December 2008
Home Educators Alliance for Resources and Training of Texas, Inc.
DECEMBER 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 ~
NOVEMBER 27
CAMP TONKAWA'S
ANNUAL THANKSGIVING CELEBRATION POT LUCK
Cost: FREE
Location: Camp Tonkawa
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 28
HOLIDAY AT THE ARBORETUM
NUTCRACKER DISPLAY
AT THE HISTORIC DeGOLYER ESTATE
Through December 31
Time: Tours held daily at 10 a.m.; Last tour at 4p.m.
Details: Explore the exquisite holiday decor filling the historic estate home, feature hundreds of whimsical nutcrackers fromm the collextion of Liz Minyard and Paul Lokey. Learn about the history of the Nutcracker and how it became an icon of a magical tradition.
To View Other December Events at the Dallas Arboretum: Click Here
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DECEMBER
DALLAS STARS HALF PRICE TICKETS
DURING HEART OF TEXAS DISCOUNT NIGHTS
Home school families can get HALF-PRICE game tickets during HEART of Texas Discount Nights:
December 5 at 7:30 p.m.
Dallas Stars vs. Colorado Avalanche
December 16 at 7:30 p.m.
Dallas Stars vs. San Phoenix Coyotes
December 29 at 7:30 p.m.
Dallas Stars vs. San Jose Sharks
December 16 at 11 a.m.
Special Education Day Field Trip
This a one-of-a-kind field trip experience, where students can learn the math, science, and geography of hockey:
• Mathematics - Learn how to take statistics like the professionals!
• Geography - Learn how geography affects the game of Hockey and Professional Sports!
• Science - Find out how the Zamboni really works and learn the chemistry of how the ice is made at the American Airlines Center!
For more information, and for ticket pricing, please download the Dallas Stars flyer at
http://www.heartoftex.org/downloads/files/StarsFlyer.pdf
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DECEMBER 1
DEADLINE FOR SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION
BAYLOR & AIR FORCE ROTC (AFROTC) SCHOLARSHIP
Baylor and Air Force ROTC (AFROTC) have teamed up to provide an enormous scholarship opportunity to help students afford a Christian college education while pursuing their dream in a career in aviation, medicine, science, engineering, law, space, business, etc.
To Apply: Visit www.afrotc.com and fill out the on-line application.
For More Details: Click Here
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DECEMBER 1
COLORS BY NATURE (EXPLORING NATURAL DYES) CLASS & TOUR
AT FOSSIL RIM
DECEMBER 1 -- Colors by Nature (Exploring Natural Dyes) Class & Tour
Time: 10:00-2:30ish.
Break for Lunch: 12:00-1:00
Guided Tour of Fossil Rim: 1:00-2:30ish
Details: Cochineal is a scale insect found on prickly pear cactus that is used to produce a natural dye. It was used historically as a clothing dye, and is still used as a food dye today. We will talk about cochineal and other natural dyes, and use cochineal to dye bandanas in our morning class. After a picnic lunch at the Overlook, we will take a guided tour of Fossil Rim.
To Register: homeschool@fossilrim.org or call 254-897-2960 ext. 216
DECEMBER 5-- Astronomy Event
Time: 7p.m. - 10p.m.
Details: Construct a simple scale-model of the relative sizes of the planets, use our star-hoppers (and bring binoculars if you have them) to view the moon and some planets, learn some constellations and their stories. All with a cup of steamy hot chocolate!
To view other events at Fossil Rim: Click Here
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DECEMBER 1
REGISTRATION OPENS FOR SPRING SEMESTER
CHRISTIAN COTTAGE PREP
Registration Open for 6th, 7th, 8th/9th grade
Literature/writing, math, English, and Science dissection lab
What if your home education student could be enriched one, two, or three days a week in literature/writing (Tue/Thur), math (pick your 3 days a week), English (pick your three days a week), or Science dissection labs (Mon)....there is so much opportunity to learn! This is the perfect way to round out your home education. Christian Cottage Prep works closely with parents to find the right mix of curriculum and level that makes your student blossom to their fullest potential.
Second semester begins January 6, 2009
Parents attend for FREE!
Location: 5601 Bridge Street, Suite 335
Fort Worth, TX 76112
Contact: 817-975-6209 or click here to email the director
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DECEMBER 1
REGISTRATION OPENS FOR SPRING SEMESTER
HOMESCHOOL CLASSES AT IRVING YMCA
December 9 - Open House
Time: 7p.m.- 9p.m.
Each class will provide a small demonstration of what they’ve learned throughout the semester.
Meet the teachers for next semester, see the books and syllabi for next semester, and register for the spring semester.
If you were unable to participate in the fall semester, we invite you to come and see what we’re all about. The program is still evolving as a whole, but we are steadily inching toward our goal of serving you with a program that builds strong kids, strong families and strong communities.
For Listing of Spring 2009 Classes: Click Here
For More Information: Contact 972-986-8898
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DECEMBER 4
GETTING TO KNOW YOUR LIBRARY
HOME SCHOOL CLASS AT MCKINNEY PUBLIC LIBRARY
Registration is required.
Grades: K—3rd
Time: 10:30 a.m.
Dulaney Room
Details: Participate in a special program to learn more about the library and the Children’s Dept.
Other Classes in December:
DECEMBER 8: Basic PowerPoint
Grades: 4th—6th
Time: 3:30 p.m.
Conference Room (Upstairs)
Details: Gain hands-on experience and make a basic PowerPoint presentation.
Registration Required.
Location: 101 E. Hunt Street
McKinney, TX 75069
For More Information: Wendy Turner at 972-547-7319 or Click Here to email her
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DECEMBER 5 & 6
LANTERN LIGHT: "TINSEL TOYS AND ALL THAT JAZZ"
CELEBRATING A 1920'S CHRISTMAS
HERITAGE FARMSTEAD MUSUEM IN PLANO
Time: December 5: 5pm - 9pm
December 6: 3p.m. - 9.m.
Location: 1900 West 15th Street
Plano, TX 75075
Cost: $8/adults; $5/children under 5 & seniors
Bring a new unwrapped toy and receive a ticket for a free wagon ride (one ticket per toy)
All donated toys will be given to the Children's Advocacy Center's Three Wishes" event held on December 13.
Details: Please join us for this fun and exciting event featuring:
Tours of the beautifully decorated Historic Victorian Home
Entertainment by the E-Flat Porch Band
Jed Marum Band (Dec 6)
Live music performed by local youth groups
Refreshments provided by Starbucks Coffee Company
Demonstrations by Master Blacksmith Kelly Kring
Storytelling by the North Forty Storytellers
Turn-of-the-Century crafts and games for children
Mule drawn wagon rides
For More Information: www.heritagefarmstead.org
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DECEMBER 5 - 14
CHRISTMAS CAROLE MIRACLE PERFORMANCE
OPENING AT CATS IN ARLINGTON
Time: Friday: 7:30 p.m.
Saturday: 2:30 p.m. & 7:30 p.m.
Sunday: 2:30 p.m.
Tickets: $6 regular admission
$5 for lap passes for children 0-3 years old
Details: It’s December 1939 in a small Texas town, the orphans at Abba House enter the town’s annual Christmas Carol Contest. The money will save the doomed orphanage. The orphans are sure to win…until Christoper arrives. Not only can Christopher not sing, but he never smiles either. Will the orphans let Christopher sing with the choir knowing that they could lose the contest and prize money, and therefore their home? This wonderful family musical by Taffy Geisel will not only touch your heart, it will also put you in the holiday spirit.
Intermission Tea Party with the Characters:
Make your reservations early, there are only 30 seats.
Cost $5.00 per person
For Tickets or Other Information: 817-861-CATS (2287)
For Upcoming Performances: Click Here
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DECEMBER 6
BUILD YOUR OWN TELESCOPE CLASS
FT WORTH MUSEUM OF SCIENCE AND HISTORY
Time: 8:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.
Cost: $185 - 4-1/2" telescope
$275 - 6" telescope
$415 - 8" telescope
Price includes all parts and mirrors to construct the telescope, a complete instruction manual (in case you want to build an even bigger telescope later!), a Telrad finder scope, one eyepiece and a free star chart. We provide all parts and tools.
To Register by Phone with Credit Card: 817-255-9409
Leave your name and phone number and a staff person will return your call immediately.
To Register by Mail: Click Here and select "Build Your Own Telescope Class" document.
Mail completed form to address on form.
Payment must be made in full and must accompany registration.
We will confirm receipt of your registration by telephone or e-mail.
What to Bring: Sack lunch. Beverages provided by museum staff.
For More Information: Linda Krouse at 817-255-9409
Back to OTHER EVENTS BY DATE
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DECEMBER 10
COTTON PICKING AT NASHER FARM
IN GRAPEVINE
Time: 4 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.
Location: Nash Farm in Grapevine
626 Ball Street
Grapevine, TX 76051
Parking is available along Homestead Drive
Admission: FREE
No reservations necessary
Bring gloves!
Details:
Cotton Christmas Angels
Cotton Ginning
Cotton Education Trailer
Cotton Picking
Hot Chocolate
Tractor Rides
For More Information: Contact Rebekah Cook at 817-410-3558
Volunteers needed - contact Rebekah if you'd be available.
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DECEMBER 23 - 28
SPECIAL HEART OF TEXAS DISCOUNT TICKETS
THE NUTCRACKER
FAIR PARK MUSIC HALL IN DALLAS
Texas Ballet Theater has partnered with HEART of Texas to offer special ticket prices to homeschoolers! Any homeschooler can take advantage of these tickets. Just mention HEART of Texas when you call the number below.
Special Homeschool Price (for all performances): $20/ticket (best available seating)
To Reserve Homeschool Tickets: Call Cyndee Weeks 877-828-9200, ext 126
You must mention HEART of Texas to get the special ticket price.
To view other HEART of Texas discounted performances: Click Here
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DECEMBER
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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DECEMBER
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
View Newsletter Headers
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~~What's Inside This Issue ~~
(Click on the links below)
FEATURED ARTICLES
Get Ready for the Second Annual HEART of Texas Regional Homeschool College Night!
Dallas Stars Partnering with HEART of Texas; Offering Half-Price Game Tickets and Education Day in December
My View on the Elections– by Tim Lambert, THSC
Monthly Math Challenge from AwesomeMath and the University of Texas - Exclusive to HEART of Texas Newsletter Readers! – by Dr. Titu Andreescu, University of Texas at Dallas
Texas Ballet Theater Offering Homeschoolers Discount Tickets on Their Best Seats!
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
Dallas – December 6
Haslet - December 6
The Colony - December 6
Wichita Falls - December 6
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
Colors By Nature (Exploring Natural Dyes) Class & Tour - December 1
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
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer -- November 21 - December 21
46. Performances at CATS -- Arlington
Christmas Carol Miracle -- December 5-14
47. Cottage Theater – Creative Arts in Action -- Watauga
The Sound of Music – February 27 - March 2 (2009)
48. Theater Performances at Artisan Center Theater -- Hurst
Rodgers & Hammerstein's Cinderella – November 28 - December 23
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
Save 50% off Lower & Upper Gallery: Mention Code Orphan-50 when you call.
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
Annie, Jr. -- December 5-20
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. Berne Academy's Varsity Boys Basketball Team -- Lancaster
66. Homeschool Swim -- The Colony Aquatic Park -- The Colony
67. Homeschool Swim & Swim Team -- Don Rodenbaugh Natatorium-- Allen
68. Christian Martial Arts -- Bedford
69. Dallas Thunder Homeschool Basketball Organization -- Registration Open
70. Elite Track Club/Cross Country Program for Home Schoolers
71. Home School Athletic Association
72. THESA Riders Home School Sports Association
73. Hulcy Home School PE Classes -- Richardson
74. Home School PE Classes -- Velocity Sports in Highland Park
75. Home School PE Classes -- Velocity Sports in Southlake
76. Home School Fencing Classes -- Fencing Institute of Texas -- Farmers Branch
77. Parker-Tarrant Home School Sports
78. Pop-In Playtime -- Pump It Up of Grapevine -- Grapevine
79. Tae Kwondo for Home Schoolers -- Plano
SUPPORT GROUP ANNOUNCEMENTS
80. Smoothing the Way Meetings in North Texas
81. Arlington Association Home Educators (AAHE) -- Arlington
82. Denton County Christian Home School Association -- Denton
83. How Now Homeschooling -- Plano/Frisco/Allen/McKinney area
84. Keller 4H Club Meetings -- Keller
85. Lewisville Area Speech and Debate Club -- Lewisville
86. North Irving Christian Home Educators -- Irving
87. Park Day Drama Club -- Plano
88. Ready to Answer Speech and Debate -- Decatur
89. SALT Co-Op -- DeSoto
90. Homeschoolers Offering Moms Encouragement (HOME) -- Flower Mound
COLLEGE PREP
91. SAT Test Dates
92. SAT Prep Classes with Jean Burk -- Across North Texas
COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIPS FOR HOMESCHOOLERS
93. Baylor and Air Force ROTC (AFROTC) Scholarship -- Deadline December 1, 2008
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
94. Volunteer Opportunities Available for Home School Students in 21 Counties -- American Cancer Society
95. Learn to Laugh in Another Language: Be a Host Family for a Foreign-Exchange Student -- INTO EdVENTURES
96. Homeschool Volunteers Needed to Deliver Hot Meals -- Meals On Wheels, Inc. of Tarrant County
97. Volunteers Needed to Serve Meals at The Stewpot -- Dallas -- The Stewpot
OTHER EVENTS BY DATE
98. Lantern Light: Victorian Christmas at Heritage Farmstead Museum -- Plano -- Dec 5 & 6
99. Build Your Own Telescope Class -- Ft Worth Museum of Science & History - December 6
100. Cotton Picking at Nash Farm -- Grapevine -- December 10
101. Younger Generation of Plano Winter Concert -- Plano -- December 12
102. Candlelight at Dallas Heritage Village -- Dallas -- December 13 & 14
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. Homeschool Week at Snow Mountain Ranch -- Colorado -- February 8-13
107. Southern England Study Tour for Homeschoolers -- March 2009
108. Teen Pact Texas Capitol Classes -- Austin -- March/April 2009
JOB OPENINGS
109. Check-In Receptionist, Check-Out Receptionist, and Technician Positions Open -- DeSoto Area
110. Great Opportunities for Students at Pump It Up of Grapevine
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FEATURED ARTICLE
Get Ready for the Second Annual HEART of Texas Regional Homeschool College Night!
Registration is now open for the HEART of Texas Regional Homeschool College Night, which will be held Tuesday, January 27, 2009, from 6-9 p.m. at the Grapevine Convention Center.
We are so excited about this year's college night! We have already received confirmations from most of the colleges who attended last year, and have even heard from a few new ones who wish to participate, including Patrick Henry College, Hillsdale College, Tarleton State, and Ouachita Baptist!
We are going to have a few more speaking sessions than we had last year, and are working on a special surprise that we can't tell you about yet! But, if the surprise works out, we will definitely let you know right away!
We should be able to finalize all the speaking sessions and other details (including the surprise) within the next few weeks.
We are needing to let the colleges know ASAP approximately how many home school students will be attending, so we are offering a special admission price for those who can respond by December 31, 2008. We know how busy everyone gets around the holidays, so we want to make this as easy and affordable as possible for you.
Admission:
Pre-registrations received by December 31, 2008 (postmark date):
$8 per family
FREE – HEART of Texas Members with a valid Family I.D. card (must show at the door)
Pre-registrations received by January 16, 2009 (postmark date)
$15 per family – for pre-registrations received by January 14, 2008 (postmark date)
$10 per family – HEART of Texas Members with a valid Family I.D. card (must show at the door)
At the Door:
$10 per person (ages 5 and up)
To Register Online:
Fill out the online form located at http://www.heartoftex.org/college/familyreg/familyreg.php
Mail a check made payable to:
HEART of Texas
P.O. Box 211882
Bedford, TX 76095-1882
To Register By Mail:
Click here and select "College Night 2009 Registration" document.
Please mail payment (made payable to HEART of Texas) and registration form to:
HEART of Texas
P.O. Box 211882
Bedford, TX 76095-1882
We look forward to this opportunity for your family to meet with college representatives from various colleges and learn how to best prepare your child for college.
If you have any questions, please contact us at info@heartoftex.org
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FEATURED ARTICLE
Dallas Stars Partnering with HEART of Texas; Offering Half-Price Tickets and Education Day in December
The Dallas Stars are partnering with HEART of Texas to bring special ticket pricing and educational programs to homeschool families!
Home school families can get HALF-PRICE game tickets during HEART of Texas Discount Nights:
Friday, December 5 at 7:30 (Dallas Stars vs. Colorado Avalanche)
Tuesday, December 16 at 7:30 p.m. (Dallas Stars vs. San Phoenix Coyotes)
Monday, December 29 at 7:30 p.m. (Dallas Stars vs. San Jose Sharks)
Additionally, the Dallas Stars are hosting a special Education Day on December 16 at 11 a.m.
The Education Day is a one-of-a-kind field trip experience, where students can learn the math, science, and geography of hockey:
• Mathematics - Learn how to take statistics like the professionals!
• Geography - Learn how geography affects the game of Hockey and Professional Sports!
• Science - Find out how the Zamboni really works and learn the chemistry of how the ice is made at the American Airlines Center!
For more information, and for ticket pricing, please download the Dallas Stars flyer at http://www.heartoftex.org/downloads/files/StarsFlyer.pdf
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FEATURED ARTICLE
My View on the Elections
– by Tim Lambert, THSC
The 2008 General Election is now history and the question is: How will the results affect home schoolers? Let me give you my opinion on where we are at this point in time.
At the national level this was an historic election with the Democrats picking up about twenty seats in the U.S. House of Representatives, and as I write this they now have fifty-seven seats in the U.S. Senate, with seats in Alaska, Georgia, and Minnesota still undecided. The goal of the Democrats was to have a filibuster-proof sixty seats, and they may still attain that goal. Regardless, even if Republicans win all three remaining seats, the Democrats will likely be able to break most filibusters by reaching out to several liberal Republican senators.
In the U.S. House, Democrats expanded their thirty-six seat majority by another twenty or so seats, and the liberal leadership of Nancy Pelosi has signaled that they will follow the agenda of President-elect Barak Obama.
All of this means that Democratic President Barak Obama will have a virtually unfettered hand in setting the national agenda for at least the next two years. Many in the home school community have raised concerns about comments he made during the campaign regarding his support for requiring all teachers to be certified and pushing for "universal kindergarten." While education is regulated directly at the state level, federal control is usually accomplished by linking the requirement to funding from the federal government.
In fact, in 1994, with Democrats controlling both houses of Congress and the White House, Congress attempted to require just such action under a bill called HR 6. This bill would have required states to adopt laws requiring all teachers to be certified to teach every subject that they taught in order for the states to receive federal funding for education. Such laws would have effectively outlawed home schooling. We and other home school leaders across the country encouraged home schoolers to call their congressmen, and the result was an overwhelming response from the home school community … more than a million phone calls overwhelmed the congressional switchboards. When the measure reached the floor of the House it was defeated by a vote of 434-1. We must remain vigilant to watch for such attempts in the coming years and respond appropriately to safeguard our freedom.
In Texas, although 86% of the c