Co-op Teacher Sign up Update January 5, 2010

Material Fees - In the past, CHESS was able to offer teachers stipends to cover the costs of materials needed to teach classes. Due to low funds this year, CHESS will not be able to offer this to teachers. Instead, teachers can be reimbursed up to $5 per class for submitted reciepts. If costs go over $5 per class, then a cost per child should be calculated and parents will be charged a materials fee in that amount. Materials fees should be paid at the time of sign up so the teacher can have the money to purchase materials. This fee should be paid directly to the teacher who is teaching.

For more information about Keepers of the Faith, click here.

All families who participate in this program must have a parent sign up to teach or assist a minimum of 4 times during the year.

Here are the teachers we have signed up so far:

Nursery: Birth to 3 years old
Lead Nursery - Lauren Bauer has signed up to be in the Nursery all year. She is planning activities for the 2-3 year olds.
January - Sara Owens; Deanna Mayberry
February - Sara Owens; Deanna Mayberry
March - Sara Owens; Deanna Mayberry
April - Sara Owens; Deanna Mayberry
May - Sara Owens; Deanna Mayberry


Little Keepers - girls ages 4-6
January 8 - Teacher - Pam Chaddon; Assistant - Shirl Cooke, Linda Myers
February 12 - Topic - Friends; Teacher Heather Kehr; Assistant - Audra Blizard, Robin Hoke, Carla McCormac
March 12 - Topic - Food; Teacher - Robin Hoke; Assistant Heather Kehr, Kim Keller
April 9 - Topic - Gardening; Teacher - Pam Chaddon; Assistant - Robin Hoke, Renee Woerner
May 14 - Topic - ??; Teacher - Heather Kehr; assistants - Robin Hoke, Kim Keller

Little Contenders - Boys ages 4-6
Kelly Sanders has signed up to teach the whole year, but topics have not been chosen yet.
January 8 - Assistant - Lisa Koontz, Carla McCormac, Michelle Tasker
February 12 - Assistant - Suanna Myers, Linda Myers
March 12 - Assistant - Lisa Koontz, Carla McCormac
April 9 - Assistant - Carla McCormac, Patty Redding
May 14 - Assistant - Lisa Koontz, Carla McCormac


Keepers at Home - Girls ages 7-10

January 8 - Topic - Butterflies; Teacher - Heather Kehr; Assistants - Emily Reisig, Beth Fisher, Melissa Brillhart
February 12 - Topic - ?? Teacher - Kim Keller; Assistants - Lisa Koontz, Jen Dollosso
March 12 - Topic - Baking; Teacher - Emily Reisig; Assistant - Jen Dollosso, Beth Fisher
April 9 - Teacher - Lisa Koontz; Assistants - Emily Reisig, Beth Fisher
May 14 - Topic - Genealogy - Pam Chaddon; Assistants - Melissa Brillhart, Beth Fisher

Contenders - Boys ages 7-10
January 8 - Teacher - Kim Keller; Assistants - Michelle McKinney, Susie Jenkins, Laura Dean
February 12 - This group will combine with the 11-13 year old boys to make Pinewood Derby Cars; Assistants - Michelle McKinney, Susie Jenkins, Laura Dean
March 12 - This group will combine with the 11-13 year old boys to make Pinewood Derby Cars; Assistants - Susie Jenkins, Laura Dean
April 9 - Topic - Wildlife; Teacher - Heather Kehr; Assistants - Michelle McKinney, Susie Jenkins
May 14 - Teacher - Susie Jenkins: Assistants - Michelle McKinney, Sharon Martinez

Keepers at Home - girls ages 11 to 13
January 8 - Topic - Chinese; Teacher - Sharon Martinez; Assistant - Candice Abel, Audra Blizard
February 12 - Topic - Etiquette; Teacher - Lori Hottenstein; Assistants - Audra Blizard, Patty Redding
March 12 - Teacher - Sharon Martinez; Assistant - Suanna Myers, Renee Woerner
April 9 - Teacher - Michelle Tasker; Assistant - Audra Blizard, Melissa Brillhart
May 14 - Teacher - Michelle Tasker; Assistant - Jen Dollosso, Patty Redding

Contenders - boys ages 11-13
Glen Myers has signed up to teach this group of boys all year with his son, Jared assisting. I'm very excited about this because it will create some consistency with this group and the topics are very interesting. We will still need additional assistants with this group all year.

January 8 - Small Engine Repair (Material Fee - $0): Assistants - Jared Myers, Dan Brillhart
February 12 - Pinewood Derby cars (Material Fee - $15): Assistants - Jared Myers, Dan Brillhart
March 12 - Pinewood Derby cars (Material Fee - Paid for February meeting): Assistants - Jared Myers, Dan Brillhart
April 9 - Woodworking (Material Fee - $20): Assistants - Jared Myers, Dan Brillhart
May 14 - Woodworking (Material Fee - Paid for April meeting): Assistants - Jared Myers, Dan Brillhart


Teens - ages 14 to 18.
Topic - Book Discussion
Teacher - Patti Hunt
Assistants:
January - Chris Abrams
February - Chris Abrams
March - Chris Abrams
April - Chris Abrams
May - Chris Abrams
Do Hard Things by Alex and Brett Harris
All participants in this group must have a copy of the book. More information on the book can be found here: Do Hard Things: A Teenage Rebellion Against Low Expectations
We will have discussions on each chapter and opportunity for public speaking. Chapters will need to be read at home before each meeting.

Clean Up Crew
Clean up will take place after lunch (which will happen after Geography Club meets). Only sign up for clean up if you plan to stay until after lunch. Those who sign up will get the same reimbursment as those who assist in classes.
January - Cathi Sigmon, Lisa Koontz, Lori Hottenstein
February - Cathi Sigmon, Lisa Koontz, Lori Hottenstein
March - Cathi Sigmon, Julie Dorr, Lisa Koontz
April - Cathi Sigmon, Julie Dorr, Lisa Koontz
May - Emily Reisig , Cathi Sigmon, Lisa Koontz



Guests and new members are always welcome at CHESS co-ops! Guest Fee is $4 per class per student payable at the time of the class. If you know you are bringing a guest, please call ahead so we are sure to have enough materials on hand.

Any other questions about the Keepers meetings should be directed to me on my cell 465-9838 or homeschoolmarm@yahoo.com

Poetry Breakfast

Poetry Breakfast
Friday, January 22, 2010
10am to Noon
This event is open to CHESS members only and is FREE.

All children in our group are encouraged to bring a poem to share. It could be a poem they have written, or a poem written by someone else. They may read it or recite it during a sharing time. (Sharing is optional). After sharing poetry, we will have a mini poetry lesson and write some original poetry. This activity is open to all age levels. If there is a large number of students attending, we may break down into smaller groups for sharing.

RSVP's are required by January 18 to Patti Hunt with family name and ages of children attending.
Bringing a breakfast item to share is optional but it would be helpful for us to know what you are bringing ahead of time.

Chocolate Class

Chocolate Class

Fridays; 10am to Noon

January 15, January 29, February 5, February 26, March 5

Reserve your spot by January 11!

Fees per student:

CHESS Members = $5 per class or $20 for all 5 classes

All Other Homeschoolers = $7.50 per class or $30 for all 5

Fees include all materials including samplings of chocolates, any necessary ccraft supplies, manipulatives and printing and photocopy expenses.

Description:

Join us for a series of 5 classes when we will take a closer look at one of our favorite treats. We will look at the history of chocolate as well as the process of taking a cacao bean and transforming it to a chocolate bar. We will also sample some various forms of chocolate during each class including a raw cacao bean! Subject areas covered in this class will be history, geography, vocabulary, poetry, creative writing and art.

Age Level:

This class will be appropriate for students who do not need assistance in writing. They will be expected to complete copywork assignments and other short written assignments where a student may have to explain something in their own words through a written assignment. In the past, I have taught this class to children as young as 7 and as old as 16. It covers all ages well.

Parents' Responsibility:

Parents do not have to stay for this class. You must bring your children inside to be signed in and you do not have to stay. An emergency contact number must be left. You must also come inside to sign them out at the pick up. Children may bring a bag lunch each day to eat at the conclusion of class.

Assistant spots:
There is a limited number of assistant spots available for parents who would like to stay and assist. There is a discount for the class if you stay and assist. If there are available spots (parents get first choice), teens (ages 16 and over) may request to assist and be paid a small stipend for their help. Although this class is open to all homeschoolers, only CHESS parents/teens may stay to assist.
Again, assistant spots are limited and not everyone who requests to assist will be guaranteed a spot.

Inclement Weather:

In the event of inclement weather, we will make every attempt to reschedule at a time convenient for all.

This class is not recommended for children with allergies related to chocolate/peanut/ milk products.

To reserve your space or if you have any questions,

contact Patti Hunt at (717)465-9838 or email at homeschoolmarm@ yahoo.com

To be sure that I have enough supplies on hand, please reserve your spots by January 11. Thank you!

Christmas Program Information 2009

CHESS Christmas Pageant
Monday, December 14th, 2009
First Baptist Church, Hanover
7:00pm

SCRIPTURE READING AND GROUP CAROLS
Scripture Reading Isaiah 9: 2, 6-7
Opening Carol O Come All Ye Faithful
Scripture Reading Isaiah 11: 1-9
Scripture Reading Luke 1: 26-38
Scripture Reading Matthew 1: 18-24
Scripture Reading Luke 2: 1-7
Carol O Little Town of Bethlehem
Scripture Reading Luke 2: 8-14
Carol Angels We Have Heard on High
Scripture Reading Luke 2: 15-20
Carol Away in a Manger
Scripture Reading Matthew 2: 1-11
Carol We Three Kings
Scripture Reading John 1: 1-14
Scripture Reading John 3: 16-21
Carol Joy to the World

Board of Director's Meeting Minutes 11/5/2009

Christian Home Educator Support Services (CHESS)
Bi-Annual Board of Directors Meeting
November 5, 2009, 12:30pm, 29 Trenton Court, Littlestown, PA

Attendees: Patti Hunt, President, Becky Cooke, Vice-President, Emily Reisig, Treasurer, Pam Chaddon, secretary, Heather Kehr, Deanna Mayberry, Kelly Sanders, Melissa Brillhart, Michelle Tasker

1. Patti Hunt opened the meeting in prayer
2. The treasury report was submitted by Emily Resig. Patti noted that the finances are very secure at this time and suggested line items be separated for various social activities such as the End of Year Potluck, Christmas social, Valentines social, etc. In addition, Patti discussed the possibility of utilizing some of the co-op monies to help offset supply cost for the various Keepers classes
3. Patti reminded the group about various fundraisers including the upcoming Shultz’s Sub fundraiser. She also detailed how fundraisers can be set up for specific events or activities.
4. Patti initiated a lengthy discussion regarding the scholarship monies and opened the floor to suggestions, ideas and questions. At the end of the discussion, it was determined that the scholarship money could be used to pay any CHESS event or activity. A simple application form will be set up that will require minimum financial information from the family. There will be a scale from 1-10 to rate the families level of need, and a place for families to consider ways they might be able to volunteer or contribute to the organization in return for assistance. Patti also mentioned her desire to keep the scholarship fund available even after the initial funds are utilized.
5. Patti announced the current CHESS membership at 53 families; this includes 123 children of which 64 children are over the age of 8; it is important for the group to know this breakdown of ages in the group since 8 is the age for required reporting in Pennsylvania, Patti also noted that there are several children in the group under 8 beginning reported for various reasons such as withdrawal from a public or private school, etc. Membership cards are available for all families.
6. Two Bylaw Amendments were presented, voted on and approved; qualifications for director positions has been amended to reflect a required membership in the group for 18 months or longer before serving; term limits for director positions has been amended to reflect open terms until mutually agreed upon by the board, president and individual director.
7. Panera Bread offers free assistance to non-profit organizations by making leftover bread goods available for pickup at 9pm on specified evening. Patti is looking into signing up CHESS for this opportunity to benefit the families of CHESS. More details to follow regarding availability, pickup date, etc.
8. Pam presented information regard a grant submitted to Adams County Arts Council for a morning workshop “Sights and Sounds of the Pipe Organ” to be presented by international concert organist, Felix Hell, if approved, in the fall of 2010. One stipulation of the grant was that CHESS could not fund the event without full assistance from ACAC.
9. Upcoming events
a. November 6th – Bowling1:30-3:30 RSVP
b. November 13th – Keepers and Geography Club, Portrait Day
c. November 20th – 2nd Board Game Day – Thanksgiving Bingo, Guess How Many in the Jar, Decorate Cupcakes
10. The next planning meeting is scheduled for January 12, 2009 at 7pm at Becky Myers’ house near Codorus
11. The next Board of Directors’ meeting is scheduled for February 4th at Melissa Brillhart’s house
12. There was fellowship and dessert following the meeting.

The meeting ended at approximately 2:15pm
Minutes submitted respectfully by Pam Chaddon on 11/8/2009

Pumpkin Patch

Old Bedford Village