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HUUmans at Home Spring 2002
HUUmans at Home
Spring 2002
Issue 25
A UUA Related Organization
Member, National Home Education Network
Member, Rose Rock Inclusive Homeschoolers
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Editor's Note by Teresa Willingham: What *is* a UU Homeschooler? From the Editor I’m late with this issue, and for this I apologize. However, something good can come of most things, and what comes of being late is an opening topic for this issue: What, exactly, is a “UU Homeschooler”? Our UU Homeschoolers list has grown phenomenally, with over 50 people from all over the country joining in the last six months alone. Membership is nearly 200, double what it was a year ago. I remember when I first joined UU Homeschoolers (then known as HUUKS) several years ago, when there were about 20 members, and I heard that HUUH-L, the “big” list, had 200 members. I was stunned. There are 200 Unitarian Universalists who homeschool?, I thought. Well, if HUUH-L has grown as we have, even if there are overlapping members, the figures for homeschooling Unitarian Universalists must be pretty impressive! The World, the magazine of the Unitarian Universalist Association, sorta and perhaps grudgingly, recognizes this. While they failed to run a hoped-for mention of our first state conference here in Florida, World editor Don Skinner told me that a feature on UU Homeschoolers is under consideration. Admittedly a vague, political-ish kind of statement, it’s certainly the first time something like this has been publicly entertained. I suspect that, with considerable encouragement from us, we’ll eventually get that feature. While we’re waiting, however, it might be a good time to examine exactly what it means to be a home educating Unitarian Universalist. A long time ago, it was assumed that a homeschooling UU was some sort of democratic turncoat - turning our backs on public education was considered tantamount to treason. Early in our homeschooling adventure, someone actually asked me why in the world a Unitarian Universalist would *want* to homeschool. “After all,” I was told, “you people started the public school system.” Besides the other narrow minded implications of this remark, it also happens to be pretty close to what UUs in general thought (and probably sometimes still think) about homeschoolers in their midst. The reality of our existence, however, is that we are – with a few notable exceptions – pretty much like everyone else. A little over a year ago, we conducted an informal survey of our members, and this is what stood out: We love our children and want what’s best for them and for our families; we enjoy the freedom of exploring our world together, honestly and in-depth; and most of us hope to make the world a better place. We are, in essence, no different from UUs who send their children to public schools or to private schools. We simply employ a different learning lifestyle - our independent search for truth and meaning involves homeschooling. As we wrap up another year of growing and learning together, I think it’s time to get reacquainted with who we are, so I’m running last year’s survey in this issue. Take a few moments to look it over, consider the questions and your answers, and please share them with us sometime before the end of the year. You can send your replies to me at pubmail@tampabay.rr.com. I’ll summarize the results in the next issue of HUUmans at Home and on our discussion list. In peace and continued freedom of learning, Terri Willingham Editor Many, many thanks to our wonderful contributors, Jackie Boone, Norma Curry, Camille Sobun, our copy editor, and Gwyneth Butera, our Web Coordinator! |
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The Survey: Name of the church you attend, if any: Are you a UU? If so, how long have you been a UU? And if not, what, if any, faith tradition would you classify yourself or your family as? Do you have a core of UU or liberal homeschoolers in your area that you can share time with regularly? Would you classify the area you live in as religiously/educationally conservative, liberal or a good mix? Why? How long have you been homeschooling, and how many children are you homeschooling? Do you feel your homeschooling is accepted in your family, community and/or church? Why have you chosen to homeschool? How do your children enjoy learning at home? What do you like best about homeschooling? Do you and your children participate in any alternative learning programs, such as dual enrollment, cyberschools, charter programs, public school classes or sports programs, or community sports (like Little League or soccer), outside classes such as piano or art, apprenticeship programs, or scouting or 4H type activities? Please list them. How did you find out about UU Homeschoolers? Why did you join? Have you found UU Homeschoolers helpful? If so, in what way? If not, where have we failed or what do you think we can do better? What would you like to see in UU Homeschoolers, in our website, in our relationship to each other, to the home-schooling community and/or to the UU community? Or, put another way, how do you think we can we be a better support group for UUs and alternative educators? What skills, talents or resources can you share or suggest for UU Homeschoolers? How do you think we can make ourselves more accessible to other homeschoolers and liberal learners? What do you think of starting UU Homeschoolers’ chapters in member churches? Would you be interested in participating in such a group yourself? What sort of services or resources do you think UU Homeschoolers should be able to provide regional chapters? Anything else you'd like to add? Please send your completed survey to Terri at pubmail@tampabay.rr.com. Thank you! |
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UUA News: (Read complete articles online at http://www.uua.org\) UUA Headquarters Hosts Massachusetts Vigil Against Hate (Boston, MA - Oct. 9, 2002) An interfaith “Vigil Against Hate,” sponsored by the Massachusetts Interfaith Alliance and originally planned for the Great Hall of the Massachusetts State House, was relocated next door to the Unitarian Universalist headquarters at 25 Beacon Street after State House security refused to authorize Sikhs wearing a sheathed Kirpan to enter the State House. The Kirpan, a miniature religious sword about four inches long, is a ceremonial object and not a weapon. The Vigil was co-sponsored by the Governor’s Task Force on Hate Crimes, the Fellowship of Reconciliation, the Anti-Defamation League, the Islamic Council of New England, the New England Sikh Study Circle, and members of the Massachusetts Legislature. Participants gathered at the steps of the State House and proceeded down Beacon Street to the UUA, where they were welcomed by UUA President William G. Sinkford. The overflow crowd gathered in the UUA Chapel to hear music and personal reflections by Muslim, Christian, Jewish and Sikh youth as well as remarks by clergy and legislators. UUA Information Director John Hurley said, "The interfaith community in the greater Boston area includes Sikhs, and we were delighted to offer the hospitality of UUA headquarters for this gathering of Christians, Muslims, Jews, Sikhs, and all people of faith." The Boston Globe wrote about the vigil and the Massachusetts' State House decision to bar the vigil from their grounds, in an article published today, which can be viewed at http://www.boston.com/dailyglobe2/282/metro/Knives_barred_vigil_moves+.shtml . The UUA's press release on the event can be read here. |
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From the National Home Education Network The National Home Education Network (www.nhen.org) has reorganized into a superb resource for homeschoolers around the country. You can find the latest on legislative issues, up to date learning resources, links to state support groups and information, and plenty of news. Beginning with this issue, HUUmans at Home will feature a recent NHEN column report for your enjoyment. Writing Letters to Editors by Christine Webb and Laura Derrick Your voice really does count, so don't be shy when it comes to writing letters! Writing letters to the editors of newspapers and magazines is an important part of keeping homeschooling issues in the public eye. Letters to the editor columns are often the most widely read section of a newspaper or magazine, and public policy officials usually consider them a good barometer of public opinion. You really don't have to be an exceptional writer to get noticed if you speak from the heart and focus on expressing yourself clearly. Here are 6 important tips to get you started: 1.) Be timely – If you are responding to a particular article, writing immediately will increase the chances that your letter will be printed. 2.) Keep it short - Most newspapers limit letters to the editor to 200-300 words. A brief letter is more likely to be published and less likely to be edited. Say what you want, but briefly. 3.) Get to the point – Clearly state your subject and try to make just one main point. If you find you have too much to say in two or three short paragraphs, consider writing an Op-ed (guest editorial) piece instead. If you have trouble getting to the point, ask a friend for help. 4.) Make it snappy - Use humor, facts, or a personal viewpoint to add interest to your letter. Encourage your children to write from their points of view as well. 5.) Have it proofread – Nothing makes a worse impression than poorly written pieces. Any editor will tell you that having someone else proofread your work is much better than doing it yourself. Polish it up and then ask a friend to check for grammar or spelling mistakes, rambling sentences, unclear points and other writing issues. 6.) Identify yourself - Give your name, address and phone number so the newspaper can contact you to check facts or verify that you sent the letter. Find links with more tips for writing to the media, suggestions for writing op-ed pieces, and information about writing letters to the editor at http://www.nhen.org/main/default.asp?id=76. When you do write letters to the editor, be sure to share it with the homeschooling community by posting it on the NHEN SpeakOut email list NHEN P.O. Box 7844 Long Beach, CA 90807 pr-mail@nhen.org NHEN offers an a free monthly online newsletter just for people new to homeschooling called New Homeschoolers' Encouragement Newsletter, N-H-E-N. Subscribe at the NHEN website (look in the sidebar box on the left of every page) or send a note to N-H-E-N@nhen.org with "subscribe" in the subject line. See the most recent issue at: http://www.nhen.org/newhser/default.asp?id. |
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Homeschool News from around the Nation: Check out the inaugural issue of Learning Communities Quarterly, available online at Deadline for home schools Oct. 11, 2002 Orange County Register Editorial Halloween frights could come early this year for home-schooling families. Oct. 15 marks the last day home schools may file required private-school affidavits with the California Department of Education. This is a departure from previous years, when the affidavits were filed with county departments of education. After Oct. 15, parents will find out how serious Superintendent of Public Instruction Delaine Eastin is in trying to outlaw home-schooling. In August, she announced that California law by her reading doesn't allow home schooling. As she explained in a Sept. 1 letter to the Register, "The classic 'home school'- where children are taught by their parent who does not have a teaching credential - is not a legal means of complying with compulsory education law, which means that home-schooled children are truant." But she's wrong. A home school is legal because it is a private school, sometimes called a parent-operated private school, which clearly is allowed by state law. And Education Code Section 44237(b)(4) even allows "a parent or legal guardian working exclusively with his or her children." The shift to the state for filing the affidavit is an attempt by state education authorities to locate home-schoolers, Michael Smith, president of the Home School Legal Defense Association, told us. Although located in Virginia, his group is closely watching California's situation and is ready to defend in court any of its members who are challenged by the government. He said the state figures that anybody filing an affidavit "with five students or less is a home schooler," instead of a more traditional private school, which also must fill in the form but the Department of Education considers legitimate (for now). He said that, if the Department of Education does go after home-schoolers, it will do so through local district attorneys. The procedure would be for a local D.A. to file truancy charges against a home-schooling family, which means a child has been absent from a public or private school for more than three days. The parents then are given an opportunity to get the child in school before being prosecuted in court. Orange County District Attorney Tony Rackauckas was not available to talk to us yesterday. But his spokesperson, deputy D.A. Susan Kang Schroeder, told us, "We're going to look at every case that comes in to see if a crime occurred. But we won't say with a broad stroke that these kinds of people will be prosecuted." Given the nature of Orange County as a place that appreciates freedom more than Ms. Eastin, and where in the 1998 election she got just 45 percent of the vote here (compared to 54 percent statewide), we hope - and even expect - Mr. Rackauckas will avoid such prosecutions, instead spending scarce resources on real crimes. Mr. Smith said parents who are home-schooling, or considering it, should not worry that they will be hauled into court. He believes state law is clear and will hold up in court. We hope so. Home-schooling, which has produced many notable success stories, obviously is a choice that should be made by parents, not the education establishment as represented by Ms. Eastin. (The affidavit is available online: www.cde.ca.gov/privateschools. Instructions are provided there, but more information is available at the site of the Home School Legal Defense Association: www.hslda.org. The Internet also is chock-full of home-schooling sites.) Home-schooling new niche market COLUMBIA, S.C. - Home-schoolers have come along way since Zan Tyler was threatened with arrest in 1984 for failing to send her children to school. Companies that once refused to sell her books because she wasn't a real school now fight for her business. "There were very few of us, and the few that existed were having legal problems," said Tyler, who home-schooled her three kids. "That certainly was not an enticing market for textbook publishers." Industry experts estimate home-schooling families spend $700 million a year on instructional supplies. Businesses that sell everything from textbooks to class rings are noticing. Tyler, who founded the South Carolina Association of Independent Home Schools, estimates that as many as 15,000 students in the state are educated at home. A 1999 survey by the U.S. Education Department says there are 850,000 home-schooled children nationwide. But some believe the students are underreported, putting the number closer to 2 million. "That's a huge educational niche, that's a huge market," said Tyler, co-author of the book "Anyone Can Homeschool." Business are responding, she said, "not because they have a philosophical bent toward it but because they see the sheer dollars." And it gives parents home-schooling their children more options. "The curriculum choices have exploded over the past eight years," said Lee Safley, president of the S.C. Home Educators Association. Sifting through the myriad products and services can be overwhelming for parents like Melanie Floyd of Columbia, who just started home-schooling her kindergartner and first-grader this year. Floyd did research and consulted a home-schooling veteran before deciding what to buy. "Because there's so much out there you could really overkill the first time," Floyd said. "You'd be buying everything you saw." About half the home-schoolers spend more than $500 per child each year on instructional materials, said Jean C. Halle, chief executive officer of the nonprofit Calvert School Education Services, based in Hunt Valley, Md. The company, a pioneer in the home-school market dating back to 1906, continues to see its business grow by 15 percent a year. It shipped more than 28,000 curriculum boxes last year. Bob Jones University Press, affiliated with the conservative Greenville Christian college, was one of the first publishers to lend its support to the home-school movement. BJU Press sells more than 5 million textbooks a year, and about 30 percent of its business comes from home-schoolers, said director Bill Apelian. Its most popular program is HomeSat, which allows home-schoolers to take classes taught by professional teachers by satellite. Home-schoolers find out about such companies at the state Home Educators' annual curriculum fair in Columbia. Attendance this year was up 14 percent to 750 people, said lee Safley, president of the South Carolina Home Educators Association. Other companies cater to the not-so-basic needs of home-schooling parents, selling diplomas, caps and gowns and class rings. Information from: The State.com – “South Carolinas homepage” |
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News from UU Homeschoolers LIFE of Florida The state support and networking group, LIFE of Florida (www.LIFEofFlorida.org), was founded in March of this year after an informal Florida UU homeschoolers’ gathering that same month in Orlando. Our gathering, LIFE Fest, turned into more of a celebration of liberal, non-sectarian home and alternative learning, and drew people from all over the state. In the few months since we formalized our new state group, membership has grown to over 120, we’ve been recognized by the state Department of Education and included in reasoned discussion about changes and improvements there, and generally become a respected voice in the home learning community in Florida. Our first gathering, LIFE Fest 2002, held in March, was recently featured in Home Education (Nov./Dec issue). Now plans are underway for LIFE Fest 2003. J.C. Bowman, the new Director of the Office of Choice will speak this year, and we expect to have far more speakers, programs and resources available than last March. LIFE of Florida has also provided a great home for other non-sectarian groups across the state, and affiliates now number nearly 20. LIFE of Tampa Our local Tampa home learning group, LIFE of Tampa (www.geocities.com/uuterri/LIFE.html), has also grown in recent months, with more than 50 members now. Our group enjoys a variety of activities, from weekly interactive science classes to shared programs with 4H and other homeschool “sister groups.” In one way or another, we’ve been mentioned in local newspaper articles several times this year, and, most significantly, in an article that ran in the St. Petersburg Times about secular homeschooling. Spirit of Life UU, in Odessa, continues to be very supportive of our efforts. Join in our first UU Homeschoolers group project! In light of all the wonderful family stories that have been an interesting part of a recent group discussion about family traditions, fun times, fantasy and that enchanting world of make believe, we would like to invite all UU Homeschool families to submit their own and their children's ideas, stories, children's tales, myths, poems, art work, and thoughts on Santa, the Easter Bunny, Fairies, Religions.... and anything else that they would like to share for a new book to be published (hopefully) by Fall of 2003 as a way to express our chosen faiths and share in joyous holiday seasons. Any and all proceeds from the sale of this book will be donated to a chosen children's fund. Please send non- returnable articles to: L. J. Priest P.O. Box 23 Mechanicsburg, Pa. 17055 Any questions should be directed by e-mail to either Lisa Buffington at struntz64@aol.com or Terri at pubmail@tampabay.rr.com. |
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UU Homeschooler INSIGHTS Last Minute Parenting Skills Early this summer, a UU Homeschooler wrote, “Please don't laugh... :-) “A couple of weeks ago, Susan Reimer wrote a column for the Baltimore SUN newspaper about the last-minute parenting she is trying to cram in during the summer before her son goes off to college. Well, I'm a year ahead of Susan, but it still feels like last-minute to me. “ And so began a thought provoking conversation about that pervading sense of “last minute,” despite having spent such close homeschooling and family time together, and from those discussions arose a sort of packing list for life that we hope will make our children prepared for most of what they’ll face in their lives. People Skills: _People Skills_ _How to Work a Room_ _How Rude! The Teenagers' Guide to Good Manners, Proper Behavior, and Not Grossing People Out_ by Alex J. Packer, Ph.D. Ms. Manner’s etiquette books Dale Carnegie course Toastmasters Appropriate assertion _Getting to Yes_ by Fisher and Ury Male/female relationships: _Men are from Mars; Women are from Venus_ by Gray _The Teenage Guy's Survival Guide_ by Jeremy Daldry Parenting Skills: Babysitting class _Children Are from Heaven_ by Gray _The Good Enough Child_ by Brad Sachs Sexuality: The Unitarian Church’s OWL (Our Whole Lives) program _The What's Happening to My Body? Book for Boys_ by Lynda Madaras with Dane Saavedra _Love and Sex in Plain Language_ by Eric W. Johnson Spirituality/ethics: _Philosophy for Dummies_ _Your Money or Your Life_ by Dominguez and Robin Unitarian religious education _The Good, The Bad and the Difference_ by Randy Cohen _The Ugly American_ _If the World Were a Village_ by David Smith Homemaking skills: Book on environmentally friendly housekeeping products Book on environmentally friendly consumer choices _401 Ways to Get Your Child to Work at Home_ by Bonnie McCullough. Finances: _Your Money or Your Life_by Dominguez and Robin Money-management book Any of the Motley Fools books _The Kid's Money Book_ by Neale S. Godfrey Job skills: How to write a resume How to interview for a job Composing over letters, thank-you letters, etc. Mental Health: _Seven Habits of Effective Teens_ by Covey _Teen esteem_ Time management Stress management Health: First Aid book and/or class Basic healthcare reference book Substance use/abuse Draft registration issues Learning Skills: _Learning Outside the Lines_ _What Smart Students Know_ by Adam Robinson Below are some books that cover a broad range of the above life skills: _Teenagers Guide to the Real World_ by Brain http://bygpub.com/books/tg2rw/ _Lifeskills_ by Christine Field _The RAT: The Real World Aptitude Test, Preparing yourself for leaving home_ http://www.taketherat.com/contents.asp This is the Table of Contents for the R.A.T.: A. THE BASICS Managing Your Money Cooking Carpentry Domestic Skills Emergencies and First Aid Saving and Investing Shopping Employment B. THINGS WORTH KNOWING Automobiles Computers The Bible Geography Electricity Sports Improvising C. THINGS IT IS RISKY NOT TO KNOW Sex Drugs Alcohol Abuse Cards and Gambling D. THINGS TO GIVE YOU AN EDGE International Fundamentals Etiquette Multicultural Basics Americana E. IMPROVING YOUR QUALITY OF LIFE Dancing Friends and Acquaintances Nutrition Music Family Facts The Fine Arts Principles and Priorities |
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HUUmans ONLINE I periodically post “eclectic links” on our discussion list. They range widely from basic information resources from the Library of Congress “Learning Page Community Center” at http://memory.loc.gov/learn to collaborative learning projects like those offered by the Global School House at http://www.gsn.org/. Most of these great links come to me from an organization called “Classroom Connect,” at http://www.classroom.com/login/home.jhtml, where you can register, for free, to receive any of a huge number of informative newsletters on everything from social studies to computer technology. You can set your subscription preferences to “digest” so they’re not too overwhelming, too. While most of the information is intended for traditional public classrooms, there is a wealth of information we can all use and enjoy. |
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Homeschooling Contacts: See our web page here for the most up-to-date list of contacts. |
HUUmans at Home
HUUmans at Home HUUmans at Home is a quarterly publication of UU Homeschoolers Contents reflect the views of the authors and are not necessarily those of any particular group of people. The editor welcomes submissions of articles, letters, media reviews and other items of interest to our readers. Inquiries and submissions can be sent to:
Email: Terri sparrow@tampabay.rr.com
Rights to all submissions to this newsletter remain with the authors. Permission is hereby granted for homeschoolers to quote from this newsletter in whole or in part with the requirements that this newsletter is properly credited as the source and that a copy of the quote is sent to the editor at the above address.
