Welcome! This blog features current news, events, classes, announcements, and updates for the Maryland homeschool community, from the MD State Coordinator at The Old Schoolhouse. http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/maryland/ en-us Homeschool Blogger Fri, 14 Nov 2008 09:33:00 -0600 Fri, 14 Nov 2008 09:33:00 -0600 Hello!     Sadly, this will be my final blog entry for Homeschool Nations.  Due to some huge projects looming on the horizon, I have to resign as Maryland State Coordinator.       I have really enjoyed keeping Maryland homeschoolers updated on some of the great things happening in our state.  It's been a pretty cool experience.      Anyone interested in taking over as coordinator, should contact Kris Price at kprice@thehomeschoolmagazine.com.                                             Have Fun!                                            Joy http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/maryland/619219/ Fri, 14 Nov 2008 09:33:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/maryland/619219/ Thanksgiving dinners take eighteen hours to prepare.  They are consumed in twelve minutes.  Half-times take twelve minutes.  This is not coincidence. ~Erma Bombeck http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/maryland/615180/ Wed, 5 Nov 2008 17:17:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/maryland/615180/ Hi!      NaNoWriMo started yesterday!  We have never participated before, but my 14-yo ds started today.  I'm thinking about it, but we'll see, LOL.       Visit www.nanowrimo.org for more info.                                     Have Fun!                                     Joy http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/maryland/613502/ Sun, 2 Nov 2008 15:18:00 -0600 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/maryland/613502/ Happy Autumn!       I hope you're all enjoying the lovely fall weather.  I know we love watching the trees put on their colorful coats and then shed them, seemingly overnight.  It was very windy yesterday, and there is a brand new, colorful carpet awaiting us.       Below is a portion of this week's HSLDA e-mail - they now offer a summary of work requirements, so we'll all know what to do with our teens when they want a job   Apparently, this summary is just for HSLDA members, though I think it should be made available to everyone.  Oh, well...if you're not a member of HSLDA, maybe you can find a friend who is and they can look up the info for you                           Have Fun!                                  Joy   5. Work Permit Requirements for Children Now Available to Members When children begin working outside of the home, many parents are confused by employers’ requests for permits, especially when told that the permits must be issued by a public school official. Hourly work restrictions and occupation prohibitions can also be confusing. For these reasons, HSLDA unveiled this week a new resource for members—a summary for each of the 50 states’ child labor and work permit laws. Members can access this resource through the Forms and Other Resources page or through the State Laws page. http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/maryland/611583/ Wed, 29 Oct 2008 04:50:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/maryland/611583/ http://biblebee.org/    This looks pretty cool.  Have Fun! http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/maryland/608094/ Tue, 21 Oct 2008 19:09:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/maryland/608094/ Washington County Public Schools and Hagerstown Community College are presenting the Washington County College Fair 2008   Wednesday, October 15, 6-8pm Hagerstown Coummunity College ARCC Over 100 college representatives   www.hagerstowncc.edu A big THANK YOU to Marla for posting this to the SonLIGHT Yahoo group!! http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/maryland/601981/ Wed, 8 Oct 2008 19:48:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/maryland/601981/ 8th annual great outdoors festival october 25 & 26 - 10 am to 5pm www.skiwhitetail.com/events.htm The 8th Annual Great Outdoors Festival featuring the Ski & Golf swap will be held this year on October 25 & 26 from 10 am to 5 pm. This event is great for the whole family. New this year come out and try the Euro Bungie soar into the air and get a whole new perspective of the mountain. This year's event will also include live entertainment, great food, chairlift rides, barnyard buddies, plenty of kid's activities and much more. Also don't miss the Ski & Golf equipment swap. Looking to get rid of some ski or golf equipment that you have laying around? Then sell it in the swap! Call the Guest Service office for drop off times and more details. If you are thinking about buying equipment this year the swap is also a great place to grab something for a great price. Did you purchase a Season Pass or Advantage Card this year? If not you can still buy your pass at the mountain during the festival. If you did buy a pass or card then you can pick up your pass during the festival at Guest Service. http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/maryland/600945/ Mon, 6 Oct 2008 19:21:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/maryland/600945/ Hi!      I totally forgot to post anything last week, but I have a good excuse, LOL.  I was in awful pain (started the 13th)...saw the doctor on the 16th....saw the surgeon on the 17th....had surgery on the 19th for an umbilical hernia.  This will probably be my only post this week, since I'm still recovering.      I hope you're having a wonderful September and that your school year is off to a great start!                                                      Have Fun!                                                       Joy  http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/maryland/595286/ Thu, 25 Sep 2008 09:41:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/maryland/595286/   SHARPSBURG HERITAGE FESTIVAL*  September 13, 9am-5pm  Historic town square at Main Street, Sharpsburg  House tours, historic lectures, historic craft demos, farm history, historic music, and food vendors.   For info, call 301-432-4631, 301-432-8410, or 301-432-8765.   September 13—Fourth Annual Cumberland Valley Pottery Fest, 10am-5pm—Area ceramic artists from the Cumberland Valley Craft Guild, Mont Alto Pottery Cooperative, and other area potters.  Silent auction of artists’ donated works.  Free event.  For more info, call 717-762-4723.    Hunting and Fishing Day September 14, 1-4pm, at the North Tract Visitor Contact Station Learn about wildlife conservation and hunting and fishing opportunities.  Explore wildlife habitats and more. Events are held at the National Wildlife Visitor Center unless otherwise noted and are FREE, with the exception of tram tours and events, as noted.  If you need details or have any special needs or requests, please advise us two weeks in advance by calling 301-497-5763.    Kids Fest:  September 13 & 14, 10am-5pm—Enjoy exciting performances by the kids’ band, Milkshake, free train rides, free parking, and much more!  Children can participate in an “All Aboard” Calling Contest.  Enjoy activities, entertainment, and a train load of fun for everyone!     AUTUMN ARTS FESTIVAL*  (formerly “Jonathan Hager Craft Days”)  September 13, 10am-5pm  At Jonathan Hager House in Hagerstown  Join us in our 2nd year with Appalachian-style music, 50+ craft vendors, food, and Hager House tours.  Events throughout City Park.  Free admission to the festival.  Reduced admission to the Hager House.  For more info, visit www.hagerhouse.org or e-mail hagerhouse@hagerstownmd.org.   http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/maryland/588481/ Thu, 11 Sep 2008 11:07:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/maryland/588481/ Hi,      A new season of Fridays at the Library is starting on September 12!  The topic will be "Hagerstown Firemen" - A member of the Hagerstown Fire Department will demonstrate fire safety techniques and there will be a firetruck to "visit" up close!      The elementary program is from 1-2pm and the high school program is 2-3pm.  Middle-schoolers may attend either program.      If you have any questions, contact Marsha Fuller at the Washington County Free Library, 301-739-3250, ext. 176 or mfuller@washcolibrary.org.                                                 Have Fun!                                                   Joy http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/maryland/583977/ Tue, 2 Sep 2008 15:13:00 -0500 http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/maryland/583977/