March 8, 2012

 
ABOVE THE FOLD 

~:~ ~:~ ~:~ ~:~ ~:~ ~:~ ~:~ ~:~ 

JUST 13 WEEKS UNTIL THE CONVENTION 

THOUGHT YOU MISSED IT?

Don’t worry–you haven’t! The new website is just DAYS AWAY. Convention Registration will be opening soon after with a member-only special price of just $49, which includes spouse and dependent children.  

Keep watching for details!

NEW! RELAX AND ENJOY THE RIDE WITH A STRESS-FREE CONVENTION DEAL  

Attend the convention in style with a package that includes bus transportation, deluxe hotel accommodations at the Hilton Garden Inn fo r 2 nights, and a full convention registration–all for one great price. Buses leave Thursday morning and return Saturday evening, and will leave from several points around Virginia:

• Virginia Beach (occupancy/person: quad-$160; triple-$180; double-$230; husband & wife special-$411)
• Fairfax (occupancy/person: quad-$170; triple-$190; double-$240; husband & wife special-$431)
• Roanoke/Lynchburg (occupancy/person: quad-$180; triple-$200; double-$250; husband & wife special-$451)

Important: A minimum of 40 people per bus is needed–we can add extra buses as necessary. To secure your seat, a non-refundable* deposit of $49 must be made when you register. Final payment will be due by the close of registration on May 21.

*In the event minimum enrollment is not met, your deposit will be fully refunded. If you wish to apply your deposit to a convention registration, the early-bird price of $49 will apply. Used Curriculum Sale shopping time is determined by the date of your original response to the bus trip. Watch for more details as registration opens! 

OUTREACH PARTNERS–WE NEED YOUR HELP
Most People Hear about the Convention from a Friend 

The convention is coming, and we could use your help to get the word out! When asked, most people say they heard about the convention through a friend. Will you reach out to the homeschooling families in YOUR community?

Our outreach program makes it easy–simply sign up as a church, community, MOPS group, or Internet Outreach Partner, and we’ll have specially-prepared announcements, bulletin inserts, fliers, web banners, and more available. Your outreach work will be almost effortless!

Go here for ready-made posts, downloads, and graphics you can send friends and family or post on blogs, groups, and forums to invite others to the convention.

CALLING ALL MOPS GROUPS!

Attend a MOPS group? Know parents of preschoolers? Tell them about the FREE admission to the convention for qualifying parents of preschoolers. And, sign up as a MOPS Outreach Partner here for great resources, information, and fliers to share with your group.

Get Ready for the Used Curriculum Sale 

New! More Checkout Lines Open This Year

Whether you want to sell your used books, or look for bargains among the 60,000 anticipated items, we have good news for you–this year, we’ll have more checkout lines and faster service. Get ready for some great bargains! 

FROM OUR SPONSORS…

SAVE 46% on Explode The Code Online  

Introducing Homeschool Tracker Online

Homeschool Tracker Online (TGHomeSoft, LLC) is planning and organizing software for keeping electronic homeschool records from anywhere. Flexible to your organizational style. Create lesson plans, manage your school calendar, assignments, appointments, chores, days off, track attendance and print lists, report cards and transcripts. Works on PC, Mac and even tablets.

Save $5 on HSTOnline using coupon code: heav312

~:~ ~:~ ~:~ ~:~ ~:~ ~:~ ~:~ ~:~

ARTICLES & INFORMATION

Article of the Week

Beating the Mid-Year Slump by Melanie Hexter 

In this article, Melanie Hexter offers several suggestions for overcoming the winter homeschool blues, such as connecting with others, tackling practical indoor jobs, and planning for next year.

Homeschool Q&A

Physical Education Requirements

Q. What are the physical education requirements for homeschoolers, and how do homeschoolers meet them?

~:~ ~:~ ~:~ ~:~ ~:~ ~:~ ~:~ ~:~

1) Homeschool Items
View All Homeschool Items

1.1 Classical Conversations Information Meeting – Christiansburg – March 10
1.2 Southside Homeschool Academy Open House – Powhatan – March 15
1.3 Homeschooling Through High School With Classical Conversations – Virginia Beach – March 15
1.4 Annual Tornado Drill – Statewide – March 20
1.5 Homeschooling Towards College – Williamsburg – April 17

1.6 Sign Up for Your Own Teaching Home Newsletter!

~:~ ~:~ ~:~ ~:~ ~:~ ~:~ ~:~ ~:~   

2) General Interest Items
View All General Interest Items

2.1 “Reminiscences of Petersburg: A Woman’s Perspective” – Petersburg – March 18
2.2 Monumental Movie – Theaters Nationwide – March 27 Only
2.3 “Breakthrough” Battlefield Tour – Petersburg – Register by March 28
2.4 Appomattox Court House National Historical Park Volunteer Park Day – March 31

~:~ ~:~ ~:~ ~:~ ~:~ ~:~ ~:~ ~:~
3) Cool Sites for Homeschoolers
View All Cool Sites for Homeschoolers

3.1 Christian Resources: Digital Puritan
3.2 Thrifty Ideas: Supercook
3.3 Preschool and Kindergarten: Dripless Honey Spread
3.4 Science: Nature Study Resources
3.5 Cooking: Crunchy Veggie Salad

3.6 Crafts: Cross-stitch for Kids

3.7 English: Spelling Games – Preschool through Ninth Grade

~:~ ~:~ ~:~ ~:~ ~:~ ~:~ ~:~ ~:~ 

4) Parting Thought – Favorite Bible Verses

YouVersion, the popular new Bible app, recently listed the Top 10 Bookmarked Verses of 2011. Are you curious about what others have chosen? They are:

Philippians 4:6

Jeremiah 29:1

Proverbs 3:5

Romans 12:2

Philippians 4:13

Philippians 4:7

Romans 8:28

Proverbs 3:6

Matthew 6:33

1 Corinthians 13:4

Wow, Philippians 4 is sure a favorite! Do you have a favorite–or “life”–verse? Have you shared your favorite(s) with your children?

~:~ ~:~ ~:~ ~:~ ~:~ ~:~ ~:~ ~:~

5) Worth Repeating

“The more I study nature, the more I stand amazed at the work of the creator. Into his tiniest creatures, God has placed extraordinary properties….”

- Louis Pasteur, 1822-1895. This outstanding French scientist believed deeply in God, the Creator of the Universe. Read an Answers in Genesis article about him here.

~:~ ~:~ ~:~ ~:~ ~:~ ~:~ ~:~ ~:~
6) Verse of the Week

But the salvation of the righteous [is] of the LORD: [he is] their strength in the time of trouble.

- Psalms 37:39 (KJV)

~:~ ~:~ ~:~ ~:~ ~:~ ~:~ ~:~ ~:~

7) Homeschool Laugh of the Week

Taken from The Official Book of Homeschooling Cartoons (www.familymanweb.com). Reprinted with Permission.

HEAV is a non-profit 501(c)(3) educational organization, and your contribution is tax-deductible to the extent provided by law. Upon written request, a financial statement is available from the Office of Consumer Affairs.  

~:~ ~:~ ~:~ ~:~ ~:~ ~:~ ~:~ ~:~
Disclaimer
The Virginia Homeschool Update is produced by Maya Barnes (graphics & layout), Kathleen Dillie (manager & copy editor), Chris (editor), Anne Miller (publications advisor), Karen Sweeney (content editor), Arielle Potter (copy writer & editor), and Maureen Bittner (publications & marketing director).

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 © 2012 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 to receive this publication 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).

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

Not a member? Join today!
www.heav.org/support-homeschoolers/join.html

Donate to HEAV now.
www.heav.org/support-homeschoolers/donate