Colorado High School Loop

EXPO: Online Homeschool Conference

2011-02-05T20:51:00.001-07:00

Special topics on high school and home businesses. Homeschool conference via web only $19.95. From the Old Schoolhouse magazine
http://www.schoolhouseexpo.com/

Letter from HSLDA: Waiting

2011-02-05T20:22:00.001-07:00

We love February. Being the shortest and often coldest month, we don’t regret that it flies by if it brings us closer to warmer weather. February does not make you wait ... but as you homeschool your teens there may be circumstances and people that cause you to wait. What are you waiting for?

A chance to read the last chapter of a book you began over a year ago?
An end to your homeschooling days? (On some days it gives new meaning to “come quickly, Lord Jesus,” doesn’t it? )
A wandering teen to get on the right path or simply to show some motivation?
A spouse to be more involved in what goes on at home?
A result from a medical test?
An answer to a “stale” prayer that your heart thinks has gone unnoticed?

Our goal this month is to help you gain a new perspective on waiting that will bless your homeschooling days. With help from Andrew Murray’s classic book, Waiting on God, let’s peer into the waiting room.

Reasons for Waiting

Most of us don’t wait by choice—it’s usually forced upon us. No one picks the longest line to stand in. When waiting, we may be frustrated by our lack of control in the situation. But waiting does have a purpose. It shifts the focus off of us and places it on the Lord. Whether you are waiting for the finances to improve, the volunteer to step up to coordinate the science fair this year, or your teen to stop resisting your every request, concentrating on the Lord and not on the situation will re-center your focus.
There are reasons for waiting that you may not initially notice. Can it be you need to hear from the Lord first about the wisdom of taking on a new responsibility? It could be that by waiting, you’ll be led to see that your proposed plan doesn’t mesh well with your current energy level, your family’s needs, or your teen’s best interests.
But maybe it’s the timing that’s not right. Perhaps the delay in enrolling your teen in a dual enrollment math course will give you a chance to better equip him in the skills he’ll need when he eventually can register for the class. Instead of fretting about waiting for your teen to excel in math, see this as direction from the Lord that a math-related field may not be in your child’s future! Waiting can be used to redefine goals and to realign your plans with God’s plans.
When you wait, concentrate on Who God is and what He can do. God is faithful, He is powerful, He is never late, He knows all, and most of all, He loves both you and your teen.

“Bow quietly before God, just to remember and realize who He is, how near He is, how certainly He can and will help. Just be still before Him, and allow His Holy Spirit to waken and stir in your soul the childlike disposition of absolute dependence and confident expectation.”
(Waiting on God, Andrew Murray, page 24)

It will be worth the wait!

Responses to Waiting

What is your usual response to waiting? Is it anger, impatience, worry, wailing, or bitterness?

“If we truly set ourselves to wait upon God, we will find that it is with Him we are impatient, because He does not at once, or as soon as would wish, do our bidding.”
(Waiting on God, Andrew Murray, page 51)

Yikes! In black and white, our sinful responses to waiting are pretty ugly, aren’t they? But, with the Lord’s grace, we can put off these discouraging reactions, and learn instead to reflect, pause, and take a breather while asking the Lord to show us what we need to understand or appreciate about our present circumstances.
When we do this, we grow, mature, and change. In the process, we model a humble example for our teens. We show them that waiting for the college admissions letter to arrive, the job interview to be scheduled, or the right time for a relationship to blossom can be marked by hope and calm expectation rather than by dread, disappointment, or annoyance. Seeing the wait as an opportunity to fine tune your teen’s and your character may redirect you to wait peacefully while trusting in the sovereignty and perfect ways of the Lord.

Benefits of Waiting

What can we gain by learning how to wait? Here are some gems that will be ours:
Patience: We’ll have a new ability to endure delays without becoming provoked or upset, but by staying calm. A patient parent reflects a patient Lord Who is at work behind the scenes.

“Give God His glory by resting in Him, by trusting Him fully, by waiting patiently for Him. This patience honors Him greatly. It leaves Him, as God on the throne, to do His work. It yields self wholly into His hands. It lets God be God.”
(Waiting on God, Andrew Murray, page 53)

Endurance: We’ll have staying power to bear pain, hardship, or heartache for the long haul. Endurance forges strong fortitude and resilience that will be noticed by your teens.

“Strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for the attaining of all steadfastness and patience, joyously giving thanks to the Father ... who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in light.”
Colossians 1:11,12

Readiness: We’ll be better prepared to face circumstances in the future that cause us to wait. The next time you must wait, be reminded of the past mercies of the Lord and how He equipped you. Hopefully, in upcoming circumstances you'll hold your fire and hold your horses!
And,
Hope: A confident expectation and trust in the Lord. Our circumstances and other people may not be trustworthy, but our Lord is!

“Let every exercise of waiting, let our whole habit of waiting on God, be pervaded by abounding hope—a hope as bright and boundless as God’s mercy.”
(Waiting on God, Andrew Murray, page 49)

How Long Will You Wait?

Based on the phone calls we receive from HSLDA members, we know that some of you are experiencing great trial and hardship. You’ve been waiting a long time and there’s no end in sight. How long will you wait?

“What the heart is full of, occupies it, even when the thoughts are otherwise engaged. ... When the heart has learned how entirely powerless it is for one moment to keep itself or bring forth any good, when it has learned how surely and truly God will keep it, when it has, in despair of itself, accepted God’s promise to do for it the impossible, it learns to rest in God. In the midst of occupations and temptations, it can wait continually.”
(Waiting on God by Andrew Murray, page 128)

Continually ... that’s a long time! God will give you the power to wait continually. Check it out—just when the waiting is over in one area, another area of waiting will creep up on you. Until eternity, there will always be something or someone that keeps you waiting. View the wait as purposeful, positive, and planned by the Almighty who orders all things to be. Remember that your wait is never in vain.
One last word from Murray:

“He stirs up your nest. He disappoints your hopes. He brings down your confidence. He makes you fear and tremble, as all your strength fails, and you feel utterly weary and helpless. And all the while He’s spreading His strong wings for you to rest your weakness on, and offering His everlasting Creator-strength to work in you. And all He asks is that you sink down in your weariness and wait on Him.”
(Waiting on God by Andrew Murray, page 93)

Jacob waited and worked the first seven years for Rachel, “but they seemed to him but a few days because of his love for her” (Genesis 29:20). You can express your love for the Lord by worshipping and praising Him while you wait.

“My soul, wait thou only upon God; for my expectation is from Him. He only is my rock and my salvation.”
Psalm 62:5,6

Next month, join us as we change gears and discuss incorporating job shadowing into your high school at home plans.
Trusting that the Lord blesses you with a new outlook on waiting as you homeschool your teens,
Becky Cooke and Diane Kummer
HSLDA High School Coordinators

Baseball for Young Boys

2011-02-05T20:19:00.001-07:00

Denver Eagles is interested in organizing a 7-9 years old baseball team to play in the JCJBL league.

We would like to identify any interest within the home school community. The team needs approximately 10-13 players.

Practice (location will be determined at a later date), will consist of 2 times a week with games scheduled in the Jeffco area.

Cost estimated at $250.00 to $300.00 per player.

Please if you are interested please call or email the following people:

Ernie Gilbert: (303)674-2641
Steve Wichael (303)886-1692

or email us at info@denvereagles.org

We need response by Feb. 14th .

Cultural Communication for Students

2011-02-05T20:18:00.004-07:00

Dear Friends,

The local chapter of the Institute for Cultural Communicators, Chapter SEEK is hosting an ICC Forensics Society speech and debate tournament On February 11-12 in Colorado Springs. I invite you to come meet these Christian young people who are training to become authentic cultural communicators and help them by evaluating one or two speech or debate rounds for us. All the details are in the letter below from our judge coordinator. It would help us plan if you are able to judge to visit the link below and register to let us know when you will be coming. If you are a support group leader, would you please consider forwarding this invitation to your group?

Please contact me if you have any questions.

Thank you for your help. I look forward to seeing you!
~Karri Siebert
sponsor, Chapter SEEK
ICC Mountain Area Coordinator
719-649-8202
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity.
1 Timothy 4:12 (New King James Version--emphasis mine)
Dear Friends,
The mission of the Institute for Cultural Communicators (ICC) is to shape culture through authentic communication and equip Christian students with both the competence and character they need to influence culture for Christ. [instituteforculturalcommunicators.org]
The young speakers in the local chapters of ICC believe they can influence our community for Christ now – but they need your help. We rely on our community judge/evaluators for improvement, growth and encouragement. Community judge/evaluators are needed Friday February 11for Public Forum Debate and Saturday February 12 for both debate and various speech events at Front Range Alliance Church in Colorado Springs. Your time commitment is two (2) hours which includes a short judge training session – no experience is necessary. Please indicate your choice(s) below or fill out the form online at: registration.
Last Name, First Name--__________________________________________________________
Email-- ________________________________Phone number --__________________________
Person who invited you to judge--__________________________________________________

Friday Feb 11, 2011
2:30pm-4:00pm Public Forum Debate Round 1 (___)
3:30pm-5:00pm Public Forum Debate Round 2(___)
4:30pm-6:00pm Public Forum Debate Round 3(___)
5:30pm-7:00pm Public Forum Debate Round 4(___)

Saturday, February 12, 2011
8:30am – 10:00am Speech Round 1A (___)
9:45 am –11:15am Speech Round 1B (___)
12:00noon – 1:30pm Public Forum Debate Round 5(___)
1:00pm – 2:30pm Speech Round 2A (___)
2:15pm – 3:45pm Speech Round 2B (___)
4:00 pm– 5:30pm Speech Round 3A (___)
6:00 – 7:00 Closing Program: ICC Showcase and Young Speakers Guild induction ceremony. Please join us. Light Refreshments will be served.

Yours for the future,
Anita Schlichting
Judge coordinator amschlichting@comcast.net

Girls High School Soccer

2011-02-05T20:18:00.001-07:00

We have had an interest in building a 14-18 years old girls spring soccer team. We are looking for new players and experienced players.

The team will practice 2 -3 times per week and play two games per week during conference season. Our competitors are other Christian schools on the Front Range.

If interested, please send us email at info@denvereagles.org by January 31, 2011 or register online.

Registration costs would be approximately $ 250 and doesn't include any optional post season tournament travel.

Contact
Steve Wichael
info@denvereagles.org

Math Tutoring?

2011-02-05T20:17:00.002-07:00

I am a fellow homeschool mom and after much prayer and urging, have decided to offer math tutoring to our homeschool community.

Through a combination of personalized guided practice, manipulatives, mental math, and an emphasis on math games, my goal is to foster an appreciation and deeper understanding of mathematics for your child. As you know, a strong foundation in addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division is essential to higher-level math success.

I am a C.P.A. with a love for math and oddly enough, I truly enjoy teaching math to children! I would like to focus on students Pre-K through middle school but know of a wonderful tutor available for higher-level math students.

If you are interested in math enrichment for your child, please send me an email at karin@axiomcorporation.com or give me a call at (303) 948-2697.

In Christ,

Karin Palazzo

Spring Baseball Registration Ending Soon

2011-02-05T20:16:00.002-07:00

OUR MISSION: To pro-actively develop the mental, physical and spiritual character of homeschooled Christian youth in a dynamic sports environment through individual athletic skills development, team competition, and Biblical role modeling.

REGISTER NOW
for
Spring Competitive High School Baseball

Denver Eagles is looking for 14 - 18 years old interested in playing high school level baseball programs. Experienced players who love the game of baseball and would like to play with other like-minded Christian players and coaches are encouraged to join!

Our baseball program requires the players have flexibility in practice/game times.
The Spring season starts late February and usually ends in middle of May. We typically play Denver area high school JV teams. We plan to travel to Florida for the Home School World Series. Go to www.hwsa.net for details.

The registration fee will be $375.00 with fund raisers to help offset cost of fields, umpires, uniforms and tournament expenses.

We will have tryouts if we have more than 20 players register.

We will have more information regarding specific game and practice schedules/locations later.

Please register online at our website (www.denvereagles.org) or you can email us to request more information at: info@denvereagles.org. Please feel free to contact Coach Steve Wichael at (303) 886-1692 with any questions.

Contact
Steve Wichael
info@denvereagles.org

Home School Classifieds

2011-01-12T21:04:00.002-07:00

Here is a great place to advertise your homeschool textbooks For Sale or Want To Buy or Curriculum.
www.FreeHomeSchoolClassifieds.com

FreeHomeSchoolClassifieds is here to help Homeschoolers buy and sell books, curriculum and supplies.
As homeschool parents we experienced the frustration of trying to sell our daughters used textbooks.
So we designed a website just for Homeschoolers where it is easy to search for the books you are looking for.

Landry Academy: Fall 2011

2011-01-11T20:28:00.001-07:00

Online Classes
Fall 2011 - Spring 2012 School Year
Current Early Registration Discount Available Through January 11, 2011
Please Note: Classes Have Limited Space and are Available on a First-Come-First-Served Basis

Advantages of Taking our Online Classes . . . Online Class Screenshots

Students are guided in their study and held accountable to complete the work, yet are led toward being independent learners and critical thinkers

Students are taught by Christians who have expertise in their fields. Our online classes give families access to teachers who have expertise on a wide variety of topics.
Teachers do all the instruction and testing, and are always available to students via email and telephone for questions, etc.

Parents and students have access to student's grades online

You get an "official grade report" at the end of the semester or year that serves as an independent evaluation of your student's performance

For some colleges and universities, this validates homeschool grades.

Students can conveniently attend weekly live classes or the class recording that's available to them 24/7 on the class web page.
Students learn to meet deadlines on a weekly basis - a valuable skill as they move toward the college years.
And last but not least, students love our classes!

Class Numbering

Classes numbered in the "100's" are targeted toward 4th - 6th graders, "200's" toward 7th - 9th graders, and "300's" toward 9th - 12th graders. However, these are only guidelines. Parents should feel free to use their judgment as to class levels for their children. The class number sequence (example: 201, 202, 203..) usually does NOT indicate a required sequence or that "203" is a higher level class than "201" . Where there are prerequisites, it's indicated.

Class Sections

More than one section may be offered for some classes. For example..
section 1; Thursdays at 10 am
section 2: Mondays at 2 pm
When registering, you can choose and register for the section of the class that best fits your schedule.

Class Attendance

Students are encouraged to attend live classes when possible, but are not required to attend live classes. If they miss a live class, recordings of each class are available on the student's class web page, and they are still responsible for assignments given in those classes. They can access class recordings 24/7 at their convenience.

Textbooks and other Class Materials

Students are responsible for obtaining textbooks and other materials that may be required for the class. Textbooks may be purchased used at a variety of sites online. Other materials required for classes are typically minimal, if any are required at all. An exception to that may be science classes which may require lab materials.

Class Tuition & Payment Options

Tuition for online classes covers online instruction, testing, assignments, feedback, and grade reporting for the stated period, one or two semesters. Students are responsible for obtaining textbooks and other materials that may be required for the class. Textbooks may be purchased used at a variety of sites online. Other materials required for classes are typically minimal, if any are required at all. An exception to that may be science classes which may require lab materials.

Tuition Rates with Current Early Registration Discount Good Through January 11, 2011..

One Semester Class: $240 (full rate is $320 minus current 25% discount = $240)
Two Semester Class: $480 (full rate is $640 minus current 25% discount = $480)

There are Two Options for Payment..

1) Online with a credit or debit card (installment payments not available)
2) Mail a check - installment payments are available with this payment option. Please click here for details on installment payments by check.

Please Click Here to Read Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's)

CHEC: Book Sale

2011-01-11T20:16:00.003-07:00

Used Curriculum Sale at
CHEC Family Books and Resources!

All used curriculum is only $10 per bag. Bring your own bag!

CHEC Family Books and Resources is located at
10431 South Parker Road, Parker, CO 80134.
Open Monday - Friday, 10am to 5pm.
720-842-4852

CHEC: Video Contest

2011-01-11T20:16:00.001-07:00

Christian Home Educators of Colorado presents...
"The Holy Cause of Liberty"
Video Contest

in conjunction with
Homeschool Day at the Capitol

Christian Home Educators of Colorado is looking for aspiring Christian filmmakers to create short film clips promoting the exciting events planned for this year's Homeschool Day at the Capitol.

Entrants must use the theme "The Holy Cause of Liberty" from Patrick Henry's famous "Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death" speech. Video should be submitted to CHEC no later than February 1, 2011 to enter the contest. A $200 cash prize will be awarded to the best home video production. In addition to receiving a $200 cash prize, the winning video will be shown at the Liberty Celebration at Homeschool Day at the Capitol on April 7th, 2011. Go to chec.org for more information and contest entry forms.

Denver Eagles Recreational Basketball

2011-01-11T15:32:00.000-07:00

New Location. Starts January 15th!

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

Greetings!

We are pleased to announce we have found a new home for our Saturday morning recreation basketball program for 2011 season ! Recreation Basketball Registration is now open.

Our new home is located at the Student Housing Community (Regency) facility, located at 3900 Elati St, Denver, CO 80216. Located just off I-25 in downtown Denver.

For six weeks, the Denver Eagle coaches, in conjunction with Varsity and JV basketball players, lead boys and girls ages 8 - 12 in fundamental basketball training and playing.

For only $ 79, your child will receive instruction and playing time in a fun and constructive basketball learning environment.

We will start the season with our afternoon mini-camp held on Saturday, January 15 at 9:00 a.m.

Each week following, your child will play six consecutive Saturdays between 9AM and noon.

If you need additional information, call us at 303-783-1438 or email us at info@denvereagles.org.

To register, go to Recreation Basketball Registration Form and register today or for more information, go to our website at www.denvereagles.org.

Website Invitation When You Register

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

Note: When you register for a sport, you will be sent an invitation to join the Denver Eagles electronic community. It's important that you accept the invitation. We transmit all messages to our players, parents, and coaches via this website and it's email and text messaging system.

We look forward to your child(ren) participating with the Denver Eagles.

WarrenTech: Open House

2011-01-11T15:18:00.002-07:00

The mission of WarrenTech is to prepare students for the changing workplace. The faculty and staff at WarrenTech are committed to providing quality training in a variety of job-specific skills, related to problem-solving techniques and professional work ethics. The instruction is appropriate for the student and directly applicable to employment, further job training or post secondary education. There is an open house on January 26, 2011 from 5:30-8:00 PM. Call 303-982-8600 for more details or check out warrentech.org

Civil War Ball: Professional Pictures

2011-01-06T22:00:00.001-07:00

Want some professional photos done for the Civil War Ball this year?

For just $25 per couple or family or $20 each for one person by themselves or in a group, Hannah Says Hello Photography will treat you to your own 25 minute mini-shoot before the ball!
The shoot comes with a cd of the images for you to do with and share as you wish!

Space is limited, shoot times starting at noon with the last one starting at 3:30.

If you're interested, give me a call at 720-256-0131 or shoot me an email at hannahsaysphotography@gmail.com ASAP.

Hannah Simpson
Hannah Says Hello Photography
http://hannahsaysphotography.com
hannahsaysphotography@gmail.com

Artios Academies: Information Meeting

2011-01-06T21:55:00.003-07:00

Artios Academies Informational Meeting!
January 18^th. 7pm-9pm

Highlands Ranch Library

Room: Shea B

9292 Ridgeline Road, Highlands Ranch, CO 81029

Please RSVP by emailing l.busby@comcast.net or by
calling 720-344-9753

Artios Academy of Arts and History

The Artios Academies of Arts and History is a hands-on, integrative, and creative approach to fine arts training, historical education, and academic excellence for homeschool students.

Raising up educated, culturally literate, intellectually sound, spiritually discerning, servant leaders of the kingdom.

www.artiosacademies.com

Explorer: Fire Service Program

2011-01-06T21:44:00.001-07:00

Explorer Post #107 Invites YOU to an Open House. Held at CRFD Station 151 (Located at 300 Perry Street in Downtown Castle Rock)

Thursday, January 27th 6pm – 9pm.

We offer young Men and Women ages 14 – 20 who have completed the 8th grade, an opportunity to see what the Fire Service is all about!

HSLDA: January 2011

2011-01-06T21:38:00.002-07:00

Happy New Year! We pray that the Lord brings you refreshment to begin 2011. If when flipping your calendars you find a month already filled with activities, events, deadlines, doctor appointments, and more, we understand. We flipped our calendar page too.
As we present possibilities for your teens’ involvement, we encourage you to remember that no one is expected to try out all of the suggestions. In fact, you may want to file this newsletter away for another day (or another year!) and concentrate instead on the full plate in front of you. On the other hand, if your energy allows and your teens are gung ho, then read on.
There are many potential avenues to involve your children in competitions and organizations that provide opportunities to recognize, reward, and promote their achievements. Each of your teens has been gifted in a unique way. Not all of them will excel in the same way, so seek out areas where your teens’ traits and qualities can shine.

Calling All Homeschoolers

Did we catch your attention? We hope so; because as homeschoolers, you have unlimited flexibility to dream up occasions to showcase your teens’ strengths.
Let’s say that your teen is gifted with a merciful heart. Put that trait to the Lord’s use by encouraging her to set up a tutoring service for needy youngsters whose parents can’t afford private tutors. These young people may be found in your church, your neighborhood, or at the local homeless shelter. Although your teen’s motivation should not be reward, nonetheless, her efforts will attract recognition from others and may one day result in a letter of recommendation, a note from a thankful child, or a skill that will serve her well after high school graduation.
Your son’s passion for sports could lead to his coaching a community, church, or homeschool team while exhibiting a godly role model to the youth. Perhaps your son could further use his leadership skills to coordinate the team to collect food for the food pantry in your town, or to donate gently worn clothing to disadvantaged youths. Your son will gain valuable experience in managing people, converting idle time into productive time, and helping to mentor children into responsible young adults.
Don’t feel as if you must send your teens to public or private schools to participate in school clubs to gain activities for post high school applications. In a homeschool environment, teens can achieve leadership positions by forming a club, electing officers, assigning tasks, motivating others to join, and coordinating events that the group finds worthwhile. Homeschool parents can act as advisors for the club, encouraging the teens to shoulder the majority of the responsibilities. You’ll be pleasantly surprised at how conscientious and reliable your teens can be when provided the chance to be in charge.
If you would rather not start from scratch, search out opportunities such as Generation Joshua’s student action teams and clubs. GenJ will help your teen form a club in his area to pray for our nation, carry out civic and community duties, communicate truth (spiritual and political), and be ready on short notice to help campaigns of pro-family, conservative candidates. Teens can also step it up a notch and participate in the Benjamin Rush Awards program that offers many exciting prizes and scholarships to participants!

Contests and Competitions

It is amazing the number of contests and competitions that your homeschooled teen can enter. We’ve collected a sampling of them on the HSLDA High School website to give you a starting point for your own exploration. A new contest we added recently, Doodle 4 Google, especially mentions “including homeschoolers.”
Be sure to take into consideration the eligibility requirements and deadlines associated with each opportunity. Many times, the essay or project required may take much time to prepare, so don’t wait until the last minute to decide.
In the event that you run into a situation where a competition, contest, or scholarship excludes homeschoolers from participating, here are some suggestions. Contact the sponsor to inquire about the reason homeschoolers are excluded, and then graciously offer a rationale for changing the policy. This gives you an opportunity to promote and inform others about the benefits of homeschooling.
In many cases, sponsors do not deliberately exclude homeschoolers but simply haven’t given them a thought. For example, a sponsor may list the criteria that an entrant must currently be attending public or private school without thinking to include the “homeschooled” category.
In other instances, a scholarship committee may be unfamiliar with homeschooling, and not realize that it is legal in all 50 states, or that the federal government recognizes homeschooled diplomas when considering federal financial need, or that the military accepts homeschooled diplomas. In these circumstances, the majority of homeschoolers can present objective evaluation of their academic level with test scores, grades from outside classes, and letters of recommendation from others who can attest to their academic abilities. Most sponsors, when offered this information, have no problem allowing homeschoolers to apply for an award or scholarship.

Organizations to Check Out

Organizations such as the Boy Scouts of America, 4-H, Toastmasters International, and others welcome participation by homeschoolers. Your teens may distinguish themselves by winning awards, ribbons, and medals for their involvement individually or through group projects.
The Congressional Award is another option open to all students ages 14–23 years. Your teens are honored for “achieving their own challenging goals.” Adjustments are also made to include those with physical or mental difficulties.

Honor Societies for Homeschoolers

Even though the National Honor Society does not accept homeschoolers, there are societies that provide an alternative for your teens. These organizations are recognized by colleges and others so participation is considered an honor. You may find Erin McRee’s article helpful as she highlights the advantages of investigating and joining honor societies.

Bright Spots

HSLDA’s Bright Spots may remind you of ways your teens can distinguish themselves or stir up your creative juices to think of other areas for them to excel. We hope that you are encouraged by the breadth of opportunities available to your homeschooler.

The Final Reward

Although it’s nice for your teen to have awards and honors to list on college applications and job resumes, remember that in the big scheme of things, the only recognition that counts for eternity is a life spent glorifying the Lord with the talents and gifts that He has bestowed. Be sure to keep this thought in mind when the award or honor comes and give thanks to the Giver of all good gifts.

Teen Pact: 2011

2011-01-06T21:37:00.002-07:00

This February, teenagers will converge at the Colorado State Capitol for TeenPact 2011. TeenPact is an intensive, week-long course challenging students to apply biblical worldview in the political arena, as they build leadership skills, debate bills, interview lobbyists, and interact with like-minded peers. This course is more than a dry civics textbook. It is a hands-on experience, striving to instill the desire to be a courageous citizen and seek justice for others in every area of life. Students leave this class equipped with the resources to change lives to change the world.

Understanding the government process is important for young people in order to have a greater impact on their community, state, and world. TeenPact strives to prepare students in this understanding before they reach voting age. Currently, they are in 38 states, hosting Four-Day and One-Day Classes. The TeenPact Four-Day Class is open to students 13-19 years old, February 21-24, and the One-Day Class is open to students 8-12 years old, February 25, 2011. Both classes, plus a Public Speaking Class for 13- 19 years old, are held near the Capitol in Denver, Colorado. When you register at www.teenpact.com, your group can receive a $20 discount with 10 or more first time Four-Day students registering together.

If you would be interested in a presentation about TeenPact for your group, contact colorado@teenpact.com or call 970-768-7419 to set a time. The Colorado TeenPact team is also available to demonstrate a mock TeenPact class for a co-op or activity day. Attached is a flier to distribute among your group if you would like. Below are prices and times for each class mentioned above.

Thank you for your time and I look forward to working with you and your group.

Sincerely,

Jennifer Cable

Colorado TeenPact State Coordinator

Visit www.teenpact.com to learn more and register.

(Additional discounts described online)

Four-Day Government Class (ages 13-19)

February 21-24, 2011

Monday: 1-5pm Tuesday-Thursday: 8:45am-3pm

First time student: $225 (requires $60 deposit with registration)

Returning Student: $185 (requires $60 deposit with registration)

· Register 10 or more first time students and receive $20 off for each student

One-Day Public Speaking Workshop (ages 13-19)

February 25, 2011

Friday: 10am-4pm

$50 ($40 if registered with Four-Day Class)

One-Day Government Class (ages 8-12)

February 25, 2011

Friday: 10am-4pm

First child attending: $40

Each additional sibling: $30

· Register 10 or more new students and receive $5 off per student.

All registration closes February 7, 2011.

Essay & Creative Writing

2010-11-23T20:09:00.003-07:00

Create Beautiful Writing!

CREATIVE WRITING: As beautiful as a garden in bloom
is the ability to write well!! Do you have a budding writer or story teller? Would you like to see your student's writing ability grow and blossom?
This course gently takes students by the hand and guides them through the creative writing process.
Through a step-by-step approach, students learn to write complete stories with descriptions of characters and scenery as well as dialog.
A professional Teach-A-Script is also available with this course.
Essay Report Writing:
Essays and Research Reports Level A
Essays and Research Reports Level B

Creative Writing

The Father's Books

A Letter from HSLDA: Ideas for High School Field Trips

2010-11-23T20:05:00.001-07:00

Planning a Field Trip

Organizing a field trip does not have to be time-consuming. First, keep them to a manageable number. Then ask your teens to suggest ideas for areas/interests that they are curious about and assign them some of the responsibility for nailing down the details. Much of the planning may be done online which will save you time. Some field trips require very little planning. For example, one phone call to a local author setting up a day, time, and location to meet may be all it takes to arrange a great field trip that will give your teens insight into the writing process.

Perhaps you’ll want to team up with two or three other families, with each family taking responsibility to plan just one field trip for everyone. These jaunts will also provide opportunities to enjoy camaraderie and friendship with other teens.

Don’t reject out-of-hand spontaneous opportunities. These can be some of the most productive and fun times. For example, a trip to the local arts and crafts fair may spark an impromptu conversation with a glass blower who is willing to give an in-depth explanation and history of his craft. Voila! No planning necessary, but a most informative and engaging field trip nonetheless.

Performing Arts

There are many prospects for your teens to experience the performing arts through community theaters, symphonies, and concerts in the park. If you have budget constraints, look for low-cost and even free performances. Some communities offer inexpensive student tickets, so be sure to take advantage of these. If a “school” discount price is available, try using your HSLDA member ID card to take advantage of the lower costs.

Living near community or four-year colleges will afford you opportunities to attend student recitals, poetry readings, or other presentations. Ask about dress rehearsals that may be open to the public. Around the holidays, many churches offer free musical concerts and drama productions.

Election/Campaign/Civics

Volunteering to work on a political campaign is a great educational experience. Seek out politicians whose views you support, and have your teen volunteer to help the candidate or current office holder. Your teen will learn new skills, become an informed citizen, and hopefully help to put good people into office. Generation Joshua provides many opportunities for teens to become involved in the political process.

To gain a better understanding of civics, your teen may want to spend a day in court taking in a public sentencing hearing, attend a traffic court session, stop by your state capitol for a tour, or sit in the gallery and watch a legislative session.

Sports/Recreation

As part of your teen’s physical education course, why not include family outings to a couple of sports events? Looking for ways for your teens to become better acquainted with a sport? One suggestion is to have them research a particular sport such as lacrosse, write a paper on its history, learn the rules, and then root for your local team at a high school or college game.

Many major league sports teams offer tours of the stadium/arena while giving great info regarding the team’s history. For example, Camden Yards in Baltimore couples a wonderful tour of the ballpark with historical information regarding the surrounding area. Who would have thought that a tour of the ball park would include a history lesson!

Make writing a composition a painless activity by encouraging your teen to personify a reporter and write up an article covering a game or event. Assignments like these are not only fun but also serve as a reminder to your teens that both announcers and reporters need good writing and communication skills.

If your teen isn’t into sports, then your family may wish to identify another activity you can do together such as hiking and picnicking, whitewater rafting, or biking. It may foster an enjoyment in keeping fit in the company of others.

Job Shadowing

Did you ever think of combining a career development elective with a field trip? Does he have an interest in becoming a radio producer, plumber, network engineer, or firefighter? Over the course of the high school years, your teen could choose one occupation/career per year to investigate. Use your connections in the church and community to introduce him to a person in the field of interest. Encourage your teen to line up several days to job shadow this person and receive a firsthand, behind-the-scenes look at the profession. What are the typical hours, the necessary skills and education, the working conditions, and advancement opportunities? There’s nothing as effective as seeing a job up close and personal to help steer your teen towards or away from various careers.

Historical Places

Scout out field trips on the local, state, and national levels. Don’t overlook your local historical society which can be a starting place for your own exploration. Does your town have a unique story? How has it changed through the years? Is there a town historian who would love to chat with your teen? Have there been any famous historical people who have hailed from your locale?

There may be re-enactments of events from the past that are scheduled. These may be as exciting as a battle fought in your vicinity or more serene such as the operation of an old mill or farm. Some will even provide hands-on activities for people of all ages to enjoy. You'll likely come away thankful for the modern conveniences we often take for granted.

On a grander scale, your family may wish to save towards a trip to Washington, D.C., Philadelphia, or Boston to see where our nation was birthed. Or if geography seems a bit dry, consider visiting some of the national parks, each with its unique beauty.

Factories, Libraries, and Community Interests

Every town is known for something. In Diane’s hometown, the steel mills provided most peoples’ livelihoods. Have you ever taken a tour of a steel mill? Factories and other production plants are usually proud to show off their manufacturing capabilities with tours on specific days or by appointment. Newspaper factories (especially in small towns) make fascinating field trips and many include a full day of watching a newspaper come about from the collection of news stories to assigning the stories to reporters and photographers. TV and radio broadcast stations are typically friendly to student field trips. Some of these venues have minimum age requirements so be sure to ask if your children can be accommodated.

Don’t forget the public library when thinking about possible outings. A reference room contains many different resources that teens will find useful when those first few college assignments are given. Atlases, indices, reference materials, historical documents, and much more can be explained by a librarian so that your teen is familiar with these items and can put them to good use.

We know that it will take some effort to plan a few field trips for your teen this school year. But your efforts will pay off in the long run as your teen is exposed to a hands-on, real world education. Plan just a few trips each year and by the end of high school, you and your teen will have many memories stored away long after the final textbook is sold at a used curriculum sale!

Next month, join us as Elizabeth Smith writes about how she prayed her way through the homeschooling years and the help the Lord provided.

The 2011 Mom Heart Conferences

2010-11-13T16:59:00.003-07:00

Registration is now live and online

After this year's conference, you'll be declaring to the world, "My mom heart matters!" Sally's message series this year goes right to the heart of motherhood, and to the heart of culture, with a powerful call to strategic biblical mothering. "Your Mom Heart Matters: Reclaiming Motherhood, Shaping the Future" will challenge you and change you as a mother. And as always, the weekend will be a spirit-renewing retreat and getaway just for you. Brighten up the gray days of your winter with some great fellowship with other moms, special guest speakers, inspiring music, and a lovely banquet lunch. Here are the dates and states:

January 21-22 - Colorado Springs, CO - COS Marriott
February 4-5 - Irvine, CA - Mariners Church, Irvine
February 18-19 - Irving/DFW, TX - Dallas Marriott Las Colinas
March 4-5 - Raleigh/Durham, NC - Hilton RDU @RTP

Register early and save! Register by December 17 (CO, CA) or December 31 (TX, NC) for the SuperSaver lowest rate. Hint to dads...great Christmas present! Then be sure to reserve your hotel room at the low conference rate (split it with a friend, and stay before or after for the same low rate). Don't miss our 14th year of conferences for moms. It won't be the same without you, so we'll expect to see you there. Your mom heart matters to us!

Denver Eagles JV and Varsity Sports

2010-11-13T16:53:00.003-07:00

The Denver Eagles 2010-2011 JV and Varsity Men's and Women's Basketball season begins November 15th at 7:00 p.m. at the Gold Crown Foundation facilities (Harlan and Alameda in Lakewood.)

Practices will be held at Gold Crown Foundation facilities and games played throughout Denver and the Front Range. Season ending tournaments will include the state tournament in February and national tournaments in Omaha, NE (week-end regionals), and Springfield, MO (week-long nationals) in March.

The enrollment fee is $ 375.00* and there is a mandatory parents meeting at the first practice on the 15th. Register at the link to the left.

Last year's accomplishments for the Denver Eagle's JV/Varsity High School Basketball program:

2010 Front Range Christian Athletic Association

Regular Season Champions - Boys Varsity
State Tournament - Runners Up - Boys Varsity
State Tournament - Runners Up - Boys Varsity B - Denver Eagles Blue
2010 Homeschool Basketball Nationals, Springfield, MO

Girls 18U were 4th in 3A at Nationals
Boys 18U were 8th in 3A at Nationals
For more information: Call 303-783-1438, visit DenverEagles.org or email info@denvereagles.org

*Teams participating in local or national tournaments outside FRCAA do so at an additional cost to each player. Tournament fundraisers are held during the season to help offset these additional costs.

Denver Eagles is a 501(c)(3) non-profit volunteer organization. A servant's heart is both a blessing and a necessity to our success. As a parent, you will be expected to volunteer for one or more of the following: track registrations, create team rosters, distribute or collect uniforms, run gate or concessions, identify and coordinate fund-raisers, research and make tournament travel reservations, keep statistics, the scorebook, or run the clock.

There is a parent meeting starting at 7:00 p.m.. Come out and meet the Coaches and ask questions.

Where: Gold Crown Field House

When: November 15th, 2009

Who: Those interested in playing competitive basketball at the High School level. If you have any questions please email us at info@denvereagles.org or call us 303-783-1438.

First Practice November 15, 2009

Parent meeting starts at 7:00pm

Where: Gold Crown Field House

When: 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. Cost: $375.00

Check out www.DenverEagles.org for the latest news.

Message from HSLDA: History

2010-10-06T20:56:00.004-06:00

History—A Grand Narrative

Dear Friends,
Greetings from one of the history making capitals of the world!
October means that most of you are back in the saddle of homeschooling yet another year. Last year is history! Each year we receive phone calls from parents who are making decisions concerning what history to teach, what order to teach the courses, how to teach history in an interesting way, and more.

Necessity of History Studies

History influences our lives from beginning to end. No one can escape it. Just looking at the calendar each month reminds us of some historical fact. We probably all remember the axioms that “history repeats itself” and “we should learn from history.” If these are true, then it’s important to take the study of history seriously whether we love it or not. In both of our families, there are some who are history buffs and others who tolerate the subject. Nevertheless, all were taught to respect the events and attempt to learn from them.
We recommend that all teens take courses in world history, U.S. history and American government. No matter what a teen’s future plans may hold, these courses form a foundation for good citizenry. In addition, most colleges will expect to see such courses on the transcript.
There is no set schedule or pattern to follow as to what year to teach which course. We will leave that up to you. Because similar history courses are taught in middle school, you may decide to teach a high school level course which hasn't recently been studied.
Approaches Used Thankfully, there are many avenues through which to approach history, even in the high school years. The only requirement necessary when deciding on your approach is that the material you use must be high school level. If you are in doubt, don’t hesitate to check with the curriculum provider or a respected curriculum reviewer such as Cathy Duffy and others.
The textbook approach is traditionally the method used by many families. It allows a systematic study through the periods of history. Parents are assured they will cover the typically required course material in that particular school year.
Another popular way to study history is by integrating history with literature and Bible. The student will earn a year’s credit for each of these disciplines upon completion of the curriculum for that year. In this manner, students are shown how historical events played a role in shaping the culture through religion and literary means. The facts then take on a life of their own, and teens may remember the material longer.
Some families will choose a literature-based history course. The study of history is tied to reading literature from specific time periods rather than using a textbook. The emotional tie to the events taking place will bond the material to memory. Students may find themselves climbing into that era and beginning to relate to the prevailing views and attitudes being adopted. Good discussions can develop regarding how such beliefs have affected the thoughts and mores of our day.
For students who are not gung ho about history, studying the subject as a grand narrative may entice them into enjoying it. Everyone loves a good story, and that is exactly what history is. Interweaving biblical history from the beginning of time to the present day will show the significance of our existence and where we are headed. It will demonstrate God’s fingerprints through the ages.

Course SupplementsHistory—A Grand Narrative

Necessity of History Studies

Course Supplements

No matter what direction you take to teach history, you can supplement your course with field trips to historical places. Seeing what is studied will bring it alive in your teens’ imaginations. Many historical sites offer tours and re-enactments. Contacting your local historical society by phone or internet may provide you with educational opportunities in your local vicinity. Another idea is listening to stories by relatives, veterans, and others to make the material “real” and personal.
Your teens may not realize it, but they are intimately involved in making their own history! One assignment could be to have your teens interview people for their stories—most people have at least one to share. Or, you may ask your teens to write their autobiographies. Some teens are very interested in their ancestry, so researching and constructing a family tree may be used to study the places and times that those members lived. Journaling may be an interesting way to pass on recollections of daily life and current events for future generations to read and enjoy.
Any or all of these suggestions will take a dry, musty subject and add life and vigor to the course. After all, history really is His-story!
Come back next month and join us as we offer ideas for field trips for high schoolers.
Watching time fly,
Becky Cooke and Diane Kummer

Message From HSLDA: Kicking Off Another Year

2010-09-12T17:20:00.004-06:00

Dear Friends,

This edition of the high school newsletter is most likely reaching your inbox during your first or second week of school. For some of you…so far so good. For others, you may be thinking that it is going to be a very long year! Regardless of how your school year has begun, we’d like to share some tips that hopefully will keep you going strong throughout the year.

Practice Flexibility

We encourage taking time to plan everything from lessons, to field trips, to science experiments, and more! But, we caution you against rigidly adhering to those plans if circumstances suggest that something should be changed.
For example, although most students will include physical education (PE) during the early years of high school, you may elect to delay adding PE to your teen’s high school plan until the later years if time is short due to the arrival of a new baby in the family or an unexpected illness. Or, it may prove helpful to delay teaching a co-op class right now because extra time must be taken to teach younger children. Your participation in the co-op may come in later years.
If you view situations such as these as simply temporary detours and not as dead end roadblocks, you won’t fret about the changes in plans. Flexibility is key—be careful that you don’t try to replicate someone else’s schedule or high school plan. Your teen, your situation, and your family’s best interests may be better served by following a unique high school plan.

Check Your Fears at the Door

Are you afraid of teaching high school? Do you doubt your ability to provide your teen a quality education? Have your friends put their children in school this year? Is your teen making it known that homeschooling would not be his choice? Any of these questions may stir up fears that one day or another may get the best of you.
We want to let you in on a secret. You are not alone in this respect; many moms are anxious about the same things you are. (Lies Homeschooling Moms Believe by Todd Wilson is a light hearted, helpful resource in this regard). Acknowledging your fears is often the first step in diminishing their power. Yes, you may doubt your ability to homeschool high school, but you can take the teeth out of fear by remembering that the Lord has provided a multitude of resources that will prepare you to do your best. If you are an HSLDA member, call us (540-338-5600) or send us an email at highschool@hslda.org. We are here to answer your questions or provide a recommendation. Many times parents tell us that receiving a suggestion from a knowledgeable source gives them confidence and reassurance that they are on the right path. If you are new to teaching high school, any of the following reference books would be great to have on hand as you journey through these years.

Homeschooling High School: Planning Ahead for College Admission by Jeanne Gowan Dennis
Senior High: A Home Designed Form+U+La by Barbara Edtl Shelton
The High School Handbook: For Junior High, Too by Mary Schofield
Homeschooled and Headed for College by Denise Boiko
100 Top Picks for Homeschool Curriculum: Choosing the Right Curriculum and Approach for Your Child’s Learning Style by Cathy Duffy

Another antidote to fear is to take your worries to the Lord in prayer. Do you fear that your child won’t be able to find a job, get admitted to the college or trade school of his or her choice, and that it will be your fault? If you do, ask the Lord’s direction in preparing your child. When you are weak, He will prove Himself to be strong. Also, remember that no one (not even you) can thwart the Lord’s plans for your child. He is sovereign over all of the details of your child’s life, and He (not the admissions officer!) is at work in your teen’s life and future plans.
If you find yourself worrying constantly, then perhaps you are trying to shoulder too much of the responsibility. Ruth Bell Graham, in her poem, “In His Hands,” reminds us that the Lord’s shoulders are wider than ours:

Listen, Lord,
a mother’s praying
low and quiet;
listen, please.
Listen what her tears
are saying,
see her heart upon its knees;
Lift the load
from her bowed shoulders
till she sees
and understands,
You, who hold the worlds together;
hold her problems in Your hands.

Banish Annoying Feelings

Emotions are a natural part of who we are. But when feelings go unchecked, they are not productive and can cause havoc in our homeschools during the high school years. Are you feeling envious? Remember that the Lord is your portion and He has given you an inheritance.
Are you feeling powerless? The Lord promises to be your strength.
Are you feeling hopeless? The Lord provides you with a hope and a future.
Are you feeling weary? Wait on the Lord and He will give you wings to soar.
Replacing feelings with truths from the Word of God will refocus your thoughts and actions.

Love Them to the End

Some of your teens may struggle during the high school years as you train them academically and spiritually. They may strain your patience, question your authority, or express doubts about the faith and values that you wish to impart to them. Prepare in advance for situations in which you will be tempted to react negatively or not in accordance to Scripture. Maintain a humble spirit towards your teen and don’t give in to feelings of superiority.
It sometimes helps to remember that the Lord didn’t give up on you when you were running your own life. He did not abandon you when you ignored Him. He didn’t cast you out when you turned to your own way. Although the Lord was betrayed, deserted, disappointed, and questioned by his disciples, this verse (John 13:1) reminds us that He “loved them to the end.” And, He loves you—all the way to Calvary. No one is perfect in the Lord’s sight apart from the righteousness of Christ. Your teens’ sins may be different than yours, but all of us are debtors to mercy and grace. The Lord will give you the strength to keep going, keep loving, and keep entrusting your teen to Him.
We encourage you to spend time daily in the Word of God—there’s no substitute for that! You’ll be in a better position to see things from the Lord’s perspective when relating to your teens. Choose verses from Scripture to pray for your teen. Here are some to consider:
Create clean hearts in our children and renew within them a steadfast spirit (Psalm 51:10).
Give them wisdom to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects, bearing good fruit in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God (Colossians 1:10).
Pray that they would pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, perseverance, and gentleness (I Timothy 6:11).

Look Ahead, not through the Rearview Mirror

You may be encouraged to know that the HSLDA staff regularly prays for our member families (another good reason to join HSLDA if you haven’t already!). We count it a privilege to lift you up before the throne of the Lord.
We look forward with you to a new school year. It’s a time of fresh beginnings and an opportunity for the Lord to do a new work in your teen and in you!

Colorado ACTS

2010-09-12T17:17:00.002-06:00

Science Lab Help?

2010-09-12T17:14:00.002-06:00

Are you looking for a lab class for Apologia Biology or Chemistry? Look no further! HSoCR has organized lab classes every other Thursday afternoon in downtown Castle Rock! Cost will be under $100 for the school year and could be less with volunteer teachers. There is room for 4-5 students in each class. Classes will begin 9/16.

Calling all moms, dads or college students who are gifted/trained in the sciences! We are currently looking for two more teachers to team teach or one teacher to take the whole year. These positions can be paid, volunteered or traded for a student’s participation. Team teaching would mean teaching 7 classes during the school year and 15 classes if a teacher took the whole year.

If you’re interested please contact us ASAP for more info or to sign-up!

Andrea or Carla
info@hsocr.com

A Note from HSLDA: College!

2010-08-11T20:27:00.005-06:00

Post-High School Selection Process

Dear Friends,
For many families, August is the time to put those finishing touches on plans for a new school year. If your teens are entering the junior or senior years, be sure to schedule time to research the myriad of schools and training options available after high school graduation.
It can be a daunting task to narrow down the possible institutions to which your teen will apply. So to help you select a school that will fit your teen, we would like to offer some suggestions.

General Parameters

The selection process becomes less intimidating if you take time to list some major factors in priority order that are important to your family. Your list of factors may differ, but as a possible starting point, here are some items to think about.
Location

How far from home do you want your teen to be?
What type of transportation will be involved in getting your teen back and forth from school (car, bus, train, plane, subway)?
Is your teen best suited to a small town, urban area, inner city, or rural area?
If your teen intends to work part time while going to school, what location provides for the best job opportunities?

On campus or online?
A major decision in choosing post-high school training will be whether your teen will complete coursework in a classroom setting or through a distance learning program. There are pros and cons to both approaches. Taking courses online affords the opportunity to save money in room and board. Some schools may have a policy that a certain number of credits must be earned on campus in order to be awarded a certificate or license from the school, so be sure to check this out with the school.
Size of school
Each size of school has its advantages and disadvantages. Large schools generally have a wide variety of training opportunities while small schools tend to have smaller classes with teachers who are more accessible. If your teen tends to gravitate to smaller settings, then career training schools or community college classes would be a better environment than large institutions.
Cost
For many parents, the cost of a school will be a determining factor. However, financial aid is available for most post-high school education and may be in the form of scholarships or grants, loans, or work study programs. Aid can come from federal, state, local or school sources as well as private organizations such as banks and credit unions. Also look for scholarships through the organizations your teen participated in during high school (4-H, Scouts, and more).
The most important financial aid form is the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) and priority should be given to completing this form. In addition, contact your individual state’s department of education financial aid office to inquire about sources of state aid.
Also, be sure to contact your school’s financial aid office to ask about any other financial aid forms specific to the school that are required for institutional money.
More information on financial aid may be found on the HSLDA high school wesbsite.

Newsletter Archives: “College Financial Aid”
More Financial Aid Information
Competition and Scholarship Awards

Career Testing
During the high school years, you may want to have your teen take a career test to determine his strengths and weaknesses. The test feedback may also suggest occupations that lend themselves to your teen’s interests and abilities. Some resources to help you get started are listed on our high school website.

Prerequisites
If your teens know what career they wish to pursue, it will give them time to investigate the training that will be necessary following high school graduation. This will be advantageous to you in planning the necessary course work they will need to complete in high school to be ready for their next steps.
Accreditation
Some professions will require training from an accredited program or school. If this is the case, you will want to investigate the credibility of the school or training program and its accreditation status. An accredited program will often lead to a certificate or diploma and may be required for employment.
Certification or Licensing
For some careers, the employee will need to be certified or licensed before being able to procure a job in a particular field. Evaluate the process and requirements with your teen so she will be prepared to complete them successfully.
On-the-Job Training or Classroom Setting
Will the training program include both of these ingredients? If not, is one better suited to your teen than the other? Another aspect to investigate is the length of training time required.
Gathering information on schools
With your parameters in hand, you are now ready to begin gathering information about a potential school. One of the best ways to search for colleges is to use general search engines such as Trade-School.net.
The internet is also a valuable tool to use. Your community college may be another source since many provide vo-tech and career training programs. They may have knowledge of other schools in your area.
Once you’ve narrowed down the list of schools, visit each school’s website. Most websites provide the email addresses of various departments/personnel that you may contact with questions.
Onsite school visits (if applicable) are highly recommended. Visiting a school lets your teens envision themselves there, gives them a “feel” for the place, and allows all of you to talk to current students. Be sure to take notes after each visit so that you’ll be able to distinguish the schools from one another.
Looking ahead to the next season in your teens’ lives is an exciting venture. With some prior discussions with your teens and a plan of action, narrowing down the school and program will turn a daunting task into a satisfying one.

Teampages: Denver Eagles Christian Athletics

2010-08-11T20:24:00.004-06:00

Denver Eagles Christian Home School Athletics has invited you to join them on TeamPages.

TeamPages is a free online tool that brings coaches, parents, and athletes together to organize their teams and athletic lives. Teampages is designed to simplify scheduling and communication and enhance your athletic experience. It provides a central location to post and share your athletic schedules, scores, photos, news, and send messages to your entire club.

To create your free account and to join Denver Eagles Christian Home School Athletics on TeamPages, click here!

Denver Eagles Registration

2010-08-11T20:21:00.001-06:00

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

Fall Sports Registration is Open

Girls Volleyball, Boys Soccers, and Boys Baseball
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Greetings!

We hope you are having a great Summer. It's hard to believe it's almost time to start homeschooling again.

We have just posted on www.denvereagles.org the latest information on our Fall Sports and have opened up registration.

Thank you for your interest in Denver Eagles Christian Homeschool Athletics.

YOUTH CONGRESS 2010

2010-08-11T20:13:00.004-06:00

SEEKING YOUTH 13-19 YEARS OLD TO SERVE AS

YOUTH DELEGATES

Please Join the Douglas County Partnership of Governments

and the Douglas County Youth Initiative

for

YOUTH CONGRESS 2010

At the State Capitol

Friday, September 24th

8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

with a keynote address by

JONNY 5 & BRER RABBIT

FLOBOTS

Youth Congress is an annual event that brings youth together with

local and state-level elected officials to work on

analyzing policies and laws that affect Douglas County

kids and families every day. Youth learn about the policy analysis

process, make connections with the people who represent

their interests, and gain confidence that they can affect

laws and processes that impact them.

THIS YEAR'S ISSUES WILL INCLUDE:

Medical Marijuana

Laws That Affect Homeless Youth & Families

Curfew Laws in Douglas County

Criminal Justice System & Disabilities

Access to Affordable Transportation

Have you ever wished that things were better or more fair?

Be a Youth Delegate and make a difference in

Douglas County & the state of Colorado!

A Youth Congress fact sheet and the agenda for this year's event

are attached to this email.

GET INVOLVED. GET HEARD.

To register or for more information:

Call or email Carla

303.688.4825, x5327

cturner@douglas.co.us

Classical Conversations Challenge

2010-08-11T20:07:00.002-06:00

Do you want your child to learn Latin? Maybe to know about geography?
Do you have a 7th-9th grade student and could use some support and encouragement for the upcoming year?
Come learn how a Classical Conversations Challenge A community can assist you with your walk with your child through
Latin, Saxon Math, Geography, writing, Science, and Apologetics.
Information meetings: Saturday, August 7th, Sunday, August 15th, Saturday, August 21st, 4:30-5:30
at 1351 Oldfield Street Castle Rock.

Classes begin Thursday, August 26th at Heritage Church, Castle Rock.

There are still openings left for the 2010-2011 year.
Please call for more information at 303-814-0349 or email at angenjen@msn.com

Colorado ACTS: KILROY

2010-07-28T20:16:00.002-06:00

Colorado ACTS will be presenting their summer Family and Friends show KILROY WAS HERE!

What a patriotic production! Lots of song and dance...you will know these classic songs form the 1940's.
Set in a USO during World War II, follow the adventures of American serviceman Kilroy. A musical tribute to the men and women in uniform.

Aug 5 is the preview night and the show at 7:00 pm is only $2!
Aug 6, 7, 13 all have shows at 7:00 pm
Aug 14 has a show at 2:00 and again at 7:00 pm

Prices range from the $2 preview up to $7.50.
Group discount of 10+ is $1 off. Seniors are $1 off and kids under 4 are free.

The show will perform at:
Simpson Methodist Church (just on the east side of the shared parking lot with ACTS and Early College High School)
4905 w. 60th Avenue
Arvada, CO 80003

You can check out the website at www.coloradoacts.org or see the attached flyer.
Thanks so much and hope to see you there!

A Special Message from HSLDA

2010-07-28T20:13:00.003-06:00

Colorado--Districts Send "Homeless Form" to Homeschooling Families

Dear HSLDA Members and Friends:

Several school districts in Colorado recently sent a Student Residency
Questionnaire to homeschooling families in their jurisdictions.
Included was a letter from the homeless education liaison stating that
all families are required to complete and submit the form. Several
member families contacted HSLDA with concerns about disclosing the
information requested.

HSLDA wrote to the school districts clarifying that while federal law
(the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act) requires local
educational agencies to identify homeless children to receive certain
grant money, the law does not require families to fill out the form.

If you received a Student Residency Questionnaire or similar form and
are uncomfortable with returning it, you may simply ignore the form.
If your local school district contacts you to insist that you complete
it, please contact HSLDA for assistance.

Thank you for supporting homeschooling freedom in Colorado!

Sincerely,

Mike Donnelly
Staff Attorney

Tin Roof Productions

2010-05-21T13:18:00.004-06:00

Hi! My name is Karen Hamer, and I am the founder and director of Tin Roof Productions, a Colorado non-profit that provides creative opportunities in theatre to youth.

http://www.tinroof.wordsmithwebmarketing.com/Welcome.html

Following the success of Pride & Prejudice in Colorado Springs last November -- a musical play that I wrote and directed -- I observed the need for and benefit of supportive and intensive, mentor-led, small group work for developing teenage actors. For this reason, Tin Roof will be auditioning and casting a team of 15 - 25 year olds who will form a Theatre Ensemble to perform BOTH Oscar Wilde's The Importance of Being Earnest in the Fall, AND Shakespeare's Much Ado About Nothing in the Spring. Earnest will be a fairly traditional staging of Wilde's popular farce; and Much Ado will be a contemporary piece of theatre that explores concepts of space, form and identity. Homeschool credit is available.

If your student has a strong voice, clear and expressive speech, and confident and expressive movement -- and if they *love* theatre! -- please check out the Audition Information on the TRP website (see link above). You will find much information in the documents about audition requirements, costuming and fees. If you are interested, please email me at karen.b.hamer@gmail.com for an audition time. Auditions will be held on Sunday May 30 and Monday May 31 at the Tri-Lakes Center for the Arts in Palmer Lake.

Cheers!
Karen Hamer
719.331.8559

PE+ PLUS

2010-05-21T13:14:00.003-06:00

In particular, the Volleyball, Basketball, Track, and Soccer camps may be of interest to high schoolers, although some of the science and sewing classes may be good as well. Dodgeball has been a big hit and those classes are close to full. We've enclosed the schedule in this e-mail as well as course descriptions near the bottom of the page. Parents are well come to pay half at time of registration with the remainder paid at time of class.

Find more at the PE Plus Web Site

Students will learn the basics skills of volleyball: serve, set, bump, spike, dig, dink as well as rules and proper volleyball etiquette in a fun way practicing and playing games each day. This is a great opportunity to learn volleyball for all of those summer picnics, parties, and barbeques!

Newburgh Theological Seminary

2010-04-27T19:13:00.002-06:00

Newburgh Theological Seminary
Newburgh, Indiana
Equipping Those Called to Serve

* Bachelor of Arts
* Master of Arts
* Master of Divinity
* Doctor of Ministry
* Ph.D or Th.D

Degrees in Biblical Studies, Ministry, Apologetics, African-American Ministry, Church History, Christian Counseling, Christian Education and more...

All coursework may be completed at home!
FREE ACADEMIC EVALUATION ...visit
www.NewburghSeminary.com
or call 1-812-858-3920

Epicenter Pictures Summer Film Camps

2010-04-27T19:10:00.004-06:00

Can you see yourself in the “Lights, Camera....Action!” of a film set?
Whether you've been looking for a way to try your hand at the craft of
filmmaking or already have a reel of your own and want to begin
breaking into the industry, Epicenter Picture's Summer Film Camps are
the place to start.
Pick your track:
•Screenwriting
•Producing
•Directing
•Cinematography
•Acting
•Editing
The tracks are taught by peer mentors who, have already been working in film for at least five
years and are eager to help you hone your art, develop your leadership potential and break in to
the film business. Additionally, guest speakers provide you with an opportunity to mingle with more
established professionals.
What will you take away?
•A dynamic hands-on experience on your own live set, with the latest in indie-filmmaking
equipment
•A short film that can be submitted to festivals across the country or incorporated into your
professional reel
•A professional network to get you started in an industry where it's all about who you know
•Most film camps put a heavy emphasis on classroom work. Epicenter believes that you learn best
by doing
For More Information visit us online:
www.epicenterpictures.com

Id-Ra-Ha-Je

2010-04-27T19:06:00.004-06:00

You’re invited to participate in the Outdoor Mountain Lab School 2010 at Camp Id-Ra-Ha-Je in Bailey, Colorado!

Visit - http://idrahaje.org/ (you cannot sign up online for our group)

Who? All home-schoolers in 4th – 12th grades (We’ll be splitting younger campers into a group that is age appropriate, especially for game time)

When? Monday, May 10th - Wednesday, May 12^th, 2010

Cost? $122/camper or chaperone (Chaperones on a first come, first received basis. We need 1 per 8-10 campers) Please be sure to let me know if you’d like to be a chaperone. Moms and dads both welcome – dads especially needed.

What? Ie., Rappelling (high and low), ropes course, Archery, Climbing Tower, Nature Hike, Animal Habitat, Survival Skills, games and more! A Bible verse and lesson is tied in to every activity.

This is our 7^th Mountain Lab and it’s been a wonderful experience each time. Don’t let your student miss out!

I need an RSVP with a $50 deposit with the balance due April 24th or your full registration (form attached) from a minimum of 30 people. This camp has filled up quickly over the past six years, so please don’t delay.

Please make checks payable to:
Colleen Golesh
6986 Lionshead Parkway
Littleton, CO 80124

Please email me with any questions. Goleshschool@comcast.net

College Credits For Free

2010-04-27T18:54:00.004-06:00

Helping our families with college

As we announced at the award ceremony, a special blessing is available this year for all the families and students touched by the National Christian Homeschool Basketball Championships. We are distributing over $1.2 million in scholarships. College is very important to most of the families and players involved with our tournaments, and with recent media attention on how college costs are growing at 15-30% per year, we want to help families discover strategic ways to lower their college costs and build a foundation of success for college.

Even though growing numbers of players each year are receiving full scholarships to play basketball and other sports in college, there are still many families that struggle to figure out how to pay for college. Our partnership with myEduNation and the scholarships being distributed give students and their families an opportunity to discover creative ways to accomplish college.

The program with myEduNation provides members of each family (not just players) with a scholarship for a credit-by-exam study pack which will prepare the students to earn 3-6 college credit hours through credit-by-exam (CLEP, DSST, etc). Although the ability to earn college credits using credit-by-exam has been around for decades, and is honored at over 2,900 colleges in the U.S., most students don’t realize how strategically using the credit-by-exam method can provide a host of benefits:

* Save Money -- 25-75% on college costs!
* Flexibility -- earn college credits on your schedule
* Start college with college credits -- use for dual-credit
* Ease entry into college -- demonstrate college competency
* Complete College Faster -- while saving on room & board & books
* No Sitting In A Classroom -- earn college credits online at your place & your pace

myEduNation is a company founded by homeschoolers with a special heart for other homeschoolers, and has agreed to donate scholarships for one free course (a $379 value) to everyone who is touched by the NCHBC. You can take advantage of the offer even if you haven't been to a tournament!

Click here for more details!

50's MUSICAL

2010-04-26T17:56:00.003-06:00

Colorado ACTS is Rockin' and Rollin' back to the 1950's with their musical "What's Shakin" at the Malt Shop".

The show is about a group of students working on a talent show at the malt shop.
Fun retro music and costumes.... come and have a blast from the past!

Thursday, May 6th     at 7:00 pm
Friday, May 7th         at 7:00 pm
Saturday, May 8th     at 2:00 and again at 6:00 pm
Friday, May 14th        at 7:00 pm
Tickets $6

Saturday, May 15th    at 6:00 pm followed by a Sock Hop and free Root Beer Floats
Tickets $7.50

This show is performed by our Thursday night 12-18 yr old group, and is probably one of our biggest shows of the season.

Hope you can make it!

WANTED: LEGO LOVERS

2010-04-26T17:45:00.004-06:00

First Lego League Homeschool Group for Kids 9-12 Years Old

2010 SEASON – THE BODY FORWARD

Do you love building with Legos?

Are you interested in learning how to program robots?

Come join a brand new first Lego League (FLL) forming this summer!

Cost to participate varies depending on the number in the group, but would be approximately $125.

Light commitment in the summer 2010 (1 meeting/mo). Heavier commitment during the fall/winter 2010 (1-2 meetings/week). Go to www.usfirst.org & click on the FLL link to learn more.

Please contact Esther Lee by June 1^st, 2010 at estherclee@mac.com or call 719-571-9596.

Meetings will take place at my home near Briargate Pkwy & Union. Maximum 10 participants.

DR. BRIAN RAY SPEAKING IN PARKER

2010-04-26T17:40:00.004-06:00

Brian Ray, Ph.D, President of the National Home Education Research Institute , will be speaking at Grace Baptist Church in Parker, CO, on Friday, April 30th from 7-8:30 pm. His topic will be, “A Strong Vision – Homeschooling Works, and Increases Freedom.”

Contact: CHEC at office@ CHEC.org or 720-842-4852

Grace Baptist Church: 10461 South Parker Road, Parker, CO 80134-9038 (next door to CHEC office) Directions: I-25, exit east onto Lincoln, south on Parker Rd, west on Plaza Rd, and then turn right into the second driveway. (We’re on the back side of the strip mall.) Enter the lower parking lot on the north side of Plaza Dr.

Free admission but suggested contribution is $5 per person or $8 per family to the nonprofit NHERI is encouraged. Books, tapes, and DVD’s available from NHERI.

Dr. Ray’s message will challenge and educate those new to or critical of homeschooling, as well as encourage experienced homeschoolers. Dr. Ray will present the results of the latest research on home education, and challenge you to consider your philosophy of education. He will also consider the parents’ role vs. the government’s role in education, and explain how the modern homeschool movement is bringing significant zeal and change to this nation.

Dr. Ray will help you consider the answers to questions such as the following:

· Are parents qualified to teach their children?

· Are these children receiving an adequate academic education?

· What about socialization? (What is socialization, by the way?)

· How will these children behave when they get into the “real world of adulthood?”

· Do the home educated learn as much as those in conventional schools?

· What do certain worldviews or God have to say about who should be educating – teaching, training, discipling, indoctrinating – children?

· Why is the lure of government handouts so strong?

Co-sponsored by: Christian Home Educators of Colorado: (CHEC) 720-842-4852 or www.chec.org

National Home Education Research Institute: www.nheri.org

VIDEO OPPORTUNITY FOR YOUR YOUNG READERS!

2010-04-26T17:37:00.002-06:00

Homeschooled students in grades 2 through 5 have a fun opportunity to see themselves on TV! We are looking for well-spoken children to talk about their favorite book in front of a video camera. PPLD's Video Studio, at East Library, will film kids as they briefly tell what they liked about their book and why other kids should read it. They can choose any book, and can dress up as one of the book's characters if they'd like to. These "book talks" will be shown on PPLD TV--Cable Channel 17 during our children's programming time slots. As part of the "Pikes Peak KidsREAD @ Your Library" project, we'll also be taking a still shot of each child that will be made into a poster to be displayed at one of the PPLD Branches. We'll be filming on Friday, April 30, 2010, from 10:30 to Noon. Please call 531-6333, x-1403 to sign your child up for a 10 minute time slot. Gail Sohns, Children's Librarian, East Branch

Home School Day at ELITCH GARDENS

2010-04-25T08:57:00.004-06:00

Come have some fun at Elitch Gardens Family Fun Day! Enjoy an exciting day of rides and games in a world-class Theme Park for the special price of $20 per person. Your season passes are welcome for this exclusive event.

MAY 14, 2010 --- 10 AM - 4 PM

- Special Offer -

One FREE ticket for every 6 purchased. So, gather your group, fill out the order form and fax it in with your credit card information or mail in with a check - then get ready for a whole day of family FUN!

Or ORDER ONLINE today..... Advance ticket orders MUST BE RETURNED BY APRIL 30, 2010. All tickets will be delivered to you upon receipt of payment.

For questions and ordering, go to elitchgardens.com

- Enter "HOMESCHOOL" in the promo code box on the top right hand corner of your screen.

- Click GO

Hope to see you there!

Wanted: Performers for State Conference

2010-03-20T12:23:00.003-06:00

Many of you enjoy hearing the talented young performers at the state conference in June each year. Perhaps you have wondered how these young people were selected. Each year we invite interested families to submit an audition tape to the General Sessions coordinator by April 15. If you know talented youngsters or families who could bless us at the conference, please urge them to apply, or let us know and we will contact them. Not only is this a wonderful opportunity to bless other homeschoolers, but it can be listed on your resume for college; not many students have the opportunity to perform for over 1500 people! For further information and an audition form, see this website HERE (www.chec.org); click to Events/State Conference/General Sessions & Talent Fair Audition. For remaining questions, please call Marcia Washburn at 970-842-4776 (mornings only) or e-mail her at marcia@chec.org.

Colorado "Above Rubies" Retreat

2010-03-20T12:20:00.004-06:00

Moms, do you need encouragement...a time to be ministered to, and maybe, a little time away to regroup? Check out the Colorado "Above Rubies" Retreat.

Above Rubies is a ministry to encourage women in their high calling as wives, mothers, and homemakers. Its purpose is to uphold and strengthen family life and to raise the standard of God's truth in the nation.

The name has been chosen from Proverbs 31.10 AMP, "A capable, intelligent and virtuous woman, who is he who can find her? She is far more precious than jewels and her value is far Above Rubies or pearls."

When: May 7-9, 2010

Where: Glen Eyrie, Colorado Springs

Topic: Changing the world from the heart of the home

Speaker: Nancy Campbell

Cost: Varies on number attending.

These prices are good until Mar 31 and are for the whole weekend.

Registration fee is $30/per family.

Room is $125 for 1 adult or $225 for 2 adults. Kids are free.

Food is $49 per adult, $24.50 per child ages (3-12).

As long as a deposit of half is made before the Mar 31 deadline, you will not incur any late registration fees.

Contact: Felicia Johnson at 719-478-2113.

Summit Ministries Note

2010-03-20T12:18:00.004-06:00

Eric Smith, of Summit Ministries, here in Manitou Springs will be coming to speak briefly at Chapter SEEK on April 5, and at the Flood the Five Conference in Colorado Springs on April 16-17. The visions of ICC and Summit intertwine beautifully. Summit is committed to helping young people learn and understand the truths of a Biblical worldview, and ICC is committed to training young people to be effective cultural communicators of truth in their communities. These two organizations have been working together for a couple of years now, and I am excited by the opportunities this will bring to all our Christian students.

I've attached a letter written by Jeff Myers that explains the critical reasons why our students need to be prepared to defend their faith now, and how Summit Ministries can help you do this. I think you'll find it interesting and challenging.

If you would like to meet Eric Smith and talk to him about how Summit Ministries and their worldview curriculum can help prepare your students, you can come to Chapter SEEK on April 5, or register and bring a student to hear him also at the Flood the Five conference on the 16-17. Information on the conference is available on this website here (http://www.instituteforculturalcommunicators.org/floodthefive) or feel free to contact me for more information.

If you are interested in coming on April 5, please contact me for the details. Please forward this information to anyone who may be interested.

Karri Siebert
sponsor, ICC Chapter SEEK
Colorado Springs, CO

Junior Spokesperson Contest for Colorado CattleWomen

2010-03-20T12:16:00.003-06:00

The contest for this area will be May 8 and will be in either Rifle or Meeker. The person is still getting a final site; but kids could start working on their presentations and send in their registration forms to Kris Melnikoff in Collbran. It's not on the brochure but in addition to the winners getting expense paid trips around their corner of the state and listed other events, we have come up with so far $250 cash prize per quarter of the state. I have printed brochures and they can contact me at either by email or phone if anyone wants some sent.

Give a Day, Get a Day

2010-03-20T12:13:00.005-06:00

Volunteer for Nu Generation Foundation and receive a day at either Walt Disney Park. Nu Generation is an organization for the children. Providing activities for the youth & donating funds for youth activities or to other charitable organizations involving the youth are some of the programs we provide.

The inactivity of our nation's young people is a growing concern of health professionals, parents, and educators. Youth conditioning programs, sports, and events encourages kids to be more active. Programs are designed to encourage a healthier lifestyle. Kids are motivated to understand goal setting and being their complete best, as an athlete, and as a responsible and active young person. Additionally, by providing activities for the youth, it deters at-risk youth from criminal activities. Nu Generation Foundation is in the process of organizing a free spring event, but we need your help.

1. Submit a participant reservation by completing the contact form HERE (www.nugenerationfoundation.org)

2. We are in need of tax-deductible donations in order to ensure a successful event.

2010 Lost Tools of Writing Essay Contest

2010-03-20T12:11:00.003-06:00

Submitted by Andrew Kern, akern@circeinstitute.org

For students in 8th-12th grades. Education and Liberty are themes as American as baseball and apple pie. Yet, much of American literature, and most of American pop culture see the two as antithetical. Some people seem to see school as a barrier to liberty. In the 2010 Lost Tools of Writing Essay Contest, students are asked to consider the relationship between education and liberty. Are they indeed opposites? Or can one fulfill the other? Can a person be free without being educated? Can a person be educated without being free?

REGISTRATION DEADLINE: May 1, 2010

FINAL SUBMISSION DEADLINE: May 10, 2010

WEBSITE found HERE for more information (http://www.circeinstitute.com/l_essaycontest.shtm)

Script Frenzy Young Writer's Program

2010-03-20T12:06:00.003-06:00

Submitted by Natalie Tsang, YWP Program Assistant, Script Frenzy, ywp@scriptfrenzy.org

Script Frenzy is an international writing event in which participants attempt the creatively daring feat of penning a screenplay, stage play, TV script, or comic book script in the month of April. It is free of cost for kids and teens and provides professional writing resources to participants and educators. Our Young Writers Program is specifically designed for grade levels K-12 and our lesson plans (http://ywp.scriptfrenzy.org/lessonplans) are California State Standardized. We also offer free classroom kits (http://ywp.scriptfrenzy.org/leaderskits), and downloadable work books (http://ywp.scriptfrenzy.org/overview). Last year, over a thousand schools and homeschools used our programs to become better readers and writers!

WEBSITE found HERE for more info (http://ywp.scriptfrenzy.org/)

13th Annual Bill of Rights Essay Contest

2010-03-20T12:05:00.002-06:00

"Freedom and Civic Virtues"

Each year, National Foundation for Women Legislators' (NFWL) and the National Rifle Association co-sponsor an academic scholarship for seven high school juniors and seniors. Winners receive a $3,000 award and are given the opportunity to attend NFWL's Annual Conference. At the conference, the scholarship recipients will have the opportunity to learn about public policy, receive leadership training, and network with lawmakers from all 50 states. Several winners said their experience through the program strengthened their passion for public service. It is important to note that in order to enter the contest all applicants must be sponsored by a woman legislator from their respective state in. Sponsoring legislators of the awardees will receive an NFWL travel scholarship to attend the Annual Conference in exchange for their participation in the entire conference with their student.

This year's essay topic is entitled "Freedom and Civic Virtues" in which applicants are asked to describe how moral principles and the U.S. Bill of Rights shape the role of young adults in civic engagement and politics. NFWL and the NRA are proud to co-sponsor this annual essay contest in order to enable young women committed to defending the Bill of Rights to attend college and advance women in leadership.

APPLICATION DEADLINE: Friday, July 30th, 2010 by which time essays must be received or postmarked to NFWL.

CONTACT: The NFWL office at 202-293-3040, ext. 1005, scholarships@womenlegislators.org

WEBSITE found HERE for application and information ( www.womenlegislators.org)

Summer Camp

2010-03-20T12:00:00.004-06:00

During the school year, you may find it difficult to teach all of the courses that you would like. If you have been meaning to include a worldviews/apologetics course, a summer camp could lessen your course load during the school year while providing your teen with the information he needs to be knowledgeable and confident when communicating his beliefs and values to others.

Summit Ministries offers young adults (ages 16–24) a two week camp preparing them for college or the workforce where they’ll face many different ideas that are in conflict to a biblical worldview. They will receive instruction in worldview analysis, apologetics and leadership. Summit Ministries’ camps are held in Colorado, Tennessee, and Virginia.

Similarly, Worldview Academy Leadership Camp is for teens ages 13 and up. Students learn about servant leadership, apologetics/evangelism, and comparative worldviews. The six-day camp includes creative activities, worship, and thought provoking seminars.

Kohl's Kids Who Care Scholarship Program

2010-03-20T11:57:00.004-06:00

The Kohl’s Kids Who Care® Scholarship Program recognizes and rewards young volunteers (ages 6-18) whose efforts have made a positive impact on their communities.
This year marks the 10th anniversary of the Kohl’s Kids Who Care Scholarship Program. We are pleased to say that to date we have recognized more than 11,000 kids and awarded more than $2.2 million in scholarships and prizes.

And this year, Kohl’s plans to recognize an additional 2,100 kids with prizes ranging from $50 Kohl’s Gift Cards to $1,000 or $10,000 scholarships.

Nominators must be 21 years of age or older. Nomination deadline is March 15th, 2010.

FIND MORE INFORMATION HERE
(http://www.kohlscorporation.com/CommunityRelations/scholarship/index.asp)

Parlmentary Procedure Teen Group

2010-03-20T11:54:00.002-06:00

Would you be interested in being a part of a teen group to learn Parliamentary Procedure? This would be for High School and serious Jr. High age kids. If you are interested or have any questions, please contact Renee Hathcoat at rhathcoat@q.com soon, so they can plan. Depending on enough interest, this group would then plan on having a preliminary meeting to discuss dates, times, frequency and duration.

Boys Fall Basketball

2010-03-20T11:51:00.003-06:00

A district 49 private school would like to invite some homeschoolers to play on their 6-7th grade basketball team. Interested families would need to reside in D49. If interested, call Mel Waters at 265-3114 or mwaters@newlifechurch.org.

Educators Appreciation Week & Discount at Borders Bookstores

2010-03-20T11:48:00.003-06:00

The Borders' Educator Appreciation Week will be March 19-March 27, with a special educator reception on Saturday, March 20, from 2-6pm. During this special event there will be a raffle, giveaways and samples from their cafe. Borders Bookstores appreciate all that you do for the children in our community and want to make sure that they give back to you, so during this special event their usual educator discount will go from 25% to 30% for personal and classroom purchases.

Special Challenges Workshop

2010-03-20T11:44:00.002-06:00

A local workshop is planned for moms of kids with special challenges called “A Never-Give-Up Heart”. It will be held Saturday, March 13th from 8:30 am -12:00 pm at Springs Community Church. Cost is $25 if you call or email before the deadline of March 1st . The price goes up to $30 after that.

For more information or to register, email specialheartministries-workshops@yahoo.com or call Bev at 531-0904. This workshop is directed towards moms, but teachers are also welcome.

Cultural Communications UPDATE

2010-03-20T11:41:00.005-06:00

Only 5% of Americans are ready and willing to command the public platform.

The Institute for Cultural Communicators trains Christian students to think, speak, and connect with audiences through comprehensive training events, designed to flood the five percent of willing public speakers with articulate Christians.

Registration is now open for the Colorado Springs 'Flood the Five' Conference April 16-17. More details coming soon.

Early Bird discount ends April 2, so hurry and register before the deadline! Please contact me if you have any questions!

MORE INFORMATION HERE (http://www.instituteforculturalcommunicators.org/registration/default.aspx?id=27)

Karri Siebert

The Thorn 2010

2010-03-20T11:36:00.003-06:00

High Country and New Life Church would like to invite you to The Thorn 2010. For those of you not familiar with The Thorn, it is a dramatic portrayal of the passion of Jesus Christ, featuring live music, dance, aerial acrobatics, special effects, and more. It is a powerful presentation of the Gospel and is a great opportunity to bring friends and neighbors who need to hear the message of the Gospel. Shows are March 26 & 27 and April 2 & 3. Get your tickets today HERE or at (www.thethorn.net) or in the foyer after service at New Life Church. For more information, e-mail info@thethorn.net or call 888.317.4564.

Pure Rebellion -

2010-03-20T11:33:00.005-06:00

Pure Rebellion (www.pure-rebellion.com) Due to popular demand, this FREE event is coming back to Colorado Springs for an encore performance for two nights on April 15th and 16th, 2010. Desperation Conference www.desperationonline.com

High School and Beyond Conference

2010-03-20T11:30:00.003-06:00

Finishing the job in preparation for life March 27, 2010 – Denver Metro (Parker) Join us for a one-day homeschool conference specifically addressing the High School Years and Beyond! The High School and Beyond all day Seminar:
…help your child live out their calling by preparing now
…receive guidance on how to teach high school from experienced homeschool moms and dads
…plan ahead with our new college preparation and an entrepreneurial workshop
…explore mentorship and apprenticeship options through the AME program. Only $59 per family! Includes a full syllabus and resource booklet full of information. For schedule and registration information, visit HERE. (www.chec.org)

The Christian Connecter

2010-03-20T11:27:00.001-06:00

The Christian Connector (www.christianconnector.com) is a "one-stop-shop" for receiving free information from Christian colleges. They have over 100 Christian colleges and Bible colleges ready to send you information! Completing the free information request form is like attending a huge Christian college fair without ever leaving home. They also offer a $2,500.00 Christian college scholarship drawing. The site has dozens of links to Christian colleges, as well as admissions and financial aid tips and more. All of their information services are offered absolutely free! U.S. students considering undergraduate Christian colleges can also take advantage of their free Christian College Scholarship Resource Program.

Training Minds Ministry Internship

2010-02-19T16:32:00.002-07:00

"In the business world, everyone is paid in two coins: cash and experience. Take the experience first; the cash will come later." ~ Harold Geneen There is a lot of talent among homeschool speakers and debaters, many of whom were trained with Monument Publishing resources and Training Minds Ministry camps. Our 2010 internships attempt to harness that talent and, in turn, provide the experience needed for continual academic growth.
If you are on track for a future in journalism, publishing, or writing, we have a program for you. Monument Publishing, the publishing arm of Training Minds Ministry, wants you to spend some time with them in Monument, Colorado, learning the skills associated with publishing the most widely used resources for academic speaking and debating. Learn from nationally-known authors throughout the week, and take part in the tasks that bring well-known curriculum to market.

Two 2-week Internships Available

There are two internship applications available, both two weeks long. Applicants are able to apply for both if they wish. Approximately 12 students will be accepted per program. More information will be posted as speakers and agenda items are secured. Here are some for starters...

Speech Internship (July 5-17)
Apologetics, Interps, Extemp, Impromptu, Platforms
Monument Publishing has plans to expand into every area of speech and debate competition. In Apologetics, we plan to use Lee Strobel's Case for Faith as a foundational book for apologists to work through. Travis Herche is launching Keys to Interp text, and an accompanying curriculum to follow suite. Cody's Gold Book will likewise need curriculum developed. A 60-minute drama film on limited-prep speech preparation is in the works, plus other film-making needs. Lots of exciting developments in publishing, and the interns will be an integral part of bringing these works to market.
Debate (July 26 - August 7)
More resources than ever are planned for development. Interns will develop products helpful to Lincoln-Douglas debaters, and be taught by area experts in philosophy and value-debate competition. Blue Book has been in existence since 1998 and is the most widely recognized and widely used sourcebook in the homeschool debate market. Interns will work with the authors of all the Blue Books, as well as develop new supplies that help aid team-policy debaters.

NOTE: This is NOT a speech and debate camp. Interns are expected to have at least 1 year experience in speech and debate. Interns are brought on board for their enthusiasm to contribute to the homeschool speech and debate community. We value their skill and will train them for the work they will put into the projects. Research Camp and Training Minds Conference follow later in August where competitive training will occur.

This Unique & Valuable Training

This is the first Training Minds Ministry opportunity of its kind. Monument Publishing will put you to work, but there is a tremendous amount of educational value in such work. Consider...

Interns will be taught fundamentals of the editing process, coached by Chris Jeub, owner of Monument Publishing, certified English teacher, author, and professional editor.
Interns will coordinate with the authors of these works, authors like Vance Trefethen, Cody Herche, Andrew Roblyer, and more.
Interns will have their names credited with several of the products they help produce, some of which may be actual sourcebook material.
Interns will participate in planning meetings with their Program Manager prior to the first day of the Internship. If you have creative ideas to make speech and debate easier and more enjoyable, this is your time.
Interns will learn the fundamental machanics of the publishing business, everything from product planning to budgeting to marketing to layout/design to making a sale.
Interns may have the opportunity to earn college credit for their participating (details to come soon).

Interns will have fun, too, enjoying a 1-day team-building activity in Colorado. This is a great way to experience the reality of publishing to a niche market of homeschool speakers and debaters.

Housing & Facility

Interns will be matched with a homeschool family to spend their time in Monument, or arrangements will be made for the interns to stay supervised in the church. Housing is included in the cost of the internship. Transportation to and from Monument Hill Church (where the Interns will meet) will be provided. The internship is completely supervised with no unsupervised free time allowed. A group-building activity accompanies each internship.

Cost

Internship Tuition: $695 per student, $395 per additional sibling applicant.
College credit is an optional additional cost (more information to be posted soon).

Our primary focus is to get the most talented young people on board, students with true gifting and desire to be great writers, editors and publishers. Because of this, Monument Publishing is offering scholarship opportunities for families who are struggling financially (please request information via our Contact page). To help alleviate overall expenses, other offers include...

Housing: no charge. All housing is supervised.
Food: All lunches are provided. Breakfasts are arranged with host housing. Dinner is not provided, and Interns are expected to pay for their own dinner unless other arrangements are made.
Team-building activity: free. Monument Publishing is paying for it.
All Interns receive up to $100 worth of products that they helped produce.

Requirements

Proficient language arts skills. A writers/editing test will be required for all applicants. High school level proficiency at minimum is required.
Sophomore in high school. This is a minimum requirement. College students and graduated adults are welcome to apply.
Knowledge in homeschool speech & debate. We need young people who are well versed in our community of academic speakers and debaters in homeschool forensics.
Experience in the activity. It is important to note that this is not a training camp for competition. Instead, talented young people are participating in the development of products in which they already have a foundational knowledge.

We hope you are able to apply to one or both of our Monument Internships. Contact us with any questions.

A message from HSLDA: Transcripts?

2010-02-19T16:13:00.004-07:00

If your child has never attended a public or a private school, then it’s likely you’ve not seen a high school transcript in a while. To most homeschool parents, the word “transcript” elicits almost as much fear as the word “fire” in a crowded room! Some parents think that they cannot create such a document. We hope that reading this newsletter will allay your fears and give you confidence that you are capable of issuing a professional-looking document on your teen’s behalf.

Transcripts: What and Why?

Two questions we frequently encounter are: What is a transcript and why do I need one, especially if my teen is not pursuing college? Simply stated, a transcript is a concise and accurate record of your teen’s academic courses taken during the high school years. A transcript is not only necessary for college admission, but may be required for scholarships, Vo-tech and other post-high schools, apprenticeships, entry level employment to evidence completion of high school, and will definitely be required if enlisting in the military.
Now that we’ve established the necessity of a transcript, let’s look at the different sections of such a document. (It may be helpful for you to print off one or more of the sample transcripts, including a blank form, that are found on our website and refer to them as you read through the rest of the newsletter.)

Transcript Heading

You will want to begin by placing a title at the top of the document such as “Official High School Transcript.” Or, you may choose to use your school name, “Smith High School.” If you belong to an umbrella or oversight group, then that may be the school name you’ll use (please ask the group for permission to do so).
Following the title, provide the student’s personal information on one side and the school information on the opposite side (even though much of this information is identical). The student should list his full given name, address (including email address), phone number, birth date, and parents’ full names.
A Social Security number is not required on a transcript. It will be requested by the schools in the application in order to match up any financial aid or scholarship money that is received for your student. Once in the school’s database, most colleges issue a student ID number to the applicant, and that is the number to use for future correspondence with the school.

Transcript Academic Record

The major section of the transcript is the academic record (or body) section which is usually divided into four parts or years. Some families, however, create a transcript by semesters rather than years. This is strictly a personal choice, but listing courses by semester may make it more difficult to keep the transcript short and concise.
Each year will be labeled by grade such as “Grade 9,” and so forth. Under this heading, all the courses taken in the 9th grade will be listed followed by the credit earned and the grade awarded. When titling a course on the transcript, use a brief and clear title so that others will have an accurate idea of the course content.
College courses taken as dual enrollment should be starred and a note included at the bottom of the transcript that these are college-level courses, or simply list the name of the college. (Generally speaking, a one-semester college-level course is equivalent to one year of high school credit.)
Transcripts submitted with a college application should list the 12th grade courses even though these courses are not yet completed. Place an “IP” (in progress) in the grade column of the transcript until a grade is awarded at the end of the senior year.
Along with the course title and grade earned, also indicate the credit each course is awarded. There are several ways to evaluate credit. For additional information see “Evaluating Credits” on our high school website.
At the bottom of each year, total up all the credits and compute that year’s grade point average (GPA). More detailed instructions on how to calculate yearly and cumulative GPAs can be found in our October 2009 newsletter, “Computing a GPA—Yikes!”

Transcript Academic Summary

At the bottom of the transcript, the total number of credits and the cumulative GPA will be listed. Be sure to also include the date of graduation and that a diploma was issued.
Some transcripts will include a grading scale or table. Providing such information can be helpful to someone reading your transcript in understanding your grades. However, if your teen has taken courses from other teachers or from outside sources, it will not be possible for you to provide a uniform grading scale. If this is the case, then it’s wise not to include the scale or table.

Signature and Date

The transcript should be typed and professional in appearance. Every time it is requested, provide an original, signed, and dated document. It is a good idea to have someone proofread your transcript for spelling and calculation errors before issuing it.

The Finished Product

The samples on our website will give you the type of information that any transcript should include, but don’t think that you must duplicate the formats. You have the freedom to design your own transcript to fit your teen’s specific needs. Your transcript will be fine as long as it is clear and accurately reflects your teen’s high school academic courses.
Now, that wasn’t so hard, was it? Hopefully this information will give you the confidence that you, too, can produce a professional-looking transcript for your teen—one that you will look forward to providing to anyone who asks.

2010 Free Days

2010-02-19T16:08:00.004-07:00

DENVER ZOO
·         2300 Steele St., Denver, 303-376-4800
Saturday, January 9, 2010
Monday, January 18, 2010
Sunday, February 7, 2010
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
Thursday, October 21, 2010
Sunday, November 7, 2010
Saturday November 13, 2010

DENVER ART MUSEUM
·         100 West 14^th Avenue Parkway, Denver, 720-865-5000
(The art museum is free the first Saturday of every month: )
Saturday, January 2, 2010
Saturday, February 6, 2010
Saturday, March 6, 2010
Saturday, April 3, 2010
Saturday, May 1, 2010
Saturday June 5, 2010
Saturday, August 7, 2010
Saturday, September 4, 2010
Saturday, October 2, 2010
Saturday, November 6, 2010
Saturday, December 4, 2010

DENVER BOTANIC GARDENS
·         1005 York Street, Denver, 720-865-3500
Monday, January 18, 2010
Monday, February 15, 2010
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Thursday, July 22, 2010
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Sunday, September 26, 2010
Thursday, October 23, 2010
DENVER BOTANIC GARDENS @ CHATFIELD
·         8500 Deer Creek Canyon Road, Littleton, 303-973-3705
Friday, January 1, 2010
Friday, February 5, 2010
Friday, March 5, 2010
Friday, April 2, 2010
Friday, May 7, 2010
Friday, June 4, 2010
Friday, August 6, 2010
Friday, November 5, 2010
Friday, December 3, 2010

DENVER MUSEUM OF NATURE & SCIENCE
·         2001 Colorado Boulevard, Denver, 303-322-7009
Monday, January 11, 2010
Sunday, February 21, 2010
Monday, March 1, 2010
Sunday, April 18, 2010
Sunday, August 8, 2010
Monday, August 30, 2010
Monday, September 13, 2010
Sunday, September 19, 2010
Sunday, October 3, 2010
Monday, October 18, 2010
Sunday, November 14, 2010
Monday, December 6, 2010

Last Call for Teen Pact

2010-02-19T16:05:00.004-07:00

Last week to Register!
TeenPact Colorado meets March 8-12, 2010

Final Registration Deadline
February 22nd, 2010

TeenPact teaches TEENS they can have an imPACT in American
government even while too young to vote. Spending a week at the
Colorado State Capitol, students not only learn about the basics of state
government but also gain a biblical understanding of their responsibility
as citizens: to vote and to pray effectively. During the week of classes
March 8-12, students learn to find their way around the capitol, know
where to find bills and how to read them, study and enjoy parliamentary
debate, run for a mock office during the week, and meet public officials.
TeenPact's goal is to instill the skills and passion necessary to impact
the nation for Jesus Christ.

If you live too far from Denver to commute daily, grab a friend, share a
hotel suite, or meet someone new! Contact Jodi for hotel information at
clapper@centurytel.net. For details about meals, homework help, or
any other questions, you are always welcome to contact Michelle
Warren, Colorado State Coordinator, at colorado@teenpact.com.

Register today at http://www.teenpact.com

HOMESTEAD BOOTCAMP, MAY 21 OR SATURDAY, MAY 22

2010-01-27T17:13:00.001-07:00

This bootcamp will be a hands-on intensive one-day training for Christian home educating parents seeking a rural lifestyle to survive the times. We will meet at Blessed Creek Farm, a 240-acre dry land farm 35 miles NE of Byers and 26 miles south of Fort Morgan. Owners/operators Cary and Shari McMinn will provide the training, lunch, and a gift for this event where you choose to come either Friday, May 21 or Saturday, May 22. Parents only, but nursing babies allowed. Cost is $75/couple. Widows/Widowers may bring oldest child or relative/friend as helper. Wear comfortable clothes. Men bring wheelbarrow, shovel, hammer, and pliers if on-hand. Women bring hoe, rake, shovel, and garden hand tools if on-hand. Schedule each day will have a men's track led by Cary and a women's track led by Shari. 9am-5pm. Questions? Email office@chec.org. Registration Forms will be available by February 1, 2010 on the CHEC website.

GOLF TOURNAMENT FUND RAISER

2010-01-27T17:10:00.002-07:00

The golf tournament fund raiser is on Friday, June 25 at the Spring Valley Golf Club in Elizabeth, CO. This is a great opportunity to enjoy God's creation, support CHEC and enjoy a free lunch and prizes for all. For more information, please contact Mark Baughman (720) 935-1613 or generation78@live.com. Details will be posted as they are available on the CHEC website.

HISTORY OF COLORADO’S HOMESCHOOL LAW

2010-01-27T17:07:00.001-07:00

Independence Institute’s Marya DeGrow wrote on the history of the Colorado Homeschool Law which is available free for the downloading. This 27-page document is found HERE ( http://www.i2i.org/files/pdf/IP_12_2008.pdf) It is informative and worth the time to invest in reading so that you are aware of the history of our homeschool law in Colorado.

CHOIRFIRE FOR KIDS AND YOUTH, “IGNITING A PASSION FOR SINGING HIS PRAISES”

2010-01-27T16:55:00.005-07:00

Spring Choir Session : February – April. This session students will learn contemporary Christian worship and pop hit songs, advance their singing skills, perform an exciting concert with friends, and discover music as a dynamic ministry.

Parker: Mondays, starts Feb. 1, Mainstreet Center Complex, 19650 Mainstreet, Parker
3:00-3:45: 5th – 9th grade 3:45-4:25: 1st – 4th grade
Mountain Areas: Thursdays, starts Feb. 4, Mountain High Christian Ctr., 8444 Hwy 285, Morrison
3:30-4:10: 1st- 4th grade 4:15- 5:00: 5th- 9th grade

Cost per 12 week session: Registration & Supplies: $15, Tuition: $75, TOTAL: $90
More information at their website HERE (www.choirfire.org) or email claudia@choirfire.org

Register online or by mail. Mailing Address: Torchgrab ChoirFire, 8552 S. Ault Lane, Morrison, CO 80465

PURITY BALL, MARCH 6, 2010

2010-01-27T16:48:00.004-07:00

The 11th Purity Ball will be at the Broadmoor Hotel. We warmly invite you to attend this event which will take place March 6 in the Lake Terrace Ball Room from 6pm to midnight. The cost is $85 per person and will include a three course dinner, a father’s call to covenant, a ballet performance and ballroom dancing till midnight! This is a glorious fatherhood event where daughters will be publicly valued, cherished and treated with great dignity by their fathers. For daughters of all ages. Please go to our website to register and for more information.

If a daughter does not have a father – then brothers, grandfathers, uncles, cousins or God-fearing righteous men may step in to accompany them.

Further information can be found at HERE (www.fatherdaughterpurityball.com) or HERE (www.generationsoflight.com) or email wilson.purityball@gmail.com

CHEC GRADUATION CEREMONIES, MAY 8 & 15, 2010, DENVER METRO

2010-01-27T16:46:00.002-07:00

These ceremonies are a wonderful way for parents to affirm their children publicly and are a great culmination of their homeschool experience. These formal but simple ceremonies will be held at Grace Chapel in Southeast Denver (8505 South Valley Highway Road, Englewood, CO 80112). More information can be found on the CHEC website or by contacting the CHEC office at office@chec.org or 720-842-4852 or 800-842-2432.

TEENPACT COLORADO, MARCH 8-11, 2010

2010-01-27T16:42:00.002-07:00

What is TeenPact? TeenPact is a comprehensive leadership program for both teens and children at the state capitol that brings kids closer to Jesus Christ, makes them better leaders, and positions them to impact public policy in their state. During the week, students meet important officials, interact with other like-minded students, and have more fun at the capitol than they could have imagined.

Students leave inspired and challenged with an intense desire to change America for Christ. TeenPact staff will grade and return pre-class homework the week of classes. Students receive a certificate for 1/3 Carnegie Unit in State Politics and Government. If you know any homeschool, enrichment, church, or other group that would be willing to give our Student Ambassadors 5 minutes to promote TeenPact, we would appreciate any contacts. If you have any additional questions or would like to be a part of the Colorado State Coordinator Team, please email: Michelle Warren at colorado@teenpact.com or Marsha Brower ladyoftheboomerang@comcast.net

Register today at HERE (www.teenpact.com)
Registration Deadline is February 22, 2010. (Several discounts described online)

Four-Day Government Class (ages 13-19) March 8-11, 2010,
Mon: 1pm - 5pm Tue-Wed: 8:45am – 8:00pm Thu: 8:45am - 3pm
First time student: $220 (required $60 deposit with registration)
Returning Student: $180 (required $60 deposit with registration)

One-Day Public Speaking Workshop (Ages 13-19) March 12, 2010, Fri: 10am - 4pm
$50 ($35 if registered for in conjunction with Four Day class)

One-Day Government Class (ages 8-12) March 12, 2010, Fri: 10am - 4pm
First child attending: $40 Each additional sibling: $30

CHEC SPRINGTIME BOOK FAIR, MAY 22, 2010, DENVER METRO AREA

2010-01-27T16:39:00.002-07:00

This is a great opportunity to sell your gently used school books, as well as educational and computer games, supplies and more! The 2010 Springtime Family Bookfair is ready for vendors! Please join us this year on Saturday, May 22 from 9am – 1pm, at the Arvada United Methodist Church. We had a very successful event last year and this year. If you or someone you know is interested in a table, please visit the website www.chec.org (under events) or email Christy at bookfair@chec.org.

We have two table sizes this year, a standard 8 foot table for $25 or a 6 foot round for $15. The tables went very fast last year so please make sure to register early.

SPECIAL NEEDS SEMINAR, FEBRUARY 20, 2010

2010-01-27T16:35:00.005-07:00

Are you schooling a child who had special needs? Come to a seminar designed especially for you. Nancy Casterline, our Special Needs Coordinator, will host a seminar for special needs children. Speakers from various fields will discuss developmental issues, learning disabilities, giftedness, and other pertinent topics. For more information, please check out CHEC's website, found HERE.

Colorado Actors Company

2010-01-27T16:31:00.005-07:00

Here are two classes beginning the first week of February at Colorado Actors Company and Theater School. Classes are held at their Theater in Arvada, located behind the Early College High School, just east of Sheridan, at 4905 W. 60th Ave.

School Dayz was originally set to begin on Jan 26th, but is being delayed for 2 weeks to give some more students a chance to sign up! The full description can be found on their website here. Basically, they will be taking scenes from the plays; Anne of Green Gables, Tom Sawyer and Little Women and having the children perform them. The scenes they will choose will depend on the children involved. The cost is $200 (includes script, costumes, props and makeup) per student (there is a 10% discount for additional students and I believe that scholarships are also available). The performances will be Thursday, April 8th at 10:00am, Friday, April 9th at 7pm, and Saturday, April 10th at either 2pm or 7pm. The young woman, Shea Porter, directing this play has been performing with ACTS for years, and I think that you would find this a wonderful experience for your children.

School of Rock is a new offering being taught by a young man, Joe Mondragon, that has been involved with Colorado ACTS for years. He is now a student at University of Colorado Denver in the Music Industry Studies program, as well as experienced with several bands in the Denver Area. He loves music!

The class will focus on teaching kids rock and roll theory, performance, and how to play their instruments.

Students will learn vocals, guitar, bass, keyboards, and drums over an 8 week period.

Final rock concert will be a pre show to 2 local bands. An “original” piece of music and 1-2 Classic Rock “Cover” songs will be performed.

If you are interested in having your children participate, you can go to their website here for a registration form and contact information 303-456-6772, if you would like to talk to someone more about the classes.

Credo Academy Teachers Needed

2010-01-27T16:08:00.003-07:00

Credo Academy of Lone Tree, a middle school and high school co-op, is looking for qualified teachers for the 2010-11 school year. Parents or qualified teachers who are looking for a part-time position are welcome to inquire. We met on Thursdays at I-25 and Lincoln in Lone Tree. All teachers must be Christians and be able to teach at the high school level. Teachers are independent contractors who set their own prices based on market value. We need teachers for the following subjects:

Foreign languages (Latin, Spanish, or other)
Physical Science
Writing

Check us out at our website (www.credoacademy.com) for teacher application and see what we are about! We hire teachers in February and March for the fall term. Email Meredith

100 POSTS!

2010-01-27T15:57:00.003-07:00

Thank you all for spreading the word! 100 POSTS!

FREE Chemistry & Intelligent Design (ID) Lecture

2010-01-19T17:21:00.002-07:00

Chemistry & Intelligent Design (ID) Lecture

Place: Parker Church of Christ, 11405 North Pine Drive, Parker, CO (please use Mapquest for specific directions)

Date: Friday, Jan 22nd

Time: starts at 7:00pm, ends around 8:30pm

Speaker: Richard W. Anderson, PHD in Organic Chemistry, Author, Educator, and former research chemist

Speaker will provide a lecture/demonstration on tying chemistry with ID. Content geared mainly to high school level students.

Cost: Free