Hello Everyone,
It was wonderful to meet with all of you on Thursday. It feels great to have such support. I think you are all amazing moms. What lucky kids. I thought I would try and see if my post actually goes on the blog. I also have some friends in Ashcroft who would love to come to the next meeting. Looking forward to a beach visit and the opportunity to get together with kids. Take care. Donna

Meeting Reminder

Just a reminder that our next Parent Support meeting is coming up this Thursday evening, Juen 26, 7pm downstairs at Bean to Cup. It was sure great to see so many people at the last meeting. I'm looking forward to seeing you all on Thursday.

Host families wanted.

My friend in Kelowna asked me to post this on the Vernon site. Her email address is shandra3@telus.net if you are interested in some more information about hosting a child. Here is Shandra's message.

Jacob, the organizer of Korean homestays, has a 12yo boy coming for 12 weeks, July 9 to Sept. 20th I think, and is lookingfor a host family. He also has several short term, 4 weeks, students coming. Hosting families receive $1200/month, which includes 2 hours of"tutoring time" by mom, and they cover all the activity expenses of the child. The students have other independent work to do as well. We are really enjoying our student, Su Hwan. He is funny and enjoys playing games. I haven't found it difficult to fit in the 2 hours oftutoring...we fit it in throughout the day. So if you are interested and want more info, just drop me a note!Shandra

Snow White - Rhythmic Gymnastics

Camille Martens has graciously extended an invitation for the homeschoolers to take advantage of the special deal that she gives to school children. We are invited to go to her performance of Snow White Thursday morning for $5 each. Unfortunately, there was a glitch in the e-mail she sent me several days ago and I didn't get it until late last night. She needs to know our numbers by the end of today(Tuesday). So e-mail me directly if you would like to go agordon-smith@shaw.ca.

Here are the details:

We will need to know final numbers Tuesday.

You'll need to coordinate meeting together to enter 20 minutes before show time.

Hope that some of you can come! :)

With homeschoolers - the $5 flat rate applies to parents/supervisers as well.

Thanks,

Camille :)

--------------------------------------------------

To: Whom It May Concern

From: Camille Martens – Okanagan Rhythmic Gymnastics

Date: May 15, 2008

Re: Exciting Production at the Performing Arts Centre for Schools

I am writing you as Head Coach/Choreographer of the Okanagan Rhythmic Gymnastics Club to let you know of a Production of Snow White that we will be presenting at the Vernon and District Performing Arts Centre this June.

The show uses a dynamic fusion of drama, dance, music, gymnastics, acrobatics, rhythmic gymnastics and cirque-like storytelling to relay the captivating tale of Snow White, her wicked stepmother, the seven dwarves and the charming prince. The show has been creatively crafted to be especially dazzling and interesting for children.

It is a story that will captivate young and old alike and we believe that it will be a great opportunity for students to be exposed and inspired to an artistic/athletic endeavor. They will have the opportunity to see young performers, current national and international competitors and even past Olympians in this exciting 10 year anniversary show.

We are presenting a morning show (9:30am start) for students and staff on Thursday, June 19^th 2008. Seats are $5/person. The production is one hour and 45 minutes long including a brief intermission. Buses need to be there at least10-15 minutes before start times so we can accommodate seating and start/finish on time.

We are confident that adults and children of all ages will delight in this experience.

Sincerely,

Camille Martens

Beach tomorrow?

Anyone planning to go to the beach tomorrow?

Vernon Science Centre

I just thought I would post this excerpt from the OSC newsletter about a home educator's workshop. It looks interesting - I think we will attend.

SPRING HOME EDUCATOR’S WORKSHOP
A FREE workshop for homeschooling families in the Okanagan,

Tuesday, June 24, 2008; 10:00am – 12:00pm

Join OSC staff for a morning of science exploration, all about food! Your family will visit three different stations, each offering some hands-on food fun. Explore what the OSC has to offer
and network with other homeschooling families in the Okanagan.

Schedule:

Composting Who’s Who? (45 minute program)What do we find in the compost heap? What is the food web? Can you see life under the microscope?

Food Chemistry (45 minute program)Are the liquids we consume acids or bases? Does our food contain starch? Is there carbon dioxide in our breath?

Food for Health Gallery (30 minutes)Visit the farm, past and present; help an alien discover healthy meals; burn calories on the interactive bike; read,
interact, and discover information about food safety and security, agriculture, food packaging , labeling, and nutrition.

No pre-registration necessary - admission is free and on a first come, first served basis.
Space is limited.
This is a family program; adult supervision is required (no drop-offs)

Waterslide - June 27

Annette asked me to post this. She has arranged for us to be able to join the Kamloops homeschoolers on June 27th at Atlantis. Prices are:


$7.00 a child,
adults and children 13 and over are $9.00
to just sit in the hot tub for them is $7.00 and $4.00 to just sit in the park

Winfield Park Day

Hi All - It was great to see some of you today at Kal Beach. The weather co-operated perfectly. We really enjoyed ourselves.

I know I mentioned today that I was hoping to arrange a joint Vernon and Kelowna park day in Winfield on June 18th, but I was just reminded of another field trip that was scheduled for that day.

So, I would like to suggest that we meet at Jack Seaton Park on Wednesday June 25th at 1pm. I hope this works well for everyone and I look forward to seeing you then.

TV in moderation -- Kerry Trevelyan

Actually, no, this might be a good forum for a discussion, so I'll put Kerry's comments here:

Last night we talked a lot about NOT letting our kids watch TV, and all of the comments were completely valid. I kept thinking about how we could spin something negative, yet completely prevalent in our society, into something positive and useful. We watch TV in our house, even some of the mainstream shows, but the difference is, that I don't use the TV as a 'babysitter'--there is some value of watching programs together, as a family, and talking about things that are happening...making it into an active rather than passive experience. We need to teach our kids to deconstruct the advertising that they see in the media, because that is an invasive part of our culture...one that you can't avoid if you don't watch TV. Luckily my kids are still at the Treehouse stage, which doesn't have commercials trying to sell them things; but even then, I noticed the other day that McDonald's has cleverly inserted an 'active moment' which is a commercial in disguise. I liked Angela's comment about moderation, because really, we need to teach the kids about understanding the good, the bad, and the ugly about popular culture, and self regulate their own involvement in that. So, I say YES TV, in moderation, and as a group experience--I just wanted to add a point of view for the other side!

Kal Beach Tomorrow

It was decided at the meeting on Friday night that we will try meeting at a beach this week.

Tuesday (tomorrow) at Kal Beach

11-2pm

The way it's worked in the past is you show up when it's convenient for you. And we sort of count on someone being there between those hours, sometimes arriving earlier, sometimes staying later.

Now the forecast is for rain. Are you planning to go? Can you leave a comment whether or not you plan to go are so that others know what to expect?

Also, Karry asked me to post a comment of hers from the meeting regarding TV. I didn't know where to put it, but I'll put it in the comments here.