Learning to Use the Library!

Each month during the school year on the first Wednesday from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. the Burlington Library will be hosting a FREE special learning session just for homeschooled students. Please fill free to come early and browse for books and stay later and explore some more!

October’s Topic:

Learning to Use the Library

Research, Data Bases, Resources, and a fellow named Dewey!

This session will start in the Community Room at 1:00 with our reference librarian teaching about how to use the data bases and resources to research in the library. Then there will be a tour and time to practice and investigate what you have learned. I’ve heard there may even be a scavenger hunt!

Our librarians are working to make this a special time for homeschooled students. Please come to show how much we appreciate their efforts on our behalf.

We are interested in hearing what topics you would like to see covered in our First Wednesday sessions. Some that we are considering include: Writing, Music, Calligraphy, Forensic Crime Lab, Astronomy, Painting, and more. Please give your ideas to Lisa Dills or Jacqueline Hendrickson.

Oliver!

Lyric Opera Northwest is presenting Oliver! at the Moore Theater in Seattle on Oct. 17th. However, there will be a dress rehearsal on Oct. 14th that children of our area are most heartily invited to! This production is exciting, as kids are working alongside professional actors, choreographers, etc, and the quality of the production is extremely high.

Date: Oct. 14th, 11:00 am to ~1:30 pm

Location: Moore Theatre, 1932 2nd Avenue
Seattle, WA 98101-1102

Ticket price: $5/person

There is no eating in the actual theater, but kids are welcome to eat in the lobby before the show and during intermission. Seating is first come, first served, so an earlier arrival has its advantages (doors open at 10:00 am). Please let me know you are bringing buses, as we will arrange bus parking.

Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions call 425-736-5848.

Hope to hear from you soon!

Sara Wagner
Assistant Stage Manager

CLEP Testing

Hi! My name is Chrissie and this year, my son Brit is going to start CLEP testing as part of his high school curriculum. Since I have to teach him, I wanted to open it up to anyone who wants to come and take it as well. This would include adults as well as students.

The first course we will be doing is General College Mathematics. The College Mathematics examination covers material generally taught in a college course for non-mathematics majors and majors in fields not requiring knowledge of advanced mathematics. This will cover the Math 101 requirement for a general college. 

Be aware, however, that Running Start will not accept CLEP scores. This is due to the fact that the government pays for all the Running Start classes, and that was a requirement of the government. This CLEP is equal to the Compass or Asset testing that Skagit Valley College has each incoming student complete. You will have all the knowledge to pass the Compass or Asset test when you finish with this course. If you plan on attending SVC at any time - Running Start or otherwise - taking those tests would be very advantageous to do after completing this course.
- below are two links that will cover more in detail what this CLEP test covers.

http://www.collegeboard.com/student/testing/clep/ex_cm.html
http://professionals.collegeboard.com/profdownload/college_mathematics_fact_sheet.pdf

This particular course will take 8 weeks to cover the materials with the test scheduled at the end. Location is yet to be determined, but there is no charge for the class except the cost of the test. This course will be held during the day, I cannot do evening classes at present. The only requirement I have for anyone wanting to take this course is the commitment to taking the CLEP at the end. It is prohibitive to go through this course and do all this work to not have a chance to pass the test at the end.

Start date will depend on the acquiring of a facility to hold the class in. I am hoping to start no later than the week of Sept 20, but again, that will depend on the availability of a facility in which to hold the class. There are several ideas on the wire right now, just have get the OK back!

This class should NOT take the place of the normal curriculum you teach during the year. For example, Brit will take this CLEP, but will continue to do a math curriculum (Algebra 2 for us) for the remainder of the year. That is, unless he is feeling that he could take another math-based CLEP test. Between times, he will continue to work on Algebra 2.

We will be testing at Grace Academy in Marysville - this is the closest testing facility to Mt. Vernon. The test costs approximately $77. If one chooses to take this CLEP and does not pass, you may not attempt another try for a minimum of 6 months. This is the CLEP center testing rules.

You do not have to be enrolled in a college to take CLEP tests. If you do not have a college to send the results to, then you may apply for a CLEP transcript and they will send you all your scores. At the time you enroll in a college, you may either present the college the transcript or have them apply for your CLEP transcript. Below is more on the scoring of a CLEP test.

http://www.collegeboard.com/student/testing/clep/scores.html

CLEP: College Mathematics

www.collegeboard.com

Learn about the College Mathematics CLEP examination. Find information about the test, knowledge and skills required, and study resources. Order the Official CLEP Study Guide or download subject study guides from the collegeboard.com store.

I think that's all. Thanks!! Chrissie

 bunnyearsfamily@gmail.com

How can God be both merciful and just?

How can the Bible be trustworthy when it has been translated so many times?

Analyze and respond to the statement, "Every charitable act is a stepping stone to heaven," - Henry Ward Beecher

Those are three examples of questions students will answer by participating in Apologetics. This group will focus on learning Christian doctrine and being prepared to answer challenges to the Christian faith. It will be  a inter-denominational, family setting. The goal of the group is to give families tools and opportunities to look more deeply at their faith and share with others. Students are strongly encouraged to participate in apologetics speech competitions. Ages 12 and up can compete in tournaments, but younger children are very welcome at group. Parents will need to help with the group in one way or another.

Come see what it is all about! We are planning to meet the 1st and 3rd Tuesdays of each month from 6-8 pm at Faith Community Fellowship in Mt. Vernon. Our first meeting is 9/21/10. Bring your Bible.

Letters About Literature

The Center for the Book in the Library of Congress, in cooperation with affiliate state centers for the book and in partnership with Target Stores, invites readers in grades 4 through 12 to enter Letters About Literature, a national reading-writing contest.

To enter, readers write a personal letter to an author, living or dead, from any genre--fiction, nonfiction, or poetry, contemporary or classic--explaining how that author's work changed the student's way of thinking about the world or themselves.

There are three competition levels:

• Level I for children in grades 4 through 6
• Level II for grades 7 and 8
• Level III, grades 9 - 12  

State winners, announced in March each year, receive cash awards. National winners, announce in late April, receive additional prizes and earn for their school or community library LAL Reading Promotion Grants valued at thousands of dollars!

LAL focuses on reader response and reflective writing. We provide free teaching materials, including lesson plans, writing samples, assessment checklists, and teacher tips--all downloadable through this site.

Creation Debate

The public is invited to hear guest speaker, Dr. Robert W. Carter on the Creation vs. Evolution debate in the Worship Center at Emmanuel Baptist Church in Mt Vernon Sunday night from 7- 9 PM.

Back to School Bash 2010 at His Place Church

Check out their slideshow on Photopeach!

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Fall Programming in Burlington

Fall has arrived a lot sooner than most of us were ready for! But, we have lots of fun things planned while the leaves change colors and the rain starts drizzling.

We have NINE instructors teaching classes for us this fall, here is a quick peek of what they are offering:

• Kids Computer Animation School (ongoing)
• Women & Teen Self Defense Classes (weekend of Oct 2 & 3)
• Piano Camp for Adults and Kids (October)
• Excel Business Essentials in 3.5 hr Classes (one each month)
• Basic Cartooning for Kids every Tuesday from 4-6pm
• Hatha Yoga every Thursday evening at 5:45pm
• Creative Card Classes in November
• Camp Fire USA Kids Self Reliance Classes: Babysitting, I Can Do It, I'm Peer Proof
• Musical Walk with Nature (this Saturday)

We also have some in-house programs and special events:

• Scrapbooking Friday Night and All Day Crops
• Scrapbooking 27 Hr Crop
• Scrapbooking Swap Meet November 6
• Harvest Festival and Pumpkin Pitch Saturday, September 25 at Skagit River Park (Kids Division this year)
• Adult Hallow's Eve Dance on Oct 22nd- Live music and dancing with Dillinger's Clam Bake! Call about tickets 755-9649.
• Holiday Fine Art 'n Gift Show-2 DAYS! November 20 and 21st.
• Winter Break programs for the kids.

Christi Kinney

Recreation Coordinator

Burlington Parks and Recreation Department

900 E. Fairhaven Ave

Burlington, WA  98233

Phone 360-755-9649 Visa and MasterCard Accepted

Fax 360-755-1017

http://recreation.ci.burlington.wa.us

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Calling all Singers!

Bethany Covenant Church's Youth Ensemble will begin rehearsals on Wednesday, September 29th from 4:30-5:30 PM. This group is for all junior high and high school students who enjoy singing to the Lord. Anyone can join! You do not need to attend Bethany. Shari Smith conducts this choral group, singing a wide range of music, from classical to contemporary. Rehearsals are weekly. There is a dinner on Wednesday evenings following the rehearsal and for $7 your family can eat. 

The ensemble sings at the annual Christmas concert along with adult choir, children's choir, handbell choirs and orchestra. In addition, they have sung for occasional special events and very infrequently on Sunday morning. In the spring, the ensemble joins the other groups for the annual Tulip Festival Concert. Most of the participants are home schooled. Come join us and we will SING TO THE LORD together! Call Shari Smith at 757-6110 or e-mail at abbunch@famsmith.com to register or for more information.

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Speech Club Reminder!

Wednesday, September 15th is our second meeting and you can still join us! Our last meeting included a great group of 9 students from 5 families. Some students came willingly, others with parent "encouragement." Speech and debate students often start "unwillingly" but end up enjoying it. The fear of speaking in front of others is one of the top fears. It is so amazing to "get over it!" I am also encouraged to see students who want to learn to speak well for their faith. This week will include a demonstration of an apologetics speech.

• Wednesdays 3-5 PM at Faith Community Fellowship
• New families still welcome to join!
• Competition is for ages 12 years old. Junior tournaments are held for 8-11 years old.
• Younger siblings are welcome.
• Please bring to club: a notebook, folder/binder, extra paper, pen/pencil, and weekly goal.
• Please bring a poem for the 9/15 meeting. 

Build.Learn.Create. Home Depot-Kids Workshop!

Join us at your local Home Depot store on Saturday, October 2 from 9-12 PM.

Build.Learn.Create. Kids Workshops are FREE and open to children ages 5-12 years old. "How-To Workshops" offer useful projects that teach children do-it-yourself skills and tool safety, while at the same time helping to instill a sense of accomplishment. Additionally, this fun time allows for quality one-on-one time between adults and children. In addition to the newly constructed project kit, each child receives a kid orange apron, similar to The Home Depot Associates' aprons and an achievement pin.

Fidalgo Bay Day

Celebrate the gifts from the sea with lots of fun events for kids of all ages this Saturday, September 18 from 11-3 PM at Shannon Point Marine Center. There will be creatures from the sea and a scientist to talk about them. You can find us at Fidalgo Bay Resort, 4701 Fidalgo Bay Road, in Anacortes.

Friday Night Live at Imagine Children's Museum

Junior Ecologists: Explore the Upland Trail

Junior Ecologists are 6-9 year olds who have fun exploring the estuary. Excursions to the beach, science experiments, games, art projects, and studying life in the bay-this program is guaranteed fun! Explore the Upland Trail this Friday, September 17 from 10:30 - 12 PM. We'll have fun with activities all along Padilla Bay's 1-mile upland trail, sharpening our senses and discovering the lots of treasures that most folks walk right past. There is no fee for this event. For more info: http://padillabay.gov/calendarofevents.asp

Back to School Bash Reminder!

Can you believe we are just 48 hours away from a special family dinner and swing dancing! So, call your friends, call your neighbors, bring your aunts, uncles, and Grammy too! This event is for the entire Homeschool Family!                                     

• Chicken dinner with all the trimmings served 6:00 - 7:00 PM (Inside or behind Ark depending upon the weather)
• $4 per person (Please RSVP)
• Swing dance to 40's and 50's music which will include a swing dance workshop taught by Joe and Kayla Thieman.
• 7:30 - 10:30 PM in the sanctuary at His Place.
• Suggested $5 entry fee (larger families please pay what works for you).
• This event will include refreshments, Minute to Win It game, great prizes, and fun for all ages!

 Help spread the word to family and friends!

Ola!

Space still available in the Spanish Class at His Place Church!

• Spanish class will begin September 16th and be held in the Ark at His Place Church
• We will meet on Thursdays from *10:45 AM - 12:15 PM (Please note time change)
• All materials are provided.
• Parents are welcome to attend at no additional cost as parent participation will help in the learning process. 
• Completed registration forms should be sent in as soon as possible with a check made payable to His Place Church.

Burlington Music Festival

This special event is free and open to the public on Saturday, September 11 from Noon - 10 PM at Maiben Park on Greenleaf Ave. They will showcase ten different bands, various food vendors, family friendly activities, & more! Admission is FREE and is being organized by B-E Band Boosters and Burlington Parks and Recreation to benefit the B-ESD Band Program for 6th-12 grades.

Northwest Career & Technical Academy

NWCTA is opening tomorrow as they welcome over 160 students through the doors of this beautiful brand new facility. They are currently still accepting applications but hurry as wait lists are being established.

This program is open to all students who are juniors or seniors in high school. This applies to public school students as well as homeschooled students. They have a fully operational deli that will be operated by the culinary arts students to an actual credit union on-site that will be staffed by students in the academy of finance. This will provide a wonderful opportunity for students to gain real world experience and training while earning high school credits. There is no charge for this program. Click here for more information.

Burlington Parks and Recreation Fall Adult/Teen Classes

We have 3 new adult/teen classes to offer this fall: Piano Camp, Music Exploration through Nature, and Self Defense Classes. 

Plus our regular classes: Yoga, Card Make 'n Takes, Scrapbooking, and Excel Business Class.

"Greatest Generation" Speaker

Tuesday, September 21, 2010, at 6:30 PM, the Burlington Public Library hosts local author and World War II veteran Buck Compton. The surviving men and women of the "greatest generation" are fewer every day. We're honored to have this time to hear Buck's stories and thoughts about a lifetime participating in and witnessing history.

Read more about this rare opportunity to join a conversation with a piece of living history, and ask him your questions. Families are welcome!

Skagit Speech (First Meeting) @ Faith Community Fellowship

 

Wednesday, September 8th from 3:00 to 5:00 PM Skagit Speech will meet at Faith Community Fellowship. Bring questions and your children with you. Younger siblings are very welcome :)

Christina South

422-8439

202-6800

southfam8@frontier.com