Bean Dip

There are often those of us whose family members struggle with our decision to homeschool.  

Sometimes it is a friend or an acquaintance, but there is always someone who thinks you are insane to homeschool your kids.  And they challenge your ability and right to do so, take to quizzing your kids, who freeze like a deer in a headlight to prove their point for them, and are outright obnoxious about something that isn't really any of their business.

Let's face it folks, homeschooling is challenging enough without feeling the need to defend our decision.

Enter a very old discussion on my Well Trained Mind forums that is resurrected by old timers like myself for the benefit of all.  It was written by a fabulous lady named Joanne whose practical advice had helped many.

I don't have permission to put it here, so I will direct you to it, I hope you read it and I hope it saves your sanity when dealing with folks who just don't get it and have no issues telling you.

Bean Dip! (for homeschoolers) at Get Off Your Butt Parenting

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Teacher Discounts, Do You have Your Cards?

  Borders has a 25% off discount for teachers.  Apply in store with proof of homeschooling.  You can use your HSLDA card or an approval letter to show that you are a homeschooler.

More details are here.

 Barnes and Noble has a good program as well.  Print out the application here  then take it into the store with proof of homeschooling to get your card.

Save 20% off the publisher's list price on all purchases for classroom use* Get up to 25% off the publisher's list price during Educator Appreciation Days Receive valuable email offers and information on special Educator events.

 AC Moore also has a teacher's discount.  Getting your card takes a little longer but is surely worth it, especially when you add in those 40% off coupons that come in the flyers.

To apply for a teacher discount card, please mail a copy of one of the following requirements to the address below.

Home Schooler Affidavit or IHIP approval letter from School District or your state
Home Schooling Certificate

Please include your name, home phone number, email address and the address where the card should be mailed. Please also include the name of the school, the school address and phone number, and the name of the school principal.

Please mail your information to:
A.C. Moore
Attn: Teacher Discount Program
130 A.C Moore Drive
Berlin, NJ 08009

 

 Joann Fabrics has one as well.  Go to this page for information.  

You can register online but must show proof of homeschooling the first time you go in.. 

 Teacher Appreciation Days | Sat. & Sun., Aug. 14 & 15

Staple is one of my favorites.  You can enroll online here.

Teacher Appreciation Day

Davis Straits Road, Falmouth, MA 02540
Date: Aug 21, 2010
Time: 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM (noon)

If you know of others, tell us by leaving a comment!

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I've found the Mother Lode!!

I have never seen a site with links to more free books than this one.  Have fun with it folks, I am.

Free Literature.org

**Scroll down to where it says continuing links to e-books and more

This one may have more ereader friendly ones as well....  World Ebook Fair

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Good to Know

I have always found it extremely helpful to keep current with homeschooling law and policy here in our state as well as our particular town.  I would strongly encourage you all to do so as well.  

It is important for any number of reasons; to be aware when our rights are being infringed upon, to not put anything in our home education plans not required by case law, to be able to confidently say "NO", when we are asked for extralegal information or are harassed with bureaucratic nonsense.  

For instance, twice now I have had to deal with the school insisting that I fill out their "official" form.  I will not do so and I will tell you why.  I have already given them every single piece of legally required information and they have no issues with the content of our home education plan.  My legal responsibilities are complete.  I wrote back with a cordial letter explaining that I have already complied with the law and I will not be using their form and why.  It likely didn't hurt that I added a CC to our region's HSLDA attorney.  In any case, it is simple bureaucratic nonsense and we do not need to cave in to their little whims. 

I urge you, in fact, to NOT do so.  Every one of us who caves in gives them that much more perceived power over every other homeschooler in their district.  It is bad precedent for all of us when some of us comply to extralegal demands.  

Here are the best sites for home school information in Massachusetts.  I urge you to become familiar with the case law and policy governing for everyone's sake, not just your own.

AHEM: Advocates for Home Education in Massachusetts

One of my favorites, become a "friend" and get the best newsletters around.  I have found them extremely helpful over the years and have made some important changes in reporting due to the information I've gleaned.

Massachusetts Home Learning Association

They have a really good section on case law and a very helpful  pdf called Information for Superintendents that I have sent in along with my home education plan a time or two when the schools I report to have changed leadership.  I am not a big fan of their other resources pages though.  I feel strongly that there are better ones out there.

Lastly, I encourage you to have a copy of your school's written policy at hand, if they have one, to refer to and to look over and see if they are requiring information you should not be providing.

Falmouth's homeschool policy is here under the Department of Pupil Personnel Services

Notice that they include a handy form for you to use.  I don't and won't use it.  If anyone would like me to email them a sample of the home education plan I use feel free to email me as ask.

If you know of the website for your school where the policy is listed please add it in the comment section of this post or email it to Lizzie Borden at miklizro at comcast dot net

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Helpful Website

I wanted to share this with those of you whom, like me, are wary of the dreaded, "Young Adult" section in bookstores and libraries.  While I would prefer my kids never left the classics of the children's room, I know that isn't practical and so, forewarned is forearmed.

While I don't agree with every review that I have read on this site so far, I am grateful for the effort and the help.  

Let me know what you think and if you'd like to see more posts like this one by leaving a comment on the website.

The Reading Teen: Parental Book Reviews

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Park Day is Relocating This Week Only

What:  Terri will be hosting a poolside potluck party at her home on Thursday.

Where: South Dennis

(no I didn't forget the street address, I don't want it plastered on the internet, see below for directions)

What Time:  12:00 to 3:00

Stragglers will be impressed into clean-up duty as always

Bring: swimsuit, towel, yummy food and sunscreen.

optional: pool toys, umbrella's and chairs

PLEASE: RSVP ASAP to get directions and because Terri needs a head count.

to Terri at 774-487-7948 or at chickenlady17 at yahoo dot com

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More Booksale Info!!

Good Morning!

I am here in a stack of books and realized I have dropped the ball at communicating some things about the sale.

At the sale we have two people working the check out. Usually Cindy Hobbs and Joanne Stewart do this. They are unable to help this year due to scheduling conflicts. We will need help manning the check out table. This can be done in hour slots. Please email me with your preference for time slot or let me know tonight. I will work the first hour. chickenlady17 at yahoo dot com      I have this weird feeling, I am not shopping. 

There may be new homeschooling families who need help. Please take time to introduce yourselves and offer help. I would love to help anyone shop, please ask. I can shop vicariously through you.

There is a great opportunity to get some deals thanks too Lori Chapman's great idea. There will be a bag sale table. This is where you put things that are not going to be sold and you wish to bless someone with. Shoppers can fill a bag for one low price with whatever their creative hands can stuff into it. The proceeds will go to Christ Chapel for the generous donation of the building for two events. Please put your donations here.

A Clothing Swap Table This is where we can bring gently used clothing to help us declutter. Kids and adult clothing are welcome. We will need someone to volunteer to bring the remaining items to the Salvation Army at the end of the sale. Please let me know if you can do this.

Unsold Books: Your books must be picked up or arrange to have someone pick them up for you. Sabra Stockdale at the Word Bookstore in Dennis will be hosting a used homeschool section in her store. If you would like to sell your books at her shop, you receive store credit to apply to new or used books or Bibles in her store. She also can order any items you need from her suppliers. The PACE labels are acceptable to her, you can cover your address if you like. You set the price.Your books need to be put on a master list for her to keep track of your sales. I will be bringing my books there. This is a new idea that I approached her about yesterday, she is not ready, so please see me if you have any questions about this. I will keep our group posted about this new venture. Also, if you do not want your books you can donate them to her or a local charity.

Please bring cash for the sale. In the past, some sellers have accepted checks. This is acceptable, but you must let the cashier know this. This is not the easiest for the cashiers, but we know impulse purchases can happen. You will receive your money at the end of the sale. If you are skilled at math and would like to help with the cash out please let me know.

If there is anything I have overlooked, please let me know. I just opened up this compartment of my brain, and I forgot what was supposed to be in it.

Your Sister,

Terri

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