WSHE Newsletter Text January 2000

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WSHE Newsletter Text January 2000
Phone numbers have been removed at the request of group leadership

Planning Meeting
The December Planning meeting will be at the park, December 29th at 12:30.
The January meeting will be on January 25th at 7pm at Chris and Pearl
Mahar's house, 8622 W. Purdue Ave. Call 623-xxx-xxxx for directions.

Shakespeare Theatre presents "Macbeth"
January 22, 2000 at 8:00 p.m. at the Cactus High School auditorium, 6330 W.
Greenway Rd. The cost is $8.00 for adults and $3.00 for children. If you
are interested in going, please sign up and pay at the park or send a check
to Renee Metcalf, 3138 W. Turney Ave., Phoenix, AZ 85017. Payment must be
received by January 5, 2000. If I can help answer any questions, please call
me (Renee) at 602-xxx-xxxx.

8th Grade Graduation Planning Meeting
January 19th at 12:30 will be the next planning meeting. We have decided on
West Greenway Baptist Church. Beverly Hatfield is our Treasurer and will be
collecting money from each of the participating families so we can secure
our date and time with the church. Beverly can be contacted @ 623-xxx-xxxx.
Please bring your completed graduate survey form which was passed out at our
December meeting so we can begin our preparations for the ceremony. If you
need a survey for your graduate, please contact Brenda Arce @ 623-xxx-xxxx

W.S.H.E. Annual Talent Show
It's our annual celebration when every K - 12 W.S.H.E. student is welcome to
showcase his or her special talent. Whether you can sing, dance, play a
musical instrument, recite poetry, act or perform in a special area of
choice, start polishing up! Family acts are welcome.
Student Council will have a registration sheet available on Wednesday,
January 5th. The date of the Talent Show is Wednesday, January 26th at the
Glendale Library Auditorium from 9:30 to 11:00 A.M. For further information
contact: Brenda Arce @623-xxx-xxxx or Samantha Stuart @623-xxx-xxxx

Student Council Update
I would like to say 'Thank you' to all the Student Council members for their
time and willingness to serve people in need. In October over 3,000
packages of Bullseye barbecue sauce were bagged and boxed, also 248 food
items were collected at our Food Drive, all for the benefit of Westside Food
Bank. Thanksgiving cards made by our students were brought to Life Care
Nursing Facility, which brought so much joy to the Alzheimer patients. On
December 10th, Council members gave generously and unselfishly by donating
new socks, gloves, and cookies. They worked diligently cleaning walls,
windows and mini blinds for the United States Mission Homeless Shelter. A
special thanks to the parents and grandparents of our students who have
graciously supported the students in their community service efforts.
Our Student Council Christmas Party was a wonderful evening of fun, food,
music, games and fellowship. Some of our member parents were available as
chaperones. Thank you to: Mary and Tom Fischer, Don Plueard, Patrice Blank
and my faithful assistant Bev Hatfield for willingly giving up your Friday
evening to spend with us.
May you all truly experience God's wondrous blessings.
Sincerely, Brenda Arce
Student Council Membership is always open to interested 7th through 12th
grade W.S.H.E. members.

The 2000 State Home School Leadership Conference
Support group leaders and AFHE advisory people: don't miss the 2000 State
Home School Leadership Conference. The 2000 conference promises to be an
exciting, rewarding and informative time. This will be a great opportunity
to meet home school leaders from around the state. You'll catch the latest
briefing from the National Home School Leadership Conference and learn how
to get and retain volunteers for your support group activities. Other
topics will include Bethany's Law, and Accounting and Legal Issues for
Support Groups. Besides all this don't miss out on intriguing door prizes
and get an inside look at the 2000 State Home School Convention & Curriculum
Fair and Graduate Recognition Night.
This has always been an excellent forum to learn of the concerns, triumphs
and direction of other home school support groups and this year's conference
will be no exception. You'll have a chance to talk with key legislators and
lobbyists that are shaping the direction of education in Arizona. In
addition your input will help form the strategy for the upcoming home school
year.
This year's conference includes fast paced workshops, coffee and snacks and
a great sit down lunch together. Guest speakers include: Senator John
Huppenthal, Chairman of the Senate Education Committee; Paul Benjamin, State
Board of Regents, with scholarship representatives from all three
universities; Len Muncil, Center for Arizona Policy; Rich Fenger, CPA for
AFHE and homeschooling dad; and Carol Shippy, former attorney and
homeschooling mom.
Who is invited to the conference?
* All those in leadership capacity in a local support group
* All AFHE advisory people
* All area contact people
What is the cost? (Includes lunch and snacks)
* $10.00 for individual or $15.00 per married couple
* AFHE advisory people are free
When is the conference?
* Saturday, January 22, 2000
* 8:30 a.m. registration
* 9:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. conference
Where is the conference?
* Faith Church of Tempe
* 1251 E. Southern Ave.
* Tempe, AZ
What is the deadline for sign up?
* January 10th - Don't delay. Reserve your spot.
How do I sign up?
* Mail in the application, along with your check to:
* AFHE
* 1610 E. Penny Dr.
* Tempe, AZ 85282
Make checks payable to AFHE
Bonnie Bailey has copies of the application form. You can pick them up at
the park or call Bonnie (623-xxx-xxxx) to make other arrangements. All
members of our Board of Directors and anyone else who is interested in
leadership in the homeschool community should consider going. I have been
to this conference several years in a row now and it is well worth the time
and effort.

Attention All Poets Out There!!
It is time for the Arizona State Poetry Contest. This contest is open to
all students in Kindergarten through 12th grade and we would like to
encourage everyone to participate. One poem per grade level will be chosen
for submission to the state poetry contest. All entries must be hand
written or typed on a blank sheet of paper. Please submit two copies of
your poem...one with your name on it and one without your name on it and you
may send up to three different poems for the judging. Poems may also be
submitted in a foreign language and must have an accompanying translation.
The deadline for all poems being considered for the Arizona State Poetry
Contest must be in no later than January 31, 2000. We will also be putting
together our own Westside Home Educators Book of Poetry, using all poems
that have been submitted. For more information or if you have any
questions, please call Patrice Blank at (623) xxx-xxxx.

Excellence in Writing Seminar
West Side Home Educators has purchased the complete video seminar package,
which was produces from a live seminar taught by the Institute for
Excellence in Writing. The purpose of this seminar is to teach parents how
to teach creative writing.
The only cost to members will be $15.00 for the syllabus workbook. We plan
to run the seminar February 11th and 12th. If you would like to be a part
of this video seminar please contact Carol Melancon at (623)xxx-xxxx by
January 5th

Jason Live Broadcast & Science Center Field Trip
When: Feb. 29, 2000 at 10:00 a.m.
Where: Arizona Science Center, 600 E. Washington St., Phoenix, AZ
Cost: $6.00 per person
Contact: Bonnie Bailey at 623-xxx-xxxx
A full day of adventure and exploring at the Science Center has been
scheduled. Don't miss out. This will probably be our only group trip to
the Science Center this year, so we tried to plan it so that anyone who
wants to may come.
9:45 a.m. - Meet in front of the Science Center
10:00 a.m. - Explore Exhibits
11:30 a.m. - Planetarium - "Arizona Skies"
12:15 p.m. - Lunch in food court. - Buy or bring your own.
2:00 p.m. - Imax - Jason Live Broadcast
3:15 p.m. - Imax - "To Be an Astronaut"
Just a note for those who may not have been to the Science Center yet, both
the Imax and the planetarium are located within the Science Center.
The exhibits, planetarium and movie "To Be an Astronaut" are for all ages.
The Jason Live Broadcast is for fourth grade and up. If you have a slightly
younger child that you think will benefit from the broadcast and will behave
properly, let Bonnie know. We have some flexibility as home educators.
However, if you bring younger children in and they become disruptive, you
may be asked to remove them from the auditorium. An alternative, if you
have both younger and older children, would be to let the older children
attend the broadcast while you take the younger ones to look at the
exhibits. You can then bring them back to the Imax for the movie.
Even if you did not attend the teacher training and receive the full
curriculum, you can still prepare for the broadcast by studying the
International Space Station and the Aquarius Underwater Laboratory.
Anything about the space exploration program or about coral reefs would be
appropriate. Read the selected novels - "A Wrinkle in Time", Island of the
Blue Dolphins", "Ocean Girl", and "Have Space Suit, Will Travel". There are
also many related websites that you can visit.
The first 100 paid registrants will have all the fun!!!

West Side Home Educators Spelling Bee 2000
When: Jan. 10, 2000 at 10:00 a.m.
Where: Calvary Community Church
12612 N. Black Canyon Highway, Room 17
Who: Any eligible West Side member
Contact: Bonnie Bailey - 623-xxx-xxxx
Come join the competition. All participants will receive a certificate.
The champion will receive a trophy and will go on to represent West Side at
the regional competition. Last year's winner went all the way to the state
competition. Join the fun. When you study spelling, everyone is a winner.
We welcome all who wish to simply observe and support the participants.
Please sign up at the park or call Bonnie at 623-xxx-xxxx so that we are
prepared for you. There is no cost to participants.

Spanish Club
Spanish club will not be available through the remainder of December. It is
not well attended and I am really busy with other things. Please call me
or email me if you really want me to continue in January. Glenda 602
xxx-xxxx loveras@earthlink.net

Campbell's Soup Labels
Campbell's soup labels for education. We have collected @1500 labels so
far! Please bring your labels to the park. Ask your family members to
pitch in too. WSHE will be getting free stuff for the labels in June. See
Glenda for details. 602 xxx-xxxx loveras@earthlink.net

Speechmasters
This great program has been around our area for about 3 years and is about
homeschoolers getting together to teach and encourage our children in the
art of public speaking.
Children can bring someone's else writing to read or can write their own to
come and present it in front of the group. The group will vote for the best
speaker in each category, and whoever wins is awarded a trophy.
+ There will be three different age groups: 4-7, 8-10, 11 and up.
+ Each session will have a different theme; some already set are: Vacation
Story, Biography, Autobiography, What if..., Original Poem, Book Report, and
Humorous Writing.
+ The December session will be on Thursday 16th at 1:00 PM again at the
Glendale Library Auditorium. The children can write about their Thanksgiving
experience this November or any other Thanksgiving! Any child is welcome to
bring another subject if that is what they want to share, or bring nothing
at all and just watch, they'll be ready another time!
+ The cost is $1 per family per session.
Come and see them improve on writing, expression, vocalization, creativity,
and speaking in front of others!!

Attention -About P.E. Class
There will not be P.E class on Wednesday, December 29th

Art Fair
Please remember to save your children's artwork for the WSHE Art Fair on
March 25, 2000! Forms for registration will be ready, God willing, by mid or
late January, and available at the park.
More details will be available as we work out whether to charge an entry fee
for art works, and how much. This will depend on how much we shall have to
pay the location, once we finally settle on one; and on whether we need to
provide some type of folding partitions for exhibiting art works. We might
have to end up asking every one to provide their own cardboard stand (the
same kind used to display science/history/geography projects) that would be
simply set upon tables. On the other hand, if anyone knows of some place
where we might get large amounts of cheap or free cardboard, we could simply
make the stands ourselves. This would be the best solution, since the stands
could be stored for re-use in future art shows. So please feel free to
contact any one of us if you have some creative suggestions.
Fawzia Tung: 602-xxx-xxxx; Susan Grove: 602-xxx-xxxx; Lisa Clarke:
602-xxx-xxxx; and Larry Nisula: 602-xxx-xxxx.

Toothpick Bridge Contest
Budding engineers take note: Here's a chance to exercise your
bridge-building skills in a fun and cheap setting. On the evening of
February 18th we'll be having another toothpick bridge crushing contest.
You must bring an already built bridge to the contest! We're not making
bridges there, we're breaking them! To help you get ready, I'll be having 2
bridge building clinics at park day. January19th I'll be at the park with a
couple demo bridges, which we'll crush into scrap wood, and materials to
show how I build a super-strong toothpick bridge. Bring a couple boxes of
toothpicks and a small bottle of Elmer's or carpenters wood glue. There
will be one more bridge-building clinic at the park on February 16th, the
Wednesday before the contest.

Congratulations to another new Ham
Congratulations to David Evans for passing his ham radio exam. David passed
the novice written exam in July and the Morse code section last month. He
will receive his novice callsign in the next few weeks. Congrats David!

Thanks Jolene
Everyone looks splendid in their WSHE tee-shirts. A big thank you to Jolene
Kesler for doing an excellent job selecting and ordering our shirts again
this year..

Thanks Glenda
Have you looked yourself up yet? The new directory is great reading and
packed with useful information about our members. We are thankful to Glenda
Lovera for using her skills, time and energy to produce such a great
volume.

Science Fair
Could you volunteer to coordinate this years Science Fair? Spread the fun
around! You can select a few friends that you would like to work with and
form a team. This is a wonderful opportunity to give our talented kids a way
to show their stuff. Interested? Call Annamae @ 623-xxx-xxxx

Save a Stamp
Please try to pick up your newsletter at the park. We fold and stick
addresses on the newsletter on the 3rd Wednesday of each month at park day.
If you pick your newsletter up there, it saves us money on stamps. This
year we will spend over $400 on stamps for newsletters.

WSHE Calendar
Thursday, 12/16 Speechmasters
Thursday, 12/16 Mom's Night at Aunt Pittypat's
Wednesday, 12/29 Planning meeting at the park
Monday, 1/10 Spelling Bee, 10am, Calvary Community Church
Wednesday, 1/19 Graduation planning meeting at the park
Wednesday, 1/19 Toothpick bridge building clinic at the park
Saturday, 1/22 Macbeth, Cactus High School, 8pm
Saturday, 1/22 Homeschool Leadership Conference at Faith
Church in Tempe
Tuesday, 1/25 Planning meeting at Chris & Pearl's
Wednesday, 1/26 Talent Show at Glendale Library
Monday, 1/31 Poetry Contest Submission Deadline
Friday &Saturday, 2/11,12 Excellence in Writing Seminar
Friday, 2/18 Toothpick Bridge Contest
Tuesday, 2/29 Jason Broadcast
Saturday, 3/25 Art Fair

WSHE Statement of Purpose
We are a mostly Christian group, supporting home school families in Peoria,
Glendale, North Phoenix, Surprise and other west valley communities, however
we are not affiliated with a particular denomination. Our main focus is to
provide opportunities for homeschooling families to interact with each other
through social activities, field trips and sports.