Homeschool HUB News Update--May 20

Homeschool HUB News Update--May 20 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 May 27--Bowling at Strikes and Spares, 1:00-3:00, $5/pp June 17--Homeschool Skate at USA Skate 1:00-3:00, $3/pp including skate rental. MICHIANA EVENTS AND OPPORTUNITIES 1) Urgent request for host families 2) Volunteer Opportunities 1) Urgent request for host families Dear Community Member- This year more than ever we are in great need of host families for several exchange students. Please help by volunteering or by passing this to someone that may have an interest in this wonderful experience. We are looking for volunteers who are interested in possibly hosting an exchange student for the 11/12 school year. We have students 15-18 years old from around the world that will be arriving in late August for 5 or 10 months. We need host families for these students. We have students interested in a variety of activities including  all kinds of sports, scouts, youth groups, piano, art, dance music, reading, math/science, skiing, baseball, soccer, volleyball, hiking/camping, basketball, choir, band, drawing and painting. Without host families, we would not be able to help these students achieve their American Dream! Host families need only to provide a bed for the student and meals at home. Students can share a room with another kid. All other expenses are the student's responsibility. Host Families can consist of all make-ups such as single parent families, singles, couples with no kids, retirees, empty nesters, etc. These students make great mentors to younger children as well.   Host Families provide the following to host a student: -          A bed for the student (students can share a room) -          Meals at home -          Loving, caring, environment for the student   Students come with the following: -          Ability to speak English at a high school level -          Complete Health Insurance -          Spending money for anything they need including hygiene items, school supplies, clothes, long distance phone calls, etc) -          Open mind about their American experience   We have students from all over the world including:  Australia. Brazil, Italy, Denmark, Japan, Mongolia, Spain, France, Germany, Turkey, Thailand, Colombia, Korea, Slovakia, China, Taiwan, Belgium, Mexico, and many more. Your help is greatly appreciated, as we have several students to place with good host families! Exchange students can be a positive influence on your family, school, and community! If you are interested and would like more information, please contact me as soon as possible so that we can give the exciting news to the student that their American dream is going to come true! NOW HIRING: We are also looking for a few local coordinators as well. This is a paid, flexible part time position. Visit our website for details and to apply. www.chinet.org/ayp Sincerely, Lisa Cabadas Area Administrator- Michigan Cultural Homestay International (CHI), a non-profit organization Email: chilisa@chinet.org 877-706-2508 toll free 313-580-9594 cell www.chinet.org/ayp 2) Volunteer Opportunities A) Summer is coming and it is time to think about the fun things you are going to do this summer. Join the Krasl Art Center as they celebrate the 50th anniversary of Art on the Bluff, July 9-10, 2011. What started out as a 'clothesline' art fair in 1962 with 50 artists has grown to an art fair with a national reputation. A great way to enjoy the art fair this summer is to volunteer for a 3 hour shift.  Volunteer tasks include: water sales, sales information, kids zone, booth sitters, operations, parking, or assisting with the community mural.    The mural project is led by artist, Doug Arnholter, who will help the community paint a mural, part of the mural stays in St. Joseph and the other goes with him and is connected to one that tours the world. People are invited to make a donation to paint on one of the canvas.  People can do it because it is similar to the concept of paint by number that we did when we were kids.   Volunteers will talk with people and invite them to paint. Doug's website: muraloftheworld.com B) Bridges to Digital Excellence (BDE) Option 1: Computer instructor.  As you know, in order to do well in school & work and be connected with the community, knowing how to use a computer is important.  BDE takes donated computers and rehabs them to provide a free computer to a student, living in southwest Michigan , who does not have a computer in their home.  The students and their parent/guardian are required to take a computer class so they both know how to use the computer, surf the net safety, etc. Volunteer profile:           1)  Agree to teach at least 1 of the series of classes.                - which are 2 Saturday classes, 4 hours each class or 4 weeknight classes, 2 hours each class.           2)  Have basic computer skills, ability to use Microsoft Word, Power Point, Excel and able to navigate the Internet (or the willingness                 to learn these skills.)           3)  Patience and the ability to communicate. You are welcome to visit a class to gain more information as to what is involved or assist with classes before you become an instructor. Option 2: BDE receives computers and other electronic equipment that they recycle into new computers or separate out for parts and proper disposal.  Volunteer on Thursdays and Fridays, each week, from 10 am till 3 pm to test the various electronics that are collected, for example computers, TV's, VCR's, stereo receivers, DVD players, LCD monitors and cell phones. Skills needed:           1)  It is great if you have some knowledge of electronics.  If not, they will train you.           2)  Be able to lift 50 pounds.           3)  Be able to clean with cleaning supplies. If you have questions or would like to get connected, 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!  We need you/,,,,! 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   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.