Home School Enrichment Magazine

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Homeschooling High School With A Special Needs Student

Many times people think a special needs student can not be homeschooled through high school and receive a diploma. My friend and I are trying to learn all we can in order to prove them wrong. This post is a collection of information and my thoughts. I am sure it will be updated many times as we learn more, but I hope it will be a help to others. 

:) Vicki

[ The following information is taken from CHEF of La:]

Homeschooling Special Needs Children

1. Join HSLDA (Home School Legal Defense Association).

2. Assess the child’s learning style – visual, audio, etc. A parent may enlist the assistance of a therapist if the child is receiving speech, occupational or physical therapy.

3. Select and purchase curriculum with consideration of the child’s learning style.

4. Brainstorm on ways to modify/customize your teaching style to match the child’s learning style, e.g., use posters, videos and pictures for a visual learner.

5. Utilize catalogs to get ideas on how to stimulate the child in a special learning style and enhance the learning experience.

6. Continually familiarize yourself with your child’s special needs and special way of learning.

7. Frequent breaks may be of great benefit in educating a special needs child.

8. Use the child’s interests as starting points for studies.

9. Utilize a library to supplement purchased curriculum or study materials.

10.Explore items from nature and your general household to provide hands-on experience while teaching.

11.Read books on home schooling, both basic instruction and information as well as emphasis on special needs children.

12.Guard any and all personal information. Avoid participation in public/government surveys of medical or educational nature if at all possible.

What else can I do for my special needs child? by Joyce Herzog

Become a better teacher!!

A. Be very consistent in treatment of behavior.

B. Organize the physical setting where learning will take place.

C. Provide a warm, caring, positive, encouraging emotional climate.

D. Analyze the problem and find a next-step solution.

E. Keep your cool and don’t punish inability or confusion.

F. Reward effort and small signs of progress.

G. Find ways to repeat information in different ways and with different materials.

H. Ask for and use your creative child’s ideas when it is reasonable to do so.

I. Let down and play with your child.

J. Decide what is really important and concentrate on that!

K. Be on your child’s side. Remember, he is a person: your spiritual brother or sister.

Resources NATHHAN: National Challenged Homeschoolers Associated Network, www.nathhan.com.

HSLDA: Homeschool Legal Defense Association. Homeschooling Your Special Needs Child; www.hslda.org.

Does my child need a High School Diploma?

A student almost never needs a diploma. Few academic institutions accept diplomas for admission, and rarely do they or employers ever ask to actually see one. Academic institutions are most often interested in transcripts. Stating ‘yes’ and filling in the name of your home school or even writing ‘home school’ on the application is sufficient for most employment. You would, of course, need to research any institution or program that your child may be applying to in order to determine whether or not a diploma is required and if so, whether or not it must be from an accredited institution. If a diploma from an accredited school is desired, there are distance-learning programs offered by many accredited schools that cater to home educators. Be sure a particular school’s accreditations are recognized in your state and/or by the institution requiring the diploma before enrolling in any program.

Who issues the Diploma?

Unless your child will require a diploma from an accredited school, you, the parent, acting as administrator or principle of your home school will issue your child their diploma. A parent may ‘fill-in-the-blanks’ on a store bought preprinted certificate, print a computer generated diploma, order one from a local printer or purchase an impressive diploma from one of the many Internet businesses dedicated to serving home educators. HSLDA sells diplomas on their website as well.

Should my child get a GED?

In most cases, it is not necessary. There are some situations where it might actually be detrimental. If your child plans on attending an institution of higher learning of any sort, then you would need to research the institution’s admission policies. Most institutions have developed policies regarding homeschooled students. Some colleges treat them as equal to GED applicants, while others place additional requirements on persons with a GED than those who homeschool. The military no longer requires homeschooled students to obtain a GED.

Do I need to keep records?

Yes, even if your child does not plan to attend college, you will need to keep accurate records of your child’s academic history. Some states may require a student’s academic records in order to obtain a student’s driver’s license, some auto insurance companies calculate their rates based on the student’s records or they may be required for admission to a special program for high school students. A program your child wishes to attend in the future may not require any documentation at present however; the policy may change by the time your child applies for admission. A young person’s career choice may change many times during the high school years. Your child may decide to attend college, after all. Some colleges require transcripts and some do not. Transcripts might be required when applying for a particular scholarship. In any case, it is much easier to maintain documentation as one progresses, than it is to backtrack in order to collect the necessary information. What type of records should I keep? Transcripts are the documentation of the academic courses your child completed along with the grades they received (GPA). There are many books, computer programs and websites that offer various reproducible forms that will help you generate a traditional transcript with instructions on calculating a GPA. A typical transcript will not be sufficient in recording all of the information you might need or wish to compile. Assemble a portfolio in which you would keep a complete history of your child’s high school career.

The documentation you may wish to put in your student’s portfolio could include:  

· Transcripts

· Annual standardized test scores (CAT, IOWA, Stanford, etc.)

· Scores from college entrance exams (ACT, SAT, etc.)

· Letters of recommendation

 · Student essays

· Commendations received through participation in clubs and organizations (4H, Scouts, civic and political groups, etc.)

· Certificates earned through instructional courses (CPR, life guard training, foreign languages, cake decorating, computer programming, etc.)

· Music and dance competition scores

· Records of sports participation and statistics

· Records of employment and apprenticeships

· Records of community service projects and hours of service Anything that shows your child has demonstrated leadership skills, responsibility, ability to learn, and ability to finish a task should be included in your record keeping.

Not all of this material may be necessary, but as stated earlier, you may need it down the road.

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[The following information is taken from HSLDA]

High School Diplomas: “[A] high school diploma awarded by a home study program approved by the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education shall be deemed by all public postsecondary educational institutions, all state departments, agencies, boards, and commissions, and all other state and local governmental entities to have all of the rights and privileges afforded to a high school diploma awarded by a state-approved nonpublic school.” La. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 17:236.1(G).

A renewal application [to be an approved home study] “shall be approved” if … a teacher certified to teach at the child’s grade level writes a statement that he has examined the program being offered and that in his professional opinion the child “is being taught in accordance with a sustained curriculum of quality at least equal to that offered by public schools at the same grade level” or “at least equal to that offered by public schools to children with similar disabilities.”

(NOTE: It doesn’t say how many years a student is required to register as an approved home study if they want a high school diploma but not TOPS. My best guess would be 11^th and 12^th grade would be required.)

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The best I can tell from looking at the La DOE website, minimum high school credits should look something like this:

Subject               Credits

English                   4

Math                      4

Science                  3

P.E.                       1.5

Health                   .5

Social Studies        3

Electives                7

                           _____

Total                      23

This is just a general guide for what to take and the actual course content can vary according to the interest/ability of the student. The decision of what to include in each class and how to assign grades is up to you. If you know someone (maybe a counselor or teacher) who works with special needs students they should be able to give you some guidelines of what is expected. This will help ensure that what you choose is at least equal to what is offered by public schools.

Your plan may look something like:

English classes = Ancient Lit, British Lit, American Lit, and Business English. Read books (can use audio books) from these time periods and do a report on one. Throw in a Grammar workbook if you feel the need. Bible class can also be used as English if you consider it Literature.

Math classes = General Math I, General Math II, Personal Finance, Business Math.

Science = Just choose three: General Science, Physical Science, Geology, Astronomy, Earth Science. Read short biographies of scientist in these fields, and watch some PBS shows.

Social Studies = Geography, American History, World History. Do map work, read biographies and historical fiction from time period you’re studying, and watch some movies.

Electives = Options are endless. Home Ec, Nutrition, Speech, Word Processing/Typing, Music Appreciation, Art Appreciation, Church History, Ag, Woodworking, Quilting, Auto Mechanics, Drafting, Photography, Cinematography, Pottery, Basket Weaving, Choir, Theater, Computer Science, Ethics, Carpentry, Plumbing, Fashion & Design, Animal Care, Cosmetology, … I think the topic of any 4-H book can be an elective. ( I got ideas from http://www.lpssonline.com/uploads/1011Courseguide.pdf).

Work through each class at the students own pace, but keep a record of hours worked because 1 credit is earned after approximately 150 hours of work. (30 weeks of school, 5 hours a week). It doesn’t have to be “book work”. Any time spent on the subject counts – i.e. watching movie about historical event, visiting science museums, etc.

I found an interview with a woman who runs a Christian school and had great ideas on homeschooling high school with a special needs student. Her school offers a “General Education” diploma. It is designed for students who can work at or near high school level with modifications and who are not meeting all of the courses for a “college ready” diploma. For example, they may need to work more slowly through the materials or may need to have their textbooks on tape or to use some of the lower reading level textbooks for more difficult classes. These students often skip the foreign language requirement that would be necessary to go straight to a 4-year college. (the whole interview is at http://creation.com/high-school-with-special-needs-yes-you-can).

Busy, Busy, Busy!!

We have had an incredibly busy few months and the kids have loved it!

Our trip to the bowling alley was super fun. Black-light bowling is the best!

The next field trip is coming up next week and it is a place we have never visited before. It looks like a wonderful place and I think the fall weather will make the day even better!

Also, we have eight students who qualified for the National Beta Club so we now have our own club up and running. The induction ceremony will be coming up soon. I am so excited to see these wonderful kids receive their certificates and pins. 

If you are interested in homeschooling or would like more information about our homeschool group, please email me at kellyvicki2000 at gmail dot com.

:) Happy Homeschooling!!!

Great Year Ahead!!!

It was so great to see everyone at the "Back-To-School-Blast-Off" event! I hope you all got a chance to welcome and visit with our new members. We missed those who didn't get to be there and hope to see y'all at next month's activity.

In addition to our monthly planned field trips, we had volunteers to head up the following activities:
- 4-H (4th-12th)
- Cloverbuds (K-3rd)
- Box Top Collection
- Standardized Testing

- Yearbook Staff
- Field Day
- Dad's Day
- PreK & K Graduation

Other possible activities that still need a mom in charge are:
- Jr/Sr Beta
- Awards Banquet
- Spelling Bee
- Parade Floats
- Senior Graduation

I know all our schedules are packed super tight so I appreciate y'all coming to the events and would like to say a special thank you to all our volunteers!

If there is anything your kids are interested in doing just plan a field trip and send the details out on our message board. Even if it is a place we have gone to before as a group, we will be glad to go again!!

If you are not a member of C.H.I.L.D. and are interested in learning more about us, please email me.

:) Vicki
kellyvicki2000 at gmail dot com.

Scholastic Store is Open!

Our Scholastic Reading Club storefront is now open for the new school year. We are so excited about this because encouraging reading is one of the most important things we can do to help our kids succeed. It can be tough finding the right books to keep them interested, which is why our group will be participating in the Scholastic Reading Club this school year.

With Scholastic Reading Club:

•    You can choose from handpicked, grade- and reading-level-specific books for your child

•    You'll find the best values on a variety of formats

•    Your books will be delivered to you at our monthly field trip

Each month, you can pick up Reading Club flyers at our field trip or view them any time online. You can choose from books hand-selected by teachers and experts, and then order online or send your order form and payment to me. 

If you are a C.H.I.L.D. member and interested in ordering please let me know. I'm excited to get our kids reading! 

If you would like more information on joining C.H.I.L.D. I will be glad to help you. 

Thank you for your interest and support,

Vicki Kelly

C.H.I.L.D.'s Scholastic Reading Club Storefront

Membership Forms for the 2015-2016 school year

Membership forms to join the C.H.I.L.D. homeschool group for the 2015-2016 school year are now available online. Please let me know if you have any trouble with the link.
:) Vicki

2015-2016 C.H.I.L.D. Membership Form 

Gearing up for a Great Year!

We have every thing lined out for an awesome year! We have gotten all the monthly activities planned and both 4-H groups will be jam-packed with fun for the kids. Our back-to-school bash will be next month and we are looking forward to a great turn out. The yearbooks, which are on sale now at our store front, will be delivered at the party. (They are awesome!!) Also, we will have membership forms, a list of all our activities for the year, and sign up sheets for events that still need a mom in charge. It will be great to see our friends again and we are excited to meet all the newbies! If you are interested in learning more about C.H.I.L.D. and homeschooling please join us for an afternoon of fun Christian fellowship. We look forward to seeing you there!

For information about our group and upcoming events please email kellyvicki2000 at gmail dot com.

Happy Homeschooling!
:) Vicki

Awesome Graduation!

This school year has been extremely busy and full of activities but tonight we tried to slow time and savor the moments that pass all too quickly. This year's graduation was so precious and reminds us, not just how fast time passes, but what our true goal as Christian homeschoolers should be. The graduates all did great on their presentations and touched our hearts with the beauty of their message. Jesus loves us, His word has the answer for every decision in our life, and He alone is great and worthy of our praise.

If our children have these truths in their heart, we are blessed beyond all measure.

Here are a few pictures of the decorations:

 

We had a wonderful time at the graduation and want to say 

"Congratulations!!!!" 

to all the graduates.

(The moms did a wonderful job on putting it all together!! You are awesome!!)

Off to a Great Start

Hi All,
I am super excited about this school year. It has been so busy and I am sure will continue to be so, but we have some great new events we are planning to add this year! Also, we have some wonderful new families who have joined and with all of us working together the load won't seem so heavy.

Our 4-H group is really doing great. So great that we now have two options for where you can attend the monthly meetings. In an effort to keep group members from having to drive so far to attend, we have one meeting at the north end of our group area and another meeting at the south end. We have also added in Cloverbud activities for our 3rd grade and under kids. We still have a few kinks to work out but doing these two things has more than doubled our participation in 4-H. We have some wonderful community service events coming up and the kids seem really excited about it all. In fact, in a few weeks, the kids will be helping with a community health fair by volunteering in a "Germ Tent"! Should be a "germ-tastic"time!

Two new events we have in the works for this year are a Father-Daughter Formal and an Awards Banquet. We are trying to promote two things that I personally feel are very important: the relationship of our children with their parents and celebrating the successes of our kids. After having a personal relationship with Jesus, I think these two things do more to shape our children's future than anything else. I am so excited to see these events come to fruition as we celebrate the wonderful children the Lord has blessed us with!

Through out the year we will also have our regular activities, Lord willing. These include monthly field trips, back-to-school party, Christmas party, valentine party, spelling bee, bike-a-thon, field day, standardized testing, scholastic book orders, yearbook staff, pre-k/kindergarten graduation, high school graduation, and end-of-the-year party.

If any thing about our group sounds interesting to you please feel free to send a message. You can find us at any of the links at the top of the page. :) Lord bless you in your homeschool adventure :)

FAQ About Homeschooling in Louisiana

(Acknowledgement: The CCHSA website is a great resource and it was used in constructing this post. CHILD is NOT a member group of Christian Home Educators Fellowship of Louisiana (CHEF of LA), a state-wide homeschool umbrella organization. Their site, however, is a very valuable resource.)

If you find any errors with the links on this page or have additional questions please contact me .

The homeschooling laws in Louisiana are favorable and there are support groups in almost every area of the state. Families are individually responsible for choosing their method of home education. Important: Each family chooses their own curriculum and is independently responsible for meeting state requirements. CHILD is not responsible for these aspects of your homeschool.

Q: How do I register my homeschool with the state of Louisiana?

A: You may register your homeschool under either the “home study” program or as a “private school” (La. R.S. 17:236, Act 828 of 1980).

     

Using the Home Study Program:

This is an option you will want to consider if you have a child in high school or you have a student who would like to participate in the Interscholastic Athletics program. It allows the high school senior to qualify for TOPS (Tuition Opportunity Program for Students) which is a scholarship program for Louisiana students who attend a Louisiana college or university. If you will be homeschooling using the Home Study program, you will need to send in your paperwork within 15 days of commencing classes. The home study application, general information, guidelines, athletics guidelines and curriculum information can be found here. (Please be aware, the initial application requires that you submit a copy of the child’s birth certificate. Renewal applications require documentation that provides satisfactory evidence that the home study program offered a sustained curriculum of quality at least equal to that offered by public schools at the same grade level.)

Effective August 2010 and thereafter, high school diplomas awarded through your home study program approved by the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education are now recognized by all public postsecondary educational institutions, all state departments, agencies, boards, and commissions and all other state and local government entitles to have all of the rights and privileges as those awarded by a state-approved nonpublic school [R.S. 17:236.1.G].

Registering as a Private School (NonpublicSchool):

This is your likely option if you have children 10th grade and below. (It does not allow high school seniors to qualify for TOPS or receive recognized diplomas.) You simply register as a private school and are only required to give the name of your “school”, number of students and name of the parent/educator. If you plan to homeschool in a Private School setting, you must inform the state in writing, no later than 30 days after commencing classes. See this Sample Letter to File with the State of Louisiana for an example of what you need to send. You may also download this Microsoft Word file and personalize. The state guide book for registered nonpublic schools can be found here.

IMPORTANT UPDATE: As of May 1, 2013, you may now register online with the Department of Education. More information can be found here. Please follow the links below to register with the State of Louisiana online:

Register as a Nonpublic School

Submit a Home Study Application

From CHEF of Louisiana: "We feel that the online process is recommended as one way to register. The forms are still acceptable; however, we acknowledge that it is much more efficient, and probably more accurate, if we enter our own information into the online registration through the DOE website."

Q: What do I do when pulling my child out of a private school mid-year to homeschool?

A: “The problem is that the Law does not clearly give direction for mid-year activity. It is undefined, so there is no clear correct answer. I would feel that if they register now with the 180 day wording and then again in August, there should be no problem. Then you have over complied with the law by registering sooner, rather than a year later. I would see no problem with this and if any questions were asked, they could be answered very simply by explaining the mid-year change of private school to homeschool. No letter of intent is or was needed because the child was in private school, not public.” Mike Flowers, President, CHEF of Louisiana, 2010.

Editor’s note from CCHSA: Students who are withdrawn from public school during the school year, or who attended public school the year before enrolling in a private school, must provide a written notification of enrollment to the public school he attended within 10 days of enrollment in homeschool. This notification must include: Student’s legal name; Date of birth; Gender; and Race. (See the question below)

Q: What do I do when pulling my child out of a public school mid-year to homeschool?

A: After removing your child from the public school system a letter should be sent within ten days to the school your child attended telling them your child has been enrolled in another school. It is not necessary to tell them it is your own private homeschool. The only information needed in this notification letter is the child's legal name, date of birth, gender and race. Once the local school has been notified it is suggested that you register with the state as a private school. Following this suggestion would be over compliance with the law and should pose no problem. (See previous question above)

Q: I am a home study student. Can I receive TOPS and, if so, are there any special requirements?

A: Yes. The Louisiana Department of Education must certify to LOSFA that you are a student who successfully completed the eleventh, if applicable, and twelfth grade levels of a home study program approved by the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE).

If you ever enrolled in a Louisiana public high school or nonpublic high school or an approved non-Louisiana high school that was or has been approved by BESE, you must have successfully completed both the eleventh and twelfth grades of a homestudy program approved by BESE and the previously attended high school must provide LOSFA with certification that you were in good standing at the time you last attended that school.

In addition, you must have an ACT score of at least 19 for TOPS Tech, 22 for Opportunity, 24 for Performance, or 28 for Honors, or an SAT score of at least 900 for TOPS Tech, 1020 for Opportunity, 1090 for Performance or 1250 for Honors.

Questions and Answer taken from 2014-2015 TOPS QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS.

Q: If my child is in the fourth or eighth grade, am I, as a homeschooler, required to do PARCC testing?

A: No, not if you are planning to continue homeschooling for the following year. If, however, you intend to place your child in a public school in grades 5 or 9, there are special circumstances that apply to 2015. During this transition year, private school and homeschool students may choose to test using the PARCC ELA and Math assessments in grades 4 and 8 but are not required to do so and results will not be returned in time to inform placement. Test results in 2015 will be returned in the fall so that results can be double checked to make sure scoring of students’ results was fair and accurate. Districts should determine guidelines for entry, which can include use of the placement tests as well as other evidence of grade level proficiency (e.g., transcripts, local assessments). The Department will continue to provide placements tests for use as needed. (See p. 1 number 4 of Louisiana PARCC Frequently Asked Questions)

        

Q: Can my child participate in the sports program at a public school?

A: Students in home study programs can participate in interscholastic athletic activities at a

public or at a state-approved nonpublic high school that is also a member of the Louisiana

High School Athletic Association. Participation at a non-public school is at the sole discretion of the governing authority of such school [refer to R.S. 236.3]. Residency and attendance zone requirements apply. More information can be found on page 8 in Section 3 of the La DOE’s guide book for home study programs.

Q: What if my child has special needs?

A: There appears to be conflicting information in regards to special needs children.The HSLDA website says that, under the private school option, students are entitled to special services. However they caution that when receiving government funds some freedom and privacy is lost. They have established the Home School Foundation to help make support available.

The Louisiana Department of Education states in Section 1 on page 4 of their guide book for home study programs that "BESE-Approved Home Study Programs do not qualify for services under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), 20 U.S.C. §1400, et seq., nor for modifications and/or accommodations under §504 of the Rehabilitation Act or the Americans with Disabilities Education Act. (Adopted by the SBESE on November 15, 1984. Revised April 2002.)”

 
They advise: “Before enrolling in the BESE-Approved Home Study Program or registering as a nonpublic school, not seeking state approval, parents who have children with exceptionalities’ should contact their local education agency to seek advice regarding the free and appropriate educational services that are designed to meet their child’s needs.”

 

 More information on Special Education Laws can be found in Appendix B on page 12 of the DOE guide book for home study programs.


*I would like to get feedback from Louisiana homeschoolers who have experience with this situation.*

Q: What form do I need to take to the DMV for my child to obtain a driver’s license or learner’s permit?

A: In order to obtain a driver’s license or learner’s permit homeschool students must submit a copy of their approved Home Study application or a Certification of Required School Attendance.

Additional Information:

Please refer to HSLDA for more information on the legality and details of homeschooling in Louisiana. They have a summary of Louisiana homeschooling laws here.

If you have additional questions on your particular situation, please don’t hesitate to contact me  for information on how to begin your homeschool journey or transitioning your existing homeschool to Louisiana. We invite you to consider membership in CHILD to take advantage of our member benefits.

Please keep in mind that CHILD is not a group that can provide you with curriculum or a location to bring your children to for education, but we are a group of like-minded Christian individuals who stay in close contact to encourage each other in our homeschooling pursuit. We would love to share our stories with you, our ideas for curriculum options, and the way we homeschool. It might give you some new insights! Anyone on our board of directors would be happy to speak with you.

Other Helpful Resources:

CHEF of Louisiana Information Booklet

CHEF Of Louisiana Website

Louisiana Department of Education Website for Homestudy students

Louisiana Department of Education Website for Nonpublicschool students

Louisiana Office of Student Financial Assistance – TOPSindex page

****last update July 14, 2015*******

Let's Talk!

Hi, Fellow Homeschoolers!

It has been a while so let's talk. I pray your homeschooling adventure is going well. If not we should get together for a visit. There is nothing like food, fun and fellowship to recharge your determination. A great place to do that would be at our back-to-school blast off! It is coming up in August so please feel free to contact me for all the details! It would be great to sit down with you for a visit. Whether you are new to homeschooling, just considering homeschooling, or you've been doing it so long you feel like a professional, let's talk!

Our group page can be found at https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/childemail/info and we would love to have you visit our site. If you would like to join our group please click the purple '+ join group' button. When you send a request to join, one of the group moderators will reply personally. Please be on the look-out for this email because we really like to talk with those interested in our group before we approve new members. It may seem crazy in this high-tech world but, because there is so much information on our site about the when & where of our kid's activities, we do want to monitor closely who has access to our messages. I hope you understand our caution.

I have recently had requests to join our group from people whom I have never met. So, if that is you, please be on the lookout for an email from me! I would love to chat with you and get to know you better.
Blessings to you,
:) Vicki
kellyvicki2000 at yahoo dot com

Homeschooling With Peace and Quiet? Is That Even Possible?

I pray everyone had a blessed Holiday season. We had a wonderful time while on our short break and are now back into the school schedule. As usual, the school year is zipping right along and I always feel one step behind. I would imagine most homeschooling moms feel the same way!

Sometimes I meet moms who respond to the idea of homeschooling by saying, "I could never do that! My kids would drive me crazy and I would never get any peace and quiet!". Well, the days here do get a bit crazy at times but it's not because of my kids. Honestly, it is because of me. My schedule stays pretty full because of trying to fit in things that I know my kids enjoy. Let me explain.

Life has a way of filling up with things that are really hard & difficult; like doctor visits, funerals, bills, or repairs to all the things that break around your house (major appliances always "go out" at the same time!). Many things happen from day-to-day that we just have to "tend to" while in the midst of  "schooling". But, to me, these things are actually an important part of educating my children. I pray they see me handling the daily challenges with love, patience, and gratitude.

Even though our schedule is full of places to go and things that have to be done, I still try to add in things that are just pure fun for my kids. I want to be sure they have time to just be kids. For example, just yesterday, my oldest daughter had the best time at McDonald's. Now this may not strike you as odd, but she is 14 and most teens don't enjoy a trip to the McDonald's play land. But she did and it was good for her to just be a kid and play with her younger friends who were on the field trip with us. Did I have plenty to do without adding this field trip to our day? Of course! Did my kids need a break from all the drama of our daily life? Of course! And they got it. Was I tired and worn out? Of course! Was it worth it? Of course! Did I get peace and quiet during my day? Only in my soul; and it was a wonderful day!

Sometimes the adult events that happen around homeschooling kids are unavoidable. Sometimes as a homeschooling mom it is hard to get literal peace and quiet. But always our kids are watching us to see how we handle unexpected or difficult circumstances. And always we need to step back and make sure we are taking the time to just enjoy the days with our children. Not matter how or where we may be spending them.

I know many moms who are so extremely busy and worn out. I pray that the Lord would give them time during their day to really see their children. If only for a small moment, to really see them. Not as a hindrance to their peace and quiet, but as the reason to seek true peace and quiet. God can bring such an awesome peace and quiet into our souls even in the midst of a busy schedule. We must have this; for ourselves and our children. Having personal time with the Lord not only benefits us but also our children. As we seek the Lord, He will give us everything we need to stay on this narrow, and sometimes lonely, rocky, and very busy road which He has called us to walk with Him. It is His peace and quiet that makes all the difference. Seek Him today and be encouraged!

Thanks for reading all the ramblings from my heart. Blessings to you and your sweet families,
:) Vicki

Much to My Amazement....

...this year is almost half over! To say that life has been busy is an understatement. I'm sure you could echo the same sentiment. We are busy and everyone I know is busy. Here is a recap of what we've been busy doing here at C.H.I.L.D. :
     - February skate was great fun! The kids did an awesome job on their Valentine boxes. As promised, here are pictures of just a few of the boxes.

-In March we took the kiddos to a museum for some hands-on fun, toured a newspaper to see how it all works and then had a picnic at the park.
-Our first ever Spelling Bee was held in April and I really hope we will have one every year. The kids did a super job! Also during the month of April, we did our standardized testing. This was the largest group we've ever had testing and things went really well. We had a great group of moms who did an outstanding job of keeping things running smoothly. Our group is so blessed to have such exceptional moms!
-May brought yearbook pictures, a bike-a-thon fund raiser for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital and our "End-of-the-School-Year Celebration" at the skating rink. The skate party was great fun to wrap up a great school year. We had some families who are new to homeschooling join us and I loved getting to share in their excitement as they begin their new adventure.

The only activity left for the group is graduation. Graduations are always bitter-sweet to me. It is wonderful to see the accomplishments of our children and yet at the same time, it is a reminder of just how fast time goes. Time is such a precious commodity. It reminds me of this quote - Time I have only just a minute. Only sixty seconds in it. Forced upon me, can't refuse it. Didn't seek it, didn't choose it. But it's up to me to use it. I must suffer if I lose it. Give account if I abuse it, Just a tiny little minute but eternity is in it.   

How many times a day do I tell my kids 'ok, just a minute'? All those little minutes add up to be a lifetime. Heading into the summer months, when things are supposed to move at a slower pace yet rarely do, I pray the Lord will remind me to consider carefully how I spend my minutes. It is never "just" a minute; it is a fleeting moment that I will never get again. I pray that as moms who daily care for the souls of our children, we see the importance of treasuring each minute and spend our time on things that will matter 100 years from now. May the Lord ever remind me my #1 job is to prepare my children for Heaven, not Harvard.

Blessings to you,
Vicki

Mid-year Withdrawl From Public School

After receiving a phone call about helping a mother to begin homeschooling mid-year, I realized I did not know much about the subject. I asked HSLDA for an article with details on how to begin homeschooling mid-year in compliance with Louisiana law. They have never written an article with the details outlined step-by-step but assured me that is was completely legal. They advised that if anyone was interested in beginning mid-year, HSLDA would be more than willing to walk them through the process.

In my discussion with HSLDA about the whole process, I have developed a "frame work" of the steps to take. The first place to begin is with an HSLDA membership. The online enrollment form can be found here. I pray you never find yourself in a situation where you need legal representation but it is nice to know you always have the option of saying "call my lawyer". You can call HSLDA at 540-338-5600 and ask to speak to the membership department. They will be able to not only process your membership application but also answer questions about what you should do next.

From what I understand, after you remove your child from the public school system, the main point to cover is the truancy officer. A letter needs to be sent within ten days to the school your child attended telling them your child has been enrolled in another school. It is not necessary to tell them it is your own private homeschool. The only information needed in this notification letter is the child's legal name, date of birth, gender and race. There is a great article here that covers this topic and others that are important for homeschoolers to know about. Once the local school has been notified you need to register with the state as a private school. You can find more information on doing that here.

After you've done these three things you are all set. Just as a side-note, it is probably a good idea to keep a copy of your state registration letter with your HSLDA membership card and have them both with you anytime you go out with your children during public school hours. Also, make a copy of you membership card and put it by your telephone so if you ever need their phone number and your membership number in a hurry.

Even though what I've written up is not a legal document, I hope it will be helpful to someone. If you have any questions or need any help, please just ask.

:) Vicki

*****POST UPDATE******JULY 29, 2014****** Some links in this post have expired so a FAQ page is being constructed. Every effort will be made to keep the new page updated for an easy, one-stop location for current information on state requirements.

Common Core Discussion

Many educators have been discussing the Common Core issue lately. I must admit I had never followed the details of it closely and considered it a public school issue. Then providers of homeschool curricula began to "align". This got my attention and I thought I would post links to articles giving details on how homeschoolers are or may be affected. I hope you find it helpful.
:) Vicki

HSLDA article on Common Core State Standards (CCSS)

Popular Homeschool Curricula and the Common Core

Here is a link for The Educational Freedom Coalition (TEFC). This group exists for homeschool parents who seek to maintain educational freedom from CCSS.

****POST UPDATE****JULY 29, 2014****** The Educational Freedom Coalition link provided above has been redirected to The Homeschool Resource Roadmap website. Their common core information can be found here.

Great Article I Found

If you need encouragement in your homeschooling journey you may want to take a look at this article from Forbes magazine. I don't particularly like the title but I love the message. I will be saving this article on my computer and reading it again on the hard days! Hope it helps you, too.
Blessings,
:) Vicki


http://www.forbes.com/sites/billflax/2013/01/22/want-to-tell-the-state-to-stick-it-homeschool-your-kids/

Still Plugging Away

WOW! Is it just me or did the holidays fly by!? They seem like such a long time ago! I guess that is what happens when schedules are just so full. I couldn't believe I had not updated you on the happenings of our wonderful group since November! I'm really sorry! Here's a quick recap. December was our "regular" events with a skate party and a Christmas movie the week before Christmas. (We always love the skate parties!) January was also the "regular" routine with the added bonus of a trip to the Children's Museum. We weren't able to be at the museum trip so I am excited to see the pictures and hear about all the fun the kids had.

I am looking forward to getting caught up on my visiting next week at our Valentine skate party. (Did I mention we LOVE skate parties!? :) As a bonus this year we've added in a contest for the kids. There will be prizes for the best decorated Valentine boxes. I hope to post pictures of the winning boxes next week so everyone can see what talented kids the Lord has blessed us with!

Speaking of talent, not only are the kids creative they are also very smart. How smart? So smart they've requested a spelling bee! How fun is that!? Even better is the fact that we've had a mom to volunteer to put one together! So, this April we will have our 1st annual Spelling Bee! I can't wait to see how great the kids do! Also in April we will have our standardized testing. Even though it's a lot of work getting it together, I look forward to testing simply because it is an end-of-the-year event. It's a motivator for me to know that SUMMER IS COMING!! It helps me to just keep plugging away with the end in sight.

As I plug away and try to stay motivated during these winter months, I have to keep reminding myself that even when I can't see the sun it is still there. The days may always seem to be gray and overcast with low hanging clouds but I can't focus on just what I see with my natural eye. The same is true spiritually. Even when everything seems cold and dark in the world the Son is still there. Jesus is constant. He is the light. He shines through all the darkness to be a lamp for our feet so we can clearly see the way to go. I hope that as you find yourself indoors with your children more than usual you will take the opportunity to just enjoy them. Hold them close as you teach them diligently. Show them how to walk in the "Son-light" of Jesus, no matter what the weather is like.

Love and blessings to you and your sweet babies!
:) Vicki

Fun Times For All !!

Whew! This little homeschool group has been BUSY!!! Activities that packed October were the "School House Rock" musical performance, a fiddlin' good-time at the Hadley Castille Show, lots of 4-H activities like the photography club and playing bingo with our friends at the nursing home. We also had a great time at the zoo. What a perfect place for our kids to act like monkeys! The kids loved it and I hope the parents did, too. We used our box-top money to pay for the trip and I really appreciate all those who help collect all through out the year. Everyone doing a little adds up to a lot!

Coming up in November, we have just a few events. We have scheduled a performance of "Pride and Prejudice" and a wild trip to the safari park. Those events, along with all the regular 4-H meetings and the holiday, should keep us plenty busy.

But, if you need more activities, there are also some events in surrounding areas that you may want to include in celebration of Veterans Day. Chennault Aviation & Military Museum will be displaying the Vietnam Traveling Memorial Wall. Information on dates and times can be found here. Historic Jefferson College will be hosting a free Civil War reenactment and the details can be found here. If you happen to be heading to the Civil War reenactment you may also want to catch the Cotton Pickin' & Ginnin'. Look for details here.

No matter how busy you may find yourself this month, I pray you will not be too busy to take the time to truly celebrate this Thanksgiving season. We have so much to be thankful for and I encourage you to take the time to count your blessings. As the words of one of my favorite songs says - "Count your blessings, name them one by one. Count your many blessings, see what God has done."

Have a wonderful Holiday,
:) Vicki

Back In Full Swing!

I am not going to go into great detail about how sorry I am to have missed posting the details of our back-to-school-blast-off in August. Needless to say, I am sorry if you missed attending because I didn't get the word out. (It was great fun, by the way!) But, never fear, it is not too late to get in on the September action. We have a great adventure planned for the 25th of September and it involves a museum, plantation home and an Amish buggy shop!! Wow, what a combo! In October we have two field trips planned. The first, which will be on October 4th, involves kids and music; the second, which we are trying to get scheduled for the 19th, involves kids holding many different species of animals - YIKES! If you are interested in more information on these upcoming activities just let me know.

Also, there is an event I thought some might like to attend. It isn't part of our homeschool group field trips but looks like great learning-fun. The Historic Jefferson College (16 Old North St., Natchez, MS) will be hosting their community event "Pioneer Days" on September 20th and 21st. The event is free to the public and has over 20 demonstrators who present information about Pioneer life. Topics include furniture making, quilting, story-telling, fiddling, pioneer toys and much more. More information and a map can be found at http://www.visitnatchez.org/includes/events/index.cfm?action=displayDetail&eventid=15988 . If you go please come back to this site and tell us how you liked it.

Don't forget, if you'd like to become a member of our group the annual fee is $25 per family until October 1st. After that it is $30. If you'd like a membership form just let me know.

Blessings to you,
:) Vicki

How Goes The Summer? FAST!!

Well, as usual things are moving at the speed of light around here and doesn't show signs of slowing. I hope all our homeschoolers out there are enjoying their summer. It's been a while since I've seen some of you so I hope all is well. The May skate party was great fun but seems like it was a million years ago! One of the things we've been busy doing here at my house is finishing the yearbook. We are glad to say it is done and we are now taking orders! The yearbooks cost $25 and the order deadline is July 13th. After the deadline they will cost $30. We do have a link where you can view them online before you buy. If your interested just drop me an email. Thanks to all those who sent pictures to put in the yearbook. I think it all looks great.

We are planning to have our back-to-school bash again this year as a skate party sometime in August. I imagine it will be after the public school begins. Anyway, go ahead and be thinking of what field trip you'd like to plan for next year. We will have a sign-up sheet at our first meeting for each mom to pick a month in which they'd like to put together a fun activity. It doesn't have to be fancy, just something your kids are interested in doing. If your kids like it our kids probably will, too!

If you know of anyone who is new to homeschooling or just needs encouragement/fellowship please share our group information! By God's grace we can help and be a blessing!

:) Vicki