November 2008
Home Educators Alliance for Resources and Training of Texas, Inc.
NOVEMBER 2008 ISSUE
Home School News and Events
Dear Home School Families 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!
www.HEARTofTex.org
Our deadlines are as follows:
the 12th of the month, for the mid-month issue;
the 27th of the month for the issue that goes out at the beginning of the following month.
Thanks so much!
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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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~Highlights ~
IMMEDIATE NEED!!
JUDGES NEEDED FOR
FRISCO SPEECH & DEBATE TOURNAMENT
NOVEMBER 14-15
No experience necessary!
We spoil our judges!
Enjoy a delicious array of foods and desserts while you judge!
Location: First Baptist Church Frisco
7901 Main Street
Frisco, TX 75034
Our first Speech & Debate practice tournament of the season will be held at First Baptist Church Frisco, Nov. 14-15th. Competitors from all over the region will gather for 2 days of exciting competition...debating foreign policy and performing compelling & entertaining speeches!
To Sign Up to Judge: http://www.texasdebate.org/
This is an excellent opportunity to bring your highschoolers to see what speech & debate is all about and provide valuable feedback to competitors as the sharpen their communication skills.
For More Information: Suzanne Nasser at 817-488-5897 or smnasser@verizon.net
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NOVEMBER 7
NOBLE PLANETARIUM'S
FINAL STAR PARTY OF THE SEASON
Time: 7:30 p.m.
Location: Fort Worth Convention Center
Cost: FREE and open to the public
Please join us for free telescope observing!
Members of the Fort Worth Astronomical Society join the staff of the Noble Planeterum in Downtown Fort Worth this month at the Fort Worth Convention Center.
For More Information: Linda Krouse at 817-255-9409
Click Here for information about the Build Your Own Telescope Class
on December 6.
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NOVEMBER 8
CIVIL WAR ON THE HOME FRONT
CUB & BOY SCOUT DAY (ALSO OPEN TO THE PUBLIC)
AT DALLAS HERITAGE VILLAGE
NOVEMBER 5 - REGISTRATION DEADLINE for $5 advance tickets
Tickets: $5 advance tickets (by November 5)
At gate: $9/adults; $7/seniors (65+); $6 kids (4 & up); free/children 3 and under
Patches: $3
Location: Dallas Heritage Village
Details: Join Dallas Heritage Village in recreating this exciting time in our history at our major reenactment event of the year. Confederate units will meet to muster, drill, and recruit. Civilian refugees from Border States and the Deep South join the citizens of Dallas. Union Army units set up camp. Civilian life demonstrations will occur in the 1860s Living Farmstead and Miller complex.
To Register Your Pack or Troop: 214-413-3674 or reservations@dallasheritagevillage.org
Please include your Pack or Troop number (if applicable) when ordering.
For More Information: Contact Megan DiRienzoat 214-413-3677 or Click Here to email her
Frequently Asked Questions: Click Here
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NOVEMBER 8 & 9
REPTILE FEST
MUSEUM OF NATURE & SCIENCE IN DALLAS
Time: Saturday: 10a.m. - 5p.m
Sunday: Noon - 5p.m.
Cost: Included in price of general admission
Location: MNS Fair Park Campus: Science Building (1318 South Second Avenue)
and Nature Building (3535 Grand Avenue)
Scheduled Activities: Click Here
Details:
They share space with us on every continent except Antarctica. They have scales instead of feathers or hair. They breathe air just like us, but they don’t have an internal heating and cooling system. Who are they? They’re reptiles! And at the MNS we think they’re so amazing they deserve their own special event—an entire weekend of spectacularly creepy, crawly, slithery fun with interactive presentations and hands-on activities presented by local experts.
Explore the cool, cold-blooded world of snakes, lizards, turtles, and other reptiles. Touch incredible critters from Texas and around the world. Find out if it’s boa or python, turtle or tortoise, venomous or not. Play a game of reptile hide and seek. Make your own lizard marionette and more!
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NOVEMBER 7-9 & 14-16
TOYOTA DRIVING EXPECTATIONS
Cost: FREE and open to the public
Location: Lone Star Park in Grand Prairie, Texas
Details:
What is Toyota Driving Expectations?
• A free program that puts newly licensed teens (and teens with permits) into the classroom for instruction, and behind the wheel on multiple defensive driving courses.
• A program that offers parents insight into the challenges facing teen drivers and provides recommendations and countermeasures for any driving concerns they may have.
• Fully funded by Toyota and endorsed by both the National Safety Council and the Federal Highway Administration.
Toyota Driving Expectations goes beyond what is currently taught in typical driver’s training classes in order to help teens identify and react to dangerous driving situations. To better understand the critical relationship between distractions and reaction time, both teens and parents navigate a driving course while drinking water, listening to loud music and talking on a cell phone. They also experience hard braking maneuvers on wet and dry pavement and maneuver through multiple slalom driving courses under the watchful eyes of professional drivers.
Our goal is to educate teen drivers & parents alike.
To download an event flyer with more information on Toyota Driving Expectations: http://www.heartoftex.org/downloads/downloads.html
To Register: www.ToyotaDrivingExpectations.com
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NOVEMBER 8 & 9
PRIMITIVE SURVIVAL 3: EXTENDED WILDERNESS LIVING
CAMP TONKAWA
Pre-requisite: Primitive Survival Skills Classes 1 & 2
(Two-day camp)
Time: 9:30 a.m (Nov 8) - 2:30 p.m. (Nov 9)
Cost: $45/Children 17 & Under; $60/Adults
Bring: Lunches and, if spending the night, your own camping equipment (tent, sleeping bag, plate, bowl, cup, and utensils.) Camp chairs and flashlights are also nice to have but not a necessity.
For Details: You have learned about the Survival Sacred Order and now are ready for the next step in your primitive skills. If you happen to get yourself into a survival situation that gets prolonged, these skills would make your stay in the wilderness more comfortable. They would be also useful if you just wanted to live more closely to the earth on a day to day basis, appreciating the earth and all it's bountiful gifts it has to offer. One just has to learn to "see" and then have the knowledge to use in a caretaker manner what nature provides for us all. Click Here for more details.
For More Information or to RSVP: Call April at 902-429-6483
Other November Dates at Camp Tonkawa:
(for More Information or to RSVP for any of these camps call April at 902-429-6483)
NOVEMBER 12 & 13 - Nature Awareness Day Camp: Endangered Wildlife
Time: 9:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.
Cost: $15 per camp, if pre registering by mail, $18 at the camp walk ins welcome, $10 for 4 year olds. Parents and Under 4 Free.
Please call to register: 903-6483
Details: We will try only throughout this year to make a Wednesday camp. We need at least 12 chlldren registered. If a different day of the week would work better, let us know; although, Fridays are not an option for us. The topic this month is endangered Species. Click Here for more details.
NOVEMBER 15 - Basic Horse Day Camp: Shelter
Time: 10a.m. - 3p.m.
Cost: $45/person. Parents or scout leaders who will NOT be riding are free.
Group rates available for 10+ participants.
Bring: Lunch and drinking water. Bring helmet if you have one.
Make sure to bring hats and suncreen for sunny days.
Class Description: This class is for all of you who "wish" they had a horse. You will get a general overview of the responsibilities of having a pet of this size. Wear your old blue jeans and boots, if you happen to have them (hiking boots the next best footwear, then gym shoes), because you will get a chance to do some basic riding. Click Here for more details.
NOVEMBER 16 - Primitive Survival Skills: Edible Plants
Time: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Cost: $25 (8-12 year olds); $30 (13-15 year olds); $35 (16 - adult)
Bring your own lunch.
Description: At any time, anywhere, things can go wrong and you might find yourself in a survival situation. You can survive 3 minutes without oxygen, 3 hours without shelter, 3 days without water, and 3 weeks without food. To stay alive, you must find or build a shelter, obtain "safe" drinking water, start a fire and gather food. This day camp series will cover information that we learned and have been trained to teach, from the Tom Brown Primitive Survival School. During the course of the five workshop day camps you will have hands on learning that will keep you alive. Click Here for more details.
NOVEMBER 27 - Annual Thanksgiving Celebration Pot Luck
Cost: FREE
Details: Bring your own food (enough to feed the amount of people in your party)
Bring your own plates (non-disposable, please). Stations will be set up for clean up.
Bring extra folding tables, folding chairs and tablecloths if you have them.
To RSVP: 903-429-6483 with the number of people in your party and what you're planning to bring.
If you don't have family, come celebrate with us!
To View other Camp Offerings: Click Here
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NOVEMBER 14-15
FRISCO SPEECH & DEBATE TOURNAMENT
JUDGES NEEDED -- PLEASE RESPOND IMMEDIATELY!
Location: First Baptist Church Frisco
7901 Main Street
Frisco, TX 75034
Our first Speech & Debate practice tournament of the season will be held at First Baptist Church Frisco, Nov. 14-15th. Competitors from all over the region will gather for 2 days of exciting competition...debating foreign policy and performing compelling & entertaining speeches!
To Sign Up to Judge: http://www.texasdebate.org/
No experience necessary!
Enjoy a delicious array of foods & desserts while you judge!
This is an excellent opportunity to bring your highschoolers to see what speech & debate is all about and provide valuable feedback to competitors as the sharpen their communication skills.
For More Information: Suzanne Nasser at 817-488-5897 or smnasser@verizon.net
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NOVEMBER 15
AMERICAN SCOUT DAY
HERITAGE FARMSTEAD MUSEUM IN PLANO
Register your troop by NOVEMBER 5
Time: 9am-Noon or 1pm-4pm
Cost: $8/scout (includes patch); 2 adults free per troop; $6/additional adults
$3 for additional Scout Day patches
Details: Bring your whole troop and experience Pioneer life on the Texas Blackland Prairie.
Includes: tours of the 14-room historic Farrell-Wilson house
Self-Discovery stations in the Pole Barn
Make Nineteenth Century Crafts
Play historic games
Explore 4 beautiful acres with 12 original outbuildings
See the farmstead animals.
For Registration and Other Information: 972-881-0140 or Click Here
Location: Heritage Farmstead Museum
1900 West 15th Street
Plano, TX
For Other Events at Heritage Farmstead Museum: Click Here
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NOVEMBER 15
TEXAS DISCOVERY GARDENS PRESENTS:
MODERN VICTORY GARDENS: A COMMUNITY GARDEN EDUCATIONAL SERIES
Rain Date: December 13
Time: 9a.m. - Noon
Cost: $25/class; $20 for members
Details: Tired of $3 bell peppers at the grocery store and the $4 gas that gets you there? Join a growing trend and learn how to create a bountiful community or backyard garden. Drink your coffee and come ready to learn everything you ever wanted to know about Fall garden prep in Dallas. Dress for the weather, as we will take you outside and show you what to do while we tell you how to do it!
Our packed outline includes:
Fall in Texas: A general discussion about the geography of North Central Texas, as well as seasonal transitions and how to prepare for them. Additional detail on clay soil.
Mulch and Compost: A discussion and "show-and-tell" outside on the natural leaf recycling process on the hardwood forest floor. Demonstration of the process and mechanics of composting using the Texas Discovery Gardens' compost piles.
Bed Prep and Reconditioning: A demonstration of bed preparation for clay soils, including simple forking, double digging and raised beds. Plus a primer on expanded shale (and where to get it!). This section also includes more information on compost/humus and mulch.
Fall and Winter Gardening Tips: We'll talk about cover crops and how to use them, seed catalogs, and winter watering. This is when we'll answer your personal gardening questions.
Detailed handouts are included.
Early registration is required: Call Blake Morgan at 214-428-7476 x 24 or click here to register online.
For Other Activities at Texas Discovery Gardens: Click Here
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NOVEMBER 17
THANKSGIVING SALE AT CERC (HOMESCHOOL STORE)
IN ROWLETT
Save 20% all in-stock inventory, plus an extra 5% for cash or check!
Location: 4501 Rowlett Rd, #105
Rowlett, TX 75088
972-475-4138
Discount: CERC is offering HEART of Texas members a 15% discount on any in-stock items. You must present your valid HEART of Texas Family I.D. card to qualify for the discount. Discount may not apply to sale prices or other offers. Call store for more information.
To Learn About HEART of Texas Membership: www.heartoftex.org/membership/membership.html
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NOVEMBER 18
SCIENCE TEACHERS DAY
SPONSORED BY AMERICAN PHYSICAL SOCIETY
Cost: Free (Registration Required)
Location: Hyatt Regency Dallas
Pegasus Ballroom
300 Reunion Boulevard East
Dallas, TX
For More Information and To Register: fusioned.gat.com/dppoutreach
Details: Learn from research scientists and industry experts
how to bring the topic of plasma to your classroom.
• Free workshops, with topics required by TEKS:
fusion energy; Newton’s laws; basics of
electricity and magnetism; light, color, sound
and the nature of matter; nuclear reactions;
the history and fate of the universe, and more.
• Special luncheon with scientists.
• Armloads of free resource materials and curriculum,
including plasma ball, half-coated plasma tube, DVDs
(fusion, the sun), fusion video game, posters
• Access to American Physical Society poster session.
• 6 hours of CPE credit
• 6 more hours of CPE credit with follow-up workshop
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NOVEMBER 21
STARGAZER PAUL DERRICK ASTRONOMY EVENT
AT FOSSIL RIM
Time: 7pm - 9pm
Details: Mr. Derrick returns with a Power Point program entitled, “Constellations of Fall.” This will be followed by a laser pointer “Sky Tour,” and Telescope Viewing using Mr. Derrick’s 8-inch Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope.
To Register: homeschool@fossilrim.org or call 254-897-2960 ext. 216
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NOVEMBER 21-24
COTTAGE THEATRE AT CREATIVE ARTS IN ACTION PRESENTS:
THE BEST CHRISTMAS PAGEANT EVER (COMEDY)
Time: Nov 21, 22, 24: 7:30 p.m.
Nov 22 & 23: 2:30 p.m.
Location: The Cottage Theatre at Creative Arts in Action
5733 Watauga Road
Watauga, TX 76148
Tickets: $10/adults; $8/students 18 & under; $8/Senior Citizens
Seating is limited! Call now to reserve your tickets!
To reserve your tickets: 817-281-2293
Story: The Herdmans were the worst kids in the history of the whole world. They went through the school stealing things and tearing things up and whamming kids... there was only one safe place from the wrath of the Herdmans… Sunday school. Until they found out about the Christmas Pageant and wanted in. They thought the Christmas Story was a case right out of the FBI files. Come see this comic, sometimes shocking, but always heartwarming play based on the Barbara Robinson children's classic.
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NOVEMBER
REGISTRATION OPEN FOR TEEN PACT
STATE CAPITOL CLASSES
What if your homeschooled student actually had the opportunity to earn civics credit while playing the role of a Christian senator in Austin for a week? That becomes a reality through TeenPact Leadership School, a non-profit ministry which trains student statesmen to impact their world for Jesus Christ and brings Texas government to life!
The 2009 Classes will be held:
MARCH 30 - APRIL 2
APRIL 6 - APRIL 9
Ages: 13-19 year olds
APRIL 3 OR 10
Ages: 8-12 year olds
Parents attend for FREE!
To Register: www.teenpact.org
For group discounts, and more information: Click to email Janet Baber
To read the full article Click Here
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NOVEMBER
REGISTRATION OPEN FOR
HOME SCHOOL PE CLASSES AVAILABLE AT VELOCITY SPORTS
(Discount for HEART of Texas members)
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.
For the Highland Park Location:
Call Mark Cox at 214-739-1122
www.velocitysp.com/highlandpark
For the Southlake Location:
Call Emily Hubbard at 817-416-0606
www.velocitysp.com/southlake
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.
Discount: HEART of Texas Members receive a discount on classes!
See http://www.heartoftex.org/partners/partners.html for more details.
To learn more about HEART of Texas membership: http://www.heartoftex.org/membership/membership.html
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~~What's Inside This Issue ~~
(Click on the links below)
FEATURED ARTICLES
Germany Attempts to Destroy Home Schooling – by Tim Lambert, THSC
Attn: Home School Math Enthusiasts of All Ages! AwesomeMath and the University of Texas at Dallas Reaching Out to Home Schoolers; Offering a Fun Monthly Math Challenge to Our Readers! – by Dr. Titu Andreescu, University of Texas at Dallas
Texas Ballet Theater Offering Homeschoolers Discount Tickets on Their Best Seats!
Juvenile Daytime Curfew Ordinances in Hurst-Euless-Bedford Causing Public Outcry from Homeschoolers and Others by Anne Gebhart
Two Texas Colleges Offering Free Tuition – by Jean Burk
NEST Family Learning Offering Discount and Free Shipping to Our Readers
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
LIBRARY PROGRAMS
1. Library Programs at North Texas Libraries -- North Texas
Other Libraries are Welcome to Include Their Events – contact info@heartoftex.org
Bedford Public Library
Fort Worth Public Library
Hurst Public Library
McKinney Public Library System
Tyler Public Library
READING REWARD PROGRAMS
2. Book It! Reading Program -- Enrollment Open
3. Braums Book Buddy Reading Program -- Enrollment Open
CONTESTS/COMPETITIVE EVENTS
4. BEST Robotics 2008 Preview: Just Plane Crazy! -- Texas Best
5. Texas State Fish-Art Contests -- Entries Due March 31, 2009
6. National Engineers Week -- Future City Competition
7. USA Mathematical Talent Search -- Deadline October 14, 2008
8. Igniting Creative Energy Challenge for K-12 -- Entries Due February 13, 2009
CIVICS/GOOD CITIZENSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
9. City of Fort Worth Youth Advisory Board -- Fort Worth
10. City of North Richland Hills Teen Court -- North Richland Hills
11. Texas Home School Coalition Good Citizenship Award Program -- State-wide
CONGRESSIONAL OFFICE ANNOUNCEMENTS
12. Certificates of Special Congressional Recognition for Graduating Seniors
13. National Congressional Art Competition -- Districts 3, 4, 5, 12, 24, 26, 30
HOME SCHOOL ENRICHMENT CLASSES
14. THEO Home School Classes -- Plano
15. Christian Cottage Prep -- Fort Worth
16. Christian Educators Resource Center -- Rowlett
17. Cooke County Cotillion for Home Schooled Teens -- Gainesville
18. Creative Arts in Action -- Watauga
19. Eastfield College -- Mesquite
20. Enrichment Classes, Inc. -- Lewisville
21. Faith Christian Academy -- McKinney
22. Fabulous Fridays -- Little Elm
23. Home Educators Resource -- Lewisville
24. Homeschoolers East Co-Op Classes -- East Dallas
25. Homeschool Heritage Domus Schola -- Keller
26. Legacy Home School Enrichment Program at First Baptist Euless -- Euless
27. Homeschool Theater Classes at PFAmily Arts --- Plano
28. Tarrant County College -- High School Math and Science Classes for Home Schoolers
29. Venture Home School Classes -- Colleyville
30. YMCA/Irving Home School Classes -- Irving
BOOK SALES & HOME SCHOOL BOOK STORES
31. Library Used Book Sales in North Texas
Wichita Falls – November 13-16 (Big Sale)
Frisco – November 14-15
32. Christian Educators Resource Center -- Rowlett
33. Creative Arts in Action -- Watauga
34. Home Educators Resource -- Lewisville
NATURE CENTERS & OUTDOOR PROGRAMS/CAMPS
35. Camp Tonkawa (Day Camps and Outdoor Education) -- Collinsville
36. Dallas Arboretum -- Dallas
37. Fort Worth Nature Center and Refuge Programs
38. Fossil Rim
Stargazer Paul Derrick Astronomy Event - November 21
39. Haven's Horses (Horsemanship & Outdoor Education)-- Keller
40. Heard Museum Homeschool Classes – McKinney
41. Heritage Farmstead Museum -- Plano
42. Sharkarosa Wildlife Ranch -- Pilot Point
43. Texas Discovery Gardens -- Dallas
44. Texas Parks and Wildlife Programs -- State Parks in North Texas
PERFORMING ARTS
45. Performances at Casa Manana Children’s Playhouse --Fort Worth
The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fair(l)y (Stoopid) Tales -- October 24 - November 9
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer -- November 21 - December 21
46. Performances at CATS -- Arlington
The Legend of Sleepy Hollow -- October 31 - November 9
47. Cottage Theater – Creative Arts in Action -- Watauga
The Best Christmas Pageant Ever – November 21-24
The Sound of Music – February 27 - March 2 (2009)
48. Theater Performances at Artisan Center Theater -- Hurst
The Book of Job (Musical) – October 17 - November 15
Rodgers & Hammerstein's Cinderella – November 28 - December 23
Artie's Children's Playhouse: The Jungle Book – October 18 - November 15
Artie's Children's Playhouse: The Nutty Nutcracker – November 29 - December 20
49. Performances at Bass Performance Hall -- Fort Worth
Broadway at the Bass Presents: Annie The Musical -- December 23-28
50. Dallas Children’s Theater -- Dallas
Santa's Holiday for Strings -- November 28 - December 23
Madeline's Christmas -- November 21 - December 21
51. Plano Children’s Theater -- Plano
Sound of Music (Plano Courtyard Theater) -- November 1-9
Big Bad Wolf -- November 7-22
School House Rocks! -- November 7-22
52. Texas Ballet Theater Performances -- Special Homeschool Pricing -- Dallas/Ft. Worth
The Nutcracker - December 12 (Bass Hall) -- SOLD OUT!!
The Nutcracker - December 23-28 (Fair Park Music Hall)
Swan Lake - February 14 (Majestic Theater)
Swan Lake - February 21 (Bass Hall)
Cleopatra - March 28 (Bass Hall)
53. Home School Discount Tickets to Dallas Theater Performances
Click Here to cast your vote for the performances you'd like discounted!
ART MUSEUMS
54. Amon Carter Museum Exhibits – Fort Worth
55. Dallas Museum of Art Exhibits -- Dallas
Tutankhamun and the Golden Age of the Pharaohs
56. Kimball Art Museum Exhibit -- Fort Worth
Nativity from Naples: Presepe Sculpture from the 18th Century (Opens Nov 25)
57. Museum of Nature & Science -- Dallas
Your Incredible Body
58. Museum of Science & History -- Fort Worth
59. Nasher Sculpture Center -- Dallas
IMAX/OMNI THEATERS
60. Shows at the Dallas Imax Theatre -- Museum of Science and Nature
Wired to Win
Journey into Amazing Caves
61. Shows at the Fort Worth Omni Theater -- Ft. Worth Museum of Science & History
Dinosaurs Alive
Mummies: Secrets of the Pharoah
Deep Sea
The Polar Express (November 21 - January 4)
HISTORICAL PROGRAMS
62. Programs at Log Cabin Village -- Fort Worth
63. Dallas Heritage Village -- Dallas
SCIENCE EVENTS/ACTIVITIES
64. Star Parties at Fort Worth Museum of Science and History
HOME SCHOOL SPORTS/PE PROGRAMS
65. Homeschool Swim -- The Colony Aquatic Park -- The Colony
66. Homeschool Swim & Swim Team -- Don Rodenbaugh Natatorium-- Allen
67. Christian Martial Arts -- Bedford
68. Dallas Thunder Homeschool Basketball Organization -- Registration Open
69. Elite Track Club/Cross Country Program for Home Schoolers
70. Home School Athletic Association
71. THESA Riders Home School Sports Association
72. Hulcy Home School PE Classes -- Richardson
73. Home School PE Classes -- Velocity Sports in Highland Park
74. Home School PE Classes -- Velocity Sports in Southlake
75. Home School Fencing Classes -- Fencing Institute of Texas -- Farmers Branch
76. Parker-Tarrant Home School Sports
77. Pop-In Playtime -- Pump It Up of Grapevine -- Grapevine
78. Tae Kwondo for Home Schoolers -- Plano
SUPPORT GROUP ANNOUNCEMENTS
79. Smoothing the Way Meetings in North Texas
80. Arlington Association Home Educators (AAHE) -- Arlington
81. Denton County Christian Home School Association -- Denton
82. How Now Homeschooling -- Plano/Frisco/Allen/McKinney area
83. Keller 4H Club Meetings -- Keller
84. Lewisville Area Speech and Debate Club -- Lewisville
85. North Irving Christian Home Educators -- Irving
86. Park Day Drama Club -- Plano
87. Ready to Answer Speech and Debate -- Decatur
88. SALT Co-Op -- DeSoto
89. Homeschoolers Offering Moms Encouragement (HOME) -- Flower Mound
COLLEGE PREP
90. SAT Test Dates
91. SAT Prep Classes with Jean Burk -- Across North Texas
COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIPS FOR HOMESCHOOLERS
92. Baylor and Air Force ROTC (AFROTC) Scholarship -- Deadline December 1, 2008
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
93. Volunteer Opportunities Available for Home School Students in 21 Counties -- American Cancer Society
94. Learn to Laugh in Another Language: Be a Host Family for a Foreign-Exchange Student -- INTO EdVENTURES
95. Homeschool Volunteers Needed to Deliver Hot Meals -- Meals On Wheels, Inc. of Tarrant County
96. Volunteers Needed to Serve Meals at The Stewpot -- Dallas -- The Stewpot
OTHER EVENTS BY DATE
97. Toyota Driving Expectations (Free Program for Student Drivers) -- Grand Prairie -- Nov 7-9 & 14-16
98. Science Teachers Day (American Physical Society) -- Dallas -- November 18
99. Plasma Sciences Expo for Middle & High School Students & Teachers -- Dallas -- Nov 20-21
100. Lantern Light: Victorian Christmas at Heritage Farmstead Museum -- Plano -- Dec 5 & 6
101. Build Your Own Telescope Class -- Ft Worth Museum of Science & History - December 6
102. Younger Generation of Plano Winter Concert -- Plano -- December 12
103. Dallas Stars Education Day Field Trip for Homeschoolers -- Dallas -- December 16
104. North Texas District Science Fair for Homeschoolers -- Registration Deadline December 22
105. HEART of Texas Regional Home School College Night -- Grapevine -- January 27
106. Southern England Study Tour for Homeschoolers -- March 2009
107. Teen Pact Texas Capitol Classes -- Austin -- March/April 2009
JOB OPENINGS
108. Check-In Receptionist, Check-Out Receptionist, and Technician Positions Open -- DeSoto Area
109. Great Opportunities for Students at Pump It Up of Grapevine
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FEATURED ARTICLE
Germany Attempts to Destroy Home Schooling
– by Tim Lambert, THSC
Home schoolers in Germany are facing the kind of prosecution by government officials that we faced twenty-five years ago, and worse. Home schooling is illegal based on a Nazi era law, and the national government has been unrelenting in its prosecution of these families. The Brause family is facing trial next week in an attempt to put the parents in prison for home schooling. This is not only a traumatic situation for the family but also a test for home schooling in Germany.
CBN Report on Germany's Attempt to Destroy Home Schooling: Click Here
IHRG Report on the Brause family: The Brause family lives on a farm on the extreme eastern border of Germany with Poland and the Czech Republic. Since 2001, Bert Brause and his wife have taught their eight children at home. Bert has studied math and will soon be a certified teacher. Bert wrote a letter to the governor of Saxony asking for permission to homeschool his children. The state authorities in Saxony tried to force the parents to register their children in the public school. (There are no alternative schools nearby). The Brauses received threats and fines. The social youth workers and, later, the court-ordered child defendant testified that the children were taught well and that they had a positive impression of them. Regardless, the Family Court ruled against the parents in spring of 2007. The custody for the school-aged children were partially taken from the parents and given over to the state. Now, the parents technically have no say concerning school matters and where the children live. The children could be taken by the state authorities anytime. In May of this year the parents received an ultimatum. The government had registered the children in school. If the children were not sent to school within three weeks, the authorities would take action. On Saturday, May 31, the children were still home, being homeschooled.
In response to this disregard for the order of the state, the state prosecution ordered a hearing of the parents whom they charged with "intentional child neglect," a criminal offense based on a law that requires intentional harming of a child, punishable with up to two years in prison. Home schooling is the sole evidence the state has against the parents, and it is therefore being considered enough to constitute intentional child neglect. There are no allegations of any other inappropriate behavior by the parents.
The original hearing was scheduled to be held in a criminal court on July 24, 2008. The case was set so the Brause's would be allowed to have as many as seven attorneys or laymen that could testify on their behalf. Working with a German attorney with considerable skill in these types of cases, who is also very sympathetic to the home school movement in Germany, we developed a very comprehensive trial strategy. This strategy has paid off to this point. The first part of our plan was to have Tim Lambert testify as an expert on how well the Texas public schools cooperate with the local home school organizations and the positive effects of this cooperation. Tim would testify in Germany that home schooling is great for the children and conducive to a democratic society. He would also cover the socialization issue of home schoolers. Both of these issues are important in the fight to legalize home schooling in Germany. There was also a home school education expert from England who was scheduled to testify as well.
Additionally, our strategy included having a number of local German attorneys and me present in the court room during the hearing to participate as international human rights observers. This would have put pressure on the court to make sure they did not violate the human rights of the parents. These human rights include the right to control the education of your children.
The final two prongs of our strategy included media coverage of the hearing. CBN planned to cover the trial on the 700 Club and even sent a team to Zittau to cover the case. We have met together with the local attorney and will continue meeting with him to help create the strategy for the courtroom.
The original hearing was postponed less than a week before trial. The belief was that the court told the prosecutor he needed more evidence on the child neglect to continue bringing the case. I firmly believe part of the reason for the postponement was that our strategy, of which the court was aware, was so high profile that they felt the prosecutor needed more evidence, and thus put everything off.
In other words, we won round one.
The court has scheduled a hearing for November 4, 2008.
The strategy for this hearing is different than the original. Now is the time to take a more low-key approach. The local officials know that the home school community in America is watching this case. They know that they have to be careful to guard the integrity of the system rather than running over the rights of the Brause family.
This means that with our local attorney handling the case we should be able to convince the court of the lack of evidence in this case. If the court does not rule properly, we will be prepared to file an appeal and expose the prejudice of the court in this matter.
Additionally, if we were to reschedule the influx of international witnesses and attorneys, the court would most likely merely postpone the hearing again to cost us money and time. This could even be done after we have all arrived in Zittau creating considerable expense and effort to no avail.