The Latest in Homeschooling News

Homeschoolers in 10th Robotic Challenge

In Indiana, twenty-five schools recently competed in the 10th Annual Ivy Tech Robotic Challenge. In the high school competitions, both first and third place went to students of homeschooling. First place was granted to Karen Blankenberger, adviser, team members Michael Blankenberger, Nicholas Blankenberger, Nathaniel Gerlach and Nathan DeMasie. Third place went to Intelligent Designers of homeschool: Phil Evans, adviser, team members, Isaac Evans, Eli Kern, Sara Evans and Aaron Evans.

Homeschool Singers

Woodland, California, will be seeing a Christmas Celebration on Main Street this December 1. While shoppers enjoy such events as free carriage rides and tree lighting, they will be entertained by the music of the Homeschool Choir.

BEST Homeschoolers

The University of Kansas was the site for the BEST award category in the Frontier Trails BEST Regional Robotics Competition on November 1. BEST, which stands for Boosting Engineering, Science and Technology, had more than 29 schools in the competitions, coming from five different states. Wichita Homeschoolers took home the top prize, just as they had done last year. The group also took home the second place prize in the robot competition category, as well as first place in the Founders Award.

Homeschool Legality in Illinois

The Robertson family of Illinois was visited by a truant officer who wanted to know why their child was not in school. A month before, Mr. Robertson had sent a note explaining the switch to homeschooling to the school, and the truant officer said he had not seen this note. Since the officer seemed suspicious, the Robertsons then contacted the HSLDA, or Home School Legal Defense Association. Senior Counsel Chris Klicka wrote a letter explaining the legal rights of homeschool and saying that the Robertsons were following the requirements for teaching at home. After this, the matter was dropped by the school.

The Art of Business

Charles A. Pressler, Jr., a tenth-grade homeschool student, has already begun his own business. Although taught by his father, Pressler wanted to take an elective art course, and through this he learned such things as the process of seed beading and fusing glass. He started making his own jewelry, doing such a good job that he found himself competing with grownups in order to be allowed into juried art shows. "When I see Charles work on his art, I'm just amazed at how it turns out," said Pressler's father. "His artwork ties in directly with what he is learning about in chemistry, physics and other classes." In addition to getting his jewelry into competitions, Pressler sells them at stores. It's his hope that through this he will be able to save up enough for college.

Homeschool Theatre Troupe

On November 16 the people of Potomac, Virginia, were able to go see the Homeschool Theatre Troupe perform "Many Moons" and "The Thirteen Clocks," based on the stories by James Thurber. It was directed by Julie Little, a drama coach and homeschool mother. Her troupe aims to enrich children's lies through the experience of theatre.

Mom Faces Jail Time for Truancy Charges in Silver Spring, PA

Maggie Winters, Silver Spring, PA, was sentenced to 30 days in jail for not paying truancy fines and costs. Winters' son Kyle, 14, began learning-support classes in second grade; in sixth grade, he began an in-house alternative education program. Kyle returned to public school in eighth grade -- placed there by district officials -- and problems soon ensued. He did not write with capitals and only knew the most basic math skills. Winters pulled her son out of school; shortly afterward the district filed truancy papers in district court because they had failed to receive any proof that Kyle was being homeschooled. School Superintendent Jean Walker said this was the first time she had ever filed truancy papers. After the District's filing went unanswered, Ms. Winters was sentenced to 30 days in jail. When she failed to pay her fines and court costs for the truancy charges, her sentence increased by another 30 days. Unless something changes, Ms. Winters will go to jail on December 14 for 60 days. She is appealing her sentence.

Thanksgiving Learning In Pennsylvania

In honor of Thanksgiving, homeschool students of Susquehanna County (near Pittsburgh) learned about what it would have been like to be on the Mayflower. The program, which was brought by Susquehanna County Historical Society and Free Library Association, had kids learn how to sail ships and got them to think about what they would bring if they were sailing across the ocean back then. This is a rural county, with many homeschooling families, and in addition to learning about history it was a good chance to socialize and meet with others who use the same form of education.