NEW Class Schedule and Calendar Updates

I'll play Captain Obvious and point out that, yes, the days and months are flying by and summer will soon be over. 

In light of that, I thought you would like to know that both the Calendar and the Classes pages have been updated on this blog. (See the tabs at the top of the blog site).

Please view the class schedule for the new year and pray about where you'd like to help out, since we are a homeschool co-op.

The new calendar is up for the entire school year, which will help those of us teaching to see the number of classes that we'll have both semesters, weather depending, of course.

Registration for THESIS is the next upcoming event. Since we have grown by leaps and bounds, it is important not to miss this date. Class attendance is capped at 25 students per group, and we register on a first come, first served basis for new members.

If you have any questions or concerns regarding this matter, please contact us.  Questions about this post, or other blog issues should be directed to Selena Campbell.

Important Updates and Registration Info

I was able to get the classes put into a table and I posted the new fall schedule. If anyone has any questions, please contact me.

On another topic . . .

Have you received your THESIS Registration invitation in the mail? If you have not received one, do not despair. Here is what you need to know:

Trinity Home Educators Supporting in Service (aka T.H.E.S.I.S.) 

2012-2013 Registration

Co-op Classes -- Field Trips -- Family Events 

will be held on Tuesday, August 14th 

(yikes, that's NEXT Tuesday! Be sure to save the date!)

• Returning members (those who participated in THESIS last year) should come to the fellowship hall at Trinity by 12:30 p.m.
• New members should plan to arrive by 2:00 p.m.

During these meetings, we will go over the registration packet, and teachers will be available to briefly discuss their classes and answer any questions or concerns you may have.

Please do not miss this important meeting!

Blessings,
Selena Campbell

Registration and New Class Schedule

Hello Everyone,

As hard to believe as it may seem, it is a little over one month until registration begins for the new THESIS school year!

In an effort to make teaching -- and learning -- easier for everyone, we have split up the younger classes, once again.

This year, kindergarten will be a group by itself, as well as first grade. These will be groups A and B, respectively. Then group C will be grades 2-3, group D will be grades 4-5, group E will be grades 6-8 (middle school) and then grades 9-12 will be group F.

Another thing we did this year is split up the classes for the middle school grades, group E. Instead of two 1-hour classes, they will have three 40 minute classes, like the lower grades. High schoolers will still have two 1-hour classes.

Here is the proposed schedule for the new year:

Preschool classes will be held this year, and helpers are needed. Details will be provided at the registration meeting on Tuesday, August 14th.

***Please note -- preschool is available only to those younger children whose older siblings are in one of the following groups:

Group A -- Kindergarten

1:00 -- Gym (Janine Tomko)
1:40 -- Art  (curriculum can be provided, teachers needed)
2:20 -- Science (Jessica Peterman, co-teacher needed)

Group B -- 1st Grade

1:00 - Sign Language (Shannon Jackson, 1st semester)  Math Fun (Allison Horne, 2nd semester) 
1:40 -- Gym (Helen Gregor or Kelly Higgins)
2:20 -- Art w/ the Masters (Liz DeRoos & Albani St. Martin Brown)

Group C -- 2-3 Grades

1:00 -- Lego Show & Tell (Charli Utt, Tracey Moore & Jen Cogar 1st semester)
            Irresponsible Science (C. Utt, T. Moore & Jen Cogar, 2nd semester)
1:40 -- Money Sense (Selena Campbell, co-teacher needed)
2:20 -- Gym (Kelley Higgins or Helen Gregor)

Group D -- 4-5 Grades

1:00 -- Gym in the NEW Gym ( teacher needed)
1:40 -- Learning about Elections (1st semester)  (Heather Sprenger, co-teacher needed)
            Science & Art Unit Studies (?)  (Heather Sprenger, co-teacher needed)
2:20 -- Money Sense (Selena Campbell, Angela Oxford)

Group E -- 6-8 (middle school) Grades

1:00 -- Public Speaking (Jessica Peterman, first semester, co-teacher needed)
            Mythbusters-type Science (J. Peterman, second semester, co-teacher needed)
1:40 -- West Virginia History (Liz DeRoos, co-teacher needed)
2:20 -- Boys' Gym (John Keener) / Girls' Gym (Melissa Hoskins)

Group F -- 9-12 (high school) Grades

1:00 -- Class subject (Debate class?) and teachers needed
2:00 -- Dissection (Charli Utt, Tracey Moore, Jen Cogar, 1st semester)
            Photography (Jessica Lueken, co-teacher needed, 2nd semester)



 (Yes, I will get this put into the table on our "Classes" tab whenever I can get my HTML coding and the blogger editor to cooperate!)

Please note that our registration is open until the class size limit of 25 is reached.

**If you are willing to help co-teach a class, please speak up! Our cooperative group only works when we all work together. Please prayerfully consider responding to one of the needs highlighted in blue in the schedule above. **

And, if you, or anyone you know, is interested in joining THESIS please be sure to attend the registration meeting in the fellowship hall at Trinity Assembly of God, on August 14th, at 12:30 for returning members and 2:00 for new members.

Questions? You can get our contact info by clicking here.

Class Notes for this Friday

Hello THESIS Families--

It seems a long while since our last meeting; trusting your Easter celebration
was wonderful and meaningful in every way.

Just three class Fridays remain, yet there is much to do in order to finish well
in our classes!  Papers, projects, and play are high on the list of the
yet-to-be-accomplished!  Attendance and attention are crucial to finishing this
semester well.

1.  Social Studies Project Fair April 27th.  Don't forget to sign up!  This
great opportunity is for any school-aged child to do in the general areas of
history, geography, civics, economics, even psychology.  We will need at least 6
judges for upper grade project evaluation; if you are not currently assisting a
class, you may be asked! :)

2.  The play:  The prop box will be set up Friday to accept loaned props!  Save
these dates on your calendar:  May 11, 7 pm, and May 12, 2 pm!

3.  Sign ups:  Several sign-ups will be on the counter covering end-of-year
events, so be sure not to miss them.

See you Friday!
Warmly,
Liz, for THESIS

Friday Class Reminders

Just a few important reminders for tomorrow, March 23rd:

• Last day for the Labels for Education food drive. If you have non-expired non-perishable items to donate, please put them in the box marked for the food drive.
  
  
• The K-3 field trip to Middletown Shop & Save will be Friday, March 30th. There are 5 spaces left, so if you haven't signed up please do so tomorrow.
  
  
• No regular classes on Friday March 30th. There will be play practice at 10:30, which is also the same time that the elementary field trip is scheduled.
  
  
• No classes on Friday, April 6. It is Good Friday and the church is closed.
  
  
• If you haven't done so recently, please check your mailbox folders. Some family folders are quite full.
  
  
• As we did last week, we will have some classes give presentations during announcements. Please be on time (12:45) so you won't miss hearing what our students have been doing this year!

See you tomorrow!

No Co-op Classes Today

In case you didn't check yet, Marion County (and the surrounding counties) have canceled public school for today. Therefore, we will not meet for co-op classes.

Although the standard two-hour delays do not effect us, whenever Marion County closes school, it is our policy to cancel co-op for the day.

You can go here to check for school closings in our area. This link also appears under the "classes" tab of our blog.

Stay inside and drink some cocoa and enjoy your free day! :)

This Friday

Dear THESIS Families,

Friday is our last co-op class day for the semester.  It went by fast!  If you
have a Talent Show participant in the family, remember to bring any props, CDs,
etc. to rehearse with this Friday.

Please bring a tray of cookies or finger foods for our Christmas reception in
the Trinity Cafe, which begins at 6:30 pm, before the stage show.

Warmly,
Liz, for THESIS

Class This Friday

Hopefully everyone enjoyed their Thanksgiving day celebrations with family and friends. The Campbell kids had a great time with their dad on vacation...until today, when Mom helped to decorate the church and Dad did school. (heehee)

This Friday, we are back on track with co-op classes. As usual, we will start with announcements around 12:45.

December 2nd is the last day to sign up for the Christmas Talent Show! The signup sheet will be on the counter in the cafe area. If you want to participate, be sure to put down your name this Friday. (Just so you know, you don't have to put down what you are doing.)

Speaking of the Talent Show, if you aren't already committed during co-op, please think about helping with the talent show practice on Dec 9th (the Talent Show is that evening, Dec. 9th, at 6:30). We need two moms to help (preferably at least one who knows the drill)--one to keep the practice sessions moving along, and one to ferry kids back and forth between classes and the kidz church practice area. If you are interested, please let Liz or Selena know this Friday.

And by the way, if you bring anything to co-op for giveaway, please don't forget to check the cafe before you leave so you can take home any unclaimed items.

See you Friday!

Notes for Friday, October 21 Co-op

Hopefully, everyone is enjoying the cool, brisk, windy fall days we have had this week. Even though it is rainy today, I love this time of year and the way autumn feels.

Please remember that tomorrow is the last day to sign up and pay for the Rich Farms field trip, which is the following Friday, October 28th. You can make your check payable to Selena Campbell, and put it in my mail folder.

If you have any "Box Tops for Education" or Campbell's "Labels for Education," please bring them in tomorrow. Bring your box tops and labels--separately, please-- in a baggie or envelope, and put box tops in Janine Tomko's folder and the labels in Selena Campbell's folder.

If you are taking the drama class, don't forget to come to class with your tongue twister!

See you tomorrow!

Hello Homeschooling Families!

Those of us who went to the Pittsburgh Aviary had a great time, and pictures
of our trip will be posted soon.

Today, a sign-up sheet for our October field trip to Rich Farms' will be on the counter. 
Please check it out and sign up to join us on October 28th.


Today, Friday, October 7th, we are back to regular--although still fun!--co-op
classes. Here are some notes for today's gathering:
 
 
First,  if your 6-12th grader has not yet signed up for their 2 pm elective 
class, please do so at the counter!  They begin next week!  Descriptions can be 
found on the counter. 
 
Second, Group C (grades 4-5) gym class, please bring your marked soccer ball if 
you own one! 
 
All gym class students, remember your gym shoes and water!! It should be a 
beautiful day!

Lastly, if you are a middle school student in the non-fiction writing class, 
and you (or your parent) own a Thesaurus, please bring it to class with you
today.

See you soon!

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!!

Proposed Class Schedule & More

I hope that everyone is wringing out every last drop of summer from the days that we have left because before we know it, fall will be upon us. Although it wasn't quite as cool as a true fall day, it felt like fall as I sat out in my garage-porch listening to the rain showers this morning. I do love fall, so I'm not sad about the heat passing. I will, however, sorely miss my garden veggies!

If you haven't already taken a look, our proposed class schedule is available now under the "Class Schedule" tab at the top of this blog. We are excited about the new classes, and the new format for this year. Hopefully, things will move along smoothly and the weather won't interfere much with our schedule. I once heard that the water table has to be at a certain level for the year, meaning that a great deal of rain in spring and summer means little snowfall in winter. We shall see!

I also want to remind everyone that registration is fast approaching, and with it will be our first (annual?) used curriculum sale. Tuesday, August 23rd, we will have open registration and a curriculum sale from 1-4. You can come when you like, leave when you like. Just be sure to RSVP to Liz DeRoos (304.534.5822), if you plan to sell something, so we can reserve a table for you. You don't have to stay the whole time, but if you are selling, make sure that you come back to pick up your money and any unsold items!

Speaking of curriculum, maybe you are struggling to get your lessons planned, or just to wrap your mind around this great responsibility of educating your children. THESIS, being a faith-based group, believes that God is the center from whom all things flow. Here are some thoughts, based on that philosophy:

• Science -- God created the world and all the amazing things in it
  
• Math -- things work in an orderly fashion because God designed them that way
  
• History -- history is all about God sending Jesus to redeem us, and His master plan
  
• Language Arts -- the great commission is to tell others about Jesus, and writing and reading help us to do that well (always be prepared to give an answer for the faith you profess)
  
• Literature -- reading about the lives of others helps us to see God's power at work
  
• Economics -- we are called to be good stewards
• Government -- governments and rulers are in place because God put them there (so we should be praying for our president, whether or not we like him!)
• Arts -- God has given us different ways to express worship to Him, through music, art, dance, etc.
  
• Health -- God's plan for our health, both physically and spiritually
  

Teachers Needed

Is everyone getting excited about THESIS starting again soon? Are you curious about what classes will be taught?

We will be posting the schedule soon, but we have one more slot to fill. The 4th-5th grade middle period (from 1:40-2:20) still has an opening for two teachers. Have you considered teaching a class, but you are waiting to be asked?

There's a great class that Liz DeRoos taught a few years ago that is math-based but feels more like arts & crafts. The kids who took that class had a blast learning math in a fun way. If you would like to teach this class, Liz will gladly help you to plan out the lessons for the year.

Or, do you have a desire to teach but you have something else in mind? Well, that's great! As I mentioned, this one class is the only slot we've yet to staff.

We've added three more classes to our class schedule this year--so we need your help!If this is not your first year as a member of THESIS, and you have ever considered teaching--now is the time to step up!

Please call Liz DeRoos, at 304.534.5822, or Selena Campbell, at 304.363.0944, if you are interested in teaching this 4th-5th grade class this year.

Class Schedule & Used Curriculum Sale

Our tab with the label "Class Schedule" will be eventually filled in with an actual table of classes--hopefully by the end of the month. I have the table created, but I need to tweak it because it is showing up too wide.

In the meantime, we are excited about what is happening with THESIS this year! We've changed the class sizes for the lower grades, and we've got a few electives that the 6th-12th graders can choose from. Hopefully, these new changes will work well.

Our first field trip of the year will be to the Pittsburgh National Aviary. More details will be forthcoming on this blog, and in our first newsletter. We will need to plan that trip soon, so if you are interested in going, please send me an email at campbells(at)ma(dot)rr(dot)com. (Fill in the @ sign and the dots that are spelled out in parentheses...the way I typed it keeps trolling software from picking up my email and spamming my account).

As a reminder, we are doing a used curriculum sale in the fellowship hall during this year's drop-in registration on Tuesday, August 23rd. Whether you are planning to buy or sell, it is truly right around the corner, so don't forget to mark your calendars!

THESIS is a Co-Op

Did you know that our homeschool group, THESIS, is a co-op, or cooperative?

The definition of a cooperative is:

something owned collectively by members who share in its benefits.

And, of course, cooperative comes from the word cooperate, which means: to work together with others.

Therefore, the definition of THESIS is:

a homeschool group where we all work together and collectively share in the benefits of doing so.

And so, here comes the wonderful part -- Moms, we need you!

If you have some amazing ability when it comes to teaching a certain subject--math, art, basket-weaving--please let us know! As of the writing of this post, five elementary classes still need teachers, which includes two classes each for grades K-1 and 2-3, and one class for grades 4-5.

And, senior high students--are you proficient in a subject? Are you well organized? Please feel free to volunteer to teach a class (as long as it is okay with your parent).

Please know that we have an amazing year coming up, with more classes to be taught than ever before, and possibly even more families joining our group (we had 50 families representing ~100 children this past year). While this is exciting, it definitely requires that we emphasize that we are a co-op, and we all need to pitch in and help out, in some way.

With that in mind, when the registration happens in August (which is going to be different this year--more about that in a later post), we will have sign-up sheets for class helpers. Please take time to review these sheets and choose a class (or two) to help out with. Due to the volume of students that we have, we will be assigning helpers for each class, if we don't fill all the blanks with volunteers. So, if you'd like to pick out the class where you want to help, be sure to take a look at those sign-up sheets. (There will be a reminder of this, closer to registration.)

I hope everyone is enjoying their summer--the days are going to start getting shorter after today--and that you are keeping cool. When you are inside enjoying some a/c on the super-hot days, please give some thought to possibly teaching a class this year, or helping to coordinate an area of our group.

If you have any questions, or want to teach a class/be a coordinator, please give Selena (304-363-0944) or Liz (304-534-5822) a call.

Blessings!
Selena