A bill was introduced into the N.J. Assembly on September 22, which would severely impact the freedom to homeschool without governmental interference. ENOCH of New Jersey is opposed to this bill and will be working in the coming days with other State level organizations as well as HSLDA to formulate an action plan for our opposition.
This alert is being made to inform you of the threat this bill represents, so that you can become informed and make sure channels of communication are open for any call to action in the next days and weeks.
Here are two links to the proposed legislation from N.J.'s legislative website:
Please take the time to read the bill. Please take some time to pray for the N.J. Homeschool community, the State leaders who will be discussing plans of action, and for our legislators
Tuesday, September 2nd from 11:00am to 4pm at Ringwood Manor
(Rain date: Thursday, September 4th)
This year, Parents As Teachers at Home [PATH-23] is sponsoring the Opening Picnic in the northern region of NJHSA. This event is open to members and non-members of NJHSA.Bring along your lunch, plenty of drinks, and any outdoor activities or sports equipment that your family enjoys.
For those of you who have attended previous picnics, there is a great playground area as well as new picnic tables. There is a wonderful creek nearby so bring those water socks, nets, buckets and a change of clothes! There are also places to throw Frisbees, ride bicycles, scooters or rollerblade. All children must wear NJ law mandated helmets and protective padding. For those of us who just want to relax, bring your own folding chairs. Be sure to add sunscreen – the only place you will find shade is in the woods - not at the playground, the open field or our normal eating areas. Please be aware that this is a large, open and wooded park. It is a wonderful place for children to explore. However, many of the places to explore are not easily "watchable" from the general area. As always, your children are your responsibility - you, not NJHSA, must provide the supervision.As in all NJHSA events, the focus is always that the families are responsible for their own children. That means you should know where your children are at all times – and that includes your teens! If you have any homeschooling books or curriculum materials you'd like to sell, label them with your name & your asking price and bring them along. Tables are not being provided to display the books, so you may wish to bring your own or arrange to share with a friend. Please be sure to gather up your unsold items at the end of the day. For those of you, who might like to do some shopping while there, remember to bring cash! The park's policy is “carry in/carry out” for garbage. Be prepared to take your trash with you - remember to bring garbage bags with you. Attention LSG New Member Contacts from the LSGs in the northern part of NJHSA - you are strongly encouraged to come prepared to greet new homeschoolers and possible new members. You might want to make & bring a large sign identifying your LSG and have your LSG's information/registration packets available. Come early to reserve a space at the front tables.Past years we have had a poor turnout for New Member Contacts.Let’s make this year different – come early & prepared!
If you have any questions about the weather on that day, call Carla Abrams at 973.853.4391 or email her atJCAbrams@warwick.net. If the event is postponed to the rain date, a message will be sent through the NJHSA Email List.
Directions:From 208: Take 208 N which merges into Rt. 287S. Take the 2nd exit after that (it comes up quickly) to Skyline Drive. Follow Skyline Drive up and over the mountain, past strip malls on either side. At the stop sign, go straight (there is a Catholic church on the right). You will quickly come to a "T"; go right. This is Greenwood Lake Turnpike, Ringwood Avenue or Rt. 511. At second right fork, which is Sloatsburg Road, bear right. When the road curves to the right (after passing Skylands Botanical Gardens), the entrance to Ringwood Manor will be on the left. From Rt. 17 N: [Revised] PassCrossroadsPlaza on right, stay in left lanes and follow signs for 17N. This will merge into NY Thruway / Rt. 87N.Stay in right two lanes, where you will see a sign for “Last Exit Before Toll”. Get off at Exit 15A to Rt. 17N. At bottom of ramp, make left at light, onto Rt. 17N. Continue to exit for Ringwood / West Milford onto Sloatsburg Road. Ringwood Manor is approximately 5 miles down on the right.
Brookdale Park is in Bloomfield/Montclair. There are three entrances: off Watchung Ave. or Bellevue Ave. or Grove Street. We are set up between the playgrounds.
With our new Digital Edition, you will enjoy all the great content from your favorite homeschool magazine, but in a new format - digital!
Why should you subscribe to our Digital Edition?
· Instant delivery—No waiting for your mail to arrive. Your sub starts with you immediately receiving our Summer '08 issue. You'll receive our next three issues as they go to print. Summer '08 is just around the corner!
· Huge savings – At $16.95, our digital subscription is 32% less than our US print subscription price, 43% less than Canadian print subscription prices, and 65% less than our international print prices. If price has kept you from subscribing before, you can't go wrong with the huge savings on our digital subscription.
· Helpful links - No more running to the computer to check out an advertised product or website reference. One click and you're there!
· Exciting features – Print or email articles to share with up to five of your friends.
· Fun, dynamic format - Flip through a real online magazine, not a pdf file.
· Never lose your magazine again - Save all your TOS issues to your computer.
· More of what you love - Enjoy the same high-quality content and beautiful design of The Old Schoolhouse Magazine print edition.
The Summer issue of TOS is not to be missed. It provides product reviews, teaching ideas, and numerous articles written by your favorite homeschool experts.
10 Reasons to Homeschool Your Child With Special Needs
Nothing compares with the good, old-fashioned, tried-and-true learning that takes place outdoors, especially for special needs children.
In a family with a disabled child, following the Holy Spirit each day, minute by minute, is the key to balancing all these parental responsibilities.
Homeschooling the gifted child
Charlotte Mason Homeschooling including an article about using this method with autistic children
Natural Schoolhouse - We can learn both spiritual and practical lessons by observing sheep.
Adoption – several articles about open adoption, domestic adoption and international adoption
Science – read and learn about Intelligent Design, theistic evolution, Creationist documentary about the life of Darwin, and changing history theories
Get an update about the homeschool situation in California
Homeschooling is a means of discipleship as we train our children for God’s glory. God equips those whom he calls to homeschool—including single moms.
Intelligent Design: What’s the Fuss and What’s It All About?
Nature Walking - One of the consequences of removing God from the public school classroom is that wonder about His creation has been lost.
Study the topic of flight and the men behind the creation of airplanes. Also learn what it’s like to be a pilot!
Meet other homeschooling families and see how homeschooling works in their homes!
Learn more about the country of Canada
Homeschooling and the Kinesthetic Child
Educational Neglect, Habitual Truancy, and Homeschooling
Help your child learn to love reading! Also, things to remember if you have a late reader
Read an interview With Dr. Mary Hood
Get great product reviews!
You get so much more in The Old Schoolhouse® Magazine:
With your one-year digital subscription, you'll receive four quarterly issues plus the 19 Free International/Digital gifts.
Once you've placed your order, you will get our current issue within minutes via email so watch your inbox and be sure to check your spam folder.
I am feeling musical this week! Since I can't sing a song to you all I thought I would share some music related freebies with you.
Creatingmusic.com is a fun website for children of all ages. You will find places to compose music and play with musical performances as well as games and music puzzles.
HomeschoolHelper.com is offering a free Orchestra Lapbook. You will find all the free downloads HERE. EasyFunSchool.com has a free music unit study you will find HERE.
And now for a contest! Homestead Blogger is having a contest on the Front Porch. You can get a chance to win a free E-Book: The Schoolhouse Planner! All you have to do is stop by the Front Porch blog and leave a comment. Good luck!
One last thing, this week we have added a new feature to Freebie Friday called Freebie Friday Feedback. If you have learned about something in Freebie Friday that has enhanced your homeschool experience let us know. We may feature your letter in an upcoming Freebie Friday. (Make sure to see the first one in the lower right hand side-bar today!)
I'll see you next week right here at - Freebie Fridays!
While every effort is made to ensure that the recommended sites are family friendly, The Old Schoolhouse Magazine and its writers do not own the sites recommended. Content and advertising can change without notice. Please exercise caution when viewing websites. Please check out the websites before allowing your children to view them.
Summer Reading Splash
Contest of the Week
This is the last week of the Summer Reading Splash! Make sure to stop by the Summer Reading Splash Blog and enter this week's contest. Here is this week's question. What was your favorite thing about the Summer Reading Splash? Will you participate again next summer? The winners will receive some great new books!
All email entries must be received by MIDNIGHT tonight, so be sure to visit the blog now!
We hope your kids have had a great time this summer with the Summer Reading Splash!
It seems that the older I get the less I remember. So frustrating! To forget the name of the place where you had your keys replaced the last time. To know you should be able to remember something that you just cannot bring to mind. To call and get a price quote and then promptly forget what it was. This is my life! Well, about six years ago I came up with a system that is so easy to set up it will make you laugh! Yet as simple as it is, it is elaborately effective. It works! Don't take up brain space trying to remember it all. Instead, let this system remember for you!
Receive Free: E-Book: Bulk Cooking Tips and Tricks
Bulk cooking is a piece of cake with the detailed step-by-step instructions included in this E-Book. You'll learn more than just recipes here - this is the nitty gritty of the why and how to bulk cooking. A value of $8.97 - free!
Students ages 7 and older will use the ancient method of teaching called catechism! Each lesson begins with asking the question, reading scripture to find the answer, then stick figuring the answer. Since no prior knowledge of the Bible is required, this is a great place to begin new believers. For students with some Bible knowledge, this study will help them gain contextual understanding of the characters and events with which they are familiar, while teaching them additional Biblical facts. Questions deal with biblical facts and not doctrinal issues. A value $19.80 - free!
Receive Free: E-Book: A Bible Study - Old Testament Basics - Student This is the student book that goes with the Teacher Book above.
What To Do:
Purchase:A Bible Study - Old Testament Basics - Teacher -Soft Bound
Type free E-Book in the comments.
Your free E-Book will be emailed to you within 48 hours.
These specials are only good
through July 31, 2008!
We hope you enjoy our "Freebie Fridays" promotion! Watch your inbox every week for specials galore!
Hello, I just wanted to tell you that I took my kids to Chick-fil-A for a free lunch last Friday after reading about it in the Freebie Friday newsletter. I have four kids. My middle two took a sheet and used clothes pins to attach the sides. My daughter went in from the back, and we opened a hole for my son to come in the middle and out the top. We painted black dots, added a tail, ears, and cow bell. I used washable markers to make spots on my son's face. He was the front of the cow. My daughter had to grab his waist and walk bent over to be the back side of the cow. We then made some "eat mor chikin" signs to hang off of them. It was a great lesson in team work for them! My oldest and youngest printed cow masks off the computer and put on one of Dad's shirts. They added black paint dots and black dress shoes to their costumes. I put on a black shirt and my son made me an extra cow mask. I wasn't totally cow but was considered part of the herd and got a free lunch. Not only did we get a free lunch but they gave us a gift certificate to come back again for another free lunch. As homeschoolers we like to pull out the educational value, arts/crafts, team work, health/nutrition, field trip, great family memories, and thoughts for how to be cows again next year! I remember you saying you wanted pictures, and I did take one. Thanks! Stacey Lane homeschool mom of 4 ages 12, 9, 7, 3 in Delaware
A New Homeschool Planner from The Old Schoolhouse Magazine
We are so excited to announce that our much-anticipated Schoolhouse Planner is READY!
The Schoolhouse Planner has so many wonderful features. You told us what you wanted in a planner, and we have delivered!
Some of the main features include:
Calendars in various forms - yearly, monthly, weekly, and daily
Planners for your homeschool - in various styles to meet your individual needs
Household planning forms
12 "homeschool must-know" items, one for each month of the year
12 essays from some of our favorite authors in the homeschool community - you absolutely won't want to miss these!
24 easy main-dish recipes from some top homeschoolers around the nation
and so much more!
PLUS, the Schoolhouse Planner is interactive! You can type right into the pdf! If you have Adobe Acrobat, you'll be able to save the changes you make. (Note: If you only have Adobe Reader, you can type in your planner information, print it, but will not be able to save these changes.)
Don't forget, monthly planner add-ons are available for purchase every month. We already have some great holiday related information ready for July's planner supplement!
We're there with you each month to make your home and school planning as easy and fun as possible throughout the year!
Have a friend who likes an organized home and school? Let them know about the Schoolhouse Planner.
________________
We want to say a very special "thank you" to those of you who pre-purchased the planner.
If you pre-ordered the TOS Planner, you will receive download instructions within the next 48 hours. Watch your inbox! If you haven't ordered your Shoolhouse Planner, now is the time to order your copy. The new school year is quickly approaching!
The Old Schoolhouse Magazine's Summer Reading Contest!
Greetings!,
The Summer Reading Splash! is in full swing. We hope that your children are participating and having fun. We are thrilled with all the positive comments that we have received from parents, and even more thrilled by the overwhelming response to our blog book contests! It has been a great joy to read all the kids' answers - you have some very clever children. It is obvious that they enjoy reading!
We have added more resources to our Splash! website. You'll want to be sure to check that out (details below)! In the coming weeks and months, we will offer several freebies and downloads to enrich your family's reading fun!
Summer is a fantastic time to promote reading to your child(ren). Take a break from your regular studies and just spend some time reading to and with your children. Some of the best learning and the most exciting adventures can be found within the pages of a good book.
*If you are new to the Summer Reading Splash! it's not too late to start participating now. And, don't forget to forward this email to all your homeschooling friends. ALL HOMESCHOOL CHILDREN, regardless of age and/or grade, are eligible to participate.
Reading Goals
Record keeping sheets are provided for your convenience- for younger students and older students- be sure to print out new ones if you've filled the old ones already!
Are your children getting tired of reading? If so, click here for some ideas of ways to make reading fun.
Reading Facts
The things I want to know are in books. My best friend is the man who'll get me a book I [haven't] read.
~Abraham Lincoln~
The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more you learn, the more places you'll go.
~Dr. Seuss~
Reading Encouragement
Here's a sneak peek at our exciting Summer issue:
Ten reasons to homeschool your special needs child
Homeschool Pioneers: Charlotte Mason and Susan Schaeffer Macaulay
Staying close to our Shepherd and following His voice as we homeschool
What's the fuss over intelligent design?
Nature walks and outdoor play - their impact on indoor learning
This month, we'd like to share with you some links to great books we offer in our Schoolhouse Store - your source for all your homeschool needs (ALWAYS FREE SHIPPING!)
Also, we have some fun tips for writing book reports. These will definitely enhance your child's reading experience and make reading more fun.
And don't forget about our fun bookmarks - they are a great way to enhance the Summer Reading Splash!
Reading Favorites
At TOS, we love to read and reading is important to us. We have polled the staff and asked them to share some of their favorite books with you. Please click here to see that list - maybe you'll want to read some of these great books this summer!
We have received a few suggestions for names for our cute little froggie mascot, but we'd like some more. Please email your suggestions to us by Monday, June 16th. We have a fun prize for the person whose suggestion we pick!
Be sure to check in each Monday for the "Topic of the Week". Have your child email their answers to us by Friday at midnight. Winners will be announced on the blog each Saturday, along with some of the great quotes we receive from the kids (they are just too fun to keep to ourselves!)
Bonus E-Books w/$30 Purchase
Have you been looking for some fresh new ideas to get your kids writing this fall? Just make a $30 purchase in the Schoolhouse Store this month, and you'll automatically get a free download of the Reach for the Stars Writing Workbook ($8.99 value) from Susan Marlow!
This 50-page workbook for budding young authors includes sections on creating your characters, how to "show-don't tell" your characters' feelings, beginnings that "hook" the reader, creating a scene, plotting your story, and much more! Students can work at their own pace and "on their own." Also works great in homeschool co-ops. Workbook includes a parent/teacher guide with hints for expanding the lessons if desired. Grades 3-8.
Special offer ends June 30, 2008. Check your order confirmation or sign into your Schoolhouse Store account online for the download link.
We are really enjoying our first ever Summer Reading Splash! We hope that you and your children are enjoying it too. We look forward to making this an annual event. Please feel free to contact us with any questions you may have.
Sincerely, The Old Schoolhouse Magazine
FREE E-Book
for kids!
The Summer Reading Splash! will end on July 31st. During the week of July 24th through the 31st, you will be asked to turn in your child's reading log. At that time, we will be offering each child who participates a FREE E-BOOK. Your child can choose from 10 pre-selected children's E-Books (we have selected a variety for age and interests).
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.
A Teacher's Toolbox from the Old Schoolhouse Magazine
Our new subscriber-only feature, Teacher's Toolbox, has quickly become a subscriber favorite within the first two months of its launch.
Now, we're getting ready to send out our May issue on May 22nd.
We're all really excited about this month's topic - it is perfect for the the upcoming summer months. This month's Teacher's Toolbox will be full of cool ideas and freebies for the hot days ahead!
The freebie gift itself practically covers the price of your subscription!
So, here's what you need to know.
If You Are A Current Subscriber
If you are a current TOS subscriber, you'll want to make sure that we have a correct phone number on file for you. Your phone number will serve as your subscriber number and will be how you retrieve your online free gift. Email customer service if you have any questions or need to update your number.
If You are NOT a subscriber,
NOW is the time to subscribe.
With your new subscription, you'll be eligible to receive the Teacher's Toolbox
PLUS, our Special Report:
Homeschool with Confidence
In this resource, experienced, veteran homeschoolers provide valuable encouragement, information, and helpful answers to some of the toughest questions.
Homeschool With Confidence is packed with wisdom and resources that will refresh and inspire you-whether you've homeschooled for several years, are just starting out, or are exploring homeschooling as an option.
Subscribe now and you'll receive our special report, Homeschool With Confidence, as well as 25 free gifts from outstanding homeschool vendors-a value of more than $550! Your family can enjoy these gifts throughout the year.
But, HURRY! We only have 1400 of the gift packs let. We are well over halfway sold out. They are going quickly!
TO CLAIM YOUR COPY OF THE SPECIAL REPORT:
Put "Homeschool With Confidence" in the comments section when you order. We'll email you instructions for claiming your copy of the special report in PDF format.
The exclusive Homeschool With Confidencereport explores these topics:
How to overcome the idea of "Supermom"
Prayer as the foundation of homeschool success
Educating your children without an official teaching degree
Ways to keep the joy despite criticism from family and friends
Making curriculum affordable in your budget
Why homeschooling can help with behavioral problems
Winning the heart of your child
Confronting fears about your abilities
Overcoming the socialization myths
How homeschooling can provide more field trip opportunities than public school
Achieving calm and organized days
Are grade level labels necessary?
Teaching multiple ages together and the benefits of this
Learning alongside your child
Teaching subjects you never understood in school-you really can!
Why homeschooling is the best option for children with special needs
Put "Homeschool With Confidence" in the comments section when you order. We'll email you instructions for claiming your copy of the special report in PDF format.
Your subscription will start with Summer '08, but you can also get in on our EXCITING Spring issue.
The Spring issue of The Old Schoolhouse® Magazine is hitting mailboxes.Don't miss out!
The Spring issue of TOS is not to be missed. It provides product reviews, teaching ideas, and numerous articles written by your favorite homeschool experts.
The Old Schoolhouse® Magazine is an invaluable resource-the leading Christian homeschooling magazine nationally and internationally. Find out why by subscribing NOW.
Act now to receive 25 free gifts valued at more than $550 and the free report, Homeschool With Confidence, when you subscribe.Click here to subscribe.
But, HURRY! We only have 1400 of the gift packs let. We are well over halfway sold out. They are going quickly!
TO CLAIM YOUR COPY OF THE SPECIAL REPORT:
Put "Homeschool With Confidence" in the comments section when you order to receive your copy of the Special Report: Homeschooling with Confidence. We'll email your copy of the report in PDF format. If you haven't subscribed yet, NOW is your chance. This month's toolbox is scheduled for May 22nd, so you need to subscribe to TOS by midnight, May 21st, in order to be on the list.
You won't want to miss out on all of the great resources. Just click one of the appropriate links on the side to become a TOS subscriber and make sure that you don't miss out on this month's Teacher's Toolbox.
Sincerely,
Nancy Carter, Director of Marketing The Old Schoolhouse Magazine
If you have been reading Freebie Fridays for very long, you have probably figured out that I really like E-Books. They are convenient, easy to store and many times FREE! But, like anything else, when you start to get a lot of them you have to organize them. I recently came across a great free E-Book called E-Books What Do I Do With Them All? This E-Book will tell you why E-Books are invaluable to homeschoolers, along with practical solutions to effectively manage the files once you have them. If you plan on continuing to download all the freebies I find for you this book, this will come in handy! You will find information on how to download this E-Book HERE.
How about another new E-Book? The Quest for Thunder Mountain is the first book in the new Tales from Terrestria allegory series. This is a follow up to the Terrestria Chronicles series. This book waswritten to help young adult readers experience the wonder of finding and doing the will of God. It is a great read-aloud for family devotions, classroom use, or just personal reading enjoyment.You will find the entire book in E-Book form for free at this link. There is also a free study guide at the same link. (They are both near the bottom of the page.)
Here is a free E-Book for those of you who are leaders in the homeschool community. The Homeschooling Image: Public Relations Basics by Mary Griffith is about public relations and how to present a favorable picture of homeschooling. This is an excellent resource for promoting homeschooling! You will find the free download here.
This freebie is so great we thought we would run it twice! The great Bible-based nature publication for homeschoolers, Creation Illustrated, has offered a number of their back issues at NO COST to homeschool support groups. Simply send an email to ishjl@netscape.net and request the number of back issues you would like to distribute to your support group members (leaders only should ask, please). They will send them ASAP -- just in time for summertime reading with character-building lessons for students of all ages. Many readers call Creation Illustrated, "The Christian answer to National Geographic!" Every issue's a keepsake. Check it out at www.creationillustrated.com
I'll see you next week right here at - Freebie Fridays!
New Jersey: Calls Needed to Stop Expansion of Government Control Over Homeschoolers
Dear HSLDA Members and Friends:
Your calls are needed to defend parental freedom against three bills that are under consideration in the Assembly Education Committee. These bills aim to expand state control over young people by expanding the compulsory school attendance age.
Assembly Bill 375 would raise the age of compulsory school attendance from age 16 to 17. Assembly Bill 1209 and Assembly Bill 1759 both would raise the age from 16 to 18.
Parents alone know whether it's best for their 16- and 17-year-olds to stay in a formal education setting or follow some other path. The government cannot know the needs of individual students. One size does not fit all when it comes to school attendance.
ACTION REQUESTED:
Please contact the members of the Assembly Education Committee immediately and express your opposition to these bills. Your message can be as simple as:
"Please oppose Assembly Bills 375, 1209, and 1759. These costly bills will force unwilling, unmotivated older teens to remain in classrooms where they will cause disruption. Protect the right of parents to decide what educational or vocational path their 16- and 17-year-olds should follow."
It is not necessary to identify yourself as a homeschooling family, since these bills undermine t
