HUB news update-Feb. 28

Homeschool HUB Weekly News--Feb. 28   Homeschool HUB phone: 269-240-6094 email: homeschoolhub@yahoo.com   website: www.hshub.org  Editor: Annette Ernsperger   The information below is offered to you as a service.  Please research and decide for yourself the value to your family.  The Homeschool HUB does not endorse any programs or services other than those offered by the Homeschool HUB.     Send information to be added to the update no later than the Thursday before the week you want it to appear:  homeschoolhub@yahoo.com   Details for the following events are on the calendar at: www.calendar.yahoo.com/homeschoolhub ON THE CALENDAR: Mar. 1 and 4--Open swimming for homeschoolers at Niles YMCA, 2-4 pm, $2  Mar. 5--Homeschool bowling, Strikes and Spares, 1-3, $5 Mar. 6--Chess at Niles library, 9:30 a.m., free HERE'S THE BUZZ: 1) Charlotte's Web at Bethel College 2) Game night 3) Lego robotics for parents 4) Six Flags reading program 5) Sunflower project 6) Homeschool prom 7) State government mini-seminar 8) Art contest 9) Notre Dame family communication project 10) Michiana Homeschool Drama Group presents: And LAST BUT NOT LEAST: classified ads and links of interest at the end of your weekly news.  See also the Letting it Ride section at the end.  1) Charlottes Web field trip performance is coming up on Thursday, March 25, 9:30 am. at Bethel College. Seats are $5 per student, teachers are free. Seats are extremely limited.  Bethel is sold out. I only have 10 left.  Please call me today to reserve your seat! Diane Day 269-445-1900. 2) Games Night again! We had a blast during our February games night, so we decided to do it again in March.  It's tentatively scheduled for March 12 from 7pm -midnight in the Community Room at the Niles police station.  Right now there is a task force using the room, and we are supposed to call March 8th or 9th to make sure they will finish up before the 12th.  We will send out an email to everyone to confirm, but hold the date for now if you like Catch Phrase, Apples to Apples, etc. 3) Lego Robotics sessions at LMC for parents Two free sessions for parents of kids currently or recently in robotics classes.  Parents will have fun learning how to program the robots and use the sensors.  No experience needed.  Limit 16.  Saturdays, March 13 and 27, from 9am - noon.  At Lake Michigan College Bertrand Crossing Campus in Niles.  For more information and to reserve a spot call Meg Edwards at 269 695-1391.   4) The Six Flags reading program is for elementary students (gades K-6). You need to log 6 hours of reading by February 24th.  List the teacher, who will also get a ticket.  If you have two children, list mom as teacher for one, and dad as teacher for the other and submit 2 separate forms (only one ticket allowed per teacher).  Send the form, with a stamped, self-addressed envelope, to the Homeschool HUB:  P.O. Box 286, Niles, MI  49120 attn: Peggy Schindler. We should receive it no later than March 1st.  Please don't forget the SASE -- we need it to send you your 6 Flags tickets when they come.  Admission tickets will be valid at participating Six Flags theme parks from June 14 to August 8, 2010.  For more info, contact: Peggy Schindler at 269-695-2686. Note: The reading log you need to fill out and return to Peggy is in PDF form as an attachment to this newsletter.   5) The Great Sunflower Project (join the hunt for bees) Time to sign up and get your seeds if you want to participate.  Go to: http://www.greatsunflower.org/ In 2008, we started this project as a way to gather information about our urban, suburban and rural bee populations. We wanted to enlist people all over the US and Canada to observe their bees and be citizen scientists. We asked them to plant sunflowers in their gardens so we could standardize study of bee activity and provide more resources for bees. Sunflowers are relatively easy to grow and are wildly attractive to bees. Since 2008, we have expanded the list of plants studied to include Bee balm, Cosmos, Rosemary, Tickseed, and Purple coneflower. So far we've found that the on average our gardeners are likely to see a bee pollinate every 2.6 minutes. Surprisingly, over 20% of our gardens never saw a bee! We want to thank all of our citizen scientists for being our observers. You can participate by getting annual Lemon Queen sunflower seeds from us, at your local store or through one of these seed sellers. The instructions are at:  http://www.greatsunflower.org/files/images/Great_Sunflower_Project_Insert_2010.pdf   No knowledge of bees required! Enter your bee counts online or send us your paper form. We would love to have you join us; let's help our most important pollinators together! 6) Homeschool Prom, "A Night of Divine Perfection," will be Saturday, May 1st, from 5-10 p.m.  The Prom is open for freshman through seniors only.  It will be held at the "Res" which is in the woods amongst beautiful trails and a creek.  The trails will be open from 5-6:30 to walk and dinner will be served at 6 p.m.  After dinner our Christian DJ will start playing some music to dance the night away. We will also take the time to honor our seniors and pray over them.   The cost is $25 a person.  Please make checks out to Dana DoBrodt and send to 58896 Elm Rd., Mishawaka, IN 46544.  Registration must be postmarked by April 15th to be accepted.  We will only take the first 60 people who send their registration in.   We ask that guys wear dress slacks and ties and girls wear modest dresses ("If you are in doubt, probably not" would be a good motto for choosing attire that evening).  Pictures will also be offered that night.   Please fill out the registration form and send along with your check.  Questions can be sent to hiddeneagles@att.net.                                                                               Name ___________________________Phone number_________________________   Year in school______ Member of homeschool group? yes or no If yes, name of homeschool group____________________________________   email _______________________________________________________________   Guest name __________________________ home schooled   yes or no   Guest's phone number __________________Yr in school___________ 7) Indiana State Government Mini-Seminar--Respond by March 10th Timothy Wesco, a homeschool graduate and candidate for Indiana State Representative District 21, will host an informative session about our state government. We will take a practical and educational behind-the-scenes look at how our Indiana government works.  This seminar is a great addition to any government or social studies course. •Do you know how our Indiana state government creates the laws we all live by in Indiana?   •Can you name any Indiana state representatives or state senators? •Do you know how many state representatives and state senators are in Indiana? •How does the campaign process work?  • How do you become a candidate for office and what is involved in the campaign process?   •How can I participate in the political process? •What is a page and how can I volunteer to be one? These questions and many more will be answered in this free, informative seminar.  Students and parents are invited to participate.   If you are interested in this unique, informative seminar, please respond by March 10th.  The location, date and size of the room we need will be determined by the response we receive. Please contact Tim or Christy Hanlon at the7hanlons@juno.com or call 674-9552 if you are interested in attending. 8) Greetings teachers,   I am writing to invite you and your students to participate in the City of Elkhart's Recycled Art Contest being held on Friday, July 23, 2010.  The Elkhart Environmental Division is holding the Recycled Art Contest at EnviroFest, our annual environmental festival being held at the Elkhart Wellfield Botanical Gardens.    The Recycled Art Contest is for any artist interested in creatively showing the human impact on our environment.  The contest will showcase recycled art, as well as mixed media highlighting human impacts on the earth.  You, your students, fellow artists or friends can enter in one or both of two categories: 1) traditional art (such as paintings, photography, and mixed media) or (2) "recycled art", which must be constructed of at least 70% reusable or natural materials (such as bottle caps, scrap metal, or natural fibers).  We ask artists to please submit only one entry per medium.  The Art Contest is open to people of all ages.     To register or receive further information, please call the Elkhart Environmental Center at (574) 293-5070.  All forms including registration and rules can all be found at www.elkhartindiana.org/eecenter.    Megan Kolaczyk Environmental Utility Coor inator Elkhart Environmental Center Phone:  574-293-5070 or 574-293-2572 Fax:  574-970-0593 Website:  www.elkhartindiana.org/eecenter Email: megan.kolaczyk@coei.org 9) The Family Communication Project:  Tune In and Listen Up!   We are looking for couples and their teens between the ages of 12-16 to participate in The Family Communication Project which focuses on the way families communicate and deal with conflict.  We hope participation in the project will strengthen family relationships.  Families can participate in the Family Communication Project if a couple (married or cohabitating for at least 2 years) has a child between the ages of 12 and 16 that lives with them.    Participation in the Family Communication Project includes attending a few visits at the University of Notre Dame's Center for Children and Families on Ironwood Dr.  The visits last about 2 1/2 hours. Families will be asked to complete some questionnaires in addition to attending the informational workshops.   Parents can earn up to $130 each for their participation. Teens can earn $50 and prizes.     We welcome your questions! If you are interested in more information or in registering for the program, please contact Jackie jbauter1@nd.edu or Ashley at 631-0887.   10) Tickets are on sale now for Michiana Home School Drama Group's presentation of  "Joseph of Arimathea" and "A Day in the Country".  "Joseph of Arimathea" is a play written by Dr. Nicky Chavers and performed by local homeschool junior/senior high students, and will be performed on March 12th at 7:30 PM.  "A Day in the Country" is a musical performed by local elementary home school students, and will be performed on March 13th at 10:30 AM.  Both performances will be held at 1st Baptist Church, 1446 E. Main St., Niles, MI.  Tickets for either performance are just $5 per person, or $20 per family for larger families.  Tickets may be obtained through any cast member, or by calling Deb or Rebekah at 288-0394, or will be available at the door. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~  CLASSIFIEDS   We are moving and have these items for sale.  If interested can e-mail carollucia@comcast.net or call 269-262-0184 or after March 7, 269-228-8063 and ask for Carol. I can e-mail pics if you'd like. Thank you. ELECTRONIC KEYBOARD First Act MI061 - $30 Like new 61 key electronic keyboard. Great for child to learn on.   BBC MUZZY VHS Spanish Language Learning System - $35 This is the BBC Early Advantage Language Course for Children. It is in like NEW condition. Spanish Level 1 VHS. Complete set Level 1: 2 VHS tapes - these videos contain a total of 6 Muzzy lessons in Spanish. 2 VHS tapes - these are vocabulary builders lessons 1-27. 1 VHS tape in English. tells the Muzzy story in English--Can be very helpful for some children. 2 Audio cassetes-includes all of the dialogs and lessons- great for in the car and to focus on Muzzy's songs. Muzzy at the Seaside CD-ROM--language activities for all ages Muzzy Scriptbook- allows parents and older children to follow and read aloud to younger children scene by scene. Muzzy Parents Guide.   LINCOLN LOGS FRONTIER LOOKOUT PLUS - $15 Lincoln Logs Frontier Lookout set plus more logs, etc. Also includes plastic army figures and toys mixed in.   TOYS AND FUN GALORE - $15 Cleaning out the toy room. FUN Play RUG, best lock, magnet toys (NOT FOR YOUNG CHILDREN), K'nex, yoyo, play snake, balls, misc.   CHILD'S ROCKING CHAIR w/Bear - $15 Solid Wood Rocking Chair for child with or without teddy bear. Great condition. Have something for sale, free or trade?  Advertise here! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ LAST BUT NOT LEAST--LINKS OF INTEREST (links do not imply endorsement):  How to write a letter: http://lesson-plans-materials.suite101.com/article.cfm/valentine_letter_writing Virtual tour of a football factory: http://www.homefires.com/click?football Backyard birdwatching: http://www.birdsource.org/gbbc/ Do you have any favorite websites?  Send them to us and we'll share them! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ LETTING IT RIDE: The Homeschool HUB is continuing to collect Campbell Soup labels, Campbell's Chunky Soup labels, Campbell's Healthy Request labels, Campbell's Select harvest, Franco-American, Pepperidge Farm, Spaghettios, Swanson, V-8 Beverages, V-8 Fusion, Prego Italian Sauces and Campbell's Food Service.   Give your labels to any board member or bring them to our homeschool functions. --AND-- We are still accepting Boxtops for education labels.  You can find these on: Betty Crocker goods Gold Medal Flour Nestle products Cherrios Cascadian Farm products Chex Cocoa Puffs Cookie Crisp Country Cornflakes Fiber One products Golden Grahams Honey Nut Clusters Lucky Charms Oatmeal Crisps TotalTrix Wheaties Green Giant vegetables Pillsbury Toaster Strudel Totino Pizza olls Hamburger Helper meals Old El Paso Suddenly Salad Yoplait Fruit Flavored shapes Ziploc Kleenex Scott Kotex Poise Depend Hefty Nature Valley Cottonelle  Huggies Goodnites Pull Ups Avery School supplies Go to Boxtops for Education.org for more info, and then SAVE SAVE SAVE  those labels.  Each one nets 10 cents and every 10 cents adds up. You can give them to any HUB board director or bring them to any of our functions that we will be having.  Thank-you! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ DISCLAIMERS:  While the Homeschool HUB believes that these events or opportunities may be of value to home educators, announcements do not constitute an endorsement by the Homeschool HUB, or its Board of Directors. It is the responsibility of individual parents to determine the appropriateness of any event or opportunity for their children. Participation in any event is voluntary and the participant assumes complete responsibility and liability for themselves, their family, anyone accompanying them, and their personal property.

HUB news update-Feb. 21

Homeschool HUB Weekly News--Feb. 21   Homeschool HUB phone: 269-240-6094 email: homeschoolhub@yahoo.com   website: www.hshub.org  Editor: Annette Ernsperger   The information below is offered to you as a service.  Please research and decide for yourself the value to your family.  The Homeschool HUB does not endorse any programs or services other than those offered by the Homeschool HUB.     Send information to be added to the update no later than the Thursday before the week you want it to appear:  homeschoolhub@yahoo.com   Details for the following events are on the calendar at: www.calendar.yahoo.com/homeschoolhub ON THE CALENDAR: Feb. 22 and 25--Open swimming for homeschoolers at Niles YMCA, 2-4 pm, $2  Feb. 26--Homeschool bowling, Strikes and Spares, 1-3, $5 HERE'S THE BUZZ: 1) Homeschool talent show 2) Scholarship offer 3) More art classes 4) Six Flags reading program 5) Fort St. Joseph Museum program And LAST BUT NOT LEAST: classified ads and links of interest at the end of your weekly news.  See also the Letting it Ride section at the end.  1) We're putting the feelers out to get an idea for whether there is any interest in a talent/variety show for homeschoolers to participate in, sometime  in May.  Is this something that you would be interested in participating in or watching?  If so, please let Donnelda Lohr know:  lohrgalore@juno.com or 269-683-2372. 2) Robert C. Byrd Honors Scholarship application due soon This is an academic scholarship for $1,500 that is renewable for four years.  Here is a link to an article about it:  http://www.michigan.gov/som/0,1607,7-192-29943-208331--,00.html Parents of home-schooled students can obtain a nomination form by visiting the website at: www.michigan.gov/osg. 3) Studio Art Classes, 4609 Grape Road, Mishawaka, located in the JMS Plaza behind Outback Steakhouse is offering flexible class schedules for busy families. Classes begin when you do! To register, call 574-243-2006 or email, admin@studioartclasses.org Open Studio for Kids and Teens Vincent Dominello-instructor Tuesday through Friday, 5 - 7 years old, 4:30 pm - 5:30 pm 8 sessions, Homeschool Advantage tuition $45 (includes supplies)** Tuesday through Friday, 7 - 14 years old, 4:30 pm - 6:00 pm 8 sessions, Homeschool Advantage tuition $90 (includes supplies)** Mr. Vince offers the flexibility of "Open Studio". Parents purchase 8 sessions with the option of choosing when to bring their children to Open Studio.  Classes do not need to be consecutive. Young artists will enjoy exploring the fundamentals of drawing and painting in a friendly and supportive environment. The goal of this program is to develop children's confidence in their ability to create expressive artwork. Students will use oil and soft pastels, watercolor, tempera, acrylics and a wide range of other media. Adventures in Art for Kids and Teens:  Vincent Dominello Saturdays, 5 - 7 years old, 10:00 am - 11:00 am 8 weeks, Homeschool Advantage Tuition $45 (includes supplies)** Saturdays, 7 - 14 years old, 11:00 am - 12:30 pm 8 weeks, Homeschool Avantage Tuition $90 (includes supplies)** Young artists will enjoy exploring the fundamentals of drawing and painting in a friendly and supportive environment. The goal of this program is to develop children's confidence in their ability to create expressive artwork. Students will use oil and soft pastels, watercolor, tempera, acrylics and a wide range of other media.   Flexible Daytime Sessions Available Studio Art Classes will invites homeschool groups to plan their own sessions. Vincent Dominello is available during the day to teach groups as small as three. Call 574-243-2006 or email admin@studioartclasses.org for more details. **Please let us know you are a Homeschool Hub family to receive the Homeschool Advantage Tuition   Anne Binder  Studio Art Classes 4609 Grape Road Mishawaka, IN 46545 574-243-2006 www.StudioArtClasses.org   4) The Six Flags reading program is for elementary students (gades K-6). You need to log 6 hours of reading by February 24th.  List the teacher, who will also get a ticket.  If you have two children, list mom as teacher for one, and dad as teacher for the other and submit 2 separate forms (only one ticket allowed per teacher).  Send the form, with a stamped, self-addressed envelope, to the Homeschool HUB:  P.O. Box 286, Niles, MI  49120 attn: Peggy Schindler. We should receive it no later than March 1st.  Please don't forget the SASE -- we need it to send you your 6 Flags tickets when they come.  Admission tickets will be valid at participating Six Flags theme parks from June 14 to August 8, 2010.  For more info, contact: Peggy Schindler at 269-695-2686. Note: The reading log you need to fill out and return to Peggy is in PDF form as an attachment to this newsletter.   5) On February 27th Fort St. Joseph Museum has an Instrument "Petting Zoo" Open House from 10a.m. to 1 p.m.  This event is organized by Andrews University Music Ensemble.  Children and adults will have the chance to get up close and personal with orchestral instruments.  Several craft stations will also be set up throughout the museum.  This is a free program at the museum.  For  more information, contact:    Annette Morales Education Curator Fort St. Joseph Museum 508 E. Main St. Niles, MI. 49120 269-683-4702 ext.236 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~  CLASSIFIEDS Have something for sale, free or trade?  Advertise here! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ LAST BUT NOT LEAST--LINKS OF INTEREST (links do not imply endorsement):  Virtual tour of a football factory:  http://www.homefires.com/click?football Backyard bird watching:  http://www.birdsource.org/gbbc/ Language arts songs:  http://www.mrsjonesroom.com/songs/alphlist.html Do you have any favorite websites?  Send them to us and we'll share them! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ LETTING IT RIDE: The Homeschool HUB is continuing to collect Campbell Soup labels, Campbell's Chunky Soup labels, Campbell's Healthy Request labels, Campbell's Select harvest, Franco-American, Pepperidge Farm, Spaghettios, Swanson, V-8 Beverages, V-8 Fusion, Prego Italian Sauces and Campbell's Food Service.   Give your labels to any board member or bring them to our homeschool functions. --AND-- We are still accepting Boxtops for education labels.  You can find these on: Betty Crocker goods Gold Medal Flour Nestle products Cherrios Cascadian Farm products Chex Cocoa Puffs Cookie Crisp Country Cornflakes Fiber One products Golden Grahams Honey Nut Clusters Lucky Charms Oatmeal Crisps TotalTrix Wheaties Green Giant vegetables Pillsbury Toaster Strudel Totino Pizza olls Hamburger Helper meals Old El Paso Suddenly Salad Yoplait Fruit Flavored shapes Ziploc Kleenex Scott Kotex Poise Depend Hefty Nature Valley Cottonelle  Huggies Goodnites Pull Ups Avery School supplies Go to Boxtops for Education.org for more info, and then SAVE SAVE SAVE  those labels.  Each one nets 10 cents and every 10 cents adds up. You can give them to any HUB board director or bring them to any of our functions that we will be having.  Thank-you! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ DISCLAIMERS:  While the Homeschool HUB believes that these events or opportunities may be of value to home educators, announcements do not constitute an endorsement by the Homeschool HUB, or its Board of Directors. It is the responsibility of individual parents to determine the appropriateness of any event or opportunity for their children. Participation in any event is voluntary and the participant assumes complete responsibility and liability for themselves, their family, anyone accompanying them, and their personal property.

Intro to Jazz Improv session

The details are finally nailed down: Sam Pletcher will lead this Intro to Jazz Improv session at Lake Michigan College at Bertrand Crossing in Niles in room 117, 11:00-1:00 on Sat., Feb. 20.  A keyboard and drum set will be available for use.  Call Kathy with any further questions:  269-362-0651.  Anyone wanting to to play or just check it out are welcome!

HUB news update--Feb. 13

Homeschool HUB Weekly News--Feb. 13   Homeschool HUB phone: 269-240-6094 email: homeschoolhub@yahoo.com   website: www.hshub.org Editor: Annette Ernsperger   The information below is offered to you as a service.  Please research and decide for yourself the value to your family.  The Homeschool HUB does not endorse any programs or services other than those offered by the Homeschool HUB.    Send information to be added to the update no later than the Thursday before the week you want it to appear:  homeschoolhub@yahoo.com   ON THE CALENDAR: Feb. 15 and 18--Open swimming for homeschoolers at Niles YMCA, 2-4 pm, $2 Feb. 19--Homeschool bowling, Strikes and Spares, 1-3, $5 Feb. 20--Chess at Niles library, 9:30 a.m., free   Details for the following events are on the calendar at: www.calendar.yahoo.com/homeschoolhub HERE'S THE BUZZ:   1) Academy of Arts drama camp 2) United Arts and Education store discount 3) Niles library activities 4) Six Flags reading program 5) Tubing/cross country skiing 6) Spring art classes 7) Homeschool prom 8) Bethel College performances 9) Wildcats volleyball 10) Free FAFSA workshop at LMC 11) Self-defense seminar 12) Jazz jam session And LAST BUT NOT LEAST: classified ads and links of interest at the end of your weekly news.  See also the Letting it Ride section at the end.   1) Cue the lights... Indiana Homeschool Support presents The Academy of Arts "The Man Without a Country" and "A Day in the Country". Auditions: March 2nd K-5th will be from 1-3:00 PM 6th-12th will be from 3-5:00 PM Cost: K-5th - $75 6th-12th - $110 Camp is March 15th-20th There will be a meeting on February 23rd at 6:30 PM. at INHSS, where you will receive your scripts, and any information you will need.  Please feel free to contact us with any questions. Thank You, Melissa Taylor Indiana Homeschool Support 68080 Division St. New Paris, IN 46553 (574) 831-3770 2) Coupon for United Arts & Education store To get a coupon for buy one item and get the second for 50% off (good today and tomorrow, the 13th and 14th) at United Arts and Education in Mishawaka, go here:  http://view.exacttarget.com/?j=fe571573736d027f7c10&m=ff041670776403&ls=fdeb12747560007b7d13757d&l=fe8715777263037a71&s=fe5517737763017b7d1c&jb=ff971577&ju=fe1f15767461037a721377&r=0   3) The Children's Department at the Niles District Library marches into a new season.   ·In March the Chess Club will meet on Saturday the 6th and 20th. Competition starts at 9:30 a.m. and ends at 11:30 a.m. Marty Klubeck, our instructor, teaches and challenges everyone to spirited games of Chess. ·During March the Surprise box will have a new item in it each week. Kids can guess what's inside. Prizes will be awarded to one winner per week. ·Spring is in the air and is noticeable in the Garden and Flowers display. Birds and kites will also be featured to welcome warmer weather. Women's history, artists and St. Patrick's Day are a few more of the lively book displays in March. Most presentations have free coloring pages to take home. ·On Saturday, March 20th at 1:00 p.m. the Jr. Garden Club will discover that it is an art to watch insects. They will also learn how to compost and make a worm bin. Fun and learning go hand in hand at this meeting. ·From March 3rd through March 24th the youngsters will explore the different shapes that make our world. Storytimes are on Wednesdays at 9:30 a.m., 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. These sessions include lots of hands-on investigations. ·During March the Squigglers will be talking about their pets. The children are encouraged to bring their favorite stuffed animal to these sessions which are on Wednesdays at 10:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. During Squiggler time the children will sing songs, march in the band, learn the alphabet and much, much more. Niles District Library 620 E. Main St. Niles, MI  Phone: 269-683-8545 Contact persons: Nancy Studebaker or Darlene Jackson   4) The Six Flags reading program is for elementary students (gades K-6). You need to log 6 hours of reading by February 24th.  List the teacher, who will also get a ticket.  If you have two children, list mom as teacher for one, and dad as teacher for the other and submit 2 separate forms (only one ticket allowed per teacher).  Send the form, with a stamped, self-addressed envelope, to the Homeschool HUB:  P.O. Box 286, Niles, MI  49120 attn: Peggy Schindler. We should receive it no later than March 1st.  Please don't forget the SASE -- we need it to send you your 6 Flags tickets when they come.  Admission tickets will be valid at participating Six Flags theme parks from June 14 to August 8, 2010.  For more info, contact: Peggy Schindler at 269-695-2686. Note: The reading log you need to fill out and return to Peggy is in PDF form as an attachment to this newsletter--for real this time....  5) Homeschool tubing/cross country ski day is coming up at Five Pines--Friday, Febuary 19th, 10am-2pm.  This is the last one for the year and since we have snow, let's go!   The cost is $6 for tubing or $9 for tubing AND cross country skiing. 6) New Creations Offers 2010 Spring Art Classes in the Michiana Area for Students in Grades 1-12. Adults  and home schoolers welcome! Gloria Seitz, a certified K-12 art teacher, will be teaching classes on the topic of Experiencing Color. In this seven week class, students will be learning how to mix colors and use color in painting and other art media. Color symbolism and theory will be explored using mediums of colored pencils, oil pastels, watercolors, tempera, and acrylics. CLASSES WILL BEGIN ON THE WEEK OF MARCH 15 AND END THE WEEK OF MAY 3.  There will be no classes the week of April 5th (spring break in public schools).   Tuesdays, classes at Community Free Church in Niles are as follows:  Ages 6-9 will meet at 10:30-11:30 a.m. Ages 9-13 meet from 11:45 -12:45 p.m. and 7th -adult meet from 1-2 p.m. (MI times).   Wednesday classes meet at Trinity Free Church in South Bend . Ages 6-9 will meet at 10:30-11:30 a.m. Ages 9-13 meet from 11:45 -12:45 p.m. and 7th -adult meet from 1-2 p.m.   Thursday classes meet at Hobby Lobby in Mishawaka at the following times:  Ages 6-9 will meet at 11:30-12:30 AND at 12:45-1:45 p.m.. Ages 9-13 will meet at 2-3.  7th through adult will meet from 3:15 -4:15. 8 through 13 year olds will meet from 4:20 -5:20 p.m. (Note slight change in times for the last class).   The cost for the seven week classes is $65 for the first child and $5 LESS  for each additional child.  You will save $5 on the total cost if you pay by March 8.  Cost includes supplies (except sketch book, erasers, pencil, rulers, and folder:  These you will need to purchase), room rental, and Art Festival. Older students may need to purchase a canvas. The Art Festival will be held on Friday, May 7.  You may print out a registration form on line at www.newcreationsart.com.  Classes do fill up, so be sure to get your registration in early.  You may reserve your spot by calling her at 574-271-8069 even before sending in your reservation.    7) Home School Prom   The prom will be held May 1st at the "Res" in Mishawaka.  Dinner will be served with a DJ and dancing afterward.  The tickets are $25 a person.  Space is limited so watch for details on sending your reservations in.   8) The public is invited to enjoy an evening of free musical theatre showcasing Bethel alumni in "Escape to Broadway." The show starts at 7 p.m. in the Everest-Rohrer Chapel/Fine Arts Center Auditorium on Saturday, Feb. 20. It's all part of Bethel 's "Winter Escape" alumni weekend festivities.   Shawn Holtgren, '95, '97; Jennie Sophia Grunseth, '02; Jeff Cramer, '01; and Heidi Ferris, '01 will sing songs from shows including "Ragtime," "Into the Woods," "West Side Story" and the "Secret Garden." These talented graduates have past or current experience in musical theatre — collegiate and regional. Their performance together should be sure to warm the night.   For more information, visit www.BethelCollege.edu/Escape. --AND-- The Bethel College Collegians and Voices of Triumph will present "Zeitgeist!" at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, March 12, 2010, in the Everest-Rohrer Chapel/Fine Arts Center Auditorium. "Zeitgeist!" is an evening of fun combining music, dance and theatre in a slapstick, "whodunit?" murder mystery.  General seating tickets are available through the Bethel College box office at $5 for adults and $3 for students.  Call 574.807.7080. Don't miss this entertaining night of comedy and surprise! --AND--  The Bethel School of Arts and Sciences presents The Mexican Film Festival during spring semester. Three classic films of Mexican cinema will be screened for free at 7 p.m. in the Miller/Moore Academic Center, room 342. All films are in Spanish with English subtitles. Mar. 24 "El Rebelde" When his father is murdered, a young rebel (Jorge Negrete) vows revenge against society. Intending to get even with the wealthy rancher responsible for his father's death, Negrete poses as the music teacher to the rancher's pretty daughter Maria Elena Marques. Falling in love with the girl, our hero decides to mend his ways, but is still obliged to kidnap the heroine before her father will consent to their marriage. Apr. 21 "El Santo En El Museo De Cera" El Santo, the masked Mexican wrestler, investigates a series of kidnappings. He discovers that the mysterious Doctor Caroll is using the victims as part of his experiments to develop an army of monsters. Will El Santo's wrestling prevail in the end? For more information, contact Scott Devries at 574.257.2544 or visit www.BethelCollege.edu/mexicanfilmfestival. 9) MCAC Wildcats Volleyball   We will be offering some open gyms for volleyball in the near future.  If you are interested in possibly playing for the Wildcats please let me know.  This year we had a junior high, Junior Varsity, and a varsity team.  The team will officially start their practices in the summer, but space is limited, so I need to know who is committed to playing.  You can email Dana DoBrodt at hiddeneagles@att.net if interested or if you have any questions. 10) Lake Michigan College will be offering two financial aid workshops for area students to assist them through the process of financing their college education.  The first will be at the Napier campus on Sunday, February 14, from 1PM to 4PM, and the second will be at the Bertrand Crossing campus on Saturday, February 20, from 8AM to noon.  Students and parents will need to bring their 2009 Federal Income Tax returns with them.  The workshops are open to all students who plan on attending college, not just prospective LMC students.  Please call (269) 927-8100 or (269) 695-1391 for more information. In addition, the deadline for best consideration for Lake Michigan College scholarships is March 1.  Awards are not guaranteed, but all students are encouraged to apply, as with only one application, one can apply for thousands of dollars of scholarships.  Not only are there awards for academic achievement, but also for community service, specific majors, and leadership.  Please call (269) 695-1391 or visit www.lakemichigancollege.edu/scholarships for more information. 11)  A womens self-defense and rape prevention seminar is scheduled for Sat.,  March 6, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.,  for ages 14 and up, $30.  This will be held at Calvary Baptist Church, 3001 Cleveland Rd., South Bend by homeschool mom and 3rd degree black belt Jenny England.  Call to reserve your spot: 574-514-3199. 12) A jazz jam session is set for Sat., Feb. 20, 11:00-1:30 at LMC at Bertrand Crossing in Niles.  This is open to any homeschoolers.  You already know when--watch for details on what, why and where (classroom location) to be sent later this week.  ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ CLASSIFIEDS Have something for sale, free or trade?  Advertise here! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ LAST BUT NOT LEAST--LINKS OF INTEREST (links do not imply endorsement): Hangman and word search games for every subject: http://www.wordduck.com Free math lessons and video textbooks:  http://www.mathtv.com Do you have any favorite websites?  Send them to us and we'll share them! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ LETTING IT RIDE: The Homeschool HUB is continuing to collect Campbell Soup labels, Campbell's Chunky Soup labels, Campbell's Healthy Request labels, Campbell's Select harvest, Franco-American, Pepperidge Farm, Spaghettios, Swanson, V-8 Beverages, V-8 Fusion, Prego Italian Sauces and Campbell's Food Service.   Give your labels to any board member or bring them to our homeschool functions. --AND-- We are still accepting Boxtops for education labels.  You can find these on: Betty Crocker goods Gold Medal Flour Nestle products Cherrios Cascadian Farm products Chex Cocoa Puffs Cookie Crisp Country Cornflakes Fiber One products Golden Grahams Honey Nut Clusters Lucky Charms Oatmeal Crisps TotalTrix Wheaties Green Giant vegetables Pillsbury Toaster Strudel Totino Pizza olls Hamburger Helper meals Old El Paso Suddenly Salad Yoplait Fruit Flavored shapes Ziploc Kleenex Scott Kotex Poise Depend Hefty Nature Valley Cottonelle Huggies Goodnites Pull Ups Avery School supplies Go to Boxtops for Education.org for more info, and then SAVE SAVE SAVE  those labels.  Each one nets 10 cents and every 10 cents adds up. You can give them to any HUB board director or bring them to any of our functions that we will be having.  Thank-you! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ DISCLAIMERS: While the Homeschool HUB believes that these events or opportunities may be of value to home educators, announcements do not constitute an endorsement by the Homeschool HUB, or its Board of Directors. It is the responsibility of individual parents to determine the appropriateness of any event or opportunity for their children. Participation in any event is voluntary and the participant assumes complete responsibility and liability for themselves, their family, anyone accompanying them, and their personal property.

HUB news update

Homeschool HUB Weekly News--Feb. 6   Homeschool HUB phone: 269-240-6094 email: homeschoolhub@yahoo.com   website: www.hshub.org Editor: Annette Ernsperger   The information below is offered to you as a service.  Please research and decide for yourself the value to your family.  The Homeschool HUB does not endorse any programs or services other than those offered by the Homeschool HUB.    Send information to be added to the update no later than the Thursday before the week you want it to appear:  homeschoolhub@yahoo.com   ON THE CALENDAR: Feb. 8 and 11--Open swimming for homeschoolers at Niles YMCA, 2-4 pm, $2 Feb. 12--Homeschool bowling, Strikes and Spares, 1-3, $5 Feb. 11 and 12--Bethel play "Jane Eyre", see below Details for the following events are on the calendar at: www.calendar.yahoo.com/homeschoolhub HERE'S THE BUZZ:   1) Science Alive program in South Bend 2) Upcoming homeschool conferences 3) Upcoming performances 4) Six Flags reading program 5) Tubing/cross country skiing 6) Kimball Camp YMCA 7) Piano lessons 8) Bethel College offerings And LAST BUT NOT LEAST: classified ads and links of interest at the end of your weekly news.  See also the Letting it Ride section at the end.   1) Still a couple of hours left!  The 18th annual Science Alive program at South Bend's main library is going on until 4:00 p.m. today.  There are special presentations, activities and hands-on exhibits.  Go here for more info: http://sjcpl.lib.in.us/ 2) The Midwest Homeschool Conference in Cincinnati is April 8-10.  They are offering discounts and bonus gifts for attendees.  Find out more here:  http://campaign.constantcontact.com/render?v=0018GD5KmAFhowW65j1WKzgeOLw8woVjWEtzJ-Q3Fo5SSMlKseGfjvD99bIPJ46Liic-U85OErhmZb7jtNexb7Lhc-dLP7EOOpnB2bpV4807GepFbV_EUPtmA%3D%3D --AND-- You are invited to Indiana Homeschool Support's Homeschool Conference When: March 13th, 2010 9:00am-5:00pm Where: INHSS  68080 Division St, New Paris, IN 46553 Entry Fee: $1.00 per individual--under 10 free Max per family $5.00 Thank You, Melissa Taylor, Administrator Indiana Homeschool Support 68080 Division St. New Paris, IN 46553 (574) 831-3770 www.inhss.net   3) For the following events, contact Diane Day 269-445-1900 or 269-370-4589 or joharding_20@yahoo.com. Mendel Center presents The Underground Railroad; The Story of Harriet Tubman, Friday, February 5. Ticket prices are $10 & $15 for PUBLIC admission.  They are offering a matinee performance for area schools on that day at 10 am.  These seats are only $3 each.  Call or email to reserve your seats 2 weeks prior to the event. Bethel College presents the musical "Jane Eyre" Feb. 11 and 12, at 7:30 p.m. and Feb. 13 at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $15 for adults and $13 for students and seniors.  I also have seats reserved for this play.  Bethel College offers a field trip performance on Thursday, February 11 at 9:30 am.  These tickets are $5 for students and teachers are free.  Call or email to reserve your seats 2 weeks prior to the event.   4) The Six Flags reading program is for elementary students (gades K-6). You need to log 6 hours of reading by February 24th.  List the teacher, who will also get a ticket.  If you have two children, list mom as teacher for one, and dad as teacher for the other and submit 2 separate forms (only one ticket allowed per teacher).  Send the form, with a stamped, self-addressed envelope, to the Homeschool HUB:  P.O. Box 286, Niles, MI  49120 attn: Peggy Schindler. We should receive it no later than March 1st.  Please don't forget the SASE -- we need it to send you your 6 Flags tickets when they come.  Admission tickets will be valid at participating Six Flags theme parks from June 14 to August 8, 2010.  For more info, contact: Peggy Schindler at 269-695-2686. Note: The reading log you need to fill out and return to Peggy is in PDF form as an attachment to this newsletter.  5) Homeschool tubing/cross country ski day is coming up at Five Pines--Friday, Febuary 19th, 10am-2pm.   The cost is $6 for tubing or $9 for tubing AND cross country skiing. 6) Greetings from Kimball Camp YMCA!   Kimball Camp, located in Hillsdale County , Michigan , has been offering educational programming for area schools for over 20 years. We would like to make those same classes and programs available for our local home school groups as well.   During the Winter, Spring, and Fall, Kimball Camp offers a variety of Outdoor Education programs for children in 4th-8th grade.  Instructors can lead your students through our 30 acre nature preserve and teach forest studies, animal ecology, and other subjects. Or take a canoe trip with our certified instructors to Mud Lake and learn about pond and lake ecology.   Our Adventure Education program includes a 20 station teambuilding course, 11 element High Ropes Challenge Course, survival skills, and an orienteering/compass course.   Looking for Physical Education programs? Kimball Camp's trained instructors can lead your students in the lifelong outdoor sports of Archery, Riflery, Canoeing, Climbing, Orienteering, and Cross-Country Skiing.   The LIFE Home School group out of Lenawee County was very pleased with the 4-day experience that Kimball Camp was able to put together for them. Staff is available to meet with your association and help plan the perfect experience geared to your needs.   For more information on these and other programs, please call 517-283-2168, or visit us on the web at kimballcamp.com. 7) Anthony Beer is accepting new students of all ages in the South Bend, Mishawaka, Granger and Niles area.  His studio offers a wide range of opportunites for students to excel with his/her skills at the piano. The Studio exposes each student to many different styles of music, ranging from classical, jazz, religious and contemporary music. This enhances their musical knowledge in theory, music history and their musicianship and performance skills. His goal as a teacher is to nurture each student and to help them explore the beauty and love of music. He encourages all students to support the arts in their community.   He is conservatory trained as a classical pianist and teacher and has studied at Goshen College, IUSB and the Eastman School of Music in Rochester NY. Contact: 574-292-2038 or email apbeer@yahoo.com 8) The Bethel College Collegians and Voices of Triumph will present "Zeitgeist!" at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, March 12, 2010, in the Everest-Rohrer Chapel/Fine Arts Center Auditorium. "Zeitgeist!" is an evening of fun combining music, dance and theatre in a slapstick, "whodunit?" murder mystery.  General seating tickets are available through the Bethel College box office at $5 for adults and $3 for students.  Call 574.807.7080. Don't miss this entertaining night of comedy and surprise! --AND--  The Bethel School of Arts and Sciences presents The Mexican Film Festival during spring semester. Three classic films of Mexican cinema will be screened for free at 7 p.m. in the Miller/Moore Academic Center, room 342. All films are in Spanish with English subtitles. Feb. 10 "Enamorada" Set during the Mexican revolution, the story concerns the rocky relationship between the high-born Beatriz (María Felix) and revolutionary General Reyes (Pedro Armendariz). Forsworn to kill and/or humiliate any aristocrats in his path, Reyes cannot bring himself to harm Beatriz, whose hatred for the general slowly but surely turns to love. Mar. 24 "El Rebelde" When his father is murdered, a young rebel (Jorge Negrete) vows revenge against society. Intending to get even with the wealthy rancher responsible for his father's death, Negrete poses as the music teacher to the rancher's pretty daughter Maria Elena Marques. Falling in love with the girl, our hero decides to mend his ways, but is still obliged to kidnap the heroine before her father will consent to their marriage. Apr. 21 "El Santo En El Museo De Cera" El Santo, the masked Mexican wrestler, investigates a series of kidnappings. He discovers that the mysterious Doctor Caroll is using the victims as part of his experiments to develop an army of monsters. Will El Santo's wrestling prevail in the end? For more information, contact Scott Devries at 574.257.2544 or visit www.BethelCollege.edu/mexicanfilmfestival. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ CLASSIFIEDS Have something for sale, free or trade?  Advertise here! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ LAST BUT NOT LEAST--LINKS OF INTEREST (links do not imply endorsement): Hangman and word search games for every subject: http://www.wordduck.com Free math lessons and video textbooks:  http://www.mathtv.com Do you have any favorite websites?  Send them to us and we'll share them! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ LETTING IT RIDE: February is just around the corner and the start of our winter play season.  Here are some dates that are coming up. February 5, 10 a.m.:  Harriet Tubman and the Underground Railroad at Mendel Center.  Seats are $3 each. I have seats reserved for this performance and need to have all money in hand before I CONFIRM the seats on or near January 10. I will be out of town until the 15th of January.  If you send a check or payment through paypal or would like to pay some other way, call me.  269-445-1900 before December 30 or 269-370-4589 after December 30.  Let's have a good turnout for this performance.    January 15, 16, 23, 24:  Home School Performing Arts presents, "The Music Man". Their auditorium is located in Kalamazoo.  I have attended many of their performances and feel that they are the best around, easily compared with Bethel College plays.  I believe their tickets are $7 each.  This troupe consists of home schoolers from all over Southwestern Michigan including the orchestra! Find out more at www.hpami.org On Feb. 11, 12* & 13, at 7:30 p.m. and Feb. 13, at 2:00 p.m.: the Bethel College theater department will present "Jane Eyre" the musical (book by John Caird, music and lyrics by Paul Gordon). Based on the classic novel by Charlotte Brontë, Jane Eyre is a haunting retelling of the Charlotte Bronte classic about an orphan girl who grows up to become the governess of Thornfield Hall. There she meets and falls in love with the enigmatic Edward Rochester, an earl with a dark secret. Filled with soaring melodies, Jane Eyre is a sweeping love story, breathtaking in its scope and beauty. Seats will be reserved for this play also.  Right now, I believe that it will be Thursday, February 11, at 9:30 AM. Just a note - I have had some pay me for the whole season that includes both Mendel Center plays and Bethel Plays.  If you are interested in doing that, call me. Diane Day _______________________ The Homeschool HUB is continuing to collect Campbell Soup labels, Campbell's Chunky Soup labels, Campbell's Healthy Request labels, Campbell's Select harvest, Franco-American, Pepperidge Farm, Spaghettios, Swanson, V-8 Beverages, V-8 Fusion, Prego Italian Sauces and Campbell's Food Service.   Give your labels to any board member or bring them to our homeschool functions. --AND-- We are still accepting Boxtops for education labels.  You can find these on: Betty Crocker goods Gold Medal Flour Nestle products Cherrios Cascadian Farm products Chex Cocoa Puffs Cookie Crisp Country Cornflakes Fiber One products Golden Grahams Honey Nut Clusters Lucky Charms Oatmeal Crisps TotalTrix Wheaties Green Giant vegetables Pillsbury Toaster Strudel Totino Pizza olls Hamburger Helper meals Old El Paso Suddenly Salad Yoplait Fruit Flavored shapes Ziploc Kleenex Scott Kotex Poise Depend Hefty Nature Valley Cottonelle Huggies Goodnites Pull Ups Avery School supplies Go to Boxtops for Education.org for more info, and then SAVE SAVE SAVE  those labels.  Each one nets 10 cents and every 10 cents adds up. You can give them to any HUB board director or bring them to any of our functions that we will be having.  Thank-you! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ DISCLAIMERS: While the Homeschool HUB believes that these events or opportunities may be of value to home educators, announcements do not constitute an endorsement by the Homeschool HUB, or its Board of Directors. It is the responsibility of individual parents to determine the appropriateness of any event or opportunity for their children. Participation in any event is voluntary and the participant assumes complete responsibility and liability for themselves, their family, anyone accompanying them, and their personal property.