HUB news update--August 6

Homeschool HUB News Update--August 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: Details for the following events are on the calendar at: www.calendar.yahoo.com/homeschoolhub August 10--Homeschool beach day at Fuller's Resort, 10:00, $1/pp August 10--Park play day, 2:00,  park at 17th and Sycamore in Niles August 13--Bowling at Strikes and Spares, 1:00-3:00, $5/pp HERE'S THE BUZZ: 1) School year kick-off picnic and planning meeting 2) Volunteer opportunity 3) Homeschool day at Six Flags 4) Software and technology discounts 5) Support group starting near Rum Village 6) Homeschool play: Annie Jr. 7) Back-to-(home)school fair 8) Speech class 9) Reading and homeschooling success lectures 10) Agriculture program information sessions at LMC 1) Homeschool HUB picnic and planning meeting We are having our yearly planning meeting and picnic on August 24th, 2010, at noon at Fuller's Resort on Clear Lake.  Clear Lake is a beautiful lake with a quiet beach for the little ones, and a jumping platform for the older ones. There will be swimming, beach volleyball, games -- you make the fun! This is a potluck so bring your favorite dish. There are also grills if you want to bring something to throw on it. There is a snack station at the campground complete with ice cream, hamburgers, and hot dogs -- and lots of candy. Traditionally, this is a time for all of us to get together before the chaos breaks loose in September and plan for HUB activities for the upcoming year and to learn and talk about new ideas and inspiration. So, do bring: your towel, your ideas, your old curriculum/books to sell, trade, or barter, some food, laughter, and anything else that sounds interesting. Oh, and bring your best beach volleyball skills too!  Do not: sit at home doing nothing! Fuller's Resort and Campground is located on 1622 E. Clear Lake Rd west of Buchanan.  Here is their web site:  http://www.fullersresort.com Their normal entry fee is $3/adult and $1.75/student, but if you tell them you are there for homeschool day it will only be $1/person.  The HUB will provide charcoal, paper products, and punch.   2)  Volunteer opportunity FORT ST. JOSEPH ARCHAEOLOGICAL PROJECT Website:  www.wmich.edu/fortstjoseph/ Mission:  Western Michigan University Archaeology Students, in partnership with the City of Niles and the Fort St. Joseph Advisory Committee, seek to unlock the secrets of this long lost, but not forgotten, frontier outpost of New France . It lies within Riverfront Park in Niles , Michigan .     An Open House is being held Saturday and Sunday August 14 & 15 from 10 am to 5 pm   Volunteers will greet visitors at the entrance table, passing out programs and brochures. As guests exit, passing out surveys and coupons.  Volunteers will sit at chairs at tables.  If you would like to volunteer for this unique option and sign up for a shift from: 9:45 am to 12:30 pm 12:15 pm to 2:30 pm 2:15 pm to 5:15 pm.   Contact:      Debra Panozzo Adult and family volunteer coordinator Volunteer Center of Southwest Michigan 269-983-0912 ext 303 St. Joseph 269-683-5464 ext 322 Niles www.volunteerswmi.org 3) Homeschool day at Six Flags   Six Flags north of Chicago is doing their homeschool day differently this year.  It's on Friday, August 27, and the park will be open to the public from 10am – 7pm.  Homeschoolers will be allowed in at 9am, and the first hour there will only be homeschoolers.  After that, they are open to everyone.  This means the lines will be longer than at past homeschool days.  The discount rate is $26.  For more info and to order tickets go to:  http://ww.sixflags.com/greatAmerica/assets/pdf/HomeSchoolFlyer2010.pdf 4) Discounts on software and technology devices Any home schooled student in Berrien County can take advantage of the intermediate school district's (REMC) access to heavily discounted technology items and software. If you're interested in learning what's available do the following: First, go to http://www.berrienresa.org. The top bars will list different options; choose 'technology' . Once that screen opens, on the left side choose "instructional technology". Once that opens, again on the left choose "REMC XI bid buy." There will be lists of items that REMC can get for you at greatly discounted prices.  (Even if you don't see the item you're interested in, don't give up. Just call the contact person to see if she can talk to one of her vendors to see if they have it.) Find the programs/items you're interested in. Call Tammy at 269-471-7725 ext. 1124 and tell her you're a home schooler in Berrien County. We've been told that orders go in as they come in, so no long waiting periods apply. They cannot do credit card orders, so you'll either need to deliver a check to her in person or send it in the mail. Once your item arrives, you most likely will need to pick it up, but ask if they can deliver it to your local school district through their distribution system. If they can do this for you, you'll want to call your local school district to let them know it's coming. Many people are currently planning the upcoming school year and are looking for calculators. Here is a comparison for graphing calculators so you can see the savings: TI 73: REMC price - $59.34 compared to 92.99 new/76.77 discounted on Amazon TI 84: REMC price - $97.87 compared to 213.04 new/107.90 discounted on amazon Check out tons of other stuff, too! If you'd like to chat with others who may be going through this process or if you want to share your experiences once you use this system, please go to bspp-parent-chat@googlegroups.com and post your comments. Others there will be interested in learning. 5) Hi, I'm trying to organize a homeschool support group and would like to have a meetup at Rum Village Park on August 14 at 10 am.  I am going to start a Families Club using materials from the Arbor Day Society.  To RSVP, please go to http://www.meetup.com/The-South-Bend-Homeschool-Meet-Up-Group/ .    6) ANNIE Jr. Tickets On Sale Now!  All seats $5 Little Orphan Annie has been entertaining America since 1924, when she began her life as a comic strip character.  Then, in 1977, Annie hit the stage with the cast of characters that made up her world, and her popularity has done nothing but grow.  The Performing Arts Ministry at Grace United Methodist Church will present "Annie Jr.," a slightly shorter version of the Broadway "Annie," geared more toward children — with every part played by children & youth 8 to 14 years old. As the story goes, 11-year-old Annie (played by Jocelyn Pletcher) is in an orphanage, operated by the bully Miss Hannigan (Lilly Sheline). But the orphan girls are hopeful that they will find parents and be happy someday. Annie runs away to look for the parents she feels sure are alive and, along the way, finds a runaway dog she calls Sandy (Maggie Rogers). Annie is caught and returns to the orphanage, smuggling the dog along with her. But a stroke of luck lands her in the home of Daddy Warbucks (Bailey Bakerson), one of the richest men around, initially just for the Christmas holidays. Through a series of ups and downs — and of course, the bad guys trying to cash in — Annie eventually finds herself on the road to happiness she has always dreamed of. The cast sings and dances to all the popular songs from the hit Broadway production, including "It's A Hard-Knock Life," "Maybe," "Tomorrow" and "I Think I'm Going to Like it Here."  Come on out for a delightful evening of live theater that is fun for the whole family.  When:  Friday, August 20, 7:00 pm            Saturday, August 21, 7:00 p.m. Where: Grace United Methodist Church             501 Grant St., Niles, MI Cost:    $5, general seating.  Profits will be donated to The Methodist Children's Home of MI, a non-profit child-care agency that cares for abused and neglected children. Tickets can be purchased at:  Sweeties Sweet Shoppe, 259 E. Front St., Buchanan Niles Scrapbooking, Etc., 2830 So. 11th St., Niles Grace United Methodist Church, 501 Grant St., Niles For more information, contact Cordelia Tomasino at gracechurch-annie@att.net or 269-684-3454  7) The annual Christian HOME Back-to-School Fair will be held on Thursday evening, August 19, at South Bend Christian Reformed Church, 1855 N. Hickory Road, South Bend, from 6:00-8:30 p.m.  Once again, admission is free, and all homeschoolers are welcome. You will have a chance to join Christian HOME for the 2010-11 school year if you like and meet representatives from the community who offer opportunities for homeschoolers in an open house format. Please feel free to invite your friends or any new homeschoolers you meet. We will offer a Homeschooling 101 session for new families who have questions about homeschooling in general. A free table will be set up again this year where everything is free for the taking. If you have gently used homeschool books and supplies that you no longer need, this is your chance to declutter and bless another homeschool family in the process. Bring them with you to the Fair where there will be a place to display them. Any items left at the end of the night will be donated to a local charity.  We're trying something new this year for those who have used curriculum for sale. There will be a table at the Fair where you can place a list of items you would like to sell. All you need to do is create the list and be sure it has prices and your contact information on it. Make as many copies as you wish and bring them with you. You can place them on the table where interested families can take them and get in touch with you. Come on out and meet other local homeschoolers and find out what's available this year in the area!  We look forward to seeing you! Tammi Meister The Christian HOME Co-op 8) Speech Class This lighthearted class is offered by Bob Cashbaugh, former speech instructor for Berrien Springs school system and former Theater Director of Southwest Michigan College. Students will be involved in group reading, discussions, analysis of performances and speech-giving. Assignments will include seven speeches and will emphasize participation and performance. All written work must be typed and in proper form. Speech is offered in a casual classroom atmosphere and should be a lot of fun! Ages 12 and up. We'll start the week of September 13th and run through the week of December 13th. Date and time TBA. Class will take place in the Niles / Berrien Springs area. $30 per child with discounts for additional family members. Please contact Jane Kerr at:  sunnykerr@truevine.net or at 471-9004. 9) A  SUMMER  MEETING  YOU  WON'T  WANT  TO  MISS!! 

Your #1 Reading (And Spelling) Success Secrets for Homeschooling (And "How to Have a No-Worries Start to the Year") -- Want to make sure your school year starts off well? Come to our one-night "Be Prepared Workshop" for the fall -- featuring nationally-known Erin Brown Conroy, author, mom of 13 who has been homeschooling for 26 years, professor at Patrick Henry College, course creator for the new PHC Prep Academy Online -- as she shares with you the top secrets to making sure your child is reading well -- giving you tips that are easy to implement right away -- Including the top 10 tips to starting out the year with kids on board, excited to learn.

BONUS: Is your child struggling in any way? Near the end of the workshop, Erin will answer your personal questions and share the differences between most programs and the new True North Reading: Complete Mastery Reading & Spelling Program -- giving you information on how you can go beyond phonics, beyond traditional methods--to meet your child's needs, no matter what his or her learning style--even kids with dyslexia, autism and other learning differences. After the workshop, certified teachers with the program will be available to answer any specific questions on fall classes forming now in Grand Rapids, Kalamazoo, and Southwest Michigan.  If you have a beginning or struggling reader, you won't want to miss hearing about how you can help your child learn to read amazingly well.  Get free handouts and lots of practical help for getting your homeschooling year off to a great start! 

Make sure you pre-register and mark this on your calendar --Because reading is the most important skill you can give your child for ALL of learning.

At the conclusion of the workshop, there will be drawings for over $100 worth of FREE PRODUCTS for all those who pre-register.  Items will include parenting books and reading materials by Erin Brown Conroy and sensory learning tools.  The learning tools are items that will be sure to add a fun hands-on experience to any homeschool curriculum!

Cost: A free will offering will be collected to cover room rental fees and traveling expenses. (Suggested donation $5) 

WHEN? WHERE? Two dates and locations to choose from:

 Thursday, Aug. 5 from 7:00-9:00pm at the Homeschool Building at 5625 Burlingame Ave, Wyoming
AND Monday, Aug. 16 from 7:00-9:00pm at the Kalamazoo Public Library-Oshtemo 7265 West Main Street, Kalamazoo

If you are not familiar with these locations, they are both easy to find from the highway (131) and the two locations are about 40 minutes apart.

So, preregister now to make sure to reserve a spot and to make sure your name is in for the drawing.  You must be present at the workshop to win! 

Please register for the Aug. 5 workshop at the homeschool building by emailing your name and hometown to: bhbengel@yahoo.com  Please put "Workshop" in the subject line.

Please register for the Aug. 16 workshop at the Kalamazoo library by emailing your name and home town to: wthompsonmi@live.com Please put "Workshop" in the subject line. 10) Agriculture is a $300 million industry in Berrien and Van Buren counties. It takes skilled people to run the farms, landscaping businesses and vineyards that you can find everywhere in our region. Learn more about these exciting new programs during the Agriculture Program Information Sessions Wednesday, August 4, 7 pm Lake Michigan College Mendel Center Grand Upton Hall 2755 E. Napier Ave., Benton Harbor Monday, August 9, 7 pm Lake Michigan College at South Haven 125 Veterans Blvd., South Haven Wednesday, August 11, 7 pm Lake Michigan College at Bertrand Crossing 1905 Foundation Drive, Niles Because agriculture is so important to this corner of Michigan and to the entire state, Michigan State University has partnered with Lake Michigan College to offer certificates and associate degrees in Applied Plant Sciences right here in our region. Representatives from MSU and LMC will be on hand to answer your questions about the types of careers these programs can prepare you for, and how to enroll in these programs. Certificates and degrees are available in: Landscape Horticulture Turfgrass Operations  Commercial Horticulture Operations Viticulture (grape growing) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ LINKS TO SHARE:  ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~  CLASSIFIEDS Have something for sale, free or trade?  Advertise here! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ LETTING IT RIDE: Homeschool Performing Arts 2010-2011 season presents:  Little Women--Kalamazoo Performances: December 7-11 Auditions: August 12 Rehearsals: Thursdays, 10-6 beginning September 9 Little Women the Broadway Musical is based on the life of Louisa May Alcott and follows the adventures of her family as they grow up in Civil War America. This story of the March sisters is filled with a powerful score, dancing, laughter and even some tears, touching issues that are as relevant today as they were when the original novel was written. With music by Jason Howland, lyrics by Mindi Dickstein and book by Allan Knee, Little Women will remind us all of the true value of family and friendship. This show for students ages 13 and up requires a medium-sized chorus and has several lead roles for both males and females. Meet Me in St. Louis--Grand Rapids Performances: January 20-22, 2011 Auditions: August 10 Rehearsals: Tuesdays, 10-5 beginning September 7 Meet Me in St. Louis is an optimistic musical set during the 1904 World's fair.  Join the Smith family as their love and respect for one another is tempered with genuine humor during hard times. This rare treasure of musical theatre includes such familiar songs as "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas," "The Trolley Song" and "The Boy Next Door." This production calls for a large cast, ages 8 and up, with limited roles for children under 13. Brigadoon--Lansing Performances: April 7-9, 2011 Auditions: August 9 Rehearsals: Fridays, 10-5, January-April  and 2-3 rehearsals per month in the fall beginning September 17 Brigadoon spins the story of a mysterious Scottish village that disappears into the Highland mist and returns onl y one day every hundred years. Worlds collide when two American tourists stumble upon Brigadoon and all its inhabitants. A lush musical score, lively dances and gorgeous harmonies help weave the story of this Highland romance. Marking the first Broadway smash hit for Lerner and Loewe, the classic story of Brigadoon heralds the ideas of love, loyalty and sacrifice, for "when ye love someone deeply, anythin' is possible". Annie Get Your Gun--Kalamazoo Performances: May 5-14, 2011 Auditions: August 12 Rehearsals: Thursdays 10-5, January-April and 2-5 on Sept. 30, Oct. 14, 28 & Nov. 11  Annie Get Your Gun, Irving Berlin's classic musical, features gunfights and glamour--old west style! Annie Oakley, a backwoods gal with a sure shot and quick wit, challenges dashing marksman Frank Butler, the star of Buffalo Bill's Wild West traveling show. Sparks fly faster than bullets, but the competition ricochets romance.  Featuring great songs like:  "There's No Business Like Show Business," "Anything You Can Do," "I Got The Sun In The Morning," and "You Can't Get A Man With A Gun."  Featuring Cowboys, Indians, and a large chorus of old-west style performers, this musical is sure to hit the bull's eye!    Disney's The Aristocat Kids Lansing Rehearsals: Fridays 8:30-11:10,  beginning September 10 Performances: November 6  Auditions: August 9 Kalamazoo Rehearsals: Thursdays 8:30-11:30, beginning September 9 Performances: November 13 Auditions: August 12  Grand Rapids Rehearsals: Tuesdays 9-12, beginning September 7 Performances: November 20 Auditions: August 10  Disney's The Aristocats Kids takes audiences on a fast-paced adventure with memorable characters and jazzy songs. This 45-minute production focuses on actor development, vocals, and choreography. HPA Kids! is a great musical theatre experience for 8-12 year olds.  Sets, props and family commitment are minimal. Homeschool Performing Arts, 7995 Timpson Ave. SE, Alto, MI 49302   ---------------------------------    Homeschool high school science classes:    A deposit of $75 is required to hold a spot in either class.  Below are the age/grade levels we believe are appropriate for the courses we offer.  There are overlaps allowing for difference in maturity, science interests and math skill level prior to taking a course.                                                     Approximate Level    COURSE-Year offered            AGE range       GRADES         MATH SKILL LEVEL     1      Physical Science-11/12   13-16            8-10     Pre-Algebra or Algebra     1      Biology-10/11                            13-16            8-10     Pre-Algebra or Algebra     2      Chemistry-11/12                        16-18            10-12   Algebra or Advanced Math     2      Adv. Biology-10/11                    16-18            10-12   Algebra or Advanced Math   Courses in levels 1 or 2 can be taken in any order within that level but it is important to take Physical Science before taking Chemistry and Biology before taking Advanced Biology.   Note: It is my goal to continue offering these courses as long as they are needed but the above schedule cannot be considered a guarantee as personal circumstances could dictate otherwise.   Costs – Biology: $ 340 Tuition for the year Advanced Biology: $400 Tuition for the year   Lab costs for either class: $90 approximate for the full year. The $75 deposit goes toward these lab costs.   Feel free to contact me with any questions.             Randy Graves, M.S.                                         gravesr@andrews.edu                                      269.473.5935                                                             ---------------------------   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 opportunities 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 ----------------------------- The Homeschool HUB is collecting used textbooks.  Contact Diane Day:  joharding_20@yahoo.com or 269-445-1900. 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.