February 2008

HEART OF TEXAS
Home Educators Alliance for Resources and Training of Texas, Inc.


FEBRUARY 2008 ISSUE
Home School News and Events

Dear Home School Leaders and Friends,

We are excited to share with you some information about several events that may be of interest to home schoolers in the Greater Dallas/Fort Worth and surrounding North Texas region. Please feel free to pass along this information to the homeschooling families in your network.

If you would like for us to help you spread the news about an event or activity that your group is doing, or if you know of an event or activity that would benefit other home schoolers, please drop us a line at info@HEARTofTex.org so we can include it in the next issue of our bi-weekly e-newsletter.

Thanks so much!

www.HEARTofTex.org

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Home Educators Alliance for Resources and Training of Texas, Inc., (HEART of Texas) is a private, non-profit corporation dedicated to serving the home schooling community. Our mission is to provide leadership, training, and support, as well as to encourage political participation within the home school community through communications, networking activities, and events directed at home school support groups and families in the Greater Dallas/Fort Worth and surrounding North Texas region.


This information is provided as a service to our fellow home schoolers. HEART of Texas does not necessarily endorse, warrant, or represent any of the activities, events, or organizations listed, or their content, views, opinions, or recommendations. Please use your own judgment when considering taking part in or attending any of these events or activities or visiting any of the websites or links provided. HEART of Texas assumes no responsibility for the content of any ads, promises made, or the quality/reliability of the products or services offered.


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~~ February Highlights~~



FEBRUARY 4
REGISTRATION BEGINS FOR CHRISTIAN HOME SCHOOL PROM 2008

Christian Home School Prom 2008 Presents . . .
Once Upon a Time... at The Adam’s Mark Hotel Dallas Ballroom

APRIL 26

This event fills very quickly! Order your tickets right away!

Location: The Adams Mark Hotel Dallas Ballroom

Prices & Registration:
$80.00- Early Registration, Feb 4-Feb 25 or the first 275 tickets
$85.00-Regular Registration, Feb 26-Mar 20 or the second set of 275 tickets
$90.00-Late Registration, Mar 21-Apr 5 or the last set of 275 tickets

We will have a drawing for a free table reservation (worth $60) for those that register on Feb 4th.

Parent Participation Required :
This is an all-volunteer, parent sponsored event. In order to register your student to attend prom you MUST select your area of volunteer service when purchasing their ticket.

For More Information: prom@christianhomeschoolprom.org


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FEBRUARY 8
SPECIAL NEEDS CONFERENCE COMING TO NORTH TEXAS!

Attn: Homeschoolers and Homeschoolers-to-be!

This is your INVITATION TO A SPECIAL EVENING in the D/FW area!
Pass the word along. This opportunity doesn't come along every day!
For encouragement and support for homeschoolers working with special needs.
(Experienced already? We need your help.)

Time: 7 p.m. - 9 p.m.
Location: Mid-Cities Bible Church
3224 Cheeksparger Road
Bedford, TX 76021
For directions to Mid Cities Bible Church, go to: www.mcbc.org/directions.asp

Cost: FREE (a love offering will be taken)

For More Information: 208-267-6246
208-946-0118


FEATURING:
Tom Bushnell - Director of NATHHAN /CHASK - speaking on ministering Christ's love to birth parents that have an adverse prenatal diagnosis in their unborn baby. Find out how you can save lives and make a real difference in the pro life movement.

Sherry Bushnell , NATHHAN / CHASK - will discuss working with children who are moderately to severely impaired, encouragement and resources. Bring your questions and suggestions.

Lyndsay Lambert - Texas Homeschool Coalition - providing a workshop on getting started homeschooling. Find out what homeschooling is like and how to excel.

Doug and Patsy Arnold - Texas Special Kids - giving tips for teaching right-brained kids, including those with LD, ADD or who are just a mystery to you!

Dave and Anne Gebhart - Heart of Texas - Come meet these special folks just waiting to help you find local support groups or other resources to assist you in getting started homeschooling.

Contact: NATHHAN / CHASK at 208-267-6246
THSC at 806-744-4441 or staff@thsc.org
Texas Special Kids at www.txspecialkids.org
HEART of Texas at www.heartoftex.org


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FEBRUARY 8
“STARGAZER PAUL” ASTRONOMY EVENT AT FOSSIL RIM

Time: 7 p.m. - 9 p.m.
Details: Mr. Derrick returns with a Power Point program entitled, “Constellations of Winter,” followed by a laser pointer “Sky Tour” and telescope viewing, using Mr. Derricck’s 8-inch Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope.

For more Details: www.fossilrim.com/visiting/home_school.html
To Register or Get Directions: homeschool@fossilrim.org
or call 254-897-2960 ext. 216

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FEBRUARY 11
HOMESCHOOL PROGRAMS AT MCKINNEYMEMORIAL PUBLIC LIBRARY

Research Gathering Skills (available Feb 11, March11, April 14)
Please choose one date to attend.
Grades: 5th - 8th
Time: 3:15 p.m.
Learn basic research skills and become familiar with the library’s many
resources.
Conference Room (upstairs)
Registration Required


Other Homeschool Programs Offered:
FEBRUARY 21, MARCH 27, APRIL 24 --- Getting to Know Your Library
Please choose one date to attend.
Grades: K-3rd
Time: 10:30 a.m.
Dulaney Room
Participate in a special program to learn more about the library and the Children’s Department.
Registration Required

FEBRUARY 26, MARCH 17, APRIL 29
Please choose one date to attend.
Grades: 6th and up
Time: 3:15 p.m.
Conference Room (upstairs)
Learn how to search the internet and how to evaluate internet sites to get reliable and quality information.
Registration Required

Location: 101 E. Hunt Street
McKinney, TX 75069
972-547-READ

To Register or For More Information: Wendy Turner - wturner@mckinneytexas.org


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FEBRUARY 18
HOME SCHOOL ROBIN HOOD DAY CAMP AT FOSSIL RIM

Time: 9 - 4:30ish
Details: Based on Howard Pyle’s classic, The Merry Adventures of Robin Hood, this program combines elements of several shorter programs. Topics include European Red Deer, Horns or Antlers?, archery, poaching, How to Catch a Rhino or Other Wild Creature, camouflage, and a tour of Fossil Rim.

For more Details: www.fossilrim.com/visiting/home_school.html
To Register or Get Directions: homeschool@fossilrim.org
or call 254-897-2960 ext. 216


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FEBRUARY 19
DRS. PAUL AND VIRGINIA FRIESEN SEMINAR
AT VALLEY CREEK CHURCH IN FLOWER MOUND

Come hear Drs. Paul and Virginia Friesen:

FEBRUARY 19 --- So, You Want to Marry My Daughter?
(or, The Second Most Important Decision Your Child Will Ever Make!)

Time: 7 p.m. - 9 p.m.
Location: Valley Creek Church
5800 Long Prairie Road
Flower Mound, TX 75028


Cost: FREE

Childcare provided- Register at www.valleycreek.org

Details: Next to your children's choice regarding Christ, who they marry will affect them more than any other of life's decisions. But, you may say my children are only 3, 5, and 8. At these early ages our children are forming impressions of what marriage is by observing us as a couple or our interactions as single parents. What they believe and their values they have will largely affect the type of friends they hang out with and will eventually marry.

Speakers: Drs. Paul and Virginia Friesen, who have been married for 31 years and are the parents of 3 grown daughters and one son-in-law, will share from scripture, observations from years of counseling and interaction with families, as well as their own parenting experience. There are no guarantees but there are probabilities in our children making wise relationship decisions as we raise them to be young men and women who love the Lord and His people.

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FEBRUARY 21
H.S.A.A. FOOTBALL 2008 PARENT/PLAYER INFORMATIONAL MEETING
FOR MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOLERS

Time: 7:00 p.m.
Who: For middle school (7-8th graders) and high schoolers (9-12th graders) interested in playing competitive football for the Fall 2008 season
Location: THEO (The Home Educator’s Outsourcing Solution)
1301 Custer Road, Suite 703
Plano, TX 75075
Details: If you are a middle school or high school student, and you’re interested in playing football in the Fall, you won’t want to miss this meeting! Come meet Michael Scott, high school head coach, and Charles Bryant (middle school head coach). Find out about Spring Training (Begins March 31), tentative game schedules, pre-season practices, player fees and more.....

Contact: High Schoolers contact Deanna Morales 972-661-2479 or dhmorales@sbcglobal.net
Middle Schoolers contact Susan Bryant at 972-754-1553 or cs.bryant@verizon.net


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FEBRUARY
HOME SCHOOL PE CLASSES AVAILABLE AT VELOCITY SPORTS
HIGHLAND PARK AND SOUTHLAKE LOCATIONS

We are very excited to announce that the Velocity Sports Performance locations in Highland Park and Southlake have partnered with HEART of Texas to offer special discounts to homeschoolers!

The PE programs at Velocity Sports are taught by trained, degreed coaches who have coached college, professional, and Olympic level athletes.

Classes are one hour long, and focus on speed enhancement, strength, power, agility, core development, flexibility, and balance. Participants can expect increased muscle tone, a higher vertical jump, better running form, reduced likelihood of injury, increased confidence and increased endurance.

Their 16,300 square foot indoor facility is climate-controlled and features turf, track, hard court, and weight areas, as well as a viewing area for parents/guests.

Please Note: Each Velocity Sports location is independently owned and operated, and offer different pricing and discount rates for their classes. Please contact the location directly for more information.


For the Highland Park Location:
Call Mark Cox at 214-739-1122
www.velocitysp.com/highlandpark


For the Southlake Location:
Call 817-416-0606
www.velocitysp.com/southlake


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~~What's Inside This Issue ~~
(Click on the links below)


FEATURED ARTICLES
Boy Scouts of America, Longhorn Council, to Host a Two-Day, Multi-County Event for Home Schoolers by Jason Beuscher, District Director, Longhorn Council, BSA

Book Review: Fish Sticks, Books, and Blue Jeans! Reviewed by Anne Gebhart


CALENDAR OF EVENTS

LIBRARY PROGRAMS
  1. Library Programs at North Texas Libraries --- North Texas --- December

    Other Libraries are Welcome to Include Their Events - contact info@heartoftex.org

    Bedford Public Library

    Fort Worth Public Library

    Hurst Public Library

    McKinney Memorial Public Library

    Tyler Public Library


CONTESTS/COMPETITIVE EVENTS
  1. BEST Robotics 2008 Preview: Just Plane Crazy! --- Texas Best

  1. Texas State Fish-Art Contests --- Entries Due March 31, 2008

  1. National Engineers Week --- Future City Competition


CIVICS/GOOD CITIZENSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
  1. City of Fort Worth Youth Advisory Board --- Fort Worth

  1. Texas Home School Coalition Good Citizenship Award Program --- State-wide


HOME SCHOOL ENRICHMENT CLASSES
  1. THEO Home School Classes -- Plano

  1. Classes and Achievement Testing Available at CERC in Rowlett

  1. Homeschoolers East Co-Op Classes --- East Dallas

  1. Legacy Home School Enrichment Program at First Baptist in Euless

  1. Christian Cottage Prep

  1. Tarrant County College --- High School Math Classes


BOOK SALES & HOME SCHOOL BOOK STORES
  1. Library Used Book Sales in North Texas

    Wichita Falls - February 2
    Lancaster - February 7-9
    Hurst - February 15-16
    Grand Prairie --- February 16
    Highland Village - February 23
    Carrollton --- February 27 - March 2

  1. Christian Educators Resource Center -- Rowlett

  1. Creative Arts in Action --- Watauga

  1. Home Educators Resource --- Duncanville; Lewisville


NATURE CENTERS & OUTDOOR PROGRAMS/CAMPS
  1. Dallas Arboretum - Dallas

  1. Day Camps at Camp Tonkawa

  1. Fort Worth Nature Center and Refuge Programs

  1. Fossil Rim

  1. Heritage Farmstead Museum --- Plano

  1. Sharkarosa Open-to-the-Public Days

  1. Texas Discovery Gardens

  1. Texas Parks and Wildlife Programs--- State Parks in North Texas


PERFORMING ARTS
  1. Performances at Casa Manana Children’s Playhouse

    Junie B. Jones --- February 22 - March 9
  1. Performances at CATS --- Arlington

    Follow That Rabbit - Feb 22 - March 2
  1. Cottage Theater - Creative Arts in Action --- Watauga
  1. Theater Performances at Artisan Center Theater ---Hurst

    Driving Miss Daisy --- February 8 - March 1
    Standin’ Tall With Love --- February 11-29
  1. Performances at Bass Performance Hall --- Fort Worth
  1. Dallas Children’s Theater --- Dallas

    Goodnight, Moon --- Jan 25 - March 2
  1. Plano Children’s Theater --- Plano

    Princess Bride --- February 22 - March 8
  1. Texas Ballet Theater Performances

ART MUSEUMS
  1. Amon Carter Museum Exhibits - Fort Worth

  1. Dallas Museum of Art Exhibit --- Dallas

  1. Kimball Art Museum Exhibit --- Fort Worth

    Picturing the Bible --- Through March 2008

  1. Museum of Nature & Science --- Dallas

  1. Museum of Science & History --- Fort Worth


IMAX/OMNI THEATERS
  1. Shows at the Dallas Imax Theatre -- Museum of Science and Nature

  1. Shows at the Fort Worth Omni Theater --- Fort Worth Museum of Science & History


HISTORICAL PROGRAMS
  1. Programs at Log Cabin Village --- Fort Worth

  1. Dallas Heritage Village --- Dallas

  1. Ancient Treasures from the Holy Land --- Plano


SCIENCE EVENTS/ACTIVITIES
  1. Star Parties at Fort Worth Museum of Science and History --- December


HOME SCHOOL SPORTS/PE PROGRAMS
  1. Maritime Merry Time Tuesdays (Open Homeschool Swim) --- The Colony Aquatic Park --- Tuesdays

  1. Dallas Thunder Homeschool Basketball Organization --- Registration Open

  1. Elite Track Club/Cross Country Program for Home Schoolers

  1. Home School Athletic Association --- Football Players - Informational Meeting

  1. Junior High Girls Basketball Players Needed --- THESA Riders --- ASAP

  1. Home School PE Classes --- Velocity Sports in Highland Park

  1. Home School PE Classes --- Velocity Sports in Southlake

  1. Home School Fencing Classes --- Fencing Institute of Texas --- Farmers Branch

  1. Pop-In Playtime --- Pump It Up of Grapevine --- Grapevine

  1. Home School Bowling --- Irving


SUPPORT GROUPS
  1. Smoothing the Way Meetings in North Texas --- December/January

    Arlington - January 22
    Athens/Tyler Area - January 15
    Denton - February 7
    North Richland Hills - January 7
    Plano - January 8; January 29
    Sulphur Springs - January 15

  1. Keller 4H Club Meetings-Keller

  1. Park Day Drama Club ---- Plano


COLLEGE PREP
  1. SAT Test Dates


VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
  1. Volunteer Opportunities Available for Home School Students in 21 Counties --- American Cancer Society


OTHER EVENTS BY DATE
  1. Private One-On-One Tuturing in Mathematics- www.ed2netlearning.com

  1. 8-Week SAT Prep Course at Creative Arts in Action ---- Watauga

  1. PSAT/SAT Prep Classes- www.maryhamilton.us

  1. Great Opportunities for Students at Pump It Up of Grapevine

  1. PBS Masterpiece Theater Presents The Complete Jane Austen --- Through April 3

  1. Christian Home School Prom --- Dallas, TX --- Registration Opens February 4

  1. Special Needs Conference Coming to North Texas! --- Bedford, TX --- February 8

  1. Seminar: Helping Your Child Make Wise Relationship Decisions --- Flower Mound - February 19

  1. Parental Rights Informational Rally With Michael Farris --- Dallas --- March 1

  1. Explore UT: The Biggest Open House in Texas --- Austin, TX --- March 1

  1. Home School Day at the Fort Worth Zoo --- Fort Worth --- March 6

  1. Effective Communication Course --- Dallas --- March 31-April 5

  1. Boy Scouts to Host Two-Day Home School Event --- 18 North Texas Locations --- April 3 & 8th

  1. Hella Shrine Circus at Reunion Arena --- Dallas --- April 4

  1. Teen Pact Leadership School Coming to Texas--- Registration Open --- April 21-25

  1. Christian Home School Prom --- Dallas, TX --- April 26 - Registration Starts February 4

  1. Home School Daze at Hawaiian Falls --- The Colony --- May 3
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FEATURED ARTICLE

Boy Scouts to Host a Two-Day, Multi-County Event for Home Schoolers
Written by Jason Beuscher
The Boy Scouts of America loves home-schoolers, and is planning a special event for home school families in April!

The Longhorn Council of the Boy Scouts of America, which covers 23 counties in North Texas, is hosting two-day information meetings on April 3 and 8th at 3:00 p.m. for home school families interested in scouting. The event will take place in 18 locations throughout the North Texas area.

Families can visit one of 18 locations to learn more about the Boy Scouts and the different scouting options available. Families will be able to ask questions, meet local scouts, and register for the type of scouting that best suits their needs.

The Boy Scouts offer several different scouting options, depending on the needs of your family:

Lone Scouts - Home school families are eligible to register boys age 7 and up for this program. Lone Scouts is a program that allows a boy to work individually with a parent or counselor to achieve the scouting requirements in Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts.

Cub Scouts - Families may register boys ages 7-10 to join an existing Cub Scout pack that is close to their residence. Boys are separated by age/grade and learn the skills and values of Cub Scouting along with other boys in their neighborhood. Group outings, camping experiences, and making new friends with similar morals and values is a benefit to this program. At the event, parents will be given the contact information for these groups to help them find a pack near them.

Boy Scouts - Families may register boys ages 11 and up to join an existing Boy Scout Troop that is close to their residence. Boy Scouts is a boy-run program advised by a team of adults. The boys elect leaders from their group to act in leadership positions for the troop. The troop is broken down into patrols where a patrol leader is elected. The boys work together to learn the skills and values of Scouting and then put them to use on outings and campouts.

Forming a new Cub Scout Pack or Boy Scout Troop - Home school support groups will have the opportunity to form a Pack or Troop with their families that are interested in scouting. More information about this option will be provided at the meetings.

Venturing - This program is for boys and girls 14 to 20 to learn real world experiences as a group. The group takes real scenarios and like “how to buy a car” and figures out how it really works.

A list of the current locations and dates is located at: www.heartoftex.org under
“Scouts.”

Home School Information Meeting Locations
District Name April 3rd Location Time Address City Zip
Cross Timbers TBA 3:00 PM Arlington
Roadrunner First United Methodist Church 3:00 PM 1245 Bedford Rd Bedford 76021
Santa Fe Cleburne Public Library 3:00 PM 302 W Henderson St Cleburne 76033
Frontier Trails Singing Oak Church of Christ 3:00 PM 101 Cardinal Drive Denton 76209
Silver Star Lake Worth Public Library 3:00 PM 3801 Adam Grubb Drive Lake Worth 76135
Trinity Trails Travis Avenue Baptist Church 3:00 PM 800 W Berry Street Fort Worth 76110
Three Rivers Hillsboro Public Library 3:00 PM 118 S Waco St. Hillsboro 76645
Mustang Mount Gilead Baptist Church 3:00 PM 860 Keller-Smithfield Rd. Keller 76248
Leon Valley Central Christian Church 3:00 PM 1301 Trimmier Rd Killeen 76541
Tonkawa Lewisville Public Library 3:00 PM 1197 W. Main St Lewisville 75057
Comanche Trails Flatt Stationers Office Supply 3:00 PM 205 N McKinney Mexia 76667
Trailblazer Mountasia Family Fun Center 3:00 PM 8851 Boulevard 26 N Richland Hills 76180
Lakeview St Laurence Episcopal Church 3:00 PM 519 N. Kimball Ave Southlake 76092
Chisholm Trail West Temple Community Park