Help Oklahoma Homeschool Tornado Victims

A note from Oklahoma's state homeschool organization, OCHEC:

Dear Homeschool Friends,

The OCHEC Trustees extend our deepest sympathies to all those
affected by the storms in central Oklahoma this week. We are,
individually and corporately, committed to doing all we can to
help bear the burdens of our fellow Oklahomans, particularly
those who home school. We've received emails this week from far
and wide from folks looking for ways to bless and encourage
homeschool families devastated by the tornado. This email is to
communicate some ways your family or organization can reach out
to help if you're able.

To donate homeschool materials, visit Oklahoma Homeschool Tornado Victims Help. "Like" the page to be kept up to date on collection and
distribution efforts.

To donate money, visit OCHEC and click "Donate"
on the far right of the home page. Note "Tornado Relief" in the
comment box on the checkout page. All monies collected will be
paid directly to homeschooling families recovering from the
tornado.

In addition we covet your prayers for all those affected.

Feel free to share this information with those you know who are
looking for ways to help.

Yours in Christ,

The OCHEC Trustees
Oklahoma Christian Home Educators' Consociation

Creation Ministries International at IAHE Convention

The IAHE convention committee is excited to announce the Creation Ministries International's involvement at the Learning Express section of the Exhibit Hall. Shane Cessna will be giving two children's talks Friday at 10:15AM and 2:15PM and repeating these on Saturday. 

Topics are Noah's Flood: Feasible or Fairytale? and Dinosaurs: Explained by the Bible?. He will also be doing a talk for adults on Saturday at 11:15AM entitled Creation: Impacting Our Culture. 

Please check out Shane and CMI on their website and be sure to register to attend as this is included when you register for the convention.

Note: This is not a separate children's convention, so children need to be attended by a family member such as parent, sibling, or grandparent.

Enjoy this CMI short video clip:

Convention Celebration Week Door Prizes Winners

Thank you to everyone that participated in all of our fun festivities last week. We had a great time!

Here is a complete list of all of our door prize winner.


1. $50 IEW Gift Certificate - Sonia P.
2. IAHE Convention Family Registration - Melissa H.
3. $25 Rainbow Resource Center Gift Certificate - Chrissy R.
4. $25 Rainbow Resource Center Gift Certificate - Chris W.
5. (1) set of Teaching Textbook - Bethany B.
6. IEW's Poetry Memorization Set - Judith G.
7. The Mystery of History Audio Book - Danielle H.
8. Total Language Plus Focus Guide and Novel - Niki N.
9. Micro Business for Teens - Charity H.
10. Creation Museum Tickets - Paula S.
11. Heads Up! $25 Gift Certificate - Shawn K.
12. Character Package - Kimberly G.
13. A Solider's Story DVD - Hillary M.
14. Happy Land CD - Jennifer N.
15. 78, by Peter Heck - Amanda H.
16. Worldwide Guide to Homeschooling - Laura M.
17. Peace Within Your Borders -  Kay C.
18. Peace Within Your Borders -  Carri C.
19. John Calvin book - Jucinda W.
20. Doorposts Devotional for Moms - Shalynne A.

Winners will be contacted by the IAHE in the next couple of days with details.

Thanks again to each of our vendors for your generous support.

IAHE Mentioned in National Review Online Article

"What started in Indiana is not staying in Indiana." ~ National Review Online

Indiana Association of Home Educators (IAHE) was mentioned in this National Review Online article.   It explains the timeline and shows how much time and effort was put forth by two Hoosier moms to build the coalition across the state of Indiana to be successful in pausing Common Core implementation.  IAHE is pleased to have a part in this historic piece of education history!

Governor Pence signs HB1427 (Pause Common Core) into Law

IAHE Board members, Frank and Jackie Franks, and Debi Ketron were privileged to be invited to stand with Governor Pence as he signed HB1427 (Pause Common Core) into law.   They represented Indiana Association of Home Educators (IAHE) and all of you who helped push this bill through the legislative process against all odds.  You picked up the phone and made many calls, sent emails, and came to the Statehouse for Rallies and hearings.  The IAHE Board had presented a letter to the Governor's office in March which you may read here.  By the grace of God, we won this first round.  

The fight is not over to rid Indiana of Common Core which undermines school choice such as home education.   There will be meetings to attend in each Congressional district.   The stakes are high as the matter of who controls education in Indiana is the prize.   Will it be Hoosiers or the federal government and private special interests?  Be watching for additional information as it is available.

Be sure to read the press release below the picture.

                                                                             

For Immediate Release

May 11, 2013

GOVERNOR PENCE SIGNS COMMON CORE REVIEW, PUTS FOCUS ON STUDENTS

INDIANAPOLIS— Governor Pence signed today education bill HEA 1427, which requires a comprehensive review of the Common Core State Standards.

“I have long believed that education is a state and local function and we must always work to ensure that our students are being taught to the highest academic standards and that our curriculum is developed by Hoosiers, for Hoosiers,” said Pence. “The legislation I sign today hits the pause button on Common Core so Hoosiers can thoroughly evaluate which standards will best serve the interests of our kids. “

HEA 1427 requires the Department of Education to provide a written evaluation of the Common Core by July 1, 2013.  It establishes a legislative study committee to explore issues related to academic standards.  It also calls for the Office of Management and Budget to assess the fiscal impact of implementing Common Core or an alternative set of academic standards.  The State Board of Education must make a final decision on Indiana’s academic standards before July 1, 2014.

“I am grateful for the work of the General Assembly and for continuing to put students first by advancing this important legislation,” said Pence.

Representative Rhonda Rhoads (R) authored the bill and Representative Robert Behning (R) co-authored the bill.  Senators Dennis Kruse (R) and Scott Schneider (R) sponsored the legislation.  Senators Jim Banks (R) and Lonnie Randolph (D) were the co-sponsors.

Hoosiers can learn more about the bills signed by the Governor at: http://www.in.gov/gov/billwatch.htm.

Thanks,

Chris Crabtree

External Operations

Governor Mike Pence

IAHE Convention "Bring - a - Friend Cash Rebate"

Convention News to Save or Make You Money and Bless Friends!

Pre-registration extended until midnight Wednesday 5/15. 

Did you hear the news?

Announcing  “Bring - a - Friend Cash Rebate”. Any person registered for the convention can now sponsor attendees and receive a check for their efforts. You can keep it, share it, or give it back to the new registered attendee(s). Here is how it works: Sponsor an Individual and you receive $20, a couple and receive $30, or a family and receive $40. No limit to the number you can sponsor. Have the person(s) you sponsor pre-register as usual. There is now a sponsor fill in box. Have the registrant put in your full name and address and you will get the check. Contact that person(s) and bless them,  yourself, or have some fun and be creative with your cash rebate.

 

Note: "Bring - a - Friend Cash Rebate” starts midnight 5/11 and ends midnight 5/15 (Pre-registration end date).

We had a great time!

Did you join us last night for our Facebook party?

We had a lot of fun chatting with our fellow homeschoolers, talking about curriculum and the convention. It's also a lot of fun to give away door prizes!

Remember, all this fun is to celebrate the 2013 IAHE Home Educators' Convention. Online registration ends this Saturday, May 11.

Here is a list of winners so far:
1. $50 IEW Gift Certificate - Sonia P.
2. IAHE Convention Family Registration - Melissa H.
3. $25 Rainbow Resource Center Gift Certificate - Chrissy R.
4. $25 Rainbow Resource Center Gift Certificate - Chris W.
5. (1) set of Teaching Textbook - Bethany B.

Congratulations to each of the winners!

There are still more door prizes to giveaway. Have you seen all the wonderful things you can win? We still have prizes from Doorposts, Institute for Excellence in Writing, Peter Heck and The Mystery of History.

Be sure to visit our blog for more details.