CHNzine February 2008

Taking that old phrase "find a need, and fill it" to heart, our family did just that. Our needs were not being met within our memberships in several homeschooling support groups. Therefore, this past fall, entering our seventh year of homeschooling, I co-founded a homeschooling support group (Simi Valley Homeschoolers), with a very close and dear friend.

Three candidates have submitted applications for Trustees.
Candidate statements are available in the files section of the CHN Grapevine Yahoo Group.

If you are a member, and not on the Grapevine email list, you may also contact CHN's membership chair and request that this information be e-mailed to you.

Benefits of Homeschooling
- Michelle Barone

Families benefit from home schooling in many ways. Here are just a few:

Giving children the freedom to grow and learn in their own way and at their own pace.

Living life at a rhythm and pace that creates an environment so everyone's needs can be met, much of the time.

Supporting what makes us happy and living life filled with curiosity and joy.

Creating life long friendships for ourselves and our children.

I have watched my own children, and many others grow into remarkable people. Filled with a strong sense of self, inner motivation, and the ability to truly be in the world.

The life long benefits are priceless!

From Michelle:
"I am so pleased to be speaking at the CHN home school conference. I have been in the home school lifestyle for 22 years. I have been supporting and helping home schooling families for 18 years. I feel honored to have watched this lifestyle grow and in the process have met so many wonderful families. The conference will be a chance to share the joys and challenges of this lifestyle, I am looking for to meeting many of you."

Michelle Barone MA MFT
www.michellebarone.com
818 951 7744

Violet
by Sarah Rigert - age 8

Floating in a violet stream
With little violet wings that gleam:
Bends down to make a birthday wish
And spies a happy violet fish;
It ripples it's tail, makes a wave
And swims into a violet cave;
She flutters wings, soars into the air
Bright shimmers in her violet hair;
Perfume of fragrant lilac to her sings
She swoops down, makes dainty violet rings;
The sun sets, stars come out and shine
Flash! Fades into violet nightime;
Tiny violet creature who you be?
I'm the Queen of Fairies, follow me!

We play at our house and have all sorts of fun,
An’ there’s always a game when supper is done;
An’ at our house there’s marks on the walls an’ the stairs,
An’ some terrible scratches on some of the chairs;
An’ ma says that our house is surely a fright,
But pa and I say that our house is all right.

At our house we laugh an’ we sing an’ we shout,
An’ whirl all the chairs and the tables about,
An’ I rassle my pa an’ I get him down too,
An’ he’s all out of breath when the fightin’ is through;
Am’ ma says our house is surely a sight,
But pa an’ I say that our house is all right.

I’ve been to houses with pa where I had
To sit in a chair like a good little lad,
An’ there wasn’t a mark on the walls an’ the chairs,
An’ the stuff that we have couldn’t come up to theirs;
An’ pa said to ma that for all of their joy
He wouldn’t change places and give up his boy.

They never have races nor rassles nor fights.
Coz they have no children to play with at nights;
An’ their walls are all clean and their curtains hang straight,
An’ everthing’s shiny an’ right up to date;
But pa says with all of its racket an’ fuss,
He’d rather by far live at our house with us.

Edgar Guest, known as "The Poet of the People", published more than twenty volumes of poetry and was thought to have written over 11,000 poems. Most often, his poems were fourteen lines long and presented a deeply sentimental view of everyday life. He considered himself "a newspaper man who wrote verses." Of his poems he said, "I take simple everyday things that happen to me and I figure it happens to a lot of other people and I make simple rhymes out of them."

Did you know that private schools can teach driver training and driver education?

As our daughter approached driving age, we weren't comfortable with the idea of sending her off in a car with a stranger to do her driver training. We couldn't bring ourselves to pay $250 to some unknown person take her out driving, when up until now, we have been perfectly capable of helping her to learn every other skill she has needed to know!

We were thrilled to learn that the DMV allows all private schools to offer both driver's ed and driver's training. You can teach both, or choose to teach just one. You may decide to use an online Driver's Ed course, and to do the Driver Training yourself if you like.

The application process is easy, similar to filling out your Private School Affidavit.

1) Write a letter to the DMV on your school letterhead - here is a sample letter

3) Include a copy of your PSA

More information can be found at the link below -

FAQ

"Why Homeschool is Cool" video contest winners are announced

Laurel Springs School asked homeschool students, aged 5-18, across the country to film creative and entertaining videos answering the question, "What's Cool about HomeSchool?" Each unique video submission explains why the individual chose homeschooling over traditional school. Musicians, athletes, and designers who can't attend traditional school because of their hectic schedules, along with kids who just like homeschool, submitted videos.

Forty-one videos were entered and judged by a five-person panel, made up of homeschool parents and students, a homeschool website editor and a professional video blogger. Seven entries won cash prizes.

Video submissions were judged in three age categories: ages 5-9, 10-13, 14-18. First and second place prizes were awarded in each category. First place winners received $250 and second place winners received $100 in each category.

Hazel Newlevant, 15, of Portland, Oregon, an artistic and creative homeschool student, received the coveted grand prize title and $1,000 for her video entry entitled "What I like About Homeschooling."

You can see all of the winning videos here - http://www.laurelsprings.com/videocontest/

All entries can be viewed at - http://www.youtube.com/group/homeschooliscool

Can I Claim Any Exemptions on My Tax Return?
- Melissa Zawrotny

The hustle and bustle of the winter holiday season is over. Just as we all get to take a deep breath of the New Year, we get to start thinking about collecting all of our papers for our tax returns due in April.

A very common question this time of year is: “Can I claim any type of exemptions for educational materials on my tax return?” When I get this question, I can see the expectation in the face of the questioner. Unfortunately, the answer is no. The independence of going it alone, all the work and planning that has taken place to this point…deflated.

I can completely sympathize. Many people believe that once a child is pulled out of the public school system, the taxes should be rerouted by being able to deduct the cost of purchases of educational materials. Yes, it does seem logical. However, the Internal Revenue Service doesn’t see it that way. Also, regardless of whether you have children or not, a portion of the taxes you pay as an adult are routed toward some type of educational materials at the local, state and federal level.

Let us consider for a moment some services that our taxes fund such as prison reform or welfare. We might not necessarily take advantage of those services. However, they are there when/if we need them. We aren’t entitled to ask for the funding back if we never use those services within our lifetime. Public education funding works the same way.

If you have any further questions, you can go to www.irs.gov or ask your accountant.

CHNews Highlights

CHN's Spring issue will be arriving in member mailboxes next
month! This issue is loaded with helpful articles to make your
homeschooling experience easier! Look for articles about:

Spring Gardening with children.
Learn four habits of highly effective math teaching.
Read several articles about great history resources.
Learn about teaching science to toddlers on up! This should be a "must read" for all parents!
Learn why an annual pass is your best educational option!
Read about homeschooling away from home - the Field Trip Planner.
Share CHN's Guide to Field Trips with your local support group.
Read reviews of homeschooling textbooks.
A member writes of her experience in honoring the needs of her children, an article that is very helpful!
Read about volunteering and how it is a great educational experience for the family.
Learn about CHN's recent successful outreach experience with librarians, and how you can help.
An enrolled tax agent discusses what you can deduct on your taxes.
And more!

A Victory, Yes, But What About the Future?
- CHN Legislative Monitoring Committee

AB 1236, the mandatory kindergarten bill that was introduced last year, was amended on January 8th, and the mandatory kindergarten part of the bill was removed. Is this a victory? Homeschoolers from all around the state answered the call to contact their legislators with their concerns about the original bill. It is definitely good news that kindergarten may not become mandatory for all 5 year olds. Yet, some of us who follow legislative antics find ourselves still somewhat concerned about the possible future ramifications.

The following are excerpts from the current bill analysis, available here

“This bill establishes the Kindergarten Year 1 and Kindergarten Year 2 pilot (K1 & 2) program for children eligible for kindergarten. “

“1) Requires K1 to be a transitional kindergarten class and not operate identically to a "regular" kindergarten class (i.e., K2) and requires enrollment in K1 to prioritize children who turn five years of age between September 1 and December 2, as specified. This bill essentially extends the number of years children attend school from K-12 to K-13 by establishing a two-year kindergarten.”

". . .rather than looking at the merits of changing the kindergarten cut-off date by itself, considerable thought should be given to the types of quality preschool services available for children whose entry to kindergarten would be delayed as well as for other children."

Please note the last quoted section. Universal Preschool has been such a hard sell in this country. Is it possible the legislators involved with this bill appear to be attempting to establish preschool in California by giving it a new name: Kindergarten 1? It’s still preschool, no matter how they word it, and it will increase school expenditures by adding an extra year to the public education of children, as well as get children in the public school system (and away from their families) a year earlier.


		Volume I Issue No. 4 February 2008 Welcome to the new CHN online magazine!

Are you a CHN member? Help support homeschooling! CHN is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization that needs your support Please join CHN today! CHNzine Features Find a Need, and Fill It Election News The Benefits of Homeschooling Violet Our House Driver's Training Through Your Private School Homeschool Video Contest Winners Homeschool Tax Exemptions? CHNews Highlights A Victory, Yes, But What About the Future? Our aim in education is to give a full life. We owe it to them to initiate an immense number of interests. Life should be all living, and not merely a tedious passing of time; not all doing or all feeling or all thinking - the strain would be too great - but, all living; that is to say, we should be in touch wherever we go, whatever we hear, whatever we see, with some manner of vital interest. - Charlotte Mason Contact the Editor Contact CHN Coming Up CHN will once again be hosting a booth at the OC Youth Expo on April 25-27. Last year our CHN volunteers handed out homeschool literature and helped kids make paper rockets! This year, the theme is photography, so bring your kids by for a fun hands on activity! Email CHN to volunteer for this event. Pitter patter pitter patter goes the gentle rain. I run outside to see the rain and I splash in puddles again and again. -Karen Canfield, age 11 What can you do for winter park days? Learn to swing dance! Learn to make sushi! Play games! Dominoes! Winter Formal Play in the snow! "There are two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle." Albert Einstein Homeschool Girl Scout Troop 772 Antelope Valley Investiture Ceremony Pinwheels for Peace Girl Scout Brothers Here are the results of the January CHNzine poll: This year I resolve to: #1 Play more games with the kids #2 Go to the Expo! #2 Enjoy my kids more #3 Go camping! #4 Go to Disneyland! #4 Smile! #5 Think positive! #6 Do more crafts and activities #6 Build something together #7 Cook together more often #7 Read out loud more often #8 Go on more field trips #9 Get together with homeschoolers more often #10 Watch more movies as a family #10 Buy more games to play #11 Dance in the rain Have you been inspired to do anything by this poll? My daughters were inspired to dance in the rain, and have gone out to play in the rain, in the dark many times in this past month! CHNzine credits: Karin Miller Photos: Rachell Danko Karin Miller Traci Downey Ruth Pell Nicole Orton Diane Crayne Gardner Send in pictures of homeschool activities, and you may be featured in a CHN publication!	CHNzine from California Homeschool Network Find a Need, and Fill It - Rachell Danko Taking that old phrase "find a need, and fill it" to heart, our family did just that. Our needs were not being met within our memberships in several homeschooling support groups. Therefore, this past fall, entering our seventh year of homeschooling, I co-founded a homeschooling support group (Simi Valley Homeschoolers), with a very close and dear friend. My family desired a local secular group that didn't charge a membership fee to join, a group that offered local park days and field trip opportunities. Don't get me wrong, there were many homeschooling support groups offered within an hour's distance from our home. Some of these groups I would describe as being wonderful, offering ample opportunities and consisting of members that really contribute to the success of these groups. However, these groups were not located in my own backyard, so to speak. So they became my inspiration, inspiring me to recreate locally what was being offered outside of our local community. In all honesty, at first my children were not as enthused as I was with the idea of founding a new homeschooling support group. They were reluctant to embrace the idea, concerned that it would take up too much of my time, neglecting them in the process. But in the end, they supported the idea optimistically embracing the opportunity of meeting new friends that lived locally, so play dates could feasibly be scheduled. Because for them this was about making new friends, playing, imagining, sharing, interacting with other children, the same children consistently, and building strong friendships that would last throughout their childhood and some hopefully into their adulthood. So with these ulterior motives, my children cheered me on. It was definitely a bumpy beginning, presenting many challenges and demanding much of my time and acquiring a lot of help from my husband and co-founder. It can be overwhelming and scary going outside of one's comfort zone. But, here we are four months later supporting fifty homeschooling families, of which most live locally. Membership quickly surpassed our expectations, as did the support, recognition and appreciation from those within the group. For my family, founding this group has played an important influential role in our homeschooling journey. We have fulfilled a need and are reaping the benefits of what we sowed. I have nothing short of admiration and respect for other homeschooling support group founders/leaders. It is because of their courage, time, commitment and dedication that we homeschoolers have so many opportunities at our disposal. I encourage anyone with a need to fill it. Reap the benefits of what you sow. And don't forget to take the time along the way to thank those that positively influenced your homeschooling lifestyle, or made opportunities available for your family during your homeschooling journey. Simi Valley Homeschoolers are our featured support group for February! We would love to feature your group in our upcoming issues! Submit your stories and pictures to The CHNzine Team for consideration! Election News Three candidates have submitted applications for Trustees. Candidate statements are available in the files section of the CHN Grapevine Yahoo Group. If you are a member, and not on the Grapevine email list, you may also contact CHN's membership chair and request that this information be e-mailed to you. Benefits of Homeschooling - Michelle Barone Families benefit from home schooling in many ways. Here are just a few: Giving children the freedom to grow and learn in their own way and at their own pace. Living life at a rhythm and pace that creates an environment so everyone's needs can be met, much of the time. Supporting what makes us happy and living life filled with curiosity and joy. Creating life long friendships for ourselves and our children. I have watched my own children, and many others grow into remarkable people. Filled with a strong sense of self, inner motivation, and the ability to truly be in the world. The life long benefits are priceless! From Michelle: "I am so pleased to be speaking at the CHN home school conference. I have been in the home school lifestyle for 22 years. I have been supporting and helping home schooling families for 18 years. I feel honored to have watched this lifestyle grow and in the process have met so many wonderful families. The conference will be a chance to share the joys and challenges of this lifestyle, I am looking for to meeting many of you." Michelle Barone MA MFT www.michellebarone.com 818 951 7744 Violet by Sarah Rigert - age 8 Floating in a violet stream With little violet wings that gleam: Bends down to make a birthday wish And spies a happy violet fish; It ripples it's tail, makes a wave And swims into a violet cave; She flutters wings, soars into the air Bright shimmers in her violet hair; Perfume of fragrant lilac to her sings She swoops down, makes dainty violet rings; The sun sets, stars come out and shine Flash! Fades into violet nightime; Tiny violet creature who you be? I'm the Queen of Fairies, follow me! Our House By Edgar Guest We play at our house and have all sorts of fun, An’ there’s always a game when supper is done; An’ at our house there’s marks on the walls an’ the stairs, An’ some terrible scratches on some of the chairs; An’ ma says that our house is surely a fright, But pa and I say that our house is all right. At our house we laugh an’ we sing an’ we shout, An’ whirl all the chairs and the tables about, An’ I rassle my pa an’ I get him down too, An’ he’s all out of breath when the fightin’ is through; Am’ ma says our house is surely a sight, But pa an’ I say that our house is all right. I’ve been to houses with pa where I had To sit in a chair like a good little lad, An’ there wasn’t a mark on the walls an’ the chairs, An’ the stuff that we have couldn’t come up to theirs; An’ pa said to ma that for all of their joy He wouldn’t change places and give up his boy. They never have races nor rassles nor fights. Coz they have no children to play with at nights; An’ their walls are all clean and their curtains hang straight, An’ everthing’s shiny an’ right up to date; But pa says with all of its racket an’ fuss, He’d rather by far live at our house with us. Edgar Guest, known as "The Poet of the People", published more than twenty volumes of poetry and was thought to have written over 11,000 poems. Most often, his poems were fourteen lines long and presented a deeply sentimental view of everyday life. He considered himself "a newspaper man who wrote verses." Of his poems he said, "I take simple everyday things that happen to me and I figure it happens to a lot of other people and I make simple rhymes out of them." Driver Training Through Your Private School - Karin Miller Did you know that private schools can teach driver training and driver education? As our daughter approached driving age, we weren't comfortable with the idea of sending her off in a car with a stranger to do her driver training. We couldn't bring ourselves to pay $250 to some unknown person take her out driving, when up until now, we have been perfectly capable of helping her to learn every other skill she has needed to know! We were thrilled to learn that the DMV allows all private schools to offer both driver's ed and driver's training. You can teach both, or choose to teach just one. You may decide to use an online Driver's Ed course, and to do the Driver Training yourself if you like. The application process is easy, similar to filling out your Private School Affidavit. 1) Write a letter to the DMV on your school letterhead - here is a sample letter 2) Include these 3 forms * DL 396 ~ Authorization/Requisition for Driver Instruction Forms DL 396A ~ Driver Education Supply Request DL 396B ~ Private Secondary Non-Classroom Driver Education Curriculum Certification 3) Include a copy of your PSA More information can be found at the link below - FAQ "Why Homeschool is Cool" video contest winners are announced Laurel Springs School asked homeschool students, aged 5-18, across the country to film creative and entertaining videos answering the question, "What's Cool about HomeSchool?" Each unique video submission explains why the individual chose homeschooling over traditional school. Musicians, athletes, and designers who can't attend traditional school because of their hectic schedules, along with kids who just like homeschool, submitted videos. Forty-one videos were entered and judged by a five-person panel, made up of homeschool parents and students, a homeschool website editor and a professional video blogger. Seven entries won cash prizes. Video submissions were judged in three age categories: ages 5-9, 10-13, 14-18. First and second place prizes were awarded in each category. First place winners received $250 and second place winners received $100 in each category. Hazel Newlevant, 15, of Portland, Oregon, an artistic and creative homeschool student, received the coveted grand prize title and $1,000 for her video entry entitled "What I like About Homeschooling." You can see all of the winning videos here - http://www.laurelsprings.com/videocontest/ All entries can be viewed at - http://www.youtube.com/group/homeschooliscool Can I Claim Any Exemptions on My Tax Return? - Melissa Zawrotny The hustle and bustle of the winter holiday season is over. Just as we all get to take a deep breath of the New Year, we get to start thinking about collecting all of our papers for our tax returns due in April. A very common question this time of year is: “Can I claim any type of exemptions for educational materials on my tax return?” When I get this question, I can see the expectation in the face of the questioner. Unfortunately, the answer is no. The independence of going it alone, all the work and planning that has taken place to this point…deflated. I can completely sympathize. Many people believe that once a child is pulled out of the public school system, the taxes should be rerouted by being able to deduct the cost of purchases of educational materials. Yes, it does seem logical. However, the Internal Revenue Service doesn’t see it that way. Also, regardless of whether you have children or not, a portion of the taxes you pay as an adult are routed toward some type of educational materials at the local, state and federal level. Let us consider for a moment some services that our taxes fund such as prison reform or welfare. We might not necessarily take advantage of those services. However, they are there when/if we need them. We aren’t entitled to ask for the funding back if we never use those services within our lifetime. Public education funding works the same way. If you have any further questions, you can go to www.irs.gov or ask your accountant. CHNews Highlights CHN's Spring issue will be arriving in member mailboxes next month! This issue is loaded with helpful articles to make your homeschooling experience easier! Look for articles about: Spring Gardening with children. Learn four habits of highly effective math teaching. Read several articles about great history resources. Learn about teaching science to toddlers on up! This should be a "must read" for all parents! Learn why an annual pass is your best educational option! Read about homeschooling away from home - the Field Trip Planner. Share CHN's Guide to Field Trips with your local support group. Read reviews of homeschooling textbooks. A member writes of her experience in honoring the needs of her children, an article that is very helpful! Read about volunteering and how it is a great educational experience for the family. Learn about CHN's recent successful outreach experience with librarians, and how you can help. An enrolled tax agent discusses what you can deduct on your taxes. And more! A Victory, Yes, But What About the Future? - CHN Legislative Monitoring Committee AB 1236, the mandatory kindergarten bill that was introduced last year, was amended on January 8th, and the mandatory kindergarten part of the bill was removed. Is this a victory? Homeschoolers from all around the state answered the call to contact their legislators with their concerns about the original bill. It is definitely good news that kindergarten may not become mandatory for all 5 year olds. Yet, some of us who follow legislative antics find ourselves still somewhat concerned about the possible future ramifications. The following are excerpts from the current bill analysis, available here “This bill establishes the Kindergarten Year 1 and Kindergarten Year 2 pilot (K1 & 2) program for children eligible for kindergarten. “ “1) Requires K1 to be a transitional kindergarten class and not operate identically to a "regular" kindergarten class (i.e., K2) and requires enrollment in K1 to prioritize children who turn five years of age between September 1 and December 2, as specified. This bill essentially extends the number of years children attend school from K-12 to K-13 by establishing a two-year kindergarten.” ". . .rather than looking at the merits of changing the kindergarten cut-off date by itself, considerable thought should be given to the types of quality preschool services available for children whose entry to kindergarten would be delayed as well as for other children." Please note the last quoted section. Universal Preschool has been such a hard sell in this country. Is it possible the legislators involved with this bill appear to be attempting to establish preschool in California by giving it a new name: Kindergarten 1? It’s still preschool, no matter how they word it, and it will increase school expenditures by adding an extra year to the public education of children, as well as get children in the public school system (and away from their families) a year earlier.	CHNzine archives January 2008 November 2007 October 2007 �The function of education is to teach one to think intensively and to think critically... Intelligence plus character - that is the goal of true education.� - Martin Luther King Jr Simi Valley Homeschoolers Field Trips and more! Bottle Village California Pizza Kitchen Chumash Program Fire Station Halloween Party Moorpark Zoo Park Day Ronald Reagan Library Imagination is more important than knowledge. Knowledge is limited. Imagination encircles the world - Albert Einstein Anam Cara Homeschoolers* Legoland on New Year's Eve! Best friends Alex and Molly Homeschooling Mammas Diane, Kay, and Jenn New Year's Eve Fireworks at Legoland through 3D glasses Bowers Kidseum 'Santa Claus Around the World' Molly with her Santa Lucia crown wreath Julia drawing Santa Clause Jasper and Skyler work on their crown wreaths Hunter puts finishing touches on his crown wreath "Anam Cara" is a Gaelic phrase literally translated to "soul friend," but there is a deeper meaning. Anam Cara is when kindred spirits find each other. An Anam Cara accepts you for who you are and creates the space to achieve your greatest potential. Parents give up their rights when they drop the children off at public school.* - Melinda Harmon, Federal Judge, 1996 The Renaissance Faire Renaissance Boys Renaissance Girls Queen Elizabeth I Chicken Thief How to Grow a Jelly Bean Vine by Aisha Rigert - age 12 Plant a seed from a jelly bean When it�s two inches tall Put a stick for it to lean And water it once a day. Put up a trellis to hold it up In a year the vine will be pretty high There will be sugar flowers. Soon little black jellies Will come but don�t eat them. Wait until they turn colors Then pick the beans and petals You can also eat the stem. Enjoy the plant And keep watering Then you can munch a snack Of your sweet fruit jellies The homeschool kids in Missoula Children's Theatre 'Cinderella' at Lancaster Performing Arts Center A Cat by Karen Canfield age 11 A cat is sitting on a wall and watching me intently. I look him back in the eye and say "you look kind of friendly." I reach out to pet him and he reaches out to pet me. But then I figured out that he really meant to scratch me. Owie. We love stories about homeschooling, anything written by kids, pictures of homeschooling adventures and other inspirational homeschooling ideas! Submit articles, photos, ideas and comments to the CHNzine team Have you joined the Grapevine? CHN members private email list! All current CHN members with Family Memberships are invited! Some of the benefits of joining the Grapevine are: Private online elist where you can easily meet other CHN members Used curriculum sales every Friday - buy or sell! Private chats on the new Grapevine Chat! We will announce regular topics and invite CHN Grapevine members to join in the chats! CHN members are welcome to host a chat! Email CHN to volunteer!

Copyright (c) 2008	California Homeschool Network PO Box 55485 Hayward, CA 94545 1-800-327-5339 www.CaliforniaHomeschool.net	CHN Web Team