Saturday, January 28, 2012

[HUBnewsletter] Homeschool HUB News Update--January 27

 

    Homeschool HUB News Update--January 27


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

To subscribe to this newsletter, go to http://groups.yahoo.com/group/HUBnewsletter/ OR send an email to the following address: HUBnewsletter-subscribe@yahoogroups.com

Yes, you are welcome to forward the newsletter to anyone who might be interested!  :-)


ON THE CALENDAR:

Details for the following events are on the calendar at: www.calendar.yahoo.com/homeschoolhub


January 31--Homeschool Hangout at Clay Church Firehouse Youth Center 2-3:30
February 3--Bowling at Strikes and Spares, 1:00-3:00, $5/pp
February 7--Homeschool Graduation Ceremony meeting 6:30 Calvary Baptist Church, South Bend
February 9--HUB Board of Directors Meeting, 7 pm at the Niles Police Complex
February 17--Homeschool Skate at USA Skate 1:00-3:00, $3/pp including skate rental.


GENERAL INTEREST

G1) Free drawing program
G2) Doodle for Google


G1) Free drawing program

Here is a free drawing program for younger kids:  http://drawing.gamemaker.nl/


G2) Doodle for Google

Google would like to invite K-12 students in the U.S. to participate in the fifth annual U.S. Doogle 4 Google contest. Draw your rendition of the Google logo and you may see it on the ultimate gallery: the Google homepage. The winning doodler will also take home a $30,000 college scholarship and a $50,000 technology grant for his or her school.

The theme for this year's contest is "If I could travel in time, I'd visit...". That could mean visiting a past, present or future setting—whether it's traveling back in time to the signing of the Declaration of Independence, to the future to witness everyday space travel, or to just a few moments ago to relive a poignant experience.

Building on last year's record-breaking participation (107,000 entries!), we've made a few enhancements to the 2012 contest. First, we're opening Doodle 4 Google up to an even wider audience—with a winner from every state. There will be five finalists and one winner per state, so everyone will have a local doodle champion to cheer on. From these 50 State Winners, we'll find 5 National Finalists and the lucky National Winner.

We're also partnering with Crayola this year and the winning doodler's artwork will appear on a special edition of the 64-crayon box—a first!

Participating is easier than ever, since we've eliminated the registration step. All you need to do is submit your child's or student's artwork by March 20 with a signed and completed entry form.

For more details, check out google.com/doodle4google, where you'll find full contest rules and entry forms. Happy doodling and good luck!



MICHIANA EVENTS AND OPPORTUNITIES

1) Correction
2) Open Position at the Volunteer Center of Southwest Michigan
3) College Open Houses
4) Michiana Area Homeschool Graduation Ceremony
5) Homeschool Family Needed for Movie
6) MI Homeschool Events
7) IOWA/ITBS Testing Information and Registration
8) Volunteer Opportunities


1) Correction

The attachment last week advertises Lake Michigan College Community Education classes that are offered in the New Buffalo area.  The classes are not part of a partnership program and are not offered by New Buffalo Area Schools.`We apologize for any confusion.


2) Open Position at the Volunteer Center of Southwest Michigan

Interested in being part of a team committed to helping people make a difference?
Do you believe that everyone has gifts and talents to share with their community?
Do you believe service, whether voluntary or required, is an opportunity for an individual to grow?
Do you believe in accountability for one's actions?

If your answer to these questions is yes then please consider sending your resume and cover letter by February 8th to director@volunteerswmi.org to be considered as a project coordinator for the court referral system.

This part time position has the potential to be full time (some flexibility in work hours). Minimum of associates degree or comparable experience is required.   Some evening and weekend work required.

In this position you will be part of a team committed to the Volunteer Center 's mission to promote, support and connect volunteers working to build a strong, caring community and be involved in organizational projects.  Main responsibilities will include placing court ordered offenders with nonprofit, governmental and faith organizations to complete their community service.  Program covers Berrien county working out of the Niles office with some travel to St. Joseph required.  You will conduct follow up with clients, volunteer sites, and the courts and problem solve to maintain a successful completion rate of 89%.  You will also work to ensure adequate number and quality of placement sites.  Applicants must have knowledge of the court system; excellent computer skills; excellent written and verbal communication; ability to communicate with clients, judges and sites; and be a skilled multi-tasker to handle a case load of 500+ clients.  Knowledge of nonprofits or governmental units a plus.  Must be self directed and self motivated, but also ready to work on organizational projects.


3) College Open Houses

The following Michigan colleges/universities will be hosting an open house on their campus:

Hope College – Jan 27th
Aquinas College – Jan 28th
Olivet College – Jan 28th
Northwood University – Jan 30th
Spring Arbor University – Jan 30th


4)  Michiana Area Homeschool Graduation Ceremony

Anyone planning on graduating in 2012, keep in mind all Michiana area Homeschoolers are invited to participate in a Graduation Ceremony with a possible Graduation date of June 2, 2012. This includes cap and gown, diploma and speaker. It is a great way to celebrate with other Homeschool graduates in this area and finalize your years of Homeschooling! Our first meeting will be 6:30 on February 7th at Calvary Baptist Church (3001 West Cleveland Road South Bend, IN 46628)

Anyone interested please contact Jenny Sergio at 269-683-3886 or sergiojen7@gmail.com


5) Homeschool Family Needed for Movie

Help Class Dismissed Find A Family!

The time has come for us to find the right family for the next step of our film and _we need your help_.

Many of you know that over the past year we've been focusing on interviews with individuals and families who are already homeschooling, including many who have shared valuable knowledge and wisdom from years of experience.

But if you've read our synopsis, you'll also know that _a big part of our film is centered upon documenting a family_ who are just starting out; a family who are making the transition from public or private school into the world of alternative education.

We'd like to follow their journey and we believe that documenting their experiences will be an effective way for people in the general public to gain a real understanding of what it means to make the commitment to homeschool. There are a lot of preconceived notions within the general public about what homeschooling is, who does it and for what reasons. We hope that the average person watching the film will be able to relate to this family and by doing so, will have many of their questions answered. They may even be inspired to do the same thing!

So _if you know of someone who is considering pulling their kids out of school_ to homeschool them who might be interested in being involved in our film, please let them know about our film, or ask them if we can contact them. Or if you have recently started homeschooling or are considering doing so, please contact us directly by visiting our website and filling out this form:

http://homeschoolfilm.us2.list-manage.com/track/click?u=bffb54707ea640971ad054f6d&id=a65b180711&e=628eec9224

Thanks, and we look forward to hearing from you.
Jeremy, Dustin, Roy and the Class Dismissed Team.


6) MI Homeschool Events

The Grand Rapids area: Mid-Winter Conference - January 27-28  (http://midwinterconference.wordpress.com/) -- featuring Jeff Myers and Rea Berg 

Midland: CHEMinistry Conference - February 11   (https://www.homeschool-life.com/sysfiles/member/index_public.cfm?memberid=100) -- featuring Todd Wilson

Detroit area: Homeschooling Works Bookfair - March 17   (http://homeschoolingworks.com/Homeschooling_Works_Detroit_Michigan/Book_Fair.html)  

Kalamazoo: KAHSA Homeschool Expo - March 31   (http://www.kahsaconnection.com/)  --featuring Zan and Joe Tyler from Apologia.

Lansing:  29th MI Home Education Conference - May 10-12
(www.inch.org) --featuring keynote speaker Gregg Harris, Hal & Melanie Young, Joyce Burgess, Comedian Thor Ramsey, and many more!
 

7) IOWA/ITBS Testing Information and Registration

High scores qualify high schoolers for homeschool honor societies.  Registration due by February 18.  See attached form for details.


8)) Volunteer Opportunities

A) Who mentored you?  January is National Mentoring Month and a great time to consider becoming a Big Brother or Big Sister to a 6-12 year old who needs an extra adult in his/her life.  Ten hours a month is all it takes (or just five hours twice a month) to change the world of a child forever.  Volunteer when it's convenient with you. Share your stories, play a game of checkers, go to a ball game together.  It takes so little, and it means so much.  Big Brothers Big Sisters of Berrien and Cass invites you to a life-affirming experience!  Contact the Volunteer Center for more information or review the details on the web site: www.volunteerswmi.org  There are many children in Berrien Cass and Van Buren Counties that are on the waiting list hoping for a mentor - both boys and girls.  Consider fulfilling their wish!

B) Schools of Hope is an after-school program at Sorter Elementary School in Benton Harbor meeting 90 minutes/day, 4 days/week, staffed by teachers, a coordinator, and volunteers. Do you have one day per week where you can make a difference and share the gift of literacy as a Schools of Hope volunteer?  Contact the Volunteer Center for more details.

C) If you enjoy teens, an after school program called After School Rocks! Located at Berrien Springs high school would welcome you on their volunteer team.  They are open to short term volunteers that can share from their talents: cooking, travel, language, whatever or longer term volunteers to build relationships, tutor, help with homework and have fun.

D) Tri County Head Start is looking for volunteers to Lend a Hand in the next few days.

Tri County Head Start has to generate an In-Kind donation match of time provided by volunteers each year.  They are in need of some additional volunteers in the next few days to meet that match.  If you or anyone you know is interested in helping out Head Start and lending a hand to a child - it would be greatly appreciated!

Volunteers can join classroom staff in having fun with preschoolers! No experience necessary!  Volunteers need to be 18 years old.  If you or ANYONE you know is interested please contact the supervisors listed below to get connected as a volunteer:

Ellen Russell  269-601-1606  Benton Harbor, New Troy

Georgia Hunter-Atkinson 269-601-1607  Benton Harbor, Coloma

Sueann Petersen 269-639-8936  Bangor, South Haven

Lori Daly 269-782-2983  Cassopolis, Dowagiac, Niles

Diana Kridler 269-657-2581 ext 112  Bloomingdale, Decatur, Gobles, Hartford, Lawton
 
Nancy Murton
Family & Community Partnerships Supervisor
Tri County Head Start
775 Hazen Street
Paw Paw , MI 49079
269-657-2581 ext 125

Contact the Volunteer Center and together we can discover a volunteer opportunity that fits your talents and time schedule. 

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

"The Volunteer Center promotes, supports and connects volunteers working to build a strong, caring community."


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LINKS TO SHARE:

Identify that bug you found and more:
http://www.whatsthatbug.com/

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CLASSIFIEDS

Looking for a group?  Join the HUB!  We need you.

The HUB is a volunteer organization.  Without the support and participation of homeschool families, we can't function effectively.  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. 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!

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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 functions that we have.  Thank-you!


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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.

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