March 2008
HEART OF TEXAS
Home Educators Alliance for Resources and Training of Texas, Inc.
MARCH 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 newsletter 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.
We also have a “featured articles” section. We hope that you will find the articles that we will include to be informative, encouraging, and full of wisdom. If you or anyone in your group would like to submit articles, or have suggestions for future article topics, please contact us at info@heartoftex.org. We would love to hear from you!
Thanks so much!
www.HEARTofTex.org
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Home Educators Alliance for Resources and Training of Texas, Inc., (HEART of Texas) is a private, non-profit 501(c)(3) corporation dedicated to serving the home schooling support groups, leaders and families in our regional service area. Our mission is to provide leadership, training, resources and support within the home school community through communications, networking activities, and events directed at home school support groups, leaders, 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.
-----------------------------------------------------------
-----------------------------------------------------------
MARCH
CONGRESSIONAL ART COMPETITION
FOR NORTH TEXAS HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS
"An Artistic Discovery" is the annual nationwide Congressional High School Art Competition initiated by Members of the U.S. House of Representatives. Each Congressional District may host its own competition, and since the competition was first launched in 1982, hundreds of thousands of students have participated in over 5000 locally conducted contests.
This spring, several North Texas Congressional offices will hold contests. The winning student from each district will have his or her artwork displayed in the U.S. Capitol complex for one year! In addition, the winners and their two guests are invited to the nation's capital in the summer to attend a ribbon-cutting ceremony honoring the winning artists from across the country and opening the 2008 "An Artistic Discovery" exhibition. Thousands of people visiting the nation's capitol, as well as Members of Congress and their staffs, are able to walk through the exhibit daily, viewing artwork from Congressional districts throughout the country--each piece highlighted with the name of the work and student artist.
Interested students and teachers should contact their congressional office ASAP for more information.
View Newsletter Headers
-----------------------------------------------------------
MARCH 6
HOME SCHOOL DAY AT THE FORT WORTH ZOO
MARCH 6 - Home School Day at the Fort Worth Zoo
All home-schooled children, and their families, are invited to a fun-filled educational day in the wilds of the Fort Worth Zoo on Thursday, March 6. Keeper chats and activity stations tailor-made for home-schoolers will be available throughout the park. Enjoy asking keepers your best animal questions around the Zoo's world-class exhibits.
To Register: Download Zoo Home School Day Registration Form at http://www.heartoftex.org/downloads/downloads.html
Registration Deadline: February 27
Admission:
Children 2 and under - FREE
Pre-K through 5th grade - $3.75/person
6th grade through high school - $5.25/person
Adults: $5.50/person
Parking: $5 per vehicle (paid when entering park)
Location:
Fort Worth Zoo
1989 Colonial Parkway
Fort Worth, TX 76110
View Newsletter Headers
-----------------------------------------------------------
MARCH 10
HOME SCHOOL CHEETAH! CLASS AND TOUR
Time: 10 - 2:30ish
Break for Lunch: 12:00-1:00
Guided Tour of Fossil Rim: 1:00-2:30ish
Details: Spend the morning learning about the fastest land mammal, the cheetah, and Fossil Rim’s conservation efforts on behalf of this magnificent animal. Share a picnic lunch, then take a guided 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
View Newsletter Headers
-----------------------------------------------------------
MARCH 24
HOME SCHOOL FOSSIL DIG CLASS & TOUR
Time: 10 - 2:30ish
Break for Lunch: 12:00-1:00
Guided Tour of Fossil Rim: 1:00-2:30ish
Details: In the morning, take a bus down to our Fossil Pit and dig for marine fossils! Share a picnic lunch at the Overlook, then take a guided tour of Fossil Rim’s current, non-marine residents!!!
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
View Newsletter Headers
-----------------------------------------------------------
MARCH 11
HOMESCHOOL PROGRAMS AT MCKINNEY MEMORIAL PUBLIC LIBRARY
MARCH 11, APRIL 14 --- Research Gathering Skills
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 Home School Programs:
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
MARCH 17, APRIL 29 - Using the Internet
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
View Newsletter Headers
-----------------------------------------------------------
MARCH
REGISTRATION OPEN FOR CHRISTIAN HOME SCHOOL PROM IN DALLAS
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
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 and Details: prom@christianhomeschoolprom.org
View Newsletter Headers
-----------------------------------------------------------
MARCH
REGISTRATION OPEN FOR HOMESCHOOL PROMENADE IN WACO
MAY 3 - A Mid Summer Night’s Dream Homeschool Promenade
Time: 6:30 p.m. - 12:00 a.m.
Location: The Waco Convention Center
100 Washington Avenue in Downtown Waco
As you enter the convention Center, go up the stairs and to your left will be the Brazos Room. There will be signs showing you where to park.
Who: The Homeschool Ball is open to upper high school students and a guest.
The student must be 15 years old before September 1, 2007, and a sophomore, junior or senior. All homeschool graduates are welcome to attend as Alumni.
Registration:
February 11- March 2: $48.50 student; $25 parent or alumni
March 3 - March 26: $54.00 student; $30 parent or alumni
March 27-April 12: $59 student; $35 parent or alumni
(At least one parent or guardian must accompany each student registered)
Details: Experience an evening that will be remembered forever. A night full of fun: a formal dinner, dancing, fellowship with friends, and memories that will last a lifetime. Much of the dancing will be Civil War Era and other historical dancing.
At the event, there will an experienced photographer available. They will have reasonably priced packages available for purchase if you desire. This will be mailed out with your registration information and tickets.
Dance lessons will be provided to all participating attendees for a minimal cost. Date, times, and locations will be announced. This gives all attendees the opportunity to learn and practice the various dances before the promenade.
For More Information and Details: Contact Denise Bagby at 254-399-9193
Or audienceof1-4him@sbcglobal.net
View Newsletter Headers
-----------------------------------------------------------
MARCH
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
View Newsletter Headers
-----------------------------------------------------------
~~What's Inside This Issue ~~
(Click on the links below)
FEATURED ARTICLES
Why Should I Vote in the Primary? by Tim Lambert
Boy Scouts of America, Longhorn Council, to Host a Two-Day, Multi-County Event for Home Schoolers by Jason Beuscher
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
LIBRARY PROGRAMS
CONTESTS/COMPETITIVE EVENTS
CIVICS/GOOD CITIZENSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
CONGRESSIONAL OFFICE ANNOUNCEMENTS
HOME SCHOOL ENRICHMENT CLASSES
BOOK SALES & HOME SCHOOL BOOK STORES
NATURE CENTERS & OUTDOOR PROGRAMS/CAMPS
PERFORMING ARTS
ART MUSEUMS
IMAX/OMNI THEATERS
HISTORICAL PROGRAMS
SCIENCE EVENTS/ACTIVITIES
HOME SCHOOL SPORTS/PE PROGRAMS
SUPPORT GROUPS
COLLEGE PREP
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
OTHER EVENTS BY DATE
Back to the top
-----------------------------------------------------------
FEATURED ARTICLE
Why Should I Vote in the Primary
By Tim Lambert
On Tuesday, March 4 voters in Texas will go to the polls to nominate candidates to represent political parties in the general election in November. Many citizens fail to understand the significance of these primary elections. It is not uncommon to hear complaints by people who do not like the choices they have in the general election. Usually, these same people did not participate in the primaries to help choose parties' nominees. It is the dedicated and committed few voting in a primary that set the choices for the majority in the November elections.
Karl Rove, former political chief for President Bush, noted that the turnout of evangelical Christians in the presidential election of 2000 was down from 19 million in 1996 to 15 million. He speculated that Christians may be "returning to the sidelines." If this is true, some might argue that the people whom evangelicals have been electing to office have not done what these voters expected. They have concluded that the process does not work or that it is not worth the time and effort to be involved in the political process.
One has only to look at the presidential election of 2000, which was one of the closest in American history, to realize that we can make a dramatic difference in our country by being involved politically. Please do not misunderstand. I am not saying that government is the solution to all our problems. What I am saying is that many of our problems as home school families are the result of government at some level and that this can be changed through our involvement in the process by which Americans choose our government. George W. Bush was reelected in 2004 because thousands of new voters made the commitment to vote for him. He is also President today because some people campaigned for him to gain the nomination on the Republican ticket. In fact, far fewer people were involved in his becoming the Republican nominee than were involved in his being elected in the general election.
Texas home school families are vulnerable every time the legislature meets. But this year we are more vulnerable because the teachers' unions and gambling interests are seeking to unseat Republican State Representatives who have been staunch supporters of home schooling and to win open seats. These unions oppose home schooling and think we should be regulated by the state and thus they support candidates who very often believe that. This can be prevented in Texas, by God's grace, through the involvement of home schoolers across the state in campaigns for candidates who understand and are supportive of home schooling freedoms for parents.
I strongly urge you, everyone you know who shares your philosophy of freedom for home schooling, to vote in the Republican or Democratic Primary on March 4. In addition to voting in the primaries, those willing to be active in the political process can truly impact the positions of the political parties. I sometimes hear people say that neither of the major political parties reflects their philosophical positions, so they have joined a third party or become an independent affiliated with no political party. The problem with this approach is that third parties almost never elect anyone and, therefore, do not directly affect public policy.
Texas has open primaries, which means that any registered voter in Texas may vote in any political party's primary. However, he may only vote in one party's primary that election year, and he may not vote in a run-off election of another party. Registered voters who did not vote in any primary at all may vote in a run-off election of any party they choose.
In a primary, very few people vote compared with those who vote in a general election. I repeat: people sometimes complain that they have no good choices in the general election. Those who vote in the primary are choosing the nominee of their political party and therefore, with fewer voters involved, have a greater influence on the final outcome of the general election. Those who wish to be good citizens and enhance their impact on the government vote in the primary. For information on THSC's Good Citizenship Program and how home school students can learn about government first hand, click here.
The impact that home schoolers in Texas have had on the Republican Party of Texas is a good example of how a dedicated group of people can impact a political party.
In the early 1990s, Texas home schoolers began to vote in the Republican primaries and attend precinct conventions at the polling places after the polls closed. These activist home schoolers and like-minded friends were then elected as delegates to the county or senatorial conventions two weeks later. There, they presented and passed resolutions that represented their philosophy and elected themselves and friends as delegates to the Republican State Convention. Home schoolers on the platform committee were successful in getting the committee to adopt a resolution extolling the virtues of home education and opposing regulation by the state. When the full convention adopted that report, the official position of the Republican Party of Texas became pro-home schooling. This year we are supporting a resolution promoting the Texas Parental Rights Restoration Act (TPRRA). (See third article.)
As home school families continue to be active in the political process, they gain in government an advantage that protects their freedoms to teach their children at home. If we flag or wane in our efforts or begin to "return to the sidelines," we risk losing the freedom that we currently have and diminish the possibilities of gaining more freedoms. My prayer is that you and your family will continue, or begin, to practice good citizenship by voting in the primary of the party of your choice next Tuesday and taking part in the convention process of the political parties in Texas.
For your information, I have a brief description of the political party convention process below with a link to the two major political parties' rules that outline their respective guidelines for choosing delegates and adopting the platform of the party.
Democratic Party Link
Republican Party Link
Political Party Convention Process
Political parties in Texas outline their governing philosophy through a convention process that begins at the precinct or neighborhood level. On the night of the primary, each precinct has a convention that is open to anyone who voted, either that day or in early voting in the party's primary. Two major things are done at that meeting. After the election of a chairman for the meeting, the precinct convention elects a number of delegates to represent the precinct at the county or senatorial convention approximately two weeks later. Each precinct can send a certain number of delegates. Once that is done, the floor is open for any delegate to offer resolution(s) on any topic for discussion and vote. (See the next article for resolutions proposed by THSC PAC.) All resolutions that are adopted will be forwarded to the resolutions committee at the next level, the county or senatorial convention. The resolutions adopted in each precinct reflect the philosophy of the majority participating at that convention.
Two weeks from the Saturday following the primary, county or senatorial conventions are held. Each county that is wholly contained in a Texas senatorial district has a county convention. Those
Home Educators Alliance for Resources and Training of Texas, Inc.
MARCH 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 newsletter 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.
We also have a “featured articles” section. We hope that you will find the articles that we will include to be informative, encouraging, and full of wisdom. If you or anyone in your group would like to submit articles, or have suggestions for future article topics, please contact us at info@heartoftex.org. We would love to hear from you!
Thanks so much!
www.HEARTofTex.org
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Home Educators Alliance for Resources and Training of Texas, Inc., (HEART of Texas) is a private, non-profit 501(c)(3) corporation dedicated to serving the home schooling support groups, leaders and families in our regional service area. Our mission is to provide leadership, training, resources and support within the home school community through communications, networking activities, and events directed at home school support groups, leaders, 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.
-----------------------------------------------------------
-----------------------------------------------------------
MARCH
CONGRESSIONAL ART COMPETITION
FOR NORTH TEXAS HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS
"An Artistic Discovery" is the annual nationwide Congressional High School Art Competition initiated by Members of the U.S. House of Representatives. Each Congressional District may host its own competition, and since the competition was first launched in 1982, hundreds of thousands of students have participated in over 5000 locally conducted contests.
This spring, several North Texas Congressional offices will hold contests. The winning student from each district will have his or her artwork displayed in the U.S. Capitol complex for one year! In addition, the winners and their two guests are invited to the nation's capital in the summer to attend a ribbon-cutting ceremony honoring the winning artists from across the country and opening the 2008 "An Artistic Discovery" exhibition. Thousands of people visiting the nation's capitol, as well as Members of Congress and their staffs, are able to walk through the exhibit daily, viewing artwork from Congressional districts throughout the country--each piece highlighted with the name of the work and student artist.
Interested students and teachers should contact their congressional office ASAP for more information.
| Dist. | Member | Contact | Phone | Deadline |
| TX-3 | Rep. Sam Johnson | Deanna Kuykendall
|
972-470-0892 | March 12 |
| TX-4 | Rep. Ralph Hall | Natalie Raulston
|
972-771-9118 | March 12 |
| TX-5 | Rep. Jeb Hensarling | Sarah Rozier
|
214-349-9996 | March 28 |
| TX-12 | Rep. Kay Granger | Marcia Etie
|
817-338-0909 | April 25 |
| TX-24 | Rep. Kenny Marchant | Amanda Post
|
972-556-0162 | April 11 |
| TX-26 | Rep. Michael Burgess | Joan Self
|
972-434-9700 | April 7 |
| TX-30 | Rep. Eddie Bernice Johnson | Peter Osborne
|
214-922-8885 | April 24 |
View Newsletter Headers
-----------------------------------------------------------
MARCH 6
HOME SCHOOL DAY AT THE FORT WORTH ZOO
MARCH 6 - Home School Day at the Fort Worth Zoo
All home-schooled children, and their families, are invited to a fun-filled educational day in the wilds of the Fort Worth Zoo on Thursday, March 6. Keeper chats and activity stations tailor-made for home-schoolers will be available throughout the park. Enjoy asking keepers your best animal questions around the Zoo's world-class exhibits.
To Register: Download Zoo Home School Day Registration Form at http://www.heartoftex.org/downloads/downloads.html
Registration Deadline: February 27
Admission:
Children 2 and under - FREE
Pre-K through 5th grade - $3.75/person
6th grade through high school - $5.25/person
Adults: $5.50/person
Parking: $5 per vehicle (paid when entering park)
Location:
Fort Worth Zoo
1989 Colonial Parkway
Fort Worth, TX 76110
View Newsletter Headers
-----------------------------------------------------------
MARCH 10
HOME SCHOOL CHEETAH! CLASS AND TOUR
Time: 10 - 2:30ish
Break for Lunch: 12:00-1:00
Guided Tour of Fossil Rim: 1:00-2:30ish
Details: Spend the morning learning about the fastest land mammal, the cheetah, and Fossil Rim’s conservation efforts on behalf of this magnificent animal. Share a picnic lunch, then take a guided 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
View Newsletter Headers
-----------------------------------------------------------
MARCH 24
HOME SCHOOL FOSSIL DIG CLASS & TOUR
Time: 10 - 2:30ish
Break for Lunch: 12:00-1:00
Guided Tour of Fossil Rim: 1:00-2:30ish
Details: In the morning, take a bus down to our Fossil Pit and dig for marine fossils! Share a picnic lunch at the Overlook, then take a guided tour of Fossil Rim’s current, non-marine residents!!!
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
View Newsletter Headers
-----------------------------------------------------------
MARCH 11
HOMESCHOOL PROGRAMS AT MCKINNEY MEMORIAL PUBLIC LIBRARY
MARCH 11, APRIL 14 --- Research Gathering Skills
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 Home School Programs:
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
MARCH 17, APRIL 29 - Using the Internet
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
View Newsletter Headers
-----------------------------------------------------------
MARCH
REGISTRATION OPEN FOR CHRISTIAN HOME SCHOOL PROM IN DALLAS
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
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 and Details: prom@christianhomeschoolprom.org
View Newsletter Headers
-----------------------------------------------------------
MARCH
REGISTRATION OPEN FOR HOMESCHOOL PROMENADE IN WACO
MAY 3 - A Mid Summer Night’s Dream Homeschool Promenade
Time: 6:30 p.m. - 12:00 a.m.
Location: The Waco Convention Center
100 Washington Avenue in Downtown Waco
As you enter the convention Center, go up the stairs and to your left will be the Brazos Room. There will be signs showing you where to park.
Who: The Homeschool Ball is open to upper high school students and a guest.
The student must be 15 years old before September 1, 2007, and a sophomore, junior or senior. All homeschool graduates are welcome to attend as Alumni.
Registration:
February 11- March 2: $48.50 student; $25 parent or alumni
March 3 - March 26: $54.00 student; $30 parent or alumni
March 27-April 12: $59 student; $35 parent or alumni
(At least one parent or guardian must accompany each student registered)
Details: Experience an evening that will be remembered forever. A night full of fun: a formal dinner, dancing, fellowship with friends, and memories that will last a lifetime. Much of the dancing will be Civil War Era and other historical dancing.
At the event, there will an experienced photographer available. They will have reasonably priced packages available for purchase if you desire. This will be mailed out with your registration information and tickets.
Dance lessons will be provided to all participating attendees for a minimal cost. Date, times, and locations will be announced. This gives all attendees the opportunity to learn and practice the various dances before the promenade.
For More Information and Details: Contact Denise Bagby at 254-399-9193
Or audienceof1-4him@sbcglobal.net
View Newsletter Headers
-----------------------------------------------------------
MARCH
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
View Newsletter Headers
~~What's Inside This Issue ~~
(Click on the links below)
FEATURED ARTICLES
Why Should I Vote in the Primary? by Tim Lambert
Boy Scouts of America, Longhorn Council, to Host a Two-Day, Multi-County Event for Home Schoolers by Jason Beuscher
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
LIBRARY PROGRAMS
- Library Programs at North
Texas Libraries --- North Texas ---
March
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
- BEST Robotics 2008 Preview: Just Plane Crazy! --- Texas Best
- Dallas Regional Science & Engineering Fair --- Dallas --- March 29-30
- Texas State Fish-Art Contests --- Entries Due March 31, 2008
- National Engineers Week --- Future City Competition
- National Congressional Art Competition --- Districts 3, 4, 5, 12, 24, 26, 30
CIVICS/GOOD CITIZENSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
- City of Fort Worth Youth Advisory Board --- Fort Worth
- Texas Home School Coalition Good Citizenship Award Program --- State-wide
CONGRESSIONAL OFFICE ANNOUNCEMENTS
HOME SCHOOL ENRICHMENT CLASSES
- THEO Home School Classes -- Plano
- Faith Christian Academy --- McKinney
- Homeschoolers East Co-Op Classes --- East Dallas
- Tarrant County College --- High School Math Classes
BOOK SALES & HOME SCHOOL BOOK STORES
- Library Used Book Sales
in North Texas
Tyler - March 15-16
Marshall - March 28-29
Arlington - April 2-6
Wichita Falls - April 5
Dallas - April 11-13
Denton - April 12
Haltom City - April 24-26
Rockwall - April 25-26
Southlake - April 25-27
- Christian Educators Resource Center -- Rowlett
- Creative Arts in Action --- Watauga
- Home Educators Resource --- Duncanville; Lewisville
NATURE CENTERS & OUTDOOR PROGRAMS/CAMPS
- Dallas Arboretum - Dallas
- Heritage Farmstead Museum --- Plano
- Texas Parks and Wildlife Programs--- State Parks in North Texas
PERFORMING ARTS
- Performances at Casa
Manana Children’s
Playhouse
Junie B. Jones --- February 22 - March 9
- Performances at
CATS --- Arlington
Pied Piper of Hamlin - March 28 - April 6
- Cottage Theater -
Creative Arts in Action
--- Watauga
Anne of Green Gables - March 7 - March 10
- Theater Performances at
Artisan Center Theater
---Hurst
Smoke on the Mountain (3) Homecoming --- March 14 - April 12
Standin’ Tall With Dependability --- March 17 - April 11
- Performances at Bass Performance Hall --- Fort Worth
- Dallas Children’s
Theater --- Dallas
House at Pooh Corner --- February 29 - March 30
- Plano Children’s
Theater --- Plano
Princess Bride --- February 22 - March 8
ART MUSEUMS
- Amon Carter Museum Exhibits - Fort Worth
- Dallas Museum of Art Exhibit --- Dallas
- Kimball Art Museum
Exhibit --- Fort Worth
Picturing the Bible --- Through March 2008
- Museum of Nature & Science --- Dallas
- Museum of Science & History --- Fort Worth
IMAX/OMNI THEATERS
- Shows at the Dallas Imax Theatre -- Museum of Science and Nature
- Shows at the Fort Worth Omni Theater --- Fort Worth Museum of Science & History
HISTORICAL PROGRAMS
- Programs at Log Cabin Village --- Fort Worth
- Dallas Heritage Village --- Dallas
- Ancient Treasures from the Holy Land --- Plano
SCIENCE EVENTS/ACTIVITIES
HOME SCHOOL SPORTS/PE PROGRAMS
- Maritime Merry Time Tuesdays (Open Homeschool Swim) --- The Colony Aquatic Park
- Dallas Thunder Homeschool Basketball Organization --- Registration Open
- Home School Athletic Association --- Football Players - Informational Meeting
- Junior High Girls Basketball Players Needed --- THESA Riders --- ASAP
- Home School PE Classes --- Velocity Sports in Highland Park
- Home School PE Classes --- Velocity Sports in Southlake
- Home School Fencing Classes --- Fencing Institute of Texas --- Farmers Branch
- Pop-In Playtime --- Pump It Up of Grapevine --- Grapevine
- Home School Bowling --- Irving
SUPPORT GROUPS
- Smoothing the
Way Meetings in North Texas ---
February/March
Arlington - February 26
Athens/Tyler Area - February 19
Denton - March 6
North Richland Hills - March 3
Plano - February 26
Sulphur Springs - February 19
- Keller 4H Club Meetings--Keller
- Park Day Drama Club ---- Plano
COLLEGE PREP
- PSAT Prep Classes with Jean Burk --- Various Locations Across North Texas
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
- Volunteer Opportunities Available for Home School Students in 21 Counties --- American Cancer Society
OTHER EVENTS BY DATE
- 8-Week SAT Prep Course at Creative Arts in Action ---- Watauga
- PBS Masterpiece Theater Presents The Complete Jane Austen --- Through April 3
- Christian Home School Prom --- Dallas, TX --- Register Today!
- Home School Day at the Fort Worth Zoo --- Fort Worth --- March 6
- Jenifer Fox Seminar: Your Child’s Strengths --- Dallas --- March 6
- A Thomas Jefferson Education Seminar --- Wylie --- March 7
- Writing Workshop with Rooster Morris --- Carrollton --- March 27
- CERC Hosting Jan Bedell: Dyslexia, ADD/ADHD - A Drug-Free Solution --- Garland --- March 31
- Effective Communication Course --- Dallas --- March 31-April 5
- Boy Scouts to Host Two-Day Home School Event --- 18 North Texas Locations --- April 3 & 8th
- Hella Shrine Circus at Reunion Arena - Dallas - April 4
- A Maiden’s Quest: Young Ladies Retreat --- Dallas --- April 18 & 19
- Teen Pact Leadership School Coming to Texas--- Registration Open --- April 21-25
- Christian Home School Prom --- Dallas, TX --- April 26
- Home School Daze at Hawaiian Falls --- The Colony --- May 3
- Home School Promenade --- Waco --- May 3 (Registration Open)
Back to the top
-----------------------------------------------------------
FEATURED ARTICLE
Why Should I Vote in the Primary
By Tim Lambert
On Tuesday, March 4 voters in Texas will go to the polls to nominate candidates to represent political parties in the general election in November. Many citizens fail to understand the significance of these primary elections. It is not uncommon to hear complaints by people who do not like the choices they have in the general election. Usually, these same people did not participate in the primaries to help choose parties' nominees. It is the dedicated and committed few voting in a primary that set the choices for the majority in the November elections.
Karl Rove, former political chief for President Bush, noted that the turnout of evangelical Christians in the presidential election of 2000 was down from 19 million in 1996 to 15 million. He speculated that Christians may be "returning to the sidelines." If this is true, some might argue that the people whom evangelicals have been electing to office have not done what these voters expected. They have concluded that the process does not work or that it is not worth the time and effort to be involved in the political process.
One has only to look at the presidential election of 2000, which was one of the closest in American history, to realize that we can make a dramatic difference in our country by being involved politically. Please do not misunderstand. I am not saying that government is the solution to all our problems. What I am saying is that many of our problems as home school families are the result of government at some level and that this can be changed through our involvement in the process by which Americans choose our government. George W. Bush was reelected in 2004 because thousands of new voters made the commitment to vote for him. He is also President today because some people campaigned for him to gain the nomination on the Republican ticket. In fact, far fewer people were involved in his becoming the Republican nominee than were involved in his being elected in the general election.
Texas home school families are vulnerable every time the legislature meets. But this year we are more vulnerable because the teachers' unions and gambling interests are seeking to unseat Republican State Representatives who have been staunch supporters of home schooling and to win open seats. These unions oppose home schooling and think we should be regulated by the state and thus they support candidates who very often believe that. This can be prevented in Texas, by God's grace, through the involvement of home schoolers across the state in campaigns for candidates who understand and are supportive of home schooling freedoms for parents.
I strongly urge you, everyone you know who shares your philosophy of freedom for home schooling, to vote in the Republican or Democratic Primary on March 4. In addition to voting in the primaries, those willing to be active in the political process can truly impact the positions of the political parties. I sometimes hear people say that neither of the major political parties reflects their philosophical positions, so they have joined a third party or become an independent affiliated with no political party. The problem with this approach is that third parties almost never elect anyone and, therefore, do not directly affect public policy.
Texas has open primaries, which means that any registered voter in Texas may vote in any political party's primary. However, he may only vote in one party's primary that election year, and he may not vote in a run-off election of another party. Registered voters who did not vote in any primary at all may vote in a run-off election of any party they choose.
In a primary, very few people vote compared with those who vote in a general election. I repeat: people sometimes complain that they have no good choices in the general election. Those who vote in the primary are choosing the nominee of their political party and therefore, with fewer voters involved, have a greater influence on the final outcome of the general election. Those who wish to be good citizens and enhance their impact on the government vote in the primary. For information on THSC's Good Citizenship Program and how home school students can learn about government first hand, click here.
The impact that home schoolers in Texas have had on the Republican Party of Texas is a good example of how a dedicated group of people can impact a political party.
In the early 1990s, Texas home schoolers began to vote in the Republican primaries and attend precinct conventions at the polling places after the polls closed. These activist home schoolers and like-minded friends were then elected as delegates to the county or senatorial conventions two weeks later. There, they presented and passed resolutions that represented their philosophy and elected themselves and friends as delegates to the Republican State Convention. Home schoolers on the platform committee were successful in getting the committee to adopt a resolution extolling the virtues of home education and opposing regulation by the state. When the full convention adopted that report, the official position of the Republican Party of Texas became pro-home schooling. This year we are supporting a resolution promoting the Texas Parental Rights Restoration Act (TPRRA). (See third article.)
As home school families continue to be active in the political process, they gain in government an advantage that protects their freedoms to teach their children at home. If we flag or wane in our efforts or begin to "return to the sidelines," we risk losing the freedom that we currently have and diminish the possibilities of gaining more freedoms. My prayer is that you and your family will continue, or begin, to practice good citizenship by voting in the primary of the party of your choice next Tuesday and taking part in the convention process of the political parties in Texas.
For your information, I have a brief description of the political party convention process below with a link to the two major political parties' rules that outline their respective guidelines for choosing delegates and adopting the platform of the party.
Democratic Party Link
Republican Party Link
Political Party Convention Process
Political parties in Texas outline their governing philosophy through a convention process that begins at the precinct or neighborhood level. On the night of the primary, each precinct has a convention that is open to anyone who voted, either that day or in early voting in the party's primary. Two major things are done at that meeting. After the election of a chairman for the meeting, the precinct convention elects a number of delegates to represent the precinct at the county or senatorial convention approximately two weeks later. Each precinct can send a certain number of delegates. Once that is done, the floor is open for any delegate to offer resolution(s) on any topic for discussion and vote. (See the next article for resolutions proposed by THSC PAC.) All resolutions that are adopted will be forwarded to the resolutions committee at the next level, the county or senatorial convention. The resolutions adopted in each precinct reflect the philosophy of the majority participating at that convention.
Two weeks from the Saturday following the primary, county or senatorial conventions are held. Each county that is wholly contained in a Texas senatorial district has a county convention. Those