Thank you Robyn and Nan for organizing the informative Homeschooling meeting at the library. Your guidance and experience is much appreciated!
Sept 30th - Outdoor science at Chapman State Park
Oct 5th - Port Farms field trip
Oct 7th - College Fair
Oct 13th - Erie Art Museum and Gannon Holocaust exhibit
Oct 14th - PSAT testing
Oct 15th - Additional date for Holocaust exhibit
Oct 20th - Allegheny Fish Hatchery field trip
Oct 20th - The Town Mouse & Country Mouse play
Oct 29th - Iowa Test standardized testing
Nov 3rd - Julius Caesar play
1)Taking Science Outdoors: Stream stomping, salamanders and letterboxing -
Chapman State Park - September 30th
Part 1: We are going to explore a shallow stream and learn about the creatures that depend on that habitat. Find out about salamanders of Pennsylvania, where they live, what they eat, what makes them so unique, and also where to find them. We’ll head to Penny Run to catch and identify salamanders and newts.
Part 2: We will be learning about a low tech version of Geocaching... Letterboxing! There are 3 letterboxes placed within the area of the stream, that we will be given clues in order to find. When you find the letterbox, you stamp the log book and sign your name. Bring pop/water bottle lids or jar lids with you and we will be making our own stamps. Learn more about letterboxing here: http://www.letterboxing.org/GettingStarted/getstart_finding.htm
Part 3: Kids ages 12 and up are needed after this field trip, to assist the park naturalist with fixing some tangled fishing poles. Great way to instill community service.
Date: Wednesday, September 30th
Time: 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. ish Cost: Free
Location: Chapman State Park 4790 Chapman Dam Rd., Clarendon, PA - Meet at Pavilion #1 … come in the entrance, make the first left past the park office, and pavilion #1 is just past the dam on the right.
For students of all ages.
Bring your lunch if you want, and we can picnic afterwards. Wear shoes/boots that you can get wet and bring dry shoes/socks you can change into. Dress appropriately for the weather.
RSVP to Julie at anjt@atlanticbb.net ASAP: Let me know how many students you will be bringing and their grades.
2) Port Farms Pumpkin Farm
Monday, October 5th
9:30 am - ?
Bring a bagged lunch, dress for weather
$6 per person, children under 2 are free
RSVP to Christine Smith at hsmamaof7@gmail.com
"It is our goal at Port Farms to provide educators with a fulfilling hands-on, fun-filled teaching and learning adventure to share with your students as you lead them on a self-guided tour of our unique outdoor learning venue."
We cannot stress enough the importance of your students being dressed properly. The fall mornings sometimes are quite chilly at Port Farms and students may need to wear boots, coats, gloves, or extra layers of clothing - depending upon the weather. Please plan ahead and discuss this with your students prior to your visit.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Everyone (ages 2 & older) that intends to try out our new attraction "JUMPKIN PATCH" must wear socks! No socks, no jumping!
http://www.portfarms.com/#!school-tours/c1w2n
3) Erie Art Museum and Gannon Holocaust Exhibit- October 13th
411 State St. Tuesday October 13th 10:30 am
This 2 ½ hr outing will include tours of the museum and an art project. The cost is $10 per person. Following our tour we are able to eat lunch here at the museum, you may BYOL, purchase something at their vegan friendly café or purchase a box lunch for $5.
Gannon University Library Holocaust Exhibit
619 Sassafras St. 1pm free to the public
Supporting educational material can be found here: http://www.ushmm.org
If you have younger children coming to the art museum and have older children who would like to go to the Holocaust exhibit, Robyn has kindly offered to take the older kids to the exhibit, and you can take your younger children to the children's museum next door.
Sign up by Sept 29th to Robyn Samuelson at beets1126@gmail.com
4) 2nd date for the Holocaust Exhibit - Gannon University
Thursday, October 15th 10am - 12 pm
RSVP to Christine Smith at hsmamaof7@gmail.com
For those studying World War II, the Nazi party, and the Holocaust, Gannon University (619 Sassafras St.) in Erie has a traveling Holocaust exhibit, free to the public.
5) Allegheny National Fish Hatchery - October 20th
From Nan: I have scheduled a field trip to the Allegheny National Fish Hatchery at the very end of Hemlock Rd at the base of Kinzua Dam. We will plan on Tuesday, Oct. 20th in the morning (time to be announced later). If there is more than 20 – we will have a second date of Oct 27th. They have just finished tagging the fish and will be spawning by the time of the field trip. So we can watch the process.
Go to http://www.fws.gov/northeast/allegheny/Index.html for more information to talk with your kids prior to going. If you would like to attend, RSVP to Nan Chapman – thebigpfamily1@verizon.net or 723-7367 no later than Oct 12th.
Struthers Library Theatre - Arts & Education
Struthers Library Theatre once again presents Arts and Education performances for the students of Warren County, free of charge.
Homeschoolers are invited to attend and will need to RSVP to me by the week before each performance.
The Town Mouse and The Country Mouse -
October 20th 9am Grades K through 5
When fast-talking Town Mouse touts the abundant riches of the big city, Country Mouse is tempted to move there. Will the riches of town become irresistible or will Country Mouse feel the tug of the different kind of riches left behind? Enjoy this rock and roll hoe-down musical and find out!
Julius Caesar -
November 3rd 9am Grades 6 through 12
The ambitious Cassius hates Caesar, the man who would be king. This political intrigue, played against the glory of ancient Rome, is a study of treachery and honor, of idealism and corruption, of prophesy and murder. The Ides of March wreaks havoc upon not only Caesar, but noble Brutus, honorable Antony, Cassius, and the very city itself. “Let slip the dogs of war!”—a production not to be missed. The Linny Fowler WillPower Tour is the centerpiece of the Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival’s educational programming.
Do not plan on bringing younger siblings to the Julius Caesar showing, as the seats available are for grades 6 through 12 and one parent chaperone per child only.
The Annual Warren County College Fair is organized by the Hi-Ed School To Work Partnership. Up to 55 colleges, universities, technical schools, and military recruiters will be on hand to provide information to junior and senior students on post-secondary opportunities.
This year's event will be hosted at the Warren County School District's Central Office (former Russell Elementary School). The College Fair will run from 9:00-11:00 AM on October 7, 2015.
Jenn Lauffenburger will be administering the PSAT test at Warren County Christian School on October 14th. If you would like to sign up your Homeschooler, call the school office at 563-4457. Cost is $15
"The October 2015 PSAT has been completely redone; different format, different type of questions, different scoring, different everything! Most people are unaware of the changes. Find out what to expect and how to prepare in the video below." (from National Homeschool Academy)
Standardized Testing using the Iowa test
Thursday, October 29, 2015
Warren Alliance Church 278 Kinzua Rd. Warren
8:30AM - ?? (This depends if child is taking core test or complete test, 3.5 – 6.25 hours.)
To order the test go to http://www.bjupress.com/testing , 800-845-5731. Cost is $29.00. Select tester #1125558 , Christine Smith. The test will be shipped to me. Please let me know you have placed an order including child’s name and grade level of test so I can ensure your child has the proper test on test day.
Standardized testing is mandatory for 3, 5, and 8th grades in the sate of Pennsylvania. This test is to be performed by someone other than the parent. You may test other grades than these if you choose.
The website has a lot of information. There are also practice tests and review books to teach test taking skills available. This order should be shipped to your home.
Please consider how much of the test you would like your child to complete:
Core battery: math, reading, language arts which takes 3.5-4 hours
Complete battery: core, social studies, science, sources of information which takes 5.5-6.25 hours.
Please send your child with snack or lunch. Water is available.
If anyone is interested in taking the Cognitive Abilities test (determines if your child is working up to his/her potential) please make that additional order and call me to schedule the testing time.
If you have any questions please don’t hesitate to call, home 814-723-6460 or cell 340-277-9724.
Thank you,
Christine Smith
Happenings around town
Busti Apple Festival - September 27th
3443 Mill Road, Jamestown, NY Busti Grist Mill
Pioneer 19th century life skills demonstrations, 1828 grist mill tours, history museum, apple cider, farmer's market and food concessions. Huge arts and crafts show.
The demonstrations include a wide variety such as spinning and weaving, quilting, flax breaking, candle making, log hewing, and soap making. The craft booths number well over 100. The farmer's market includes apples, pumpkins, honey, maple products, and vegetables. The foods include over 600 of the famous pies, cider, the authentically made apple butter, beef on kummelweck, hot dogs, hamburgers, pop, funnel cakes, baked goods and more.
Other features include the live one room school demonstration, Civil War re-enactors, music and dance demonstrations, antique and model engines, mill tours, grain milling, and much more. Specific demonstrations and other details are subject to annual change. Held rain or shine, handicapped accessible, children under 12 are free and all proceeds go to fund the Busti Mill restoration.
Jamestown Audubon Enchanted Forest - October 2nd & 3rd
Prepaid reservations necessary, click here for details:
Chapman State Park Fall Festival - October 3rd
11am - 4pm Families can enjoy a variety of demonstrations including apple cider, homemade ice cream, Dutch oven cooking, garbage can corn and bannock baking. There will be lumbering, wool spinning, birding, pumpkin scavenger hunt, leaf printing and pumpkin decorating.
Warren Library Pumpkin Decorating Contest: Friday, October 9, 11:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m., Slater Room, ages 8-16. Enjoy some snacks while decorating a pumpkin. Pumpkins should be based on a character from a book. Those who cannot make it on October 9 are welcome to decorate pumpkins at home and bring them in. (Limit - 2 entries per participant.) We will accept pumpkins in the Children's Department from October 9-13. Pumpkins will be on display on top of the magazine shelves near the stairs.
Public will vote for their favorites October 14-28. Prizes: 1st place: $50 Amazon gift card; 2nd place: $35 Amazon gift card; 3rd place: $25 Amazon gift card. Winners will be notified by phone October 29. Preregistration appreciated for the October 9 program; registration form will be available next to the staff computer in the Children’s Department on September 21. The Library will purchase 16 pumpkins. One pumpkin will be given out to the first 16 to attend. Pizza, drinks and snacks will be provided by the library. Paint and other embellishments will be provided for the pumpkins, but if you have something specific in mind please bring it for your pumpkin.
Elementary Hockey - Russell Roller Rink October 14th & every Wednesday following 6pm-7:30pm They teach the basics of hockey for the first part of the session then divide the group and play a hockey game. Attendees should be able to skate and is open to quad or inline skates. Pay by the week $7 per week or pay by the month $5.
Warren Library Slightly Scary, Ghastly and Ghoulish Halloween: Monday, October 26th, 6:00pm, Children's Department
Join us for some slightly scary Halloween stories, crafts and snacks. While all ages are welcome, this is aimed at elementary-aged children. Children and adults are encouraged to dress in costume. Preregistration appreciated. Registration form in Children's Dept. next to staff computer beginning Oct 1st.
Warren Library Harry Potter Trivia Night: Thursday, Oct 29th 6-7:30 pm
Slater Room, 3rd floor of Library
Are you a Harry Potter fan? Test your knowledge and compete with other enthusiasts for prizes. This program is a collaboration between the Warren Public Library and Free Books for Kids Town. Participants must be ages 12 and up. Preregistration required.
Registration form will be in Children's Dept. next to staff computer on October 1st.
Deadline to register is Oct 26th.
