Westside Homeschoolers and Parents Association

Growing Up In a Surfer Family, Wipeouts and All

2008-05-10T21:16:00.002-04:00

Over at HEM News and Commentary, Valerie Bonham Moon shared a recent NPR report on the Paskowitz family.

The NPR site states:

Fresh Air from WHYY, May 8, 2008 · Jonathan Paskowitz isn't just any surfer. He's a professional surfer — but even that isn't why his story is unusual.

Paskowitz is one of the nine children born to Dorian "Doc" Paskowitz, a onetime physician who in the 1950s quit his practice, dropped out of the mainstream and raised a family while living a nomadic surfing lifestyle. So Jonathan Paskowitz grew up on the beach, essentially, as part of what has been described as the first family of surfing.

You can read the rest of the story, listen to the interview and link to the movie trailer here.

Fun & Fishing in May - Northern Ohio Co-op

2008-05-10T11:56:00.001-04:00

Attention: Homeschoolers

The Northern Ohio Co-op has a morning of fun & fishing on tap for May! Previous
fishing experience not necessary!

Please stop by our table at Elmwood pond to sign-in, pick up some fishing handouts
I requested from the Metroparks education department for our event, and even do a
fish craft!

Free fishing rods provided by the Edward Dale Blenka Memorial Fund while supplies
last. (see below)

Bait and tackle will be provided! Ongoing demonstrations & assistance will be
provided throughout the program!

Mark your calendars --we hope to see you there!!

When: Tuesday, May 27, 10am-noon

Where: Elmwood pond
Elmwood park in independence
(Near the outdoor pool)
To MapQuest it: 6200 Elmwood Avenue, zip 44131

It's just behind the Independence Library (216-447-0160) and can also be reached
from Selig Drive in Independence.

All ages welcome; we are actively seeking those with children ages 8-13 to join
our group so that we can have a nice mix of ages for our activities. There are no
fees to join ,it's totally free, no activities to volunteer for, no added pressure
to your busy schedule! I only ask that you stay with your child(ren) and assist
them as needed during the program so they get the most out of it. The shared
experiences of homeschooling between you and your child(ren) is, in my opinion,
one of the greatest benefits of homeschooling.

Visit the Northeast Ohio Homeschool Connection at www.neohsc.com for more info.
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2nd ANNUAL NORTHERN OHIO CO-OP FISHING PROGRAM

FREE fishing rods have been generously donated by the Edward Dale Blenka memorial
fund for our upcoming fishing program on Tuesday, May 27, 2008. For those who
have already received a free fishing rod last year, please bring it with you to
use at this years program.

As eight-year-old Edward walked home with his stringer full of fish, people in the
neighborhood would comment, “Boy, can that kid fish!”. With the simplest
equipment...a bamboo pole and some worms (or a can of corn!), he could catch fish
(much to the dismay of his well supplied fishing buddies!). I’m sure it was a
combination of his quiet observations of nature along with an inborn talent of
being able to predict it that made him so capable in the wilderness.

I think one of his proudest moments was surprising me with my very own bamboo pole
for Christmas when I was a little girl.

In 1996, Edward Dale Blenka, my only uncle, died suddenly of heart failure. I
have many fond memories of my cousins and I going fishing with him. Even though
we lost interest in the sport, his passion for fishing continued for over 45
years. I think it would make him proud again to see me presenting children with
their very own fishing poles.

Holly

Nice Sun News Article about homeschool resources

2007-12-17T08:27:00.000-05:00

Some of you will recognize the Grahams in this article. Here is the first paragraph, but you can read the rest by clicking on the title! - Mary

There's no place like home-school: Parents find resources to help kids meet requirements

Thursday, December 13, 2007
By Tara Quinn
Holly Graham home-schools her children.

"Home-school," though, is a relative term for her family, since they participate in many events and activities outside the home that specifically are arranged for such students.

On Monday, her children Marshall, 11, Sierra, 8, April, 7, and Logan, 5 enjoyed trampolines and other equipment at Playground World as part of their physical education class.

From the Northern Ohio Co-op

2007-11-06T19:56:00.000-05:00

 ATTENTION: HOMESCHOOLERS

The Northern Ohio Co-op would like to invite homeschool families to our last meeting
of the year! Please mark your calendars....we hope to see you there!

When:Wednesday, November 21    10AM  -  Noon

Where:The Independence Library, Large meeting room
               216-447-0160

What: We are excited to announce a very talented performer for
               our last meeting of the year!  Foster Brown will be our special
               guest this month!   

Although this is the day before Thanksgiving, it would be wonderful for moms and
kids to take a break in the morning before all the holiday hustle bustle begins to
enjoy this fun and educational concert.  We were very fortunate to book him this
year as he is in high demand.  His CD, "Foster Brown, Naturally" has received a
Parents' Choice Award, an honor bestowed upon only the very best material for
children.  His presentation for us will explore the life of pioneers and early
settlers who journey westward through the wilderness to settle Ohio.  Through songs
on various folk instruments (guitar, banjo, mandolin, fiddle, and Appalachian
dulcimer) he will sing folk songs that reveal the life of these hearty individuals
from serious ballads to silly nonsense tunes.  a brief history of the instruments
makes this particular program a fun, yet educational experience for all and it will
be a nice tie-in to Thanksgiving regarding the early settlers of this land. 

Some of  Foster's wonderful CD's will be available for purchase.  They would make a
nice addition to your child's' listening library.

Why Professionals and Politicians Are Wrong About Preschool

2007-11-02T22:20:00.000-04:00

Susan Ryan spoke about universal preschool at the October gathering.

In the November/December Issue of Home Education Magazine, Larry and Susan Kaseman have an article about this issue, Why Professionals and Politicians Are Wrong About Preschool.

You can read the article here.

Continuing to discuss the issues

2007-10-27T10:02:00.000-04:00

Some of you who attended the meeting on October 20th have emailed and said that you were interested in continuing the discussion concerning issues facing homeschoolers.

I am very interested as well and would be happy to set up a day where we could have a roundtable discussion.

Please respond here or email me if you are interested. -- Mary

A NE Ohio Co-op Announcement

2007-10-23T08:35:00.000-04:00

I promised Holly from our meeting that I would share this. Here you go Holly and I hope you get many participants.

Attention : Homeschoolers

The Northern Ohio Co-op would like to invite area homeschoolers to our upcoming meeting.

When: Friday, October 26, 10AM - Noon

Where: Independence Library Large Meeting Room 216-447-0160

What: This month's theme is APPLES We will have apple activities, an apple craft and even make fresh blender applesauce!

Everything is supplied and free of charge!

All ages welcome; we are actively seeking those with children ages 8-13 to join our group so that we can have a nice mix of ages for our activities. There are no fees to join, it's totally free, no activities to volunteer for, no added pressure to you busy schedule! I only ask that you stay with your child(ren) and assist them as needed during the program so they get the most out of it. The shared experiences of homeschooling between you and your child(ren) is, in my opinion, one of the greatest benefits of homeschooling.

Visit the Northeast Ohio Home School Connection web site for more info at www.neohsc.com

Thank you!

2007-10-22T14:53:00.000-04:00

I would personally like to thank everyone who attended the gathering on Saturday. Also, everyone who helped make the day possible- thank you- you each know who you are. The day would not have happened without you.

Also, many thanks to Home Education Magazine for bringing us Susan and Valerie. If you don't subscribe now, you should consider it. I know I'm prejudiced, but in addition to being an excellent magazine, the publishers are some of the most tireless advocates for home education rights that I know of. Finally, thanks to Ruth Radney, Susan Ryan and Valerie Bonham Moon for their insight.

~~Mary

After the gathering..........

2007-09-11T12:02:00.000-04:00

The choice to home educate is as diverse and as personal as each individual child that it serves.

We chose to call this a gathering and not a conference because it will be more interactive than a typical conference or seminar. We most definitely will have some seasoned and experienced speakers and veteran homeschoolers serving on our question and answer panel, but I think I CAN speak for all of us when I say that we are not experts, but we are happy to share our knowledge and experiences with you. We hope that you will come along and share your experiences with us as well.

Additionally, after the gathering, some of us will be moving across the street for dinner at Goldie's Deli & Restaurant, 13500 Pearl Rd, Cleveland, OH 44136. If you want to join us, please indicate that when you rsvp so I can tell them how many tables we would like set aside.
Susan, Ruth, Valerie and I look forward to meeting you October 20th.

A Home Education Gathering: Family Empowerment through homeschooling

2007-09-11T11:44:00.000-04:00

Westside Homeschoolers Present:

A Home Education Gathering: Family Empowerment through homeschooling

Saturday, October 20th, 2007 from 12:30 - 5:00 at

The Strongsville Branch of the Cuyahoga County Public Library 18700 Westwood Dr., Strongsville, Ohio. (a map will be included with your ticket when you register)

Join us for an afternoon of fabulous speakers, insight, humor, fun,
prizes, resources, networking and a diverse panel to present your
homeschool questions to.

Featured Speakers:

* Ruth Radney - Interest Based Learning
* Mary Nix – Maintaining our right to homeschool
* Susan Ryan – Maintaining our family's freedoms
* Valerie Bonham Moon- sharing our homeschool stories

Admission is free, but seating is limited so you must register to
receive your admission ticket.

Contact Mary to register and receive your ticket.

Coffee and tea will be provided. Cookie donations are welcomed andappreciated!

Sponsored in part by Home Education Magazine