Homeschooling Highlights



Welcome! Since I decided not to do a page on each homeschool meeting anymore, I thought that at least some highlights would be fun to read! At our January meeting, there were so many exciting things happening, I just had to let you know. So sit back and enjoy and see what fun things are taking place!

 

27 JANUARY 1998



TEST DATES - Some children in our group needed to be tested by this spring. One mom volunteered to get a list together of those who wanted to purchase tests. The majority of us ordered practice tests for our children.

GRADUATION CEREMONY - It was discussed to have a ceremony (possibly cap & gowns also) for K5, 5th & 8th grade children. Certificates were also considered for each child passing onto the next grade. A dinner ceremony with video taping, was agreed upon. We thought it appropriate for our children's ministry leader to award the certificates.

YEARBOOK - One of the moms had an idea of putting together a yearbook thru the help of her brother-in-law and his computer. Photos and a form will be requested of those parents wishing to include their child/family in the yearbook. Different questions will be asked like favorite subject, favorite food, accomplishments from the past year, curriculum used, etc. Half a page for each child (K5 on up) was agreed upon. Yearbooks will be available at cost per family and distributed at the graduation ceremony.

SPEAKERS - We discussed having speakers for our group once in a while. Our first speaker will speak at our 28 February meeting on organization. Everyone is excited about this!

VALENTINE PARTY - will be on 10 February after our meeting. The children will decorate cookies, make Valentine bags, exchange cards and eat goodies!

MISCELLANEOUS - There are many events taking place in March such as the Creation Seminar (17th), HS Day at the Capitol (20th) and the Homeschool Family Life Conference (27th).

 

 

10 FEBRUARY 1998



MEETING - This meeting barely lasted 1/2 an hour. Only 7 moms showed up and we mainly skimmed over last month's topics. I passed out signups sheets for the February field trip and different committees to be on.

VALENTINE PARTY - This was a blast in the afternoon!! There were over 32 kids there, not counting all the infants! The kids decorated a cookie each, made Valentine bags, ate and then distributed all their cards into everyone's bags (phew, that took forever!). I took lots pictures (of course), and will put a few up later.

 

 

28 FEBRUARY 1998



SPEAKER - We had a wonderful speaker in the morning who spoke on the topic of organization. She spoke for almost 2 hours and touched on the following items:

Devotional time with the Lord
Your marriage - appearance, romance, dates
Homeschooling multiple children
Homeschooling with toddlers/infants in the home
Dividing chores amongst the family
Activities outside the home
Laundrey, ironing and clothing techniques
Schedules, appointments, commitments
Being wise with your money - coupons, sales
Meal planning


I had planned on video taping the whole speech but I had technical difficulties. Therefore, a July "refresher" has been set up for her to return.

MEETING - We had a meeting afterwards, which lasted almost 2 hours. Everyone brought their lunch while we talked. Discussions were on the graduation ceremony, our new logo, our own colors, ordering t-shirts, upcoming events, etc.

 

 

12 MARCH 1998



MEETING - This meeting was scheduled on the spur of the moment, due to unexpected circumstances surrounding the Riverside Homeschool Support Group. Regrouping was the major topic for the night. We are in the process of forming a committee to better represent our group, getting our own statement of faith and putting together a handbook.

We are proud to announce our support group's new name: The H.E.A.R.T. Network (Home Educators Abiding in Real Truth), which won by majority vote.

CHEC SPEAKER - We are very enthusiastic about a CHEC (Christian Home Educators of Colorado) leader speaking at our 27 April meeting. During the first half of the meeting, she will discuss the CHEC Conference in June. During the second half of the meeting, she will speak on whatever topic we choose. We chose to learn more about our roles and the "do's and don'ts" of a new support group.

SUMMER SOCIALS - So our families can get to know one another better, it was decided to have a monthly social this summer. A skating party is planned for June, a possible swim party for July, and a BBQ for August.

 


 

APRIL 1998



K5 GRADUATION - All responsibilies in getting this underway has been delegated, including all the Dads! Everything from making streamers, buying balloons, making invitations, putting together goodie bags, scheduling rehearsals, parts in the ceremony itself (i.e. opening, benediction, presentation of awards/diplomas). Cap & gowns arrived!! They are absolutely darling!

FIELD TRIPS - These have been scheduled and planned all the way thru September '98. Scheduled are a mask making class at the history museum, visiting Tiny Town, the Botanical Gardens, a theatre and the Butterfly Pavillion.

BABY SHOWERS - Two are being planned for the summer. One in July and one in August.

CHEC SPEAKER - During one of our meetings in April, a speaker from CHEC (Christian Home Educators of Colorado) came and spoke to our group. She updated us on the upcoming homeschool conference in June and gave us an idea of what it takes to put one of these on every year. Attendance is over 3000 during a 3-day conference and rising. She also spoke to us on regrouping and what it takes for a new group to start. We are in the process of drawing up a statement of faith and possible handbook.

HOMESCHOOL DAY - A resolution was passed in recognizing 20 March annually as an official Home Education Day in Colorado!

 


 

MAY 1998



K5 REHEARSALS - Rehearsals for the K5 Graduation Ceremony/Banquet are underway, weekly. May 22 & 29 have been set up for mandatory rehearsals each night at the church, with everyone participating. The children are learning new songs and will practice their "walking" at the rehearsals at the church. Invitations have been made and given out to other families/relatives/friends.

CURRICULUM MEETING - We had our first curriculum meeting in one of the homes. Six of us showed up and most of us brought curriculum to show or give away. This meeting was very informative and we decided to have another one in June before the CHEC conference.

SKATING PARTY - We weren't able to reserve a date in June for this so it will be on 28 July. Flyers were made, signup sheets passed around. We have the skating rink center to ourselves as long as we get 100 or more skaters! I think we can do it!!

22 MAY 98 - We had our first graduation rehearsal at the church on this night. Most everyone showed up, including the dads who were participating. The children learned to walk up the aisles, onto the stage and do their parts. There was reciting, singing and spelling. It went very well!

 


 

JUNE 1998



GRADUATION CEREMONY - This was a huge success on 30 May 1998! (I can't seem to get the link to show up...please go to "home", then to "family" link, then to "Emily" link to visit the graduation page. My apologies.)

CO-OP MEETING - We had a wonderful lady present us with the "how to's" of starting our own co-op program. A co-op program is parents getting together and teaching their own children different subjects. Her group is going on its 4th year this fall and goes from Sep-May of each year. She discussed in detail how to research for this, how to prepare, outlines to present, childcare for younger siblings, field trips, testing, etc. You also may do as much as you like (all year) or maybe just a six-week course. I'm not sure what the Lord has in store for our group regarding a co-op program. This is something that needs to be taken to Him in prayer.

BUSINESS MEETING - This went extremely well. There were 7 ladies present. Different positions were either being appointed for or volunteered for such as leader, advisor, planning coordinator, fund raiser coord., field trip coord., treasurer, secretary, legislation coord., book order coord., welcoming committee chairman and phone tree coord. Many issues were discussed including what to put in our new handbook, new member's packets, annual events, field day for each new school year.

CURRICULUM MEETING - We had at least 7 moms in attendance and there was an abundance of curriculum to choose from. Everyone brought what they had to trade, show or give away. These meetings are helpful in helping one another see what's available for us to use.

CHEC CONFERENCE - This year's check conference was 24-27 June. I attended one full day. The workshops were all so wonderful and I ordered many tapes. This is a "must do" for any homeschool family. Come visit CHEC's website.

 


 

JULY 1998



BABY SHOWER - We had a wonderful baby shower for one of the moms mid-July. There were 14 moms who attended. We played games, gave out prizes and had tons of food. The shower was videotaped and many pictures were taken.

REFRESHER COURSE - was given on 23 July on organization by a veteran homeschool mom. This was videotaped for those who missed the meeting. She gave many insights and tips on how to be more structured and organized.

SKATE PARTY - We had our first summer family social the end of the month. There were over 50 people in attendance and we had the skating rink to ourselves. The children had such a wonderful time!

 


 

AUGUST 1998



FAMILY BBQ - This was our second summer family social event at one of the hs familie's homes. There were 8 families who attended. We had plenty of food and games for everyone. It was a wonderful time of fellowship!

 


This concludes a full year of homeschooling events/highlights. I hope you enjoyed reading up on our group. I have enjoyed leading it with the help of all the other moms and their children. We have worked with one another and supported each other during our difficult times but that is what a support group is all about. If you are a homeschooling family, may the Lord continue to bless you and guide you as you faithfully teach your children during their school years!


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