The CHENL Channel

Conference Summary

2011-07-04T10:36:00.000-02:30

Thank you to all those that attended our Conference on the Rock 2011. Those of you that didn't make it missed a great time.

Donna Ward was an inspiring speaker. She shared sessions on the importance of loving your child, making geography and history come alive through using great resources and techniques, and the importance of including good books not only for learning but also for enjoyment. She also had an excellent display of many wonderful resources on her Northwoods Press vendors tables.

Doug Ward, Donna's husband, gave an update on HSLDA and discussed the importance of joining HSLDA for your own peace of mind and also to support others who homeschool to help promote homeschooling as a viable option.

Calvin Smith convincingly made the case for the importance of Genesis and the origins of life. He showed how everyone comes to conclusions on these matters by using the same facts, but their interpretation of the facts is what makes the difference. Calvin had a great display of books and videos available through Creation Ministries International.

Alfred MacLaren presented the rationale behind the A.C.E. (Accelerated Christian Education) program and how the program works. He was available at his table for discussion throughout the conference.

Stephanie Jackson returned with a table of Math-U-See material and was avaiable for discussion and consultation throughout the conference.

Rod and Staff once again brought their big beautiful display of resources and representatives were also avaiable for discussion and consultation throughout the conference.

As recommended by attendees at last years conference, lots of time was built into the schedule for people to browse the vendor tables and to talk with one another. This is always a favourite part of conference.

Children ages 3-11 enjoyed their time playing in a supervised play room during the conference and the teens took advantage of the youth room and also took in a special session with Calvin Smith.

The conference closed with a passing of leadership for CHENL. Lorne Robinson explained that he and his wife, Cathy, were stepping down from leadership in CHENL as their youngest child has now graduated and they would no longer be actively homeschooling but they would continue to support the homeschooling community in anyway they can. Lorne introduced Dean Stairs as the new chair for CHENL. Dean is a homeschooling dad of a large family. While not a native Newfoundlander he fell in love with the place when stationed here during a term with the armed forces and decided to make Newfoundland his home. He has a great vision for the future of CHENL. Be watching for an explanation of his vision soon.

Conference on the Rock 2011 Schedule

2011-06-16T15:09:00.000-02:30

Schedule

FRIDAY

7-7:15 Welcome & Intros

7:15-8:00 Donna Ward – How to Really Love Your Child

8:00 - 9:00 Calvin Smith – Genesis: The Missing Piece of the Puzzle

9:00 - 9:40 Meet & Greet / Vendors

SATURDAY

8:45-9:10 Coffee & Muffins

9:10-9:30 Devotions - Lorne

9:30-10:30 Donna Ward - Jumpin' Geography

10:30-11:00 Break / vendors

11-11:20 Doug Ward - HSLDA update

11:20-12:20 Calvin Smith Intelligent Design: Critical Thinking Concerning the Question of Origins

OR Pam Hynes - "Homeschooling 101"

12:20 - 1:20 Lunch

1:30-2:30 Donna Ward - Soar with Canadian History

Youth Session with Calvin Smith – Living in the “Real” World

2:30- 3:00 Alfred MacLaren - The Individualized Path To Success

3:00 -3:30 Break / Vendors

3:30-3:50: Donna Ward - Books that Change Us

3:50 - 4:30 CHENL Update

4:30 - 5:00 Door Prizes/Closing

Register online for Conference on the Rock 2011!

2011-06-04T16:25:00.001-02:30

Check out the

CHENL website

for all the information

and to pre-register

and if you like even prepay online.

There will be a draw for a prize

from all those that pre-register and prepay.

Hope to see you all there!

Next month! Conference on the Rock 2011!

2011-05-10T14:36:00.001-02:30

CHENL's Conference on the Rock 2011

Date - June 17-18

Spruce Hills Community Church,

1496 Topsail Rd.

Paradise, NL

Key Note Speaker

Donna Ward, Northwoods Press

Stay tuned for registration information and schedule

Federal Election Learning Opportunities

2011-03-29T14:01:00.000-02:30

We are gearing up for the 41st General Election in Canada. This presents us with a great opportunity to teach our children about elections and government. One resource that can help with that is StudentVote.ca. Some quotes from their website:

Student Vote is a non-profit, non-partisan organization that aims to build the capacity and commitment of young Canadians to participate in their democracy.
Student Vote’s flagship program is a parallel election for students under the voting age, coinciding with official election periods. The program combines in-class learning, family dialogue, media consumption and an authentic voting experience. The purpose is to provide young Canadians with an opportunity to experience the democratic process firsthand and practice the habits of informed and engaged citizenship.

The great thing is this program is homeschool friendly. Homeschool families can register individually or in groups. To register initially call 1-866-488-8775 to be entered into their database. Be prepared to give a name for your group, a mailing address, a team leader name, email address and phone number, your electoral district, and the number of ballots you will need for your students. Once you are in the database you can register online for future programs.

Newfoundland Homeschoolers be sure you are counted

2011-03-12T09:45:00.000-03:30

Homeschool Horizons is having a fun challenge to see which is the top homeschooling province in Canada. Really, it is not an actual account of homeschoolers in each province, just an account of how many homeschoolers in each province have filled in the Homeschool Horizons Survey, but it's still fun. Along with giving you a chance to have Newfoundland and Labrador more accurately represented in numbers, the survey also gives you a chance to help ensure that Homeschool Horizons will meet the needs of homeschoolers across Canada. They post updates of the results each week on their facebook page. Why not join in the fun and make sure that you are counted?

Feb 21st cut off date to pre-order planners through CHENL

2011-02-17T22:29:00.000-03:30

Last chance to place a pre-order for the Well Planned Day Planners and get to take advantage of the great early bird discount price. We have enough interest and will be placing an order. The planners ordered will be available for pick up at the conference. You have until Feb 21st to fill in the form and let us know if you what one, or more. You may still order planners after this date but you will not get the same great discount.

Check out the CHENLforum, or leave a comment here, if you want more details. Fill in the form here - https://spreadsheets.google.com/viewform?formkey=dEk4Y0VNeWpOWXRUV0hlYWttNlhWMEE6MQ.

Homeschool Horizons, Canadian Homeschool Magazine, Launches website

2011-02-16T16:37:00.000-03:30

The website launched February 10, 2011 and the magazine is planning for a first print edition in September 2011.

From their website: "Homeschool Horizons is a soon-to-launch homeschool encouragement magazine dedicated to Canadian homeschoolers...Homeschool Horizons HQ is in Ontario, but our team spans this beautiful country we call Canada."

Check it out by clicking on the magazine logo above. Read the explanation of the Homeschool Horizons logo, check out the Homeschool Horizons We Care page to read about a wonderful plan, send a link to your blog so that you can be added to the Homeschool Horizons' list of Canadian bloggers.

Also, take a minute to fill in the Homeschool Horizons survey to have a say in what the magazine becomes. On the Homeschool Horizons facebook page they have issued a challenge to see which is the top homeschool province in Canada, based on the number of responses they get to their survey. Let's make sure that our province is well represented in the results.

Before you leave the magazine's website, don't forgot to sign up to be notified of updates. Pass the word. Here's a chance for homeschoolers across Canadian to connect and support one another.

Day Planners for the 2011-2012 school year

2011-02-10T10:55:00.000-03:30

Check out the CHENLforum, or leave a comment here, if you want more details. Fill in the form here - https://spreadsheets.google.com/viewform?formkey=dEk4Y0VNeWpOWXRUV0hlYWttNlhWMEE6MQ.

2010-10-05T10:50:00.001-02:30

CHENL's Conference on the Rock 2011

Date - June 17-18

Spruce Hills Community Church,

1496 Topsail Rd.

Paradise, NL

Key Note Speaker

Donna Ward, Northwoods Press

Stay tuned for registration and vendor information

Plans are Underway for Conference 2011!

2010-09-30T19:00:00.002-02:30

Stay tuned for more information.

Directions to Facilities for Conference on the Rock 2010

2010-05-12T22:55:00.000-02:30

Conference on the Rock 2010 is being held in the Pentecostal Church at 55 Elizabeth Drive, Gander, Newfoundland. If you need to directions to the facilities go to this map and you can type in your place of departure and click on "Get Directions" and you will be given clear directions right to the facilities.

See you there!

Conference on the Rock 2010 Schedule

2010-05-10T18:50:00.002-02:30

CONFERENCE ON THE ROCK 2010

Schedule

FRIDAY MAY 14

6:00 – 7:00 Registration

7:00 – 7:30 Chairman’s Welcome/Devotional

Introduction of Speakers

7:30 – 7:55 Stephanie Jackson’s H/S Journey

7:55 – 8:45 Ray and Lois Strom’s

Homeschooling: A Unique Journey

8:45 – 9:30 Meet/Greet/Vendor table viewing

SATURDAY MAY 15

8:30 – 9:00 Doors open. Coffee/Muffins

9:00 – 9:15 Devotional

9:15 – 10:00 Lois Strom: “Getting Started”

10:00 – 10:45 Ray Strom: “Teaching Creation Science”

10:45 – 11:00 BREAK

11:00 – 11:45 Stephanie Jackson: “Teaching Multi-Grades/Scheduling”

11:45 – 12:00 CHENL/HSLDA promotion and Door Prize Draws

12:00 – 1:30 LUNCH

1:30 – 2:15 Ray Strom: “Preparing Your Grads for the Workforce”

2:15 – 3:00 Lois Strom: Understanding Your Child’s Motivational Giftings

3:00 – 3:15 BREAK

3:15 – 4:00 The Stroms: Heart to Heart: Looking Back to Improve the Future

4:00 – 4:45 Question and Answer with Ray and Lois Strom

4:45 – 5:00 Closing Remarks/Thank Yous/Door Prizes

Hope to see you there!

Special Early Bird Prize Draws!

2010-04-10T19:58:00.000-02:30

There will be special prize draws for:

people who register early for the conference;

people who renew CHENL membership before the conference;

and for new members who join before/during the conference.

So get your registration in early and send in your CHENL membership fees ASAP to qualify for the special prize draws. We have some amazing prizes that have been donated!

Conference on the Rock Registration and General Registration Forms

2010-04-05T23:40:00.001-02:30

Below are links to both the Conference on the Rock 2010 Registration Form and the CHENL Membership form. Clicking on the links will bring up the forms for viewing. You may then download and print, fill out, and send to the address provided on the form. If you experience any trouble please let us know.

Conference on the Rock 2010 Registration Form

CHENL Membership Forum

Businesses and Organizations Supporting Conference on the Rock 2010

2010-03-30T17:10:00.016-02:30

The following businesses/organizations have agreed to support our conference 2010 by sending information/catalogues/brochures. Most are also sending sample materials and/or door prizes! This list will be updated as necessary.

Religious Book and Bible Store
Scientist of the Day
Creation Ministries International
Creation Magazine
Donna Ward's Northwoods Press
Apologia
Home Educating Family
Today I Ate a Rainbow
Tree of Life
Canadian Home Education Resources
The Bible League of Canada
Peppermint Stick Learning Company
Blossoming Minds
Abeka
A+ Books Canada
Christian Youth Worldview and Leadership (CYWAL)
Traditional Treasures
Math-U-See
Homeschool and More
Peace Hill Press (The Well Trained Mind)
Tyndale
The Creation Ministries of Ian Juby
Pearson Canada
Usborne Books at Home consultant Lori Greene
Voice of the Marytrs
The Learning House
Kids Can Press
Excellent Resources
Webster's Academy
CanadiAnimals
Alpha Omega Publications
Focus on the Family
Breakthroughs in Learning

Marion Brake (author of A Horse Named Lady plus other books)
Green Bay Digitals

Home Educating Family

CHENL Conference on the Rock 2010

2010-03-24T20:50:00.001-02:30

Plans are well under way for the 8th Annual "Conference on the Rock". This is a great time for homeschoolers across the province to come together for encouragement and fellowship and for those that are curious about homeschooling to come and find out what it's all about. We are still working out some of the details but here are the basics that have been already settled:

The date is May 14-15

The place is Evangel Pentecostal Tabernacle, Gander, NL

Speakers: Ray and Lois Strom - Alberta Home Educators Association

Stephanie Jackson - Atlantic Canada Rep. for Math-U-See

Keep watching here for more information as it becomes available.

Paul Faris, HSLDA Canada, Traveled Across Newfoundland October 19-23, 2009

2009-12-08T18:34:00.000-03:30

Thanks to the joint efforts of CHENL and HSLDA Canada, Paul Faris, of HSLDA Canada, and CHENL board member Pam Hynes traveled across Newfoundland during October 19-23. The purpose of the trip was twofold: 1) to meet with school board officials to help them better understand homeschooling and to discuss the homeschool policies; and 2) to meet with homeschoolers and help them to better understand their rights and responsibilities.

Paul, himself a homeschool graduate, joined HSLDA as legal counsel in 2003 and became executive director in 2005. Since joining HSLDA, Paul has been serving and defending homeschooling families across Canada in the courtroom, in Parliament and provincial legislatures, and in the media. Paul lives in London, Ontario.

Pam has been homeschooling for 17 years and has helped establish the foundation of homeschooling in our province. She is familiar with meeting school board officials and was with Paul in his meetings with the Western and Eastern District Boards. Unfortunately a meeting with the Central School District officials was not possible at this time.

Monday afternoon, October 19th, Lorne Robinson, Chair of CHENL and his wife, Cathy joined Paul and Pam for a very successful meeting with officials from the Western District School Board. The result of the meeting was that the cumbersome paperwork once required by the board was pared down to just two things - a letter of intent to homeschool and a report card.

Cathy offered the following report of the meeting with the board and the meeting with homeschoolers in the area:

"Mr. Thompson spoke about the board's duty to follow provincial government regulations and stressed the need that families register with their respective boards. Mr. May pointed out that they have approved 22 families to homeschool and said it was their to duty to ensure that children being homeschooled in their district are indeed being satisfactorily educated. Paul Faris brought up the fact that most of our children do not use the prescribed provincial curriculum and that the list of "approved" curriculum by the board only touches the surface of what is available. This creates a problem when the homeschooled parents are asked to have their children complete the province's Criterion Reference Testing (CRT's) in Grades 3, 6 and 9. Near the end of the meeting, Mr. May assured us that our children would not be required to complete this testing if indeed, they were not doing the provincial curriculum. Also, they were very open to having CHENL provide them with any pertinent homeschooling information about our association and offered to include our brochure in their Homeschool Packets which are sent out in the fall. Paul provided both Mr. Thompson and Mr. May with information and studies that have been completed on homeschooled students. Paul felt that a good relationship has been established with the Western Board.

On the evening of October 19th, we had a meeting in Corner Brook with about a dozen Western district homeschoolers. Paul did a Power Point presentation on basic areas of concern: socialization, legalities, post secondary education."

Tuesday, October 20th, Paul, Pam, and Cathy traveled to Springdale where they had a meeting with local homeschoolers that evening. Paul once again did a Power Point Presentation and the presentation was followed by a hearty discussion amongst all attenders.

Wednesday, October 21st, Paul and Pam traveled to Gander for a meeting with homeschoolers in that area. Joanne, an attendee, offered this report of the evening:

"The Home School Legal Defense Association held an informative meeting in Gander during the month of October, opened to those who are currently homeschooling but also for those who are thinking of it or have concerns about it. Paul Faris made a precise presentation to encourage and support homeschoolers and answer questions for those who are beginning or considering it. His presentation was based upon four key concerns people have about homeschooling. He dispelled the myth that homeschool children are not socialized and will not adapt well to society. Rather they are more adept at communicating to a wide array of people of different ages and backgrounds. Secondly, Mr. Faris discussed the qualification that parents have in teaching their own children. Homeschooling is not about simply knowing information but it is about guiding and advising children to find it, thus eventually instilling the self motivation to search for and acquire knowledge independently. Thirdly Mr. Faris affirmed that homeschooled children are statistically known for their high academics and are commonly accepted into universities and colleges and integrate into society as strong contributors. The last key concern Mr. Faris spoke of quite passionately was the legal standing of homeschooling, concluding that YES homeschooling is perfectly legal under the Constitution, but that homeschoolers should be in contact with the Home School Legal Defense Association to promote understanding between homeschoolers and school boards. Ultimately the HSLDA is there to empower those parents and guardians who are homeschooling, and to educate them about their rights, thus giving them confidence to continue to homeschool. This meeting declared the many advantages of homeschooling such as: building a strong foundation for our children, passing along our faith to continue a strong legacy in Christ, and binding those special relationships between parent and child while preparing them to go out and serve within their strengths and be strengthened by their failings. Thank you HSLDA for your support and encouragement!"

Another attendee, Shauna, offered these comments:

"It was so good to have Paul Farris make a visit to the Gander area. There were about 12 people that came to the meeting and 3 or four of those included potential home educators. Paul was great at explaining the legal side of things for us. As a graduate of home schooling himself - we saw first hand the benefits of a home educated child who is now in the adult world. I think some of those who were interested in home schooling were happy to see that there were home educators there whose children had already graduated from a home education and had gone on to university. Thanks to HSLDA and CHENL for arranging this mini-conference."

And Sarah, yet another attendee, offered these comments:

"I was glad both my husband and I could attend this meeting in Gander. It was very informative, encouraging, and helpful. Paul was a great speaker and you could tell he had a passion for homeschooling. It was great to have the "legal side" of some of the issues explained to us. I came away from the meeting with a little more confidence to keep doing what I'm doing!"

Thursday, October 22nd, there was a meeting held with officials of the Eastern District School Board. According to attendees most of discussion was about following provincial curriculum, which really means meeting the outcomes of the curriculum, and many different resources may be used to do that. The books you use are actually resources. The outcome of the meeting was that CHENL has decided to work on a province-wide notification form and Paul suggested sticking to one page evaluations. Pam can help anyone that might need help with that. There was also a meeting held with homeschoolers in the area that evening.

The feedback regarding this tour across our province has all been quite positive. The CHENL board is very appreciative of the fact that HSLDA is putting a strong effort into helping our provincial association build healthy relationships and a strong foundation for present and future homeschooling families in NL.

Welcome to the CHENL Channel!

2009-10-29T21:00:00.001-02:30

Welcome to the official blog of CHENL (Christian Home Educators of Newfoundland and Labrador). The purpose of this blog is to have a place to keep you informed and up-to-date about home education matters, especially CHENL happenings.

Christian Home Educators of Newfoundland and Labrador (CHENL) is a provincial, volunteer organization that seeks to connect, support and equip all home educators in our province. We assist in creating a positive social and political environment for all those who choose home based education. Please take the time to visit CHENL's official website to learn more about our organization.

We welcome your input through comments on our posts. Comments are on moderation and have to be approved before they will appear on the blog.

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