Fall: Letting Go, Allowing for Change, Falling Back

Letting go:  As the leaves let go of the trees, may we let go of our preconceived ideas and plans that aren’t working.

Allowing for change: As the leaves change color and the weather changes, may we allow our ideas and plans to change according to God’s will.

Falling back:  As the clocks fall back, may we enjoy falling back into God’s loving arms as He guides and leads us.

Fall is my favourite season.  I remember deciding that Fall was my favourite season when I was in first year of University on the East Coast.  I joined a group of students who went for an annual foliage hike up a small mountain simply to view the beautiful foliage and worship the Almighty Creator through singing, and the reading of God’s Word.  (If you have ever been on the East Coast, you will appreciate how amazing the colors are with such a variety of deciduous trees.)  Standing at the top of the mountain, gazing upon this amazing palette of greens, oranges, yellows and reds and taking the time to be still and really appreciate the portrait is a memory that God has given me to remind me that God is in charge of everything – that He alone can change those trees, that He alone decides when it will get cold so the plants can get rest, and that while this time of rest comes about, He will be there to guide and preserve me even if things appear to be shutting down or even dying.  He also reminded me that He once died but will come back again in full glory, just like those crimson trees with the shedding of leaves – they will bloom again even bigger and fuller than they were now. 

My prayer for you is that you will take the time to let God speak to you during the changing seasons and that you will hear Him give you words of promise and hope. 

First Day Disaster

Schedules, early mornings, routine, reading together on the couch, writing in their journals, completing workbook pages, creating models, completing experiments. This was my vision of what our days would be like once school began again.

Well, I was hit with another reminder (I obviously need yet another) that indeed God is in control - NOT ME! My first day of schooling turned out to be a complete disaster - so bad that I had to surrender and laugh; or else I would cry. By the end of the week, I was just going with the flow and felt very thankful that I have a faithful God that proves to me that life does not fall apart without me :). What happened?  I will tell you if you will keep in mind that I am making myself vulnerable by sharing my "inside voice".  It sounds yucky and I am not proud of it but to God be the glory for continually making me new!

Well, first day started out just as I planned; the kids were up bright and early ready for our morning walk. After all the kids need to have a walk to bring oxygen to their brain to be ready for school. How smart of me to know this. We were on our way and I was VERY proud of myself for getting the kids out the door on time on the first day. Nice day, nice conversation, well behaved kids - good job I was doing. As we passed by the local public school yard, I prided myself on my decision to homeschool my kids. I was basking in the fact that I was going to be providing my children with an amazing day filled with laughter and learning when without warning, the feeling came on... Nausea. It came from my gut to my mouth. (If you are queasy, please bear with me, I will be quick.) And within seconds, it was coming out all over the ground right in front of the playground where all the children were playing and where parents dropped off their kids. My poor kids were asking me to please stop because people were looking. WHAT! STOP! I can't just stop! Then up came another mess.

When things subsided, I got up, held my head high, wiped my mouth on my nice shirt I wore that morning (because I also wanted to be the best-dressed homeschool mom out there) and told the kids to turn around and quickly and quietly walk back home.

I made it home without incident and was determined to continue on with my plans. As you probably guessed, my plans did not come to stand. Within minutes of sitting down to read the Bible together (because THAT is what a proper homeschool mom should do), it came again. Off to the washroom I ran.

At that point, I told the kids to try their Math on their own while I lied down for just a few minutes (because I was determined to complete my plans for the day).  I was so proud when my kids could complete their first lesson without me - what a great teacher I must have been last year!

Then it was time to make that clay model of the earth's structure. That was a great idea I had and the kids were going to love it. As I called out the instructions from the couch, they listened so intently and began their masterpieces. While they were working away, I fell asleep and they continued to make and sculpt other things. That was all nice until one decided to smash the other’s and then there was revenge and then... tears and then... I woke up to the tears and torment and realized that my plans were officially destroyed.

Looking back, I wonder whether God was trying to "purge" my pride on the side of that playground by the school before the day even began. But I was too stubborn to listen. I was sick for 2 days and the rest of the week continued in the same pattern of me trying tirelessly to complete what I had written in my planner as God interjected little events and circumstances into my life that required me to be pulled from my plans. I was left overwhelmed and frustrated with God and the people around me for interfering with my plans.

It all started on Monday. It is now Thursday and I have surrendered to Jesus my pride in homeschooling. I have admitted that I left absolutely no room for God to work. (During a Bible reading one morning, I even told my kids to stop asking questions and making comments because we needed to get to the next project) I am wearing jeans and a t-shirt and no make-up.  I am handing the day to God and letting him lead the conversations then allowing for changes in my plans when things go differently than I had imagined. My advice - mark your plans in pencil! The plans in my planner at this moment look nothing like they did on Monday and I am glad. That is evidence of God doing His thing despite me!

I have heard from a few of the families that I work with that you have had a hard time getting started this year; whether it’s because of the short summer, travelling, or getting used to online work, it seems to be a tough year. I would love to hear your stories! Would you be willing to be vulnerable at the sake of giving glory to God for the lessons you have learned in your trials of starting this year?

Welcome to HCOS 2011-2012!

I would like to warmly welcome you all to the 2011-2012 year at HCOS!  I am delighted to be serving you all this year; some for another year and some of you for the first time.  I truly do look forward to connecting with each of you on a personal basis over the next few weeks to explore plans for this coming year.  I know that God has His plans and I pray that we will be able to work together under His guidance to hear His direction and goals for your family. 

If you are working with me for the first time, please take a few seconds to read my profile in the HCOS staffroom found on the website.  Here is a direct link for you but you will need to scroll down to find me J.   HCOS Staff Room  I am sure we will continue to get to know each other more as we share goals, plans and ideas.

There are some really exciting things happening within HCOS this year and I will be sending out various e-mails over the next few weeks and throughout the year providing information on it all but it will be important for you to keep visiting the HCOS website frequently for updates and important communication directly from HCOS office.  HCOS  On this end, there are brand new subscriptions along with some of your old favourites, amazing Learning Camp opportunities and fabulous tools for technology that we are using here at HCOS!  I will send out more info as the weeks progress.  Our Learning Commons (HCOS library) is also one of our most valuable resources for finding learning materials for your school year.  You can explore that now if you want, but I will be sending out more info on how to access and utilize this fabulous resource.  HCOS Library

For now, I just wanted to take the time to welcome you to a new year.  Please reply directly to this e-mail as soon as possible so that I can confirm that the e-mail addresses are accurate and working.  E-mail will be my main form of communication and I would like to ensure that line is open J.

Lastly I would like to ask that you be patient with me in responding to e-mails and requests this week to come (Aug. 29-Sept. 2).  I returned from our Staff Orientation in Kelowna on Friday night only to find out that I need to turn around, pack my bags and fly out to PEI to attend my grandmother’s funeral.  I will return on Friday and hope to begin work again on the following Monday.  It is then that I hope to arrange for visits or skype meetings to discuss the goals and plans for the year.  I will be trying to attend to e-mails and what I can from there, but if there is anything pressing please feel free to contact Claire Pollok and I know she will be able to help you.  cpollok@onlineschool.ca 

In the meantime, enjoy the great weather!  Speaking of weather - could I solicit your prays for travelling to the East Coast while Hurricane Irene rages there.  I will be passing right through it and expect delays and possible cancelations.  Thank you and Bless you J.

Angela Paine

HCOS teacher

e-mail: apaine@onlineschool.ca

phone/fax: 250-586-4475

skype: angela.d.paine

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.  In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your path straight"  Proverbs 3:5-6

It's May WHAT?!

Can you believe it?!  The month of May is coming to a close! 

As we reach for the home stretch, let me know how I can support you.  Please let me know when and how you plan on handing in portfolios.  I would like them all by June 11th if possible.

I have already arranged with many of you to come for a home visit or collect portfolios.  Thank you for your diligence. 

I look forward to celebrating your family's learning this year!

Blessings,

Waiting to Plant Those Seeds

As I write to you this week, I am sitting next to my fireplace under a blanket.  I want to be out preparing and planting my garden, but it is just too cold.  Too rainy.  Too windy.  Too early to plant.  My husband is becoming very impatient waiting for just the right time to line up those seeds row by row.  He brags that last year at this time, he was admiring his broccoli sprouts; this year it's only mounds of dirt with rocks identifying where the rows will one day be placed .  But then he also remembers his peppers - they didn't look quite so good come mid-summer all spotted and curled up.  He planted them too early.  So, he chooses to be patient this year and wait for just the right conditions.

We can be so impatient can't we?  Or maybe it's just me!  I think about how often I have tried to teach my kids something that they just weren't ready for.  I was impatient in that I did not listen to the Lord's leading on when my child was ready for that lesson - whether it be an academic lesson or a life or character lesson.  Then I became discouraged when I observed a lack of growth. 

I have to remind myself often that the PLOs are guidelines for teaching my kids.  I can use then to track learning and growth, but how and when I introduce those topics needs to be carefully brought before the Lord for his wisdom and guidance.  The longer I teach my kids at home, the more I understand them and the better I can discern when to plant certain seeds of learning.  Just like the longer my husband gardens, the more he learns about when to plant certain plants and when to wait for just the right conditions.  In my children's case, I recognize that it is often the condition of the heart that makes them ready to receive character or life training and it is a condition or stimulation of the mind that makes them ready for academic training. 

Thinking about these things has influenced my plans for next year as well as my attitude on a day-to-day basis as I ask the Lord each day what my children are ready to learn and how I can prepare the condition of their hearts and minds. 

Talking about conditioning!  How about conditioning those bodies!
I want to remind you of the Track and Field Fun Day In Nanaimo on June 17th.

Family Fun Day and Track Meet

Friday June 17th, 2011

Rotary Bowl Nanaimo (behind Nanaimo Aquatic Centre)

9:00am – 3:00pm

For all home schooled children ages 5yrs – 18yrs whether enrolled or registered in the public or independent school system.

HCOS student cost: $10.00 per Child/ $5.00 if parent volunteers to help for the day

       $20.00 per Family$15.00 if parent volunteers to help for the day

All other students: $15.00 per child/ $10.00 if parent volunteers to help for the day

     $30.00 per Family/ $20.00 if parent volunteers to help for the day

Enthusiastic participants will be put in age appropriate groups and will rotate through track & field events and fun stations.

Track and field events for ages 5-8 will include: ball throw, shuttle run, standing long jump and running events (50m, 75m)

Track and field events for ages 9-18 will include: shot put or ball throw, long jump, triple jump, and running events (100m, 200m)

To Register, please click and fill out the online registration form entitled

 HCOS Track Meet 2011    and mail payment to:

                       

Nola Morgan

                        2245 Neil Dr

                        Nanaimo, BC

                        V9R 6T4

Events will proceed rain or shine. (except for a down pour)

REMEMBER! 

EACH PARTICIPANT MUST have their OWN backpack containing:

2 labelled water bottles, a snack, and a sunhat.

EACH FAMILY will need sunscreen, and a picnic lunch.

Hope to see you all there,

Nola Morgan nmorgan@onlineschool.ca


I look forward to receiving your weekly e-mails or skypes.  Thank you to those who have made it a priority and habit of communicating weekly with me.  It really helps me with supporting your family and reporting accurately. 

Bless you!

Catching up!

Well, it has been a whole month since I last made a post.  I have been forwarding e-mails as needed, but it has been a busy month finishing up reports and preparing for Convention in Kelowna.  It feels good to re-connect on a more personal basis! 

First, I want to share a big HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Sam this month!

A few reminders and Bits of News:

• Deadline for using your funds for the 2010/2011 school year is May 15.  I can not authorize any purchases after that date.
• Reenrolment: Most of you have already done so, but if you have not yet reenrolled and plan on doing so, please do it as soon as possible; knowing numbers now helps us plan for next year :).
• I will be forwarding an e-mail asking you to help with a survey for the Online Subscriptions.  Please take the time to share as your information helklps to provide resources that work for YOU!
• I am really excited to announce that HCOS is hosting a Track and Field and Fun Day in June.  Please see the e-mail that I will forward you for more information.
• HCOS Island Tour: Yesterday was Victoria, today was Port Alberni, and Monday id Black Creek and Nanaimo.  Please see previous flyer for details.

The last thing I wanted to share is about the HCOS library.  I have to say, I LOVE OUR LIBRARY!  If you haven't yet used it, you just may be missing out!  All the resources are free; they have kits for every Science and Socials topic from grade K-6, and you can take out items over the summer!  Here is info from the librarian on summer loans:

Summer is on the horizon, hooray! 

Many of you are busy organizing for next year, so here are some reminders regarding reserving kits and books:

·         To reserve items for next year, you must be re-enrolled. Send me a note once you are, and I will update your library card for 2012.

·         The earliest date you can reserve an item for the next school year is August 29^th. Ie. if you reserve a kit for August 15^th, you will not receive it until sometime after the 19^th.

·         Maximum of 20 items out at one time (up from 15!)

·         Maximum of 3 kits per family at one time and only one kite per grade/per subject (one gr. 1 socials and one Grade 1 Science, but not  two grade 1 Socials kits)

·        Maximum of 3 media items at one time (CDs, DVDs)

·        Loan period for books and kits is 8 weeks

·        Loan period for Media is 4 weeks

·         We ship by Canpar to most areas.  To keep costs down, choose one reserve date for a number of items so we can ship all of them at once, and be sure to choose the same return date for each item.  We do not ship one single item on its own if it is small ie. a DVD, and the cost of mailing small items back is the patron’s responsibility.

·         For those folks outside Canpar’s shipping zones, we will mail items by Canada Post. You would be responsible for paying for the return mailing costs by Canada Post.  Include your receipt for the cost and it will be credited to your curriculum budget.

New Families: if you are enrolled for the 2011/2012 year, you may take out items over the summer. Send your name, address, & phone number to me and I’ll set up your account.  You will also be able to place reserves for the school year.

Summer Loans

·        June 10^th is the last day to order books for the summer if you have re-enrolled

·        Maximum of one kit per family over the summer

·        June 10^th is also the date that all materials are due back in the library.  Items can be renewed for the summer if you are re-enrolled.

·        Summer loans are due back in the library by August 12^th.  If you are going on vacation, have the items picked up early as overdue items will result in your account being suspended! We need the items returned on time in order to prepare them for the new school year.

·        The library is closed during the month of July.

If you have any questions, please contact me!

Sincerely,

Shandra Wiebe

Head Librarian

Heritage Christian Schools Library

250-862-2377 x.311

Monday 1-5, Tuesday 1-5, Wednesday 1-5, Thursday 2-6

907 Badke Road, Kelowna BC

V1X 5Z5

Have a great weekend, everyone!!!  God bless you in whatever you plan on doing!

Are you Ready for a Challenge?

I guess many of you decided to work through the scheduled Spring Breaks in your school district areas and some of you took a well deserved break!  I call what we did "relaxed schooling" for those two weeks.  We did school until the kids got a phone call from friends or when a fun opportunity came up :).  Oh, the joy of being flexible!

Now that we are back into full swing and well into term 3, please keep me updated each week on how things are going.  I would like to be able to support you weekly not just at reporting time.  I would love to be able to interact with the students as they share the excitement of their learning adventures or help guide them in an area they are struggling with.  And please don't forget to share how the student completed the 30 minutes daily physical activity each week. 

Happy April Birthday Katie, Kyla and Joseph.  May your day be special - like you!
This link came across my e-mail and I am sending it to you because I care about you and your children.  Please watch this video and share it with those who need to see it. Very important info!

Check out this video on YouTube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zil-e5Bh82E&feature=youtube_gdata_player

And now ... if any of you want to change things up and add a bit of challenge into your life, here are some great opportunities:

Noggin Hoggin Challenge

The next Noggin Hoggin' Challenge starts Monday, April 11. It's time for all interested kids to go to www.nogginhoggin.com and register to participate!
Now, if you're sitting there scratching your head and wondering what this Noggin Hoggin' business is all about, let's just say that you're in for a real treat!
The geeky minds behind ExamBank love having the opportunity to put to practical use the cache of interesting and unusual facts they have tucked away in the recesses of their cumulative quirky minds. So, twice a year, we go to town.
Essentially, the Noggin Hoggin' Challenge is a week-long online treasure hunt where kids get to put their research skills to the test in order to solve 6 puzzles. Those who submit the correct daily solution before the deadline get to move on to the next day's round, and if they manage to hang on to the bitter end, finalists go head to head in a timed race to solve the last question.
We've had classrooms, families, and individuals participate - teamwork is greatly encouraged. However, to qualify for one of our great prizes (iPods, movie tickets, and T-shirts!), participants must each register individually, be Canadian, and in Kindergarten to Grade 12.

Bust-a-Myth and Win a MYTHBUSTERS Set Visit

Bust-a-Myth with your students this spring using Discovery Education content and tools.  Pick a myth, develop a project plan, describe your science investigation, hypothesis, and analysis.  Then, submit a 5-minute video showcasing your mythbusting results for the chance to win a MYTHBUSTERS set visit in San Francisco.

Register Your Class Today

Follow These Simple Steps to Enroll Your Class

1. Choose One of the Following Myths to Bust

• Is a piece of buttered toast more likely to land buttered side up
  or buttered side down?
• Is it possible to fold a piece of paper more than seven times?
• Will cola clean a penny? Discolor a tooth? Dissolve a steak?

2. Develop a project plan for how your class will go about proving whether the selected myth is plausible or busted.

3. Describe your science investigation including its testable question, hypothesis based on prior knowledge, the design of the investigation, the data you gathered, and your analysis.

4. Finally, track your steps, progress, results, and develop up to a 5 minute video. Once ready, submit your video via the "Enter Today" button.When

April 04 - 29, 2011 Prizes

• (40) backpacks & (1) MYTHBUSTERS DVD Prize Pack
• A trip for two people to San Francisco to attend a live taping of a MYTHBUSTERS episode

More Information and Registration