Peninsula Family Schools Newsletter
  	   	P.O. Box 458, Seaford, VA 23696
1 Cor. 13:8 Love Never Fails 	     PFS Information Line _ 928_1111 ext. 5600 _ call weekly for current updates

Volume 10 Issue 1			          Proverbs 22:6			    February 2000

Next Scheduled PFS Meeting
April 2000.  The date and topic will be announced

PFS Membership
There is a $5.00 per year membership fee to join PFS.  The benefits you receive for joining are:
	 	Newsletters which can be picked up at each meeting. (No mailed newsletters) These are sold for $.50 for those who do not wish to join
	 	A library card to check out materials in our library
	 	A free Beginners Packet which is normally sold for $1.50 to those who do not wish to join
	 	Access to the HSLDA discount number
	 	Home School Directory of PFS members
	 	Email phone tree to be informed of home school events in a timely manner

PFS Needs Volunteers!!
Like any organization, we need help.  The ability to host our meeting is contingent upon everyone working together.  We currently need someone to organize field trips, book fairs, group events such as skating or swimming, someone to greet new people at our meetings, and someone to record messages on our info line.  Please call Janice Blackburn at 850_4364 to volunteer.

Don't Loose Your HSLDA Discout!
PLEASE don't forget to renew your membership this month!  You must be a current member in order to use the group discount number with HSLDA.  They send us a quarterly report and we must verify your membership status.  You can do this at the meeting or mail it to Cindy Rowe at our PFS P.O. Box.  

PFS Steering Committee
Info is on the last page!
NEW!!! PFS Information Line
The Daily Press has allowed us to have a One Line free of charge.  The number is 928_1111 ext. 5600.  This will take the place of our phone tree.  Please check weekly to see if there are any updates. We are currently in need of someone who will be willing to record updated messages on our One Line.

News Letter & Classifieds Input
Send any information you have to go in the next newsletter to me, no later than 5 days prior to the next meeting.  If you desire to have an ad continue to run, you must notify the editor FOR EACH ISSUE, otherwise it will be removed.  Send your information to:     		Sandra Lindell   slindell@tni.net
		2 G. Maria Dr.
		Poquoson, VA 23662

Letter of Appreciation from a PFS Family
Last summer a Western Civilization class for our high school students was offered.  The class was taught by a professor/homeschool grandfather and would use college level texts.  In addition, the teacher expected those who participated to be able to place out of this course in a college placement test.  This has been a tremendous advantage for our high school student.  In addition to the text and work text, the class uses a video series.  Meetings are every other week.  The professor, Jim Funk, deserves high praise for giving his time and his talents in this way.  Many home school families feel intimidated about teaching high school, but opportunities such as this make those years challenging and enjoyable.  We wish to express our appreciation to Mr. Funk for his generosity.  We also wish to encourage you to avail yourselves of this opportunity should it ever be available again. 

Upcoming Events & Field Trips

ABEKA Book representative will be in Newport News at the Days Inn in Oyster Point, Wednesday, March 22nd. 
Visit between 12 noon and 4 pm to see the display of books and videos.  Also you can visit the following:
	Holiday Inn, Chesapeake, VA
	Tues. Mar.21, & Tues April 18
	725 Wooklake Dr.
	I_64, Exit 289A (Greenbriar Pkwy., North)

	Holiday Inn_Downtown Williamsburg, VA
	Wed. April 19, 12_4 pm ONLY
	814 Capital Landing Rd., S.R.5, just east of U.S. 60

Young Writers Institute _ at Third Presbyterian Church, 600 Forest Ave., Richmond, VA.  April 7 & 8, 2000.  Please call 717_520_1303 for a brochure or visit the web page at www.hsrc.com.  Authors Bill Myers and Nancy Rue will inspire your children to be excited about the writing process and teach them to write during this great seminar.  
Bill's workshops include:
Creating Cool Characters _ Using his experience as a film director and author, Bill will talk about creating characters that are intriguing, humorous, or so fascinating that people will have to keep reading just to find out what will happen to them.  Bring paper and pencil, because by the end of the session, you'll be creating them, too.
Inventing Stories _ How to get ideas, how to turn them into a story, and how to turn that story into something people will want to read.  Bring that pencil and paper again ‘cause by the end of the session, you'll be creating stories you hadn't even imagined!
Nancy's workshops include:
Eat Your Heart Out Indiana Jones _ Researching to write about history is like digging for treasure.  Facts, dates, battles, and presidents (surface stuff) are important, but when you go deeper you get really cool info, like how kids played back then, what they ate before pizza was invented and where they went to the bathroom.  You'll dig for historical treasure, learn fun ways to find info, create a scene that uses that info, and figure out why you might want to study history.
Boring Reports? Not! _ Columbus or Bill of Rights Reports?  Been there, done that?  What if your brought  history to life by putting real people "back there"?  What if you write a story about it, people read it, love it, and learn something from it?  You'll be taken through the process of writing historical fiction.

Virginia Symphony presents Young People's Concerts
"Conflict Resolution Identifying Dissonance and Accord"  Music from three centuries illustrates a theme of conflict resolution skills.  Info and Reservations call 466_3060 ext 304. 
	Portsmouth _ Tuesday, March 7, 2000
	10:00 & 11:30 am _ Willet Hall

	Virginia Beach _ Tuesday, March 21, 2000
	Wednesday, March 22, 2000 _ Pavilion Theatre
	10:00 & 11:30 am

	Hampton _ yet to be determined
Duration: 50 minutes   Age appropriate: 3rd _ 8th grade

Master Works presents the World Premier Ballet "HADASSAH the Story of Ester" at the Virginia Beach Pavilion 
	March 30_31 at 10:00 A.M. 
	(school performances $5.00)
	March 31, April 1 & 2 at 7 P.M.
	(general public $8.00, at the door $10.00)
For tickets call 548_2122

Colonial Williamsburg Home Educator Weeks
Programs for the year 2000. 
The topics and dates are listed below.  If you are interested, please call this number for more information. 1_757_220_7497 for tickets call 1_800_228_8878.
Rate Information
$8.50 per person, ages 2 & up per day, $4.00 per person, age 2 & up any additional days.  Governor's Palace tickets may be purchased for $5.50 per person.  Carter's Grove tickets may be purchased (in September only) for $5.50 per person.
Programs for 2000!September 5_19		"Tools, Trade & Technology"
September 20_25	"Pieces of the Past"
December 26_31	"Customs & Carols at Christmas"

Classifieds

Scholastic Books & Software _ Scholastic Books is a great and inexpensive way to develop a library of books for your children's education.  I will take orders up to March 17th.  Please send all orders with payment to:		Grace Thomas
      		216 Woodhaven Rd.
      		Newport News, Va. 23608
Make checks payable to me.  If you have any questions call me at : 888_6796 or e_mail me at : thomasfarm@wans.net or gracieqt@juno.com
If you need more time to order, please call and we can work something out.

Piano Instruction 
Marianne Wilmouth, B. Music Ed. If you are seeking piano instruction for your child please call Marianne Wilmouth at 930_4453.  She is in the Maxwell Deep Creek area.
Girls Gymnastics Class 
First and second grade home school girls gymnastics class is now forming at GymSports _ 766 J Clyde Morris Blvd. in Newport News.  The class will be held on Wednesdays at 2:30.  So far only one child has signed up.  They need more in order to keep this time slot.  If you are interested please call 596_2312 for details.

CHICK_FIL_A  
SEEKS  HOME SCHOOLERS  AS EMPLOYEES
Want Sundays Off?  Apply at Chick_fil_A of Coliseum Mall.  They offer flexible hours, Sundays off, scholarships, competitive pay,  free food, and time off for missions trips.  If you are interested in working with them, stop by Chick_fil_A of Coliseum Mall to pick up an application.  If you have any questions please contact Rebekah Knable, Human Resources Director, at 890_1226.

Home school Boy Scout Group 
Boy Scouts are interested in helping home schoolers start their own group. Each boy scout chapter is independently run, but with the support of the local group.  In other words, you are free to run things how you like (ie. prayer, Christian emphasis, or home schooling emphasis), but you will have the support of being able to ask for resources.  You can get started with as few as 5 families.  There are lots of mentors available to help you get started.  If you are interested in starting a boy scout/cub scout troop contact Alfred Cockrell 595_3356, Reid Harris 595_3356

Teens for Hire
Some home school families are looking for home school teens who would be interested in working a few hours a week in their home by helping with chores, childcare, or even simple schooling.  It is a chance to learn responsibility and earn a bit of spending money.  If interested, please send your name and phone number to Sandra Lindell.  I will print it in the next newsletter. 

Grandview Fishing Pier Benefits Home Schoolers 
Grandview Fishing Pier on Grandview Island in Hampton has begun to rear up fisherman for the future.  We are attempting to do this by making the advantages known and by giving incentives that we think will benefit you the educator, the student, and the business.  Our plan is basically this.  We want to offer group rates  and or incentive coupons for free fishing with certain accomplishments.  We are open to ideas on field trips.  We have been working with the disabled and senior population so this could be an opportunity for your students to reach out to others. With some creative thinking and our willingness to assist we should be able to not only have some fun but do some good as well.  
     This spring and summer we will begin having "how to" classes taught by our local fisherman and women.  During the next few months if you can think of a need that the pier may assist you with such as an outing or field trip or just incentive coupons for your kids please call Renee Riley at 851_2895.  We see our pier not only as a family pier but a community pier as well.

Field Trip Ideas
Virginia War Museum _ This museum offers a wide range of inter_active, multi_media, and hands_on educational presentations on a variety of American military history topics.  These programs are developed to encourage the student's identification with historical events and thereby create a permanent impression of American military history and its relationship to their lives.  Some of the presentations include:
	The Civil War  _  World War I  _  The Holocaust: Tyranny and Intolerance  _  Vietnam  _  Soldiers Heritage Program (Overview of all the wars from Revolutionary to Persian Gulf)
The program at the museum is 2 hrs which includes a guided tour and a great presentation by their Education Specialist.  There is a per child fee.  Parents are free.  Call the Education Department for more information.  The number is 928_6738

Virginia Air & Space Museum  has many opportunities for class field trips.  They have classes for Pre K to 2, Grades 3_5, and Grades 6 _ 12.  Some of the topics include:
	Space Colony, Magnetic Universe, Flight Forces, Atmospheric Phenomena, Journey to Mars, Balls Ramps and Rolling Things, Time Traveler, Totally Robotic, Measure the Moon.  These may change this year.  Call the museum and ask for the 1999_2000 Educators' Guide.

Small Groups
Are you participating in a small group?  If so, would you like information about your group in this newsletter?  Please call Sandra Lindell at 868_0223.

CHEF _ Community Home Educators Fellowship 
(A ministry of Community Bible Church, 633 Harpersville Rd., Newport News.  Meetings are held on the 3rd Saturday evening of each month at 6:30 p.m.  For more information call Tom or Deb Girotti 253_2862 or e_mail Girotti@hroads.net
S.A.G.E Suffolk Academy for Godly Education
For more info. call Donna Harris at 255_0735.
Classes offered include:
Elementary:  Math, Science, Bible, Reading/Phonics, Art, Music, Recorder, PE, Sign Language, Building Thinking Skills, Elementary German and Spanish and other classes.
Jr. High _ High School:  Science, Biology/Lab, Algebra, Geometry, Literature, History, Art, Drama, Bible, PE, Guitar, Music Theory, New Testament Greek, Typing I, Chemistry/Lab, Home Economics, German I and Spanish I, and other classes.

Military Home School Support Group _ Meets every 3rd Thursday of the month.  For information call Joann 867_6785 or conradtp@juno.com

Liberty Baptist Group _ Meets every 3rd Saturday of the month starting September.  This is a family meeting.  Contact Sharon and Jim Haughton 851_7871.  j.c.haughton@juno.com
Here's an idea for your small group.  One home school support group has now adopted a nursing home.  This home we have visited is very anxious for the children to come and participate in activities with the residents.  Maybe your small group would like to investigate a nursing home near you.

Home Schooling through High School

Do you have any suggestions that may help others as they approach the high school years?  What kind of encouragement can you offer?   One home school mom sends this in.

Choosing High School: Many home schooling parents decide that ninth grade is the time to put their child into a traditional school, public or private.  In making this decision, consider another possibility.  Find the areas of greatest interest and potential in your child's life.  Pursue areas of work, apprenticeship, volunteer opportunities, or team membership that will round out the home school curriculum you have chosen.  Enjoy your teenager those last four years.  They won't last long.
Resources

Moore Expressions _ New and used books for home schoolers.  6070 Indian River Road, Suite 110, Virginia Beach, VA 23464.  Call Cherrie Moore, 523_4965 for store hours and directions.

Christian Book Distributer (CBD) sells Home school textbooks and other materials at a discount. Their phone number is www.christianbook.com  

God's World News _ Weekly current events for children.  26 issues per school year.  You can order at different levels (PreK_1st, 2nd _ 3rd, 4th _ 6th, 7th _ 9th) Order now for next school year.  Call 1_800_951_5437 Ordering 3 or more copies you receive a discount price so you may want to order with a few other families.

bookmoble.com is a resource for home schoolers to buy and sell books.
Computer Science Course _ Internet Distance Education is offering opportunities that may be of interest to you if you want a course in Home_school Computer Science. Check out the information from IDE's web page:
	http://www.studio_ide.com/homeschool/ 

Celebrate the Century _ The U.S. Postal Service is reaching out to school children in its "Celebrate the Century" series of stamps hailing events and people in the 20th century, decade by decade.  Working with the Dept. of Education and other educational institutions, the Postal Service has developed a program for youngsters in Grades 3 through 6.  Teachers may receive starter kits which integrate history with subjects such as art, geography, language, math and computer technology. 
	Teachers receive starter kits which include teachers' guides, student activity magazines, computer activities and links to Web sites and classroom visuals.
Write to: Celebrate the Century, U.S. Postal Service, P. O. Box 44342, Washington, DC 20078_0026.
Home Educators Association of Virginia
		1900 Byrd Ave., Suite 201
		P.O. Box 6745
		Richmond, VA 23230_0745
		(804) 288_1608
Join today or renew your membership and receive a $10 gift certificate good towards a "Teaching Home Magazine" subscription.  To receive e_mail alerts & messages, send your e_mail address to HEAV34@aol.com

HSLDA
     Did you know that by belonging to PFS that you are eligible for a discount on for a discount on your annual HSLDA membership fee?  Instead of $100.00, the discounted price is $85.00.  How do you get the discount?  See Cindy Rowe.  You may not use the PFS discount unless you join PFS. 
     Are you struggling to pay HSLDA's annual member fee?  They have a payment plan available which allows families to divide the membership fee into 2 or 4 payments.  You may not use the discount if you are under the payment plan.  For additional information HSLDA can be contacted @:
	Home School Legal Defense Association
	P.O. Box 159
	Paeonian Springs, VA 22129
	(540) 338_5600

Virginia Air & Space Center has an Educator Research Center which has a wealth of educational information and resources free of charge for teaching.  There are many videos available for copying on the subject of Flight, Space, Math, and many others.  Bring a blank tape if you wish to copy anything.  Call the museum for the hours you can visit.  They also have great camps and educational tours.  Ask for the 1999 _ 2000 Educators' Guide.  

H.E.L.P. Conference 2000
June 5_8, 2000 on the campus of BJU

Do you need help?  We have it for you?  It is the Home Education Leadership Program (H.E.L.P. Conference).  For nine years, hundreds of home educators have found H.E.L.P. to be a unique source of valuable assistance in educating their children.  

Bring your entire family, and we will take care of all of you.  Over 150 workshops are offered, giving you a myriad of topics to choose from.  We have scheduled over seventy highly qualified speakers who will present these workshops, from faculty, staff, and the authors or BJU Press textbooks.  There will be motivational keynotes sessions in the evenings with syndicated columnist and author Cal Thomas speaking on Monday, June 5.  While parents attend workshops, their children are being cared for by highly trained members of our staff.  Infants through three_year_old will be cared for in the University's Child Development Center, while children ages 4 through 12 will take part in day camp.  Activities include games, music, crafts, stories, and much more.  The teens have activities that are fun_filled, but they will also be challenged in services and daily devotional times.  

Families will stay in the air conditioned dormitory rooms.  Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are served in the Dining Common, and snacks are available in the Snack Shop.

Mark your calendar today and plan to attend.  Call (864)242_5100, Ext. 3120, or e_mail reservations@bju.edu for a brochure with complete information.

PFS Steering Committee
Coordinator:
Janice Blackburn  850_4364   danjan@tez.net
Lock_up/Clean_up:
Cindy Rowe	833_7693    rowe@integrityonline18.com
Newsletter:
Sandra Lindell	868_0223    slindell@tni.net
E_Mail Phone Tree:
Peggy Zorn	865_8652    carlzorn@erols.com
Set_up:
Grace Thomas	 888_6796   gracieqt@juno.com
Treasurer & Membership:
Cindy Rowe	833_7693    rowe@integrityonline18.com
Librarian:
Vicki Imhof	851_5543   RKImhof@aol.com

Kids Korner
Do your children hate to write?  Give them a purpose for writing by having them submit a small piece of writing to our newsletter.  It can be a poem, a short story, a book report, or an informational piece.  How about an editorial??  Boy are there a lot of things to write about.  All pieces received after the newsletter deadline will be in the following newsletter.

Virginia Family Hotlines!
Hear recorded news, 24 hrs. a day, on family issues, updated weekly.
	Richmond:	(804) 756_7077
	Peninsula:	(757) 886_3636
	Governor's Opinion Line: (804) 786_2211

"And having been set free from sin, you became slaves of righteousness.
Romans 6:18

If we are not tested, we cannot be victorious.  The rule of the kingdom is: 
no battle, no crowns; 
no conflict, no conquest.
__ Charles Spurgeon