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HEAV's Virginia Homeschool Update
 
September 22, 2009
 
Above the Fold
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Prefer a text-only version? Click here!

 YAY! OUR NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
I can hardly say how pleased I am to introduce to you our new executive director, George Lansing! George comes to us with a passion for the Lord, his family, and home education. He also brings lots of business, management, and sales experience, which should stand us in good stead. George and his wife, Kathleen, have four children and are long-time homeschoolers and supporters of HEAV. George can be reached at executivedirector@heav.org.

This has been a long year for me as interim executive director, but I thank you for your prayer support and encouragement--it made ALL the difference. I also thank you for your financial support in HEAV's time of need--with your help, we beat the deficit and are beginning our new fiscal year rejoicing to see what the Lord has done.

With MUCH appreciation,
Anne Miller

P.S. Be sure to drop George a note of welcome; I know he'd love to hear from you!

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ONLY A SHORT TIME LEFT TO SAVE ON SEPTEMBER'S TOP PICK!
The Ultimate Book of Homeschooling Ideas
By Linda Dobson
Reviewed by Jan Surface, a veteran homeschool mom of two graduates, who is now teaching her two primary-age children.
"This book has more than 500 fun and creative learning activities that can stand alone or be easily dovetailed into your curriculum to bring a breath of fresh air to your homeschool...
 
"...With more than 16 years of homeschooling behind me, I've done a lot, but as I read this book, I was continually amazed as each page presented an idea or activity that made me think, "Wow, what a fun idea" or "I need to mark this one and be sure to incorporate it into my lesson plans" or "I'm marking this one for family night." If you are new to homeschooling or, like me, you have been around the block a few times, this book is a must have!"

Read the rest of the review and take advantage of free shipping (a $4.50 savings)!

Save BIG during SCIENCE Month at the Homeschool Buyers Co-op!Save BIG during SCIENCE Month at the Homeschool Buyers Co-op!
This month the Co-op has lined up the BEST DEALS ON THE PLANET for these popular science learning products:
- Discovery Education Science: Save 76%
- Aha!Science: Save 67%
- CyberEd: Save 63%
- Adaptive Curriculum: Only $49
Click here for more information.
Find out how we can help! Is Reading a Struggle?
Does your child:
- Skip words, reread lines or lose track?
- Have problems with comprehension?
- Have a short attention span?
- Take longer to do assignments than it should?
Find out how we can help! Samuel C. Smart, OD, FAAO, Wm. Mitchell Powell, OD, Angela Tsai, OD

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Computers Needed
HEAV is in need of two computers. If you have a computer in good working condition you would consider donating, it would greatly benefit our budgeting going into the new accounting year. The donation would be tax-deductible--and greatly appreciated!

One computer is needed for Yvonne Bunn, HEAV's director of homeschool support and legislative affairs. Her computer is more than seven years old and failing fast. We have tried to have it fixed several times, but it continues to have problems. She really needs a more modern, functioning computer before the start of our legislative session in January.

The other computer will replace the one in the back room of the HEAV office, which is old, slow, and prone to freezing. We use this one for processing shipping and for data entry by our volunteers. A newer, basic desktop unit would allow us to better maximize our volunteer and office staff's time.

If you have a computer you feel led to donate, please contact George Lansing, HEAV's executive director, at executivedirector@heav.org or 804-278-9200.
Box Tops for Education ~:~ ~:~ ~:~ ~:~ ~:~ ~:~ ~:~ ~:~
SEPTEMBER 30 DEADLINE IS ALMOST HERE!
Box Tops for Education - Now Is the Time to Submit Your Labels!
Turn those empty boxes and cans into much-needed funding for HEAV and your local homeschool support group! The September 30 submission deadline is fast approaching, so it's time to send the tops you've saved to HEAV! Together, we can make a BIG difference. If everyone who receives this e-mail sends in just five labels, we'll have raised about $4,500--all from empty boxes and cans! The money comes from the Box Top program, not you!
 
Find more details on our website at www.heav.org/events/boxtops/index.html, and send in your labels today!
  
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Virginia State FairARE YOU READY FOR THE STATE FAIR?
Homeschool Day at the State Fair
The HEAV-cosponsored Homeschool Day at the State Fair is next Monday (September 28, 2009)! If you haven't done so yet, be sure to contact us (804-278-9200 or statefair@heav.org) to see about getting tickets. Tickets are still available for purchase at the HEAV Richmond office.
 
New this year! Meet our executive director, George Lansing! HEAV staff and volunteers will be standing near the fair entrance and handing out free "Home School's Cool" stickers. These stickers are a great way to let others at the fair know about homeschooling! They'll also have literature on HEAV for those who are interested. They'd love to get to meet you--please be sure to stop and say hello!
 
Free Scavenger Hunt - Vicki Bentley, long-time homeschool mom, put together a state fair scavenger hunt for her support group, and has graciously shared it with us. You can download it from her Everyday Homemaking website here.
 
Find out more! Learn more about Homeschool Day at the State Fair of Virginia. If you have any questions about the homeschool tickets, please contact the HEAV office at 804-278-9200 or statefair@heav.org; please do NOT contact the State Fair directly.

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Homeschool Appreciation Day at the Virginia Air & Space Center SPECIAL $1 ADMISSION - ONLY A WEEK LEFT TO RSVP!
Homeschool Appreciation Day at the Virginia Air & Space Center
 
RSVP by September 30 for event on Wednesday, October 7, 2009, from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.
 
Explore new frontiers at the Virginia Air & Space Center at this HEAV co-sponsored event! Explore hands-on exhibits and discover educational programming that meets your curriculum needs! Learn about homeschool workshop opportunities and the NASA Langley Educator Resource Center. Admission tickets, normally $7.50-$9.50, are just $1, and IMAX tickets are discounted to $5.

HEAV has worked in conjunction with the Virginia Air & Space Center to make this day possible. We hope you enjoy this special opportunity to learn about air and space at a significantly discounted rate!

Find out more on the Homeschool Day Events page. Registration ends next Wednesday (September 30), so don't delay!

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1) Homeschool Items
View All Homeschool Items
1.1 Entrepreneur Workshop with Wade Myers - Charlottesville - Best Price by September 23
1.2 Driver's Education Classes - Richmond - Best Price by September 30
1.3 HSLDA Members - New SAT/ACT Prep Software Program
1.4 Article - The Social Worker at Your Door
1.5 Free E-book - The New School Year: Planning Your Course and Letting the Lord Determine Your Steps

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2) General Interest Items
View All General Interest Items
2.1 Strasburg Youth in Arts - Strasburg - Underway
2.2 Cake Show and Class - Virginia Beach - September 26 and 27
2.3 Educator Appreciation Week - Nationwide - September 29-October 7
2.4 Christian College Fair - Charlottesville - October 15
2.5 New Answers Book 2 Scholarship Essay Contest - Deadline Is January 31, 2010
2.6 Career Simulation Software for Groups

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3) Cool Sites for Homeschoolers
View All Cool Sites for Homeschoolers
3.1 Creation and Apologetics Audio - Plus More
3.2 Free Apple Unit Study
3.3 Autumn Crafts for Kids
3.4 Pizza Explorer
3.5 College Board
3.6 Swap Extra Garden Produce

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4) Parting Thought - All in a Day's Work

A fellow was playing golf with the town's fire chief when he hit a ball into the rough. As the man headed for the brush to find his ball, the chief warned him, "Be careful, the rattlesnakes are out." 

The chief explained that calls had been coming in all week requesting assistance with removing the snakes. 

"You've got to be kidding," the man replied in astonishment. "People actually call the fire department to help them with rattlesnakes? What do you say to them?" 

"Well," said the chief, "the first thing I ask is, 'Is it on fire?'"

- Author Unknown

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5) Worth Repeating
"The foundation of national morality must be laid in private families...Public virtue cannot exist in a nation without private, and public virtue is the only foundation of republics."
- John Adams

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6) Verse of the Week
For I the LORD thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee.
- Isaiah 41:13 (KJV)        

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7) Homeschool Laugh of the Week

Homeschool Laugh of the Week
 
Taken from The Official Book of Homeschooling Cartoons (www.familymanweb.com). Reprinted with permission.
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Submit an Item
Know of an event, contest, or resource that would interest fellow homeschoolers? Please submit it using our online form at www.heav.org/resources/update/submit-event.html.
 
Note: We compile information for publication at least two weeks prior to the send-out date, so please submit items as early as possible (preferably one month in advance). HEAV reserves the right to accept or reject any material submitted.
 
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Disclaimer
The Virginia Homeschool Update is produced by Kathleen Dillie (copy editor), Chris (editor), Sarah Kohrs (manager), Katherine Loop (assistant director of publications & marketing), and Anne Miller (director of publications & marketing).
 
HEAV does not necessarily endorse the above-mentioned resources, nor guarantee the accuracy of information found on any external resource we may mention. If you find anything wrong on our website, please let us know so we can correct it.
 
HEAV diligently researches each link prior to publication. However, we recommend you, the parent, fully examine websites before allowing your children to surf them without supervision.
 
Copyright © 2009 by the Home Educators Association of Virginia. All rights reserved. You are free to pass along all or part of this Update, but please include the following credit line when you do: "Taken from HEAV's Virginia Homeschool Update, a free newsletter for Virginia homeschoolers. You can sign up at www.heav.org." You may modify this credit line if needed, but please credit HEAV and link to the HEAV website (www.heav.org).


Home Educators Association of Virginia
e-mail: update@heav.org
phone: 804-278-9200
web: http://www.heav.org

Note: Your membership and donations to HEAV enable us to continue monitoring legislation and help us to guard and promote homeschooling freedoms.

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