First Day of School
What an incredible first day of school we’ve had so far.
The students were called to start the school day by Scott Schrader this morning, with a shofar horn! (Thanks Scott!)
Our verse this year is Nehemiah 4:19-20
19 And I said to the nobles and to the officials and to the rest of the people, “The work is great and widely spread, and we are separated on the wall, far from one another. 20 In the place where you hear the sound of the trumpet, rally to us there. Our God will fight for us.”
So we met together when we heard the horn blow this morning and are ready to start our school year!
Bonfire
We had a great time at the back to school bonfire. Mrs. Gates brought extra huge marshmallows, and chocolate chip cookies for the s’mores. We welcomed new friends and re-acquainted with friends not seen all summer.
Summertime…
We are entering the final phase of summertime. I don’t know about you, but my family has had a blast this summer. I have just heard the faint “I think I’m ready for school mom!”.
We still have some openings at the Vine for the Fall Semester. We’re located in South Orange County, in Laguna Niguel.
- We have outstanding Christian School curriculum
- We are non-denominational
- Our tuition is still low and very reasonable
- Class sizes remain at 12 or less
- We have amazing teachers and families at the Vine
- We also have after school enrichment programs
If you’d like a tour, or find out more information how to home school with a twist, you can call us at 949-280-8641 or check out the rest of the website at www.vineprep.com
Our Next C.H.A.T.
Your next opportunity to get some great ideas and share your ideas…is coming up soon. Monday the 21st at 7:00 we will be hosting our next meeting of Creative Home School and Teaching. This is open to any home schooling parent, bring your questions, bring your solutions, bring your ideas and let’s C.H.A.T.
If there are any questions that you would like to give the teachers advance notice of leave them in the comments and we’ll make sure they are addressed.
Our first “C.H.A.T”
Last week we had our first C.H.A.T time with teachers and parents. We’ll be having more, and they are open to the home school community at large.
A very brief recap follows.
We discussed ways to keep our kids engaged during these next couple of months–ideas include, having “study” buddies–going over to a friends house and working, doing work somewhere other than at the table–go to park, beach, even work somewhere in the home that may be different–under the table, on the floor…
Movement may help facilitate learning–Kris Danna has a good book for this as well as Grace LaHatt. Manipulative can help with math–unifix cubes, cuisenaire rods, beans, popsicle sticks, etc. Outside websites that come highly recommended included www.donnayoung.org, www.bigbrainz.com, www.timberdoodle.com.
We would love to know what your favorite additions to workbooks and classwork? Please feel free to leave a comment with a website or your favorite resource.
Our next CHAT will be held Monday, March 21st at 7 pm
Janet has a saying–”Cleaning your house while the kids are growing is like shoveling snow while it’s still snowing”
We want to know….
What are some of the extra activities your kids do outside of school? Gymnastics, ballet, ice skating, etc?
Are they usually with other home schoolers, or do you do the after school programs?
Also include in the comments, something you are looking at participating in, but haven’t signed up for yet.
Upcoming Events at the Vine
On February 1, Tuesday, we are going to have our first C.H.A.T. (Creative Home-school and Teaching). Our T/Th teachers who were all long time home-schoolers will be sitting in a forum and you will have the opportunity to ask them questions. We will have a place in the office to collect your questions and we hope that this evening will be just the start of coming alongside all of you to make the most of these wonderful years of homeschooling your children.
You can invite any of your friends who are homeschooling as well.
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Feb 10 – 8:45-9:30 – Our First Meet and Greet – Open House for prospective families – invite your friends!
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Also coming
Feb….All School Picnic
March – Seaworld Field Trip
April – Poetry Assembly – all school
Details of school events are in school calendar for parents and staff.
Pilgrim’s Place
In November we went to Claremont to the Pilgrim Place. It is a retirement community for retired missionaries. During this weekend every year in November the community puts on a Pilgrim festival and fair. The kids got to see time period crafts and art pieces including the looming process, knitting, stained glasses, gems and crystals and wood toys that the pilgrim children would have had. We also got to ride on the Mayflower and our tour guide on their told us the story of the story of coming to the new land. We had a great time and would definitely make this an annual trek.
pictures coming soon ….