We usually associate October with Halloween. But don't forget about another important holiday - Columbus Day is October 13th. This holiday is in honor of explorer Christopher Columbus who first came to the New World on October 12, 1492. Since 1920, it has been an annual holiday in the United States. President Franklin Roosevelt set aside October 12th as Columbus Day in 1937. Later, President Richard Nixon declared Columbus Day a national holiday to be celebrated on the second Monday in October.
Our next meeting is Tuesday, October 7, 2008. We meet at 110 W. Main St., Shawnee across from Jim Paul Dance Studio. Marilyn plans to talk about preparing autobiographies. There will be plenty of time for anyone who has any homeschooling concerns to solicit help from the membership. Please join us!
Real Homeschool Mothers don't eat quiche; they don't have time to make it. 
PE Class will begin Friday, September 5, 2008 at the Salvation Army. The fee for the fall semester is $25 for the first child and $20 for each child after that. In the spring, the tuition is $15 for the first child, and each child after that attends free of charge. A T-shirt is included in the cost of tuition which says "Boys and Girls Club" on the front and "Salvation Army" on the back. The instructor will be an employee of the Salvation Army.
HEA Co-op classes will be the third Friday of the month. The courses are art and art appreciation, book club, and science. Books for book club will be distributed at co-op and are to be returned at the next co-op. The students are presently reading Prince Caspian by C. S. Lewis. There will be different classes in the spring. The cost of participating in HEA Co-op classes is minimal.
The third annual History party will be held at Leslie's on October 10th at noon. Please bring a dish to share for lunch. Kids, as well as parents, are invited to dress as a historical figure. After spending time talking with each other "in character", we will guess who all the characters are. The person with the most right wins a prize! Young children not yet familiar with history are also welcome and may pretend to be a superhero. This is so much fun - you won't want to miss it!
October's field trip will be to the Shawnee Corn Maze on October 22nd at 9:00 a.m. Please RSVP. Everyone who is coming will need to meet in the parking area and pay as a group.
Our students are very excited to be involved in the HEA play entitled, "Mother Goose Has Flown the Coop." It is a play of mixed-up fairy tales that will no doubt be hilarious. The students are also writing their own commercials that will choreographed among scene changes. Play practice is every Friday and the play is tentatively scheduled for November 18th.
Story Time at the library is not just for little ones anymore! The ages of the participants is 6 through 12. The next one will be at the Shawnee Library on October 31st at 11:15. Story Time is led by a librarian - there is no charge.
To RSVP to one of our events or to ask any questions, please send an email to HEAShawnee@yahoo.com
The following are community events that may be of interest to homeschooling families.
Fred Jones Museum of Art - at the OU campus in Norman offers FREE admission on Tuesdays with special activities for preschoolers.
Posted in Group Meetings
You are invited to attend the next HEA meeting! We meet the first Tuesday of the month at 7:00 p.m. at 110 W. Main. The fall meeting dates are as scheduled:
September 2, 2008
October 7, 2008
November 4, 2008
December 2, 2008 (Spring Planning)
We start our meetings with either a guest speaker or a topic, followed by a general discussion where members can share home schooling stories or ask questions of other members. Any concerns that new members/visitors may have will be addressed as well. The business part of the meeting is at the end, if needed. Our meetings generally last an hour to an hour and a half. Older students are welcome to participate.
Posted in FAQs
What does "inclusive" mean?
An inclusive home school group is one that provides home schooling information and support to members of various religions. Protestant, Catholic, and Jewish faiths are represented in HEA.
Can members talk about religion at meetings?
Yes, members are free to talk about their faith in reference to how it pertains to home schooling. However the person(s) chairing the meeting will not be using their position to try to influence others to believe as they do.
Will my children be allowed at meetings?
Members take turns planning the meetings. Teens and parents are welcome at any of the meetings. Depending on the topic, a member may decide to open the meeting to younger students as well. The meeting topic, the member hosting the meeting, and whether or not children are invited will be announced a month in advance in the newsletter.
What kind of activities are available?
We offer field trips, parties, and workshops. A workshop is an activity where students learn a usable skill in the company of other students. Some activities are scheduled weekly, such as a PE class. Our Co-op classes will take place once/month this year due in part to gas prices. We participate in a monthly story time at the library for the young children and have weekly park days when the weather permits. We also put on plays and participate in science fairs and spelling bees. Please watch the website and newsletter for the latest information on our events!
Are there activities for teens?
Yes, there is a monthly activity/field trip scheduled for the teens, specifically. The teens are also welcome on the other field trips and activities.
How much are the dues and what does the money pay for?
The dues are $20/year/family and covers membership in HEA from August through July. The money covers the expense of mailing newsletters. The dues also pay for expenses related to planning special events, preparing the directories, copying charges, and awarding the students with surprises from time to time.
