Brownsville Homeschool Association: August 2010

Hosted by 4-H & Polk Christian Home Educators

4-H Homeschool
Outdoor School
September 20-22, 2010
Oregon 4-H Center

The 4-H Homeschool Outdoor School is a program sponsored by Polk County 4-H and Polk Christian Home Educators and is open to all youth in grades 5-8.

(We will be having homeschooled high school age youth to serve as counselors. If you are interested in counseling, contact us.)

The program is designed to give youth hands-on outdoor learning experiences with natural science, pond study, forestry, outdoor cooking, leather craft, wind energy, archery, animal habitat, survival skills and more. We will have featured presentations and campfire activities. Free time activities include canoes, swings, crafts, archery, soccer and more.
Camp participants will stay in Cottages that have four bedrooms, each containing two sets of bunk beds with mattresses. The cottages have a common area and bathrooms with private showers. Cabins may also be used. This beautifully wooded location is just 6 miles from downtown Salem. http://www.oregon4hcenter.org/
Cost for the overnight camp is $35 per youth/adults if registered and received by September 13^th.^{Additional $10.00 late fee added Sept. 14th and after.
Scholarships may be available upon request.
Monday – Check-in/Registration 10:00-10:30, Camp begins @ 10:30am
Wednesday – Pick up @ 2:00pm
Additional information and registration:
http://extension.oregonstate.edu/polk/camp
For Questions about the camp contact:
Judi Peters, Polk 4-H Youth
503-623-8395 or 503-931-2578
Email:}^{Judi.peters@...}

We had a fair turnout yesterday as we met to discuss the upcoming year. If you missed it,or would like a recap---

This year: NEW START TIME--8:45AM
To utilize the gym and start off the three separate science classes, we needed to add 15 minutes to the schedule. Please be prompt with your kids as science will be the first class in the AM for the High School. They may miss lab time if they are late.

History-Following the time-line in the late 1800's and into the early 1900's.
Science--Continue with Microscope Unit and start a new Marine Biology Unit
Sign Language--The younger age group will work on the ABC, a book through the year that they put together with letters and words. The older groups will be working on more conversational sign language.
Creative/Fundamental Writing --4th-7th This class is divided into those needing more of the basics of writing, and/or those who are ready to put it all together. The High School class will be working on research papers, and gearing up for more college like papers.
P/E--Sporting instruction in Football, Basketball, Volleyball, Baseball, and/or Badminton The younger classes will be working on developing strength, agility, gross motor skills appropriate for this age level. They will practice ball skills, and have the opportunity for group play, and working as a team.

HOMEWORK BOARD--There will be a poster board in the hallway by the K-3 class with weekly homework assignments for parents to check.

KNIFE POLICY--ZERO tolerance means exclusion from the program. This is normal school policy, and will be strictly observed. Please remind your kids to empty their pockets before class!

STUDENT PICK UP K-3 Students need to be picked up from class by a parent or older student (only after a parent giving permission to a teacher). 4-12th grade students may wait for their parents in the building or near the building, but not in the parking lot or near the road.

Visiting--Please do not visit near the office areas. While we encourage you to visit with other families, please respect the office personnel who are working at the District Office. Parents are always welcome to visit in the gym, or outside the K-3 class.

Lunches are not provided. Please send your child with a sack lunch and a drink. We do have one microwave, although if you send a lunch that needs warmed, there may be a wait.

School Holidays-We will follow the school calendar for days off. Also, we will follow snow days of the district. The last day of school will be the Monday before Memorial Day.

PROGRAM DONATION Due to the cost of science equipment, we are asking a donation of $15.00 per family this year. The school district is purchasing new PE equipment for us as well as new sign books. We will be responsible for any science and history dispensables that we need for class. This donation helps defray the material costs. If we decide to do a dissection, we may ask for a small donation at that time to cover the cost of the specimens.

Fund Raising and Book Orders Book orders for Scholastic will continue, as well as collection of box tops & soup labels. We are also collecting empty printer ink cartridges for recycling, and helps us defray the cost of ink in preparing lessons each week.

NEEDS
We are in need of a DVD player for the program if anyone has one to donate.

Sign up sheet for supplies is in the hallway.

The only items we need this year so far are 5 oz cups, and snacks for the K-3 class. Please sign up to help with lunch duty and/or cleaning after class in the K-3 class.

CLEAN UP HELP-The older classes clean their own rooms, but we need help in the K-3 for sweeping, helping kids gather and put their stuff away, and general help in organizing to get things put away.

LUNCH DUTY HELP--This allows the teacher time to set up for class after lunch, get a short break, and allow them to eat! Your help in monitoring kids during lunch, and cleaning up afterward are a great help. You would be needed 11:30-12:30.

These sheets to sign up to help are in the hallway, and please choose a week or two.

Parents are welcome to stay and help in class. Younger siblings can participate in activities with parental help if they are able to sit and not distract the lesson.

Incomplete or missing homework assignments may have to be done during lunch if homework is not turned in. This will be decided at teachers discretion. If issues arise during the year, we will speak to parents on an individual basis.

Classroom locations are remaining the same. High School class will continue to remain in the conference room.

Parents are always welcome to speak with teachers at any time regarding any issues or questions you might have. The contact info is in the blog on the left side bar.

Registration forms were passed out, and some even turned in!! If you did not get your forms, and would like them mailed, please contact Dana. You may also come at 8:30 to register.

If you are a new family joining us, aside from registration forms, we would also need a copy of your childs shot records, and/or a religious exemption form signed.

Families outside of the Central Linn District will also need a district transfer form (we provide) signed by your home district.

TESTING--Benchmark testing is still required and will be administered through the school year as required. This does not replace the testing required for compliancy through ESD for home schooled students.

NEW OPPORTUNITIES FOR HOME SCHOOL FAMILIES FROM CENTRAL LINN This year--lots of new things are available to the Home School Program through Central Linn. They are really partnering together with us to make this a program that is suited to our needs!

Central Linn Web Academy-- Home School Student are now able to earn a High School Diploma through this Web Academy

Online Classes-- OdysseyWare will still be available for students to use online from home or from the District Office. We are adding another online program that may suit your needs better. It also will be available for use online from home or from the District Office.

Small Weekday Classes at the District Office-- We are offering small weekday classes in Social Studies/Language Arts (taught together) and Math/Science (taught together). Two classes with five students each Group A Mon, Wed, Fri Schedule Group B- Tues, Thurs, Fri Schedule. ON Friday's both groups will meet together for a joint activity. Group B is already full, but we have five spots available in group A.

Educational Consulting This is an option for home school parents who would like extra support as they develop their own curriculum. The educational consultant provides resources, curriculum, and advice to parents who wish to learn new ways to teach their children. The educational consultant helps parents align their curriculum with state standard, ensuring that students are learning at grade level. Parents who choose this option meet with the consultant weekly to report progress and receive support as needed. If you are interested in any of these programs, please get with Jennifer Ewing (our Creative-Fundamental Writing Teacher) to discuss. She will be willing to give you more information and answer your questions.

We also would like to Welcome Felicia Mollohan who is replacing Shawnna Richards this year. Shawnna has accepted a full time position, and is unable to teach this year. Felicia will be a great fit to our program and brings lots of experience. Please watch for a welcome message from Felicia coming soon. She is anxious to start and is picking up right where we left off last year!

Welcome Felicia!

LOTS of info..but if you have questions...feel free to call us!