This year was different for me.  I still feel like I purchase books that I did not need.  The vendors that I wanted to see were not there.  However, it was still a very good experience.  It is always beneficial to go just to hear the speakers and listen to what others have to say.

I went to Marcia Sommerville's lecture on Tapestry of Grace.  It was very informative.  I went to the table afterwards to hear how to actual do the program.  I have my plans for the next two years set in place.  I was impressed with this program.  I think that I will look at this curriculum again in two years from now after my older son has completed seventh grade.  We are following the Story of the World series.  I am recycling history.  I am not doing anything new however we will approach it differently for the next four years especially for my older son.  My younger son needs work in different areas.  So, I will see about Tapestry. 

I enjoyed Debra Bell's How to Prevent Burnout.  I thought that she was encouraging and movtivating.  I hope that I can follow one of her ideas in order to prevent burnout.  She said that we should have the children do less writing in the younger years because it causes resentment towards it in the older years when it really counts.  In the younger years, she suggests more field trips.  I agree.  We will see what the future holds for this one.

The highlight of the convention was meeting the moms from the Well Trained Mind boards.  It was meet the face with the cybername.

The convention had its ups and downs like everything in life, but I truly enjoyed myself.

Please let your voice be heard. Read this short article and vote on the opinion poll at this link:

http://www.parade. com/articles/ editions/ 2008/edition_ 06-01-2008/ Intelligence_ Report#education

Parade Magazine is doing an article about should homeschooling be legal.  Spread the word and caste your vote because the "no" are winning so far!

Here is the article about the horrible story of his teenage son accidentally hitting his little girl with the SUV:

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,357046,00.html

Pray for the family.

Happy Homeschooling,

Jamin

Freebie Finder
The Old Schoolhouse® Magazine

You may be told this legislation does not affect homeschooling.  It

You may be told students who graduate are exempt.  This is correct,

Raising the compulsory attendance age will not reduce the dropout

Twenty-eight states only require attendance to age 16. Older

Mandating attendance until age 17 or 18 would restrict parents'

Another significant impact of expanding the compulsory attendance age

Lastly, check out the side bar to get a free book from Gospel for Asia.  This book will bring you a radical life changing message! Don't miss out on this exciting free offer!

The Old Schoolhouse Magazine announces the new digital edition of its quarterly print publication.

They are looking for support groups willing to cross promote their new digital edition in their print or online newsletters with the announcement of their new digital magazine and introductory pricing special.  In exchange, they will give you a FREE one-year subscription to The Old Schoolhouse Digital Magazine.

Advantages of going digital…

• Huge savings over print edition – 32% less than US print subscriptions, 43% less than Canadian, and 65% less than international

• Helpful, clickable links embedded

• Print or email articles to up to 5 friends

• Actual flip through magazine, not a pdf

• Save all magazines to your computer for easy access

• Same high quality content and design as The Old Schoolhouse Magazine print magazine

Support group libraries can take advantage of the magazine’s expansive sharing capabilities.  A family can borrow for digital magazine from the support group library simply by logging in from a home computer and printing articles, clicking links, etc.

Interested LSG leaders can contact Melissa Witte at mwitte@thehomeschoolmagazine.com.

Yes, you are seeing correctly! 

The link to promote is http://www.theoldschoolhousestore.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=2139 and you can get LOTS more information on this offer.

Great offers and now the magazine is like and e-book.  Only, it is an e-magazine!

I want to share this Special Bulletin from the Old Schoolhouse Magazine.  Please click on the links, especially the Sunland Christian School and the complete court decision:

"The fundamental theory of liberty upon which all governments in this Union repose excludes any general power of the state to standardize its children by forcing them to accept instruction from public teachers only. The child is not the mere creature of the state; those who nurture him and direct his destiny have the right, coupled with the high duty, to recognize and prepare him for additional obligations." (Pierce vs. Society of Sisters, 1922)


What In the World Is Going On In California?
By Karen Braun


By now, most homeschoolers across the country have heard about the California appellate court ruling handed down on February 28 ordering the children of Phillip and Mary Long to attend public school or a legally qualified private school. The judge's ruling surprised everyone and sparked a firestorm of concern among homeschoolers nationwide, many wondering if homeschooling had become illegal in California.

The Old Schoolhouse Magazine staff has been following the developments since World Net Daily first broke the story a week ago. In this Homeschool Minute, we would like to provide a brief summary of the events and offer links to various perspectives to help homeschoolers understand this ruling, how it impacts homeschoolers in California, and what homeschoolers across the nation can do to help.

To gain a better understanding of this case, it is necessary to note that prior to this ruling, the Long family had been involved with the juvenile court system regarding the care of their children. Such proceedings are confidential, and in most cases, a court-appointed attorney is provided to represent the interests of the minor children. The attorney representing two of the children was not satisfied with a ruling made by Superior Court Judge Stephen Marpet, who found the children's education to be "meager" but determined that Phillip and Mary Long have a constitutional right to school their children in their own home. The attorney for the children brought an appeal before the Second Court of Appeals of California.

The California Second Appellate Court in Los Angeles found that the Longs had not demonstrated that any of the exemptions to California's compulsory attendance applied to their children. The court reversed the finding of the Superior Court and ordered the children to attend public or a "legally qualified" private school. The court remanded the case back to the lower court for a hearing to determine if the family was in compliance with the law. The family plans on appealing this ruling decision to the California Supreme Court.

Read the complete court opinion here.

The ruling spurred reactions from attorneys representing various homeschool groups and interested parties across the country. The Homeschool Minute provides these links for informational purposes related to this case and does not necessarily endorse these sites.

Sunland Christian School. The Long children were enrolled in this school.

Pacific Justice Institute (PJI). These attorneys are representing Sunland Christian School and advising the family.

Home School Legal Defense Association (HSLDA). HSLDA presents several appeal options to reverse this ruling or diminish its impact upon California homeschoolers. There is a petition available for those interested in supporting the HSLDA's move to depublish the ruling.

National Home Education Legal Defense (NHELD). Attorney Deborah Stevenson offers a detailed and informative analysis of this case.

Several homeschool groups in California issued statements concerning this ruling:

Homeschool Association of California

California Homeschool Network

Christian Home Educators of California

Private and Home Educators of California

California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger issued a statement in support of homeschooling:

"Every California child deserves a quality education and parents should have the right to decide what's best for their children. Parents should not be penalized for acting in the best interests of their children's education. This outrageous ruling must be overturned by the courts and if the courts don't protect parents' rights then, as elected officials, we will."

By the end of a long news week, the court decision reached the broader Christian community through a radio broadcast by Focus on the Family. Dr. Dobson discussed the California court case with several prominent guests.

From All of Us at TOS

The following information is from the ENOCH newsletter.  You  can find this on their website at http://www.enochnj.org

CONVENTION NEWS

Convention Date: Friday, May 30 and Saturday May 31.

The dates are set for next year’s convention: Friday and Saturday, May 30-31, 2008.  Note: This is NOT Memorial Day Weekend.  The Raritan Center in Edison NJ will once again serve as the convention venue.

Adjustments to Convention Registration

Those on the mailing list should have the registration brochures in hand by March 15.  Online registration will be operational, also by March 15th.  Registration information and registration forms for mailing can also be found at www.enochnj.org under the Annual Convention link. 

Here's one change to the procedure:  whether you register online or through the mail, we will NOT be mailing name tags this year.   In an effort to reduce costs, we will issue the name tags at the door to all paid registrants.  Special lines will be set up to speed the process for pre-registrants. 

Another change is this:  Confirmation will be via email, so be sure to include your email address when you register whether online or by snail mail.  Those without email will have to check your bank for a canceled check.

Christian Film makers Video Contest – March 1 at 6:00 am to March 2 at 6:00 am

You have 24 hours to produce your film/video and include the security elements to prove that you produced the video in the timeframe allowed.  Contest begins March 1 at 6 am and be uploaded to www.youtube.com by March 2 at 6 am.  Go to www.christianfilmmakers.org/contest or view an introduction to the contest at http://youtube.com/watch?v=DCQUTKGx8Ew.

The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe in Montville, March 8,9,15,16

C. S. Lewis' captivating novel comes to life on stage for four spectacular nights. Montvale Evangelical Free Church presents The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, a play based on the first book of "The Chronicles of Narnia."

This theatric presentation features an original score, dramatic costume and set design, plus an array of local talent from Bergen County, New Jersey; and Rockland County, NY. Pastor Chris Coppola (Park Ridge) is Pastor of Worship Arts at Montvale Evangelical Free Church. Rose Curry (Montvale, NJ) directs the production. Tony Capparelli (Dumont, NJ) is the artistic designer. Lynda Weigle (Ridgewood, NJ) is the costume designer. Ryan Connor (Montvale, NJ) is the lighting designer. Steve Andersen (New City, NY) is the fight director. John DeGroot (Fair Lawn, NJ) is the composer of the original score. Actors of all ages, elementary school to adults, have joined together to tell the tale of Peter, Susan, Edmund and Lucy.

Written in 1950, and set during World War II, The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe has been adapted for stage, television, radio and cinema. Most notable is Walt Disney Pictures film entitled "The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe," which was released in December 2005. The tale is wholesome, universal, and family-centered. The story's message parallels the Gospel themes of temptation, betrayal, death, resurrection, and redemption. Montvale Evangelical Free Church (MEFC) had great success with another C. S. Lewis work "The Magician's Nephew" two years ago. Based on the audience response to that production, MEFC was inspired to dramatize The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe.

Performances of The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe are March 8th (Sat), 9th (Sun), 15th (Sat), and 16th (Sun). Saturday shows begin at 7:30 pm. Sunday shows begin at 5:00 pm. Admission is FREE.

Montvale Evangelical Free Church is located at 141 West Grand Avenue in Montvale, New Jersey. The church is conveniently situated minutes off the Garden State Parkway and the New York State Thruway. For more information, call the church office at 201-391-6233.

Upcoming Manusoratorium Home School Debate Event, March 13-15

This spring a regional qualifying NCFCA tournament will be held at FEE, the Foundation for Economic Education. This is an excellent opportunity to observe both speech and debate events and is free and open to the public. You may come to observe, have your pre-teens time a debate round, or judge a round.

This is the first time a NJ debate club will be co-hosting a tournament of this size, for which the organizers covet your prayers. Anticipated are over 100 students participating in the events that run for three days. Please prayerfully consider serving as a judge because judges are the key to a successful tournament - a tournament can’t run without judges (over 100 judges from throughout the community are needed). Parents, business owners, government officials, pastors and grandparents can serve as judges!

For more information on this event that runs from March 13 – 15, 2008, please visit freedom.homeschooldebate.org. Feel free also to contact Eunice Au at 732-937-8960 or manusoratorum@gmail.com for answers to your questions. 

“Nature’s Classroom” at Pyramid Mountain in Montville

Pyramid Mountain Natural Historic Area in Montville Twp is offering a science program for home school children ages seven to twelve years old.  In four two-hour classes they will investigate Water (including the water cycle, watersheds, and aquatic life), insects and canoeing.  Classes are hands on and well suited for experiential learners.

Classes are Thursdays from 1 pm to 3 pm at Pyramid Mountain Natural Historic Area, 472A Boonton Ave, Montville Township on the following dates: March 27,  April 3, 10, and 24.

The 4-week winter session is $40 / non-refundable, payable upon registration. This program is limited to 10 students.

To register or for more information call Pyramid Mountain Natural Historic Area: 973-334-3130

or email Douglas Vorolieff at dvorolieff@morrisparks.  Sponsored by the Morris County Parks Commission.

4^th Annual F.U.N. Curriculum Sale in Tuckahoe, March 29

When:  Saturday, March 29, 2008

Time: 9 am – 1 pm (8:30 am for those setting up to sell)

Where: Upper Township Community/Recreation Center - 1790 State Highway 50, Tuckahoe, NJ (directions on website at FunCurriculumSale.tripod.com)

Spaces are available for $6 each (We will be able to provide tables for the first 40 people to reserve a space; anyone reserving a space after the first 40 will need to bring their own table.) The space fee is non-refundable and must be submitted within a week of reserving the space.

For more information or to reserve a space please use the links on the website.  

Deadline for space registration is Saturday, March 22, 2008

Please note: This curriculum sale is a service to fellow homeschoolers. Sellers are limited to homeschoolers only but anyone is welcome to come and purchase! This will NOT be a "yard sale" but rather an "educational items" sale. The items which can be sold must be education-related (i.e.  curriculum/books/video and audio tapes/cds/dvds/games/legos/kinex, etc). Please, NO yard sale items.  Items made by homeschooled children can also be sold - i.e. potholders, scarves, refrigerator magnets, etc. The recreation facility is a full size gymnasium that is very spacious and can accommodate lots of sellers.

Living Water Used Curriculum Sale in Hainesport, March 29