Homeschool HUB News Update--April 1

Homeschool HUB News Update--April 1 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 April 8--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) Help a homeschool family - vote online G 3) Help Set a World Record G 1) New at hshub.org Added this week to the web site: Nordstrom Scholarship Program ($10,000) for juniors.  Any major. Based on financial need, academics, community/volunteer service, etc.  The link is on our web site here: http://www.hshub.org/College_Scholarships.html Buick Achievers Scholarship Program ($25,000) for seniors who plan to major in engineering, math, science, and some business majors.  The link is on our web site here: http://www.hshub.org/College_Scholarships.html   Random Fun Stuff this week includes a cutting edge robot, and a fanciful contraption that is wind powered.  The links are on the web site here: http://www.hshub.org/Random_Fun_Stuff.html G 2) Help this homeschool family   The Plunkett Family is extremely talented, and their homeschooled boys love anything scientific. Here is their song, please click and vote for their song to be sung to the crew of Endeavor (launch April 19). You can vote multiple times each day 'till launch day.   Hello, We have recently learned that a song our family wrote for the NASA Song Contest has been chosen as one of 10 finalists. Over 1,300 original songs were entered worldwide. Joseph and Loren are the only children singing in the finals.  The top 2 songs chosen will be played to wake up the astronauts on Endeavor's final mission, launching April 19th. Public voting is now open. All of the finalists' songs can be heard and voted for on NASA's website: https://songcontest.nasa.gov/topOrig.aspx Our song is Dreams You Give, under Brian Plunkett. Thanks, Mary Plunkett   http://www.news-leader.com/article/20110331/NEWS01/103310339/-1/NLETTER01/Ozarks-family-quartet-in-the-running-for-NASA-song-competition?source=nletter-news G3) Help Set a World Record Celebrate Earth Day by joining the North American and International cloth diaper community on April 23rd, 2011 at 9AM PDT to set the world record for the most cloth diapers changed simultaneously. It does not matter if you normally use cloth diapers - anybody with a baby or toddler is welcome to come change into a cloth diaper with the group and be part of the world record! The Great Cloth diaper change is a worldwide event. To find a location near you, visit www.greatclothdiaperchange.com There are several events in the Michiana area, including Bethel College.  Lots all over the US, some in other countries! MICHIANA EVENTS AND OPPORTUNITIES 1) Summer Opportunity for High School Students 2) Healthy Kids Day 3) Volunteer Opportunities 1)  Summer Opportunity for High School Students I would like to share a bit of information with you about a program we will be running this summer for high school aged students, Youth Policy Summit.  Please take a moment to reach through- it is an awesome opportunity for your students! YPS challenges high school students to analyze a current science-intensive policy issue and recommend solutions for moving forward. They will conduct research, learn mediation and negation skills, represent divergent stakeholder interests, and participate in mock policy dialogue. Participants will not only gain a transferable set of problem solving and critical thinking skills, but they will have the tools to take a more active role in the decision-making process in their communities and have their voices heard. The past two summers we hosted a week-long Summit at Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo, with students gathering from around the state to discuss the future of energy policy in Michigan. We are planning to return to Michigan next year, and we are exploring a slightly different model focused on the topic of Great Lakes water resources. We will host three mini-conferences with students from the Kalamazoo, Midland and Detroit areas. During each three-day program, students will go through mediation and negotiation training, share research, and identify the main issues associated with Great Lakes Water Resources. They will also be tasked with brainstorming action steps they can take home to their local communities. We will then select (through peer, teacher and staff input) 10-15 students from each conference to attend a final capstone Summit. This three-day overnight program will challenge students to combine ideas from the three conferences and work together to produce sustainable policy recommendations. We will then assist the students in sharing their ideas with leaders in the government, industry, academia and NGO sectors. This is a wonderful program for students, and gives them the opportunity to not only become more involved in a local environmental issue, but also to explore their individual potential for impact. YPS alumni report: ·       Students have reported back that the experience from the Keystone Summit altered which colleges they chose to apply to and which courses they take. ·       Students have received scholarships and awards for research projects conducted as a result of the Summits while some even discovered fields, such as nuclear engineering, that they have decided to pursue as a career. ·       Many noted their enhanced ability to work collaboratively with others during future events, from Model UN to Quaker chapter meetings to dealings with teachers, siblings, or parents. ·       In an independent online survey conducted of alumni, 90% used YPS on job and college resumes and applications while 50% discussed the Summit experience during an interview. ·       One alumna, now an engineering student at the University of Michigan, has been offered a summer engineering internship looking at wind power for Consumers Energy. ·       Students' findings have been shared with constituents ranging from the members of Keystone's Energy Board (http://www.keystone.org/spp/energy/energy-board), which includes leaders from industry, government, academia, and environmental and consumer groups, as well as Members of Congress. ·       Reports and presentations are frequently made by students to experts in the field, state legislators and regulators, and Boards of Education and have commented on the insightfulness of the student recommendations. We ask for a $50 commitment fee from students, and time from a parent/chaperone. Scholarships are available if money is a limiting factor for any students. Please let me know if this is something you would be interested in passing along to affiliated students and parents.  I would be happy to answer any questions, and can be reached at the number below or by email. Best, Liz Elizabeth Roush Program Manager Youth Policy Summit The Keystone Center Tel: 970.513.5824 Fax: 970.262.0152 www.youthpolicysummit.org 2) Healthy Kids Day - Niles or Benton Harbor/St. Joe If you live in the Niles or St. Joseph/Benton Harbor area MAKE SATURDAY, APRIL 16th A PLAY DATE FOR YOUR FAMILY! Come to the St. Joseph/Benton Harbor YMCA or the Niles YMCA for an afternoon of great activities for kids on Saturday, April 16th. From 11:00 am to 1:30 pm, the focus is on FUN with . . .     * Family Swim - Racquetball - Basketball     * Beach Ball Volleyball - Parachute Activities     * Climbing Wall - Sports Wall - Zumba Fitness     * Relay Races - Gymnastics - Dance - Karate     * Jump Rope - Healthy Snacks - and More!     * Presentations and displays by the . . .           o  »  Benton Harbor Police → Police Car           o  »  Royalton Twp. Fire Dept. → Fire Truck           o  »  Lion's Club → Vision Screening           o  »  The Toy Company           o  »  Water Street Glass Works           o  »  Kids on Stage (by Doug Fordyce)           o  »  Sarett Nature Center           o  »  Nye's Apple Barn           o  »  Pepsi Cola           o  »  Casual Tees, Inc.           o  »  St. Joseph Mom's Club           o  »  . . . and many, many more! Healthy Kid's Day is open to everyone and it's FREE!  The first 175 kids to register will receive a Healthy Kid's Day T-shirt; adults must accompany kids. Don't miss it!  (There are volunteer opportunities at the Niles event, too.  See below) 3) Volunteer Opportunities A)   Local Youth Join Millions Worldwide for Global Youth Service Day First Chance, Inc. kicks off Global Youth Service Day weekend Thursday April 14, 2011 by feeding the hungry in our community. In partnership with 6 Degrees/Emergency Shelter Services, The Benton Harbor Soup Kitchen, Michigan Works! and JA Foods, area youth will set up a mobile soup kitchen in the 6 Degrees Parking lot, located at 510 W. Main, near to Riverview Dr., on Thursday evening April 14 to provide a hot dinner and fellowship to the hungry in Benton Harbor, MI. First Chance, Inc. of Benton Harbor , MI is coordinating the project for area youth to educate them, as well as others, on the daily struggles of hunger that impact people of all ages in Benton Harbor . Global Youth Service Day is an annual campaign that celebrates, and mobilizes, millions of youth who improve their communities each day of the year through service and service based learning. All youth in the immediate and surrounding communities are welcome to participate. Volunteers will arrive onsite beginning at 3:30PM to set up tables and chairs. At 4PM Benton Harbor Soup Kitchen Director Merry Stover and Emergency Shelter Services Executive Director Alysia Babcock will give a presentation to our youth volunteers detailing the struggles of being hungry and the effects it has on children, families and the community at large. Afterword, we will set up and serve dinner, graciously donated by JA Food Service, to area hungry and homeless individuals and families. Together the youth volunteers will join millions of others worldwide during this weekend to make an impact on one of our earths most critical issues, hunger. Youth ages 12 to 18 are invited to participate.  Adults willing to encourage the youth with supervision are also welcome.  Call the Volunteer Center with questions or to volunteer. SAVE THE DATE: BENTON HARBOR CITY WIDE CLEAN UP WILL BE HELD ON SATURDAY APRIL 30.  Details to follow. B) Healthy Kids Day! Saturday, April 16, 1:00pm to 4:00pm At the Niles YMCA The event is free and open to the public! Children must be accompanied by an adult. Free t-shirts while they last! The Volunteer Center will have a booth at the Niles event and will be discussing volunteer opportunities at the Niles YMCA.  Or you will also be able to volunteer that day by making a Happy Card that will be delivered to a home bound person receiving Meals on Wheels.  So stop by, regardless of your age and artistic ability and make a card or to find out more about volunteering. If you would like to volunteer at the Niles YMCA, at the Volunteer Center booth, helping to make cards please contact: Debra Panozzo Adult and family volunteer coordinator Volunteer Center of Southwest Michigan 269-983-0912 ext 13 St. Joseph 269-683-5464  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   PORT-A-PIT CHICKEN MEAL Soccer Fundraiser.  For $7.00, you get a full meal - 1/2 a chicken, coleslaw, and roll(s?). Pick up April 30 at Dowagiac, MI Soccer Fields by Fire House.  Money Due by April 12.  Contact Andrea writermom@surfbest.net or 269-782-2488 if interested. 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.