Reminders for Classes

Some reminders for this coming Friday;

1.  Each family try to bring a bag of apples for Saturday's
Harvest Fest booth. This is THESIS' contribution to this
community outreach, and also functions as a modest raiser of funds,
since we ask for dollar donations.

2.  If you have a balance due on your registration fees, please make
arrangements to pay it.  You'll find a notice in your folder if you
have a balance due.  Please remit cash (in an envelope with your name
on it) or check to Liz DeRoos.

3.  Friday the 16th is the last day to sign up for the Aviary field trip.
Payment due by enveloped cash or check to Liz DeRoos by the 23rd.

4.  All children who take gym, remember to wear appropriate shoes and
bring only water in your bottle.

5.  The gym is open for upper grade students (who no longer have a gym
class) from 12 noon till 12:45 on Fridays.

Lastly, here's a review of the rules for THESIS. These apply before,
during and after classes. 

Parents, please make sure your children know and follow these rules
during co-op:

1.  No talking when your teacher is talking.
2.  Hands and feet to yourself at all times.
3.  No gum.
4.  Hold it--until the bathroom break.
5.  Three Strikes, your out--on the third warning, the child goes
to the parent for the remainder of that class.
6.  No drinks, except water.
7.  Have fun!!

THESIS Registration Closed

Well, our first THESIS classes were held this past Friday afternoon, and
it was pretty exciting!  What a great crowd of homeschooling families
we have this year!

As a result of our rapidly expanding size and teacher-to-students ratio,
we find it necessary, for the first time, to close registration for all
classes.

Effective immediately, registration for THESIS classes is officially
closed for the 2011-2012 school year.

Other homeschooling families wishing to join can do so as event/field trip
members, and a waiting list will be created for class membership.

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact a leader.

Have a great week!

September Field Trip Info

Pittsburgh National Aviary field trip
Friday, September 30

Anyone wishing to travel together can join the caravan leaving
Trinity's parking lot at 9 am sharp.  We will make one rest stop
before Pittsburgh. Parking is free in their lot; if full, street
parking available.Bring your lunch from home; there will be a
place for us to eat there. They will have a schedule for each
age group.  Families may depart for home in the afternoon whenever
they like.

Class fee includes general admission for students.  All other
attendees over the ages of 2 pay $9 discounted admission.  You
may want to bring extra money for the gift shop and buying food
to feed the lorries!

**Please pay Liz in cash or check for your family by Friday, the 23rd**

The Aviary will hold the following classes for us:

PK to 4th Grade "What's For Lunch?"  $9 per student  1 hour

Fruit and seeds, meat and leaves...what does a bird look for when
it comes to mealtime?  Discover there is more than meets the eye
when it comes to dining with the birds.  Students will examine model
beaks and feet, as well as live birds, to understand how birds use
their beaks and feet like tools to eat all different kinds of food!

Grades 5-8  "Carnivores!"  $9.50 per student  1.5 hours

Learn about the meat eaters of the avian world and what makes them
different from other birds.  Through the use of biofacts and live birds,
students will appreciate the important role that carnivores play in
the wild.  This class includes owl pellet dissection, during which
students have the opportunity to discover what owls eat in the wild!

Grades 9-12 "Training 101" $10 per student 1.5 hours

Through bird demonstrations, games, and a multi-media presentation,
students learn hands-on about the positive reinforcement and classical
conditioning techniques used by trainers to interact with wild animals.
They will also discover that these training concepts can be applied to
their pets at home.

Perspective

Have you started homeschooling this week? How's that going for you?

It is easy to get out of balance in life, whether it be with your Christian walk, your housekeeping, or homeschooling (to name a few).

Here's something from my friend, Audrey's, blog, which may help you if you are feeling overwhelmed with school already:

Homeschooling is great, but homeschooling didn't save me.

Homeschooling didn't pull me out of the pit of death.

Homeschooling isn't the Rock on which I stand.

Homeschooling doesn't give me a joy that strengthens my limbs.

Homeschooling doesn't mend my wounded heart.

Homeschooling doesn't rescue and redeem and reconcile those around me.

Homeschooling is a good way to live, but homeschooling is not the Way, the Truth, and the Life.

I hope everyone is having a great week, but if you aren't then remember this: Jesus is the center from which all things flow. Bathe everything in prayer, keep your focus on the true source of your strength, and you will be fine. :)