1.  Don’t miss the 30th annual convention in Worcester
Online registration has closed, but you can print off an onsite registration form. Save time at registration by filling it out at home and bringing it with you ready to turn in.
Find the form on the MassHOPE.org site HERE.
2.  Volunteers needed
Can you spare an hour? Two hours? Maybe even three? The convention can’t run without the help of our volunteers. We’d be grateful for whatever time you can give – even just one hour. And for every hour you help out, you will receive four (4) MassHOPE bucks. Use your bucks as cash at any of the exhibit hall booths or the recording table.
You must be at least 12 years old, and registered for the convention, to volunteer. If you are already registered, or intend to register onsite, go HERE to sign up. Questions? Email Anne Smith at volunteer@masshope.org.
3.  Speaker spotlight: Allison Fitzgibbon
Allison is a former public and private school teacher who now teaches her two children at home. A native of Massachusetts (and an avid Patriots and Red Sox fan), she moves frequently with her family, as she is a military spouse. She recently founded a homeschool organization in Savannah, Georgia that creates extracurricular opportunities for homeschoolers in her area.
Allison’s 2019 sessions at the MassHOPE convention:
(Go to www.masshope.orgfor full descriptions.)
You CAN Be a Great Math Teacher
The Importance of Counting and Place Value
Fractions: Misunderstood by Most
Building a Solid Math Foundation
4.  Speaker spotlight: Zan Tyler

Zan Tyler is a respected author, a consultant for BJU Press and HSLDA, and the founder of the South Carolina Association of Independent Home Schools. She is also the former director of Apologia Press. Zan derives deep joy from speaking to and encouraging parents. She and her husband, Joe (who is also speaking at MassHOPE this year) have been married for 32 years and successfully homeschooled each of their three children from kindergarten through high school.

Zan’s 2019 sessions at the MassHOPE convention:

(Go to www.masshope.orgfor full descriptions.)

Ten Lessons I Learned on the Way to Jail
Happy at Home: Four Elements of a Superb Preschool Experience
Talk with Me: How conversation Stimulates Learning
Homeschooling – A Revival Movement (handout available)
Raising Children To Be Intentional Christians in a “Whatever” World
How God Uses Our Weaknesses and Limitations as Homeschool Moms

5.  Print your convention workshop handouts at home
How do I know if there are handouts for the workshops I want to attend?
Workshops are listed under speakers’ names on the Speaker Page, HERE. Click on a name. If there is a PDF icon below the bio, at least one of their workshops will have handouts available to print. Each workshop listing has a plus sign to the far right of the title; those with handouts are red. Click on the red plus sign to reveal a PDF link to the handout.
Print your handouts now, but check back often as handouts continue to be uploaded!
 
6.  Tissue paper landscape class at the convention
In this landscape class at the convention for ages 6 years and up (even adults!), Monique Pappas, owner of Creative Communications Art Studio, will help us design and create a unique piece of art with tissue paper. Finished product will be 5″ x 7″ and something you’ll be proud to take home. Space is limited to 40 participants each day, and the cost is $5 per participant. All supplies will be provided. Sign-up for these classes is available with onsite only if space is still available. (If you registered online before this became available and would like to participate, please email convention@masshope.org.)
7.  Volunteer for the children’s program!
Want to have a fun, rewarding experience and an impact on the lives of children at the upcoming MassHOPE convention (not to mention free lunch: pizza for volunteers each day)?
Volunteer one full day (teen or adult) – receive free admission for the other day for yourself or another family member
Or
Volunteer one full day (teen or adult) – receive free 2-day Children’s Program registration for one child
Or
Volunteer two full days (teen) – receive free 2-day admission for the volunteer’s parents

To apply, please email CPvolunteers@masshope.org.
 
8.  Silent auction at the convention
Returning to the convention this year is our silent auction! JOIN THE FUN! DONATE AHEAD OF TIME or BID WHEN YOU GET THERE!
Donations will be on display in the exhibit hall, so be sure to check them out and place a bid if there’s something of interest to you. Bids will be accepted until 2:00 p.m. Saturday, with winners announced by 3:00 p.m. Items are to be collected by 4:30 p.m.
We need your help!  Want to donate something? Know a business, attraction, or museum that would? Please email silentauction@masshope.org for details.
9.  Last call for graduates
Do you have a graduating high school senior this year?  MassHOPE has two ways of celebrating this milestone. A graduate can participate in either or both!
Friday, April 26, 2019 – Graduate Recognition Ceremony at the DCU Center in Worcester, during the annual convention.
Saturday, June 8, 2019 – Formal Cap and Gown Graduation Ceremony at Holden Chapel.
If interested in learning more about these events, please send an email to graduation@masshope.org. The deadline to sign up is this coming Saturday, April 13, 2019.
10.  Are you on our mailing lists?
To those who have been recently added to our email list through our website: if you would 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.  Calling all student poets!
HSLDA has a poetry contest going on right now. Check out the details HERE.
 
12.  Experience “Equip” at Gordon College this summer
Do you want to go on an exciting adventure this summer? Are you curious what it would be like to be a college student who is equipped to thrive in their Christian faith? Come to Equip 2019 on the beautiful campus of Gordon College!
Equip is a week-long experience at Gordon College, during which you will have the opportunity to learn what Christianity looks like through the lens of creation care, social justice, the arts, innovation and technology while experiencing a close-knit relational community.
What happens at Equip?
  • Interacting with faculty from a variety of disciplines, in both workshop and personal settings
  • Engaging with the Chapel staff and being mentored by Gordon College students
  • Living in an on-campus, suite-style residence hall and eating at the College food court
  • Exploring the campus while learning the ins and outs of Gordon College
  • Receiving a one-time $500 scholarship should you choose to attend Gordon College as a student
Equip 2019 takes place from June 24-28 and is limited to the first 40 students who register. Spots are filling quickly, so you are encouraged to register now! Partial need-based aid is available on a case-by-case basis. If you have any questions, please email equip@gordon.edu or visit the website at http://www.gordon.edu/equip.

13.  Did you know…
…about the Kids Bowl Free program?
Select bowling centers and schools around the country are participating in the first ever Kids Bowl Free (KBF) program. This program is designed by bowling centers to give back to the community and provide a safe, secure, and fun way for kids to spend time this summer.
Children whose age does not exceed a limit by a participating bowling center are eligible to register for 2 free games each day of the KBF program, all summer long, courtesy of the participating bowling centers along with the schools and organizations. See HERE for full details.

Registered Kids receive 2 FREE GAMES of bowling each day of the KBF program, all summer long. Valued at over $500 per child!

 
14.  Teen engineering event at Museum of Science
Duck ‘n’ Hover is a teen engineering event on Saturday May 11th, 2019! In this free event, teens in grades 8 through 12 will design and build a wind-powered device that can lift a payload of rubber ducks three stories high. Students will be assigned a team to participate in the engineering challenge. Each team will be led by a near-peer mentor. No previous engineering experience is necessary, and participants will be provided a t-shirt and lunch! Families of teens are welcome to attend the afternoon portion of the event and watch the timed team trials, provided they purchase museum exhibit hall admission (or use a family or library membership). There will also be engineering activities around the building for visitors to participate in, and local engineers will be sharing their work with visitors. Here is the participant registration link: tinyurl.com/ducknhover2019.

Teachers are encouraged to come cheer their students on and explore educator resources at the museum. They will be provided coffee and can explore the exhibit halls and enjoy some other fun perks while their students are building. Bus transportation for groups of 40 or more is provided. Also, any group from which at least one teacher and ten students attend will be entered in a raffle for a free field trip for the 2019-2020 school year (exhibit halls admission fees for 50, and a scholarship covering the cost of one bus). Any questions can be sent to designchallenges@mos.org.

15. Summer musical theater camp for ages 10-18
Now in its 8th season, Rising Stars Productions’ signature musical theater program is perfect for the theater-loving teen or tween! Over the course of one week, students rehearse with our staff of experienced, passionate arts educators as they sing, act, and dance their way through an exciting variety of Broadway numbers. The camp culminates in a public performance, complete with costumes and professional sound equipment!

Whether your child is an experienced performer or venturing on stage for the first time, our program is the perfect place to learn, grow, and shine. With our emphasis on skill-building, small camp sizes, and custom-tailored instruction from our highly dedicated and professional staff, your child will gain the confidence necessary for a stellar performance, whether they desire the limelight, the back row, or any place in between.

When your child enrolls in a Rising Stars program, they are experiencing a program created specifically for them. Our unique, thorough, non-competitive audition process allows us to get to know each child and custom-tailor our musical selections to their particular strengths and talents. We believe that every child has something to offer, and we treat each one like a key player!

Students aged 10-18 are eligible to enroll. We welcome all levels, including beginners!

This year, our program will be offered in three different locations:

Gardner
Rising Stars West
June 24-28, 2018
9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Final performance: Friday, June 28, 7:00 p.m.
First Congregational Church, 28 Green Street, Gardner
Tuition: $250
Auditions: June 1

Beverly
Rising Stars North
July 8-12, 2019
9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Final performance: Friday, July 12, 7:00 p.m.
Dane Street Church, 10 Dane Street, Beverly

Tuition: $300
Auditions: June 14

North Reading
Rising Stars Camp
July 22-26, 2019
9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Final Performance: Friday, July 26, 7:00 p.m.
Union Congregational Church, 148 Haverhill Street, North Reading
Tuition: $300
Auditions: June 22

For more information and to register, please visit  rising-stars-productions.com/registration

Rising Stars Productions
www.rising-stars-productions.com
(978)895-2743

16.  TeenPact! Learn government from a Christian perspective
Deepen Your Relationship with Christ***Earn High School Credit***Make New Friends***Meet your State Representatives***Pray for Them***Learn by Doing***Run for Governor!

TeenPact trains young people to embrace their call in the next generation of leaders by giving them the tools, teaching, and opportunities to do so. Each TeenPact program is marked by spiritual discipleship, student leadership, and a commitment to excellence.

Where: The State House, Boston
When: April 30 – May 4, 2018
Who: Ages 13-19 – April 29-May 2, FOUR DAY CLASS
– May 3, ONE DAY CLASS on POLITICAL COMMUNICATION
Ages 8-12   – May 3, ONE DAY CLASS
How: Register (https://teenpact.com/events/) .
Why: Read the testimony of an alumnus of the Massachusetts TeenPact program:
The godliest peers I had growing up were those I knew through TeenPact. Going to TeenPact classes and alumni events strengthened me spiritually, shaped my growth and maturity as a person, and sparked a passion for influencing government and culture and gave me a venue to put that into practice. The educational experiences TeenPact offered were not only challenging and impactful but also loads of fun.
Questions? Email Christine Bourque at  massachusetts@teenpact.com or Ken Tangel at ken.tangel@teenpact.com.
17.  Chick-fil-A hiring for new Woburn location
Chick-fil-A Woburn is now hiring all shifts. Come join our happy serving team. Competitive pay. Closed on Sundays. Flexible schedules. Scholarship opportunities. Our mission is to be “The Shining City on a Hill” for all of our customers and the community! If you want to serve others, come join us! For an application just text the word “serve” to the number 242424. Opening soon at 375 Washington Street in Woburn, Massachusetts.

18. 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
ewsjfamily@startmail.com and we will review it for possible inclusion in the MassHOPE Messenger.

For-fee services: The MassHOPE Messenger is a biweekly e-newsletter that is sent free to approximately 2500 mailboxes. Unfortunately, it is not free to distribute. This cost increases each year, and MassHOPE has limited funds. Therefore we charge a nominal fee of $10 for unsolicited submissions from individuals, and from most organizations or groups unaffiliated with MassHOPE, who wish to advertise their for-fee services. Items will ordinarily run in two consecutive issues.

19. 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.

20. 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.

21. 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 a 0.5% of the purchase price of eligible products to MassHOPE. Thank you for supporting the work of your Christian state homeschool organization!

22.  Submit Box Tops for convention savings!
Want to submit Box Tops for 2020 convention credit but aren’t sure how to proceed? See the detailed instructions below.