Board of Director's Meeting 2/4/2010

Christian Home Educator Support Services (CHESS)

Board of Directors Monthly Planning Meeting
February 4, 2010, 1:00pm, 65 Apache Pass, Hanover, PA

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

1. Patti Hunt opened the meeting in prayer
2. The treasury report was submitted by Emily Resig. There was discussion among the group regarding an excess amount of about $500.00 in the co-op fund. Many teachers have not submitted receipts, so they may still be forthcoming. In the future, receipts will have to be submitted within 30 days of the events to help Emily with record-keeping. This will be an ongoing discussion. Options considered were saving the amount for a future event or need or a partial reimbursement for families who purchased more than one Keeper book for their family, to help offset the cost.
3. Patti discussed the current Board of Directors. Board of Director Membership is extended to members who have been active for 18 months or more and have attended open planning meetings.
4. The History Fair will take place at Bethel Assembly of God in Littlestown this year. Thanks to Kelly Sanders for securing this location, as it is large enough to accommodate many projects. The time is 11am – 1 pm and participants will be expected to keep their displays up the entire time. About 15 kids have signed up already. Candice Abel will run the concessions and it will be set up much like last year. Children have the option of making a display, delivering a short speech or presentation (limit of 3 minutes).
5. Patti discussed the current Chocolate Class. It is going well, but children who are not signed up for the class cannot stay in the building unsupervised. This is too disruptive to Patti and the other children who have paid for the class. The nursery room upstairs is available for families to use but parents must stay with their children unless other arrangements have been made.
6. Membership renewal for 2010-2011 was on the agenda next. Patti stated that renewal will begin right after CHAP and will run to June 30th. It is important to note that if a families’ membership expires and is not renewed during this period, the memberships will be open to families on the waiting list. In addition the families with expired memberships will forfeit any funds in their PPA accounts if not requested from Emily before membership expiration.
7. There was then lengthy discussion regarding planning for the remainder of the year as well as next year. Various Board members shared feedback they had received from many families. Changes to be implemented this year in scheduling were discussed. Refunds into PPA’s will be offered for families who cannot work with the date changes. A decision was made that moving Geography Club and Co-op to separate dates needed to happen as soon as possible. Patti Hunt said that she needed 24 hours to work out exact dates and times.
Additional discussion included feedback on Keepers for next year. Location (St. Pauls, First Baptist Church, etc.) and time (morning or afternoon) were all discussed. This will be an ongoing discussion. Decisions about the structure of Co-op will be made at the May Board of Directors meeting.
8. Patti announced that Geography Club will definitely be separated from co-op next year, if not earlier. Next year, it will be modeled after last year’s Geography Club. It will start in July and will be for children age 8 (4th grade) and up only. Exceptions will be made on a case by case basis. It will likely be on Thursday afternoons from 1-4 at Patti’s new home in New Oxford. It will run once a month through May with no meeting in December. The cost per meeting will be $2 per child with a $5 cap per family and will be “pay as you go“. Everyone will be asked to bring a snack to share on a rotating basis. It will follow the National Council for Geographic Education year 3 and will focus on preparing the children for the National Geographic Bee. These plans could change and will be finalized at the May Board of Directors meeting.
9. There was extensive discussion on implementing a Statement of Faith for next year. This will help set biblical guidelines for dealing with issues and conflict as well as teaching.
10. Patti briefly discussed income the group has generated from various fundraising such as Giant cards. Pam will take over the Kennies fundraising next year.
11. CHAP Homeschool Convention; May 7&8, 2010 The Board voted on funding admission and parking for Patti Hunt (President) and Becky Cooke (Vice president) to the CHAP convention so they could specifically attend leadership seminars and workshops. Both ladies left the room so the Board could vote. The vote was all in favor. Since this vote passed, Patti stated that anyone in our group needing a ride to CHAP could carpool with her. That would help them save on gas and parking fees. Patti plans to go to the CHAP convention on both days.
12. Pam Chaddon will continue to offer the Baking Book Club about every 6 weeks throughout the year.
13. Michelle Tasker will possibly be starting a Parent’s Night every other month where member can get together and share ideas of teaching a specific subject, for example, American History. Members would bring their ideas and projects for others to view and share. Other members are welcome to host one of these evenings.

Next planning meeting is scheduled for March 2nd for all members. It will take place at Pam Chaddon’s home at 7:00pm.

The meeting was adjourned at approximately 4:00pm

Minutes submitted respectfully by Pam Chaddon on 2/6/2010

Co-op and Geography Club Date Changes - Winter/Spring 2010

GEOGRAPHY CLUB DATES HAVE CHANGED!!!!! !!!!

CO-OP AND GEOGRAPHY CLUB TIMES HAVE CHANGED!!!!! !!

After lengthy discussions at the planning meeting in January and the Board of Directors meeting in February, a decision has been made to separate Co-op (Keepers) and Geography Club dates.

This was not a hasty decision and we realize the new schedule will not work for everyone.

Since the Geography Club dates have been changed, if you are unable to attend Geography Club, we will deposit money paid for the remaining dates of Geography Club into your PPA. However, a written request must be given to Patti Hunt by March 1.

Since the Keepers (co-op) dates have not changed, we will not be issuing funds into the PPA's for those meetings.

Feb 12 - Co-op
Feb 19 - 9:30-10:30 Geo Club; 11-1pm Valentine Social
March 12 Co-op
March 26 Geo Club
April 9 Co-op
Apirl 16 Geo Club
May 14 Co-op
May There will be no Geography Club in May. (See note below)

Meetings will run from 10am to 11:30am (With the exception of Feb 19.)
10am Arrival
10:15-11:30 Class time
11:30- 12:15 Lunch (You are welcome to bring bag lunches if you would like to fellowship with other families at this time.)
12:15 Clean up
12:30 Departure

Geography Club
The dates for Geography Club have changed. (see above)
Therefore, if you are unable to attend Geography Club for the rest of the year, you have the option of recieving the money you paid for Geography Club into your PPA.
Since we must cancel the last Geography Club meeting (scheduled for May), everyone will recieve the money paid for that meeting in their PPA.

End of the Year projects will be due at the April meeting.

If you have any questions about anything in this email, feel free to contact me or one of the Board of Directors for clarification.
I'm sorry to change things mid-year, but we felt it was necessary at this time and appreciate your understanding in this matter.

Monthly Planning Meeting 1/12/2010

Christian Home Educator Support Services (CHESS)
Monthly Planning Meeting

January 12, 2010, 7:00pm, 3340 Smoketown Road, Hanover, PA
Attendees: Patti Hunt, President, Becky Cooke, Vice-President, Emily Reisig, Treasurer, Pam Chaddon, secretary, Becky Myers, Kelly Sanders, Michelle Tasker

1. Patti Hunt opened the meeting in prayer
2. The treasury report was submitted by Emily Resig. Emily noted that reimbursements are based on what individuals paid. Teachers and assistants need to contact Emily about reimbursement by January 22nd. Teachers and assistants are encouraged to have the monies transferred into individual PPA accounts.
3. Patti announced that Joshua Kehr won the drawing for Hershey Kisses contest and will attend the Chocolate class for free.
4. Patti provided updates on CHESS membership. Five new families have applied but membership is closed at this time. Families from Pennsylvania and are parent-led, parent-funded are given priority over Cyber school families when membership is open. Patti noted that York Homeschooler Association does not include Cyber school families at all. CHESS membership renewals for 2010-2011 will begin after CHAP and continue until June 30th for current families. After June 30th, membership will be open to families on the waiting list. Patti reminded the attendees that when a families’ membership expires, their PPA account is forfeited to CHESS. Afterwards, there was a lengthy discussion among the attendees regarding changing next year’s membership and co-op fees.
5. Patti discussed the upcoming Poetry Breakfast. Pastries and bagels will be provided from Panera Bread. The $50.00 budget will provide drinks and paper goods. Families are encouraged to bring fruit and savory dishes.
6. Becky Cooke discussed past, current and future yearbooks for CHESS. 2008-2009 books can still be ordered through Becky Cooke at a discount. Becky will organize a survey to plan for the 2009-2010 yearbooks. There was discussion regarding each family having one page, advertising to offset cost, etc.
7. Patti is looking for someone to run concessions for the history fair on March 20th. Candice Abel has expressed interest. Patti explained that she cannot run the concessions and the history fair. A location and time have not been determined. Kelly will look into Bethel AOG in Littlestown. The fair will be limited to 2 hours this year and participants must stay for the entire event.
8. Patti discussed coordinating Geography Club subject for the different age groups next year.
9. Patti announced that ordering year end pins for the Co-op Keepers groups would be optional. Kelly Sanders is in charge of the pin orders. Free certificates will be provided to each child who participated.
10. Patti provided updates on the various grocery store fundraisers: $167.00 so far from Giant, Kennies began this week, Food Lion changed program and we need to get the new information.
11. Patti reminded the group about the Good Search and Amazon fundraisers.
12. Patti is going to try and schedule a carpool trip to Hershey Chocolate World after the chocolate class for the children who attended.

Next planning meeting is scheduled for February 4th for the Board of Directors only. It will take place at Melissa Brillhart’s home at 1:00pm. The next open meeting for the entire group is March 2nd at 7:00. The meeting ended at approximately 9:30pm

Minutes submitted respectfully by Pam Chaddon on 1/22/2010

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!

Maryland Science Center Field Trip

Field Trip to Maryland Science Center
Wednesday December 2th

The general admission ticket will include everything except the special Da Vinci Exhibit and the Imax. There are many exhibits included in the general admission including the planetarium.

I will leave these all of these optional add-ons up to each family:
If you want to see Da Vinci it is $6.00 extra per person.
If you want to see Imax it is $8.00 extra for "The Human Body", or $12.00 extra for "A Christmas Carol" - "Human Body" is subject to cancellation or change to day of the showing, but some educational film should be playing that day.
Plan your visit at: http://www.mdsci.org/

I would like to leave at 8:15am on Wednesday Dec 2nd, meeting at Union Mills pond parking lot near the corner of RT 97 south and Old Hanover Road in Maryland. We can carpool and follow each other to the Owings Mills metro station. At this time the metro is regular rate because our group is based in PA. If this changes and I can get the lower student rate, I will let you know. We will take the metro into Charles Center station and walk several blocks to the inner harbor. Wear sturdy shoes and warm clothes.

Please bring a packed lunch unless you want to buy food in downtown Baltimore.