Another Blow to Homeschooling By Raven Clabough As a result of Botswana’s accession to the United Nations’ Convention on the Rights of the Child, a judge ordered a homeschooling family to stop homeschooling their children and send them to public school instead, despite the fact that the children were properly cared for and well educated. [...]

The note below, which recently went out to state homeschool leaders, shares about a phone scam targeted at homeschoolers. Dear State Leader, It has come to our attention that multiple homeschool leaders have received phone calls from a person falsely saying they are from the Home School Foundation. This caller, who is believed to be [...]

From: John Collins Date: Monday, June 28, 2010, at 2:19 p.m. Subject: Dear Friends of Gregg and Sono Harris and Family Dear Friends of the Harris Family, I am sending this message to you with confidence that you will act and pass it along and together we can make a difference! Over the years as [...]

Reprinted from HSLDA  (www.hslda.org/hs/state/va/201005200.asp) The governor’s recent signature on SB 738, giving state approval for “virtual school programs,” guarantees that public-school-at-home programs, under various names in different places, will soon ramp up their efforts to recruit homeschoolers. Participation in these programs—full time or part time—will immediately turn your child into a public school student. Newly [...]

This letter was recently shared on a homeschool state leaders’ group; we are reprinting it here with permission so you can pray–and give if you feel so led. “If one member suffers, all members suffer together; if one member is honored all rejoice together.”  ~1 Corinthians 12:26 Dear State Leaders, Many of you are aware [...]

Did you know HEAV can exchange many used Dell, HP, Lexmark, and Kodak cartridges for office supplies, and can submit Box Top labels for cash to support homeschooling? Bringing used cartridges and Box Tops to the convention is a great–and easy–way to support homeschooling! We’ll have boxes there to collect these items. So…hold on to [...]

Note: This article shares about the growing popularity of homeschooling in Fairfax County. It also refers to some of the changes that have come to homeschooling. (See http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i9IuJ2vQT_I for more of homeschooling’s history.) The requirements the article mentions for homeschooling are for the homeschool statute–for an overview of all the available options, see www.heav.org/law/flow1.html. From [...]

The evening meal can be a valuable training time, yet directing dinnertime conversations can sometimes be a challenge! Here’s a simple idea to try: Have each person at the table share a couple of praises from the day. You may find it also helps you think of things to be grateful for throughout the day! [...]

From Essence.com http://www.essence.com/lifestyle/parenting/commentary_why_we_choose_to_homeschool.php Commentary: Why We Homeschool Our Children Tuesday, February 16, 2010 | 11:50 AM by Aretha Taggart, as told to Yolanda Sangweni When most people think of homeschooling, they think rich celebs and White families. But figures from the National Home Education Research Institute show that more Black families are gaining in on [...]

Homeschool Legal Defense Association is offering a $25 discount for new memberships (anyone not currently a member–does not apply for renewals) on their two-year membership plan when you sign up using this link. Offer expires midnight on Sunday, February 28. Become an HEAV member and save an additional $25! HEAV members save $25 on their [...]

Below is a letter a homeschool mom in Virginia sent us sharing about a pleasant — and quite unexpected — surprise! Have your own homeschool stories? Share them here! Send them to kloop@heav.org, or leave them as a comment. Dear HEAV, This is one I had to share: Last month we finished studying the postal [...]

[This is a sequel to "A New Year’s  Thought – Keeping Focused on the Mission."] Last week, I wrote about keeping intent on the mission God has given to us as Christians. All week long, I’ve been trying to write the sequel. And all week long, I’ve had the hardest time keeping focused on the [...]

Dr. Brian Ray recently released an article examining claims made by Robin West in her “The Harms of Homeschooling.” Dr. Ray examines each of West’s seven claims, which include educational, economic, and political harms, pointing out the lack of evidence for each one. Ultimately, he makes the case that it all boils down to a [...]

This past weekend, our family headed off on a “fieldtrip” to the pentagon. As we wandered through the hallways, I was struck by the care each branch of the military had taken to convey its history and mission through various displays. One Army display particularly grabbed my attention: I will always place the mission first. [...]

- By Yvonne Bunn, HEAV director of homeschool support and legislative affairs Although 90% of Virginia’s school-age population attend government schools, many families would change that if they could. According to a newly released study, School Choice Survey: Virginia’s Opinion on K-12 Education and School Choice (released by the Friedman Foundation in November 2009), Virginia [...]

Needing extra cash for the Christmas season…or maybe for extracurricular activities, a sports program, mission trip, band program, or curriculum? Could your support group use a financial boost? Have an entrepreneurial child? Selling Peel-A-Way cards is a simple and do-able way to raise funds either as an individual or as a group. People love the [...]

The files below contain information on a few more upcoming vaccination opportunities. Central Region Vaccination Plans as of 11-12-2009 11-12-09 Pediatric Vaccination Clinics Important Note: HEAV does not recommend or endorse any vaccine. Because homeschoolers fall within the target at-risk group for H1N1 influenza, HEAV is publishing information regarding the availability of the H1N1 vaccine. [...]

The files below contain information from the Virginia Department of Health regarding upcoming pediatric clinics. 11-10-09 Pediatric Vaccination Clinic Info – Primary List (2) Henrico’s Press Release New River Health District Clinic Schedule Rappahannock-Rapidan Press Release Share/Bookmark

[Editor's Note: We came across this op-ed in an HSLDA e-newsletter, and felt you would appreciate reading it.] by J. Michael Smith HSLDA President Christopher J. Klicka, senior counsel and director of state and international relations for the Home School Legal Defense Association, died Oct. 12 in Colorado Springs. His death is a tremendous loss. [...]

Important Note: HEAV does not recommend or endorse any vaccine. Because homeschoolers fall within the target at-risk group for H1N1 influenza, HEAV is publishing information regarding the availability of the H1N1 vaccine. Vaccination decisions are the responsibility of the parent. From the Richmond City Health Department: Beginning, Thursday, October 29, The Richmond City Health Department [...]

As the H1N1 vaccine* is arriving at pubic schools for distribution to students, some homeschool parents are asking if their children can also receive the free vaccine from a public school. Many private and homeschooled students have reported being unable to receive the vaccine, while a limited number of other parents have had no problem. [...]

Memorial Service Here is the information for Chris’s memorial service. All are invited to attend. Memorial Service for Christopher J. Klicka, 1961-2009 Senior Counsel, HSLDA Christian Fellowship Church 21673 Beaumeade Circle Ashburn, VA  20147 Saturday, October 31, 2009 10 a.m. For directions, visit: www.cfellowshipc.org For more information, contact Judy Taylor (540-303-2102) Radio Tribute and Interviews [...]

Thank you to all who have written sweet notes expressing your gratitude for Chris’ life and your sympathy and prayers for his family! Below is information taken from their blog on how to send these notes directly to the Klicka family. E-MAIL The e-mail the Klickas have listed on their blog is klickaclan@erols.com. DONATIONS The [...]

http://www.alliancedefensefund.org/news/story.aspx?cid=5050 Wednesday, August 26, 2009 LACONIA, N.H. An Alliance Defense Fund allied attorney filed motions with a New Hampshire court Monday asking it to reconsider and stay its decision to order a 10-year-old home-schooled girl into a government-run school in Meredith. Although the marital master making recommendations to the court agreed the child is “well [...]

http://www.wnd.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=108084 By Bob Unruh (c) 2009 WorldNetDaily A 10-year-old homeschool girl described as “well liked, social and interactive with her peers, academically promising and intellectually at or superior to grade level” has been told by a New Hampshire court official to attend a government school because she was too “vigorous” in defense of her Christian [...]

The following is reprinted from a June 27, 2008, WallBuilders’ e-mail newsletter. To receive future information about historical issues and biblical values in the culture, to contribute to their ministry, or to view their other resources, visit www.wallbuilders.com. Born in 1776 with the Declaration of Independence, America has had only one form of government. Neither [...]

The Home School Foundation/Home School Legal Defense Association confirms that homeschoolers have reported getting suspicious calls from someone falsely claiming to be a homeschooling mother gathering information for research on behalf of the HSF/HSLDA. It may even be a man masquerading as a woman. The caller gave the name of a person who does not [...]

Below is a short story of the Hayes’ experience at HEAV’s 2009 Homeschool Day at the Capitol. It was published in the Franklin Tidewater News, and is reprinted with permission. Did you attend Day at the Capitol? Please leave a comment sharing your story! On Thursday, March 19, 2009, Home Educators Association of Virginia (HEAV) [...]

I came across this quote from D. Martyn Lloyd-Jones in a Trivium Pursuit newsletter, and thought it was definitely worth passing on. I hope you enjoy! – Anne I say that we must talk to ourselves instead of allowing “ourselves” to talk to us! Do you realize what that means? I suggest that the main trouble in this [...]

Here’s a note a homeschool mom in Virginia (who requested to remain anonymous) wrote recently to a mom homeschooling a dyslexic child. Whether your child struggles with dyslexia or something completely different, we hope you’ll be encouraged that every child is unique–and that’s okay! We saw our very strongest “natural” speller/reader do letter reversals; I [...]