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A Note from Kay, THSC Leader Liaison
We love to learn! We aren't always great at the book part, but we love to learn. One of the joys of home educating is having the freedom to tailor your lesson plans to fit the way your children learn. Part of our history lessons at our house this week included a prayer by Pastor Joe Wright before the Kansas House on January 23, 1996. If you haven't read the prayer, it is well worth the minute it takes to read it. Also, our frog eggs, all 14 million of them, have begun to swim along the
bottom of the tank,
the tadpoles we started with are growing legs, and the chicken eggs in the incubator should be "peeping" in a matter
of days. Yes, spring is here, and we are patiently awaiting the coordinated shuffle that is so common in the final weeks of the school year.
As support group leaders, from the mom's night out coordinator to the board president, this time of year also signals the closure of your fiscal year, the graceful passing of the torch, and end-of-year activities, not to mention the upcoming book fair and conference season. Maintaining a good balance between our own family's needs and those of our support group members is not only important, it's vital.
This month's featured article is my personal gift to each of you. "Ten Tips for Balancing Your Ministry and Family: Help for the Tug-Of-War," by Greg Leith, reminds us of God's call for balance in our lives. My prayer for each of you during this busy time of year is one of peace and purposeful family time.
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Home School Connector
at the Hearth and Home Book Fair and Conference in Arlington
Don't forget to join THSC and HEART of Texas as we pamper and refresh home school support group leaders with a time of encouragement, recognition, information sharing, and a mini-conference designed just for you! Check in with the HEART of Texas booth or the THSC booth at the conference to register.
The mini-conference for leaders will be at 2:30 p.m. followed by a Leaders' Lounge at 3:45 p.m. We look forward to seeing you there!
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 Other Sites of
Interest
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Get Connected
in Your Area Christian Home Education Association of Central Texas (CHEACT) Austin, Central Texas Region
Family Educators Alliance of South Texas (FEAST)
San Antonio, South Central Texas Region
Home Educators Alliance for Resources and Training (HEART)
Greater Dallas/Fort Worth Region
Southeast Texas Home School Association (SETHSA)
Houston Region
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 Ten Tips For Balancing
Your Ministry and Family:
Help For the Tug-Of-War
By Greg Leith
I slipped into his room late one evening when I arrived home from work. He was still awake, snuggled under the covers.
"Hey, Dad, it's Wednesday," my 12-year-old said. "Tonight was our date night, Dad. You forgot."
Somewhere between the deadlines, donors, and to-do list, I had forgotten the most important ministry God had entrusted to me - my family. It had been weeks since my wife and I had a date together, just the two of us, without our work worlds on the agenda. I knew things needed to change and fast. Instead of focusing on work, I needed to focus on my family and let them know they were as important as my ministry work.
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Social Waters
May's Question: Are there any summer camps specifically for home school students?
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April's Question: Does anyone host back-to-school events in the summer rather than in the fall? What are the benefits, and what are the drawbacks?
Answer: For many home school families, summer is a time to plan, refresh, and get in gear for another school year. If your back-to-school event combines with a book or vendor fair, most families will have already selected their curriculum by September. Others may be looking for that "missing piece" for fall and would be thankful for a last-minute option.
Summer is also a time when most families take vacations and might miss a summertime event. Most home school support groups utilize the summer to coordinate fun, relaxing events around summer camps and the regional book fairs. Hosting a back-to-school event in the fall allows families an opportunity to begin the year motivated! Whether you decide to host a summer event or a fall kick-off, it never hurts to gather a quick survey of your membership-ask them why they attend and what you can do to improve your event. You may be surprised at the ideas you receive.
Email your reply to the question for February to leaders@thsc.org. If you have a question you would like to see featured in an upcoming Leader Letter, submit it to leaders@thsc.org. Together we will navigate the "social waters"! |
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THSC's 2012
Leader of the Year
Congratulations to Sheila Kleinhenz, THSC's 2012 Leader of the Year! She was awarded at this year's THSC Gala in Houston on April 15.
We had lots of wonderful nominations, and the decision was difficult, but we honor Sheila for her dedication to the home schooling community. Even though we've chosen this year's Leader of the Year, it's not too late to honor your leaders with a Certificate of Appreciation. Order today for your end-of-year event!
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We Need to Hear from You!
 Texas Home School Coalition is looking to make some changes to our publications. We want to know what our readers are interested in----what questions you want answered, and what things you think we are doing well. We also want to know what you'd like to see change. We'd like to hear which support groups you recommend and what lessons you'd like to share with other home schoolers. We'd like to know about you and what struggles and successes you have encountered in your home schooling journey. All this information will help us make important changes that will help us better serve you, the home school community of Texas. Your input is valuable to us. Please take a few minutes to complete our online survey so we will know how to serve you better. The survey takes approximately 15 minutes. You can find it at http://www.thsc.org/Categories.aspx?Id=en0117 |
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Wise Words
"The supreme quality for leadership is unquestionably integrity. Without it, no real success is possible." Dwight D. Eisenhower
This quote was submitted in one of the nomination letters for our THSC Leader of the Year, Sheila Kleinhenz.
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staff@thsc.org | www.thsc.org | 806-744-4441
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Your membership and donations enable us to continue monitoring legislation, helping us guard and promote home schooling freedoms.
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