The last seriously comprehensive national study of homeschoolers took place in 1997. In the time since NHERI had focused on a study of adults who were homeschooled. It's now past time to see how homeschoolers in general are doing.

If you tested your child for the 2007-2008 school year with one of the following testing services, and you know your child's student number (on the results page), you are asked to participate in the study online.

• Bob Jones University Press
• Family Learning Organization
• Piedmont Education Services
• Seton Testing Services

To participate in the study, have your child(ren)'s student number(s) handy and go to the following website:  www.nheri.org/study. It takes only a few minutes to complete.

The first local chapter of Generation Joshua is now being formed on Oahu. An orientation is scheduled for Tuesday, July 29th, 2008, 7 - 8 p.m., at the Hokulani Community Center on 298 Main Street.

From their website:

Generation Joshua is designed for Christian youth between the ages of 11 and 19 who want to become a force in the civic and political arenas. Our goal is to ignite a vision in young people to help America return to her Judeo-Christian foundations. We provide students with hands-on opportunities to implement that vision.

This local chapter is being organized by Ryan McDonald (themcdonaldfamily@hawaiiantel.net). There will be monthly meetings with guest speakers along with other local political events. Please join them!

The Zeta Delta Chapter of Eta Sigma Alpha, the homeschool honor society is now accepting new members for the new school year.

The Zeta Delta Chapter of Eta Sigma Alpha is a new chapter of HSA started in the Spring of 2004. It is open to all Oahu home schooled students, grades 7-12, who meet the membership requirements. Each applicant must complete and submit an application form. Applications may be submitted in the summer following the student's 6th grade year through summer following his/her 11th grade year. See the Membership Requirements page for deadlines to submit applications.

2008 Guidelines

Submission Dates: July 1 through August 1, 2008!

Theme

Students must submit a photo with one of the following fruits of the spirit as their theme:

Category 1: Gentleness
Category 2: Faithfulness
Category 3: Self-Control

We try to choose themes that will leave a lot of room for students’ imagination and interpretation. We want students to come up with their own ideas of what best illustrates the given theme without us dictating the response.

Basically, what does the theme make you think of? Then take it from there and be creative. We hope that students will come up with many imaginative ideas to fit the theme. Our judges love it when a student comes up with something they had not thought of before.

Who

Contest prizes and themes are determined based on the student’s age. If a student falls into Category 1 in age, then he or she must do the Category 1 theme and will be awarded Category 1 prizes. The same applies for categories 2 and 3.

Category 1: Homeschoolers ages 7 to 11 as of July 1, 2008.
Category 2: Homeschoolers ages 12 to 15 as of July 1, 2008.
Category 3: Homeschoolers ages 16 to 19 as of July 1, 2008.

For the purposes of this contest an eligible student must have been home educated in the past year and received a majority of his or her education in the past year through home education.

For entry form and rules, visit the following website:

http://www.hslda.org/Contests/Photo/2008/2007rules.asp

Beginning IN EARLY June, visit your local public library, read at least one book per week and receive a free reading incentive, while supplies last. Also, enter for a chance to win a bookstore gift certificate.

Younger children may participate by having a caregiver or sibling read to them.

Just for teens  in grades 7 - 12, join the 2008 Teen Summer Reading Program in June! Visit your local library, read at least one book per week and receive a free reading incentive, while supplies last. Weekly prize drawings will also be held. Teens are invited to enter for a chance to win a $1,000, $500 or $250 Back-to-School Shopping Sprees at Pearlridge Center.

For more information, contact your local public library or visit

Patti Phears is interested in adding homeschool music classes to her program, called Music for Young Children. She is located in Makikilo. For more information please contact her at mychawaii@mac.com or visit her website:

http://www.mychawaii.com

The Homeschool Court Report magazine featured an article about the Kamakawiwaole family. The article is also available online:

http://hslda.org/courtreport/V24N2/V24N206.asp

61st Annual Booksale

The dates for our 61st Annual Booksale have been set! The booksale will take place from Friday, June 27 (Preview Sale) and run through Sunday, July 6. The sale will be closed on July 3 and 4, and reopen on Saturday, July 5. We will also announce some special events as they are determined. The location is the same: McKinley High School Cafeteria.

New this year: collaboration with Hawaii Public Radio! Huge music tent with combined inventories from both FLH and HPR.

Members' Preview Sale for both organizations on Friday, June 27.

Here is a complete listing of tentative dates and times:

Friday, June 27

Members' Preview Sale*

5-9pm

*Anyone can join at the door

Saturday, June 28

Opening Day

9am-9pm

Sunday, June 29

9am-9pm

Monday, June 30

10am-8pm

Tuesday, July 1

10am-8pm

Wednesday, July 2

10am-8pm

Thursday, July 3

CLOSED

Friday, July 4

CLOSED

Saturday, July 5

9am-9pm

Sunday, July 6

FINAL DAY

9am-1pm

 

Editor's Note: I have gone to this book sale every year. Plan to bring a cart or box, water, and comfortable shoes. Also plan to come several different days, as they restock with fresh boxes of books regularly.

Do you have a politically minded son or daughter who’s looking for an opportunity to hone political skills? Or do you have a child who just wants to have a blast in a fast-paced, jam-packed week of fun and exciting activities? Generation Joshua’s 2008 summer camp does all this and more. Located on the campus of Patrick Henry College, the Gen J camp is a week for teens to discover how they can play a vital role in impacting our nation for Christ in the civic and political arena.

In this camp, students will participate in the legislative process and conduct a mock presidential election. The week is packed with learning the nuts and bolts of the political process and how to be strong advocates for what you believe. The camp will show your teen how to write legislation, hold hearings, develop party platforms, run voter registration drives, and almost everything else associated with the political process.

In the midst of each day’s busy activities, students will be able to hear from speakers and advocates ranging from:

• Alex and Brett Harris, joint authors of Do Hard Things and founders of the Rebelution conferences
• Rick Green, former Texas state representative, founder of Patriot Academy and speaker for WallBuilders
• Mike Smith, president of HSLDA