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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Reminder

Hey everyone, bonus month!  

We get to gather together again but this time at Christ Chapel, next week on Tuesday the 15th from 6-8.   Come on out and join us!

This is both fellowship and book drop off for the annual sale on the following day.  

Here, again, are the details for the sale.

 

Details for the Sale

Everyone is welcome to sell at this event, the more the merrier.  

If you would like to sell your used books and curriculum, here is what you need to do!

1. Print out this form to price your books, tape 2 labels on each book, one for the cashier and a back-up in case one gets lost.  

2. Drop off is Tuesday, June 15th from 6-8 at Christ Chapel in Centerville.  Our monthly meeting will be held there that night so we will be hanging out and gabbing as will some of our teens.  We will be setting up the tables that evening for the sale.   You also need to give Lori Chapman $2.00 to help defray the cost of using the building when you drop off your books.

3. If you can't get there that night, call around and see if you can drop them off with someone who is going to the meeting.

4. You need to pick up any unsold books at 12:00, the end of the sale or you may donate them to PACE who will get them to various charities that help home schoolers in need.

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Great New Toolbar for Homeschoolers!

The Homeschool Gadget Toolbar is my new "find".  It has tons of great features all working together to make our homeschooling life simpler.  Plus handy dandy other things like weather and internet radio.

It also has a great Google search feature, instant access to the top 100 homeschool sites and blogs and communities and more. I have just begun to explore all it's features.

You can read a great review on it here.

And you can download it and try it for yourself here!

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Monthly Meeting(s) Reminder

Hey Everyone!

We are heading out on Thursday, June 3rd from 6PM til they kick us out at Borders in Hyannis!

Come and join us for fellowship and fun.

Teens come out and hang too.  You can grab your own tables and have your own fellowship time.

Moms get your Border's Teacher Cards and get awesome savings!

*Don't forget there will be another meeting this month on June 15th at Christ Chapel in Centerville so that we can do book drop offs for the Annual Book-sale on Wednesday the 16th.

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