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1. Need-to-know for the used curriculum sale
MassHOPE’s annual books and used curriculum sale is set for Saturday, June 28, 2025, at the Chapel of the Cross in Westborough. This popular event is a great opportunity to find bargains, sell your gently used materials, or volunteer and get early shopping access. Back by popular demand is our Free Room. The sale is held in an air-conditioned, single-level facility with convenient parking and easy access for loading and unloading.
Payment options include cash, personal checks, and credit cards. To register as a seller or volunteer, and for complete details on tagging your materials, click
HERE
. Bring your family and friends—you won’t want to miss it!
2. Hmm
OK, so this was a slow news week. Review the old news and tune in next time for something new. Or...maybe
you
can provide something? [See item #24, below.]
3. Field trip fun with the Shakers
Extend your family’s history studies into the summer with hands-on learning about the Shakers. Of New England’s many sites, four are the most extensive and informative. Two are in Massachusetts:
HANCOCK SHAKER VILLAGE
in Hancock and Pittsfield, Massachusetts features a museum, working farm, and assorted events and workshops;
HARVARD SHAKER VILLAGE
has twelve original Shaker buildings and is part of the
FRUITLANDS MUSEUM
in Harvard. The
SABBATHDAY LAKE SHAKER VILLAGE
in New Gloucester, Maine is the “only remaining active Shaker community” in the world. It is made up of 18 buildings, including a library, store, and schoolhouse, with programs and tours also available. The largest site in the group,
CANTERBURY SHAKER VILLAGE
in Canterbury, New Hampshire, sits on almost 300 acres and contains 30 historic buildings.
[NOTE: As the Shakers considered themselves Christians but had very un-orthodox doctrine, you may first want to study up on their theology in order to be able to answer your children’s inevitable questions.]
4. Speaker vault for June
Our newest section of the MassHOPE website features a
CURATED LIBRARY OF RECORDED WORKSHOPS
from past conventions. Over the years, we have had the privilege of hosting hundreds of inspiring speakers, and we periodically showcase some of their presentations on this page. For June, we invite you to listen to an inspiring message by
Mike Donnelly - For You, Dad: Leading Your Homeschool Family.
Are you sitting on the sideline in your homeschool, Dad? Your wife needs you to get involved. But with so many demands in today’s world, how can a busy dad do it? How can you be involved in homeschooling? Would it be: teaching a class, casting a vision, leading devotions? These are all important, and in order to do these things, you must manage your schedule and carefully prioritize your time. In this talk, Mike shares how you can do all of this.
5. For your encouragement: a perspective on differences
NEVER FORGET
that the time and the place can make such a difference.
6. In the news: continued growth
The expected post-pandemic decline
NEVER MATERIALIZED
.
7. ATTENTION 4
th
GRADERS
The U.S. government’s Every Kid Outdoors program provides free access for all 4
th
graders and their families “to hundreds of parks, lands, and waters for an entire year.” Get your pass
HERE
.
8. “Free Days” at U.S. public lands
There are six remaining days this year with free admission to national parks, historic sites, and monuments managed by the
National Park Service
. Get information
HERE
.
9. From you: Bible study in Hopkinton
Bible Study Fellowship will be starting up on Wednesday, September 10, at Faith Community Church in Hopkinton. It includes a student program for homeschool families that can help kids study the Bible throughout the year. More information is available at the
Bible Study Fellowship
website.
10. Old Sturbridge Village homeschool day this month
The next Home School Day at the Village is Wednesday, June 25. Click
HERE
for information, but ACT FAST if you want to register for any of the high-interest workshops, as some are already full!
11. Field trip fun in Chatham
The
ATWOOD MUSEUM
, owned and operated by the Chatham Historical Society, features the Atwood House, built around 1756 by sea captain Joseph Atwood. This house provides a fine peek at daily life in 18
th
- and 19
th
-century New England.
12. Speaker vault for May
Our newest section of the MassHOPE website features a
CURATED LIBRARY OF RECORDED WORKSHOPS
from past conventions. Over the years, we have had the privilege of hosting hundreds of inspiring speakers, and we periodically showcase some of their presentations on this page. For May, we invite you to listen to an inspiring message by
Heidi St John: Peace in Times of Fear.
In a culture that often stands opposed to God’s Word, homeschool moms are bombarded with fear-based questions—‘What if I ruin my child?’ ‘What about socialization?’ But God calls us to trust Him. He gives strength to the weary, wisdom to the seeking, and peace in the storm. Like Esther, you have a vital role in God’s plan for future generations. Join Heidi for encouragement to follow the Lord’s leading—and model that faith for your children.
13.
For your encouragement: Heidi St. John’s favorite read alouds
Heidi St. John, the keynote speaker at our recent convention, shares her favorites
HERE
.
14.
In the news: Pew Research looks at homeschooling
The Pew Research Center has published a
LOOK AT CURRENT HOMESCHOOLING
in the U.S., with data on how many are being educated at home, and the reasons parents give for homeschooling.
15. Convention recordings
Did you miss a session because there were too many great workshops to choose from? Or, sadly, did you miss the entire convention? No problem. Order session recordings individually, or get the whole set. Just click
HERE
.
16. Social media triple play
We’re on each of the Big Three: X
, Facebook, and Instagram. Our Facebook and Instagram accounts are linked, so you can follow us on Instagram and get some of the same info we post there. Go to our link -
https://www.instagram.com/massachusetts_homeschool/
-
and click “Follow.”
17. Partner with MassHOPE?
We invite you to partner with MassHOPE in supporting Christian homeschooling families across Massachusetts. As a non-profit organization, your generous donations enable us to continue providing encouragement, resources, events, and advocacy to strengthen and equip local homeschoolers. Every gift, big or small, makes a lasting impact. Please prayerfully consider making a tax-deductible
DONATION
today and join us in building up families in the year ahead.
18. Friends don’t let friends miss out on...
...important information about MassHOPE. So spread the word! Help us share the news about our convention and so much more! Tell all your homeschooling friends about
The MassHOPE Messenger
, MassHOPE's bi-weekly e-newsletter, filled with opportunities and items of interest for homeschooling families. All they need to do to receive it is to send full name and email address to
info@masshope.org
.
Help them stay informed!
Also,
while you’re at it, why don’t you start thinking about volunteering at our next convention? We need you!
19. Discounts from SchoolhouseTeachers.com
Homeschooling can be challenging.
It can be expensive, time-consuming, and confusing to choose classes and curricula for multiple students. We are writing to tell you that
SchoolhouseTeachers.com
will provide all the courses you need for homeschooling each of your preschool through graduating 12th-grade students at the discounted annual price of $179 (you save $90)
.
With hundreds of online courses, lesson plans, quizzes, tests, answer keys, certificates of completion, and streaming videos, your annual
SchoolhouseTeachers.com
membership will ensure you have a full-spectrum, non-Common Core curriculum platform to confidently educate your children at home.
Membership is good for your whole family—including grandparents—no matter how many children you have. Because everything is included online, there is no need to buy textbooks. PLUS, there are no per class, no per child, nor any other hidden fees. You can also generate quarterly report cards for each student and access help with transcript creation for your high schoolers.
SchoolhouseTeachers.com contains nearly every subject imaginable—art history, drawing, computer technology, foreign languages, history, language arts, math, music, science, and loads of electives. Let your kids help pick out their own courses!
20. 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 #22) 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.
21. 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.
22. MassHOPE Facebook discussion group
Connect with us on Facebook at
MassHOPE 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/
23.
The MassHOPE Educator ID Card
Educator IDs are available for benefits such as potential discounts at retailers. Order them from our website
HERE
.
24. 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.
25. Remember to "Like" MassHOPE on Facebook
"Like" MassHOPE's
FACEBOOK PAGE
.
You'll be encouraged in your homeschooling journey and will receive all updates for upcoming events.
26. Are you on our mailing lists?
If you are receiving this e-newsletter, you are on our email list! May we also add you to our “snail mail” list to receive occasional information via the U.S. Postal Service? If Yes, please send your full name and complete mailing address to
newsletter@masshope.org
.
27. How to homeschool legally in Massachusetts
This video features Michael Donnelly, formerly 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
.
28. Special education resources
Here are two valuable resources for homeschooling parents of special needs children.
FREE DOWNLOADS
provides IEP templates, therapy resources, a Getting Started guide, and more.
EMPOWERING HOMESCHOOL CONVERSATIONS
, which covers a wide range of issues.
29. Videos and webinars from HSLDA
T
hree-part video series on getting started:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XVOzkYx2vcA&list=PLe7Gz-9V5xsWAtvLTz1gA1CYyPLBBe-Ke
.
How to Start Homeschooling with Special Needs
:
https://hslda.org/teaching-my-kids/special-needs
.
And many, many more
:
https://hslda.org/community/webinars
.
30. Get started homeschooling in Massachusetts
Check out this MassHOPE site for
getting started
.
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