Homeschool HUB News Update--March 18

Homeschool HUB News Update--March 18 Homeschool HUB phone: 269-240-6094 email: homeschoolhub@yahoo.com   website: www.hshub.org Editor: Andrea Bikfalvy   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 March 25--Bowling at Strikes and Spares, 1:00-3:00, $5/pp April 14--HUB Board of Directors Meeting, 7 pm at the Niles Police Complex April 15--Homeschool Skate at USA Skate 1:00-3:00, $3/pp including skate rental. GENERAL INTEREST: G 1) New at the website! G 2) Homeschooling Article G 3) Homeschool Essay Contest G 1) New at hshub.org A scholarship competition based on testing your knowledge of the Civil War – for any major, and for ages 13 -19.  Go here to find the link:  http://www.hshub.org/College_Scholarships.html Random Fun Stuff has some tests that are actually fun!  Go to it here:  http://www.hshub.org/Random_Fun_Stuff.html G 2) Homeschooling goes mainstream Here is a link to a recent article homeschoolers might find interesting: http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/03/16/us-education-homeschooling-idUSTRE72F4WS20110316 G 3) Homeschool Essay Contest A contest for kids! Share your homeschool advise and you could win a Color Nook, worth $249 AND get published in our anthology, "Homeschooling Advise for Moms From the Real Experts, Kids!" There are SO MANY books written by adults and homeschool veteran parents about homeschooling. But don't people need to know what kids think? We believe so! Send us your short essay about what your mother does best in your homeschool and you could win a Color Nook AND be published in our anthology, "Homeschooling Advise for Moms From the Real Experts, Kids!"Just submit a short essay, sharing with other Moms and families about what your mother does in your day to day homeschool experience that is unique, inspiring and makes your homeschool a wonderful one. You could become a published author or even the proud owner of a brand new Color Nook! Hurry up and start writing! Entry Deadline is April 4th. CONTEST INFORMATION: We will select the top 30 essays we receive for publication. Plus, the author of our very favorite essay will win a brand new Color Nook. The final published book, "Homeschooling Advise for Moms From the Real Experts, Kids!" will be available for FREE download on the Friday before Mother's Day (Friday, May 6th.) A printed version of the book will also be available for sale. RULES: 1. All essays must be written by homeschool children ages 18 and under and be written about the author's mother or mother figure who is homeschooling them. Former homeschoolers are eligible to submit so long as they were homeschooled in the past and are not over the age of 18. 2. Ages 8 and under should write 500-1,000 words. Ages 9 and up should write 1,000-3,000 words. 3. Essays should try to take the form of an advise column. Remember, the people reading this book will want to learn from you about your positive experience with your homeschool teacher, your Mom.* What does she do that is unique, interesting and wonderful that you believe other Moms should be doing too? 4. Essays must have been proofread and spell-checked. PLEASE do not double space after your punctuation as it makes things difficult for our graphic designers. Only one space should follow every period. Essays with typographical, spelling, and/or grammatical errors will not be considered. 5. Please include a short bio about your Mother and yourself as well as catchy title for your essay. You must include your name, age, where you are from and how long you've been homeschooled. 6. Please attach a small jpeg picture (200 by 175 pixels) of the Mother you are writing about. 7. Essays should not be submitted in document form, but rather sent in the body of an e-mail to staley@currclick.com with the subject line reading: Advise for Moms. NOTIFICATION AND PRIZES All published essayists will be notified on or before Mother's Day. All authors whose essays are selected for the anthology will retain the copyright to their work. The winning essayist will receive a Color Nook and 1 printed copy of the anthology by May 16th. 2nd and 3rd place winners will also receive a printed copy. All essayists will be able to download the final book for free. PRIZE INFORMATION Nook Color The Ultimate Reading Experience "The Best Dedicated eReader" –The Associated Press * Stunning 7-inch color touchscreen * Magazines & newspapers in rich color * Kids' books come alive * Over 2 million titles at your fingertips * Get social, surf the web, play games, even listen to music. *Please note that we acknowledge and sincerely appreciate the vital and varied role that Dads contribute to homeschooling. But, this is a Mother's Day contest. Don't feel left out, Dads! We promise to do something for you for Father's Day!   MICHIANA EVENTS AND OPPORTUNITIES 1) Exchange City program 2) 28th Annual Michigan Home Education Convention 3) Volunteer Opportunities 1) Exchange City program - sign-ups now This is an all day simulation on June 1 in Taylor, MI (Detroit area), following a 10 week prep economics unit study (starting at the end of March) for ages 9 & up.  When we participated several years ago it was mostly ages 9 – 15, not many high school kids.  Students spend the day running everything themselves.  The cost is $75.  Here is the description from their web site: "Prior to the visit to Exchange City students work at home to complete related economic unit studies. All materials are provided. We suggest the work can be completed reasonably over a ten week period, working 2-4 hours a week. Students will create resumes, complete job applications and have job interviews, for more 60 different jobs within the city! They take on roles of business owners, entrepreneurs, employees, public officials, consumers and citizens in a wide variety of businesses. These include: City Bank; Radio Station; Post Office; Health Center; Newspaper; Utility Company; Restaurant; Distribution Center; City Hall and a variety of retail stores and other business. At the city students learn to create a business plan, calculate payroll expenses, plan advertising, take on accounting services, purchase materials, pay rent, pay taxes, and utilities. They also apply for a commercial business loan, write radio and newspaper advertisements, design business signs and logos, and create business slogans. Students and their businesses pay taxes, bills and repay loans as they market a product, make payroll and live within the laws of the city. The Enterprise City program fee includes the home school curriculum pdf, on-line elections unit, job application process, ongoing program support, parent volunteer training, 7.5 hour simulation experience in Enterprise City, two Enterprise City paychecks, a checking account with personal checkbook and any merchandise purchased in the city during the simulation experience (students will take everything home that day). This is not an overnight program. This is a drop off program because there is very limited space on site. We suggest visiting the local children's museum or retail shops in town while the program is taking place." Their web site is here:   http://www.fieldtripresourcecenter.com/products/Exchange-City%3A-Exchange-City-Simulation-Experience-%252d-Fri-%252d-Jun-10-%252d-2011-%252d-08%3A30-AM.html 2) 28th Annual Michigan Home Education Convention Join us Friday & Saturday, May 20 - 21, 2011   Michigan's largest homeschool event of the year is coming soon to the Lansing Center in downtown Lansing! Are you coming, too?     YOU ARE INVITED Bring your whole family (children, teens, and grandparents, too!), friends interested in finding out more about homeschooling... and your whole homeschool co-op, support group, or sports team! Come be encouraged, educated, and equipped for your homeschool journey as you listen to dynamic speakers, chose from almost 100 workshops; shop the exhibit hall full of amazing resources; meet the homeschool graduates 2011; network with homeschooling friends new and old, and so much more! Lansing Center Building Lansing Center - 333 E. Michigan Ave, Lansing Early Bird Online Registration is now open at www.inch.org. Register by March 31 for the best rates! 3) Volunteer Opportunities A) Spring Achievement in Berrien County is the only ALL 4-H exhibition where 4-H'ers showcase their project achievements over the last year. This event is a good family volunteer option.  It is kid friendly.  Volunteers step in and help as things are happening through out the busy weekend.  Between the events you and your family can look at the projects.  (Don't tell your kids - they might even learn something!) WHERE:  Orchard Mall in Benton Harbor     WHEN:     Saturday March 26 - Sunday March 27 Volunteers should check in at the 4-H Information Booth near the stage at The Orchards Mall - look for signs. Help needed Saturday, 10:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. and Sunday, 2:00 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. Volunteers will help set-up different things in between demonstrations and events.  They also be project watchers to help secure exhibits.  Volunteers are welcome to bring a book/magazine to read while they keep an eye on exhibits or direct people with questions to the 4-H Information Booth.  There will be a blood drive that runs from 10 am to 4 pm on Saturday and a service event from 12-4 pm that volunteers may wish to participate in.  The 4-H Talent Show begins at 6:00 p.m. on Saturday and will need assistance. On Sunday, volunteers will serve as exhibit watchers and help release exhibits starting at 5:30 p.m.  There will be different events going on and being torn down throughout the afternoon.  Volunteers will do teardown and pack up at the end of the event. B)Project Bunny Buddies Brings Hope Easter is traditionally a time for hope. For children dealing with the stress of being in a shelter or foster home, the tradition of receiving an Easter basket can bring unexpected joy. A few years ago, seeing her own daughter's "happiness she felt on opening her Easter basket" inspired Jennifer Barber-Ruchti to extend that experience to some children whose parents might not be able to provide even a simple gift. That year, Mike and Jennifer Ruchti, and their daughter Cecilia, took some Easter baskets to a homeless shelter. "Some of the parents had never themselves received an Easter basket, let alone been able to give one to their own child," Jennifer learned from the workers. In order to reach even more children, she presented her idea to the Volunteer Center of Southwest Michigan, which took her dream and "ran with it," according to Deb Panozzo, the Center's adult and family coordinator. Bringing volunteers together, the Center has been able to increase the number of children receiving a basket tenfold with its Bunny Buddies Project. Students from Michigan's St. Joseph High School's Key Club will be joined this year by additional schools' clubs to assemble the donations. Presently the Volunteer Center is collecting items to fill this year's baskets. Especially needed are gifts, especially for the older children who are in foster care, the juvenile center and shelters serving the homeless and victims of domestic violence. Donations of wrapped candy, baskets, grass, trinkets and toys are needed. Girls like make-up, lip gloss, nail polish, inexpensive jewelry, purses, hair products, and scarves. Boys like small games, wallets and hats. Also socks, tee shirts, breakfast bars, stickers, pens, and decks of cards would be good. There are nearly 300 children from infants to age 19 in care, to whom they hope to present baskets. Case workers who presented baskets last year to those recently removed from their homes found the chocolate and gifts helped "ease the pain" during the difficult transition to foster homes. "Their eyes lit up like it was Christmas morning," another commented, along with, "The Easter Bunny remembered me." "The children were beyond excitement - and that was before they started eating sugar." "It is an extra, but sometimes the 'extras' are so important to an individual's spirt," Jen said, who continues to be the volunteer coordinator of the Bunny Buddies Easter Basket Project, even as her family as grown with the addition of a son, Donevin. Advisor Lauri Berry and the students of the St. Joseph Key Club, will again organize the assembly of the baskets with the donated items and label them according to age and gender. Donations are being accepted through April 8 at both of the Volunteer Center locations in Niles and St. Joseph. Distribution will be made by the Department of Human Services. For more information go to www.volunteerswmi.org. Call 269-983-0912 or 269-683-5464 for more information. The Volunteer Center of Southwest Michigan is a United Way partner agency affiliated with the HandsOn Network and Youth Volunteer Corps of America.   C) 2011 Season FIRST Robotics Competition aka LOGO MOTION Coming to Niles youth and adults from near and far for a Robotic Competition - check out their web site to see if there what the remaining volunteer slots are to be filled. It will present the most up to date info for you to make an informed decision re: volunteering.  If you have trouble connecting - contact the Volunteer Center . 2011 Season FIRST Robotics Competition aka LOGO MOTION      Niles FIRST Robotics District Competition When: March 25 to 26 2011 Where: Niles High School 1441 Eagle Street Niles, MI   49120 Register in the volunteer system at www.usfirst.org/vims. http://www.usfirst.org/community/volunteers/content.aspx?id=15692 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 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ LINKS TO SHARE: Check out the new links on www.hshub.org ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ CLASSIFIEDS Looking for a group?  Join the HUB! There are several benefits of membership including a travel club and a resource library that includes things like books, games, laptops, video cameras and other items to borrow (free, members only). Members receive first chance at events and classes when availability is limited.  The cost of membership is only $24/year.  Information about becoming a member is on the website at www.hshub.org   MATH TUTOR Need Help With Math? (Grades 7-12, South Bend/Mishawaka area)   My name is Caleb Noble.  I'm a private math tutor (and former homeschool student) in South Bend. I have a bachelor's degree in mathematics and over two years of tutoring experience, ranging from pre-algebra to calculus. As a former homeschool student, I know the challenges that parents can face, particularly with high-school math, and I have experience with the Saxon math curriculum (both as a tutor and as a student). I can meet with you and your child in your home or at any other location in the South Bend/Mishawaka area.  To set up an initial meeting or if you have any questions, you can reach me at caleb_noble@hotmail.com or at 574-229-4657. First session's free! Have something for sale, free or trade?  Advertise here! Homeschool groups are welcome to advertise their group, too.  It's free! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ LETTING IT RIDE: Amazon.com--Please come to www.hshub.org before you shop at Amazon.  You can either shop the Associate Store listed in the Menu bar or click on the "Help the Homeschool HUB - Purchase at Amazon" link just below the Menu bar. By using this link to Amazon The Homeschool HUB will earn money through Amazon's Associates program on everything you purchase. So whenever you think "Amazon" please remember your purchase can help The Homeschool HUB. 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 many products. 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.