2008 July

Viva Books Homeschool Book Discussion

Coming in the fall of 2008! Viva! Books will be offering a wonderful literary experience for students which will include:

• Student book choice.
• Dynamic literature discussions.
• Engaging collaboration with peers.
• Meaningful art, writing, and digital activities designed to increase comprehension.

The group will be facilitated by Mary Ellen Galloway, a Montessori teacher with 15 years of classroom experience and graduate work in Reading and Literacy. $25 fee includes book, food, and materials. Call or email to register and declare your book choice!
 
Tween (8-12) selections for the meeting on Thursday, October 9, 2008 are:
 
The Mysterious Benedict Society by Trenton Lee Stewart
The Wright 3 by Blue Balliet                           
The Westing Game by Ellen Raskin

Teen (13-18) selections for the meeting on Thursday, November 13, 2008 are:
 
The Rag and Bone Shop by Robert Cormier           
The Book Thief by Markus Zusak           
Last Shot:  A Final Four Mystery by John Feinstein

Viva! Bookstore at Viva Galleria
8407 Broadway
San Antonio, Texas 78209
Tel: 800-826-1143
Fax: 210-826-8321
Email: amegall@grandecom.net
Contact: Mary Ellen Galloway

Attention Simulation at Learning Foundations

On Saturday morning August 9, Learning Foundations in San Antonio, TX, will offer a simulation experience that helps parents, teachers, and other professionals experience what it is like to actually have attention challenges. More and more parents and professionals are getting training in dealing with students who have learning challenges. But what is it like to HAVE the condition...to live each day fighting to focus on what is happening in the school classroom? That's the critical piece that training generally lacks.

After attending an Attention Challenges Simulation, a mom said, "This was a very valuable experience. I was surprised at how easily I gave up when challenged by distractions. I know why a child with attention issues might misbehave. I couldn't imagine having to cope with this type of frustration on a daily basis."

This is a fun, but eye-opening experience that can help anyone working with children with attention problems to better understand and at least diminish the frustration these children feel.

Developed by Drs. Joe and Carol Utay, Professors and Educators from Pittsburgh, the simulation places participants in a classroom setting and will have them try to focus through a series of distractions. Throughout the simulation, participants can ask questions and discuss their experience.
The purpose of the simulation is for participants to experience, first-hand, the daily challenges facing children with dyslexia, attention challenges, or auditory processing challenges.

The simulation will be held on Saturday, August 9, from 10:00 am to 12 Noon at the Learning Foundations Center, 2817 Thousand Oaks, San Antonio, TX 78232. While the event is held as a service to parent and professionals, they request that you make a reservation so that materials can be ready for all who attend.

Diana Ames, Director of Learning Foundations said, "If you feel what these kids feel, you can help them in a more effective way. I am amazed by how frustrated these kids must be."
For more information or reservations, call Dawn Schultz, Director of First Impressions, Learning Foundations at (210) 495-2626.

ENAACT Family Academy  home school co-op

ENAACT Family Academy  home school co-op is accepting applications for the 2008-09 school year.  ENAACT offers a full schedule of core classes for grades K-12.  Core classes meet on Monday and Wednesday for 2-16 week semesters.  Students may take only one course or sign up for all the courses offered.
 
Secondary core classes include Pre- Algebra, Algebra  I and II, World Cultures and Geography, Government/Economics,   Apologia Biology, Physics,  Anatomy/Physiology,  General Science, and Physical Science, World Literature, American Literature, British Literature, American History, and World History.
 
Elementary classes include grade level Language Arts/History that focuses on Shurley Grammar, history with related literature, and vocabulary, Horizons Math, and Apologia Science. 
 
ENAACT offers a student council, Honor Society, Praise Band, Ultimate Frisbee games, Prom and Graduation, Swing Dance, and other activities for our secondary students.
 
We also offer Friday elective classes in Spanish, Art, Drama, Ballroom Dance, P.E. and other fun classes. 
 
Consider this an invitation to come see if our unique program meets your family’s academic and/or creative needs.
 
For more information, visit our website at www.enaact.net.  To RSVP for an information meeting, please call 830-626-0320. 
 

Join the GIRL and CUB SCOUTS of the HILL COUNTRY HOME SCHOOL SCOUTS!

Friendships, camping skills, leadership skills and fun are just some of the reasons you should consider joining us! For girls aged 5 through 17 years old and boys aged 6 through 11. We meet on selected Tuesdays at Beefy’s Backyard, 25900 US 281 N 78258, about 5 miles north of Loop 1604. Cub Scouts have an additional pack meeting once a month at the Bulverde Community Center. We are a very camping oriented group, offering 5-6 campouts per year.

Contact Info:

Gwendolyn Hays, Coordinator
gwendolyn_hays@yahoo.com
or Tilly Copley, Membership at 210-945-9943
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/HCHSS

Grace Point Conservatory and Crystal Sea Drama Registration

Grace Point Conservatory and Crystal Sea Drama Registration Registration has now started for Grace Point Conservatory of the Arts and for Crystal Sea Drama Company. Classes are held on Thursdays at Grace Point Church, 9750 Huebner Road. This year's classes include Acting on Camera, American Sign Language, Art, Beginning Film making, Character Building Through Paper Arts, Contemporary Music Group, Costume Design, Dance, Design and Architecture, French Horn, Fundamentals of Guitar, Hebrew Dance, Holy Yoga, Jewelry Making, Keyboard, Photography, Piano, Set Design, Theatre Arts, Trumpet, Voice, Writing for the Stage, and Young Choral Group. There are classes for ages K-adult. For more information or to register, contact Irene Miller, irene@crystalseadrama.org or 210/849-0934 or visit our website, www.crystalseadrama.org. Classes start on September 4, with a mandatory orientation on August 21, 2 p.m.

Color Purple Homeschool discount

The homeschool discount offer is up and active for The Color Purple at the Magestic Theater in San Antono.
15% off plus save on service fees.
 
Offer expires on August 1st.
Show dates are:
Wednesday, September 10, 2008 at 8pm
Sunday, September 14, 2008 at 2pm
Sunday, September 14, 2008 at 7:30pm
Variety of seating/pricing options.
NOTE: for this show, sales are limited to 6 tickets per person.
http://www.jsoft.com/archive/taffie/BroadwaySA.html
Order your tickets by logging on to:
http://www.broadwayacrossamerica.com/groupsales
and enter your special password:
taffiesa
 
if you order, send an email to Susan Frederick at sjf@jsoft.com and let me know how many tickets and which performance.
 
Show Description: The Color Purple
 From the classic Pulitzer Prize-winning novel by Alice Walker, and the moving film by Steven Spielberg, comes a soul-stirring new musical and landmark Broadway event. THE COLOR PURPLE is an inspiring family saga that tells the unforgettable story of a woman who through love finds the strength to triumph over adversity and discover her unique voice in the world. Set to a joyous score featuring jazz, ragtime, gospel and blues, THE COLOR PURPLE is a story of hope, a testament to the healing power of love and a celebration of life. Directed by Gary Griffin, THE COLOR PURPLE is adapted for the stage by Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award winner Marsha Norman, with music and lyrics by Grammy Award winners Brenda Russell, Allee Willis and Stephen Bray and choreography by Donald Byrd.
 
Please pass this onto other lists and other homeschoolers. Offer is open to friends and family too.

Elks Soccer Shoot Out

Saturday, Aug. 23, 2008
10 a.m.
Lincoln Community Center, 2915 E. Commerce
Normoyle Community Center, 700 Culberson
Melendrez Community Center, 5909 W. Commerce
207-3056
Show your soccer finesse in this kicking shoot out open to boys and girls ages 6-14. Participants compete by kicking a soccer ball into the goal for points awarded based on level of difficulty. 8 & Under, 10 & Under, 12 & Under, 14 & Under. Participant with the highest total points advances to the ELKS local competition. Boys and girls compete separately with winners in both genders and all ages. The ELKS local competition will be hosted by Melendrez Community Center on Saturday, Sept. 6, with 9 a.m. registration and the competition beginning at 10 a.m.

Flag Football

League starts Sept. 8, 2008
Registration starts late July/throughout August
Games are Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.
Weekday games 6 – 9 p.m.
Weekend games 9:30 a.m.– 4 p.m.
Locations: 24 year-round community centers, call for list
Cost: $5 annual youth athletics fee
207-3056
For ages 6–16. Texas Amateur Athletics Association (TAAF) eight-man flag football. No-contact co-ed league structured to familiarize participants with football. Participants may register as an individual, group or team. Center staff collect names and create teams and schedules. Participants do not have to be skilled. Have fun and make new friends. All players are eligible receivers so games are high scoring and fun to watch.

Host an International Student

My name is LaJuan and I work with international students coming to the area to attend local high schools this fall.  They are in need of host families.  These students come from a variety of backgrounds and have many different interests.  I have successfully placed students with homeschool families many times and it has been beneficial for everyone.  The opportunity to learn about another culture, another language and another part of the world is enriching for your children as well as our students. You can view available students at http://pieusa.info.  Use Family LDixon as the user name and pie0053 as the password.  Click on any country to see the students coming this fall.  There is no typical family!  Single parents, large and small families can all enjoy the benefits of welcoming one of our students.  Host families provide room, board and loving support.  Students have their own spending money and health insurance.  They speak English and are good students prepared to be part of an American family. Please help me spread the word to your members.  We are a non-profit program and we have been placing students for over 30 years.  Many thanks in advance for your help! LaJuan    LaJuan Dixon Regional Manager Pacific Intercultural Exchange
1-866-783-6084toll free
lajuan@pieusa.org

Homeschool Book Club

Coming in the Fall of 2008!
 
Viva! Books will be offering a wonderful literary experience for home schoolers which will include:

• Student book choice.
• Dynamic literature discussions.
• Engaging collaboration with peers.
• Meaningful art and writing activities designed to increase comprehension and text connections.
• Basic instruction in digital literacy.

The fall schedule is as follows:
October 3, 2008
9:00-12:00
Elementary students ages 8-12.
 
November 7, 2008
9:00-12:00
Middle and High School students ages 13-18.
 
The registration fee is $25 per student. This will include the cost of the book, food, and materials. There will be a $5 sibling discount. You will be sent a list of book choices about a month before each class so that orders can be placed. Class limit: 25

Viva! Bookstore at Viva Galleria
8407 Broadway
San Antonio, Texas 78209
Tel: 800-826-1143
Fax: 210-826-8321
Email: amegall@grandecom.net ; rosalyn@viva.com
Contact: Mary Ellen Galloway or Rosalyn Collier

Children's Chorus of San Antonio

The Children's Chorus of San Antonio is pleased to announce a new season of its choral music program for boys and girls ages 7 through 14. Auditions are open to all youth ages 7-14, regardless of race or national origin.

The Junior Chorus, ages 9-14, begins its performance year the first week of September. Sessions meet 4:20 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. every Tuesday and will continue weekly through the season with several concerts planned. Rehearsals will be held at Alamo Heights United Methodist Church. 

The Prelude Choir, ages 7 and 8, begins its performance the first week of September. Rehearsals will be held at The Forum at Lincoln Heights.

Children do not have to know how to read music. Training in musical skills comes with membership in the chorus. Last Chance Auditions will be held on Saturday August 16 from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. All auditions must be scheduled in advance. Please call 826.3447 to schedule your appointment.

Soccer Tryouts

Homeschool Dad coaches a soccer team and they are having tryouts. We have 2 homeschoolers on the team, and we would love to have more! This is a brand new soccer club, that is dedicated to teaching any boy, who wants to learn. They don't just recruit the tallest or the fastest, but the most dedicated.

THIS IS A COMPETITIVE TEAM
SA Club Arsenal Tryouts for Fall 2008
Competition Level: Division II
When: 6:30PM-8:00PM
Every Tuesday & Thursday until the end of July, 2008
Where: McAllister Park Upper Bee Tree fields
Contact: Luis Perez 210-259-6473

SA-HERO's Homeschool Roundup Conference

San Antonio Home Education Resources and Opportunities (HERO) will host the 5th Annual Home Education Resource Roundup, July 26th, from 8:30 am to 5:00 pm at St. PJ's Children's Home in San Antonio, Texas.

This year's conference will include a used curriculum and book sale the Friday night before the conference. There is no admission charge to attend the book sale and only $5.00 to sell your own items.

The Roundup is one-stop shopping for anyone looking for homeschool related resources including area support groups, co-ops, tutors, extracurricular activities, field trips, and curriculum resources. Visit the Roundup homepage for more information.