I would have liked to get the latest newsletter out to you all before the first of the month, but I was having technical difficulties with my computer.  Also, I apologize for not being able to load the heading of the newsletter which has the new logo and the graphics for the new logo which appears on the shirts that are now avaiable to buy.  More info, please read the newsletter.  Happy February!

-Heather

PLEASE feel free to pass this newsletter along (by email or by print) to others who may be interested.

1^st Monday PARENT MEETING

Monday, February 6th, 7-9 pm:  Chris Garboden will share lessons and info. from the Oahu leadership conference where she was able to meet with CHOH coordinators.   

Afterwards will be a “TIPS & TRICKS” session – so come prepared with 2 or 3 of the best things that help you homeschool.  It can relate to any aspect - your schedule, how you implement fun into your curriculum, how you occupy the younger while you teach the older, identifying your kids’ learning styles,  how you keep your sanity,  etc.  for the purpose of offering each other support & encouragement!   Please come join us.

PARENT’S WHITE ELEPHANT GRAB BAG!  As part of this support and share encouragement session, all those who want to, please bring a “small”, already owned,  give away gift, wrapped and without any name tag on it.  No one should buy anything – just use something nice you already have.  Only bring one if you already have something small at your house in nice condition.  You do not have to bring a gift if you have no time, have no extra nice little things lying around, or would just simply rather not.  If you bring one, then you get to take one.  

Policy Reminder:  Parent Meetget to ings are for Parents.  We ask you to arrange childcare for your kids during this time (other than nursing infants).  We realize that occasionally this is not possible.  Thus, IF you can not find childcare, and IF your children are well behaved AND old enough to occupy themselves, then you may bring them.  Please do not abuse this option.  Thank you.   (If you really have no childcare available to you, and you need the benefit of the Parent Meeting, especially for those parents who are single parents or who are new to homeschooling, please contact one of us, and we will try to help you find a workable solution.  No guarantees J).

1^st Friday SERVICE  DAY:

Friday, February 3rd  - LIFE CARE:  11:00 – 12:00pm.  Visit the special folks at LIFE CARE who really look forward to this time, and always ask when we can come back.  Liza Kobayashi and Heather Rosario will lead us in song.   If you have not yet joined us for this service activity, please come out and do so – it is a wonderful virtue to teach our kids.  For more information, contact Heather Rosario at 969-1953. 

Also 3^rd Friday Special Service Project:

FEBRUARY: 17^th–  “OPERATION GRATITUDE”.   Meet at 9am at Grace Baptist Church.   Please bring sewing machine if you can.  Youth Summit Delegation’s service project, spearheading local support for “Operation Gratitude” to express appreciation to our service men and women.  We will be making “cool” ties and fleece neck gators, as has been requested for the soldiers, and also will put together some care packages.  For further details, please contact Robin Jahraus, 969-3621 or rltj@hawaii.rr.com

NOTE: MATSON FIELD TRIP follows on this day at 1:00 pm – see below.

2^nd & 4^th Friday ENRICHMENT DAYS:

2^nd Friday February 10th:
8:45 am PLEASE BE PROMPT – All will have prayer & pledge, followed by announcements.

9:00am - K-5th grade will do PE Class with Manny Escovida and Terrie Ikehara, except those students already registered in the Sign Language with Laurelle ;  6^th grade and up will have Art Class except for those students already registered in the Sign Language class with Sandra Hale.

10:00am - 2nd-5th grade will have art except for those students already registered in Music Theory with Katie Sheffield or in Manners Class with Kimmy Hill;   6^th grade and up will have PE Class with Terri  Ikehara and Manny Escovida;  Keiki club will do Art during this time.

10:45am – “Snack Time”

11:00am - 4-H for all.  Entomology of Hawaii’s insects for all the ages except those students 6^th grade and up already registered in Business Basics with Chris Garboden.

12:00pm - Picnic at Paneawa Park – all welcome even if you do not make it to the morning activities.  Great time for chatting.    

1:00pm – Newbery  Bowl practice for 4^th – 6^th grades at the park.  For more info. Please contact Lasurel Galway-Severstson at 968-1105. 

Please remember to bring water bottles clearly marked with your kids names, and also snacks to share with the group at “Snack Time”. 

Art supplies to bring: - Please see the email reminders closer to class day for list of items needed.

4^th Friday February 24th:
8:45 am PLEASE BE PROMPT – All will have prayer & pledge, followed by announcements.

9:00am - K-5th grade will do PE Class with Manny Escovida and Terrie Ikehara, except those students already registered in the Sign Language with Laurelle ;  6^th grade and up will have Art Class except for those students already registered in the Sign Language class with Sandra Hale.

10:00am - 2nd-5th grade will have art except for those students already registered in Music Theory with Katie Sheffield or in Manners Class with Kimmy Hill;   6^th grade and up will have PE Class with Terri  Ikehara and Manny Escovida;  Keiki club will do Art during this time.

10:45am – “Snack Time”

11:00am - 4-H for all.  Entomology of Hawaii’s insects for all the ages;  For students 6^th grade and up,  Matt Dinkins will present: "A Day in the Life of a Viking". He will concentrate on showing how they lived, what they made, their clothing, ships, technology, weapons, etc. This is much more than just his retelling history...he has a passion for this subject and it will show in the way he interacts during his presentation.

This class will replace Chris’ class for that day only. Chris’ business class will resume February 24^th …so complete your homework by then.

12:00pm - Picnic at Paneawa Park – all welcome even if you do not make it to the morning activities.  Great time for chatting.   

1:00pm – Newbery practice for 4^th – 6^th grades at the park.  For more info. Please contact Lasurel Galway-Severstson at 968-1105. 

Please remember to bring water bottles clearly marked with your kids names, and also snacks to share with the group at “Snack Time”. 

Art supplies to bring: - Please see the email reminders closer to class day for list of items needed.

RAIN OUT PLAN for park time is to stay at Grace Baptist and lunch on the patio J.

Policy reminders:    

Please show respect to the facility, the teachers or project leaders, fellow students, and ourselves (ie: speak in turn, listen respectfully, participate, avoid unnecessary disruption, remember to bring supplies /homework, etc.)

Keep ALL food & drinks outside of the church, and avoid opening church’s cabinets, fridge, etc. Thanks!

“FIELD TRIPS”:

Tuesday February 14^th:    THE LAUPAHOEHOE TRAIN MUSEUM & LAUPAHOEHOE POINT PARK

Please meet at 9:45 to start the tour at 10:00.    The museum  is near the mile marker 25 on Highway 19.

It is on the right hand side and there is a rail road crossing sign and a sign for restrooms/snacks/ect on the front lawn.  It is right across from the Minute Stop gas station.  Once you leave Hilo it is a 30 minute  drive. 

The cost is 1.00 per child and 3.00 per adult and the 1 hour tour will be good for all ages.  It also includes lesson plans and handouts as well as a brief talk on the history of the Laupahoehoe Point Park where we will be having lunch. 

After the tour we can all regroup at the Point Park, which is less than 5 minutes away, for a bagged lunch and Valentine's Day Party.   Kid's can bring swim suits, sun block, bagged lunches, and Valentine's to exchange.  It is important to let us know if your family is planning to attend, and the names and ages of your kids because we will have the valentines exchange.   Please sign up at Enrichment Day, the Parent Meeting or email Emily Rogers at emilyrose143@yahoo.com  or call Emily at 962-6546.

Friday, January 17^th:   MATSON BROTHERS SHIPPING @ HILO HARBOR

Meet at the Hilo Harbor at 12:45 to start tour at 1:00pm;  While this field trip is appropriate for younger children, older ones may also find interest in how their desired items get onto the shelves and into the local vendors.  This trip occurs following the service project, so be sure to eat your lunch beforehand.  It is important that you sign up & provide your names and license plate at Enrichment Day, the Parent Meeting, or email Kathy Smith at seaview7@verizon.net or call Kathy at 961-3171 by February 10^th.    Harbor Security will not let you in if we have not provided your license plate in advance.  Come join us for this “unique to the island life” field trip.333

Policy reminder:   If you bring a guest, they must have a waiver form signed in advance of participation, and also, please advise the parent who is coordinating the activity.  Thanks.

 “EXTRAS”:

`Imiloa Astronomy Education Center of Hawaii :   This brand new educational facility invites the public for a free “Sneak Preview” on Tuesday, February 21^st from 1-4 pm.  This is the beautiful building with the silver white domes replicating Mauna Kea just where the upper UHH campus road exits out to Komohana. 

 “MAHALOS With SUCCESS STORIES”:

THE LOGO CONTEST:  Thank you again to Hopper Sheldon for all of her wonderful work!  The winning entry, as determined by the voting members, was submitted by Chris Garboden.  See the winning logo above on this month’s letterhead!   An additional logo was designed as a combination of 2 other popular choices submitted by Clara Sheffield & Bridget Rapoza.   Hopper cleverly drew out the compilation of t hose two concepts in the logo seen here.  Again we thank everyone involved, especially Hopper .    Logo merchandise is available for purchase at the following sites:  hoppershippiearts.com and then go to the store link;   or cafepress.comdubie  where you will find our LHH logos on the main page.  Anyone can order the item they wish with the LHH logos on them.   Chris, Clara & Bridget each win an official LHH logo shirt for their winning entries, and Hopper simply earned hers J!

THE ANNUAL GEO BEE COMPETITION:   Thank you Robin Jahraus for all of your hard work and for the wonderful Geo Bee competition which came down to a heated run off between Amanda Gatti and Jared Swanson.  Amanda ultimately won the competition and will move on to try out for the state level.  Thank you to all of our geography participants and please continue to study for next year’s event.

LIFE CARE SERVICE DAY: Thank you Heather and Liza for this gift both to our families and to the Life Care residents, and thanks to the families who make this a monthly commitment to “community service”. 

JANUARY  ENRICHMENT DAYS:  On average, we have 60 kids participate during any given Enrichment Day.  This is quite a wonderful group and we love the enthusiasm.  Thank you again to Suzanne Swanson & ALL of our parents involved with teaching / coordinating projects/ keiki club / snacks/ crafts/ clean up/ etc.     No one family or even a few families could do this alone.  So thank you all!!!

Recycled Art competition: Congrats to Jared Swanson whose “Panhandler” recycled robot , created during this past Friday’s art workshop, won 2^nd place at the juried competition and will be on display at Wailoa Art Center this Friday, February 3^rd.

BIG ISLAND CANDIES FIELD TRIP:  Thank you Keri Harkness for coordinating this trip. 

“ ADVANCED NOTICE for your CALENDARS!”

In addition to the regular 1^st Monday Parent Mtg., 1^st Friday Service Day, and 2^nd & 4^th Friday Enrichment Days,   (also note that 3^rd Fridays are beginning to fill up with Field Trips pretty regularly) please note the following on your calendars for this semester, and beyond…

MARCH:

10 – 11^th Homeschool Conference on Oahu sponsored by CHOH.  If you plan to attend, please contact Suzanne Swanson, who has already committed to attend, and can serve as a point person for our LHH group at the conference.

31^st – Due to changes in April’s Enrichment Day schedule, the regular !st Friday Service Day will occur instead on this last Friday of March.

APRIL:

Enrichment Days will be changed due to Good Friday ; mark calendar for the 1^st and 3^rd Fridays of April rather than the regular 2^nd & 4^th.

MAY:

1^st – Presentation Night and Family Night Potluck will replace the regular Parent Mtg.

JUNE:

5^th – Last Parent mtg. of the year will be Assessment Night, one of the most important meetings for the continuation and improvement of our group.  Please come share your constructive input.

SUMMER?

Some families have already talked about some fun interim ideas, which will be done on an informal basis…

AUGUST:

28^th – Commitment Night & Sign Up for the new school year.  This last Monday of August will replace the 1^st Monday of September Mtg. due to  Labor Day.

“MEMBERSHIP”

MEMBERSHIP #S:  Current enrollment is 97 students in 40 families!

Mentors available:  We have had a few experienced homeschool moms, who have already demonstrated their success through time tested  & successful students, volunteer to serve as a mentor for newer homeschoolers who would like to talk with an experienced parent.  If you would like this great benefit, please contact Chris Garboden at 933-1752.

 “YOUR STEERING TEAM”