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The MassHOPE Messenger

March 27, 2024

Welcome to The MassHOPE Messenger, an up-to-the-minute email summary of events and other opportunities for homeschoolers as well as other news items related to home education.

Please note that listing of items herein that are not sponsored by MassHOPE does not imply endorsement by MassHOPE. Due diligence should be exercised in determining what you consider appropriate for your own family.

Calendar of future MassHOPE events


­­ April 18-20, 2024: Annual homeschool and Christian parenting convention

Sturbridge Host Hotel & Conference Center,

Sturbridge, Massachusetts

June 1, 2024: Formal graduation ceremony, Holden Chapel,

Holden, Massachusetts

New or Updated

1.  C onvention News: Please read!

 2.  Convention Speaker Spotlight: Tauna Meyer

 3.  MassHOPE Graduation Registration Deadline: April 5

 4. N CFCA Region 10 Championship: April 25-27

 5.  E-blasts

 6. H omeschool Day at the Jenney

 7. S olar Eclipse 2024 - Ecotarium Free Admission Day

 

For Your Enrichment

8. A Word from Tauna Meyer


News Items

9. Homeschooling in the News


Continued

10. TeenPact in Connecticut and New Hampshire in April

11. Christian martial arts in Fall River

12. Act fast for homeschool events at Battleship Cove

13. The Big E - Save the date(s)!

14. Spread the word!

15. Discount from SchoolhouseTeachers.com

16. Convention recordings available

17. MassHOPE Facebook groups

18. MassHOPE advertising opportunities

19. The MassHOPE Educator ID Card

20. Your news items wanted

21. Remember to “Like” MassHOPE on Facebook

22. Are you on our mailing lists?


Getting Started?

23. How to homeschool legally in Massachusetts

24. Videos and webinars from HSLDA

25. MassHOPE: homeschooling in Massachusetts

1. Convention News: Please read!

MassHOPE’s 34 th annual Christian Homeschool and Parenting Convention is quickly approaching. Come hear speakers such as Jim Mason (new president of HSLDA), Lamplighter's Mark Hamby, and more! Teens will enjoy time with Rand Hummel and Matt Schmidt, and there will be another fun children's program. Don't forget the CPR certification class and the science activities for kids!


Register HERE today. Stay tuned for further updates on convention info.


Lodging If you are planning on staying at the Sturbridge Host Hotel and Conference Center, our room block will be lifted after March 28, 2024. Enjoy the convenience of staying under the same roof and call (508) 347-7393 for the $109/night rate. You must mention MassHOPE in order to get this discounted rate.


Convention Schedule, Workshop Handouts, and Exhibitor List

Be sure to visit our website often. You will find the convention schedule, handouts to print ahead of time for some of the workshops (look for the Adobe Acrobat logo with the description), and the list of exhibitors.

Free Thursday night sessions

I nvite those who are sitting on the fence or just want to learn more about homeschooling to come Thursday evening for the free sessions. (see schedule)


Convention volunteers needed - adults and teens!

We are 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. Spend your bucks as cash at any exhibit hall booth selling products or services. You must be at least 12 years old to participate, and all volunteers must be registered for the convention. Register for the convention  HERE , and then email Anne Smith at  volunteer@masshope.org  to arrange for your assignments.


Why should I pre-register today?

  • Discounted price ends April 1. You will still be able to register online after April 1, but the price increases.
  • Purchase MassHOPE Bucks at a discount to spend at face value in the exhibit hall.
  • Children's program is only available to those who pre-register.
  • Ladies' Dessert is only available to those who pre-register.
  • Dissection classes are only available to those who pre-register.
  • CPR class is only available to those who pre-register.
  • Discounted Educator ID cards are only available to those who pre-register.


Why not come a day early or stay a day late and...

...enjoy Old Sturbridge Village, almost across the street from the Sturbridge Host. OSV offers a unique blend of hands-on learning, participatory demonstrations, and engaging conversations. Chat with the costumed historians, step inside historic homes and shops of the 1830's, and meet heritage breed animals. RESERVE YOUR TICKETS ONLINE and save! From 3/1/24 - 4/28/24, up to two children, 17 years old or younger will be admitted FREE when accompanied by an adult or senior paying standard daytime admission.


Make plans now to be in Sturbridge April 18-20 and be “Anchored in Hope.”


2. Convention Speaker Spotlight: Tauna Meyer

Meet Tauna Meyer, a self-professed domestically challenged homemaker and "Type-B" homeschooler. As a MassHOPE convention featured speaker, she will have you laughing while being encouraged in practical ways to carry on the rewarding work of this homeschool journey. You don't have to be perfect. Just ask Tauna! Learn more about her HERE and follow her on Facebook .


3. MassHOPE Graduation Registration Deadline: April 5

Do you have a child who will graduate from high school this year? Have you given any thought to how you will commemorate this milestone? This year MassHOPE will hold its formal graduation ceremony on Saturday, June 1, at Holden Chapel in Holden, Massachusetts. This is an opportunity to invite your family and friends to join in a celebration of both the accomplishments and the plans of your student. Please contact Susan Jacobsen at graduation@masshope.org f or more information, and be sure to include the name of your graduate. The deadline to submit payment and registration form is April 5, 2024. Don't wait until the last minute!


4. NCFCA Region 10 Championship: April 25-27

This is a great time to check out the NCFCA (Christian Speech and Debate) Regional Championship as it is much closer than usual. See the results of the hours of hard work and dedication of the participating students on display at Immanuel Church in Chelmsford, Massachusetts April 25-27.


To learn more about volunteering as a judge, please click HERE .


5.  E-blasts

You may have seen a MassHOPE email a week ago featuring the Institute for Excellence in Writing. This was the first of a short series of e-blasts (paid advertisements) we will be sending from some of our past and present convention exhibitors. We want to assure you that we do NOT share our email list with any outside party, and these emails are coming directly from us. Be sure to make notice of them, clicking through to learn more about these exhibitors. Thank you!


6. Homeschool Day at the Jenney

The Jenney has an exciting day planned in Plymouth, Massachusetts with historical characters, a tour of the Forefathers Monument, a scavenger hunt, and a two hour program with stories of the Mayflower and the Pilgrims. For details check HERE .


7. Solar Eclipse 2024 - Ecotarium Free Admission Day

The Ecotarium in Worcester is celebrating the upcoming solar eclipse with free admission on Monday April 8 from noon to 5:00pm. A schedule of programs related to the eclipse is planned for the afternoon. See details HERE .


8. A Word from Tauna Meyer

Have you ever heard of the Charlotte Mason approach to homeschooling? Enjoy learning a bit more about it and how to perhaps add this approach to your homeschool style by reading this article by Tauna.


9.Homeschooling in the News

Before you regulate homeschools, understand them - Article HERE .


Read HERE about a group of homeschooled students at the top Lego robotics team in Vermont .


10. TeenPact in Connecticut and New Hampshire next month

From the   TeenPact website :

TeenPact is designed to help students understand the political process, value their liberty, and engage the culture. Through our hands-on and practical teaching, TeenPact Students learn how to embrace their call as the next generation of leaders, find encouragement among like-minded peers, and develop the skills to engage the culture. 


TeenPact New England I and TeenPact New England II welcome students to a week of dynamic, hands-on activities about leadership, government, and discipleship from a Biblical Christian perspective. Ages 13-19 are invited to join us in Hartford, Connecticut or Concord, New Hampshire for week-long classes, and ages 8-12. for one-day classes. Optional overnight lodging will be at Camp Connri in Ashford, Conn. or Camp Berea in Hebron, N.H. Early bird discounts and refer-a-friend discounts are available, and a need-based scholarship for New England II has been offered by a local sponsor. Parents are always welcome to attend: please consider serving as a ministry-minded chaperone! Email questions to: newengland2@teenpact.com Learn more about the TeenPact mission statement and register   HERE .


Dates for TeenPact New England I in Hartford: April 15-19, 2024.

Dates for TeenPact New England II in Concord: April 29-May 3, 2024.

For more details, see   HERE. Ed. note: Each of my six children attended TeenPact’s extremely valuable state classes for several years as well as their excellent alumni programs. Very, very highly recommend this ministry!


11. Christian martial arts in Fall River

Kingdom Martial Arts is a Christian-owned martial arts school that puts God first. Our school uses martial arts to teach the 7 principles of faith, courage, perseverance, self-discipline, integrity, kindness, and respect to our students.

We teach ages 6+ and have adult classes as well. We also have a designated “homeschool class” on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 1 PM. All our classes end with a discussion on scripture based on the monthly principle.

Your first week of class is free. Contact us now to see how Kingdom Martial Arts can help your kids become their best! Use the form on our website - www.Kingdom- Martial-Arts.com – or call/text us at (508)356-6300.


12. ACT FAST for homeschool events at Battleship Cove

Battleship Cove in Fall River has scheduled four events this spring for homeschoolers – and two of them are already sold out. You can still register for HOMESCHOOL DAY on June 12 for $10/student ($15/adults, $5/workshops, or HOME SCHOOL OVERNIGHT on April 25-26 for $75 (dinner and breakfast included). But you’ll want to hurry if you’re interested. Plenty of tickets are still available for the overnight, but there are only 8 remaining for the June homeschool day (as of this writing). See above links for more details.


13. The Big E - Save the date(s)!

It’s not too early to start planning your trip to the Big E. We have just learned that the homeschool field trip dates for 2024 will be September 18 and 19. Ticket reservations will begin to be accepted in mid-spring, and we will announce further information as it becomes available, both on our Facebook page and through our emailed communications.


14. Spread the word!

Help us share the news about our upcoming 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!


15. Discount 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. The regular price is $267.97, but by  JOINING HERE   you'll save over $90 and pay a total of only $179 for the year. Also, you will receive a print subscription to The Old Schoolhouse® Magazine, with a fresh issue delivered each quarter as long as you remain a member.


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!


16. Convention recordings available

Recordings are available from our 2024 convention. If there was a particular session you'd like to hear again or share with others, or if there is a subject you wish you had been there to hear, go to  ALLIANCE RECORDINGS .


17. 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 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.


18. 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.


19. The MassHOPE Educator ID Card

Educator IDs are available for benefits such as potential discounts at retailers. Order them from our website   HERE .


20. 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.


21. 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.


22. 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 .


23. 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 .


24. Videos and webinars from HSLDA

Could Homeschooling Fit My Family? —Q&A , with Rochelle Matthews-Somerville, HSLDA Special Needs and High School Consultant, and Tj Schmidt, HSLDA Staff Attorney.  https://hslda.org/post/could-homeschooling-fit-my-family

Helping Your Child Love Learning —Q&A with Ainsley Arment, Wild + Free founder, and Natalie Mack, HSLDA High School Consultant.  https://hslda.org/post/helping-your-child-love-learning

Homeschooling Through Major Life Changes —Q&A with Faith Berens, HSLDA Special Needs Consultant, Tracy Klicka, HSLDA Director of  Development, and Sunny Coté, state department spouse.  https://hslda.org/post/homeschooling-through-major-life-changes

9 Tips for Homeschooling in the Military —Q&A ,  with Natalie Mack, HSLDA High School Consultant and U.S. Navy Chaplain’s wife, and Sabrina Riley, Army National Guard, active duty spouse.  https://hslda.org/post/9-tips-for-homeschooling-in-the-military

Homeschooling through the Holidays? (or taking a month off? or flexing with hands-on learning and unit studies? or . . . ?) , with Vicki Bentley, HSLDA PreK-8 Educational Consultant and homeschooling mom to eight biological kids plus nine foster kids through the years), and Chelsea Moore, HSLDA blogger (and homeschooling mom to two).  https://hslda.org/post/homeschooling-through-the-holidays-q-and-a

hslda.org/Webinars  

T hree-part video series on getting started:   https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XVOzkYx2vcA&list=PLe7Gz-9V5xsWAtvLTz1gA1CYyPLBBe-Ke .

Helpful overview of how to start homeschooling https://hslda.org/post/ready-set-go-choosing-homeschool-curriculum-and-more .

You Can Homeschool Through High School https://hslda.org/post/you-can-homeschool-through-high-school .

How to Start Homeschooling with Special Needs https://hslda.org/post/how-to-start-homeschooling-midyear-with-special-needs-q-and-a .

And many, many more https://hslda.org/community/webinars .


25. MassHOPE: homeschooling in Massachusetts

Check out this MassHOPE site for  getting started .

Follow us on Twitter! @MassHOPE is our Twitter handle.

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The MassHOPE Messenger is published by  Mass achusetts  H omeschool  O rganization of  P arent  E ducators (MassHOPE). Visit our website at  masshope.org/ .
 
Any questions about items in this e-news can be sent to info@masshope.org . If you know someone who would like to receive our news, or if you wish to unsubscribe or change your e-mail address, please contact us at   info@masshope.org . Items for possible inclusion in the newsletter should be sent to volunteer@masshope.org . MassHOPE reserves the right to edit or reject any items submitted for the e-news.
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