April 2008

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


APRIL 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

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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.

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~~ April Highlights~~


APRIL 3 & 8
BOY SCOUTS TO HOST TWO DAY HOMESCHOOL EVENT
AT LOCATIONS ACROSS NORTH TEXAS

The Longhorn Council of the Boy Scouts of America, which covers 23 counties in North Texas, is hosting two-day open houses 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.

Locations: 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.

For Listing of Locations: Click Here

Or visit: www.heartoftex.org and click the tab labeled “Scouts.”

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APRIL 8
BOYS HIGH SCHOOL SOCCER
PARENT/PLAYER INFORMATION MEETING

Time: 7 p.m.
Location: Central Market
190 & Coit (Northeast Corner)
Enter at the stairs in front of the Café entrance
Community Room is reserved for HSAA!
Meeting will include:
Meeting the coach(s)
Uniform selection
Practice days & times
Eligibility requirements
Schedule
Cost
& other HSAA guidelines

For More Information about HSAA: www.hsaa.org

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APRIL 8
ACADEMIC ACCOMMODATIONS FOR COLLEGE STUDENTS WITH SPECIAL NEEDS

Time: 6:30-8:30 p.m.
Cost: FREE
Location: Collin College Spring Creek Campus Conference Center 2800 E. Spring Creek Parkway, Plano
To Register: destinationcollege@cccd.edu or 972-377-1772
This free workshop will provide students, parents, and educators with information to help their students’ successfully transition into the college setting, whether it be a university or a community college. Learn more about the required current documentation guidelines and the key differences between secondary 504 modification and post-secondary accommodations. Find out about the resources and support programs that are available to students with special needs. Come early - exhibits open at 6:00 PM!
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APRIL 11
THSC AWARDS BANQUET APRIL 11


APRIL 11 - THSC 13th Annual Awards Banquet

Keynote Speaker: Senator Dan Patrick

Time: 7:30 p.m.
Location: Omni Houston Hotel
Four Riverway, Houston, Texas
To Register: events@thsc.org or 806-744-4441
Or download registration form at http://www.thsc.org/banquet/default.asp
Attire: Dressy
Tickets: Individual tickets may be obtained while space is available for a suggested donation of $45 per ticket. Simply complete and remit the registration form.

Sponsorships:
Sponsors of banquet tables, which include seating for ten, will receive
special recognition on the banquet program.
Bronze ($500 donation)
Silver ($1000 donation) - two VIP reception tickets
Gold ($2500 donation) - four VIP reception tickets
Diamond ($5000 donation) - six VIP reception tickets
Platinum ($10,000) - ten VIP reception tickets

Details: Come for an elegant dinner and an evening honoring the achievements of home schoolers and those who have supported home schooling in Texas. Join radio talk show host, author, and senator, Dan Patrick, THSC President Tim Lambert , top Good Citizenship award winners, and many other home school notables. In conjunction with the dinner, there will be a silent auction. Check the link below for the most current list of auction items.

For More Information and Details, Including Hotel Accommodations: http://www.thsc.org/banquet/default.asp

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APRIL 11
HOME SCHOOL ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION VOLLEYBALL TRYOUTS
FOR HIGH SCHOOL AND MIDDLE SCHOOL

The Home School Athletic Association is a Christian-based organization providing athletics for
homeschoolers through volunteer home school parent. They provide various programs including football, baseball, volleyball, soccer, and basketball for high school and middle school home schoolers.

APRIL 4 (Warm Up)
Time: 12 p.m. - 2 p.m. (high school)
2 p.m. - 4 p.m. (middle school)

APRIL 11 (Official Try-Out)
Time: 12 p.m. - 2 p.m. (high school)
2 p.m. - 4 p.m. (middle school)

Location: Believers Chapel
6420 Churchill Way
Dallas, TX 75230

To Participate:
You must bring a Tryout Form and Medical Release Form with you to tryouts.
Download both forms at: http://www.hsaa.org/VB_Page.htm

Cost: $15 Per Player Tryout Fee

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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APRIL 14 & 24
HOMESCHOOL PROGRAMS AT MCKINNEY MEMORIAL PUBLIC LIBRARY

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

Other Programs for Home Schoolers:
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:

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

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APRIL 12
DFW METROPLEX US SERVICE ACADEMIES DAY & FORUM

Time: 8 a.m. - 12 p.m.

Location: Tarrant County College Northeast, Student Center
828 Harwood Road
Hurst, TX 76054

Cost: FREE and open to the public

Contact: Robin Vaughan, Office of Congressman Michael Burgess at 972-434-9700 or
Robin.vaughan@mail.house.gov

Details: The U.S. Service Academies Forum is jointly sponsored by Congressman Michael Burgess, as well as Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison and Senator John Cornyn, Congressman Sam Johnson, Congressman Joe Barton, Congresswoman Kay Granger, Congressman Kenny Marchant, and Congressman Pete Sessions.

This informational forum provides interested students grades eight through twelve an opportunity to learn more about our nation's service academies, requirements for admission and the selection process.

Representatives from congressional offices and all five academies (U.S. Military Academy, U.S. Naval Academy, U.S. Coast Guard Academy, U.S. Merchant Marine Academy and U.S. Air Force Academy) as well as cadets and midshipmen will be on hand to talk with North Texas students, parents and educators on a one to one basis about the possibilities associated with attending these premier educational institutions and the sorts of careers they generate. For those interested in additional options, ROTC representatives will also be present to assist students with ROTC scholarship information.

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APRIL 12
REGISTRATION ENDS 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:
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.

For More Information and Details: Contact Denise Bagby at 254-399-9193
Or audienceof1-4him@sbcglobal.net

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APRIL 19
MEET THE DOOLITTLE TOKYO RAIDERS

Experience LIVING HISTORY!!
A free presentation for the public with members of the famous 1942 surprise raid on Tokyo.

McDermott Library at The University of Texas at Dallas believes it is important to make you aware that this rare opportunity is available on

Time: 1:30 - 3:30 p.m.

Location: UT Dallas Conference Center
Richardson, TX

Who: Everyone is welcome, but the UTD auditorium seats only 500.

Cost: FREE and open to the public. Parking is also free.

Details: Up to nine of the living airmen who flew on the famous and perilous mission led by Jimmy Doolittle over Tokyo on April 18, 1942, will be at UTD's Conference Center for a free, public presentation.

The USAF will have the famous 80 goblets from the Air Force Museum that once were kept at the Air Force Academy.

The program will include:
A history presentation by Doolittle Tokyo Raiders historian C.V. Glines,
A panel discussion and Q&A with the Raiders
Free autograph and book signing
Presentations of Texas flags flown over the Capital in Austin by State Rep. Fred Hill Raiders books for sale by the UTD Bookstore
Special U.S. Postal Service date cancel to commemorate the day.
Mayoral Proclamation from the City of Richardson

The Raiders are in the Dallas area during the week for their 66th Anniversary Reunion.

For More Information: 972-883-2570 or 972-883-4951

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APRIL 22
REENACTMENT OF THE OKLAHOMA LAND RUN

APRIL 22

Location: Heights Park in Richardson
711 W. Arapaho Road
at the corner of Floyd and Arapaho

To Participate: Just show up! Come dressed in "89'er" clothes if you want.

Time: The "gunshot", signifying the start of the race, will go off at 3:05p.m.
Come early to be ready. It takes about 1/2 an hour to run & officially claim land and the rest of the time is spent talking or buying and selling. You can come late as there is usually land to claim & certainly you can still buy & sell!

Volunteers Needed!!! Please volunteer (teen or adult) to help by coming early to pound stakes or man the land office right after the run.

For More Information: Contact Cathy Allen at 972-442- 3006 or 972-742-5215
Or by email at allenadvertising@verizon.net.

For More Details Click Here

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APRIL
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

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APRIL
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

Book Review: The Summer of Saint Nick Reviewed by Anne Gebhart
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
  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

  1. Student Art Contest Sponsored by Trails Country Center for the Arts --- April 18 & 19 Eligible Counties: Wood, Rains, Franklin, Hopkins, Winnsboro, Camp, Titus

  1. National Congressional Art Competition --- Districts 3, 4, 5, 12, 24, 26, 30


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

  1. City of North Richland Hills Teen Court --- North Richland Hills

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


CONGRESSIONAL OFFICE ANNOUNCEMENTS
  1. Certificates of Special Congressional Recognition for Graduating Seniors

  1. US Services Academies Forum --- Hurst --- April 12

  1. National Congressional Art Competition --- Districts 3, 4, 5, 12, 24, 26, 30


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

  1. Classes and Achievement Testing Available at CERC in Rowlett

  1. Faith Christian Academy --- McKinney

  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
Arlington - April 2-6
Tyler - April 3-5
Wichita Falls - April 5
Grand Prairie - April 9-13
Crowley - April 11-12
Dallas - April 11-13
Denton - April 12
White Settlement - April 12
Cedar Park - April 12-14
Sherman - April 19
Haltom City - April 24-26
Burleson - April 25-26
Rockwall - April 25-26
Fort Worth - April 25-27
Southlake - April 25-27
Granbury - April 26-27

  1. Christian Educators Resource Center -- Rowlett

  1. Creative Arts in Action --- Watauga --- Spring Clearance Sale in April

  1. Home Educators Resource --- Lewisville

  1. RHSA Used Book Sale --- Richardson --- April 10


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

  1. Homeschool Family Camp at Snow Mountain Ranch --- Colorado --- August 17-22


PERFORMING ARTS
  1. Performances at Casa Manana Children’s Playhouse
Little Red Riding Hood --- April 4-20

  1. Performances at CATS --- Arlington
Pied Piper of Hamlin - March 28 - April 6
Disney’s Beauty & the Beast - May 2-11

  1. Cottage Theater - Creative Arts in Action --- Watauga
Fiddler on the Roof - April 18-21
  1. Theater Performances at Artisan Center Theater ---Hurst
Smoke on the Mountain (3) Homecoming --- March 14 - April 12
The Foreigner - April 25 - May 17
Standin’ Tall With Dependability (Children’s Theater) --- March 17 - April 11
The Unhappy Princess (Children’s Theater) --- April 28 - May 16
  1. Performances at Bass Performance Hall --- Fort Worth

  1. Dallas Children’s Theater --- Dallas
The Giver --- Through April 20
Eat (It’s Not About Food) --- April 11 - May 11

  1. Plano Children’s Theater --- Plano
  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
SCIENCE EVENTS/ACTIVITIES
  1. Star Parties at Fort Worth Museum of Science and History

  1. Build Your Own Telescope Class at Noble Planetarium ---


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

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

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

  1. Home School Athletic Association
Volleyball Tryouts March 28 & April 4
Boys High School Soccer Info Meeting April 8

  1. THESA Riders Home School Sports Association

  1. Hulcy Home School PE Classes --- Richardson (Taught by Rhett Hulcy)

  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. Tae Kwondo for Home Schoolers --- Plano


SUPPORT GROUPS
  1. Smoothing the Way Meetings in North Texas --- March/April
Arlington - March 25
Athens/Tyler Area - April 15
Denton - April 3
North Richland Hills - April 7
Plano - March 25
Sulphur Springs - April 15
  1. Keller 4H Club Meetings-Keller

  1. Park Day Drama Club ---- Plano


COLLEGE PREP
  1. SAT Test Dates

  1. PSAT Prep Classes with Jean Burk --- Various Locations Across North Texas

  1. Academic Accommodations for College Students with Special Needs Seminar - Plano --- April 8


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