• ENOCH News Alert on Bill A3123
• Registration for 2nd Semester of LWE is Around the Corner!
• H20 Hershey Hunt
• Another Apple-Picking Field Trip Scheduled - CANCELLED
• Behind the Scenes Tour of NJN Television & Radio Station - FULL
• Field Trip to Paws Farm - Journey to the Rainforest
• Homeschool Basketball Winter Registration
• Another Good Reason to Do the Science Fair!
• Does Your Child Struggle With Reading or Schoolwork?

Date:  October 24, 2008

From: Mark August, Legislative Liaison, legislative_liaison@enochnj.org

Re:  New Jersey Assembly Bill 3123 (Update #6)
_______________________________________________________________

A little over three weeks ago, you first read about a new threat to New Jersey homeschooling freedoms in the form of Assembly Bill A3123.  A task force consisting of  Catholic Homeschoolers of New Jersey (CHNJ), Eagle Forum of New Jersey, Education Network of Christian Homeschoolers of NJ(ENOCH) , Home School Legal Defense Association (HSLDA), New Jersey Homeschool Association (NJHA), and the Unschoolers Network worked to unite all NJ homeschoolers by apprising you of the threat, and recommending some united and focused actions.  Today the task force has the opportunity and pleasure to bring you some good news.

Due to recent conversations with key legislators in the State of New Jersey, the task force believes your exemplary calls, personal conversations, and meetings with lawmakers regarding our reasons to oppose A3123 have been respected.  I personally believe that your prayers also played a large part in our ability to make the following statement.  For now, and in the foreseeable future, there is little likelihood that A3123, or any amended part of it, will be introduced at a hearing in the Assembly Education Committee. 

Although the Bill has not been officially withdrawn, that is not unusual in the State of New Jersey.  Countless bills die in Committee and are not re-introduced in a new term.  Many legislators will continue to stand with us to ensure that this does not occur. Importantly, we will, as always, remain vigilant.  Thus, no further contact with your legislators about A3123 is advised at this time.

I am grateful to be counted as a New Jersey homeschooler.  We collectively have enjoyed 40 years of successful homeschooling without government intrusion.  Our commitment to educate our children at home is only surpassed by our ability to quickly unite in defense of our right to do so.  I think we have proven that again in the past three weeks.

Faithfully and most gratefully,

Mark August
ENOCH of NJ

Registration for Living Water Enrichment's (LWE) second semester for the 2008-2009 school year will be starting on Monday, November 17th.  We are still in need of at least two Lower Elementary Classes (ages 6-8), two Middle Elementary Classes (ages 9-12) and one Junior High Class (ages 12-14).

Ideas for classes include (but not limited to) Creative Writing, Drama, Reading Circle, Animal Science/Animal classifications, Specific Craft Class, etc.  If you would like to teach any of these classes or have a different class you would like to teach please email Brook Gall at rivergirl72@comcast.net by Wednesday, November 5th!

Click here for a current listing of classes being offered for the second semester.

Greetings Middle Schoolers!

Our October hayride and campfire event was a big hit, and if you weren't able to make it, we are sorry you missed a fabulous night!  The weather was absolutely gorgeous and the gang had a fun time roasting hotdogs, making s'mores, and playing crazy games around the campfire.   A big shout out to Mrs. Kim Renzi for planning such a great event!  Thank you so much!!!

Now, looking ahead to November...we are in for a treat!  Register today to attend the H20 Hershey Hunt!!!  It is sure to be a night you won't want to miss!  All the details are explained below.  Hope you can make it!

Blessings,
Robin Young
(on behalf of all the leaders)
 

You're invited to the H20 Hershey Hunt!   

WHERE: 1371 Stokes Road,  Medford

WHEN:  Monday, November 10th from 6:00pm to 8:00pm

WHAT'S HAPPENIN’:  You’re gonna hunt for a Hershey Bar on the Laberee’s property. In it you will find instructions for YOUR charade...for starters!

RSVP: labereeland@verizon.net or 609-841-8914

COST: $3.00 for pizza and beverage

UPDATE 10/24/2008: This trip has been cancelled.

Another day of apple picking is scheduled since we all enjoyed the first trip so much!

DATE: Thursday, October 30th
TIME: 1:30pm
PLACE: Strawberry Hill Farm (www.strawberryhillfarm.org)

Please email Kelly Linhart at plinhart1@yahoo.com if you are interested in participating.  The farm's website gives directions and prices.

UPDATE 10/24/2008:  This trip is now FULL.  This trip was originally posted on the Living Water Yahoo! Discussion Group on 10/20/2008 and was full two days later.  In order to get in on hot opportunities like this be sure to join the discussion group at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/LWHE.  Anyone wishing to organize another group of 15, please contact Kelly Linhart at plinhart1@yahoo.com for details!

DATE:  Wednesday, December 3rd
TIME:  1:00 PM (tour lasts 1 hour)
PLACE: NJN Production Studio, Trenton
COST:  FREE
AGES:  4th grade and higher ONLY.  No younger siblings permitted.

This field trip is a behind-the-scenes tour of the NJN Television & Radio production studios in Trenton!  Learn how television programming is made, distributed to stations and broadcast.  There is a naximum number of 15 people permitted including adults.  Please contact Kelly Linart at plinhart1@yahoo.com to register for this trip and be sure to visit www.njn.net for more information about NJN.

DATE: Wednesday, January 7th
TIME: 1:00pm
PLACE: Paws Farm, Mt. Laurel
AGE: Grades 3rd-5th
COST: $6 for any student who participates in class, $4 for younger siblings who enter farm (ages 1 and older), and $4 per adult.

Journey into the rain forest and learn all about a rain forest and what kinds of animals that live there!  Contact Kelly Linhart at plinhart1@yahoo.com if you are interested in participating.  Payment is due December 5th.  Make checks payable to Kelly Linhart and mail it Kelly's home (refer to the member directory for the mailing address).

For more information visit Paws Farm's website at www.pawsfarm.com.

Registration for Winter Homeschool Basketball is under way!  Download the registration form by clicking here.  For additional details or questions contact Wayne or Jeanette Saville at wayneandjeanette@comcast.net.

By Rosemary Laberee

Four weeks ago, the Society for Science & the Public named 30 of the nation’s top young scientists as Finalists of its 2008 SSP Middle School Program – America’s premiere science competition for middle school students.   My son, John, was among the 30 kids selected from 2,000 to travel to Washington, DC to compete for scholarships.

This was just an incredible experience.   He made so many friends from all over the country, and was inspired by the caliber of the other students.

In addition to $500 John just had an asteroid named after him!   Not kidding.  His name, in full, is forever immortalized in the universe.  Minor planet #25294, named John Alfred Laberee, has an absolute magnitude of 14.1 and a diameter of 4 to 9 kilometers, and orbits the Sun between Mars and Jupiter!   How cool is that?!

I pray that he holds onto the magic of being with excellent students of science and students who care about doing their very best.   This was the greatest gift to us both this week.

The theme throughout our time here has been this – there is not enough emphasis on science education in our country.   It is true.   Kids are given some books to study, but not encouraged to DO science.   The very best way to fix this problem is to invest your time in doing a science fair.

With the Tricounty Home Educators Science Fair coming up in February, I just cannot miss this opportunity to encourage you to participate.  Begin your journey now.  After many, many years of watching science fair projects take over my kitchen, my basement and even my laundry room, I am more convinced than ever of its long term value in the lives of our kids.  

It isn’t about dollar prizes and trips to higher level competitions, although that is fun.   For your children, it’s more about the execution of the project from start to finish and knowing that they are doing what scientists do – thinking, testing, re-evaluating, and thinking some more. 

It is God’s creation, and it is awesome to watch young men and young ladies learn more about it through science fairs.

Does your child not enjoy reading as much as you'd like?  Does your child lose their place, get tired, or get headaches during reading or schoolwork? 

It's been estimated that 15-20% of children have visual problems that affect reading and learning.  Most of these children have 20/20 vision and routine vision screenings will not detect these problems. 

Here are other signs of learning-related vision problems:

   • Omits and substitutes words when reading despite good verbal skills
   • Poor reading comprehension
   • Sloppy handwriting
   • Would rather have you read to them
   • Squints or holds reading material too close 

Dr. Michael Gallaway is a pediatric optometrist who treats children's  vision problems.  If you'd like to learn more about how vision problems can affect reading and learning, Dr. Gallaway offers free in-office seminars.  The next two seminars are October 28 and  December 2 in his office at 4003 J Lincoln Drive West, Marlton.  Space is limited, please call (856) 988-0080 to reserve a  place. 

You can also go to www.drgallaway.com or www.covd.org for more information. 

This information was submitted by Barbara Soffer, a mom homeschooling two special needs children and one typical child.  All three children received vision therapy services from Dr. Gallaway.  All three struggled with reading before therapy and are avid readers after completion of therapy.  It has also helped them immensely with drawing and coloring and other handwriting related skills.  Please feel free to contact her for more details about her experience with Dr. Gallaway at barbsoffer@comcast.net.