Stanford Testing at EE–Registration Open

Extraordinary Education will again be hosting standardized testing for those families who choose to test. Stanford Testing at EE is open to all area homeschoolers. See below for costs and co-op expectations.

STANFORD Achievement Test (SAT)
MAY 14, 15 & 16 (TUES, WED, THUR)
Daily test period: 9:00 am-noon
(Exact times will vary by day & grade level.)

Please take some time to look over information about the test before registering. Basic testing information can be found on the BJU Press website: http://www.bjupress.com/testing/stanford.php

The Stanford Test will be ordered by families individually and administered as a group at the EE campus. The test results will be delivered directly to each family privately. Stacy Shelton is coordinating Stanford testing at EE this year.

Please register for the Stanford Test at the link below:
http://www.eventbrite.com/event/5492123088
NOTE: Tests will be ordered by parents in April. This portion of registration is for space and personnel planning only.

COSTS

• There is no Facility Fee for current EE students to take the Stanford test.
• There is a Facility Fee of $10 per student for non-members to help cover utilities, paper goods and other expenses. Priority will be given to current EE students if space becomes an issue.
• This test is being offered as a "co-op" activity. This means that the test administrators are NOT paid for their time and all testing families are expected to volunteer.
• In order to provide this opportunity for our students we need parents to serve as testers and also fill other volunteer jobs. Please indicate your volunteer preferences when you complete the registration form. (Note: To be a tester you must have a college degree in any field and register with BJU as a tester. They also have a short video to watch that EE can provide.)

A separate email will be sent out to registered families with further information about the Stanford Test procedures and how to order the test for your child/children.

THE DEADLINE TO REGISTER IS MARCH 31.
Tests will be ordered in April.
(Please do not order any tests until you receive instructions!)

It is important to point out that standardized testing is NOT required in Texas. We offer testing to families as a way to help parents assess their child's progress and assist them in making curriculum and course choices.

It is also important to note that the "SAT" test we will be administering is NOT the same "SAT" test that students take for college entrance. That test is administered by the College Board, and it is only for high school students who are preparing for college entrance.

Please contact Extraordinary Education by email with any questions you may have about SAT testing. (extraed@att.net)

-- Elise Eaton
Director, Extraordinary Education
www.extraed.net

HCYA Gala Dinner and Dance

Here is another homeschool “prom” event. It is open to all homeschoolers ages 16-up. This one is in the Cypress area.

The HCYA Gala Dinner and Dance is fast approaching on Thursday, April11th. The event is open to all homeschoolers age 16 and older. After March 10th, sales are open to any high school
homeschooler and their invited guests. (HCYA stands for Homeschool Christian Youth Association)

HCYA GALA DINNER & DANCE
Date: April 11, 2013
Time: 7:00 – 11:00p.m.
Place: Northwest Forest Conference Center, Settlement House.
12715 Telge Road, Cypress, TX

For maps, please Mapquest the address. Please plan to arrive BEFORE 7:00p.m. There will be some nice settings for photographs before dinner.
Dinner will be served at 7:15 p.m. Dancing and door prizes will follow dinner. The Gala is over at 11:00 p.m. For security purposes, no one will be allowed to leave early.

TICKETS
Ticket cost: $67 per person until March 22nd when the price goes up to $77
Each 2013 HCYA graduate may purchase up to 4 tickets, until March 11th.
March 11th ticket sales will be open to others outside HCYA graduates.
March 22nd ticket price goes up to $77
April 5th is the last day to purchase tickets (I must have all money
that day). All money for tickets must be received for the ticket to be considered purchased.

To purchase tickets--- (or, to donate funds toward purchasing gift
cards for the door prizes – put a note enclosed that the check or gift card is for door prizes – a tax exempt letter will be sent to you)
1. Mail a check for the total amount to:
Graduation Gala
c/o Jeannie Tate
12954 Westleigh
Houston, TX 77077
Make check payable to: HCYA (with Gala in the “memo” line)
2. Include a stamped self-addressed envelope to mail your
tickets to you
3. You MUST have your ticket at the Gala. We use it’s number to award door prizes.
4. ***Checks received after April 5th will be returned.

I will accept ticket purchases early for those not graduating in 2013 with HCYA, but I will not mail the tickets until after the March 10th 2013 graduate deadline, and your check will not be cashed until after March 10th as well.

EMAIL any questions regarding Gala to: gala@hcya.org

HCYA GALA GUIDELINES

The Graduation Committee asks that each prospective participant read and seriously consider the following questions and guidelines when choosing whether to attend the GALA and in deciding whether to wear either Semi-Formal or Formal Dress. Please be sure to give these guidelines to your guests.

1.) Will my choice of attire add to or detract from my witness and
testimony as a Christian?
2.) Will my choice of attire honor GOD in all respects?
3.) Will my participation in the Gala create a memory for others and myself that I am willing to live with and positively reflect upon for the rest of my life?

There can be considerable difficulty in obtaining stylish and, yet,
modest attire in today’s world. This is especially true for young ladies’ formal dresses. The “fashion” styles of the world for both young men and young ladies have seriously departed from the traditional customs of semi-formal and formal style of the past when they generally reflected Christian values. Therefore the Graduation Committee offers the following:

GUIDELINES FOR SEMI-FORMAL or FORMAL ATTIRE

GENTLEMEN
Semi-formal means the wearing of a suit or sport coat and slacks with a dress shirt, tie, socks and dress shoes.
Formal means the wearing of a tuxedo with all standard accessories included.

LADIES
Dresses can be semi-formal or formal.

Dresses should not have cutouts, see-through panels, be backless,
or have a bare midriff. All dresses must have straps and not have
slits higher than two inches above the top of the knee. One should be able to sit down in the dress in a very modest manner, so no dress length should be shorter than two inches above the top of the knee. (Please, no mid-thigh length dresses….remember - modesty).

These guidelines are applicable to graduates and all other guests
attending the GALA. If you invite guests, be sure to pass on this information to everyone you invite.

We have, in the past, had girls in very unacceptable, seductive
dresses, and guys dressed for a casual night out. We hope these guidelines help you to plan your dress appropriately for this event. Our desire is to host a fun and memorable event for all who attend.

ADDITIONAL INFO

We also have a Facebook page that you can let your friends know about as well. On Facebook you can find the gala information under the name "HCYA Annual Gala Dinner and Dance."
We would appreciate it if you could "like" the event and help get the word out to others through the social media.

Please remember that any guests brought, they do not have to be
homeschoolers, but must agree to adhere to our guidelines as attached and the following:

1. You cannot leave before eleven.
2. The deadline for purchase of tickets is firm.
3. Your guests may be non-homeschoolers.
4. This is a well-chaperoned event.
5. Any music you wish to bring to dance to MUST have the printed
lyrics and be approved by the DJ who has a extensive collection. He will ask you what type of dancing you would like before the dance begins- please answer, so that he knows what you want.
6. A professional photographer will be available for photos at a cost.
I will do my best to include the flier with any purchased tickets.

Lone Star College has a service to high school young ladies that have a true financial need to assist them in obtaining prom dresses and accessories. If you have a true financial need, or you would like to donate lightly used prom / semi-prom dresses or accessories, please see this attached link for the information. http://www.lonestar.edu/library/15129.htm

We hope to see you April 11th. Communications should come to me through gala@hcya.org.

Jeannie Tate
For the entire HCYA Graduation Committee

5th Annual Homeschool Track & Field State Championships

You do not have to be on a team to participate in this track and field event for homeschooled students ages 10-18. Just follow the instructions for UNATTACHED ATHLETES to register.

THE 5th ANNUAL TEXAS STATE HOMESCHOOL TRACK & FIELD CHAMPIONSHIPS
APRIL 20, 2013

Registration is open starting February 1, 2013. Additional information will be posted to at the link below as it becomes available.

https://texashomeschooltrack.somethingon.com/

New Homeschool? Join New Bee Homeschooler!

The group mentioned in this message is not connected with Extraordinary Education, but their programs may be very helpful to our new homeschooling families.

New Bee Homeschooler was founded out of a desire to mentor new homeschool parents. We remember the struggles, worries and questions we had when we first started homeschooling many years ago. We felt the need to share our journey with new homeschoolers and thus New Bee Homeschooler was formed.

Feb. Topic: " From Dr. Seuss to 7th Grade "

How do I educate my toddlers and preschoolers and still keep my sanity? When, how and what do I teach my child in each grade? What does multi-level teaching mean? After this workshop, you will walk away with a plan for teaching Pre-K to 7th grade.

Physical Locations:

South Houston
Group meets Saturday morning, February 16, 2013 at HEP Book Store, 11665 Fuqua, STE A-100 Houston, Texas 77304, from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. No kids but nursing babies and dads welcomed. Your first workshop with us is free. Please be on time because we start on time. RSVP newbeehomeschooler@ yahoo. com so we can set out an extra chair or two for you.

The Woodlands
Group meets Monday night, February 18, 2013 at the South County Community Center Room 109, 2235 Lake Robbins Drive The Woodlands, Texas 77380, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. No kids but nursing babies and dads welcomed. Your first workshop with us is free. Please be on time because we start on time. RSVP newbeehomeschooler@ yahoo. com so we can set out an extra chair or two for you.

You can read about joining our program here.
http://www.newbeehomeschooler.com/membership-options

Your 1st meeting to a physical location is FREE.
You don't live near a physical location? Read on.

Web Workshops
IF you do not live near any locations or cannot physically get to a location, you can still "attend" our program through viewing it on your computer on Monday February 18. All you need is a high speed internet connection. Email us at newbeehomeschooler @ yahoo.com to RSVP for the link.

Your 1st web workshop is FREE and it is "Here We Go".
http://www.newbeehomeschooler.com/apps/videos/

::- Kelley Williams -::
-:-Tina Robertson-:-
New Bee Homeschooler?
http://www.newbeehomeschooler.com/

Valentines Party

Save the date! 
The EE Valentines Party will take place on Friday, February 15th from 10:00-noon.
More details will be coming soon!

Students will also be creating “mail bags” to put on their lockers or in the Library in order to give and receive Valentine cards and treats.

If you are sending Valentines, please send enough cards for all of your child’s classmates. You do not need to send cards for every child at EE, nor is it required to send cards at all. For those students who do bring cards, we ask that they include all of the students in their classes and not single anyone out to not receive cards. Some students get hurt feelings when they only receive a few cards, and that is not what we want to promote.

When sending Valentines, it is requested to simply sign the name of the sender on the card itself. Do not sign the “to” section of the card. This will make it much simpler to pass out cards. It will also avoid any potential embarrassment due to leaving someone out.

Backyard Snakes Presentation by Herpetologist

The Woodlands Township presents some excellent educational workshops at no cost. Learn about snakes you might see on the EE property – or in your own backyard.

Walk in the Woods Nature Lecture Series
Identifying Backyard Snakes
Presented by Herpetologist, Mike Howlett
Thursday, February 7, 2013 @ 7:00 p.m.
Nancy Bock Auditorium
McCullough Junior High, 3800 S. Panther Creek Dr.

Venomous snake or harmless species? You need to know!
Learn quick tips to distinguish venomous snakes from harmless ones.  Mr. Howlett dispels the myths and reveals the vital role that snakes play in the ecosystem.  Featuring live contained specimens, this free, family-friendly program will interest your whole family! 

For more information, please visit the Walk in the Woods page on  The Woodlands Township website or call 281-210-3800.

The Rock - 2/22 Neon Party

The Rock Teen Entertainment would like to invite you to their Neon Party on February 22, 6pm – 11pm. Wear your neon!! We’re going all out with the black lights and were gonna make you SHINE!

The Rock events take place at the Oklahoma Community Center which is only two blocks from Extraordinary Education – just at the other end of Carraway Lane! Additional information can be found at www.TheRock4Teens.com or on their Facebook site TheRockTeenEntertainment.

The Rock an organization run by my a local homeschool family as a fun, safe environment for Christian teens to hang out, dance, play games, and just have fun. It is dedicated to providing a safe, fun environment for teens who want to hang out with like-minded kids and not be bombarded with the morally depraved atmosphere so common at popular teen hangouts. 

Entrance fee is $7 with a $20 family maximum.
Kids 5 and under and Parents get in FREE!

If your teen would like to volunteer to work a 2 hour shift in lieu of entry fee, contact Jessie at missmarvelle@gmail.com. Positions are available for set-up, tear-down, cashier, and kitchen help. Volunteers also get fed!

BEST Robotics Event for Youth & Parents 2/9

The Woodlands Homeschoolers BEST Robotics team will hold its first event of the year on Saturday February 9th, 2013 from 9:00 am until noon in the Pond Lilly Room and the Barn at Extraordinary Education (EE).
If you have a daughter or son in the 8th to 12th grade who is interested in learning more about our team, please join us at this event.

Our team engages in six kinds of activities that interest a wide diversity of youth and parents. These activities are:

1. Reaching out to our local community and making friends with schools, organizations and businesses.
2. Making presentations to schools, organizations, businesses and tournament judges regarding our team and our team robot.
3. Designing and constructing creative, attractive and informative displays, business cards, and brochures regarding our team and team robot.
4. Creating a team notebook that captures a variety of information regarding our team and team robot.
5. Designing a variety of fun and creative decorative banners, posters, noise makers and leading our team in cheers during tournament competition.
6. Designing, constructing and piloting a creative and capable team robot to compete in tournaments.

If your daughter or son is interested in participating in one or more of these six activities, join us on Feb, 9th at EE from 9:00 am until 12:00 noon. Two concurrent events will take place - a fun and challenging workshop for the youth and an informative meeting for the parents as described below.

Building Robotic Arms & Actuators (for youth)

9:00 am – 9:30 am: Start in the Pond Lilly room at EE for a show and tell of an arm and gripper (non-powered) built by Mr. Bill Lane, team mentor and founder.

9:30 am – 10:00 am: Move to the Barn at EE to set up for the hands on construction activities.

10:00 am – 12 noon: Hands on construction techniques to replicate the arm, modifications to make the arm perform differently, preparations for mounting the arm on a chassis, preparations for powering the arm. Decide on action items to continue development of a demo/test robot.

Mr. Bill Lane will lead participants in learning valuable skills for designing and constructing vital  robot components. You won't want to miss this fun and valuable workshop.

Informational Meeting (for parents)

9:00 am – 12 noon: While the youth are participating in the workshop described above, parents will meet in the EE Library to learn about The Woodlands Homeschoolers team and our plans for the 2013 season.

Please let us know if you and your daughter or son will join us for the youth workshop and parents meeting on Feb 9th from 9 am - noon at EE by sending Peter Han, the team adviser, an email at: thewoodlandsvc8@gmail.com.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Peter Han at the email address of  thewoodlandsvc8@gmail.com or call him at 936-647-3070. Please visit the team website thewoodlandshomeschoolers.com for more information.

Thanks,
Peter Han

EE Mock Trial Team Wins Region VI for Second Year in a Row!

The Extraordinary Education “EXCEED Academy” team took 1st Place at the Region 6 Mock Trial Competition in Huntsville on February 2! On to STATE Competition March 7-9!
Several students were also honored for their roles in the contest:

• Karina Brisack: Outstanding Advocate
• Sharon Collins: Outstanding Witness
• Michael Eaton: Outstanding Witness

Pictured from left to right-
Front Row: Maureen Brisack-Ball (coach), Sharon Collins, Karina Brisack, Jacob Johnson, Fabian Fernandez-Han
Back Row: Michael Eaton, Hayden Burger, Michael Strack

Conroe Art League–Art Contest

Homeschoolers are welcome to enter this local contest.
Various types of art as well as photography are accepted.

COMPETE, WIN, EXHIBIT: All area artists are invited to compete in the Conroe Art League's annual judged Spring Show, which takes place this year on Saturday, February 23 at the First Baptist Church, 600 North Main Street, Conroe. Winning artwork will be showcased in the Gallery at the Madeley Building, 127 Simonton Street, Conroe throughout the month of March.

As always, the competition is open to any area artist of any age, with entry divisions from elementary school to professional levels. The competition accepts a broad variety of two and three-dimensional art work. To save time on show day, pre-registration is recommended.

THE PRE-REGISTRATION DATE IS FEBRUARY 18. For registration and other relevant details, see the "Events" section of the league website at CONROEARTLEAGUE.COM. You can also stop by the Gallery at the Madeley Building, 127 Simonton Street, (Tuesday through Saturday between 10 am and 5 pm) to pick up details about the February 23 competitive show.