As parents, we all take for granted the rights we have to determine and decide what is best for our children, but did you know that these rights are not protected under the U.S. Constitution? Parentalrights.org is introducing an amendment that would protect families from the growing threat of global and state control of our youth.

     Parental rights are extremely important to us as homeschool parents. It’s one of the issues they were discussing during the keynote address at the AFHE convention. The right of parents to direct the upbringing and education of their children has been recognized and upheld for centuries. But there are ominous clouds on the horizon. Today, parental rights are coming under assault from federal judges who deny or refuse to recognize these rights. Adding further danger to the child-parent relationship, international law is seeking to undermine the parental role. Together, these threats are converging to create a "perfect storm" that looms over the child-parent relationship.

      Not all judges hold a low view of parental rights. Some, like Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia, believe that parental rights are among the "inalienable rights" of Americans enumerated in the Declaration of Independence but they are finding it increasingly difficult to rule in favor of parental rights when it is not explicitly included in the language of the Constitution. The dwindling support for parental rights found on the federal level has opened the door to a growing, blatant disregard of parental rights within the lower courts of our nation. Parental rights violations are on the increase across the country, as courts exchange parental involvement for government control in the lives of America's children. The right of parents to direct the upbringing and education of their children is hanging by a thread.

     The precarious state of parental rights within our nation is reason enough for serious concern. But another storm is rapidly advancing. International law that seeks to empower the government to intrude upon the child-parent relationship is becoming an increasing threat. The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC), a seemingly harmless treaty with dangerous implications for American families, is approaching possible ratification by the United States. If this treaty is made binding upon our country, the government would have the power to intervene in any child's life to advance its definition of "the best interests of the child." The scenarios that could occur — and are occurring — as a result of this dangerous notion are both manifold and frightening. Under the UNCRC, instead of following due process, government agencies would have the power to override your parental choices at their whim because they determine what is in "the best interest of the child."

     There is only one solution to this situation: a constitutional amendment that places current Supreme Court doctrine protecting parental rights into the explicit language of the U.S. Constitution. This amendment will shelter the child-parent relationship from the coming storm, ensuring that parents have the right to direct the upbringing and education of their children. Every parent should be concerned about the protection and preservation of their rights. No government, regardless of how well-intentioned it might be, can replace the love and nurture of a parent in the life of a child. Parents care, not because their children are "wards" for whom they are responsible. Parents are willing to brave danger and sacrifice, hardship and heartache to ensure the best for their kids. ParentalRights.org brings together everyone who agrees that the vital role of parents in the lives of children should not be undermined by government action or policy.

A friend of mine sent this to me, check it out! 

http://wandascountryhome.com/names/

Blessings :)

Teri

Hi all,

Are you looking forward to the AFHE convention? It’s only a week away!

Here’s a report that I wrote on how to get the most out of it…

How to Get the Most Out of a Homeschool Convention
(Download in printable PDF format, using Adobe Acrobat Reader.)
This 14-page special report includes a handy checklist!

Direct link: http://www.knowledgehouse.info/homeschool_convention.pdf

The tips are especially useful for first-timers, but it’s a good review for veterans too.

See you there!

Teri

FYI: The Nature's Classroom Program is a series of family field experiences provided by Arizona Game & Fish.

Hello,

     I am pleased to inform you that our Nature’s Classroom Program continues to grow and improve. As of this email, we have started a new blog site that will become the main information pathway for all of the Nature’s Classroom programs. It will provide updates of new events planned as well as summaries, pictures, videos, etc. from previous events. Right now it is lacking content but over the next couple weeks I will be adding information.

     To check out the blog, visit http://naturesclassroom.edublogs.org. Spend a little time looking around. Feel free to comment if you like. One thing you should be aware of is the Events tab that will be found in the upper right corner of the page. This will display a calendar will all upcoming events on it. In addition, you will find an electronic registration form for the events. This is new as well, and something we are experimenting with.

     Speaking of events, we also have the next event planned and are taking registrations – starting immediately. You can find more information about the event at the blog site. However, to summarize, it will be a night herping event on July 22nd. We will be traveling the roads on the far outskirts of Maricopa County searching for reptiles and other animals that might cross our path. When we find something, we will get out of the vehicle and try to find it and identify it. It should be lots of fun, although it will likely be a long evening. Currently, we are telling people to plan from about 5pm until 11pm. However, those times are likely to change slightly. Because of the vehicle restrictions and the fact that we will be climbing in and out of vans throughout the night, we are limiting it to participants that do not require a car seat or a booster seat.

     More events are being planned and will likely be added to the site within the next couple of days. So be sure to check out the web site periodically. Or better yet. Use the RSS Entries button at the bottom of the page to subscribe to the feeds. If you are not familiar with this, it will let you know (through a link in your bookmarks) every time a change occurs to the blog. Of course, I will send out emails through this listserv as relevant information comes about, as well.

     I would ask a favor of you, however. As we embark in this new “technological” direction, I ask that you be patient. It is possible we may encounter some problems. If you have them, just let us know. We will fix them as soon as possible.

     Thanks.

Eric Proctor

Environmental Education Coordinator

Arizona Game and Fish Department

Wild about education! Check out our resources at http://www.azgfd.gov/focuswild

http://www.cowappreciationday.com/

HomeschoolPatriot.com

Calling all Homeschool Patriots! Be part of American History – understand the battle we fight! Find patriotic resources, educational materials, historical documents, holiday unit studies, a list of famous homeschooled patriots, and information on how you and your family can help preserve the heritage of our Founding Fathers at www.HomeschoolPatriot.com

Hear AiG’s Mike Riddle in Arizona July 26–27, 2008

Mike Riddle, a dynamic and passionate speaker, will be in Arizona, at Scottsdale Bible Church and then First Baptist Church of Mesa on Saturday–Sunday, July 26–27, 2008.

The event will be held at the following locations:

Scottsdale Bible Church
in Towne Center
7601 E. Shea Blvd
Scottsdale, Arizona 85260
United States
(Directions)

First Baptist Church of Mesa
4801 E. Brown Road
Mesa, Arizona 85205
United States
(Directions)

For more information please click here or call 602-971-9682.

NOTE: The information concerning this event was accurate as of the time this email was generated. However, Answers in Genesis cannot guarantee that the information will not change. Please click the link above or visit our Events page for the most current information.

Do your kids love to build with LEGO bricks? My boys sure do! So we created a website called The Little Brick Schoolhouse which contains lots of ideas for using LEGO bricks in your homeschool. You can teach just about every subject from math and science to history and literature using LEGO bricks. Visit The Little Brick Schoolhouse for activities, trivia, games, videos, resources, links, and more. It’s fun and educational for all ages! WEBSITE:  http://www.littlebrickschoolhouse.com

Join thousands of neighbors, friends, and families across the country for NWF’s fourth annual Great American Backyard Campout™—Saturday, June 28, 2008!

Be part of this nationwide event! Add your campsite today and we’ll help you make the most of your event with packing lists, recipes, wildlife guides, activities, tips and more. Whether in your backyard or favorite campground. http://www.nwf.org/backyardcampout/

Hi all,

Happy Flag Day! Don’t forget to put up your flags today. And did you know, while most people associate the flag with patriotic days like Flag Day and Independence Day, it’s also traditional to fly the flag on other important American holidays as well – like Father’s Day. Here are a couple of pages with interesting facts, resources, and activities for Flag Day and Father’s Day:

http://www.knowledgehouse.info/njfkoldglory.html

http://www.knowledgehouse.info/njfkfathers.html

Enjoy your weekend!

Teri

Happy Friday the 13^th!  I don’t know why, but that always seems to be a good day for me. ;) I thought you might be interested in these fun facts about the number 13. I had compiled them for my son’s 13^th birthday last month, and thought I’d share them with you today. Enjoy! ~Teri

 
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The number 13 is regarded as unlucky in many cultures. The early Romans thought 13 was a sign of death and destruction. According to Norse mythology, 13 people sitting at a table brought bad luck. There were 13 people at The Last Supper. Fear of the number 13 is called “triskaidekaphobia.” In Italy, however, 13 is considered to be a lucky number. In northern India, the number 13 is a special number since the word 13 is pronounced “tera” in Punjabi, which is also a form of addressing God.

13 Lucky Facts About the Number 13

1.         13 goes into 999,999 exactly 76,923 times.

2.         On the periodic table of elements, aluminum has an atomic number of 13.

3.         13 is the smallest integer with eight letters in its spelled out name (thirteen).

4.         There are 13 Archimedean solids.

5.         13 is the age at which children officially become teenagers. In Jewish tradition, 13 signifies the age at which a boy is considered to be mature and becomes a Bar Mitzvah, “one to whom the commandments apply.” A ceremony is held and the boy reads from the Torah for the first time.

6.         During Spanish and Mexican wedding ceremonies, it is customary for the groom to give his bride a gift of 13 coins, representing Jesus Christ and the 12 apostles.

7.         Early nursery rhymes stated that there were 13 months in a year because of the natural moon cycle that was used to count the lunar year. In England, a calendar of 13 months of 28 days each, plus one extra day, was used until Tudor times.

8.         There were 13 British colonies in North America that rebelled against British rule in 1775. They subsequently became the original 13 United States of America.

9.         On June 14, 1777, Congress declared that the American flag should have 13 alternate red and white stripes, with 13 white stars in a blue background. The American flag today has 50 stars, one for each state, with 13 horizontal stripes representing the original 13 states.

10.       In the Great Seal of the United States there are 13 olive leaves, 13 olives, 13 arrows, 13 levels of bricks in the pyramid, 13 sides showing on the ribbon, 13 stripes, and 13 stars.

11.       13 is the number of guns in a salute to U.S. Army, Air Force and Marine Corps Major Generals, and Navy and Coast Guard Rear Admirals Upper Half.

12.       The first whole number to have the sum of its digits equal 13 and also be divisible by 13 is 247 (2+4+7=13)(13x19=247). There are 24 hours in a day and 7 days in a week. The next number to have these attributes is 364 (3+6+4)(13x28). This is one day less than a year. 13 flipped around is 31, which accounts for the number of days in most months.

13.       There are 13 loaves in a “baker’s dozen,” an expression which started in 13th-century England. The practice of baking 13 items for an intended dozen was to prevent “short measure,” on the basis that one of the 13 could be lost, eaten, burnt or ruined in some way, leaving the baker with the original dozen.

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Father's Day is coming up this weekend! Read about the history and traditions of Father’s Day at http://www.knowledgehouse.info/njfkfathers.html

You may also want to visit http://www.knowledgehouse.info/hspoem_dad.html to read a special poem that I wrote called “Ode to a Homeschool Dad.” You can even download a copy. Let me know how you like it!

Got sticker shock from high gas prices? Don't want to spend hours waiting in an airport? The Arizona Edventures website contains hundreds of vacation locations and field trip attractions right here in our state, where you don't necessarily have to spend a lot of time or money. Whether your ideal summer weekend involves biking or hiking, museums or sightseeing, Arizona is a prime destination—and you’re already there! Arizona has it all: exotic locations, grand spectacle, non-stop action, and everyone’s favorite hero – Arizona Ed! 

Visit www.ArizonaEdventures.com

     Veteran homeschool mom Colene Lewis gave the Commencement Address, and Jenna Rockwell did the Senior Address. There were 153 homeschool graduates in attendance from all around the state. The ballroom was completely packed with a full audience of families, friends, and fellow homeschoolers.

     The evening began with the traditional procession of graduates to the theme of Edward Elgar’s “Pomp and Circumstance” and ended with a surprise recessional – the theme song from Indiana Jones.

     Special music included a beautiful rendition of “The Blessing” performed in sign language by graduate Jenna Keith, accompanied by vocalist Daniel Stringer. A Memory Montage slide presentation of the Class of 2008 graduates was also shown. Then each of the graduates was called to the stage and presented with a certificate.

     Congratulations to all of the Homeschool Graduates! It will be exciting to see what the Lord has in store for you during the next season of your lives!

    “In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths.” ~Proverbs 3:6