See these pages also:     Monthly Activities     and    "Homeschool Days"

Faculty Lounge   
Friday, February 17, 2012
 6:00pm until 10:00pm
Where:  Lewis Memorial Church Coffee Shop
    All homeschool moms are invited to join us for a night of fellowship, food, and fun. Please bring a dish or dessert to share.   For moms (and nursing babies) only.
Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/home.php?ref=home#!/events/256719787732037/

Homeschool Day at the Capitol
 Wednesday, February 22, 2012. 
Homeschool Day at the Capitol is the day when homeschoolers are ambassadors for homeschooling.  It gives us the opportunity to talk to our legislators on the value of homeschooling and the positive aspects of educating our children at home.

Homeschool Day at the Capitol is also an excellent way to see the legislature in action and learn about other offices of the executive and judicial branches of our state government.   We encourage dads and moms to bring your children to visit your legislators.  Count this as a civics lesson for your children!    So, call and schedule appointments with your state senator and state representative.    Also, bring a letter from your children to your representatives, thanking them for their service to our state.

Remember to bring your tri-fold displays to show the delegates and senators the interesting and unique ways homeschoolers learn.   Showcase your students' science projects, art work, sports team trophies, 4-H exhibits, support group activities. All of these give a visual presentation to our lawmakers of the vibrancy and accomplishments and SOCIALIZATION of homeschoolers. Support groups and co-ops can bring displays too.

Tables for displays will be set up in the galleries leading to the House and Senate chambers. Be sure to identify your county prominently. This may draw the attention of your representative and create an opportunity for him/her to understand more about homeschooling.

*To register for a tour or reserve a performance time, please email tshomeschoolnews@hotmail.com and leave your name and contact info. For tours, specify the number of people in your group. To reserve a performance time, please identify the performer and briefly describe the type of performance. Please note: Governor’s Mansion tours may be cancelled at any time.


Where Are They Now?
Do you have a homeschool graduate?  If you are the proud parent of a graduate or if you are the graduate yourself this may interest you.  At homeschool day I am will be displaying a Where are they now board.   If you want your graduate to be included just send me a short biography or autobiography(please restrict it to one page) and a picture to display.  If you have any questions feel free to contact me at tshomeschoolnews@hotmail.com or 304-972-6780.  If you call and don't get an answer be sure to leave a message and I will get back to you.   

The Marvelous Machine” at Paramount Arts Center
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
        9:30am until 12:30pm                                            
Grades K – 6 (Running Time 1 hour) Synopsis: This is an engaging children's participation play that has received enthusiastic notices from teachers and administrators as well as students. It's an imaginative trip through the human body, with the cast members playing a fo...rgetful brain, a grumbling stomach, a corny, vaudevillian pair of lungs; there's even a shoot out between evil Germs and the good guy, Antibody. Nutrition and valuable health tips are presented in a guaranteed painless process.
There are 2 showings of this performance. The 9:30am showing has an admission charge of $4/ticket and the 11:30am showing has and admission charge of $3/ticket. The Paramount is holding seats for us on a will call basis, but I need to RSVP with a headcount by the 14th at the latest so that she can prepare her seating chart. Please RSVP with the number of seats needed and which time slot you would like to attend. You can pay at the door on the day of the performance. Just let them know that you are with Tri-State Homeschoolers. :-)
https://www.facebook.com/home.php?ref=home#!/events/312611038789101/

“EAT (It's Not About Food)”
Friday, February 24, 2012
         Time:  9:30am until 12:30pm
Grades 7-12 (Running Time 75 minutes) Synopsis: EAT (It's Not About Food) dramatizes the dangerous and baffling world of eating disorders in girls and boys. Candidly exploring causes and warning signs, the play takes a hard look at the influences of society and the media... and tells individual stories of young people struggling with this epidemic and too often tragic problem.
There's only one showing for this performance, and the cost is $4/ticket. Please RSVP with the number in your party by the 21st so that I can contact the seating coordinator at the Paramount with the number of seats we will be needing. The theater will hold tickets for us on a will call basis, and you can pay at the door. Just tell them that you are with Tri-State Homeschoolers when you get there. :-)
https://www.facebook.com/home.php?ref=home#!/events/313703861998295/

Teen Game Night
    Friday, February 24, 2012
    6:00pm until 11:00pm
Where:  Lewis Memorial Baptist Church -  Gym
    All homeschool teens are invited to Game Night!
The  gym will be available for basketball, and board games, cards and video games can be played in other rooms. Bring your favorite games, and a snack and drink to  share.

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Contests
Each year we have several homeschoolers accepted in our contests and we admire their impressive work.  The following is information on each contest, if you have any questions please feel free to contact me!
Dixie 
dixie@poeticpower.com
Creative Communication
435-713-4411

Art Contest
Students submit a digital photo of any art (other than photography) and submit it online at www.celebratingart.com.  Two contests each year — Next deadline is April 3rd.  There are 10 winners in each grade division of K-3, 4-6, 7-9, 10-12 who will receive $25 and a full color book that includes their art.  Other artists of merit will be invited to be published.  There are no costs to enter or to be published.   Open to all students in the US and Canada. Each year we have several home schoolers who are among our national winners.

Poetry Contest
Students submit one poem 21 lines on any topic and submit it online at www.poeticpower.com or mail it to Creative Communication, 159 North Main Street, Smithfield, UT  84335.  Three contests each year with upcoming deadlines of April 12 and August 15.  There are 10 winners in each grade division of K-3, 4-6, 7-9, 10-12 who will receive $25 and a book that includes their poem.  Other writers of merit will be invited to be published.  There are no costs to enter or to be published.

Our website at www.poeticpower.com also includes a database that is divided by grade and subject and contains over 1000 lesson plans on how to teach poetry.  You can also subscribe to our newsletter with tips on teaching poetry.

Essay Contest
Students submit one non-fiction essay, 250 words or less on any topic and submit it online at www.poeticpower.com or mail it to Creative Communication, 159 North Main Street, Smithfield, UT  84335.  Three contests each year with upcoming deadlines of Feb 15 and July 18.  There are 10 winners in each grade division of 3-6, 7-9, 10-12 who will receive $25 and a book that includes their essay.  Other writers of merit will be invited to be published.  There are no costs to enter or to be published.

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Disney World Homeschoolers Trip
The agency I work for, 3D Travel Company, will be hosting the 8th Annual Ultimate Field Trip for Homeschoolers at Disney World, September 3-8, 2012.  People can contact me for details (missy.smith@3dtravelcompany.com) or at (304) 444-9372.  I’ll get more details to you after the first of the year J  Thanks!  Have a Magical Christmas!!!
      ~~ Missy Smith                                {Editor's note:  Missy is a local homeschool mom.}

WV Bridge Contest Info Meeting  ~  February 6, 2012
Museum of Radio and Technology field trip  ~  Thursday, February 9, 2012
Used Curriculum Fair / Swap  ~  Friday, February 10. 2012
 Project Day ~  Friday, February 10. 2012
 Valentines Day Dance -  February 14, 2012 
"Are You My Mother?" at the Paramount Arts Center ~ Thursday, February 16, 2012
Chick Fil A Homeschool Meet and Greet  ~   February 16, 2012 
Historic Madie Carroll House Tour     234 Guyan street Guyandotte WV  Thursday, January 26, 2012
Homeschoolers Lunch Date   at Pizza Hut, Hurricane, WV ~  January 11, 2012
EAGLE Registration & Play Day  ~  January 3, 2012    1-3 pm   Join us at Pump Up the Fun
Safety Town   ~  November 16th, 2011 ~ All 2nd and 3rd grade homeschoolers are invited to Safety Town
Totally Tubular 80s Dance ~ Oct. 13th, 2011     7 - 9 pm ~ Skateland, 4430 Altizer Avenue, Huntington, WV
Pumpkin Festival Field Trip ~  Thursday, October 6 ·   ~Location West Virginia Pumpkin Park,
Corn Maze!    ~  Thursday, September 29 · 11:00am - 2:00pm  ~   Cooper Family Farms Milton WV
Mary Ingles Trail Homeschool Day  ~  Beech Fork State Park   ~ Friday, September 16
ACCHE Start Up Picnic   Tuesday, August 23 · 11:00am -  2:00pm
Tri-state Homeschoolers / EAGLE / Project Day / Everyone shindig!!!   August 16 · 10:00am - 10:00pm
Prom  ~  Spring, 2011