Contact: Yvonne Bunn
Phone: 804-278-9200
E-mail: ybunn@heav.org
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
HOMESCHOOLERS ARRIVING IN FORCE THIS THURSDAY
Homeschool Families from across the State Come to Richmond to Learn about the Legislative Process
Ready to learn about the legislative process, meet their legislators, and visit Richmond landmarks, more than 600 homeschool students and their families are expected to come to Richmond this Thursday, February 7, to participate in the Home Educators Association of Virginia’s 13th Annual Day at the Capitol. Starting at 8:30 a.m., homeschoolers from all over the state will meet at the Greater Richmond Convention Center to begin a day packed with interactive learning.
Attorney General Bob McDonnell and Lieutenant Governor William Bolling will be addressing the crowd, and HEAV lobbyist Ben Lansing-a homeschool graduate-will be giving the latest updates on this year’s important homeschool legislation, which includes highly debated bills on sports access and tax credits. Then, in typical homeschool fashion, parents and students will learn “How a Bill Becomes a Law” by participating in a dynamic “Mock General Assembly”!
In the afternoon, families will continue to learn together about the legislative process in a hands-on way as they join in a variety of activities including a scavenger hunt and a homeschool program at the Museum of the Confederacy. Special homeschool tours of the Capitol, the Executive Mansion, the Virginia Supreme Court, and the 13th Circuit Court have also been arranged, as have buses to transport families between locations. Many families will also be sitting in on the General Assembly session or meeting with their legislators to personally thank them for the work they do.
“Real-world learning is the ultimate ‘classroom’ experience for homeschool students,” says Anne Miller, HEAV president. “Visiting delegates and senators, learning hands-on about the legislative process, and touring the capitol in an age-integrated environment gives these students the opportunity to get a first-hand look at our government in action.”
The Day at the Capitol is organized by the Home Educators Association of Virginia, a statewide, member-supported, non-profit association serving the more than 27,000 homeschoolers throughout the Commonwealth. HEAV is located in Richmond and has served Virginia homeschoolers through information, legislation, and resources for the past 25 years.
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If you would like more information about Day at the Capitol, or to schedule an interview, please contact Yvonne Bunn at 804-278-9200 or ybunn@heav.org. The event already has a waiting list of more than 100 people, so no more families can be accommodated. However, the press is always welcome to attend, and families are encouraged to sign up for the HEAV Legislative Update if they would like to be reminded to register for next year’s Day at the Capitol. A complete schedule for Day at the Capitol, as well as other homeschooling information, is available at www.heav.org/media.
