By May 19, email Dawn Okada (dawn@okada.net) with your RSVP with all the following information:

1. How many are eating regular pizza?

2. How many NEED gluten-free* pizza? (see disclaimer) (Send name of each gluten free eater and whether he/she wants cheese or pepperoni. There will only be 2 slices of GF pizza available per GF eater.)

3. How many are coming and NOT eating pizza at all?

4. If you are not coming, please let us know.

Family members and alumni are welcome. Please help communicate to your alumni family members that specialty pizzas are for current Co-op teachers, parents and grandparents. We don’t have enough specialty pizza to provide this for our alumni.

After pizza we will enjoy ice cream sundaes! 

We need help during the 10:10 hour, 11:20 hour, serving the pizza, and clean-up. Please let me know if and when you can help. 

*Disclaimer (From Domino’s): "While Domino’s new Gluten Free Crust is appropriate for those with mild gluten sensitivity, Domino’s and the NFCA do not recommend it for those with celiac disease. Domino’s and the NFCA found that while the crust is certified as gluten free, current store operations at Domino’s cannot guarantee that each handcrafted pizza will be completely free from gluten."

The class is 2:30-4 on Thursday.  Thanks!

If you haven't placed your Chick-Fil-A order yet, please email Gavin Schaaf at gavin.o.schaaf@gmail.com.  Sandwiches are $4 and meals (sandwich, cookie and water) are $5.  Please contact him TODAY.

Thanks!

 Year End Event Rehearsal Schedule for Sunday 5/1:

 4:00 - ASL 1-3 (Bonnet)

4:10 - Intermediate ASL(Bonnet)

4:20 - Geography 3-5 (Thomas)

4:30 - Earth Science 3-4 (Briggs)

4:40 - Learning through Lit (Schaaf/James)

4:50 - Kindergarten (Sieb/Pelczar)

Teachers - please communicate these times to your students.

Blessings on all of the students who are testing this week!

Mary O’Donnell

paradiseo@aol.com

The zoology teachers haven't made a final decision about textbooks yet.  Please don't purchase the books until they let you know.

 Thank you!

1. Updated Schedule (Note that new classes were added this week!)

2. Course Descriptions

3. Updated Policy Manual for 2016-2017

4. Registration Packet (where you will find Family and Student Registration Form, Helper Request sheet, Childcare form and important instructions)

5. Extra Student Registration Forms for additional students (one per student required)

6. Overview checklist, which will be reviewed with you at the registration table

Registration begins this Sunday, April 10, and will also be held on Sunday, April 17. You must print out and bring completed forms with payment to the registration table.  Bring your checkbook (even if you have already written out the checks.)

Marlene Mika graciously agreed to teach History 1-2!  (Thanks, Marlene!)  We will post her course description as soon as we have it.

If you have any questions, please contact Katie (kbricker1@gmail.com) or Laures (merryfam@verizon.net.)

Thanks!

To learn more, see his full course description on the blog under “Co-op Documents.”

 Right now, however, we do not have a history class for grades 1&2 at the 9:00 hour.  First, is there someone willing to teach the class?  It can be as simple as a history story hour.  Another option would be to assemble a team of moms to cover 6 weeks each.

Additionally, we would like to find out how much demand there is for this class.  Please email Laures at merryfam@Verizon.net if you have a child you want to place in this class, if you are willing to teach for the whole year, or if you are willing to teach for six weeks.  The team is willing to reach out to the wider community, but not until we establish the need.

Thanks!

Stacey Thomas needs to know if you would like a table display at the Year End Event.  If you do, please contact her by April 15 at thomasfamilysix@yahoo.com.

Thanks!

Thanks!

an  opportunity to be nostalgic about a different era 

Ideas: past style trends, a happy childhood memory/toy, old technology,

a character from movies/TV shows of long ago

SIGN IN AT THE HELP DESK AS SOON AS YOU COME INTO THE BUILDING

(As always, be modest and gender appropriate in your costume choice, please).

Prizes will be given for the best costumes at 12:50 in the basement lobby.*

Please consider donating yummy treats for the bake sale - NO peanuts/peanutbutter.

Gluten-free & dairy-free items needed

Please label your items carefully so we can serve our friends who have food allergies. 

an  opportunity to be nostalgic about a different era 

Ideas: past style trends, a happy childhood memory/toy, old technology,

a character from movies/TV shows of long ago

SIGN IN AT THE HELP DESK AS SOON AS YOU COME INTO THE BUILDING

(As always, be modest and gender appropriate in your costume choice, please).

Prizes will be given for the best costumes at 12:50 in the basement lobby.*

Please consider donating yummy treats for the bake sale - NO peanuts/peanutbutter.

Gluten-free & dairy-free items needed

Please label your items carefully so we can serve our friends who have food allergies. 

*If you would like to help with costume judging, please contact Dawn Okada.

The Year End Event planning team will be meeting this Sunday to make decisions regarding the event.  It would be helpful to know how many classes would like to do presentations.  Please let us know by Saturday, 3/12, if possible.

This year's course descriptions will be disappearing from the blog by March 20 to make room for the next year's. Please download and save your students' course descriptions in case you need them for future reference and/or record keeping.  Parents of high school students should definitely do this!  They come in very handy for all kinds of things like applications to military academies and registering for the NCAA.  Thanks.

Please contact Kim at klackey@gwmail.gwu.edu.

Thanks!

If Fairfax County Schools are closed:

• All Co-op classes are cancelled.

If Fairfax County Schools are opening one or two hours late:

• Co-op starts at 10:10 AM (period 2) (on Thursdays). All first period

classes are cancelled (9:00 to 10:00 AM).

• On Tuesdays, the 8:30 classes will be cancelled. The 9:35 classes will

begin at 10:00 and will run for only one hour. The 11:05 classes will be

held at their regular time (and regular duration).

• If Co-op has a delayed start, but your family finds the roads in your area

too dangerous to make it in, please stay at home.

You can find FCPS’s weather cancellation and delay notices on FCPS’s

Emergency Announcement website (http://www.fcps.edu/news/emerg.htm).

We are proposing that we form a YEE team - many hands make light work!  This team will evaluate the event going forward and decide if it will go forward as is or if it needs to be scaled back.  There are many ways to make the event simpler.

YEE responsibilities would be divided between the people on the team.  Some responsibilities include:

•  interacting with the church office regarding the details of building use
• creating a "script" for the night to be provided to the emcee (probably Vince)
• email teachers to find out what their display needs are 
• "design" the basement set up
• create a sign-up genius for volunteers (set up/clean up/food help)

Dawn Okada is overseeing stage presentations, and Marilyn Lorence is overseeing the food prep for the evening. 

If you are willing to serve as part of this team, please contact Dawn Okada at dawn@okada.net by February 20th. If we do not have the volunteers needed by this date, we will likely need to cancel the event.

 Evaluations are accepted by all school districts as "proof of progress" for year-end reporting (in lieu of testing) and can be valuable  as positive  individual assessment of strengths and weaknesses, in planning curriculum and for subject and level placement for your students, as well as to show to grandparents.   To receive information on services to home educating families, and/or registration materials for the 2016 year-end reporting to your school district, please contact  LamonsEducare@gmail.com .

Contact Laura Briggs for more information:  laura@d6heart.info

Everyone should review our co-op inclement weather policy since the amount of snow they are calling for will very likely affect next week as well.

INCLEMENT WEATHER POLICY (and see exceptions)

If Fairfax County Schools are closed (due to road conditions):

• All Co-op classes are cancelled.

If Fairfax County Schools are opening one or two hours late:

• Co-op starts at 10:10 AM (period 2) (on Thursdays). All first period classes are cancelled (9:00 to 10:00 AM).

• On Tuesdays, the 8:30 classes will be cancelled. The 9:35 classes will begin at 10:00 and will run for only one hour. The 11:05 classes will be held at their regular time (and regular duration).

• If Co-op has a delayed start, but your family finds the roads in your area too dangerous to make it in, please stay at home.

Exceptions:

• If FCPS closes or is delayed for reasons other than precipitation on roadways (i.e. severe cold), Co-op may likely make a different call, which will be communicated through the blog (if there is time) or through email.

You can find FCPS’s weather cancellation and delay notices on FCPS’s Emergency Announcement website (http://www.fcps.edu/news/emerg.htm)

Our big co-op meeting is on Sunday, January 31.  We are adjusting the time to correspond to the five15 movie night.  Therefore our snack time will be 6-6:30 and the meeting will be 6:30-8.  If you plan to be part of co-op next year, you must attend this meeting.  (If you can’t make it, please contact a team member to let us know.)  If you have a potential sponsored family, feel free to invite them to this meeting.  (Their middle school and high school children are also invited to the five15 movie night.)  The application deadline for sponsored families has been extended to February 25.

Thanks!

There will be an important graduation meeting this Sunday, January 17, 12:00-2:00 in Room 102.  Each graduate and a parent should plan to attend.  Another payment is due, so bring a checkbook.

Co-op 2016-17 Meeting on January 31

On Sunday, January 31, we will have our meeting to discuss the 2016-17 Co-op.  Coffee and snacks will be served at 6:30, and the meeting will start promptly at 7:00.  We will meet in room 102.  If you have ideas for classes, if you would like to consider teaching in next year’s Co-op, or if you would like to know more about next year’s Co-op, please join us. 

 ·       When: Friday, January 15, 2016

·       Time: 10:30 a.m. – 12 noon

·       Where: Centreville Baptist Church Chapel

·       Cost: $5 in advance (nonrefundable), $10 at the door

·       Register for this event at chessclasses.org, or email coordinator@chessclasses.org with number attending

You can pay in advance at the CHESS front desk or mail a check to 7514 Old Carolina Rd, Gainesville, VA 20155.  Please make checks payable to CHESS.

 Feel free to pass this information to the homeschooling families that you know.

 How to Create a Powerful Transcript: Seminar by Janice Campbell

Transcripts are not just for college — every student needs one. The high school transcript is designed to highlight your student’s talents, strengths, and skills in the same way a résumé does for a prospective employee. It should present an accurate overview of the high school experience, tailored to fit the focus of the target audience, whether that is a college, military academy, technical school, art or music school, or an apprenticeship program.

Janice Campbell and her husband Donald homeschooled their sons from preschool into early college using a lifestyle-of-learning approach influenced by Charlotte Mason, classical learning, and the Thomas Jefferson method.  Janice speaks at conferences nationwide and is the author of Transcripts Made Easy and Get a Jump Start on College.

Vince's class will meet in Room 102

Research & Persuasive Writing will meet in Room 102

French 2 will meet in Room B03

Intro to French will meet in Room B12

We will be having our December Co-op Pizza Party on Thursday, December 17th in the basement auditorium from 12:20-1:30.  All co-op students, teachers, and their family members are invited!  Siblings and dads are welcome – and cost is FREE!

Please bring a “finger food” dessert to share if you can.

Please let Dawn Okada know how many from your family will attend by this Thursday, December 10^th if possible. She will be checking with you on Thursday if she doesn’t hear from you.

Co-op Teachers, please dismiss the 3^rd period classes (11:20-12:20) by 12:15 so we can convene in the auditorium by 12:20.  For the 1:00 classes, if it works with your schedule, you are welcome to hold classes from 1:30-2:30.

If you can help set up (3^rd period) or serve pizza, please contact Dawn.

The National Theatre in Washington, DC has free Saturday morning programs for kids.  On Dec. 12^th there is a “Dicken’s Tale” – a retelling of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol.

http://thenationaldc.org/events/category/freeshows/

The US Air Force band also has a special concert at the DAR.  It is free, but tickets need to be picked up in person from the Pentagon (DoD badge required).  Emily Black,  Hannah Black and Emily Peace will be dancing for one song.

http://www.usafband.af.mil/event/holidayconcerts/index.asp

Tomorrow, November 19, is our dress up day/bake sale day/Chick-Fil-A Day!

There is a new costume contest procedure.  When you arrive on Thursday, sign in at the main desk in the lobby.  List your name and grade, and name/describe your costume.

Also, there has been a change to the Chick-Fil-A meal.  If you ordered a meal, you will be receiving chips instead of a cookie.  If you want a sweet, please visit the bake sale.

Finally, we need donations for the bake sale!  Nothing with peanut butter or nuts, please.

Thanks and see you there!

Just a few friendly clean-up reminders:  Please clean any tables you use if they become dirty.  We have cleaning wipes and paper towels available in our co-op storage room.  Also, please do not put liquids in the trash cans.  Cups full of liquids should be emptied into a sink before being placed in a trash can.

Finally, dry erase boards should be erased and the markers and erasers returned to their holders at the end of each class.  It seems that a lot of the markers are going missing, so please return them when you are done.

Thanks!

Laures (merryfam@verizon.net)

Your favorite, and our theme for the November 19th Dress up Day: Movies/Cartoons*

Prizes will be awarded for best costumes: elementary, middle school, high school, and teacher. 

I will need extra eyes to judge the costumes -- let me know if you can help. (patbonnet@aol.com)

Donations of baked goods and other edible yummies welcomed. 

NOTHING WITH NUTS, PLEASE.

Gluten and dairy free items much appreciated! 

Yearbook orders will be accepted each co-op day in November. 

Checks for $30 should be made out to Pat Bonnet.

*FYI - second place choice was #TBT - which will be the theme for the Spring Dress Up Day.

Please be praying for the Decks and Fowlers during this challenging season.  In addition, both Deniece and Lisa covered many slots at co-op, so please say yes if you are contacted to fill one of their positions.

Teachers of middle/high school classes, please let yearbook know of any interesting opportunities to take candids of your class.  Some of you have student photographers in your class, and they can take photos when it's convenient for you.

Thursday, November 19th will be our bake sale and dress up day. We will have a suggestion box placed on the co-op table below the bulletin board for the next two weeks. Please submit your ideas for a dress up day theme. We will announce the theme via the blog on October 30th.

 --Pat Bonnet

Watch for e-mails from your teachers regarding the time for each of your classes. Contact Pat Bonnet if you have questions.

Just a reminder that to kick off our first day of co-op, we will have an assembly and prayer time with Pastor Vince Hinders at 9am in the basement auditorium tomorrow.  We would like to have all students and parents who are at the building join us for the 5-10 minute assembly.  (If your day doesn't start until later, please be released.)

Thanks!

Laures & the Co-op Team

Katie Bricker -- general co-op questions, add/drop classes, HEA meetings and Team Meetings

Laures Merryman -- blog posts, communication with building, Year End Event, Janice Campbell SAT seminars

Dawn Okada -- budget, pizza parties

Linda Dean -- study hall

Alyssa Sieb -- helper assignments

We appreciate your patience, help, and prayer as we figure out how to do everything!  And we are very aware of -- and grateful for -- how much each and every one of you does to make co-op happen every week.  We are trusting God for a great school year!

Thank you!

The permission form is available at the HEA blog under Co-op Documents. If you would like your student(s) to be able to use their earbuds and/or computers during study hall, you must fill out the form (please read it carefully) and either mail or scan the signed form to Linda Dean. Each student must have his own form. A copy of the form will be kept in the notebook for the study hall monitors. If your student does not have a form, they may not use their earbuds/headphones or computers in study hall, so if your student is not signed up for study hall but may end up there occasionally and you want them to be able to use electronic devices, you need to fill out a form for them. The forms cannot be given to the study hall monitors for use the same day. They must be turned into Linda Dean who will maintain the study hall notebook.

If you want your students to be able to use electronic devices the first week of co-op, forms must be in by September 12.

If you have any questions or to get her address, please e-mail Linda Dean (deans9@mac.com)

Below is a list of room assignments so everyone knows where to go on the first day.  Signs will also be posted.

Co-op Room Assignments 2015-2016

TUESDAY

8:30am

Algebra 2                            B03

Advanced Math                  B12

Apologetics                        Basement Auditorium

9:35am

Biology                              B10

Physics                               B12

11:05 am

ASL I & III                        B03                     

Spanish 4                           B12

French 2                             Basement Auditorium

12:45 pm

Intro to Speech                  Basement Auditorium

1:00 pm

French 4                             B12

8:30am-2:30pm

Study Hall                        B01

THURSDAY

9:00 am

Geography 1-3                  B07

Geography 4-6                  B03

Geography 7-8                  202

Algebra 2                          B02

Faith Foundations             Basement Auditorium

10:10 am

Learning through Lit        B07

Earth Science 3-4              B05

Earth Science 5-6              B03

Physical Science               B02

Life Science                      B08

Kindergarten                     B10

Genres in Lit                     B12

Writing & Research         Basement Auditorium

Childcare                          1’s Nursery

11:20 am

Art 1-2                              B07

Art 3-5                              202

Art 5-7                              204

Personal Finance              B12

French 2                           Basement Auditorium

1:00 pm

Chemistry                        B07

Biology                            B02

Intermediate Sign            B08

Intro to French                 Basement Auditorium

Government                     202

9:00am-2:30pm

Study Hall                       B01

Fall 2015

Fridays, 2:45-3:45

Gainesville, VA

Under the direction of Jacob Lash (brother of our own Rebekah Falke,) students in grades 2-7 in the LIFE Youth Choir spend an exciting semester building relationships while working together as a team on a fabulous program of music. In addition to developing vocal technique, sight-reading, and ear training, this course gives confidence in musical performance, meeting the students at their various levels of experience.  The course begins on 9/3/15 and the fee is $110.  Concert dates are 12/5 and 12/6/15.  Please contact jacobDlash@yahoo.com for more information.

 Topics to be covered in the class are:

• What is Art?
• God as Creator
• God as Artist
• Creativity and Beauty
• The Bible and Art
• Art and Truth
• A Philosophy of Art (What is art and what is an artist?)
• Art’s Philosophy
• Meaning and Art
• Communicating with Art
• Forms of Art
• What is Christian Art?
• How is Art a Gift and a Calling?
• Can Art Serve the Worship of the Church?
• Art as Expression
• Dangers of Art
"What is art? Where did it come from and where is it going?

Art is all around you. It greets you through many outlets. Yet, have you given any thought to art and what it does? How it catches you and even shapes you? What is God’s intention for art? Is art good, neutral, or bad? Or perhaps do we need a more nuanced answer?

Whether an aspiring artist or not, it would serve you to have an answer to the questions above. Through a series of discussions, art projects, and readings you will come to a better understanding of art that will serve you as you interact with the world.”

Two homeschooling deadlines are here:

August 1st – Evidence of progress
August 15th – Notice of Intent to homeschool

EVIDENCE OF PROGRESS:

This is a reminder that the Virginia home education statute requires that you send proof of academic progress to your school district not later than August 1, of the completed academic year.  This can be an independent educational evaluation, portfolio or standardized test scores. This requirement does NOT apply if you have religious exemption, a certified tutor, or your child was not six years old on September 30, of the completed academic year.

In Fairfax County, you can send this proof of progress to:

Home Instruction
Fairfax County School Administration Center
8115 Gatehouse Road
Falls Church, VA 22042
Email:  HomeInstruction@FCPS.edu

Fax: 571-423-4317

NOTICE OF INTENT:

August 15th is the deadline to notify the county of your intent to homeschool. Below is the wording (and link) from FCPS's website. On this site you will find a PDF document you can download to make notification a bit easier. This also does not apply if you have religious exemption.

ANNUAL NOTIFICATION REQUIREMENT

Documents (All):
1. Notification by parent or guardian of intent to provide home instruction. (There is a form available on the website that may be used for this purpose.)
2. Evidence of meeting one of the four qualifications described on the website.
3. Description of curriculum limited to a list of subjects to be studied during the coming year.
4. Upon request by the Division Superintendent evidence of immunizations, medical contraindication certified by a licensed physician, or affidavit attesting that the administration of immunizing agents conflicts with religious tenets or practices.

Time:
1. By August 15 prior to the school year in which the child will receive home instruction.
2. A parent or guardian who moves into Fairfax County or who begins home instruction after the school year has begun, shall provide notification as soon as practicable and comply with all notification requirements within thirty days.

Send Documents to:
Home Instruction
Fairfax County School Administration Center
8115 Gatehouse Road
Falls Church, VA 22042
Fax: 571-423-4317

Email: HomeInstruction@FCPS.edu

http://www.fcps.edu/dss/osp/StudentRegistration/homeinstruction/

The county encourages you to send both your notice of intent and your evidence of progress at the same time.

If you have any questions on any of this, feel free to contact me (Laures Merryman merryfam@verizon.net). Thanks!

As always, HSLDA is a wonderful resource as well to get answers or clarification

http://www.hslda.org

I recently organized the used curriculum sale and have LOTS of leftovers.  I have a VERY long list of over 150 books.  Please email me if you are interested in viewing the list of books and prices and I'm happy to email it to you!

Thank you!

Bethanie - rugr8full@gmail.com

A 45-minute group guitar class will be offered to students who are interested in learning to play or to improve their level of playing the guitar. Various styles will be presented, depending on the level and interest of the students.   The class will be offered on Tuesdays at the church building with a minimum of 4 students.  Suggested times for the class are 11:30 and 1:00, but the actual time will depend on students' availability.

A one-hour group strings class will be offered to students who have taken private violin, viola, or cello lessons for at least two years, and who would like to play in a group performing classical as well as Christian contemporary arrangements.  The class will be offered on Thursday afternoon my home with a minimum of 4 students (I live two blocks from the church building).  Suggested class times are 2:00 or 2:30.

For rates or more information, please see course descriptions under Co-op Documents or contact Geoff Sawyer directly by email [sawyermusic7(at)verizon(dot)net], or by phone [(703) 895-2797].

God's Big World for 3 - 6 year olds

WORLDkids for 7 - 10 year olds

WORLDteen for 11 and up

With a group order, the cost is $11.99 per order. Anyone interested in ordering any level of God's World News should contact Dawn Okada at dawn@okada.net.

Each month the magazines will be delivered to Dawn and she will disperse them at Co-op.  

We could still use just a tad more help for this weekend's Curriculum/Book Sale. Could anyone help in these capacities? (The sale is THIS SATURDAY - 6/27 from 8:00-Noon.)

• 1 helper to box up left over books from the donations table at end of sale… noon - 1pm.
• 2 helpers to tear down tables and put them away and vacuum basement; noon - 1pm.

And - BTW - Bethanie Mintz is really helping us out by leading the Curriculum/Book sale. This is her second year doing it. Thank you, Bethanie!!

Used Book & Curriculum Sale 

Sovereign Grace Church,5200 Ox Road, Fairfax

Saturday, June 27th, 8 a.m.-noon.

Shoppers and sellers are welcome.  Those wishing to sell homeschool books and curriculum may rent tables for a fee of 10 percent of total proceeds.  To rent a table, contact Bethanie Mintz at rugr8full@gmail.com

Proceeds benefit the Sovereign Grace Home Education Ministry.

Please share this with anyone you know!  We will be advertising in the local community to help encourage many to attend.  We also welcome vendors outside of the co-op or church, so please spread the word to your family and friends!

LOOKING for volunteers! So far I have one... and I definitely could use some more. This does take work to organize and the load is much lighter with help! PLEASE lend a hand... only an hour is all I'm asking!!! Thank you!!!

I’m also looking for the following volunteers to help with pulling this off.

• Friday: 2 helpers for setting up tables on Friday around 1pm.  Once the tables are set up no further responsibilites are needed.  Could possibly take less than 30 minutes.

• Friday: 2 helpers to price and organize the book table of donated books - preferably a seasoned homeschooler with familiarity of multiple types of curriculum

• Saturday: 1 helper to box up left over books from the donations table at end of sale… noon - 1pm.

• Satuday: 2 helpers to tear down tables and put them away and vacuum basement; noon - 1pm.

   

  Thank you!

   

  Blessings,

  Bethanie

2015-16 Grammar and Writing Class

Who:              7^th-9^th Graders

What:             A weekly course designed to teach grammar concepts and develop writing skills

When:            Wednesdays from 9:30-11:00 am (time is flexible based on participants)

                       30-week calendar running roughly from late August until early May

Where:           Fairfax Station (near South Run Rec Center)

How:              Potential curricula to be used are Shurley Grammar 7 and Lost Tools of Writing 

                        As this class is currently being developed, options are still being researched

Why:              Because somebody asked.  That is the short answer…the rest of the story is that these are two areas of critical importance in the education process.  I am of the opinion that individuals who are going to impact those around them should read well, write well, and speak well and doing those three things begins with a solid understanding of the English grammar system.  In addition, this knowledge provides an invaluable foundation for the further study of additional languages.

Instructor:    Wendy Blackwell

                        BA and M.Ed. in Education

                        17 years of teaching in public school and home school settings

                        2 years of teaching Essentials of the English Language with Classical                                   Conversations

                        A somewhat odd love of English grammar!

Details:          $  50 — Registration/supply fee

                        $300 — Annual tuition

                        Class will be limited to 8 students

For more information or to register, contact Wendy Blackwell at

j_wblackwell@msn.com or 703.440.5996

The Sovereign Grace Church HEA Homeschool Graduating Class of 2015 would like to invite you to their high school graduation on Saturday, May 30 at 2:00 pm here at the building. A reception with light refreshments will follow in the lower level auditorium. If you need any additional information, please contact Susan Thorson at thorsonsusan@gmail.com.

Cherie Sullivan has been the co-op's organizer for God's World magazines for many years, but she won't be at co-op next year.  Would anyone like to take over as coordinator?  Please let Laures know if you are interested:  merryfam@Verizon.net.

THANKS!

Our co-op is changing, just like our church.  Our co-op community is smaller than in years past and has gotten smaller each year for several years.  Although it is great to fit into the building better, it may have left some of our members without the classes that they need.  Also, just as the church explores ways to reach out the community, it may be time for the co-op to consider doing the same within thoughtful parameters.  Your leadership team has been discussing these and many other issues and would really be served by your thoughtful feedback on the following questions:

1. Is co-op meeting your homeschool needs?

2. Do you use other co-ops or groups to meet the needs of your family?

3. If so, what classes do you wish we offered at co-op?

4. What classes do you value most at co-op?

5. What dynamic of co-op is most important to your family (safety, community, high quality education…)?

6. How would you feel about opening co-op to homeschoolers who are sponsored by co-op members?

7. What benefits would you see in this change?

8. What concerns would you have if this change were made?

Our leadership team meets in July to discuss co-op policies for the coming year.   Please give us your feedback by July 1^st at sgchomeschoolcoop@gmail.com.  Thank you!

We need to clean in there and we always need to START FRESH with the new year. Every year we find stuff in there that everyone thought was someone else's and it has just been taking up space and not being used by anybody!! 

If it's left and we don't know who it belongs to - it'll get tossed. 

Thank you!!

11:20 classes - please dismiss 5 minutes early so we can get started at 12:20.

1:00 classes - communicate with your students if you are meeting and what time.

We could still use some serving pizza help and clean-up help.

Thanks!

 The Sovereign Grace Church Co-op Choirs would like to invite friends of all ages to skip, swing, and sing with us during our Spring Concert called "Swing Your Partner: A Tribute to the American Play Party." Mark your calendar to meet us in the church auditorium TONIGHT - on Wednesday, May 20th at 7PM. Put on comfortable shoes and be ready to sing! A light reception will follow.

at Sovereign Grace Church, 5200 Ox Road, Fairfax,

Saturday, June 27th, 8 a.m.-noon.

Shoppers and sellers are welcome.  Those wishing to sell homeschool books and curriculum may rent tables for a fee of 10 percent of total proceeds.  To rent a table, contact Bethanie Mintz at rugr8full@gmail.com

Proceeds benefit the Sovereign Grace Home Education Ministry.

Please share this with anyone you know!  We will be advertising in the local community to help encourage many to attend.  We also welcome vendors outside of the co-op or church, so please spread the word to your family and friends!

If you want to donate used books:

Good, used books on a wide variety of topics welcome (not just homeschooling—history, fiction, cookbooks, business, sports, etc.) and may be dropped off at the Welcome Center May 24th - Jun 21st. (or contact me if you won't be at the church)

Donations are tax-deductible.

I’m also looking for the following volunteers to help with pulling this off.

• Friday: 2 helpers for setting up tables on Friday around 1pm. Once the tables are set up no further responsibilities are needed. Could possibly take less than 30 minutes.

• Friday: 2 helpers to price and organize the book table of donated books - preferably a seasoned homeschooler with familiarity of multiple types of curriculum

• Saturday: 1 helper to box up left over books from the donations table at end of sale… noon - 1pm.

• Saturday: 2 helpers to tear down tables and put them away and vacuum basement; noon - 1pm.

I still need a BUNCH of RSVPs for the Pizza Party. Please bounce me back today.

Also - please clean out the Co-op storage room.

Thx!

By May 14, bounce me back with your RSVP with all the following information:

1. How many are eating regular pizza?
2. How many NEED gluten-free* pizza? (see disclaimer) (Send name of each gluten free eater and whether he/she wants cheese or pepperoni. There will only be 2 slices of GF pizza available per GF eater.)
3. How many are coming and NOT eating pizza at all?
4. If you are not coming, please let me know.

Bring a finger-food dessert if desired.

Family members and alumni are welcome. Please help communicate to your alumni family members that specialty pizzas are for current Co-op teachers, parents and grandparents. We don’t have enough specialty pizza to provide this for our alumni. Thank you.

We need help during the 10:10 hour, 11:20 hour, serving the pizza, and clean-up. Please let me know if and when you can help. Who can lead the clean-up? (I will be in class for a little bit.)

*Disclaimer (From Domino’s): "While Domino’s new Gluten Free Crust is appropriate for those with mild gluten sensitivity, Domino’s and the NFCA do not recommend it for those with celiac disease. Domino’s and the NFCA found that while the crust is certified as gluten free, current store operations at Domino’s cannot guarantee that each handcrafted pizza will be completely free from gluten."

No charge for our pizza parties!

Please take all your stuff out of the Co-op storage room this Thursday or definitely by May 21 (our last day). Even if you're teaching again next year, take it all home and reorganize. There are certain chemistry and physics supplies (and some microscopes) that can stay. But history, lit, most science, foreign language, kindergarten etc..... - all that stuff needs to go home, so we can start fresh next year. Thx!

There's a bit of a "no man's land" it seems since it's past Co-op, so do Co-op policies still need to be followed, where can the kids be, who is responsible etc....?

We've spoken to the office and here's what the pastors and staff would like followed:

If your child (student) leaves church grounds, that is up to you. The parents are responsible for that. But if your student is on church property (and they are not in track or not engaged with a teacher doing something official - such as yearbook) then they need to hang out in the main level lobby. They are welcome to be there, but they must not roam around the property (i.e. the woods) or around the building (i.e. the BA or the MA or the classrooms). The church needs to know who is in the building, so if your students are "hanging out," please tell them and then remind them each week that they need to hang out in the main level lobby.

If you have any questions or concerns about this, let us know.

Thanks!

We love you all and are so grateful to God for you.

Thank you!