May/June, 2000

Well, now that we have bumped into some of you in person, and have conversed by phone and email with many more, we thought it was time to formally introduce ourselves.   Our family lives in Franklin, Indiana, where we are active members of the Franklin Homeschool Group.  We are finishing up our sixth year of homeschooling our three boys:  Nathan (11),  Joel (8), & Ben (4), and like most of you, are eagerly awaiting Summer.  

 

Greg has worked for the Department of Natural Resources for nearly 21 years, and is currently the Chief of Budget and Personnel of the Division of Soil Conservation.  Like some of you, he fights the crazy traffic in his daily commute to Downtown Indy.

 

Greg was born in South Dakota, but grew up in Indianapolis, and Becki grew up in Columbus, Indiana.   Throughout our almost 20-year marriage we have had the opportunity to live in a number of small towns throughout the Hoosier State, and after living in Franklin for nearly two years, we believe that Region 6 has some of the friendliest folks around.  What an honor to be asked to serve as your Regional Representatives for the IAHE. 

 

Kevin & Charlene Brown have left a wonderfully paved road for us to travel, and we are thankful for their hard work.   The Brown’s continue to be a vital asset to Region 6.   You’ll read in this newsletter about one of Charlene’s latest endeavors:  GUIDANCE FORUM which will serve as an information link for families with highschoolers.

 

If you haven’t already registered for the IAHE 15th Annual Convention on June 9 & 10, you need to do so now!  Not only will you receive needed encouragement and spiritual refreshment, but you will come away sharper, and better equipped as a homeschooling parent.  We can’t imagine missing it.  See you at the Convention Center!

 

 

REGION 6 ROUNDUP

 

Mark your calendars for Saturday, August 12th, 2:00 - 4:00 p.m.  The third annual Region 6 Roundup will be held at Gray Road Baptist Church at 5500 S. Gray Road, Indianapolis.  (Gray Road intersects Southport Road, just west of I65.  The church is North from there on the west side of Gray Rd.)  This is a free event where families can meet those who offer services and programming to homeschooled students, such as scouting, 4-H, music lessons, choir, dance, etc...  This is by no means an exhaustive list.  In fact, if you have suggestions give us a call.  We need lots of help for this event to continue to be a success.  A few men are needed to help set up and put away tables, and a handful of people are needed to help put on table covers and skirts.  This is all very easy, but many hands will make for light work.  Call the Biberdorf’s at 736-0522 to volunteer.  

 

Also, though curriculum vendors will not be at this event, we do hope a group will step up to organize a used curriculum sale for Region 6 families.  Also, any support group in Region 6 is invited to set up a space for fundraising.  Instead of serving food this year, there will be a small fee per exhibitor or fundraising support group to help cover costs.     

 

Career Shadowing

 

The White River Home Educators is wanting to provide career “shadowing” one-day experiences for individual teens in their group.  If you, your spouse, friend, or relative would be willing to host one of their students for a day at your job to give them an opportunity to learn more about your profession, please call Charlene Brown @ 865-9540 or email her at charlenebrown@juno.com.

 

 

Did Someone Say, “Cruise”?

ChristianCruises.Net is hosting a 7-day New England and Canada cruise for homeschooling families, October 14-21, 2000.  The cruise leaves from New York Harbor and ports include Boston, MA; Newport, RI; Halifax, Novia Scotia; and St.John, New Brunswick.  In addition to all the activities for families on a Premier Cruise Line, Michael Farris, President of HSLDA and Patrick Henry College will present several sessions and the Denton Brothers will provide some programming for children and teens.  Prices are $730 for the 1st and 2nd passengers and $299 for the 3rd-6th passengers in a cabin.  Port charges and gratuities are additional.  An outside cabin is an additional $260 per cabin.  Book early to receive best available cabin or discount.  There is only space for 150 families.  Visit www.ChristianCruises.Net for details about this trip and others they sponsor, or call the Gjertson’s at 885-6700.  The Gjertson family homeschools in Region 6, and are the owners of ChristianCruises.Net.

 

 Guidance Forum

 

Charlene Brown is organizing an e-mail information group for families with high school students that are at least beginning to research for college and vocational schools.  The purpose of this group is to share information with each other as they locate a great website, learn of scholarship opportunities, etc.  They are hoping to network with Regions 14 and 7 also in planning some guest speakers to talk to parents and students.  Since homeschoolers do not have easy access to guidance counselors, all will benefit by pooling information together.  The name of this group will be GUIDANCE FORUM, and they plan to develop a webpage with helpful links at the Region 6 Website.  Guidance Forum expects all participants of the group to contribute.   Your’s doesn’t have to be a huge contribution - just keep your eyes and ears alert, and share what you know.

 

 

Perry Township Alert  By Charlene Brown 

 

Last year a Perry Township family decided not to send their 8th grade student on to Perry Meridian High School.  They chose to school him at home and notified the school corporation of this decision.  After a year at home, the family began to consider enrolling him in 10th grade at PMHS.  When they contacted the school, they were notified that the school would not accept him as a 10th grader - he would have to repeat 9th grade because his curriculum was not from an accredited school.  The family was told that the school corporation considers the IU High School program and the American School program the only independent programs they will accept.  Several questions are raised at this point.  Does the school have a right to do this legally?  HSLDA’s  response is “yes, they do.”  However, many schools are at least willing to test a student to see if they can pass final exams in the subjects the student is attempting to receive credit for.

 

Some concerns and specific questions about Perry Township include:  1) When the parents notified the school of their decision to homeschool, why didn’t the school corporation notify the parents of their policy regarding “acceptable programs?”  2) There are private schools such as Suburban Baptist and Greenwood Christian that are not accredited schools, but Perry accepts them.  Why?  The parents were told by the PMHS principal this is because these schools use an accredited program.  What is the difference in an accredited program and an accredited school?  There seems to be some gray here..... and 3) Why is it that Perry Township elementary schools accept homeschooled students at the grade level parents indicate they are ready for (without always testing them), but the high schools do not accept a homeschooled student’s credits and are unwilling to test incoming students for performance?  There seem to be inconsistencies within the system and until firm policies are established and published, families in Perry Township (and likely elsewhere) should be aware of this complication. 

 

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Kevin and Charlene Brown would like to thank all of the families that helped with their Open  House.  “It was a very sweet , unexpected guesture.  Your gifts and cards were also greatly appreciated.”  At the time of this  printing, the Browns still face a lot of uncertainty about their daughter Laurann’s medical factors, but are hopeful they will have more answers by early June.