Manchester Area Homeschoolers
August 17, 2009
August Newsletter

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Parents Support Group

This month we discussed homeschooling high school students and how to find resources for high school students who want to homeschool.

We also discussed the new changes to the schooling laws (see the news item below) and the proposed education rule changes to support the new laws.  The education rule changes have not gone into effect yet.  We'll keep you posted.

September is the start of the new school year.  Here's your reminder to get your notification letters into your participating agencies soon.  School in many areas is starting before Labor Day and you need to have your notification letter into the participating agency to avoid any misunderstandings about school attendance.

Our next meeting is on September 20th at 6:30pm at Barnes & Nobles in Manchester, NH.  We'll be discusssing getting started with your school year, what's working, and what to do when something isn't working like you thought it would.

Log-on to groups.yahoo.com and join our discussion group manchesterhomeschoolers to ask more questions and add your own ideas.

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First Lego League 

Our team, the Inventioneers, homeschoolers and the reigning three time NH State FIRST LEGO League (FLL) Champions and National Champs in Research 2009, is presenting a workshop at FIRST Place (in Manchester) on August 26th from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. The program is called the ABC's of FLL and is open to all kids and their parents who are considering participating in FLL for the first time. All areas of the program will be covered from forming/finding teams to all the ins-and-outs of the FLL program. Ideas for preparing for competitions and an overview of what to expect in tournament judging sessions. Robot demonstrations, hands-on activities and a special session for coaches round out the workshop. We think new teams will be able to form that night! 

If you are interested in this FREE workshop, please email us at TheInventioneers@yahoo.com to reserve a spot. Because of space limitations, we are only able to include those who pre-register by August 20 (or until the workshop is full if that happens before Aug 20).

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Public Speaking for Homeschoolers

Ages: 12 to 18 (must be capable of composing own presentations at home) 
Starts Tuesday, September 1, 2009, for 8 weeks 
Time: 10:30 a.m. (Drop off time is 10:20 a.m. -- Pick-up student time is noon) 
Contact:  Carol Goward  603-228-3911 
Location: 26 Branch Londonderry Tpke. East, Bow, NH 03304 (Carol’s home) 603-228-3911 

Directions: Exit 1 off I-89, turn right at bottom of ramp, 
(or if coming from Concord proper, continue on from South St.) go up hill-- you will pass the fire station & pond, then the school, from there take 3rd left, Branch Londonderry Tpke. East. Go past historical cemetery, church, keep going straight, #26 on mailbox, up the hill on right, brown house, white garage doors. 

Please do not use Mapquest or GPS—it will take you to another Branch Londonderry Tpke. in Bow -- there are 4. 

Fee: $125 (includes materials). Second member from same family, $115. Class size is limited.   Pre-registration is required.  Contact Carol to register.

If you are a previous student you continue on to the next level, for example, if completed Level 1, now Level 2, and so on; if completed Advanced 1, now Advanced 2. 

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Constitution Day Essay Contest Grades 5-12

Now here is something for your children to work on over the summer!

Sponsored by the Union Leader and open to all students in the circulation areas of participating newspapers. 

Deadline for submission is Oct 2nd. 2009

Go to www.loebschool.org <http://www.loebschool.org> for information.

To learn more about Constitution Day go to  http://www.courts.state.nh.us/student/Essay%20Contest.htm
 
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Changes to the homeschooling law took effect July 1, 2009! 

For any student who is 16 or 17 by July 1, 2009, no evaluation was required for the 2008-2009 school year, but notification letters are required for the coming 2009-2010 school year for students younger than 18, and evaluations for the 2009-2010 school year are required for students who have not turned 18. 

If your student has finished high school but is younger than 18, you must certify high school completion with the New Hampshire Department of Education. It’s not entirely clear at this point how to do that. No homeschooling notification or evaluation is required for students enrolled full-time in college (“an accredited post-secondary education program”). Please let us know if you have questions about these changes. 

These changes are due to Senate Bill 18, which raised the age of compulsory attendance to 18. 

BTW:  We’re not lawyers, and we don’t give legal advice.