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NOVEMBER 2007 NEWSLETTER
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PCHEA 2007-2008 Officers
Leaders: Fredrick and Jeri Akin
Co-leader: Teresa Burnett
Secretary: Julie Cockroft
Treasurer: Kim VanBebber
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Upcoming Events
November:
2nd PCHEA Day at Incredible Pizza
7th Corn Maze (rescheduled date)
13th Science Fair
15th Jack and the Beanstalk Play
December:
TBA :: High School Banquet
Julie and Ruth are planning the High School Banquet. Please email or call them if you have students who might be interested in participating. More details to come soon.
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Note from our Co-Leader ::Teresa Burnett
Don’t Give Up…There is Hope!
By: Teresa Burnett
I don’t know about you guys, but at our house, the newness and excitement of school starting is gone. The neat backpacks are filled with loose papers, broken crayons and half-empty glue bottles. “Where are my scissors?” is heard weekly. The math review algebra offers at the start of the year is over and the ‘meat’ of the course has begun with new challenges awaiting. In the midst of this, student frustration begins to build. Parents may be experiencing discouragement and even feeling a bit insecure in their job as a teacher. As you well know, it’s hard to learn when you’re completely frustrated and feel like there is no hope, and it is hard to teach to your full potential feeling discouraged and insecure.
According to the Bible there is hope. But, how do we have hope? In Romans 5:3-4 (NIV) it says, “Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance, 4. perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.”
I tell my kiddos that learning may feel like suffering sometimes; and maybe it really is suffering in a kid’s world, but God has a plan. If we follow it we can have hope. When you suffer, you can do one of two things: give up, or persevere. I vote for persevering. We know we can succeed because the Holy Spirit is there to give us strength and guidance. Perseverance builds character. It’s amazing to see the excitement and relief from your child when a new concept is learned and you know your kiddo is growing in his confidence and changing when success is achieved. And with character comes hope. Giving up will leave you with no hope. So, persevere through your suffering, because there is hope.
Be encouraged and know that God has a plan and purpose for us all. He has strength to give if we will ask Him for it and believe that we have received. I can’t imagine trying to take on so much as a parent and a home schooling family without God’s help.
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Park Days!
Hello all. The McMullen family will be playing at Dean Weigant/Slide Park on Friday afternoons from 1:00 - 3:00. Join us if you can! If this time does not work in your schedules, possibly consider Friday mornings, Tuesday mornings or afternoons. Please post your opinions or preferences concerning Park Days. we should have a few weeks of decent weather for good playing and visiting time. Just show up, or call Susan McMullen if you need more information.
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PCHEA Day at Incredible Pizza:
When: Friday, November 2nd at 12:00 noon
Coordinator:Ghislaine Washburn
Hello everyone!! I have finalized the Incredible Pizza Day for PCHEA on Nov. 2 at 12:00 noon.
The price is $14 --This includes a $10 game card and all you can eat Pizza Buffet w/ drink. Or for $9 you get a $5 game card and all you can eat Pizza Buffet w/ drink, (This one is $10 for ages 11+.) Oh, yeah, parents eat for $6 and anyone not wanting a game card can eat for this price unless they are under 11 and then they eat for $5. Children under age 3 eat for free.
We can pay individually at the door. In order to get the discounted rate, you must tell them that you are with PCHEA when you purchase your tickets.
A word about the game card: $10 will get you a lot of games if you don't do more than one attraction (go carts, bowling, mini golf, bumper cars). I usually give my kids $15 each and we can play for a while on that.
I need a count by Friday, October 26. Please email me directly to let me know. Thank you.
Ghislaine Washburn
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SCIENCE FAIR
When: Tuesday, November 13th at 6:30 p.m.
Where: Immanuel Baptist Church in Shawnee
Coordinators: Dorraine Hudson and Nancy Schwab
Hey Peachie Boys and Girls:
GOT SCIENCE??????
We sure hope so because it's time for the PCHEA Science Fair!
What's the PCHEA Science Fair?
It's a chance for you to show your friends and their parents what you've been learning in science this year! So grab your data, ask Mom or Dad to fix a snack and meet us at Immanuel Baptist Church (1101 E. Main in Shawnee - basement of the Rock Building) at 6:30 on Tuesday, November 13, 2007.
This is so much fun when many kids participate because Science Rocks (or shocks or hisses or explodes or migrates or orbits or whatever your project does). Come ready to teach us something cool and learn amazing things from your friends.
If you're not working on anything right now - it's not too late. Hey, the Science Fair is almost 3 weeks away and God created the entire world in only 6 days. OK, so you're not God, but he did give you an incredible mind and a plethora (look that word up) of fascinating things to study. He's so awesome. So, how about it? Can we sign you up?
Nancy Schwab and Dorraine Hudson
To help us know how many tables to set up, how many certificates to print, etc. - send Nancy an e-mail.
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Shawnee Maze and Pumpkin Patch Field Trip
Coordinator: Dorraine Hudson
Rescheduled Date: Wed, November 7th
Due to the rain, the Corn Maze field trip has been rescheduled. Contact Dorraine Hudson if you would like to attend on Wednesday, November 7th. See the Oct. newsletter for more information, or contact Dorraine.
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Production of Jack and the Beanstalk by the Oklahoma Children’s Theatre
When: November 15th
Coordinator: Stacey Foster
The Fairy Tale Players have had a rough time getting to the theatre for their performance. In fact several of the actors missed the bus. But the show must go on... with the help of a frustrated stagehand, a multi-talented narrator, and little Giant action from the audience. Come do the 'happy dance' with Jack, his grandmother, a harp that can't sing and one very fun goose.
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Book It--I still have Book It coupons available. If you did not sign up at Back To School Night, your K-6th grade students can still participate. Please contact Julie Cockroft if you are interested.
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The Geography Fair is Coming in February!
Time to plan ahead! Come and travel the world. Learn and experience different countries and cultures at our 2nd Geography and that is NOT to be missed! You can participate by presenting a "country exhibit" or simply come and "travel the world." NOW is the time to start thinking about taking part in this wonderful event scheduled for February...start thinking about what country you and your family would like to study.
For more information, see the October Newsletter! It’s packed full of information about how your child can participate in this fun and educational event!
Register now! The earlier you register, the better! Contact Julie with your country!
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What is the best pumpkin for baking and cooking? A sugar pumpkin is smaller and has a sweeter taste than other varieties.
To make your own fresh, delicious pumpkin puree, select a ripe and firm medium-sized sugar pumpkin. Cut open the pumpkin and remove the seeds and fibrous strings. Cut the pumpkin into four to eight pieces. Line a large baking pan with aluminum foil and cover each piece of pumpkin with foil. This will minimize the cleanup task. Place the pumpkin pieces on the baking pan. Bake at 325 F. for 1 hour or until pulp is soft. Remove the pulp from the rind with a spoon and discard the rind. Place in food processor or blender and puree. Use immediately or store in freezer in freezer safe bags.
The Best Pumpkin Bread Ever
1 3/4 cup fresh pumpkin puree*
4 eggs
1/2 cup butter, softened
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1/4 cup sweetened applesauce
2/3 cup water
1 cup brown sugar
2 cups white sugar
3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon**
1 teaspoon ground nutmeg**
½ teaspoon ground cloves**
¼ teaspoon ground ginger**
raisins and/or walnuts, optional
*Or substitute one 15-ounce can pumpkin puree or solid pack pumpkin
**Or substitute 3 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice for these individual spices
Preheat oven to 350 F. Grease and flour well three 7 x 3-inch loaf pans. In a large bowl, mix together pumpkin puree, eggs, butter, applesauce, oil, water, white sugar and brown sugar until well blended. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, nu tmeg, cloves and ginger (or the pumpkin pie spice). Stir the dry ingredients into the pumpkin mixture until just blended. Do not over mix. Add chopped walnuts and or raisins, if desired. Pour equally into the prepared pans.
Bake for about 50 minutes or until done. Loaves are done when toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.
Note: This bread is even better the second day, and the third. That makes it a perfect candidate for holiday gift-giving. It just gets better and better. It freezes well, too.
(submitted by Teresa Burnett from the Everyday Cheapskate: http://www.debtproofliving.com/)
Great Thanksgiving web site: http://www.homeschooled-kids.com/allaboutthanksgiving.html
Thanksgiving color pages: http://www.dltk-holidays.com/thanksgiving/thanksgiving_links.htm
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Contact information for the PCHEA events can be found in the PCHEA Directory. You may also email me at pcheainfo( at) gmail (dot) com and I will give you the contact info. ~Ruth Smith
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