Friday, July 27, 2012

[HUBnewsletter] Homeschool HUB News Update--July 27

 

Homeschool HUB News Update--July 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  (You can also sign up on the home page of our website hshub.org--just type your email in the box!)  Don't forget to do one of these if you change your email address!

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  (Check with those offering the program for cancellations or changes before you go.)

July 31 Homeschool Beach Day, Fuller's Resort in Buchanan, $1.50 pp
August 3--Bowling at Chippewa Bowl 10:00am-12:00pm.  $1.50/pp per game
August 6--Club BLUE Martin's Cafe in Niles 7 pm
August 12--HUB Board of Directors Meeting, 7 pm at the Niles Police Complex
August 17--Homeschool Skate at USA Skate 1:00-3:00, $3/pp including skate rental
August 28--Homeschool Info Night 6-8 pm  LMC Bertrand campus in Niles, MI


GENERAL INTEREST

G1)  Help Niles, MI community garden get a $4,000 grant!


G1) Help Niles, MI community garden get a $4,000 grant!

The gardens are available to and utilized by homeschool families.  There is an online competition in which the top 5 vote getting gardens split a $20,000 grant.  You can vote online once daily until August 6th.  If we can get more people voting for Niles we have a very good chance to help a great project in our community.  Here is the link you go to for voting...Niles is bottom row, second from left:
Garden voting until August 6….top 5 get $4,000 each …. http://deloachcommunitygardens.com/



MICHIANA EVENTS AND OPPORTUNITIES

1)  2nd Annual Homeschool Info Night--free stuff!
2) Annual Meeting
3)  Fencing Class--Urgent Response Needed!
3) World Harmony Run
4)  Fun Family Activities Tip
5) Niles Homeschool Partnership
6) Berrien Springs Parent Partnership
7) Volunteer Opportunities


1)  2nd Annual Homeschool Info Night--free stuff!

Free refreshments will be served!  Please bring any books, curricula, and materials you no longer want that other families might be able to use--we will have a free exchange table--bring what you don't need and take what you can use!  The 2nd Annual Homeschool Info Night will be Tuesday August 28th from 6-8 at LMC Bertrand in Niles, MI.  If you have a club, class, group, or activity that caters to homeschoolers, you are welcome to set up an info table.  If you are a tutor or teacher or offer any service of interest to homeschoolers, you are welcome to set up an info table.  Contact Diane Day to reserve a spot: joharding_20@yahoo.com.  If you are a homeschooler or thinking of homeschooling or curious about homeschooling, come join us!  It will be a night for info and connection with other homeschoolers.  Feel free to pass this info along to anyone you know who might be interested.


2)  Annual Meeting

The Homeschoool HUB annual meeting will take place at LMC Bertrand at 7:30 pm on August 26th.  If you would like to participate, see hshub.org about how to become a member.  All members are invited to attend.  Anyone curious about the group or interested in becoming a member may also attend.


3)  Fencing Classs--Urgent Response Needed!

We have the opportunity to bring a Fencing Program to our area.  To do so there needs to be a minimum of 30 students. I have attached a link to the Tri-Blade website for your convenience.   http://www.akron-graphics.com/tri_blade/   This program has been embraced in the Gull Lake area.  So much so, they have added it to a list of courses their School Corporation students may choose.

This class will be a multi-aged class. The cost is $13/per hour for the classes. The classes run for 3 hours. I would arrange for him to come down here for 6 weeks for the first semester and then maybe lengthen it to 8 weeks for the 2nd semester if interest continues. That brings the cost to $234 for the first semester. There is an additional cost for the equipment of approximately $107.00 (This is a one time cost).   The majority of these costs would be covered if a Niles Partnership Student would like to elect it for a CR class.

Please contact me if you are interested.  I need to know before August 7th so I can determine if we can bring the program to the Michiana Area. Please email me at blissfamily@nilesschools.org.


4)  Fun Family Activities Tip

If you are looking for something fun to do with your family, check out the "Volunteer Opportunities" section--they often ask for volunteers for festivals and activities that would be fun to attend even if you don't want to volunteer.  This week includes a peach festival and an open house for the Fort. St. Joseph archaeological project, for instance.


5) Niles Homeschool Partnership Program

NEW:  There is no seated class required for students in grades 6-12.  Younger students (grades 1-5) are still required to take a seated class.

Registration for the 2012-2013 school year is open, and info about the class choices are available online, including some new ones.  More info at the site below (you may need to cut and paste it into your browser--it's a long one):

http://nilesschools.schoolwires.net/212620428164940510/site/default.asp?2113

Remember that middle school and high school students registered with the program are also allowed to participate in school sports teams.


6) Berrien Springs Parent Partnership

Berrien Springs Parent Partnership is a FREE program to enhance your child's homeschool education with elective class choices in a variety of settings.

What is different this year?
No seated class is required, for any student in grade 1-12!

Only 1-2 virtual classes are required per semester, depending on your student's grade level. All Community Classes are optional, and each student may choose up to 3 per semester.  The field trip and dance classes remain as just two of the many community classes offered.  We have more exciting community classes than ever!  Check out our NEW website at www.berrienspringspartnership.com for more information and how to register.

Registration will begin Sunday, July 29th through the online link found on the website.
Questions?  Call Sharon Haynes: 470-0352 or email: shaynes@homeoftheshamrocks.org


7) Volunteer Opportunities

A) The Glad Peach Festival is the place to be on Saturday, August 4 in Coloma.  There are many options for volunteering - check the website to see more.

Consider volunteering with the Friends of the North Berrien Historical Society:
1) Bake Sale : donate something (cookies, muffins, bread, etc) Drop off donation at the museum on Friday, August 3, 10am-4pm, or bring it down to their tent at Baker Park on Saturday, August 4, 8-9am.
2) Volunteer at the tent during the Festival - look for the big awning for the Bake Sale.  There will be a free dress-up and craft area for kids. Sign up to volunteer:
Friday, August 3, 4-8pm (Dress-up or craft)
Saturday, August 4, 9am-8pm (Dress-up or craft)
Sunday, August 5, 10am-2pm (Dress-up or craft)

B) Fort St. Joseph Open House

WHO:  Fort St. Joseph Archaeological Project http://www.wmich.edu/fortstjoseph/  Western Michigan University Archaeology Students, in partnership with the City of Niles and the Fort St. Joseph Museum , seek to unlock the secrets of this long lost, but not forgotten, frontier outpost of New France .

WHERE:  Riverfront Park in Niles, Michigan .
WHEN:  Open House event on Sat & Sun, Aug 11 & 12th.  Choose a 2 hour shifts that works for your schedule: 10am -12 noon, 12 noon -2pm or 2-4pm.
VOLUNTEER: Meet and greet visitors at entrance gate, pass out programs and info.   Enjoy the sights and sounds of living history.

C) Berrien County Planning Commission has one vacancy for a citizen to serve on the board as a volunteer.  The Planning Commission makes recommendations relating to the effective economic, social and physical growth and development to the County.  The Commission reviews all local master plans and makes recommendations on township re-zonings.  The Commission consists of individuals representing important segments of economic, governmental, educational, and social life development of the county.  The position being filled has a term expiring December 31, 2013.  Meetings are held on the 2nd Tuesday of each month at 2:30 p.m. at the Berrien County Administration Center , 701 Main St. , St. Joseph .  Please contact the Berrien County Administration office at 269-983-7111, ext. 8095 or email akrieger@berriencounty.org, or download an application from the www.berriencounty.org website.  The acceptance period for applications is open through Aug.10.  

Check out the web site for other options: www.volunteerswmi.org

Debra Panozzo
Adult and family volunteer coordinator
Volunteer Southwest Michigan
269-983-0912 ext 13 St. Joseph
269-683-5464 ext 16 Niles
www.volunteerswmi.org

Volunteering made easy!


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LINKS TO SHARE:

If you have a favorite website or link, please share!
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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!  (Advertisements stay in for two weeks unless we work out something else in advance)

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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