3. SUPPORT VaHomeschoolers!
Just use the link provided at VaHomeschoolers' bookstore page
to make your Moore Expressions purchase.

4. WHAT SHOULD YOU BRING TO VaHomeschoolers DAY AT THE
SMV?
VaHomescoolers Day featured speaker Jeanne Faulconer weighs in.

5. NEW VaHomeschoolers ANNOUNCE LIST
Find out how to be in the loop. You can't live without it!

6. REMINDER: RETURN YOUR VaHomeschoolers MEMBER SURVEY
Your opinions are important, so please take a few minutes now to
complete and mail this year's survey.  Let your voice be heard!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"When I joined VaHomeschoolers I had no idea was also subscribing
to such a high-quality publication! I tend to devour it the moment
it arrives --it's extraordinarily well-written and densely packed
with useful information and support." -Jenny Meyer

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

1.  HEAR JOE SUITS LIVE AT VaHomeschoolers Day at the SMV!

Joe Suits, book store owner, hands-on homeschool dad (he homeschools
their daughter while his wife Joy minds the store) and curriculum
expert will lead the session: Exploring the Options in Homeschooling
Curriculum."

As owner of Moore Expressions, Joe's philosophy is to empower
parents to know more about how their children learn and how to
motivate that child. Who better to enhance a child's learning
than their parent? Sometimes all a parent needs is a bit of
encouragement to bring out the "teacher" in themselves.

Get that dose of wisdom and encouragement you need at Joe's session!

Register soon because sessions are filling up!

See ya August 13th!

Check out our full event information page at:
http://www.vahomeschoolers.org/Event05.html

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

  2. MOORE EXPRESSIONS AT VaHomeschoolers DAY AT THE SMV!

Moore Expressions homeschool bookstore owners and staff will be
at VaHomeschoolers Day  with curriculum samples to examine.  The
knowledgeable staff – all of whom are homeschooling parents or
students – will be available all day to display curriculum samples,
discuss curriculum options, and take orders.

Moore Expressions is operated by a first (Cherrie Moore) and
second (Joe and Joy Moore Suits) generation homeschool family.
With the assistance their family and staff, they have more than
50 years combined experience.

Moore Expressions' storefront has 4,000 square feet of millions
of homeschooling books!  Their mission is simple – to save
homeschoolers money.  It's always been their main philosophy and
purpose to help homeschoolers with their homeschooling budget by
offering used and discounted new materials. They help their
customers understand the value of homeschooling and how to choose
curriculum based on their child's learning style.

They know homeschooling and wish to serve the homeschooling
community!  Put them to the test, they're here to serve you!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

3. SUPPORT VaHomeschoolers!

Just go to http://www.vahomeschoolers.org/bookstore.html, click
on "Moore Expressions."  In response to customer inquiries, they
have expanded their online ordering system, which now includes
a new book inventory and convenient shopping cart checkout system.
They still have a large selection of used books and as always
you can fill out the used book request form.

It's so easy!  And, best of all, VaHomescoolers receives a portion
of the sale!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

4. WHAT SHOULD YOU BRING TO VaHomeschoolers DAY AT THE
SMV?

VaHomeschoolers Day featured speaker Jeanne Potts Faulconer is a
homeschooling parent to three sons, a terrific writer and a warm
and funny speaker. She has years of experience and insights to
share with her fellow homeschoolers, and she has been so generous
in doing so.

So, what to bring?  Here's Jeanne's insight . . . drum roll, please!

**Take a calendar because you may hear about upcoming events that
you want to take your family to.
**Take business cards or address stickers to make "networking"
with potential new friends quick and easy.
**Take your children!  Take along quiet toys, art materials or
books they can entertain themselves with during "down time."
**Take a discerning ear, because not everything you may hear at
any homeschool seminar will be a perfect fit for your family.
**Most of all, take time.  The extra moments you take to chat
with someone may lead to a valuable friendship.

Like what you just read?  That's typical Jeanne Faulconer!  So
register for VaHomeschoolers Day and sign up for her sessions
right-quick because they're filling up quickly!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

5. NEW VaHomeschoolers ANNOUNCE LIST

Want to be in the loop? Looking for activities and events all
over Virginia? Learn about the many things VaHomeschoolers does
to help homeschoolers -- from our annual member survey to our
online calendar. We've created a new e-mail list at
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/VaHomeschoolersAnnounce .
(Our original VaHomeschoolers' announce list was among those
lost in a Yahoo glitch.) To join, send a blank e-mail to
VaHomeschoolersAnnounce-subscribe@yahoogroups.com .
You can't live without it!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

6. REMINDER: RETURN YOUR VaHomeschoolers MEMBER SURVEY

Every year, VaHomeschoolers surveys our members for opinions on
a range of homeschooling issues. This is a vital tool that the
Board of Directors and the Government Affairs committee use to
determine VaHomeschoolers' positions on homeschooling issues.
In the words of past president Will Shaw, "It is our commitment
to always try to do that which is within the expressed, implied,
or reasonably inferable will of the members and balance this with
public relations and political reality." The "will of the members"
is determined through the member survey. It's important that as
many members as possible respond to this year's survey, which you
will find as an insert in the July-August issue of the newsletter.
Summary results of the survey will be published in a future issue
of the newsletter. Your opinions are important, so please take a
few minutes now to fill out and mail this year's survey, and let
your voice be heard!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

WHY BUY FROM THE VaHomeschoolers BOOKSTORE?

* Discount: You can often save 30% off the cover price!
* FREE Shipping: Most items qualify for Amazon's free shipping
* Homeschoolers' Book Reviews
* Supports VaHomeschoolers, which receives a small percentage of
the purchase price.
* More Than Books: toys, movies, music, software, housewares,
clothing and more!

Visit the VaHomeschoolers Bookstore at
http://www.VaHomeschoolers.org/bookstore.html.
If you can buy it at Amazon.com, you can support VaHomeschoolers
with your purchase through the VaHomeschoolers Bookstore--at no
additional cost to you!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Visit VaHomeschoolers' Events Calendar at
  http://plus.calendars.net/VaHomeschoolers . Send your event
listing requests to Calendar@... Because our
publications are read in many places around the state, be sure
to include necessary information such as the location, including
city/town, as well as area code if a phone number is given.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

WHAT'S IN THE VaHomeschoolers' NEWSLETTER?

The VaHomeschoolers' Newsletter is only available to VaHomeschoolers'
members, and you can join or renew your VaHomeschoolers membership
or make donations in a flash, online! Or, print and mail the form
available at our Web site. For either method, go to:
http://www.VaHomeschoolers.org/join.html

"The VaHomeschoolers Newsletter is a burst of energy from the mail.
There are always articles that are informative and thought provoking,
supportive and inspiring. I keep them on file to read again and
again."  -Alicia Knight

DON'T MISS A SINGLE NEWSLETTER! JOIN OR RENEW TODAY.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

WHEN YOU THINK "AMAZON.COM," THINK "VaHomeschoolers!"

Shop for books, music, movies, housewares, apparel--anything--at
Amazon through the VaHomeschoolers Bookstore and let your purchases
help support VaHomeschoolers at no cost to you!

To order almost anything on your shopping list, just go to
http://www.VaHomeschoolers.org/bookstore.html Pass this link to
your friends and family, so their purchases can also support your
member-directed, volunteer driven and fully inclusive state
homeschool association. Homeschooling is our only agenda.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Copyright 2005 VA Homeschoolers. Permission to forward this e-mail,
in its entirety for non-profit purposes, is hereby granted. Any
other use requires specific written permission. For questions,
submissions or comments write: Updates@...

Subscribe to VaHomeschoolers Updates by sending a blank e-mail
to: VaHomeschoolersAnnounce-Subscribe@yahoogroups.com

VaHomeschoolers Update July 12, 2005

From The Organization of Virginia Homeschoolers: your fully
inclusive, all volunteer, member-directed state homeschool
organization. Since 1993, VaHomeschoolers has worked to protect and
promote homeschooling through action in legislative work, assisting
homeschoolers on an individual level, and providing information,
speakers, events and resources. Join VaHomeschoolers in a snap at
http://www.VaHomeschoolers.org/join.html Visit VaHomeschoolers's web
site at http://www.VaHomeschoolers.org Subscribe to
VaHomeschoolers's Updates by sending a blank e-mail to
VaHomeschoolersAnnounce-Subscribe@yahoogroups.com

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

In this update:

1. VaHomeschoolers DAY AT SMV: ARE YOUR HOMESCHOOLERS TEENS?
Are they college-bound? Here are the best reasons *you* (and your
teen!) should attend VaHomeschoolers Day at the SMV!

2. FEATURING JEANNE POTTS FAULCONER: READ HER, THEN COME HEAR HER!
Find out about Jeanne's great articles on the VaHomeschoolers
website, and don't miss the chance to come and hear her speak at
the VAHomeschoolers Day at SMV!

3. SPECIAL VaHomeschoolers DAY HOTEL RATE ENDS TODAY JULY 12, 2005
Find out how to get the discount.

4. NEW VaHomeschoolers ANNOUNCE LIST
Find out how to be in the loop. You can't live without it!

5. INTRODUCING YOUR NEW UPDATES EDITOR
I'm Amy Wilson, your trusty new Updates Editor. Learn about me and
why I signed up for this job!

6. REMINDER: RETURN YOUR VaHomeschoolers MEMBER SURVEY
Your opinions are important, so please take a few minutes now to
fill out and mail this year's survey, and let your voice be heard.

7. NEW BOOK ON HOMESCHOOLING
"Homeschooling in Full View: A Reader," Edited by Bruce S. Cooper of
Fordham University.

8. "BRINGING WALDORF HOME" CONFERENCE: GEORGE MASON UNIVERSITY,
FAIRFAX, AUGUST 26-28.

9. EVENTS
Norfolk: "When Disaster Strikes" Family Workshop at Nauticus
National Maritime Center; July 16; 10:30 a.m.-noon.
Charlottesville: Summer Star Party with the Charlottesville
Astronomical Society; July 16; 8:30 p.m.
Richmond: Collaborative Children's Mural at Art Works; Wednesdays,
July 13-August 3, 9-11 a.m. Free, registration required.
Surry: Pork, Peanut and Pine Festival Arts & Crafts Show; July 16-
17, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Roanoke: Third Annual FiddleFest; July 28-30, 11 a.m.-11 p.m.
Vienna: Wolftrap's Theater-in-the-Woods, through August 13.

10. CONTESTS & OTHER OPPORTUNITIES
Team America Rocketry Challenge 2006 for grades 7-12

11. FREE RESOURCES
FREE POSTER: National Endowment for the Humanities Reading List

12. WEB SITES, GROUPS & E-MAIL LISTS
Mandala Coloring Pages
Scale Model Solar System Ideas

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"When I joined VaHomeschoolers I had no idea was also subscribing to
such a high-quality publication! I tend to devour it the moment it
arrives --it's extraordinarily well-written and densely packed with
useful information and support." -Jenny Meyer

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

1. ARE YOUR HOMESCHOOLERS TEENS?
Are they college-bound? Here are the best reasons *you* (and your
teen!) should attend VaHomeschoolers day at the SMV!

*Start your day with the "Matching Your Child to the Right College"
Session.
*Hear from been-there-done-that homeschooled teens at the Teen Panel.
*Find yourself at THE place to be -- the Teen Table. Eat some
snacks, play some games, and just hang out!
*After lunch, pick up new ideas at the "Science for Middle and High
Schoolers" session.
*Rub elbows with homeschooling parents of teens, VaHomeschoolers
lobbyists, and the VaHomeschoolers board at "Meet & Greet" sessions
throughout the day.
*Get personalized answers at the end of your day at "Answering Your
Frequently Asked Questions."
*Teen volunteers receive free admission to Saturday's events!
(Service hours can be certified. Letters of reference can be
provided.) Put VaHomeschoolers on your resume!
*Check out the IMAX showings of "Mystery of the
Nile," "NASCAR," "Country Music," and "Aliens of the Deep." (for a
separate fee)
*VaHomeschoolers Day itself is awesome - enjoying the Science Museum
of Virginia (SMV) and the Children's Museum of Richmond (CMoR) is
icing on the cake!
*Take advantage of SMV's special rate on family passes - available
only on the day of the Event. And, if you register early, you'll
receive free passes to CmoR - while supplies last.
*Finally meet your online homeschooling pals IRL -- in real life!
*Receive a free VaHomeschoolers tote bag - perfect for all the nifty
resources you'll be collecting throughout the day! Plus, bring
permanent markers and have your new IRL friends sign it!
*Order everything you need to begin the school year at the Moore
Expressions table.
*Explore Richmond! http://www.richmondva.org
*Be inspired by veteran homeschool speaker Jeanne Faulconer and
award-winning storyteller Jim Weiss - 'nuff said!
See ya August 13th!
See our full event information page at:
http://www.vahomeschoolers.org/Event05.html

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

2. FEATURING JEANNE POTTS FAULCONER: READ HER, THEN COME HEAR HER!
Jeanne Potts Faulconer is a homeschooling parent to three sons, a
terrific writer and a warm and funny speaker. She has years of
experience and insights to share with her fellow homeschoolers, and
she has been so generous in doing so. While she lived in Virginia,
she wrote a column, "Edgewise," for the VaHomeschoolers
newsletter (you can read her work on the website here:
http://www.vahomeschoolers.org/newsletter.html#Edgewise ), full of
funny, informative articles that showcase Jeanne's warm personal
style. Now Jeanne is coming back to Virginia, all the way from
Mississippi, just to speak for us at VaHomeschoolers Day at SMV on
August 13. She will tell us about "Balance, Boundaries and
Bravery," as well as her experience "Swimming Out of the
Mainstream" and (I am so curious about this one) will lead us in
a discussion about how to "Let Your House Do the
Homeschooling." I can't wait!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

3. SPECIAL VaHomeschoolers DAY HOTEL RATE ENDS TODAY JULY 12, 2005

A special VaHomeschoolers hotel rate is available for August 12 and
13. But you must make your reservation soon . . . the special rate
ends today! Hotel details can be found in the registration booklet
at http://www.vahomeschoolers.org/RB05.pdf

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

4. NEW VaHomeschoolers ANNOUNCE LIST!

Want to be in the loop? Looking for activities and events all over
Virginia? Learn about the many things VaHomeschoolers does to help
homeschoolers -- from our annual member survey to our online
calendar. We've created a new e-mail list at
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/VaHomeschoolersAnnounce . (Our
original VaHomeschoolers' announce list was among those lost in a
Yahoo glitch last week.) To join, send a blank e-mail to
VaHomeschoolersAnnounce-subscribe@yahoogroups.com . You can't live
without it!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

5. INTRODUCING YOUR NEW UPDATES EDITOR

Hi! I'm Amy Wilson and I live in Woodbridge, where I homeschool my 6-
year-old son Henry and my 4-year-old daughter Betsy. I just stepped
up to take this job when I received a "calling" from my friends at
VaHomeschoolers. I don't know whether they picked me because they
are impressed with my go-get-em attitude (fueled with 98% coffee and
2% Lucky Charms) or because they figured I'm just gullible enough to
be flattered. Regardless, here I am! Seriously, I agreed to take
this job because of how impressed I am with VaHomeschoolers. When I
first began looking into the idea of homeschooling three years ago,
VaHomeschoolers (then VHEA) was there to answer all of my questions
and then some. It has always impressed me with its wealth of
information, amazing website, professional newsletter, energetic
volunteers and supportive, inclusive tone that focuses just on
homeschooling. It was my beacon in a sea of homeschooling
information coming from so many sources with so many perspectives
and agendas. I am so grateful, in fact, that I am pleased and proud
to be able to contribute to this great organization in this way.
Please feel free to email me at updates@... with
feedback about the Updates, as well as any neat events or other
items you think might be of interest to your fellow homeschoolers.
Now back to our regularly scheduled program...

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

6. REMINDER: RETURN YOUR VaHomeschoolers MEMBER SURVEY!

Every year, VaHomeschoolers surveys our members for opinions on a
range of homeschooling issues. This is a vital tool that the Board
of Directors and the Government Affairs committee use to determine
VaHomeschoolers' positions on homeschooling issues. In the words of
past president Will Shaw, "It is our commitment to always try to do
that which is within the expressed, implied, or reasonably inferable
will of the members and balance this with public relations and
political reality." The "will of the members" is determined through
the member survey. It's important that as many members as possible
respond to this year's survey, which you will find as an insert in
the July-August issue of the newsletter. Summary results of the
survey will be published in a future issue of the newsletter. Your
opinions are important, so please take a few minutes now to fill out
and mail this year's survey, and let your voice be heard!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

7. NEW BOOK ON HOMESCHOOLING
"Homeschooling in Full View: A Reader," Edited by Bruce S. Cooper of
Fordham University.

This book, which grew out of the efforts of Associates for Research
on Private Education, an international organization of scholars and
practitioners, seeks to portray the richness and diversity of
homeschooling, from an educational, religious, political and social
perspective. Included essays range from academic research work to
philosophical viewpoints and personal perspectives from
homeschooling parents. If you are interested in ordering it, you can
benefit VaHomeschoolers at the same time by following this link (you
will need to copy and paste all of the text to your browser):
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-
/1593113390/qid=1120966010/sr=1-1/ref=sr_1_1/002-0785632-9865613?
v=glance&s=books
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

WHY BUY FROM THE VaHomeschoolers BOOKSTORE?

* Discount: You can often save 30% off the cover price!
* FREE Shipping: Most items qualify for Amazon's free shipping
* Homeschoolers' Book Reviews
* Supports VaHomeschoolers, which receives a small percentage of the
purchase price.
* More Than Books: toys, movies, music, software, housewares,
clothing and more!

Visit the VaHomeschoolers Bookstore at
http://www.VaHomeschoolers.org/bookstore.html. If you can buy it at
Amazon.com, you can support VaHomeschoolers with your purchase
through the VaHomeschoolers Bookstore--at no additional cost to you!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

8. "BRINGING WALDORF HOME" CONFERENCE: GEORGE MASON UNIVERSOITY,
FAIRFAX, AUGUST 26-28.

Second Annual Conference for homeschoolers, interested parents and
educators. Featuring Gene Campbell of the Chiron Initiative
(Ontario, Canada), Jody Grossman and Aniko Debrecny. Friday night
keynote and two days of presentations on Waldorf education. Topics
include background and application with intensives for grades 1-4,
music and handwork. Vendors, silent auction, book sales. Register by
August 1 for a discounted rate of $100; full rate is $135. Partial
schedule registration also available. Email contact is Nicole
Correri at waldorfstudygroup-owner@yahoogroups.com . Conference
details and registration form available online at:
http://www.waldorfhomeschoolers.com/brochure.pdf

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

9. EVENTS

Norfolk: "When Disaster Strikes" Family Workshop at Nauticus
National Maritime Center; July 16; 10:30 a.m.-noon.
Explore the extreme forces of nature in this 90-minute family
workshop! Learn about the power of lightning, use different weather
instruments, make your own tornado, participate in seismic
earthquake experiments, and even erupt a volcano! Limited to 25
families (children must be at least 4 years old). $5 members; $8 non-
members. To register, call (757) 664-1010 one week before workshop.

Charlottesville: Summer Star Party with the Charlottesville
Astronomical Society; July 16; 8:30 p.m.
Join members of the Charlottesville Astronomical Society for an
evening of celestial wonders as seen through telescopes set up by
the Barn. The Moon and Jupiter will be highlighted. Free. For more
information, see:
http://cvilleastro.org/

Richmond: Collaborative Children's Mural at Art Works; Wednesdays,
July 13-August 3, 9-11 a.m. Free, registration required.
Children ages 6-16 are invited to join artists at Art Works for a
truly "hands on" mural project to be unveiled to the public in
September. Call 804-291-1400 to register. Art Works' website is here:
http://www.artworksrichmond.com/

Surry: Pork, Peanut and Pine Festival Arts & Crafts Show; July 16-
17, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Held at Chippokes Plantation State Park, the 30th annual Pork,
Peanut and Pine Festival will feature over 225 crafters and
artisans, as well as live music, food booths featuring local peanut
and pork specialties, working demonstrations and exhibits on pork
products and peanut-growing in Surry County, a working sawmill
display, Virginia's Forestry Department displays, chain-saw carving,
mule rides, children's activities, and old gas and steam engine
exhibits. The festival will also host the Virginia Marine Science
Museum's "Ocean in Motion", the museum's traveling aquarium, which
brings live animals and interactive learning to students and adults
of all ages. This exciting program includes tours of the Ocean in
Motion truck and a visit to the touch tanks. $5 per person, children
under 12 are free. For more information, see:
http://www.toursurryva.com/pppschedule.html

Roanoke: Third Annual FiddleFest; July 28-30, 11 a.m-11 p.m.
"Roanoke's Celebration of Traditional String Music." FiddleFest,
held on the campus of Hollins University, features daily concerts,
workshops and jam sessions with visiting artists, live bluegrass
karaoke contests, great food & vendors. Cost is $65 in advance for a
full 3-day pass, $12 in advance for evening concerts; children under
12 are free. (Volunteers get in free on the day they volunteer.) For
more information, consult:
http://www.roanokefiddlefest.org

Vienna: Wolftrap's Theater-in-the-Woods, through August 13.
Wolftrap's Theatre-in-the-Woods presents family-friendly shows at 10
am and 11:15 am on Tuesdays through Saturdays. Amidst 117 rolling
wooded acres and nestled in a shady grove, the stage is set for
lively adventures in music, dance, storytelling, puppetry, and
theater. All performances are recommended for children between
kindergarten and 6th grade. This week's activities include Billy B.
and his "Rainforest Chorus" and Halau O'Aulani performing Hawaiian
songs and dances. For tickets and information, see:
http://www.wolftrap.org/performances/woods.html

For other event listings, view VaHomeschoolers' Events Calendar at
http://plus.calendars.net/VaHomeschoolers . Send your event listing
requests to Calendar@... Because our publications
are read in many places around the state, be sure to include
necessary information such as the location, including city/town, as
well as area code if a phone number is given.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

WHAT'S IN THE VaHomeschoolers' NEWSLETTER?

The VaHomeschoolers' Newsletter is only available to
VaHomeschoolers' members, and you can join or renew your
VaHomeschoolers membership or make donations in a flash, online! Or,
print and mail the form available at our Web site. For either
method, go to:
http://www.VaHomeschoolers.org/join.html

"The VaHomeschoolers Newsletter is a burst of energy from the mail.
There are always articles that are informative and thought
provoking, supportive and inspiring. I keep them on file to read
again and again." -Alicia Knight

DON'T MISS A SINGLE NEWSLETTER! JOIN OR RENEW TODAY.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

10. CONTESTS & OTHER OPPORTUNITIES

Team America Rocketry Challenge 2006, grades 7-12.
If your child is in grades 7-12 and is (or might be) interested in
model rocketry, it's not too early to begin thinking about the 2006
Team America Rocketry Challenge, sponsored by the National
Association of Rocketry and the Aerospace Industries Association. To
win, each team must design, build, and fly a model rocket carrying a
raw egg and return it safely to the ground, while staying aloft for
a predetermined amount of time. Whoever is the closest wins!
Homeschoolers are welcome, and the 2006 contest application forms
will be available beginning Sept. 5, 2005 The application deadline
is Nov. 1, 2005. The 2005 contest was held at Great Meadows event
center in The Plains, Virginia. For more information, see the
contest website at:
http://www.rocketcontest.org/

If you are in the Northern Virginia area, consider checking out the
Northern Virginia Association of Rocketry, which holds launches on
the same fields in The Plains (I attended a launch today with my
kids and we all had a great time. It's fun to do and fun to watch!)
NOVAAR's website is at:
http://www.geocities.com/CapeCanaveral/8561/

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

11. FREE RESOURCES

FREE POSTER: National Endowment for the Humanities Reading List.
Fill out the online request form to receive NEH's free poster
featuring the Summertime Favorites and We the People Bookshelf on
Freedom reading lists.
http://www.neh.gov/posterrequest.asp

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12. WEB SITES, BOARDS, GROUPS & E-LISTS

Mandala Coloring Pages.
These coloring pages appeal to coloring enthusiasts of all ages, and
offer so many different ways to be creative. Not your ordinary
coloring activity!
http://www.coloringcastle.com/mandala_coloring_pages.html
http://www.coloringpagefun.com/geometric.html
http://www.creativekidsathome.com/activities/activity_10.html
http://mandalarbre.com/35_mandalas.htm

Scale Model Solar System Ideas.
This "meta-page" offers links to dozens of other website with ideas
to help your kids (and you!) get a grasp on the vast scale of our
little corner of the galaxy:
http://www.vendian.org/mncharity/dir3/solarsystem/
My favorite pages were:
http://www.noao.edu/education/work/Peppercorn/Peppercorn_Main.html
(The Thousand-Yard Model, or The Earth as a Peppercorn)
http://solar.physics.montana.edu/tslater/plunger/tissue.htm (The
Toilet-Paper Solar System)

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Shop for books, music, movies, housewares, apparel--anything--at
Amazon through the VaHomeschoolers Bookstore and let your purchases
help support VaHomeschoolers at no cost to you!

To order almost anything on your shopping list, just go to
http://www.VaHomeschoolers.org/bookstore.html Pass this link to your
friends and family, so their purchases can also support your member-
directed, volunteer driven and fully inclusive state homeschool
association. Homeschooling is our only agenda.

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