2009 December

Homeschool PE Class Update

I have some information for the upcoming Homeschool PE class at Lou Hamilton Community Center. First let me clear any confusion about the date and time for the class. It will begin Monday, January 4th, at 12:30 and we will have to clear out of the Gym by 2:00. There is no pre-registration, you simply come to the class and fill out a short form. All of your children ages 12 and under are welcome to attend, and we will have activities & games for each age group. There are rooms in addition to the gymnasium that we will have access to if we need more room.     

We are pleasantly surprised to see that MANY families are planning to join this class! Due to faculty constraints and safety issues, I will definitely need to make a calendar for Moms/Dads to sign up to help with each age group. The ages will be split into 4 groups consisting of the following: 1-2 yr olds, 3-5's,6-8's, 9-12's. If after the first class we see that we should divide/combine the ages further, we can make changes. We will also set up a safe space for Moms with babies to play together, and you will not be required to help with games.     

Depending on the size of the class, I think we will need 2 helpers per group. You are welcome to stay with your own child's group as much as you want, or just sign up to help as needed. With as many families as we will have, you may only end up helping once per month if every Mom signs on.     

Also, for those that have a teenaged child attending with you, we'd love to have their help with games. You might count it as community service credit for "mentoring" the younger children! The staff at the Center say that they will jump in and help as much as possible, but it is ultimately our job to keep watch over our children.  

I have set up a Yahoo group to help with communication between us all regarding the class. I will be sending an invitation to join the group to all of the homeschool group emails that I am aware of. The yahoo group is:  SAhomeschoolPE@yahoogroups.com  and if I've figured it out right, the way to subscribe is this:     SAhomeschoolPE-subscribe@yahoogroups.com I will try this week to set up a calendar to begin the helpers list.   Thanks for taking time to read this! Have a great Monday! Stacy Molina smolina23@satx.rr.com

SAT Prep with Mrs. Bauml

Dates:  January 9, 2010,  January 16, 2010 
Time: 10:00 am–2:00 pm (both days)
96 Crossroads Blvd., Suite 100
(next to Gold’s Gym). 

Comprehensive Mathematics and English course to help high school students prepare for the January SAT test. For more information or to register, call Pauline Bauml, 210-287-1898. 
Cost for the course is $150.00, payable by check or money order. 
Mail to: Pauline Bauml
  9130 Oak Downs
  San Antonio, TX 78230

The Rose Theatre Home School Class

What a great way for your kids to socialize and work on skills they will need the rest of their lives. We will be rehearsing different scenes from plays, monologues and movies. *Students can audition to perform in the 'Theatre Tots' plays during the year.
 
Monday  10am-12pm
January 4- May 3
All Classes $390* ea.

Call NOW to guarantee your student a place in class.
210-360-0004

*$50 deposit is required to reserve a students place in class.
 Sincerely,   Jessie Rose
The Rose Theatre Company
210-360-0004

Spurs Youth Basketball League

Youth, ages 6 to 14, are invited to sign up now for the Spurs Youth Basketball League to be held at 16 Parks and Recreation Community Centers.  Teams will hit the courts for league play beginning Monday, Feb. 1.  The cost is $5.  Volunteer coaches are needed.    
The Spurs Youth Basketball League is a socially-themed recreational basketball program.  Formerly known as the Spurs Drug-Free League, the new name brings an expanded focus to the players, "positive choices" and "respect for all." Both of the messages encompass being drug, alcohol and tobacco free.

The Spurs Youth Basketball League is funded by the nonprofit Spurs Foundation with financial support from Pizza Hut and Valero. The Kids Sports Network administers the league on behalf of the Spurs and acts as the liaison with the Parks and Recreation Department. The Spurs Foundation pays for player and coach jerseys, background checks, banners and a variety of other materials. The Parks and Recreation Department provides gym space, registers players, recruits coaches, schedule games and practices and organizes and operate the program.  Registration is ongoing at any of the 16 participating Parks and Recreation Community Centers.  For more information on registration call 207-3000.

National GeoBee

SA-HERO will be hosting the National Geographic Geo Bee. The competition will take place on January 11th, 2:00 pm at the Semmes Library. Students in grades four to eight who have not reached their 15th birthday by September 1, 2009 can participate. There is no cost to enter the Bee. All you need to do is send an email with your email and the student's name and birthdate to GeoBee@sahero.org. We don't anticipate running short on space but if we do, students will be admitted according to registration date.

National History Day

SA-HERO will be hosting National History Day on Tuesday, January 26 at 6:00 pm at the Converse Library. Winners will progress to the regional competition on February 28th. Competition categories and requirements are available at www.nhd.org. If you are interested in participating, send an email with the following information to nhd@sahero.org:

Name:
Division: (Senior or Junior)
Category:
Entry Title:
Email Contact:
Phone Contact:

If you will be submitting a paper, documentary, or website, you will need to turn it by January 22nd and results will be presented on the 26th. Please email us if you have any questions.

High School Varsity Baseball Team Practices

Varsity baseball practice will be held from 3-6 PM at Bain Field (click for a map) on the following dates:

Tue 12/1    Fri 12/4
Tue 12/8    Fri 12/11
Tue 12/15

All  high school age homeschool players and 8th graders at least age 13 are welcome. The San Antonio Homeschool Wolverines are a baseball program for homeschool students.  We are currently looking to form a varsity (possibly a JV) and middle school program. For more information send a message to sasoefje@sahomeschoolbaseball.org. Visit www.sahomeschoolbase.org for more information.

Institute for Excellence in Writing Workshops with Andrew Pudewa

Our presenter is the director of the Institute for Excellence in Writing and father of seven. Leading seminars and workshops throughout North America, he addresses issues relating to teaching, writing, thinking, spelling, and music with clarity, insight, practical experience, and humor. His courses for parents, students and teachers have helped transform many a reluctant writer and have equipped educators with powerful tools to dramatically improve students skills. Although he is a graduate of the Talent Education Institute in Japan and holds a Certificate of Child Brain Development from the Institutes for the Achievement of Human Potential in Philadelphia, his best endorsement is from a young Alaskan student who called him the funny man with the wonderful words.� He and his beautiful, heroic wife Robin currently teach their three youngest children at home in Locust Grove, Oklahoma.

Where:
Leon Springs Baptist Church
24133 Boerne Stage Rd.
San Antonio, TX 78255

To register for any or all of these events, go to:
http://www.excellenceinwriting.com
Link under Events Tab or call (800) 856-5815

Wed., 1/6: High School Essay Intensive
Thurs., 1/7: Introductory Student Workshops
Thurs. Evening, 1/7: A Freedomship Education� Paradigm NO COST open to the
public!
Fri. & Sat., 1/8-9: Teaching Writing: Structure & Style

Teaching Writing: Structure and Style
A Two-Day Seminar for Teachers, Parents, Tutors, College Students
 Friday & Saturday, January 8-9 8:30 - 4:15 pm
Cost: $89.00/participant (2nd family member half price)

The structure and style syllabus teaches models and techniques for English composition which logically build upon each other, allowing students to become familiar and competent with a variety of writing formats and styles. As opposed to many "creative" writing approaches, this more classical system stresses modeling and builds a firm foundation of specific skills.

Rebuilding Your Education Paradigm
Teaching for Freedomship�
An Evening Presentation for Teachers, Parents, Grandparents, all Educators.

Thursday, January 7 7:00 - 8:30 pm
Cost: None! Open to the Public! Entertaining & Inspiring! Bring Friends!

Escaping the "conveyor belt" approach of institutional education by which most of us were shaped isn't easy, but it has to be done. For many parents, our greatest handicap as teachers is our own education but it need not be so. In this inspiring and empowering session, you will not only come to understand the nature and purpose of today's educational system as it was
originally conceived and designed, but you will see a shining alternative path, one that develops true thinkers, leaders, and communicators so desperately needed in today's world.

High School Essay Intensive
A One-Day Seminar for High School age students and teachers
Wednesday, January 6 8:30 - 3:30 pm
Cost: $50.00/participant (parents $25 if attending with student)

The High School Essay Prep class is an excellent way to get immediate experience and inside tips on how to do your best on the timed, 25 minute response to a prompt required on the new SAT test. Participants will actually write two full essays, carefully study and then apply the College Board evaluation criteria to sample essays, while receiving a detailed booklet of resources and suggestions for continued practice.

Additionally, students will learn special structure and style tools for use in composing the college application "personal essay" an entirely different type of writing task. The complete process will be presented: choosing the question, creating the outline, and polishing a final version. Participants will leave with a clear concept of the task, their own outline for an actual
personal essay, and several new tricks and techniques to add to their repertoire.

Introductory Student Workshops
Two-hour workshops for students Grade 2-9, new to the IEW writing program
Thursday, January 7, 2009
Cost: $15.00/participant (Teachers & Parents may observe at no cost)

These one-day classes for students Grades 2-10 will present the Structure & Style Unit I/II idea of key word outlining, along with selected stylistic techniques. (Grade levels are approximate; no previous experience presumed.)
Grade 2-4: 9:00am-10:45am
Grade 5-6: 11:00am-12:45pm
Grade 7-9: 1:00pm-3:00pm
Note: These classes are very similar to those published as part of IEW™s DVD series.

Current Open Theater Offers

Here are the current open homeschool theater offers. Tickets are subject to availability, order early for best seats.   Feel free to pass onto others. If you do order, please send Susan Frederick at sjf@jsoft.com an email and let me know how many tickets and which show. That helps me keep track of if we are making our group min. Each theater company has their own method for ordering, so I have included the appropriate links.

Majestic Theater San Antonio, BAA San Antonio:

• 101 Dalmatians, South Pacific
• The 39 Steps
• Young Frankenstein
• Disney on ICE

South Pacific - offer expires Feb 15
Performance dates are Wed March 2, 2010 at 8pm, Thursday, March 4, 2010 at 8pm, Sunday, March 7, 2010 at 2pm
 
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

Call for Playhouse and Fort Design Entries

To be installed at the San Antonio Botanical Garden, Playhouses & Forts is scheduled to debut June 26, 2010 and is sure to offer fun for kids of all ages. This exhibit will be comprised of ten original installations chosen through a design contest.
 
The Botanical Garden is currently looking for creative, inspirational playhouses and forts for this unique show. The design contest is open to everyone; businesses, families, neighbors, community groups as well as innovative individuals may submit their ideas. Playhouses & Forts is endorsed by the American Institute of Architects, San Antonio chapter.
 
A Pre-design Meeting offering full entry information is scheduled at the Botanical Garden on Friday, January 22, 2010. The designs are due February 26, 2010. Ten designs will be selected by March 15, 2010 by a panel of judges. The winners will then be given a $3,500 stipend to build and install their design in the Garden next summer. (Collaboration between individuals and businesses is encouraged.)
 
For more information, contact Marisa Ayala at mayala@sabot.org or 210-829-5360.

Free Homeschool PE Class

I am organizing a weekly physical education class for the Lou Hamilton Community Center for ALL homeschoolers to start in January. This class is NOT exclusive to any one homeschool group. They are offering, for free, a coached PE class in their full-sized gymnasium. They have, in addition to PE type exercises, basketball, dodgeball, volleyball, indoor soccer, and many other games. It will be for 1 1/2 hours, and you may participate with your children or watch from the bleachers. Also, they say if there is enough interest, they will facilitate any sort of class that the Moms want to take while the children are in the PE class. If so, there would be a small fee for the Mom's class.    

To begin with, I would like to keep the age range for this class at 12 and under. There is plenty of room in the Gym and additional rooms to divide the children by age for games, if necessary. Please don't worry about our younger children being too close to older ones during games. Also, if we find that there are enough teens interested to start a class or ball league, that is offered by the community center as well.     

Currently, there is a Homeschool Volleyball League set to begin in January. Here are the details for that:  *Open to boys and girls, ages 9-13. Cost is only $5-- I have attached a registration form, or you can stop by the Lou Hamilton Recreation Center on Nacogdoches Rd. to sign up. Please pass this on to other homeschoolers! We will meet Thursdays from 12-1:30pm, beginning January 7. This is a great way to incorporate PE into your school day!   Thanks for reading this far!! The PE Class will be every Monday starting at 12:30 and we have to be out of the Gym by 2:00 because an adult class will be coming in. It was their decision to offer this weekly, I know that might be too much to ask from many of you busy Moms. If you could join us every other week, I'm sure that would be fine too.   You can contact me with any questions or concerns. Have a blessed Thanksgiving week!
Stacy Molina smolina23@satx. rr.com  

2009 Homeschool Visual Arts Contest

Presented by Home Team Homeschool Support Group of San Antonio. All students in grades K-12 are invite to participate in the 2009 Homeschool Art Contest. This program is designed to raise awareness and appreciation of artistic expression within the homeschool community. Students also have the chance to win valuable prizes and have their artworks displayed in the community. Entries must be received by December 2, 2009. For rules and entry forms, contact Teresa Clifford at 370-3359 zainey75@hotmail or Jennifer Strickland at 219-4929 stricklandaircraft@sbcglobal.net.

Béxar: December 1835--Prelude to the Alamo

The Daughters of the Republic of Texas and the Alamo will present a unique educational opportunity on the evening of Saturday, December 12, 2009. The public is invited to view a museum gallery presentation entitled Béxar: December 1835--Prelude to the Alamo. Visitors will be escorted through the grounds to view a series of historical vignettes designed to tell the story of the Battle of Béxar and events that led to the second battle for the town—the Battle of the Alamo.

Saturday, December 12, 2008 6:30 PM to 10:30 PM
Open to the Public
$10.00 ticket fee per person

Due to the nature of the event, the audience will be limited to the first 500 who purchase tickets of this exciting event. The event will run from 6:30 PM until 10:30 PM.
Individual ticket price is $10. Tickets for the event can be purchased by calling 210-225-1391, ext. 28. Payment should be mailed to the following address:
Prelude to the Alamo
P.O. Box 2599
San Antonio, Texas 78299.
For ticket information, contact Ernesto Rodriguez at 210-225-1391, ext. 28 erodriguez@thealamo.org

Spring Children's Vegetable Garden Program

When: FEBRUARY 20 thru JUNE 5
For whom: Children 8-13 in age
What time: 16 Saturday’s from 9:00-11:00 am
at times possibly till noon
About The Program:
Texas AgriLife Extension Service provides an opportunity for children 8-13 in age to learn about gardening by growing their own vegetables through the mentoring of Bexar County Master Gardener volunteers. Each child is allotted a 4’x 28’ plot at the beautiful San Antonio Botanical Garden. Children will have fun growing different types of seeds, herbs, vegetables, and ornamental annual flowers. Weekly educational gardening presentations will stimulate these young minds. The children will also participate in fun, hands-on Junior Master Gardener activities.

In order to gain the most from the learning experience and to help ensure successful growing, participants are required to attend all sessions (two absences are allowed). Families are welcome to share the gardening experience with their child(ren); however, parents should remember that this is the child’s plot and learning experience.

How to Apply:
Legibly complete the attached application and submit it to the San Antonio Botanical Garden no later then Friday, Feb 5, 2010. Space is limited, so apply early. The submission of an application does not necessarily confirm acceptance into the program. Acceptance in the program will be based on completeness of the application and willingness to attend each Saturday morning session (two absences are allowed). Participants accepted into the program will be notified by Feb 16. After notification of acceptance into the program, a non-refundable program fee of $20 which is used for the purchase of seeds, plants, compost, fertilizer, mulch, and other material would be paid on Feb 20, the first day of registration/orientation. Checks may be made payable to the SABG Children’s Vegetable Garden Program.
Submit spring 2010 Application no later then Friday, Feb 5, 2010 to:
Children’s Vegetable Garden Program
San Antonio Botanical Garden
555 Funston  San Antonio, TX 78209
The San Antonio Botanical Garden is a division of the
City of San Antonio Parks and Recreation Department.
For more information, please contact the Program Coordinator: David Rodriguez with the Texas AgriLife Extension Service at dhrodriguez@ag.tamu.edu

Home School Days: Under the Sea!

Incredible Pizza Company's next Home School Day will feature Under the Sea! We will have a guest speaker, educational activities for the children, arts and crafts, and much more! No registration necessary. Prices includes all programs and workshops. Monday, December 7th, 10:00 am to 2:00pm. For more information or to reserve your spot today, call 342-2121 ext. 12. www.sa-ipc.com