MHSA in the News
Mood:  incredulous
Topic: General Interest

If you were at the Meet & Greet event on Thursday, July 30, you know that along with a few parents and kids, we were visited by journalist Eric Mungenast of the Maricopa Monitor. His article appeared today.

While the key points he mentioned in the homeschooling section of his article are important, I think he used a few of our quotes out of context. That's okay, although his wrap-up sentence seems to give the impression that our daughter couldn't cope in a traditional classroom setting, and that's not necessarily accurate. I would've preferred if he'd stressed more that homeschooling is flexible enough to adapt to any learning style.

Anyway, the entire article is online, if you missed it in the print edition, at http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=20356169&BRD=1817&PAG=461&dept_id=594501&rfi=6

Fall Events & Activities - so far
Mood:  sharp
Topic: Events

For those of you who missed the planning meeting, we discussed a number of events and activities for this fall. I don't know if we can incorporate everything, but you'll want to review this list with the kids and consider which ones you (and they) are interested in. Then PLEASE let us know ASAP so we can finalize our schedule. There's a lot to squeeze in!

Regular Activities:

Park Days - we'd probably do best to schedule these by age group. Local support groups often incorporate park days and play dates for preschoolers, but we need to schedule days for kids from 5-7ish, 8-10, and maybe for tweens as well. We're looking at Friday afternoons for the 5-7s.

Craft Days - we need a group of at least 6 to schedule this regularly, either monthly or bi-weekly.

Speakers Showcase - like Toastmasters. A great opportunity for tweens and teens to sharpen their poise and public speaking skills. Monthly or bi-weekly meetings.

Letters to Soldiers - any homeschooling family who has adopted a soldier or who communicates with any soldier regularly is welcome. We can share any letters or photos we receive, pray for our soldiers, and give the kids time to write a note or color a picture to send.

Special Events:

Oratorical Recital - early October. All homeschoolers are invited to memorize a poem or selection of prose for recital. Time limit is two minutes. Awards in each age group for most unique selection and best oration (speaking voice, tempo, inflection, etc.).

Arizona State Fair - October 16 to November 8 this year.

Pumpkin Carving Contest - Thursday, October 29th(?) We may be able to provide pumpkins for FREE!

Symphony Concert - homeschoolers who play symphony instruments need to step up for this one. As a group, you'll be responsible for choosing the music for your concert (30 to 45 minutes) and your own rehearsal times.

Christmas Craft Camp - December

Christmas Caroling - December

Field Trip Possibilities:

Fire Department,  Casa Grande ruins, San Xavier del Bax, Montezuma's Castle, a dairy farm, the Phoenix Zoo, Pioneer Village, Tombstone. (Got more ideas?)

Co-Ops and Special Courses:

I (Adina) will be teaching introductory, advanced, and college-level German. I have been teaching for a year and will continue to provide instruction for the homeschool students I've been working with, along with any new students.

Other very successful courses tend to be in art, Spanish/French, computers, cooking, advanced math (trig, calculus, statistics), topical science (astronomy, microbiology), advanced science (physics, chemistry), journalism, sewing/needlework, woodshop, choir/music, and sports training (small group coaching for those who already play a particular sport). You can probably think of more!

Think about what you can teach, when you can do it, and then let us know. We will post your course offering on the blog as well as the 85239.com forum with our final schedule.

 

There are over a hundred homeschooling families in our small city. We have different backgrounds, different approaches to teaching, and so on. But one thing we agree on is that we will not compromise when it comes to the education of our children. Getting involved is one way to show your children how important they truly are to you. That's why MHSA exists - for our own child, and for yours.

AZ Science Center Events
Topic: Education

Home school families - we may have an exciting, FREE opportunity to offer you! 

I have applied for a small grant that, if awarded, will train your children (ages 11 and up only) to create telescope generated pictures of space, enhance them, and create a display for the public to view here at the Center.  I will know if the grant is awarded by August 10, 2009, and the training must be concluded by the end of August.  

While the training is free, in order to participate, you must agree to: 

1) attend all three sessions – August 17, 19, and 21 from 4:30-6:00 p.m.

2) have access to a computer with internet capabilities, and a color printer

3) create a computer generated picture of an object in space and enhance it or create a model of it for display at Arizona Science Center 

Note: if possible, please bring a laptop with wireless internet capabilities with you to all the three classes.  

On Monday, August 3 at 10 a.m., I will begin taking reservations for students (maximum 20) interested in the project and willing to make the commitments outlined above. Please call Mary Campbell at 602-716-2000 ext 2556 to make your reservation.   Please understand that if this grant is not funded, we will be unable to offer this training.  Keep your fingers crossed! Thanks! 

Mary Catherine Campbell

Sr. Educational Services Coordinator

PHONE: 602-716-2000 ext 2556 |  FAX: 602-716-2088
campbellm@azscience.org   

August 8: Eco-Fabulous!
Ages 10-175:30-8:30 p.m.  Members: $20 for one girl and one adult / Non-Members: $25 for one girl and one adult.  To register call:602-716-2000 ext. 2564.  

Yes, fashion, beauty and science do mix! Through hands-on activities and amazing guests, we will zero in on the fun and safe ways to take of you - from head to toe - in a natural and healthy way. But don't miss the highlight of the evening - our eco-friendly fashion show where you will see that going green doesn't mean sacrificing your style! 

August 15: Back to School Blast! Five awesome workshops in one day! All AgesSpace is limited - register now. Register by calling 602-716-2028. Featuring the following workshops:

• Hands-on Science Means Hands-on Safety  / All Grades 
• The Microscope Hospital / All Grades
• Earth Beneath My Feet / Third Grade
• Charged Up! / Fourth Grade
• The Digital Microscope / All Grades

Please visit http://www.azscience.org/explorations.php to learn more and register! 

Agenda for Sunday's Fall Planning Meeting
Mood:  caffeinated
Topic: Meetings

Item	Description	Action
Structure & Legal Status	Information
Website/Email Newsletter	Discussion of preferred	Vote
	format of member updates
Planned Events	Fall event considerations	Suggestions and voting
	Winter/Spring events	Suggestions
Fundraisers	Discussion of use of fund-	Vote
	raisers and surplus funds
Co-Ops & Special Courses	Ideas for special courses	Request member response
	such as advanced academics	within a week
	or special interest
MHSA Scout Troops	Questions about scouting	Request member feedback
	and troops	and information

Review of Meet & Greet
Mood:  bright
Topic: Events

WOW! What a response! Unfortunately, only two families were able to attend last night's meet & greet info session, but a total of six more requested information, which has already been emailed.

We had a surprise guest, however; a reporter from the Maricopa Monitor! He was working on an article about alternatives to public schooling in Maricopa. We can expect to see the finished piece in the August 6th edition of the paper ... can't wait!

Upcoming Events Posted Locally
Information about the Meet & Greet event as well as the Planning Meeting has been posted to 85239.com and CopaNews. We hope to see these in print before the big days, and we look forward to meeting more Maricopa home school families!

MHSA Fall Planning Meeting
Topic: Meetings

All Maricopa homeschooling families welcome to join us as we begin to plan for fall. Agenda includes planned events, educational co-ops and special courses, fundraisers, and communication.

 

WHEN:       Sunday, August 2, 3:30 to 5pm

CALL:         (520) 494-3648 for more info & location.

Meet & Greet Open House
Mood:  special
Topic: Meetings

MHSA would like to invite all Maricopa families who are considering homeschooling (or are new to it) to join us for an open house/meet & greet. 

This is the perfect time to get the facts before making your decision - before school starts! We'll be covering the issues most homeschool families face:

• academic, family, and social benefits
• education issues and requirements
• legal issues
• financial issues
• socialization

and more!

We hope you'll join us for this event, and bring your school-age children, too! This is a family decision which impacts them tremendously; it's natural that they will have some questions. This event also gives them a chance to get to know other homeschool children.

WHEN:      Thursday, July 30, 6:30 to 8:30pm

CALL:        (520) 494-3648 for information and address