2009 January

High School Softball and Baseball

Information on two different programs:

Homeschool baseball team is looking for high school players, grades 8 and up. Contact Nate Landry at natelandry@yahoo.com for more information.

We are recruiting High School Fast Pitch Softball players.  We are surely in the need of a pitcher and we know they are out there.  We have a group of Home School girls that have played together for over 5 years and are in need of a pitcher. You may contact me by email jram1710@yahoo.com or 210-846-1077. Thanks and God Bless. Joanne Ramirez 

Homeschool Theater Discounts for San Antonio

Chitty Chitty Bang Bang - 63 tickets so far
they still had some seats left, so extended part of the offer
Offer has been extended to February 10, 2009 for select shows:
Wednesday, February 18, 2009 at 8pm
Sunday, February 22, 2009 at 7:30pm
Sunday, February 22, 2009 at 2pm - offer expired January 25, 2009
tickets start at just $17.25

Wicked in SA - 163 tickets so far. They MAY extend this offer past the January 31st deadline into February, but be aware that group sales has already sold 400,000 tickets so far, so the sooner you order, the better. Currently this offer is set to expire tomorrow.
Thursday June 11 at 8pm, Sunday, June 14 at 2pm, Wednesday June 17 at 8pm, Sunday June 21 at 730pm, Tuesday June 23 at 8pm and Saturday June 27, 2009 at 2pm
If you see a N/A that means that section has already sold out.

For Bob the Builder we have had NO sales, tickets start at only $12.
Offer expires February 20th. Performance dates are Friday, February 27, 2009 at 8pm, Saturday, February 28, 2009 at 11am and Saturday, February 28, 2009 at 2pm

David Copperfield! - bonus show
3 tickets ordered, need more for group min of 20!
Wednesday, February 25, 2009 at 8:30pm
Great discounts, save over $15 per ticket on lower level seats

Disney on ICE, 24 tickets so far, we have made or group min- Thanks!
Performance date is Thursday, April 9, 2009 at 8pm, Friday, April 10,
2009 at 8pm, Saturday, April 11, 2009 at 11am and Saturday, April 11, 2009 at 7pm

http://www.jsoft.com/archive/taffie/BroadwaySA.html
Order your tickets by logging on to:
http://www.broadwayacrossamerica.com/groupsales
and enter your special password: taffiesa

If you order for any of these shows, please send an email to Susan
Frederick at sjf@jsoft.com and let me know how many tickets and for which show, that helps me know if we are making our group min of 20.

Online Geographical Information System Class

An online Geographical Information System (GIS) and Geographical Positioning System (GPS) class will be offered by Pam Colby.  The cost will be $30 per month.  There will be no contract.  Each month will be a module.  The class will be held on Wednesdays from 9-11 am.  All you will need is EITHER the educational software sold by ESRI or the demo software that is offered for free.  Classes will start in February.  If you have questions please ask Terry Duncan at Tduncan1@satx.rr.com/a> or 210-863-1126

Skate Party

It's that time of month again!! Please join other area homeschoolers in a wonderfully FUN atmosphere. From toddlers to teens, this has been a great activity for the whole family to attend.
!!!PLEASE PASS THIS INFO ON TO OTHER HOMESCHOOL GROUPS AND FAMILIES!!!

The TENATIVE schedule for the rest of the year will follow party
info.

WHEN: TUESDAY, January 27th from 1pm to 3pm
WHERE: Rollercade
223 Recoleta Rd
San Antonio, TX
210-826-6361

HOW MUCH: $5 for skaters, includes regular skates
Rollercade has hot dogs and a drink ($2) for those interested!
WHO: ALL AREA HOMESCHOOLERS ARE WELCOME!!!!!

Please note that a "comon sense" dress code is in effect and will be
enforced ;-D  Christian music will be playing! Please come out and make this event stay on the calendar! This is A WHOLE LOTTA FUN!

TENATIVE Schedule for rest of year and beyond:
Tuesday, February 24
Tuesday, March 31
Tuesday, April 28
Tuesday, May 26

All times are from 1pm to 3pm. Please contact Joycelyn if you have any questions at joycelynsimas@earthlink.net

First Tee Programs and Registration

Our 2009 programming begins on January 31 and Feb. 1. Par sessions are held on Saturdays, and Mighty Mites sessions on Sundays. To enroll your child, simply complete a Parent Permission form, in person at the Polo Field, or downloadable on our website. We are open 8 a.m. to dark every day. Click on Learn More for more specific program details and schedules. We also offer 2 girls-only programs.

The First Tee of San Antonio is located at the Polo Field Golf Center in historic Brackenridge Park. We are a character education program that teaches Life Skills and Core Values through the game of golf. The program is free, and open to kids ages 6-17. Equipment is provided. The Life Skills we teach are communication, self-management, goal-setting, and resistance skills. The Nine Core Values of The First Tee are Confidence, Courtesy, Honesty, Integrity, Judgment, Perseverance, Respect, Responsibility and Sportsmanship. The curriculum is delivered by trained coaches who are dedicated golf and education professionals, with the assistance of assistant coaches, volunteers and mentors.

Alamo Special Event

The Daughters of the Republic of Texas and the Alamo present a unique educational opportunity on the evening of Friday, February 27, 2009.  The public is invited to view a museum gallery presentation entitled To the People of Texas & All Americans in the World: The Alamo Under Siege.  Visitors will be escorted through the grounds to view a series of historical vignettes designed to tell the story of the Siege of the Alamo. Each tour lasts approximately 45 minutes. 

Due to the nature of the event, however, the audience will be limited to the first 500 who purchase tickets for this exciting event.  The event will run from 6:30 PM until 10 PM with tours leaving every 10 minutes.

Individual ticket price is $9.00 presale and $10.00 on the day of the event. Tickets for the event can be purchased by calling 210-225-1391, ext. 28.  Payment should be mailed to the following address:
The Alamo Under Siege
The Alamo
P. O. Box 2599
San Antonio, Texas 78299

For ticket information, contact Ernesto Rodriguez @
210-225-1391, ext. 28; erodriguez@thealamo.org.

365 Days of Astronomy

What is the 365 Days of Astronomy podcast? The 365 Days of Astronomy Podcast is a project that will publish one podcast per day, 5 to 10 minutes in duration, for all 365 days of 2009. The podcast will be made available through an RSS feed. The podcast episodes will be written, recorded and produced by people around the world. Each day will have a specific topic or theme based on a daily calendar of astronomical events, themes and ideas created by the IYA. Although all the episodes will have a common intro and outtro that ties into the overall theme, each episode will be completely different. http://365daysofastronomy.org/

Youth Fast Pitch Softball Leagues

207-3109 or 207-3127

Youth Fast Pitch Softball Leagues are offered in the Spring, Summer and Fall seasons. The Girl’s Division includes 10 and Under; 12 and Under; 14 and Under; 16 and Under; and 18 and Under categories. Games are played from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. at various field locations: Alva Jo Fischer Softball Complex,10700 Nacogdoches; Kennedy Softball Complex 3101 Roselawn; Koger Stokes Softball Complex, 611 Myrtle; Lambert Beach Brackenridge Park, Tony “Skipper” Martinez, 3610 N. St Mary’s; and Rusty Lyons 6300 McCullough.

• Summer registration begins- April 9, 2008
• Fall registration begins- July 22, 20008
• Spring 2009 registration begins- January 27, 2009

Girls interested in playing softball can visit our website message board. Team managers post their team registration and tryout information periodically. The managers will then contact our office to sign up their particular team or teams in our leagues. We do not personally distribute individual players onto teams. Here is the link: eteamz.active.com/sapar/messageboards The fee for a 10-game season is $325 per team plus an additional $5 participation fee per roster player.

SAT Prep Course

Offered by Pauline Bauml (Math) and Cayce Yarbrough (language)
Both of these teachers are well known, respected and valued in the homeschool community.  Studies have shown that prep courses will boost students' test scores significantly and, with these two teachers, your student will look forward to these beneficial classes:

LOCATION:  Our Lady of the Lake University, Metz Building
DATES:  Saturdays, Feb 7, 14, 21, 28
TIME:  9 a.m - Noon
On-time fee:  $150 plus $20 registration fee
Walk-in fee:  $150 plus $40 registration fee
all material provided.

To register: mail $20 registration fee to Pauline Bauml.  For questions or to register, please contact Pauline Bauml:
9130 Oak Downs
San Antonio, TX  78230

Children's Vegetable Garden Program

San Antonio Botanical Gardens. February 21 - June 6
Kids can grow their own flowers and veggies at the Garden! Tend your own plot of land with help from the Master Gardeners. You can even earn your own Junior Master Gardener certification! Children ages 8-13 can apply. Fee: $10.

San Antonio Museum of Art Student Workshops

Wednesday Student Workshops are led by SAMA’s docents and offered on Wednesdays during the school year (September-May) from 9:45 am to 11:45 am. Each workshop consists of a gallery tour followed by a hands-on art project designed to meet curriculum standards.  We can accommodate a minimum of 20 and a maximum of 30 students per workshop. Admission fees are $3 per student and $3 per chaperone. One chaperone is required per 10 students. Chaperones must be 18 years or older.

• Asian Cultures
• Contemporary Expressions
• Discovering Ancient Egypt
• Exploring Latin America: Past and Present
• Historic America through Art
• Influences of World Religions on Art- Secondary Series
• Life in Ancient Greece and Rome

Scholastic Warehouses January Clearance Sales

Scholastic Warehouses January Clearance Sales
50-80% off select clearance Items
5 Days Only January 26-30, 2009

Paperback books nothing over $5
Hardcover Books nothing over $10

Warehouse Sales are exclusively for school employees, school district personnel, homeschoolers, and Book Fair chairpeople / volunteers.

http://www.scholastic.com/bookfairs/events/warehouse/states.asp?st_abbrev=TX

San Antonio (800) 633-4270
4646 Perrin Creek, Suite 200

High School Level English Tutor

My name is Jacquelyn Thayer, and I am currently available as a tutor for high school-level English; my specializations are composition and grammar, literature, and SAT prep.

I have a solid background in the subject, as I graduated summa cum laude from Texas Lutheran University in May 2007 with a degree in English Studies (writing specialization) and, from August 2007 through May 2008, taught 10th grade World Literature and Language Arts at ENAACT Family Academy. At present, I volunteer part-time in the San Antonio Public Library's department of Texana and Genealogy, working on a few special archival projects; furthermore, I have recently completed the process of applying to several graduate programs in English in order to begin pursuit of my master's degree this coming fall.

Of additional note is the fact that I was myself homeschooled from third through twelfth grade; given this, I would like to have the opportunity to help other homeschooled students succeed.

My rate is $20 an hour (which includes expenses such as gas, as well as supplemental e-mail instruction). My home phone number is (210) 967-6650, and my cell (210) 633-6327; I can also be contacted at englishgrace@satx.rr.com.

Texas Homeschooler Named Semifinalist in Intel Science Talent Search

Woodlands Homeschooler, Michael Wham, was one of "300 students named semifinalists of the Intel® Science Talent Search 2009, a program of the Society for Science & the Public. As America’s oldest and most prestigious pre-college science competition, the Intel Science Talent Search brings together the best and brightest young scientific minds in America to compete for $1.25 million in scholarships. Each semifinalist receives a $1,000 award with an additional $1,000 going to his or her respective school, resulting in $600,000 in total semifinalist awards.
 
This year’s semifinalists were selected from 1,608 entrants, and hail from 36 states, the District of Columbia and accredited overseas schools in India and South Korea. The Intel Science Talent Search encourages students to tackle challenging scientific questions and develop the skills to solve the problems of tomorrow. Projects submitted for consideration cover all disciplines of science including biochemistry, chemistry, physics, mathematics, engineering, behavioral science and medicine and health.
 
for further information about the Intel Science Talent Search:
http://sciserv.org/sts/press/20090114.asp

ITBS testing offered

I will administer the Iowa Test of Basic Skills (ITBS) to 4th - 8th graders again this year. In addition, I am offering the option to include the Cognitive Abilities Test (CogAT) portion.

"The ITBS measures basic skills that range from facts and
conventions through higher-order skills, not just minimum skills. Since The Iowa Tests were conceived nearly sixty years ago, the authors have consistently defined "basic skills" as a wide range of skills including applying information, making inferences, evaluating, explaining, and other higher-order skills. By grade 8, over half of the ITBStest questions measure these higher-order skills."

Here are links for more info on the tests:
ITBS - http://www.riverpub.com/products/itbs/index.html
cogAT - http://www.riverpub.com/products/cogAt/index.html
http://www.riverpub.com/products/cogAt/pdf/cogATshort.pdf

Testing for the ITBS will occur May 4 - 6, 9am - noon, at my home near the intersection of Bandera and Braun Rd. If you wish to include the CogAT portion, we will either extend each day by an hour or complete this portion in the morning hours of May 7 - this will depend on the needs of the students that register for this portion.

Testing fees:
The fee for the ITBS is $50.
The fee for the ITBS and CogAT is $70.
The fee for the CogAT only (without the ITBS) is $40.

Please let me know by March 1 if you would like to have any of your children tested. Also, I am happy to answer any questions or concerns you have about the tests, the testing environment, etc. I have given this test on several occasions and have used it with my own children.

Jill Todd
creeksidemom@yahoo.com
210-375-3876

Drama Class

SPRING THEATRE PRODUCTION FOR HILL COUNTRY HOMESCHOOLERS

“A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to Jericho”
by  Tom Long

The parable of the Good Samaritan comes to life in this very funny, contemporary and thought provoking one-act play.  21 pages of laughs and lessons, the play is a true ensemble piece with lots of characters and stage-time for all.

Produced and Directed by Paul Tinder. Paul has starred in over 500 national network television shows, numerous feature films, hundreds of national commercials and theatrical productions.   He and his wife, Vaughn Taylor, have written, directed and starred in many projects including the feature film, “The Long Ride Home”, featured on The Encore Network and winner of the 2004 Telly Award for Writing, Producing and Acting in Independent Films.  They were founding members of The Actors Co-Op, an award winning Christian theatre company located in Hollywood.

During the rehearsal process you’ll learn:

• The Basics of a Professional Acting Technique
• Stagecraft
• Vocal Projection
• Character Development

Rehearsal/Class:  Wednesday 11:40 till 12:40
Fee:  $50.00 per month (4 weeks per month)
May production date will be set in February
 
For information contact:  Paul Tinder  210-219-0032, ptinder@satx.rr.com

Anne Frank - A History for Today: A Lesson for Tomorrow

“How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world.”  -Anne Frank
Anne Frank - A History for Today: A Lesson for Tomorrow
Presented by the Barshop Jewish Community Center
In Collaboration with the Holocaust Memorial of San Antonio and the Jewish Federation of San Antonio
Feb. 1-Feb. 27, 2009

More than 65 years ago, a young girl was forced into hiding.  She saw a government try to obliterate her family, her neighborhood, and her people.  Now, for the first time in San Antonio, this exhibit will take you on a journey into the past.  Anne Frank: A History for Today will take you through the pages of her personal diary, interwoven with historical facts and photographs.

Anne Frank: A History for Today juxtaposes photographs of the Frank family with those of historical events of the time and shows how persecuted people such as the Franks were affected by political decisions and by the actions of individuals.

Anne Frank: A History for Today was developed by the Anne Frank House and is sponsored in North America by the Anne Frank Center, USA (New York City).  A wide array of programming will accompany the exhibit during its stay in San Antonio. 

A special 90-minute program, including a guided tour of the Anne Frank exhibit, the Holocaust Memorial Museum and a guest presentation, is offered to groups and schools. This program must be reserved in advance. For more information, contact Rachel Rustin at (210) 302-6951.

The Anne Frank committee is looking for volunteers to assist with giving tours and many other facets of the exhibit.
The Barshop JCC is located at 12500 N.W. Military Hwy. @ Wurzbach Pkwy., 78231.  For directions, call the JCC at (210) 302-6820.  Additional information about the exhibit is available here.

"Real to Reel" Video Production Class

Parks & Recreation Special Programs Now Offering:
"Real to Reel" Video Production Class
SUNDAYS JAN.  -  MARCH
12PM ~ 3PM

Bertha Almaguer Studio
138 S. Josephine Tobin Dr.
Only $45 for an 8 week session
Call 210.207.3132 to register or just come by on the 1st day class ! ( includes 1 copy of video )

Each class is three hours long, therefore this course is considered to be two classes. The first class is $30 and the second class is $15.This is your chance to make your own movie! You will Learn how to shoot and edit your own short film in just 8 weeks as well as  have a public screening of your film at the end of the session. Whether you want to direct, act, shoot or edit, there will be a role for you, guaranteed!
Visit  www.sanantonio.gov/sapar for more info.