1. TeenPact Massachusetts 2022
TeenPact is an “awesome Christian ministry” where your kids can learn about government from a Biblical perspective. They will learn how a bill becomes a law and how elections are run, and hear from elected leaders on site at the State House.
Join Ken Tangel for an information session over Zoom to learn more:September 30, 2021, from 6-7 p.m. Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/5854021094?pwd=S0p1Y2FVUGN6MytnQkd0WTVLR21rdz09
Email Ken at ken.tangel@teenpact.com to RSVP or for further information. Please share with your friends!
TeenPact Massachusetts will be April 25-29, 2022.
2. We’ve heard……that Ballet Magnificat!, a top national Christian ballet company, is coming to town to present Anchored: The Pilgrim Story, a ballet for all audiences and ages. (The Pilgrims’ faith is evident throughout, but this is not a Christian event per se. They say that anyone who loves our nation, and honors its foundations, or who appreciates high caliber ballet, will enjoy this production.) Performances are September 30 in Andover; October 1 and 2 in Plymouth, and October 3 in Northfield. You can buy tickets online, call (978)417-1285 to order them by phone, or purchase them at the door.
3. Thayer Conservatory in Lancaster loves homeschoolers!
The school is offering private lessons on most instruments, as well as many classes and ensembles. Fall semester classes for homeschoolers include homeschool chorus; youth orchestras; ukulele, fiddle, and folk class; Suzuki beginner group violin class; group introductory piano class; and preschool music classes. Visit their website – www.thayerconservatory.org – or email thayerconservatory@gmail.com for more information.
4. Christian college fair on October 5
On Tuesday, October 5 from 6:30 – 8:30 p.m., Whitinsville Christian High School will once again be pleased to be a host site for the 2021 Christian College Fair.Approximately 25 Christian colleges and universities from all over the United States will be represented. Students and parents will be able to pick up catalogues and brochures and meet college representatives. A financial aid representative will also be available during the evening to answer questions. The Whitinsville Fair is endorsed by the North American Coalition for Christian Admissions Professionals (www.naccap.org).
Students attending the fair are encouraged to visit the website below and fill out the barcode before arriving. The barcode will help expedite entrance into the fair and improve the exchange of information between colleges/universities and the students. More information about the barcode is also attached. Please also note that all visitors to WCS are requested to wear a mask.
Should you have any questions, please feel free to contact John Vriesema at 508-372-3272 or JVriesema@whitinsvillechristian.org. More information can be found online at Christian college fair.
5. Home School Day at Old Sturbridge Village October 7
Old Sturbridge Village is inviting home school families to join them for a celebration of fall during their October 7 Home School Day. October programming is inspired by the harvest. You will process apples into cider, cook and carve pumpkins, and explore fall activities on the farm. There will also be a few programs focused on the Village’s new exhibit, New England on Parade. Pre-registration is required for all workshops due to capacity limitation. For ticketing information and workshop descriptions, SEE HERE.
6. MassHOPE Facebook groups
Did you know that MassHOPE has two private Facebook groups in addition to its main Facebook page? If you would like to join the MassHOPE Massachusetts Homeschool Discussion and Support Group (described in Item #8, below) or the MassHOPE Massachusetts Homeschool Marketplace and UCS group, or if you invite anyone to join these groups, please note that there are questions you will need to answer in order to be approved. If you don’t get approved soon after your request to join, perhaps you didn’t answer the required questions.
7. MassHOPE advertising opportunities
MassHOPE has a variety of advertising options available at reasonable rates in several media paths – MassHOPE website, dedicated email, Facebook, MassHOPE Messenger. If interested, please send an email to advertising@masshope.org. All ads are subject to availability and space. MassHOPE reserves the right to accept or reject ads as we must apportion limited space and evaluate relevance to our audience.
8. MassHOPE Facebook discussion group
Connect with us on Facebook at MassHOPE’s Massachusetts Homeschool Discussion and Support Group. This group provides support and encouragement for homeschoolers pursuing privately-funded, parent-led home education. Its purpose is to encourage and equip homeschool parents to disciple and educate their children for the Lord, and to connect families within our state to give them opportunities to gather together for educational and recreational experiences.https://www.facebook.com/groups/MassHOPEDiscussion/
9. The MassHOPE Educator ID Card
Educator IDs are available for benefits such as potential discounts at retailers. Order them from our website HERE.
10. Are you on our mailing lists?
To those who have been recently added to our email list through our website: if youwould also like to be added to our “snail mail” list to receive information (such as our print newsletter) via the U.S. Postal Service, please send your full name and complete mailing address to newsletter@masshope.org.
11. Your news items wanted
Do you know of an event or activity in or near Massachusetts that would edify or interest the homeschool community? Email Anne Smith at volunteer@masshope.org and we will review it for possible inclusion in the MassHOPE Messenger.
12. Remember to “Like” MassHOPE on Facebook
“Like” MassHOPE’s Facebook page: facebook.com/MassHOPE?fref=ts. You’ll be encouraged in your homeschooling journey and will receive all updates for upcoming events.
13. Do you receive The Voice of HOPE?
MassHOPE publishes a quarterly print newsletter, The Voice of HOPE. In addition to announcements you might also find in the Messenger, we provide three or four full-length articles on a variety of homeschooling topics. If you would like to add your name, please send your name and “snail mail” address to newsletter@masshope.org.
14. Support MassHOPE through AmazonSmile
Do you shop at Amazon? If you shop through AmazonSmile, Amazon will make a donation to MassHOPE! If you’re not already signed up, you can do so more easily than ever. To start supporting our organization, simply click this link, which is unique to MassHOPE: http://smile.amazon.com/ch/04-HYPERLINK “http://smile.amazon.com/ch/04-3220412″3220412. That’s all! From then on, when – and only when – you enter the Amazon website through amazonsmile.com,Amazon will automatically donate 0.5% of the purchase price of eligible products to MassHOPE. Thank you for supporting the work of your Christian state homeschool organization!
15. How to homeschool legally in Massachusetts
This video features Michael Donnelly, HSLDA’s designated counsel for Massachusetts: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nmELLON4OFI&list=PLe7Gz-9V5xsWzxwNhyZUNrdz0K-tbkz9a&index=21. The link referenced for further Massachusetts-specific articles is https://hslda.org/legal/massachusetts.
16. Getting started? NEW videos and webinars
1.Three-part video series on getting started: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XVOzkYx2vcA&list=PLe7Gz-9V5xsWAtvLTz1gA1CYyPLBBe-Ke.
2. Helpful overview of how to start homeschooling: https://hslda.org/post/ready-set-go-choosing-homeschool-curriculum-and-more.
3. You Can Homeschool Through High School: https://hslda.org/post/you-can-homeschool-through-high-school.
4. How to Start Homeschooling with Special Needs: https://hslda.org/post/how-to-start-homeschooling-midyear-with-special-needs-q-and-a.
17. MassHOPE: homeschooling in Massachusetts
Check out this MassHOPE site for getting started.
18. A bevy of materials, offers, and helps
https://www.mfwbooks.com/My Father’s World materials. Includes offer of two free activity packs.https://homeschoolhistory.com/Notgrass History web-based curriculum. Free trial.https://www.iew.com/three-weeks-of-language-arts-instruction-from-iewFree language arts lessons from IEW.https://coronavirushomeschooling.com/The importance of Christian homeschool organizations for homeschool freedom.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sRgV-1tfKz8&feature=youtu.beYouTube with Dr. Kathy Koch: Having Conversations about Today’s Tough Stuffhttps://www.oaclub.org/Remember Adventures in Odyssey? Free 28-day trial.https://billygrahamlibrary.org/continue-the-journey-from-home/Family activities from the Billy Graham Library.
19. Variety of interesting sites suggested by the Heritage Foundation
Science, engineering, and building projects and lessons from The League of Young Inventors.
Exciting free courses from Hillsdale College in literature, politics, history, and economics.From Joy Hakim: DIY lessons on topics such as the human body, Magellan’s travels, the story of Elizabeth Jennings Graham, and plagues from previous eras.Students can explore the remains of Athens’ ancient Acropolis, Parthenon, Temple of Zeus, and more in these virtual tours.
Free online language learning materials in English, Spanish, French and German, from Lingoda.More free language learning from Duolingo, with 23 languages.Core Knowledge offers a vast array of resources. Their Language Arts, History and Geography, and Science curricula are available for free.
TouchMath offers free downloads of TouchMath Workbooks.
20. Browsing corner for vets and newbies
How To (and How Not To) Homeschool During COVID-19 by John Stonestreet by John Stonestreet‘Most Rewarding Thing You Can Do’: Homeschool Experts Offer Hope to Parents in COVID-19 School Shutdowns by Kayla RootHome-school family feels the impact of social distancing, offers advice to other families by Tiffany Kafer5 Tips From Homeschool Veterans For Parents New To Learning At Home by Laura Isensee
