Recently, I had the opportunity to interview a friend, Teri Kuiper, about the Homeschool Alliance of North Carolina. I serve with Teri and some other hard-working homeschoolers on the board of HA-NC, and I am excited to see things come together after many months of working behind the scenes.
What is Homeschool Alliance of North Carolina, Inc., and who do they serve?
Homeschool Alliance of North Carolina, Inc. (HA-NC) is an inclusive statewide home school organization, which provides an avenue for homeschoolers across the state of North Carolina to find support, stay informed concerning home school news and legislative issues, discuss home school topics of interest and connect with needed resources and information.
What’s new at HA-NC?
HA-NC has a fresh new board of directors, who are committed to its success. The new board has been working quietly and consistently, planning for the development and growth of HA-NC. Some areas of development include:
Becoming incorporated as a non profit in North Carolina
Hosting the Third Annual statewide inclusive Love to Learn Home School Conference which offers a variety of speakers on a wide range of topics that are pertinent to home school families.
Organizing and hosting the First Annual School’s Out Forever Getaway.
A Liaison between the North Carolina Department of Non Public Education and statewide homeschoolers, for those homeschoolers not wanting to directly contact and discuss home school issues with the department.
Providing a home school blog that lists home school news from across North Carolina, the country, and sometimes the world, allowing homeschoolers to stay up to date on current home school happenings.
A comprehensive website, accessible to all.
A list of home school events from around the state of North Carolina.
A regularly updated list of home school support groups, sorted by county, with a registration page for support groups to add their information to our site.
We now have a comprehensive website, where one can find more detailed information about everything I just mentioned, at http://www.ha-nc.org/ .
What are some benefits of joining HA-NC?
Benefits of membership include:
An official HA-NC membership card
Discount for the 2009 Love to Learn Conference
Discount for the 2009 School’s Out Forever Getaway
Access to conference speaker audio files
Access to an e book entitled “Overcoming Obstacles While Homeschooling, 1st. ed.”
Discount for subscription to NHELD, LLC
And, as time permits, we are seeking out additional member only benefits, with a focus on discounts for those services and items that home school families often use.
Can you tell us more about the conference?
HA-NC recognizes that there is great diversity among homeschooling families. Because we are committed to the empowerment of ALL registered NC homeschoolers, we wanted to create an event that met the needs of ALL homeschoolers, with something for everyone. The Love to Learn Conference, in keeping with the mission statement and by-laws of HA-NC, is inclusive, and does not discriminate based on race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, pregnancy status, sex, age, marital status, disability, medical condition, sexual orientation, gender identity, home school method or any characteristic protected by law. We don’t discriminate against children at the conference, either! We welcome them! After all, the children are the reason we home school. We even have space set aside just for the kids, with games, puzzles and other activities.
What is the “School’s Out Forever” Getaway?
Homeschoolers are no longer connected only by small local groups. HA-NC recognizes that the modern home school family knows other homeschoolers through conferences, yahoo groups and other e-lists, as well as blogs and other social network media. The Getaway is called “School’s Out Forever,” and was loosely modeled after another successful state wide home school group that brings homeschoolers together via a twice yearly camp gathering. “School’s Out Forever” is much more “upscale” in that it is not camping. It was created to give families a chance to connect, meet, and renew friendships with other homeschoolers, in a more personal and relaxed environment, while providing family activities, in a value packed vacation package at an exciting location!
Where will it be held?
This year, it will be held in the stunningly beautiful Stone Mountain Park, in Georgia. Stone Mountain Park, listed in Frommer’s 500 Places to Visit with Your Kids before They Grow Up, is a 5 square mile green oasis where families and friends can enjoy the outdoors together. Activities include hiking, canoeing, ropes courses, cable car sky rides, museums and a spectacular evening laser light show! Indoor activities are still being organized at this time. Friends can also sit and relax either on their personal patio or in the front porch rocking chairs that face the magnificent Stone Mountain carving of the Confederate Memorial.
And when is it?
The Getaway will be October 8 through October 11, and limited space is still available.
Do you have a website where people can go to read more?
Absolutely! Homeschoolers can visit our website at http://www.schoolsoutforever.org/ to register and reserve accommodations. There is also a link on the site to the SOFG yahoo list, where we talk, plan, and add new information.
Where will the Getaway be in 2010?
Ah! I cannot reveal that just yet. We are looking at a few possibilities, and all of them would be exciting for different reasons. But, until we sign on the dotted line, I am afraid we have to keep it a secret!
What is the future of HA-NC and how does the organization support homeschoolers?
Future ideas include maximizing the use of the internet to bring homeschoolers together, via online virtual conferences and online used home school curriculum sales. These two together will help homeschoolers stay connected and find the support they need. We also have plans in development to provide additional resources on our website such as a high school transcript planner, and diploma creator. And, as I mentioned earlier, we are continually seeking out discounts that would be useful for homeschooled families. We also welcome new and fresh ideas from our membership!
How can others get involved in HA-NC?
HA-NC is truly a grass roots effort, and we welcome all the help we can get! In fact, HA-NC is looking for energetic and committed homeschoolers to join our Board of Directors. I would recommend first going to our website, and joining HA-NC, and then clicking on the link to join our yahoo group. The yahoo group is our primary method of communication, and a great source for discovering how to become more involved. It also provides yet another opportunity for finding support and friendship. Our board of directors is excited about the progress we have made, about the events we are planning, and about all of our ideas for the growth of HA-NC. We want others to be excited too, and we are working hard to build HA-NC into an organization that will stand on its own, grow, and meet the varied needs of all homeschoolers in North Carolina.
I want to thank Teri for taking the time to talk to me today. There are many exciting things on the horizon for HA-NC.
-- If the behavior I've witnessed over the past week is "normal" for the majority of young men and women being raised in America, the future of our country is more bleak than I thought. On two seperate accounts, my family was on the front lines of teenagers in action. Their language was foul. Their intentions were dishonorable. Their temperament was disgusting. They had no respect for authority, elders, women and children, each other or themselves. Common courtesy appears to be an obsolete practice.
-- I guess I shouldn't limit the finger pointing to youth. I am from South Carolina, and we all know what the governor has been up to. Is this why young people act the way they do? Maybe their fathers have been more concerned with the mistress? How do you teach what you do not live?
-- Our country needs prayer. We need God's hand to reach down and touch the lives of Americans. We need fathers to pick up God's Word and be the spiritual leaders in the home. We need a solid moral foundation. We need our hearts to be turned back to the Creator.
In addition to the unbelievable prices on our quality homeschooling resources, we have some additional goodies to share with you.
Get FREE Unit Studies from Amanda Bennett and Hands of a Child!
Simply purchase the Schoolhouse Planner OR make a $30 minimum before midnight on July 5, 2009, and you'll receive the Flag Day Unit Study from Amanda Bennett and The Story of Jamestown Lapbook from Hands of a Child.
You Could Win a $50 Gift Certificate to the Schoolhouse Store!
Each day from July 1 through July 5, the 100th customer each day will win a $50 gift certificate to the Schoolhouse Store.
Hurry! The savings, two free E-Books, and chances to win a $50 gift certificate will be gone at midnight on July 5.
Our Sweet Summer Bouquet of Gifts
Just Got Sweeter!
When you purchase a 2-year, U.S., print subscription, you'll not only receive the 19 incredible gifts, but from now until midnight on July 4, you'll also receive all 4 issues from 2008! It's an extra year of TOS you can enjoy immediately. We'll send you these 4 print issues FREE, and we'll pay the shipping!
Posted By HomeschoolBlogger Company Blog in hsingonlyone
Freedom. Makes one's heart swell. Maybe make the pulse beat a little quicker. Think of the "Freedom speech" from the movie Braveheart. Or the "Band of Brothers" speech from Henry V, Act IV Scene 3.
John Adams wrote, "The jaws of power are always open to devour, and her arm is always stretched out, if possible, to destroy the freedom of thinking, speaking, and writing." He also wrote, "Children should be educated and instructed in the principles of freedom."
With all the bills proposed in Congress currently, I think we need to open our eyes and become even more involved in the political process and involve our children. Hopefully it's not too late.
As you can read in another column today, Heather wrote concerning The UN Convention of the Rights of the Child and the dangers it holds. A signed treaty becomes the supreme law of the land, superseding all federal and state laws. (Check out ParentalRights.org for more information.)
There's a bill about to be voted on next week (last I heard it would be on Monday, July 6th) called "Cap and Trade." If passed, this bill will require every homeowner who wishes to sell their home to obtain a federal inspector to conduct an energy audit on their home. The cost of the audit will be paid by the homeowner. Before the house is allowed to sell, it will have to have upgrades (windows, hot water heater, furnace, insulation, air-conditioner, roof, etc.) to bring it up to "green standards."
Health care is about to go through some major changes. Although for some things, social medicine may sound like a great idea, but the media doesn't mention the long wait patients have to endure before being seen or getting particular treatments. Those who are aged or those who have any disabilities are prime to be not treated due to the government's decision on how to spend its money for health care to the masses. If one's quality of life won't be deemed "good enough" or if one has lived a long and happy life, someone could determine who should or shouldn't have treatment to prolong their lives.
There are times I think we as a nation have become the frog in the pot over slow heat. Its freedom has been taken away and at first the warming water is pleasant. But before long, it's boiling and he's no more. I hope America has a revival from the Lord and wakes up to what is going on politically. Benjamin Franklin is attributed to this quote, we all need to remember:
They who can give up essential liberty [freedom] to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety.
Current affairs may mean we need to have "another revolution" of some sort. John Adams wrote, “What do we mean by the American Revolution? Do we mean the American war? The Revolution was effected before the war commenced. The Revolution was in the minds and hearts of the people; a change in their religious sentiments, of their duties and obligations…This radical change in the principles, opinions, sentiments, and affections of the people was the real American Revolution.”
Happy 4th of July ~ Independence Day. Remember those who've came before us and who fought & died for our liberty...for our freedom. Let's not let their sacrifices be in vain.
Donna Conner lives in Fort Worth, TX with her husband, Glenn, their son, Mike, Donna's mother, Charlotte, and their dog, Lucia. Donna and Glenn have been homeschooling their son since the beginning of his education. Mike completed his homeschooling in the fall of 2008. Donna is an artist and has always enjoyed writing. She wrote Homeschooling Only One in 2003, after discovering that there were many other families homeschooling only one child. Her website is devoted to those with only one student in their homeschool, with listings of online resources. Her website is at http://donnac.com and read her blog at: http://www.homeschoolblogger.com/DonnaC
Special Words for Special Needs ~ Is Our Freedom as Parents Being Threatened?
Posted By HomeschoolBlogger Company Blog in specialneeds
Freedom is the theme this week. America has always stood alone and strong against the winds of the world. Sprouting into being by a handful of patriots that believed with their entire being that we needed to have a nation founded on God and not man (kings). Through the years we have navigated a tough course. I fear that the years of America standing tall and with honor and independance are being threatened. What I am talking about is the UN Convention of the Rights of the Child.
You may have heard about this treaty through numerous christian outlets ParentalRights.org, HSLDA, Focus on the Family's CitizenLink, or Media Monitor. I will leave you to read their wonderful write ups. I will contain myself to the danger I see with special needs children, and our ability to parent them.
In this treaty the laws and rights of a child are given over to UN law, world law. Our nation's laws will no longer apply when they go against the treaty's laws. The child's rights are given so much weight that they are equal to a parents in making decisions. A child could petition the court to allow them to go to school rather than homeschool.
Consider this: a young teen is mildly mentally retarded and very open to suggestion. Enter a relative that pushes that child to go to court to get "real schooling". Or a child that is Oppositional Defiant. They want to do it just to cause the drama and reinforce their need to control their environment.
Now I wonder what happens when a doctor or other authority figure decides that your non-verbal autistic child really wants or needs to go to school? Could this treaty be used to get the child an attorney and fight the parents for the legal right to decide that child's schooling "in the child's best interest"?
Special needs children are an "at risk" group, according to the governement. So they are naturally the object of greater scrutiny. This treaty is not a good thing for our parenting freedom. This treaty is also not a good thing for raising moral, well educated children.
As a child I remember having a fit at the grocery store. My father would not buy me pudding packs for my lunch. They were new and I just had to have them. I stomped my foot and told him when I grow up I am going to eat pudding at every meal and you can't stop me! He chuckled and said we'll see, but until then you eat what I tell you. He went on to teach me through the years how to eat healthy. Yes you guessed it when I was older and I went shopping for myself I sailed right past the pudding aisle. Parents are there for a reason to teach, train, and show children how best to be.
If you would like more information of the UN Convention of the Rights of the Child please go to ParentalRights.org
Heather lives in West Virginia. She and her husband have been homeschooling their 5 children for 7 years. Due to a genetic disorder their children have multiple special needs. Living life to the fullest for the glory of God is their goal! Visit Heather's page at www.homeschoolblogger.com/gfcfmomofmany/ or at Special Needs Homeschooling
Personally I like to end things on a positive note and anticipating bad news can sometimes be as bad as the bad news itself, so I'm a fan of just getting the bad news over with myself.
But you can pick and choose which you want to read first. You'll just have to hold your hand over the screen and scroll if you want the good news first. You have ALL the control right at your fingertips.
Anyway.
Sigh.
Here goes:
BAD NEWS
I don't know how to break the news gently, but Little Red didn't survive the night last night. We thought we had her all nice and secure in the chicken tractor. In fact, at night Jake would safely tuck her into a dog kennel (the plastic kind with a metal door) within the tractor and then would let her out each morning. That's two layers of security folks. But apparently it wasn't enough.
Whatever it was, tore through our chicken tractor and then ripped that metal door right off the cage and made off with Little Red.
It was not a pretty scene to discover.
That predator is going down!
GOOD NEWS
Candace and her boys came to visit this afternoon and brought the Pioneer Woman's Key Lime Pie. I didn't even know if I would like Key Lime Pie, but oh sweet mercy, it was all kinds of good. And having a foodie friend who comes over with pie after you've lost your last chicken is pretty sweet too.
The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord. Job 1:21
There is a thrill of excitement in the air around here. It feels almost like Christmas Eve. (Only,the weather suggests that with our highs in the 60's for the last couple days.) No, it's better. It's VACATION EVE! Starting tomorrow, we get our daddy home for 9 days!
(Gnome made by Jeff's grandmother.)
Almost a whole year has gone by since our last big family roadtrip to Arkansas. It was on the way home that we decided we wanted to try camping. Talk about a lesson in patience! By the time we scraped enough camping supplies together, it was too late to camp, so we had to wait until this past May! I feel almost un-American (in a good way) on this point. I am glad we did not go into any debt and had to wait to get our supplies. It's normal to us now, to wait for something we want.
Today, the kids and I will pass the time by going to get groceries. Then, I need to work on cleaning some of the camping supplies. Even though we clean them before we put them away, they always seem sandy some how. Sand gets everywhere!
(Also by Jeff's grandmother.)
I am not going to do much blogging until we get back from vacation. (Really.) I am so looking forward to being away from technology. Being away is going to help, I think, break the ties my youngest has to his Wii IN Jones game. It's funny how when we are camping no one ever mentions computers, Wii games or the TV. That reminds me. Since TV has gone digital, we've watched a lot less of it. The only good channel we get is PBS. I am so much happier to listen to a record in the evening or watch a Wii Sports match between my husband and the kids. I feel like things are more in balance. I know some people like cable, but for me it is a snare. I am much happier without it in the house, even if it means we only get a few channels. I don't miss that bill!
(Yep. This one, too. She loved ceramics.)
I'd better wrap this up and get started. I do want to say that meals have gone better this week. I've felt the tug on my flesh on this one! I also finished two good books this week. ( Go to my nature blog to see those, if you are curious.) When I get back, I need to really get serious about next year's Science lessons. We need to start school early this year so we can take some time off later in the year when we move again. That means school could start back up in some form in just 4 weeks.
Song for a Dark Queen A Swiftly Tilting Planet To Kill A Mockingbird Beowolf The Sword and the Circle Leven Thumps Masada Sir Gawaine and the Green Knight Unveiling Islam The Sword, The Ring, and The Parchment
Richie's Reading List
The Tough Winter Pompeii...Buried Alive The Sword and The Tree Be A Wolf Young King Arthur Look What Came From France Favorite Fairy Tales Told in France Brenden the Navigator The Horn of Roland
