ST. CHARLES COUNTY CHRISTIAN HOME EDUCATORS LEARNING CENTER
Fall Course Schedule--registration begins May 1, 2008
     SCCHE Learning Center will offer courses Tuesdays at First Baptist Church of Saint Peters, 3353 Mid Rivers Mall Drive, St. Peters, MO 63376.
     Christie Hendershott has been busily putting together next year's learning center schedule and it really looks great!  High school offerings include geometry, chemistry, biology, physics (all sciences will use Apologia texts), calculus, writing, creative writing, ACT prep, logic, and more.  Classes for 12 and up include computer, lots of history choices, writing and more.  Then there's art and Spanish and more!   The descriptions aren't there yet as she is still putting the full packet of info together but read below and check out what is available for next year.
ACT Prep 10:00
Algebra I 9:00
Algebra II 12:00
American Military History 10:00
American Civil War for ages 11 to 15 11:00
American Revolution for ages 10 to 13 12:00
Art I 12:00
Art II 11:00
Biology for High School with full lab 8:30
Calculus 1:00
Chemistry for High School with full lab 8:30
Computer 001 for ages 12 and up 10:00
Concepts of Geometry 11:00
Creative Writing for High School 12:00
Intro to Art for ages 8 and up 10:00
Logic 11:00
Native American History for ages 8 to 12 1:00
Personal Finance 12:00
Physics 9:00
Spanish I 10:00
Spanish II 9:00
Spanish III 11:00
Spanish IV 12:00
Writing for High School 11:00
Writing for Middle School 12:00
      Instructors for all courses are Christians and have agreed to the St. Charles Christian Home Educators' Statement of Faith.  All science courses will use Apologia texts as the textbook for the class.   While the course content of each class is determined by the instructor, each instructor is instructed to not use any materials or lessons that could be considered objectionable to SCCHE families.  Although actual classroom time is only on Tuesdays, instructors may give assignments to be done in the homeschool setting through the rest of the week.
     Detailed information on the classes will follow mid April.  Registration will begin May 01, 2008.  Please check back for registration documents.
      The SCCHE Learning Center is designed to help homeschoolers in the following ways:
      To provide supplemental classes in a Christ-centered environment.
      To provide classes with outside accountability for students.
      To provide assistance in those classes which are more difficult to teach (higher math and sciences, composition, etc).
      For those students in choir and band, to allow an opportunity for classes before choir and band, thus reducing the amount of days out of the home (and, for some of us less organized folks, to allow for something to get done on Tuesday mornings!!)
      To provide assistance with classes in an effort to help homeschoolers continue to homeschool through high school, rather than putting their children in public school.
      To provide assistance and supplemental, fun classes for moms of elementary and junior high aged children.
     Class size and cost:  The classes hold approximately 12-18 students (instructors may choose to limit their classes to fewer students at their discretion).  Tuition for classes are listed below and are based on the time of the class. Instructors may have an additional supplies cost for their courses which will be listed within the description of each course.  Descriptions of courses will be available within two weeks on the scche website:  www.scche-mo.com     
      There is also a fee for registration.   Tuition for courses:
      $100 per student for a one semester course that covers 24 hours of class time.  This class is typically a once a week class held for one and a half hour per week.  
      $75 per student for a one semester course that covers 16 hours of class time.  This class is typically a once a week class held for one hour per week.  It can also be an 8 week class held for two hours a week or a 4 week class held for four hours a week.
      $40 per student for a course that covers 8 hours of class time.   This class is typically held one hour a week for 8 weeks, but can be held two hours a week for four weeks as well.
      When registration begins on May 1st, registration fees must accompany the printable registration form (pending).  Tuition and listed additional fees must be paid directly to the instructor by the student on the first day of class.

STIR UP A HURRICANE!  HOMESCHOOL SCIENCE CLASS
Thursday, May 1st, 2008, 2-4 pm
St. Louis County Headquarters, 1640 S. Lindbergh, St. Louis, MO 63131
     We are offering a class to all homeschoolers on Thursday May 1st, from 2-4pm at St. Louis County Library Headquarters.  We will be learning about HURRICANES!  We will have many activities, including some hurricane experiments (ever made a hurricane in a bowl?), a Hurricane art project, and a slide presentation from Shane Whaley about his experience with Hurricane Katrina (slide show will be appropriate for younger students).  All students will go home with FEMA and NOAA publications for further study.  We are going to have a great time and learn a lot, so we hope to see you there!
    This class is open to all homeschoolers in grades 4-8 and we are special needs friendly as well, so if you think you would like to participate, please email Rachael La Rock of Homeschool Families of Greater St. Louis (HFGStl) at mommybelly@yahoo.com .

JUST BETWEEN FRIENDS "BACK IN ST. CHARLES"
Just Between Friends ‘Back in St Charles’ May 1-3
Thursday, May 1st: 9:00 am - 6:00 pm
Friday, May 2nd: 9:00 am – 6:00 pm (25% Off Sale)
Saturday, May 3rd: 9:00 am – 2:00 pm (50% Off Sale)
Calvary Temple Multipurpose Room, 3930 McClay Road, St Charles, MO  63304
Consign and shop new and gently-used items for kids at great savings, just in time for Spring/Summer
FREE Admission
     Just Between Friends prepares for St Charles’ semi-annual children’s, teens’ and maternity consignment sale.  Consignors to donate children’s items to Our Lady’s Inn ( http://www.ourladysinn.org/ ).  Tens of thousands of items expected for sale.
Just Between Friends offers the best way to get bargain prices on children’s clothing, toys, books and baby equipment, while providing an excellent opportunity to consign your own kid’s things. JBF regional sales events are held in heavily-populated areas for the sole purpose of reselling gently-used children’s clothing, kids movies/music, indoor/outdoor toys and baby equipment/furniture. New to this sale is the JBF Crafter’s Corner, for scrapbooking, stamping, sewing, etc. supplies, as well as the JBF Re-Gifting Center, where moms can “re-gift” new/like new personal, kitchen, gardening and other items.
     JBF appeals to single moms with small budgets, stay-at-home moms looking to stretch the family dollars and well-to-do moms who shop smart to keep their children well-dressed and want a fair return on their clothing investment. These events also appeal to the first-time mom (who needs everything), mothers of multiples (who need several of everything), and moms of second, third and even more children (who are looking for larger sizes, replacement items and new items that make mothering easier, safer and more enjoyable).
     Twice a year, consignors bring their gently-used children’s items to a central location in St Charles County. Clothing arrives freshly-laundered, hung on hangers and tagged. Toys and other items are cleaned before drop-off and are ready for sale. All items are inspected for quality, current fashion and inclusion of all parts/batteries before they are accepted. Volunteers help get all sale items sorted, organized and neatly displayed the day before the sale and get to shop the best deals before the doors are open to the public.
     All shoppers who come to a JBF sales event, whether they are looking for specific items or sizes, find a wide range of brands, styles and unique items that are not available at any other sales event. Brands like Gymboree, Fisher-Price, Carters, Osh Kosh B’Gosh and Playskool are not sold in stores together, which allows JBF to offer the convenience of shopping in one place for dozens of name brand items. In addition, many shoppers find such good prices that they buy items they were not even shopping for, but could afford when getting such good deals on the other items they were purchasing. This is recycling at its family-friendly best!
     Consignors set their own prices and receive checks two weeks after the sale ends for 70% of the amount their items sell for, minus a small consignor free. There are also a small number of shoppers who purchase items for baby showers, as well as a few professional consignors who may or may not have children, but make anywhere from hundreds to thousands consigning in each sale.
     Columbia-born mompreneur, Michelle Wiginton, owns the St Charles, MO franchise of the nation’s largest, twice-yearly children’s and maternity consignment sales event. Wiginton also owns the Rolla/Ft Wood and Columbia/Jefferson City, MO JBF franchises and proudly serves Missouri with other JBFs in Springfield, Lee’s Summit, Independence and North Kansas City. Just Between Friends currently has more than 60 franchises in 16 states across the country, with more than 55,000 active consignors, shoppers and volunteers. Just Between Friends accepts cash, MasterCard, Visa and debit cards. Be sure to check the website www.JBFsale.com for other locations and sales dates.
     For more information, Michelle Wiginton, Owner of JBF Columbia, Rolla/Ft Wood & St Charles, MO, at 573.202.4006 or Michelle@jbfsale.com  or go to www.jbfsale.com  

THE SHRINE CIRCUS
May 1-4, 2008
Family Arena, 2002 Arena Parkway, St. Charles, MO 63303
     The Shrine Circus is coming to town and you are invited to runaway and join the circus between May 1st and May 4th, 2008. Bring your whole family to the 66th Annual Moolah® Shrine Circus.
     Come watch the hysterical clowns, and dazzling trapeze artists as they fly through the air. Touch the larger than life elephants while you ride them as a family. Taste the wonderful carnival treats. Listen to the deafening roars of the mighty lions and tigers. Be amazed as the circus takes over all of your senses. Make sure that you don't miss out on this once a year event by purchasing your tickets today.
     Now homeschoolers can save $8.50 per ticket on select seating.  Simply fill out a discount form and return it by Wednesday, April 30.
     Fax, mail, or bring your form to the Family Arena Box Office.  If you have any questions, contact the Family Arena Box Office at 636-896-4237.
     To obtain a form, contact Tom O'Keefe, Marketing Manager at phone: 636-896-4289; or fax: 636-896-4205

THE GREATER ST. LOUIS BOOK FAIR
May 1-4, 2008
Macy's, West County Shopping Center, West County Center Dr. and Manchester Rd., Des Peres, MO
     The Greater St. Louis Book Fair, one of the nation's largest and oldest charity book sales, will be in the east parking garage at Macy's West County Center
Thursday May 1st 4pm - 10pm
Friday May 2nd 10am - 9:30pm
Saturday May 3rd 10am - 9:30pm
Sunday May 4th 11am - 6pm
$10 Admission for Opening Night and FREE ADMISSION All Other Days

2ND ANNUAL CROPPING FOR NEWBORNS
May 2nd and 3rd; Friday 7 pm, Sat. 8 am to 4 pm
Christ Memorial Lutheran Church, 5252 S. Lindbergh, St. Louis, MO
     The 2nd Annual Cropping for Newborns will be held at Christ Memorial Lutheran Church, 5252 S. Lindbergh (adjacent to Incredible Pizza). This event will benefit Nurses for Newborns, an organization that provides nursing care and baby items to poor and at-risk babies in our area. Attendees last year raved about the ample table space, great food, and plentiful door prizes. We also heard, "You're not charging enough!" Even though we want to make money for the babies, we want to baby you a little bit, too! Our own Barb Hall will be teaching a class on incorporating stamping into scrapbooking. Her class last year was FABULOUS! All extra classes are $10 each, but there will be a free class on digital scrapbooking and donation-only make & takes throughout the weekend. This year, for the first time, you'll be able to crop all night! Doors open at 7 p.m. on Friday, May 2nd. Crop fee for Friday is only $20! Doors open again on Saturday, May 3rd at 8 a.m. and close at 4:00 p.m. Crop fee for Saturday only is $30, but the real bargain is 21 hours of scrapping for only $40! Fee includes lunch, a continental breakfast, and all snacks and drinks. Bring diapers, formula, or other baby items and get more tickets for better door prizes. You're not a scrapbooker? We would love your help publicizing this event or buying silent auction items. Contact Melanie Wilson at (314) 703-1975 or melphd@aol.com  for more information. See pictures of class projects at http://croppingfornewborns.blogspot.com .

ST. LOUIS SCIENCE CENTER KITE FESTIVAL
May 3-4, 2008
St. Louis Science Center, 5050 Oakland Ave., St. Louis, MO
     The Saint Louis Science Center is having a kite festival on May 3rd and 4th!  We would love to have people come out and make kites and then fly them in competitions.  In addition to performances, exhibits, and activities, there will also be a master kite maker from Taiwan, Buteo Huang, who will fly a giant pterosaur kite that he has made.
     To correlate with this event, we are asking schools, homeschoolers, and scouts to participate in a kite curriculum and then bring their kites to the festival.  The curriculum has different grade levels and includes sections on math, history, and physics.  All or part of the curriculum can be done, but we ask that your kids bring kites so that they can fly them in competitions.  There will be prizes for winners.
     If you are interested in this curriculum or in the kite festival in general, please contact Kerry Stevison Community Science Coordinator with the Saint Louis Science Center at ksteviso@slsc.org  or 314-289-4497.  Unfortunately, the curriculum must be sent through the mail; it is too large for e-mail.

ST. LOUIS ZOO CALENDAR OF EVENTS
Saint Louis Zoo, 1 Government Dr. in Forest Park, St. Louis, MO
     May 2008
     National City Sea Lion Show
May 3-18, 2008: Shows at 11 a.m., 1 and 3 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays only.;  May 24-September 1, 2008: Shows at 11 a.m., 1 and 3 p.m. daily.  4:30 p.m. show on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays. Sea lion superstars show off their natural abilities with front flipper walks, balancing acts, hurdle jumps in the water, Frisbee throws and lots of splashing!  Admission is $3/person. Children under two are free. For information: 314/781-0900 or www.stlzoo.org .
     May 23 – September 1, 2008 (Memorial Day Weekend through Labor Day).  North Star Summer Zoo Hours.  Zoo is open extended hours during the summer season. Hours are 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily. (Zoo will close at 5 p.m. on June 20, July 23 and August 27 for special events.) Stay until 8 p.m. on Fridays for Jungle Boogie concerts and Dinoroarus exhibit. (No concerts on June 20 and July 4, 2008.) Admission to the Zoo is free. For information:  314/781-0900 or www.stlzoo.org .
     Fridays, May 23 - August 29, 2008.  Jungle Boogie Friday Night Concert Series.  5 to 8 p.m.  Free.  Bring the whole family for a free concert in the center of the Zoo. Zoo is open 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. For concert schedule and more information: 314/781-0900 or www.stlzoo.org . No concerts on June 20 and July 4, 2008.
     May 23 – September 1, 2008 (Memorial Day Weekend through Labor Day).  Children’s Zoo Animal Shows.   Show times at 10 and 11 a.m., 1, 2 and 3 p.m. daily. No shows on Wednesdays.  See shows that feature a leaping squirrel, flying kestrel or a kissing cow!  Animals will showcase their natural talents that they have learned to perform on cue. Admission to the Emerson Children’s Zoo is $4 per person with free admission between 8 and 9 a.m.  Children under two are free.  For information: 314/781-0900 or www.stlzoo.org .
     June 2008
     June 1, 2008.  St. Louis Children’s Hospital Make Tracks for the Zoo.  8 a.m. to 12 noon. Runners and walkers of all ages can participate in a 5K run/walk or 1-mile fun run/walk through Forest Park.  Kids ages 7 to 12 can participate in a half-mile kids’ race, and kids ages 6 and under can participate in a quarter-mile kids’ race. Registration: $18/individual (before May 16); $22/individual (after May 16); $10/child for Kids’ Race. $50/family registration (limit four individuals in same family); $10/additional family member (before May 16). No family registrations after May 16. Proceeds benefit the Zoo.  More information or registration: 314/646-4771 or www.stlzoo.org. Sponsored by St. Louis Children’s Hospital, Dave Mungenast Automotive Family, Breadsmith, Build-A-Bear Workshop® At The Zoo, My 103.3, 93.7 The Bull and Z107-7.
     June 20, 2008
Zoo closes at 5 p.m. for A Zoo Ado, the Zoo’s major fundraiser.  A Zoo Ado 2008 Footloose at the Zoo. 7 p.m. to midnight. General admission: $70/Member; $75/Non-member; $1,250/table. Call for additional opportunities.  Creative casual party benefits the Saint Louis Zoo.  Evening includes dinner, live music, dancing, silent auction and more.  Reservations are required.  For reservations: 314/646-4771.  For information: www.stlzoo.org. Ages 21 and up only.
     July 2008
     July 11, 2008.  Puffin Pedal.  3:30-4:30 p.m. Registration. Free. Discover Forest Park’s diverse ecosystems and native landscapes while pedaling the paths outside the Saint Louis Zoo. Complete the 5-mile route at own pace. After the ride, explore the Zoo and enjoy the free Jungle Boogie Concert Series until 8 p.m. Admission to the Zoo is free. For more information on Trailnet Pedal Series Ride: www.trailnet.org/pedalseries.php .
     July 23, 2008.  Zoo closes at 5 p.m. for Jammin’ at the Zoo.  Jammin’ at the Zoo presented by Toyota.  6 to 10 p.m. General admission: $10/general public; free for members and one guest.  The Young Zoo Friends host a summer party lakeside in the center of the Zoo, with live entertainment all evening. Food and beverages will be available for purchase throughout the evening.  No reservations are needed.  Ages 21 and up only.  Sponsored by Toyota, Major Brands, Anheuser-Busch, Inc., Y98 FM and Riverfront Times. More information: 314/646-4771 or www.stlzoo.org/yzf .  
     August 2008
     August 1, 2008.  Register now for fall and winter programs!  The Saint Louis Zoo offers education programs for all ages, youth, young children, adults, families, scouts and more.  Call 314/646-4544 to request a brochure or visit www.stlzoo.org/education  for program information.
     August 27, 2008.  Zoo closes at 5 p.m. for Jammin’ at the Zoo.  Jammin’ at the Zoo presented by Toyota.  6 to 10 p.m. General admission: $10/general public; free for members and one guest.
     For more information, contact Media Contacts Saint Louis Zoo (314) 781-0900: Janet Powell, ext. 4633; Christy Childs, ext. 4639; Joanna Bender, ext. 4703

INSTITUTE FOR EXCELLENCE IN WRITING SEMINAR
2-day Seminar Dates: Saturday May 3rd and May 10th
8:30-8:45 am check-in, 8:45 am -4:00 pm seminar
St. Charles Assembly of God, 4750 North Service Rd., St. Peters, MO 
     …Discover how you can learn to teach writing to your children without having to buy a curriculum every year. This seminar is the place to start and is for the parents or high school student.
Teaching Writing Structure & Style 2-day Seminar:
With The Institute for Excellence in Writing
Components Taught
      Overview of Structure & Style
Unit I/II: Note Taking & Summarizing from Notes
      Stylistic Techniques: "Dress-ups"
Unit III: Summarizing Narrative Stories
      Sentence Openers, Unit IV: Summarizing References, Reports
      Unit V: Writing from Pictures, Advanced Dress-ups, Decorations & Triples
      Unit VI: Writing Reports with Multiple Sources
Unit VII: Creative Writing with Structure
      Unit VIII: Essays: Basic, Extended & Super
Unit IX: Critiques, Conclusion
     Directions: Take 70 to Mid Rivers Mall Dr., travel away from the Mall, then make a right on the North Service Rd.  Make a left into the parking lot.  The church used to be a car dealership and you will see a large cross on the top of the building.  www.stcharlesassembly.org
     Seminar Fee is $65.00: The Fee includes the Teaching Writing: Structure and Style Seminar and Practicum Workbook. Sign-ups ending no later than April 18th. 
     Lunch: 12:30-1:15: boxed lunch from Honey Baked Ham is available if you choose for $7.00.  See the bottom of registration form.  Otherwise, you can bring your own lunch
     Sponsored by O’Fallon Christian Home Educators; for more information, contact dandawn.griffin@gmail.com .

ST. CLAIR COUNTY CHRISTIAN HOME EDUCATORS (SCCCHE) USED CURRICULUM SALE
Thursday, May 8, 2008; 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM; Sellers may start setting up at 6:00 PM
First Assembly of God Church, 900 Fair Oaks, Belleville, IL 62221
     Free to buyers and sellers.  Donations will be accepted for an offering to the church.  Sellers must reserve tables by contacting Laura Schmidt at (618)277-5979 or jlbsschmidt@att.net no later than May 1st.  Nursery will be available for age 5 and under at the usual cost, $2.00 per child up to $5.00 per family.
     Directions: From I-64, go south on Hwy 159, turn left onto Hwy 161, follow for approximately 2 miles, turn left onto Carlyle Ave, and then turn right onto West Blvd. Turn right at the first street (Fair Oaks) and follow it straight into the church parking lot. Please enter the doors marked for the sale.

FIELD TRIP TO VIEW "NIKI IN THE GARDEN"
Friday May 9th at 1pm
Missouri Botanical Garden, 4344 Shaw Ave., St. Louis, MO  63110
     Join us on for an afternoon at the Missouri Botanical Garden to view Niki in the Garden, the passionate pop art of Niki de Saint Phalle, and enjoy all the gorgeous springtime blooms. Also, the Children's Garden is open for kids 3-12.
     Garden admission is Adults (age 13 and up) $8, St. Louis City/County residents; $4, Members and children (age 12 and under) Free; Children's Garden: $3, kids 3-12, adults and under 2 free
     We will meet outside of the main entrance. Email Shelle Gholson at shelleg@gmail.com  if you are interested in joining us and we'll be sure to wait for you before entering.
     Fair weather only - we will not be touring if there is rain forecasted.  For more information about the displays, go to http://www.mobot.org/events/NIKI/Niki.asp  and http://www.mobot.org/finn/default.asp  .

HOMESCHOOL "MOM TIME"
The next Homeschool Mom Times are scheduled for Friday, May 9th
Friday, June 13th, and
THURSDAY, August 14th, all at 7:00 p.m. 
They will be at Susie Thurmond house; 1737 Marsha Lane, Maryland Heights, 63043.
Please bring your favorite snack or dessert to share. 
Susie will be providing beverages.
Please, only nursing or bottle babies; this time is for just us moms.
Please RSVP to rsthur96@sbcglobal.net  if you think you will be joining us.
All homeschool moms are invited, so feel free to forward this info to others who might want to attend.

FRENCH SCHOLASTIC BOOK FAIR
Saturday, May 10, 2008, 9:00 am - 3:00 pm
St. John's Episcopal Church, 3664 Arsenal Street, St. Louis, MO 63116
     We are delighted to announce La Crèche's first-ever fundraising event. Saturday, May 10th from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm we will host a Scholastic Book Fair featuring French children's books for purchase. Katherine King, one of our first families, has generously coordinated this event and we are looking forward to offering parents and teachers an opportunity to browse the available titles personally and choose the best books for your little ones. Please visit our official book fair homepage at: http://bookfairs.scholastic.com/bookfairs/cptoolkit/publish/lacreche. The proceeds from this event (40% of our total sales) will go towards establishing a lending library for La Crèche programs. In addition to pre-school and elementary books in French, there will also be a selection of popular Scholastic books in English. If anyone is interested in volunteering for the book fair or donating books to our lending library, please let me know.
     For more information, contact Rhonda Broussard, Founder, La Crèche at phone (314) 771-3694 or visit http://lacrechestl.googlepages.com .