Gym group in Beverly/Morgan Park area

Are you a home school family looking for fun physical education activities and co-op classes?

Beverly/Morgan Park Home School & Gym Group

This is a local group that was created to provide opportunities for home schooling families to participate in sports, academics, creative co-op classes and other activities in a Christ-centered learning environment.

Where: St. Paul’s Bible Church (located in the Beverly neighborhood of Chicago, 1960 W. 94th between Damen & Winchester)

When: Tuesdays, 8:30 a.m. -12:30 p.m.

Duration: September – May (divided into 2 semesters with holiday breaks)

Yearly Membership Per Family Fee: $235*

They are a Christian, co-operative group accommodating home school students infant through high school. In order for the group to be successful, one parent from each family participates weekly with gym activities, co-op classes, or in some other capacity. This gives the group opportunity to benefit from the skills of parents and helps the group run smoothly. All families meet for the duration of the co-op year. The offer Nursery and Preschool class for children ages 0-4. Students ages 5-12  participate in all activities scheduled for their age group. Below are some examples from the past

Gym Activities:

• Soccer

• Volleyball

• Basketball

• Bowling

• Swimming

• Ultimate Frisbee

Co-op Classes:

• Literature

• Anatomy

• Basic Electricity

• Music History

• Art

• Drama

The co-op year is divided into two semesters with holiday breaks. The weekly schedule is divided  into 3 co-op classes and 1 gym class that last for four weeks.

For the 13-17 age group we offer a little more flexibility in their schedule. See below:

• All students participate in gym classes (including the first semester “team building”)

• At the start of each semester, class choices are made

• In the event that a class is not being offered or a student doesn’t want to take it, they can bring school work from home and work independently in a parent supervised study hall

• They also require that the students volunteer twice a semester in some capacity at the Co-op.

If you are interested and would like more detailed information, please email the Membership Coordinator at membership.BMPHSGG@gmail.com Please include ages of children as of Sept.  and a phone number. They will be scheduling visits for April.

*Fee: The non-refundable registration fee is $45; yearly membership fee per family (NOT per child) is $235. This covers all co-op classes, gym activities and weekly snacks. This fee is due on or before the start day in September. After the first day, this fee is non-refundable. As a cooperative, all members participate in the “Great Lakes Scrip” fundraising program to  subsidize (essentially earn back) the cost of their membership and help to keep the fee minimal for all families. (For more  information on how that works feel free to contact them).

High School Boys Basketball team forming

Received via email, see contact info below:

HSU ANNOUNCES THE FORMATION OF A HIGH SCHOOL BOYS BASKETBALL TEAM FOR THE UPCOMING SCHOOL YEAR 2014/15

If you are homeschooled and interested in participating in a high school boys basketball team, please contact us at admin@homeschooluniversity.org

We are currently working on putting together a team, schedule and league formation for 2014/15. We welcome you to inquire as well as tell any homeschool high school boy basketball players that you may know of. We will be scheduling a parent meeting soon.

Speech and Debate Competition

Communication Festival

What: Art/Music/Forensics

Where: North Central College, Naperville, IL

When: March 25-27

Showcase your talents.Competition for all three including photography,painting,drawing, vocal,instrument,speech,debate.

Who: Grades k-12.for art and age 7-19 for forensics.

Organization Name: Lifelong communicators

Website: www.lifelongcommunicators.org
Contact Person: Diana Wolfson

Email: Lifelongcommunicators@gmail.com

West Suburban Home School Band

2014 Spring Open House and More


The West Suburban Home School Band will be holding an Open House during regular rehearsal times on Thursday, April 3, 2014.

All interested home schoolers are invited to come and watch any rehearsal in Cornelius Hall at Resurrection Church at the NW corner of Army Trail and 59 in Wayne.

Rehearsal times for the four different band levels are:

5:15-6pm Cadets (beginners),

6-7pm Concert Junior,

7-8pm Concert Senior,

8-9pm Symphonic.

Feel free to come any time and stay as long as you like. Free gifts for all who visit!

For more information or questions, please contact the director, Karen Borow, through the website www.wshsb.org.

Mark your calendar for the following performances–

The WSHSB’s 13th Annual Spring Concert at 7 pm, Friday, May 16, 2014, at Edman Memorial Chapel, on the campus of Wheaton College, Wheaton, IL. This concert is NOT a function of Wheaton College.Map and directions are on www.wshsb.org.

Thursday, June 5, the WSHSB will play from 12 to 12:30, just prior to the keynote speaker at the ICHE Convention.

Cornerstone Journalism Institute

Received via email:

Cornerstone Journalism Institute

One of our institute instructors, Russ Pulliam, has homeschooled his children with his wife and he himself is associate editor/columnist for the Indianapolis Star. He is also a board member and occasional writer for World magazine (www.worldmag.com) He has been coming up to Grand Rapids, Mich., for several years now to provide basic writing and reporting instruction. He is a very effective instructor who engages the students in hands-on writing activities.

In the past, some families have driven their child to our institute, got them settled and unpacked and then went camping themselves while their child enjoyed CJI. Just an idea. Others have had their students fly into Grand Rapids, Mich, airport, where one of my staff could pick them up and return them to the airport at the end of the week.

More information is available at: www.cornerstone.edu/cornerstone-journalism-institute

Israel Wayne coming to Aurora

When: Thursday, March 6, 2014 — Israel Wayne, Guest Speaker
6:30 pm – 8:30 pm (free admission)

Where — New Song Community Church
2858 Hafenrichter Road (One half mile east of Eola Rd.)
Aurora IL 60503

Who: Israel Wayne is an author and conference speaker who has a passion for defending the Christian faith and promoting a Biblical worldview. He is the author of the books Homeschooling from a Biblical Worldview, Full-Time Parenting: A Guide to Family-Based Discipleship, and The Questions God Asks. He is a homeschooled graduate and father of eight. He serves as the Director of Family Renewal, and is the site editor for ChristianWorldview.net.

What:  “Revival in the Home” – Families in America are under attack. Teenage rebellion, divorce, juvenile delinquency, emotional disorders, and relational dysfunction are way too common, even among church goers.

How can you have a Godly family in the midst of such a worldly culture? Israel will provide practical and Biblical answers. Learn how you can
effectively disciple your children to know, love and serve God.

All are welcome! (Childcare available for children under 5 years of age.
Children are welcome to sit quietly during presentation.)

Writing instruction in Evanston

If you are in or around Evanston and looking for some help or inspiration in the writing department . . .

Susan Dickman is an experienced English teacher as well as a writer. She offers individual writing support and classes for students, as well as workshops for parents seeking to support their children’s written expression. Whether it is writing poetry, fiction, personal or nonfiction essays, research arguments, opinion pieces, or analytical analyses, she believes anyone can learn to brainstorm, draft, and revise, developing voice and giving structure to his or her ideas. Highly experienced and knowledgable about Gifted, Twice-Exceptional, LD/ED, and a former homeschooling parent.

Organization name: Write for Excellence

Email Address: writeforexcellence@hotmail.com

Fermilab adventures

Check this out from Fermilab:

Fermilab Science Adventures — January – May 2014

Fermilab: Explore the Science Around You

The Spring Science Adventure class list, registration instructions and a downloadable registration form are available on our website. http://ed.fnal.gov/sciadv

In addition to many favorite classes, look for these new and returning adventures:

January 25, 2014 – Magnetic Magic, grades 1-4

February 1, 2014 – Snow Crystals, grades K-5

March 1, 2014 – Girls Scientific Salon, grades 4-7

April 26, 2014 – Creativity and Circuitry, grades 3-5 – NEW!

May 3, 2014 – The Bugs are Back! grades 2-4

Spread the word to your friends. To be added to our e-mail notification list, contact sdahl@fnal.gov.

Links to Upcoming Public Events:

Fermilab Family Open House – February 9, 2014, 1:00 – 5:00 PM

The FREE open house will be most appropriate for families with children in grades 3 and up. Tours restricted to those ages 10 and up. Go to the website to register for the tours. Watch the website for updates.

Visit the Fermilab Education Office at Family Science Days at the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) Annual Meeting

February 15-16, 2014, 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Family Science Days

Family Science Days are FREE and open to all. Explore interactive science exhibits, learn about cool science jobs, and have your questions answered by scientists! This free community science showcase features hands-on demos, shows, and other activities appropriate for K-12 children and their families. Hyatt Regency Chicago, 151 East Wacker Drive, Chicago, IlL 60601.

Wonders of Science (Ages 7-12) – April 6, 2014, 1:00 – 2:00 PM

Tickets: $4.00/person (nonrefundable). Contact edreg@fnal.gov (preferred) or 630-840-8259 with questions. Printable registration forms available on our website at: http://eddata.fnal.gov/lasso/program_search/wos_form.html

Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM)) High School Career Expo April 23, 2014, 5:30 – 8:30 PM

The program, held at Fermilab’s Wilson Hall, is FREE and no registration is required.

Fermilab Outdoor Family Fair (Ages 5-12) June 8, 2014, 1:00 – 4:00 PM

Activities include walking the emerging tallgrass prairie, netting for land and water critters and visiting the bison herd. The fair is FREE.

Get to Know the Lederman Science Center

Explore Fermilab science from a kid’s point of view! Bring your family for a guided tour of Lederman Science Center exhibits on the first Saturday of each month from 10:00 AM to noon. No registration is required.

Fermilab Science Adventures is also a Facebook Group.

If you are a Facebook member, go to the top search box and search for “Fermilab Science Adventures” and click “Ask to Join Group” on the top right. As a member you can read and post questions and comments to the other members of this group. You can also have online chats with other members of the group.

Contact Program Staff

Marge Bardeen, Education Office Manager, mbardeen@fnal.gov

Susan Dahl, sdahl@fnal.gov

Andrea Cox, avarry@fnal.gov

Free winter fun coming up

Come out & enjoy winter at Polar Adventure Days at Northerly Island.  Dec. 7, Jan. 25 & Feb. 22.

http://www.chicagoparkdistrict.com/events/polar-adventure-days/

It’s winter in Chicago – come out and enjoy it!
Have fun while enjoying all the wonders of nature at the ninth annual
POLAR ADVENTURE DAYS at NORTHERLY ISLAND

Saturday * January 25 * February 22

Noon – 4 p.m.

Free!

Location : Northerly Island

1400 S. Lynn White Dr.

Chicago, 60605

312.745.2910

Free Admission