Thursday, April 4, 2013

April 2013 Newsletter

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April 2013 Newsletter
Upcoming Events:
General Conference, April 6th and 7th, 2013
Need a way to keep the little (and not so little) ones quiet and occupied during Conference sessions? Download and print these free Conference activities from www.lds.org and Sugardoodle.net!

Field Trip:
Dr. Picklestein at BSU
Friday, April 12th, at 11:30 AM
This field trip is full.

April 13, 2013, 8 PM to 11 PM.
meridian spring prom 
In an effort to provide a prom where both the parents and students felt good about the moral climate, the Meridian Spring Prom was born. Our goal is to provide a formal dance for teens where the dress, lighting, lyrics, music, and entertainment contribute to a wholesome atmosphere. Regardless of school and religious boundaries, all High School couples who are 16 and older, and are willing to comply with the dress and conduct code found at meridianspringprom.blogspot.com are invited to attend. Cost of tickets is $30 per couple. Please go to meridianspringprom.blogspot.com to purchase tickets and for more information!
This special event will be held at:
Ten Mile Christian Church

3500 W. Franklin in Meridian, ID
which is on the corner of Ten Mile Rd. and Franklin Rd.


Join us for PE--it's a KICK!
Monday April 15th at 2pm and
Monday April 29th at 2pm
soccer
April PE will be kickball and other games with a soccer ball.  Bring your soccer ball (and water bottle) when you come!  Fun for all ages!
Location:  Charter Pointe Park, on the corner of Seabreeze and Mossywood Dr. in Boise
(PE will be canceled if it is raining.)
Questions?  Call Michelle Gonzalez at 275-9208



Field Trip:
Mining and Geology Museum
on Friday, April 19th at 10:00 am.
This Field Trip is full!
 

Couples’ Meeting,
Friday evening, April 26th
Details coming soon!

 
The First Annual Idaho TJEd Mothers' Retreat
Friday, May 17 – Saturday, May 18, 2013
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All homeschooling moms are welcome! We will have a book discussion on Friday and two presentations in the morning on Saturday. We will have time for relaxing and chatting as well!
Where: A large cabin in McCall, ID
Cost: Early Registration is $55.00 by April 10th
Late Registration is $65.00 after April 10th
This includes three meals and lodging (with hot tub!)
Book Discussion: Little Women, by Louisa Alcott
Please contact Emma Beck at richemma26@yahoo.com or Melissa Wolfe at
rdjazzer@yahoo.com if you are interested. 
There are only 18 spots available, so register soon!


Field Trip:
Idaho Botanical Garden, Friday, May 31, 11:00 AM: 
Reserve your spot ASAP! 
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This is a really neat field trip for all ages .Admission fees are due at the beginning of May and there will be no refunds once the money is received. It's $2.00 per child and First adult is free. Each of the classes listed below are limited to 25 students. Please e-mail me at sosiouxmeto@msn.com with which class your child(ren) will attend. The Botanical Garden is in Boise by the Old State Penitentiary.
READY, SET, GROW!
Pre-school, 1st Grade
This introduction to the Idaho Botanical Garden encourages young students to use their senses to explore nature. During this lesson they will compare plants to themselves, learn about plant parts, meet an earthworm, and go on an exploratory walk through the Garden.
FLOWER POWER
2nd, 3rd Grade - May Only
Students participate in activities emphasizing the structure and function of flowers. Each student will help the Idaho Botanical Garden bloom by planting a flower.
NATURE'S GARDEN
4th, 5th, 6th Grade
This tour is designed to awaken a naturalist’s curiosity about Boise Foothill ecology. The students on this ¾ mile hike will interpret the environment and discover the vital role plants play in this sagebrush ecosystem.


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DHSA and the Common Core:
DHSA has received numerous e-mails regarding the Common Core Curriculum and has been asked to send out information about it. Due to the polarizing opinions and sense of urgency on all sides regarding Common Core, DHSA strongly advises all families to educate themselves on the issues surrounding Common Core and use their best judgment to make informed decisions regarding the matter as it will likely pertain to homeschooling as well as public education.
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President’s Message:
Oscar Wilde once commented, “To LIVE is the rarest thing in the world. Most people EXIST, that is all.”

It’s a sad, even cynical comment; many of us may believe the words “live” and “exist” to be synonymous, but the difference is immeasurable!

So, what exactly is the difference between Living and Existing?

As I researched these two words I came up with only a couple of differing qualities—the one that stands out prominently in my mind is that living requires effort. When one is really living, they are likely to be quite engaged, animated, vivacious, vigorous, active, spirited. The primary requirement for existing is merely a state of being; to remain, to be fixed or set, to endure.

A proposal I would like to offer to each of us, myself very much included, would be to do a little introspection – be honest with yourself and answer the question: Are you “Living” or merely “Existing”?
Let’s explore some thoughts on the two, shall we?

I would like to suggest the following to be true – and don’t just take my word for it, but see if you agree and if you are able to relate in any way:

Living is Finding JOY and Happiness in your environment; existing is merely going through the day just surviving.

Living is reveling in the beauty and the creations of life; existing is being surrounded by these wonders, yet seldom noticing their existence and certainly not appreciating them.

Living is loving and serving others—it is reaching out to those in need; existing is the meaningless self-absorption so many fall into—it is turning inward.

Living is recognizing your dreams and goals and taking the steps to make them happen; existing is nothing more than wandering throughout life without any inkling of your purpose.

Living is waking each day and looking at the work before you with an attitude of enthusiasm, gratitude and passion; existing is viewing this same work as a burden that is drudgery and obligation.

Living is allowing yourself to LOVE fully and completely and unconditionally; it is the giving of your entire self and becoming vulnerable and exposed. Existing is closing yourself off from all that is possible – building a brick wall in an effort to save your heart from any pain or possible disappointment.

Living is the realization that you only have this one life to live on this earth, and then embracing all that is out there, making the most of each and every moment.

Living starts the moment you make the decision to be comfortable in your own skin and love the person you are. Existing is hiding behind all of the reasons you think you aren’t good enough and using them as excuses to not be living!

My question again is: Are you Living or Existing? And if you find you are merely existing . . . WHAT are you going to do start this beautiful experience of LIVING your life???

Wishing you a month full of the best LIVING you’ve ever experienced.

Much love to you,

Stacey Lytle
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Classes, Clubs, and Learning Opportunities
Teen Book Club Date Change!Our April book club is going to be on the 4th Friday, this month. (April 26th.) We are reading Eight Cousins by Louisa May Alcott and will meet at 1pm. Contact Melissa Wolfe at rdjazzer@yahoo.com for more information.
May's book club will move to the 4th week also, meeting at 1pm on May 24th.

The Aaron Academy
main_picEnrollment for 2013-2014 begins April 8th, 2013The Aaron Academy is a homeschool support program for ages 10-15 that offers two full days of classes per week.  Classes include history, writing, Latin, literature, science and math mentoring.  During lunch break, students enjoy social time and have the opportunity join in on various sports activities.
   Students are given assignments to do at home in order to be well prepared for discussions, projects, experiments, simulations, and other fun, challenging, and worthwhile activities while attending The Aaron Academy. Our classes are taught by caring and inspiring teachers who are passionate about their chosen subject.
Please visit our website at
www.theaaronacademy.com
<http://www.theaaronacademy.com>

If you think The Aaron Academy might be a good fit for your family, please contact us to schedule a tour and have your student(s) visit our classes.
For students ages 16-17, please check outBoise Classical Academy at
www.boiseclassicalacademy.com

Free Yoga classes in April for Homeschool Moms!
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You are ALL invited to experience complimentary quality yoga at Greening Place Yoga in Caldwell!
Homeschool Moms, you are superheroes! Come bliss out with some healing, strengthening, rejuvenating mom time. This is for all those multitaskers out there...physical strengthening, bliss, spiritual meditation, rejuvenation and mind body uniting all in one session. And since we know we are all extra inquisitive, it will be a session where questions are welcome during our yoga. Are you expecting? Congrats! Come enjoy while you learn some trimester specifics for your practice.
Thursday, April 11th and 18th at 8:15 am. 9 slots for each class. Please see www.GreeningPlaceYoga.com for more information about Greening Place and our yoga classes. Bring your yoga questions. Wear your happy/comfy/stretchy clothes! Please RSVP to Stacey Lytle at lytlemomma@gmail.com by noon on Wednesday, April 10th, and noon on Wednesday, April 17th.
Namaste.
~Nicole Siple
Greening Place Yoga
2006 Blaine Street
Caldwell, ID 83605
www.GreeningPlaceYoga.com

LIMITLESS POTENTIAL:   Looking into homeschooling, or want to know how others in the area are teaching their kids?  Click here to read our monthly column, Limitless Potential, written by homeschooling moms. This month, Corrie Munson shares her experience with the K12 program and Dayna Baldwin shares her eclectic teaching and learning methods.