May 2010
Announcements
(NEW) From Janet Noffsinger, Homeschool Monitor, Frederick County Public Schools: "I want to compile some resources both books and websites that are really fantastic for home school resources. Would you have our home schooling families email me with any information that may help other home schooling families enjoy their special resources? I want to do this over the summer and have these materials available for fall visits if I can make it happen. There is so much now and it is so helpful to have recommendations from parents who have actually used them. Thanks so much." Please email Ms. Noffsinger at Janet.Noffsinger@fcps.org.
(NEW): Subject: Tutor for English comprehension for 3rd grader: "Hello, I am a mom of seven year old boy seeking a tutor to help my child excel in reading comprehension, writing and maths activities. I am looking for a hands-on tutoring sessions available covering grade 3 curriculum for my son who needs a little boost in math and reading. Looking forward for a competent tutor who can make a big difference in my child's academic achievement, and as importantly, confidence. I will prefer somebody who can come to my house for classes . My prefered subjects will be English, Reading Comprehension, and communication skills. I live in Frederick, MD, zip code 21702. I can meet at my home anytime after 6:30PM to discuss further details. I am ready to pay $14 per hour for taking one hour class couple times in a week including weekends. I am a seriously seeking someone to help my son in studies. Please let me know if you can help me in any way. Looking forward to your reply. Thanks, from sonicajain@yahoo.com."
From the Middletown Lions Club: Home schooled, graduating seniors living in the Middletow High School feeder district may apply for the Lions Club scholarships we award each year. Eligible students should e-mail Dave Rusk at djrusk23@comcast.net to get a copy of the scholarship application.
The first annual Torch Homeschool Book Sell-Off will be held at St. Peter's on Friday, June 4 from 10AM to 1PM in Sappington Hall. St. Peter's is located at the intersection of Route 26 and 75 outside Frederick. For families who wish to "sell" books/homeschool supplies, the tax-deductible donation of $10 will be charge. If families share a table, the $10 fee applies to all selling parties involved (i.e. $10/table/family; table supplied by St. Peter's). Funds are due by May 15. Let's spread the word to the homeschool community and help move out inventory! If you have any questions, contact Krista Thomas at thomas.krista@ verizon.net or 301-401-3756. Make checks out to St. Peter's for your tax deductible donation. Mail to PO Box 313, New Market, MD 21774.
From HSF reader Janet Brown: "The American Cancer Society's (ACS) of Frederick County is pleased to announce the development of a "Tweens and Teens! Cancer Support Group”. This support will be offered free-of-charge to Frederick County 5th-12th grade students affected by cancer either as patients themselves or as family members, friends, neighbors, etc. of a patient. The group will periodically meet amidst food, fun and activities to share their feelings, concerns and hopes with their peers, ACS facilitators and professional counselors.
Many of the logistics are already in place towards a Fall 2010 charter get-together but in order to proceed, we need your help in determining how many students might attend. To assist us in counting potential attendants, we are asking parents and associations such as yourselves to forward basic information to us concerning students you become aware of that would benefit from this support group. We will be collecting this information throughout the remainder of this school year - January through June. No personal information is being sought! We would simply like the (sex/grade/relationship to a patient) associated with the student being counted; for example, an “8th grade boy whose Mom has cancer” might be sent. Questions concerning this program and student reports may be sent to ACSTweensandTeens@gmail.com. You may also contact Laurie Frey at 888-866-0757 to report a student if you prefer to keep your e-mail address anonymous. Thank you all so much for assisting us in this vital program! We look forward to announcing the first “ACS Tweens and Teens! Cancer Support Group” get-together."
Homeschoolers in the News
(NEW) Classical Conversations: an editorial by Sam Bennett
Link: Frederick News Post, April 27, 2010
(NEW) Homeschool Guilt: When a Child Returns to Public School
Link: Psychologytoday.com, April 10, 2010
(NEW) Book Review: Love in a Time of Homeschooling
Link: Washington Post, April 6, 2010
(NEW) Homeschoolers Do Well in FCPS Science and Engineering Fair
Link: fcpl.org, website of Frederick County Public Schools
(NEW) Homeschooling on the Rise in Fairfax County
Link: Washington Post, April 1, 2010
How Do You Teach Middle Ages History?
Link: Washington Times, March 9, 2010
Why Our Kids Don't Go to Kindergarten
Link: Salon Magazine, March 15, 2010
Frederick County Christian Homeschoolers Place 4th in Local MathCounts Competition
Link: Frederick News Post, March 9, 2010
Give Me Your Tired, Your Poor, Your Huddled Masses Yearning to Homeschool
Link: Time Magazine, March 10, 2010
Top home-school texts dismiss Darwin, evolution
Link: Forbes Magazine, March 3, 2010
Children Teach Themselves to Read: Unschoolers' accounts of how their children taught themselves to read.
Link: Psychology Today, blog of Peter Gray, February 24, 2010
Beat the Burnout
Link: Washington Times, February 24, 2010
Muslims turning to home schooling in increasing numbers
Link: Washington Post, February 21, 2010
High Schools to Offer Plan to Graduate 2 Years Early
Link: New York Times, February 17, 2010
German Homeschoolers Granted Political Asylum
Link: Washington Post, January 26, 2010
Homeschoolers Fight For Access to Public School Teams
Link: Sports Illustrated, January 14, 2010
Homeschooling Grows Up
Link: Washington Times, December 13, 2009
Homeschoolers Thrive at Bees
Link: The Washington Times, November 22, 2009
Home is Where the School Is
Link: The Capital-Hometown Annapolis, November 15, 2009
If School Is Cool, We Win
Link: BaltimoreMagazine.net, November 13, 2009
Homeschooling, How We Do It (Part 2 of 2)
Link: Salon Magazine, October 19, 2009
Owner Eyes Growth for Homeschooling Website
Link: Maryland Gazette Business, October 22, 2009
Home School
Editorial by local homeschooling dad, Sam Bennett, in FNP
Link: The Frederick News Post, October 13, 2009
Confessions of a Homeschooler (Part I of 2)
Link: Salon Magazine, September 28, 2009
Networks Provide Social Outlets for Home Schooled Students
Link: The Carroll County Times, September 15, 2009
From Homeschooing to Unschooling
Parents believe in letting children set the pace
Link: The Baltimore Sun, September 3, 2009
Telos Academy at Mindworks Gets New Director
Educational program for homeschoolers gets new director
Link: Frederick News Post, August 8, 2009
A Child's Greeting to the President
Link: Frederick News Post, April 5, 2009
Parents Discuss the Value of Homeschooling
Local parent discusses pros and cons of homeschooling in Frederick County
Link: Frederick News Post, January 23, 2008
Editor's note: Links may or may not be available depending on the news organization's archiving policies. We apologize for any inconvenience; copyright laws apply, therefore we cannot print these articles directly on Homeschool Frederick!