2009 April

Bexar County Youth Project Show

I invite your students to enter the Bexar County Youth Project Show, a country fair-type contest. The event is sponsored by Bexar County 4-H, but the students do not need to be in 4-H to participate. We have ten divisions with 50 individual classes in four age groups. If your child loves arts & crafts, gardening, woodworking, cooking, and more, this is a wonderful opportunity to show off their talents and receive some recognition. The divisions are: Baking & Canning, Clothing (Sewing), Hobbies & Crafts, Horticulture, Photography, Wood & Metal Work, Art, Educational Poster Design, Needlework, and Nature/Botanical Collections. The fee is $2 per entry. A child may enter only one project per class, but may enter every class. That means a child could enter all 50 classes (if someone actually wanted to pay $100!). Every entry receives a ribbon. We award 1st, 2nd, & 3rd places in Elementary, Junior High, and High School age groups. We also award large rosette! ribbons for Best of Division and an overall Best in Show. Each of these prizes is accompanied by additional prizes -- art supplies, baking supplies, gift cards, etc. The Kindergartners  (called Clover Kids in 4-H) are not allowed to "compete" but receive a ribbon and a nice medal. 4-H maintains that children that young are not emotionally ready for competition; however, they may enter projects nonetheless. The contest is Saturday, May 16 at the Helotes 4-H Building across from O'Connor High School. The deadline to turn in entry forms is May 4. it's what I call a "Make it and Take it" contest. You make it, drop if off for judging, and come back for the awards and to pick up your entries. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions or for registration forms. Please feel free to pass this along to other groups. We look forward to seeing your students' work!

Sincerely,
Jamie Miranda

Project Show Chair
Haven Home Educators Coordinator
Haven 4-H Club Asst. Manager
SAHERO Board Member
Miranda Writing Workshops
St. Philip's College Educational Support Services Tutor
(210)733-1757
mypinkkoala@aol.com

Summit Christian Academy Info Meeting

Please join us as we learn more about Summit Christian Academy a University-Model School offering grades k-6 in the Fall of 2009. Also, please pass this information along and bring any friends or family who may be interested. If you have any questions please contact SCA at school@scatx.net or visit www.scatx.net.

Location: Leon Springs Presbyterian Church (23943 IH-10 W)
Date: 05/05/09
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Please provide your own childcare

Summit Christian Academy is a University-Model School® located in the Hill Country of San Antonio. University-Model Schools allow parents more involvement in their children's education by combining the traditional private classroom environment with homeschooling. Classes are attended Tuesday and Thursday with optional electives on Wednesday. This allows for more family time on alternate days as parents guide their children through detailed lessons given by the teacher to complete their student's education. This formula allows for better character development as quality relationships between parents and children are fostered.

San Antonio College Homeschool Day

San Antonio Community College has invited all of us to an information Symposium. The Faculty at SAC for Dual Credits, Early Admissions, Testing and Scholarships will all be together so you can get all your questions asked at once! We will also be getting a guided tour of the campus. Bring all your homeschool highschool friends - you don't want to miss this!

Wednesday April 29, 2009 r>1:00-4:00pm

Due to the amazing response this event is being moved to the
McAllister Auditorium - please plan on using parking lot 2 or 3.
Click Here to Sign Up please sign up so we can give SAC an idea of how many to expect!

https://www. service-life. com/sysfiles/ member/index. cfm?memberid= 414 

Dual Credits are offered to students that pass the ACCUPLACER entrance test (posted online sample on our website to try) 2 Dual Credit classes per semester are free to qualifying students which means by the time your student graduates from homeschool highschool they could have earned more than 24 college credit hours!

SAC is also interested in offering Dual Credit classes at other facilities around the city that may be closer to your home and consist of just homeschoolers that may be ready for college level work but not mature enough for a college campus. If you know of a church that might be interested in hosting Dual Credit classes please have them contact me at gridjumpers@ yahoo.com

Please forward this to other homeschoolers you know, sign up and let's turn out in great numbers! Thanks.  Sue Laprise

Picture Your World Youth Photography Project Contest Deadline 

The Picture Your World Youth Photography Contest promotes awareness of the need for preservation of our natural environment through images that reveal the interconnectedness of earth, water, sky, and the creatures – including man – who live in the environment.

Entries must be received by April 17, 2009, unless the contestant attends the Portfolio Workshop on April 19, in which case the entries may be turned in to the instructor at the conclusion of that class. The contest is open to students age 8-18.

Three art professionals will judge the entries: Lyn Belisle, a photographer and professor in the graphic design program at Trinity University; Arturo Almeida, curator for the UTSA art collection; and Martin Rodriguez, an artist and filmmaker. Contest winners will be announced at an awards ceremony on May 17.

See the contest entry form for complete contest details.
Contact: For more information, call 210-222-8430 or e-mail us.

Informal Geometry

Six Weeks  (Twice Weekly) 9a.m. – 12 noon; Tuesdays and Thursdays

May: 19, 21, 26, 28
June: 1, 3, 8, 10, 15, 17, 22, 24

Program is designed to supplement the Saxon Math. It includes Proofs, Triangles, Circles, and more. Counts as a year of Informal Geometry. Call Pauline Bauml 210-287-1898. Cost: $100 per three week session

C.L.A.S.S. Caring, Learning and Some Smiles Support Group

This is class, which stands for Caring, Learning and Some Smiles. Which is something we all strive for---to help our kids learn with caring and support as well as having some fun doing it. This is a support group for parents and families primarily from the SW side of San Antonio and surrounding areas (but open to anyone wanting to join) who homeschool their kids. It's a place to discuss anything about homeschooling and to meet others who school their own children. This group is secular and is open to anyone and everyone so please be mindful of others beliefs and opinions. We also have park day at Medina Base Road Park on the 1st and 3rd Mondays of the month. We are new so any input is welcome. I'd also like to set up some Mommy's day out nights. http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Its_our_CLASS/

Homeschool F.I.T. and Fun

My name is Claudia and I am a Recreation Assistant at the Enrique Barrera Community Fitness Center. We currently have a program specifically for children in the home school groups. The Home School F.I.T. and Fun Package contains various activities for children and teens. The two hour session is broken up into 30 minute group activities. The first activity is a 30 minute Fitness Assessment and nutrition tips. In this class children and teens will have their fitness level evaluated and basic healthy eating tips will be discussed. The second activity is 30 minutes on our indoor traverse wall. We have a floor to ceiling traverse climbing wall that kids love. The third activity is an obstacle course. Children of all ages love our challenging obstacle course guaranteed to be fun and exhilarating. The final 30 minute session is a circuit training class for teens or fitness related games for youngsters. If you would like further information on the Home School Fun package or our center, please contact me.

Claudia R. Trevino
Recreation Assistant
Enrique  Barrera  Community  Fitness  Center
City of San Antonio, Parks & Recreation
5800 Old Hwy 90 West
San Antonio,  TX 78227
(210) 207 - 3221
Claudia.Trevino@sanantonio.gov

Teen Art Guide Applications

What’s a TAG?
* Get other teens and families talking about art.
* Help with media and technology programs.
* Assist education department with programs for families and teens.

The McNay Art Museum is looking for a few teen volunteers or TAGs for the 2009–2010 school year. Do you have what it takes? At the Mcnay, TAGs:

* Get other teens and families talking about art.
* Help with media and technology programs.
* Assist education department with programs for families and teens.

Eligibility to be a TAG, you must:
* Be a current sophomore or junior in San Antonio area.
* Sign a pledge of commitment to program and policies.
* Have reliable transportation to and from the museum.
* Have at least a C average.
* Submit a teacher recommendation.
* Interview with McNay staff.
* Agree to work with the staff, families, and works of art
(media, technology, and Spanish language skills a plus).

Due date: April 24, 2009. http://www.mcnayart.org/images/PDFs/TAGApplication2009.pdf Submit applications by email to education@mcnayart.org or to McNay Art Museum, Post Office Box 6069, San Antonio, Texas 78209

100 Hours of Astronomy

San Antonio Astronomical Association, April 2-5, 2009.  We're starting a day early with our weekly Astronomy in the Park at McAllister Park, 13102 Jones Maltsberger Road [Map] event on April 1st and will have at least one event each night through April 5th.  SAAA members may be hosting their own events.  For more information contact our 100 Hours of Astronomy Coordinator, Keith Little.  

• April 1, 2009: Astronomy in the Park at McAllister Park, viewing begins at 7:30 p.m., weather permitting
• April 2, 2009: Telescope viewing at McAllister Park, viewing begins at 7:30 p.m., weather permitting
• April 3, 2009: Telescope viewing at McAllister Park, viewing begins at 7:30 p.m., weather permitting
• April 3, 2009: SAAA Night at the Scobee Planetarium on the campus of San Antonio College
• April 4, 2009: "Meet the Sky" Star Party with KLRN, at McAllister Park, viewing begins at 7:30 p.m., weather permitting
• April 5, 2009: Telescope viewing at McAllister Park, viewing begins at 7:30 p.m., weather permitting

Legacy Archaeology summer camps for children 7-12 years old

This year's theme is Ancient Rome. Join real archaeologists from the UTSA Center for Archaeological Research for hands on activities including learning about how archaeology is done, analyzing artifacts and participating in a mock dig! Dates: July 6-10 for 7-9 yr olds
           July 27-31 for 10-12 yr olds
           Aug 10-14 for 10-12 yr olds
Camp times are 9am-4pm daily.
Cost: $200 per camp (includes supplies, snacks and a t shirt)
Space limited to 18 children per week
For more info, visit http://car.utsa.edu or call 458-4462

Be Kind to Animals Poster Contest

National Be Kind to Animals Week is dedicated to raising awareness about treating animals with respect and kindness. The Helotes Humane Society will celebrate this special week with our first annual poster contest for young people. This year’s theme is “If Animals Could Talk”

Age Categories:
Entries from students in grades 1 – 5 may be submitted by schools or individuals. Judges will select winners from each grade.
Posters:
Posters must be no larger than 11” x 17” no smaller than 8” x 10” on white or buff paper or poster board. Crayon, pencil, watercolor, tempera, acrylic, magic marker and colored pencils may be used.
Theme: “If Animals Could Talk”
Identification: All entries must include the student’s name, grade, school address, teacher’s name and phone number. This information may be written on the back of the posters or an entry form may be attached to the back of the poster.
Tips:
Posters will be judged on originality, creativity and demonstration of the theme. Students making posters are encouraged to fill the page and make them colorful.
Deadline:
Friday – April 17, 2009
Drop off your entries at The Palms Pet Resort & Spa, 12410 Bandera Road @ Loop 1604

Prizes!!!  Entries will be judged within their own grade level. All winners will receive prizes and have their winning entries displayed at the Helotes Humane Society Booth at the Cornyval April 30 - May3.
 
For more information email: hhsanimals@yahoo.com or call Ph. 210-422-6242

Free Alamo Arts Ballet Theatre

Choreographic Collection: A morning of music and original choreography. This performance is free and open to local students and their chaperones only. It is closed to the public. AABT is excited to offer this free performance to help spread their passion for the arts with the students of San Antonio.

Thursday, April 16, 10:00 am. Jo Long Theatre, Carver Community Cultural Center. For information and to reserve seats contact Michelle at 210-844-5621 or email alamoartsballettheatre@gmail.com .

The Witte Museum will offer 2 “Project Wild” Workshops

The Witte Museum will offer 2 “Project Wild” workshops in April and May.   April 25 will be Project WILD and May 2 will be Project WILD Aquatic. Seating is limited, and these workshops have proven very valuable to homeschoolers.  Both programs are distributed through the Texas Parks and Wildlife’s Project WILD office. You can only receive the K-12 Curriculum and Activity Guides by attending these workshops.  Each session will be held at the museum from 9:00 AM until 4:00 PM with a 1 hour lunch break.  There is a $10.00 museum facilities fee.  For reservations for either workshop contact Witte Reservations at 210-357-1910. 

Project WILD Workshop – Saturday, April 25  The Project WILD K-12 Curriculum and Activity Guide focuses on wildlife and habitat. The guide is full of 124 activities that emphasize hands-on, inquiry-based, and cooperative learning strategies with demonstrated classroom effectiveness. It is organized in topic units and is based on the Project WILD conceptual framework. Because these activities are designed for integration into existing courses of study, instructors may use one or many Project WILD activities or the entire set of activities may serve quite effectively as the basis for a course of study.

Each Project WILD activity contains all the information needed to conduct that activity including objectives, method, background information, a list of materials needed, procedures, evaluation suggestions, recommended grade levels, subject areas, duration, group size, setting, and key terms. A glossary is provided, as well as a cross-reference by topics and skills.

Project WILD Aquatic Workshop – Saturday, May 2 Learn how to teach young people about aquatic wildlife and ecosystems using fun, hands-on educational activities. During the six-hour training workshop participants will sample activities and receive a curriculum and activity guide. Activities are adaptable for all grade levels, integrated with core subject curricula and aligned to the TEKS. Teachers, homeschoolers, informal educators and youth group leaders may take the training.

The Project WILD Aquatic K-12 Curriculum and Activity Guide emphasizes aquatic wildlife and aquatic ecosystems. The guide is full of 48 activities that emphasize hands-on, inquiry-based, and cooperative learning strategies with demonstrated classroom effectiveness. It is organized in topic units and is based on the Project WILD conceptual framework. Because these activities are designed for integration into existing courses of study, instructors may use one or many Project WILD Aquatic activities or the entire set of activities may serve quite effectively as the basis for a course of study.

For more information on these programs go to: http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/learning/project_wild/project_wild.phtml
or Tom Kinsey at tkinsey1@satx.rr.com
Tom Kinsey
Wildlife Education
Witte Museum
San Antonio, Texas
210-410-4564