Cookies with the Congressman

A unique field trip opportunity to kick off back-to-school season.
Cookies with the Congressman!
When: Tues. August 13th 10-11:30am

What: Meet Congressman Randy Hultgren (a homeschool dad), tour the legislative office in Geneva, hear what a Congressman does, and ask him a question or two! Open to all homeschool families, so spread the word. No cost. This event is an open house, so come and go as you please.

Where: 1797 W. State Street Suite A, Geneva, IL 60134

For further questions please call Susan Russell 847-508-7492 or email me at suzrussell1 @ gmail . com

Review — Learn Our History

Political correctness has sadly altered the history that many children learn today.

Mike Huckabee has helped to start a company with resources to combat this sometimes inaccurate view of the past and to help build pride in our country and our heritage. These videos can easily help your student gain an understanding of historical events while taking pride in our national heritage.

This particular video looks at the challenges the world faced leading up to World War II. Both in Europe and Japan, Learn Our History shows the attacks on freedom and the need for America to take a stand.

Product: Origins of World War II by Learn Our History

Details: A DVD that uses five cartoon teenagers to travel through time to get a behind the scenes look at the events and personalities instrumental in the origins and duration of World War II.

Price: $19.95 plus s/h or take advantage of their free gift offer and get it for $9.95 plus s/h. This second option also signs you up to receive a new video each month for $11.95 plus s/h until you cancel your order. You can also choose video streaming and not pay shipping. Scroll down their preview page for all the pricing details.

A significant event that took place less than a hundred years ago can still seem like ancient history to young students. This video series helps it come alive and is a great supplement to any study of this time period. You might want to try to find a veteran from WWII that could help the kids see even more clearly how close this is to them and to take pride in our history and our country today.

WWII veterans are getting more scarce as the years go by, but this video is readily available. My kids enjoyed watching this round the world look at some of the events of WWII. We have not studied modern history extensively, so much of this was new material to them. It gave them a great overview of the causes, people, and events without bogging them down in details or in too many of the gruesome facts. Even my 2 year old asked to watch the “airplane” movie again.

It is a short film, but packed with information. The cartoon characters were a little predictable, but they got the job done, and taught the lessons well. We felt this was definitely worth the time and we enjoy having it around as a resource and supplement to our history program.

Disclosure: I received this product free from Learn Our History for the purpose of posting a review. This review contains my honest opinions and experiences.

TeenPact Illinois

A unique opportunity in Springfield.

A blurb from the TeenPact website:

TeenPact is a dynamic, hands-on leadership school for Christian students. Our mission is to train youth to understand the political process, value their liberty, defend their Christian faith and engage the culture at a time in their lives when, typically, they do not care about such things.

The TeenPact experience is one of intentional growth, education and encouragement. We believe that God gives every young person a great spiritual capacity as well as a scriptural mandate to cultivate and use their talents – even before they are old enough to drive, work or vote!  TeenPact trains these young people to embrace their call as the next generation of leaders by giving them tools, teaching and opportunities.

Each TeenPact program is marked by spiritual discipleship, student leadership, parental involvement and a commitment to excellence. Our loyal base of parent volunteers and student leaders keep the vision alive and growing as we continue to expand nationally. Founded in 1994 by Tim Echols, TeenPact currently offers classes in 38 states and counting.

“Changing lives to change the world” is more than a motto to us. It’s literally what we do every day.

TeenPact Illinois

Four Day Class: (ages 13-19)

April 23-26, 2012
Mon: 1pm – 5pm
Tue – Thu: 8:45am – 3pm

First Time Students: $225
Returning Students: $185

Host housing may be available

Please contact your State Coordinator

Guest Director: Ned Williams

Political Communication Workshop: (ages 13-19)

April 27, 2012
10am – 4pm

Price: $50
($40 with 4-Day Class Purchase)

One Day Class: (ages 8-12)

April 27, 2012
10am – 4pm

First Child: $40
Siblings: $30

All the rest of the details:

http://teenpact.com/state-classes/illinois/

Call to action from ParentalRights.org

Illinois: Urgent – Please Call Today

The Illinois Senate Executive Committee on Wednesday, April 6, will hold a hearing on SR 92, a resolution calling on Illinois state agencies to “ensure that their policies and programs comply with the Convention on the Rights of the Child” (CRC). The resolution also calls on the President to send the CRC to the U.S. Senate for approval, and calls on the Senate to consent to its ratification.

Calls are needed today to encourage your lawmakers to oppose this resolution.

First, please call the members of the Senate Executive Committee listed below and urge them to oppose SR 92. In your own words, tell them one or more of the following:

  • The CRC’s “best interest of the child” principle would put all parents on the same legal footing as parents already convicted of abuse or neglect.
  • The best way to protect children is not to invite the government into our families, but to build strong families without government intrusion.
  • You elected them – and not the United Nations – to write laws for Illinois.
  • This or any treaty in the area of family law would federalize as a treaty obligation this authority that currently resides with the state of Illinois. We want to keep family law at the state level!

Then, pass this message on to others who share your concerns and will call.

Please, before you close this email, call these members of the Illinois Senate’s Executive Committee:

Sen. Don Harmon, Chairman
(217) 782-8176
Sen. Ira Silverstein, Vice Chair
(217) 782-5500
Sen. James Clayborne, Jr.
(217) 782-5399
Sen. Maggie Crotty
(217) 782-9595
Sen. John Cullerton
(217) 782-2728
Sen. Kimberly Lightford, bill sponsor
(217) 782-8505
Sen. Antonion Munoz
(217) 782-9415
Sen. Jeffrey Schoenberg
(217) 782-2119
Sen. Donne Trotter
(217) 782-3201
Sen. Dale Righter
(217) 782-6674
Sen. Bill Brady
(217) 782-6216
Sen. John Jones
(217) 782-0471
Sen. David Luechtefeld
(217) 782-8137
Sen. Matt Murphy
(217) 782-4471
Sen. Christine Radogno
(217) 782-9407

Thank you for taking the time to oppose this resolution in your state!

Sincerely,

Michael Ramey
Director of Communications & Research

Illinois–Please Call Now to Oppose Compulsory School Age Increase

Dear HSLDA Members and Friends,

A bill that would place young people under compulsory education for an
additional year is being heard in committee today in Springfield.
Compulsory age in Illinois ends at age 17 right now.  Rep. Jehan
Gordon’s HB 2985 would raise it to age 18.

The committee will probably vote on the bill within a few days.  They
need to hear from you that making an additional year of a young
person’s life subject to state mandate is not acceptable.

REQUESTED ACTION:

1. Please call your representative if he or she is a committee member
(see list below). Use our Legislative Toolbox at
http://www.hslda.org/toolbox to find out who your representative is.
Even representatives whom you think already oppose the bill need to
hear from you.

2. If your representative is not on the committee, call the
chairperson, the vice chairperson and the minority spokesman (see
below).

3. Your message can be as simple as:

“Please vote NO on HB 2985. Parents, not state officials, know whether
their 17-year-old young adult should pursue formal education or some
other preparation for life responsibilities. The additional cost of
forcing unwilling young adults into a formal school setting should not
be added to the current taxpayer burden.”

This bill would undermine the freedom of all parents.  It is not
necessary for you to identify yourself as a homeschooler.

More details and contact information on HSLDA’s website.

Potential changes to Illinois law

========================================
From the HSLDA E-lert Service…
======================================================================

Illinois:  Contact Senator Maloney to Stop Homeschool Registration

Dear HSLDA Members and Friends:

Senator Edward Maloney has filed a bill that would force all Illinois
homeschoolers to register. The bill, SB 136, gives the Department of
Education blanket authority to mandate what information families must
submit. SB 136 threatens to expand government power into the realm of
private education on an unprecedented scale.

ACTION REQUESTED

1. If you live in his district (Senate District 18, which includes
parts of Lyons, Palos, Worth, Chicago, and Orland Townships in Cook
County) contact Senator Maloney and ask him to withdraw his bill. You
can also use our legislative toolbox at http://hslda.org/toolbox/ to
find your Senate district. Personal visits and phone calls have the
most impact. Letters and emails are useful as well. Your firm but
courteous message can be as simple as:

“Please withdraw SB 136. Studies show that private education prepares
students for college better than public schools. There is no need for
government to expand into an area that is already so successful.
Existing mandates on private education are sufficient.”

Springfield Office:
Senator 18th District
119A Capitol Building
Springfield, IL   62706
(217) 782-5145
(217) 557-3930 FAX

District Office:
10400 S. Western Ave.
Chicago, IL  60643
(773) 881-4180
(773) 881-4243 FAX

Additional District Office:
6965 W. 111th Street
Worth, IL 60482
(708) 448-3518
(708) 448-3535 FAX

Home:
Edward D. Maloney
2808 West 11th Street
Chicago, IL 60655
(773) 233-6638

2. After you contact him, call or email us to confirm so we can keep a
tally of how many people have contacted him.

3. Pass this message on to other homeschoolers in Senator Maloney’s
district.

BACKGROUND

Right now, Illinois homeschools are not required to register because
they are classified as “non-public” schools. Many other states
likewise do not require homeschoolers to register, including New
Jersey, Indiana, Oklahoma, Missouri, Alabama, Michigan, Texas, etc.

There is a common myth that Illinois homeschools are unregulated.
While Illinois homeschools don’t waste time processing bureaucratic
red tape, they must comply with significant substantive mandates,
including the requirement that they teach the branches of education
taught to children of corresponding age and grade in the public
schools, that they teach in the English language, and, if challenged,
meet the burden of showing that they have in good faith provided an
adequate course of instruction in the prescribed branches of learning.
This sensible combination of no red tape plus meaningful mandates has
protected freedom in Illinois and produced outstanding academic
results.

SB 136 would give the Illinois Department of Education literally
unlimited power to dictate what information homeschoolers must submit.
Since the Department is composed exclusively of staff who are
appointed or hired, rather than elected, they have little or no
incentive to respond to the voice of citizens. In other states, when
education departments have been given power to act against citizens’
wishes, they have sometimes brushed aside overwhelming opposition and
done as they pleased to homeschoolers.

SB 136 is the greatest threat to Illinois homeschoolers in more than a
decade. HSLDA and Illinois Christian Home Educators are united in
opposing the bill and are committed to protect your freedom. This
fight belongs to every Illinois homeschool family.

Thank you for standing with us for freedom!

Sincerely yours,

Scott A. Woodruff
HSLDA Senior Counsel

Opportunity to meet local candidate at campaign kick-off

A Chicago area homeschool dad is running for a seat in the US House of Representatives. He currently fills a seat in the State Senate. If you would be interested in learning more or supporting Randy Hultgren in this process here is the information on a gathering this coming week:

Please come to the campaign announcement
and kickoff of

Randy Hultgren

on Monday, September 28

He is running for the U.S. House of Representatives, District 14

We are eager to show the media a good turnout and following, so, please bring your friends and family between 1:00 and 1:30pm to

Peck Farm Park 4038 Kaneville Road     Geneva IL 60134
Located west of Randall Road on the corner
of Kaneville Road and Peck Road

All of the buildings have been reserved so families can enjoy themselves.  The only request is that from 2-2:20 you stand with Randy as he gives his speech and answers questions.   There will be signs, stickers and treats.

Please RSVP (requested, not required) by 4:00 on Sunday to:

Rose at rgust@pobox.com
OR
630.406.1178


(Click here for  Peck Farm info and map)

Parental Rights Amendment

Dear Illinois Supporter,
It’s time to get more cosponsors for the Parental Rights Amendment! In order to pass the Parental Rights Amendment we need bipartisan support from those in Congress, and we are planning a Cosponsor Drive for Tuesday, July 21, through Thursday, July 23. In this nationwide effort to get support for the Parental Rights Amendment we will be calling all members of the U.S. House and Senate who are not already cosponsors. If your U.S. Representative and Senators are not cosponsors, we need you to call them during our three-day Cosponsor Drive.
U.S. Representatives who are not cosponsors of the Parental Rights Amendment:
Representative Bobby L. Rush (IL-1) – 202-225-4372
Representative Jesse L. Jackson (IL-2) – 202-225-0773
Representative Dan Lipinski (IL-3) – 202-225-5701
Representative Luis V. Gutierrez (IL-4) – 202-225-8203
Representative Mike Quigley (IL-5) – 202-225-4061
Representative Peter Roskam (IL-6) – 202-225-4561
Representative Danny Davis (IL-7) – 202-225-5006
Representative Melissa Bean (IL-8) Blue Dog Coalition – 202-225-3711
Representative Janice Schakowsky (IL-9) – 202-225-2111
Representative Mark S. Kirk (IL-10) – 202-225-4835
Representative Deborah Halvorson (IL-11) – 202-225-3635
Representative Jerry F. Costello (IL-12) – 202-225-5661
Representative Judy Biggert (IL-13) – 202-225-3515
Representative Bill Foster (IL-14) Blue Dog Coalition – 202-225-2976
Representative Timothy V. Johnson (IL-15) – 202-225-2371
Representative Phil Harep (IL-17) – 202-225-5905
Representative Aaron Schock (IL-18) – 202-225-6201
If any of these is your Representative, we need you to call their office sometime during our three-day Cosponsor Drive and urge them to cosponsor H.J.Res. 42, the Parental Rights Amendment, in the House (find your Representative by typing your zip code into the box here.) We are especially targeting Congressmen in the Congressional Blue Dog Coalition. Securing this group of Democrats will make the Parental Rights Amendment a truly bi-partisan issue in the House, as it already is among the voters.
If your Representative is not listed above, please send an email thanking them for cosponsoring the Parental Rights Amendment. Thanking those who cosponsor lets them know we appreciate their support. To view the list of current cosponsors, click here.
The Parental Rights Amendment was also introduced in the U.S. Senate this past May by Senator DeMint, and it’s time to get Senate cosponsors! Call your Senators and urge them to cosponsor S.J.Res.16, the Parental Rights Amendment, in the Senate.
Senator Richard J. Durbin – 202-224-2152
Senator Roland Burris- 202-224-2854
Thank you for your participation in this important Congressional Phone Campaign right before Congress adjourns for the summer. Senators and Representatives will soon return to their home districts for the August summer work period. ParentalRights.Org is organizing visits to local Congressional offices by 20 constituents with 1,000 activist signatures, to be scheduled during that time. A face-to-face group meeting with your Congressman is an extremely powerful and effective way to communicate clearly the message of the Parental Rights Amendment. If you would like to participate in these local meetings please contact Region 3 Grassroots Coordinator Jason Heki (jason@parentalrights.org).

For more information about the Parental Rights Amendment, visit ParentalRights.org

HSLDA membership giveaway

Every homeschooler in the US, and many international ones as well, owe a debt of gratitude to the HomeSchool Legal Defense Association (HSLDA).  They have worked passionately to maintain and advance the freedom of homeschoolers nationwide.

If you are not already familiar with HSLDA I would encourage you to take some time and look over their site. They work on a national and local level defending and communicating for and to homeschoolers.

They offer a variety of resources including speakers, books, and online resources that can benefit the homeschool family.

My interaction with HSLDA has been very positive. They are there to help. They stand behind homeschoolers with a passionate determination and want  to assist you in any way possible. I have not needed their legal assistance, but have heard many stories of their willingness to serve and defend families in need. They are an incredible resource and defense that all homeschoolers should tap into.

Other important links:

  • Signing up for their E-lert service helps keep you aware and gives you timely opportunity to stay involved politically.
  • More detailed information about their organization (click the other tabs across the top for even more information).
  • They also work with the Home School Foundation to help homeschooling families in need.
  • To join HSLDA and take advantage of their numerous member benefits.
  • They also sponsor a number of contests.

** HSLDA has graciously donated a one year membership to one of the readers here! **

You can earn numerous entries for this giveaway:

– first, simply leave a comment and you are entered into the drawing

– Post about this contest and/or our website and leave another comment with the link

– Tweet or post on facebook about this contest and/or site and leave another comment

– Submit information for a Chicago area support group or co-op that I don’t already have listed and you can be entered again (once again, please come back and leave another comment here).

Each valid comment posted is an entry into the drawing which will take place on July 1. That gives you all about two weeks to spread the word and get in as many entries as you can. Winner will be notified by email and will have three days to respond to claim their prize

Parental Rights

A parent’s right to raise their children as they see fit is a time-honored American tradition, but today it is being threatened. The Supreme Court’s Troxel v. Granville decision in 2000 undermined a 75-year heritage of Constitutionally-protected, fundamental parental rights, which 8 of the 9 justices abandoned. At the same time, a growing body of international law fuels activist judges to legislate foreign standards from the American bench, while treaties such as the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child would subject parental decisions to government oversight and international review.
Rep. Pete Hoekstra (MI-2) has proposed HJR-42, the Parental Rights Amendment, to stop the erosion of parental rights in American courts while simultaneously defending our laws from international invasion. Please, visit parentalrights.org to learn more about the Amendment, and to join their email network by signing the petition to protect parental rights.