C.H.E.S.S.

And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might. And these words, which I command you this day, shall be in your heart; And you shall teach them diligently unto your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise up."
Deuteronomy 6:5-7

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom and as parents God has given us the responsibility to educate and train our children in the fear and admonition of the Lord. (Psalm 111:10, Ephesians 6:4)

Click here to read the CHESS mandate...

FOR SALE
A whole bunch of homeschooling materials! Please see attached PDF document for details/prices, and contact information!

There are many events and activities happening in the Saskatoon area. Please check the
Saskatoon Home Based Educators
and the
Prairie Spirit Home Educators websites for more educational and social opportunities.

Please note!
Music and art lesson listings, along with activities that have already started are now posted on the Ongoing Activities page.

Events & Activities

European Homeschool Tours
If you would be interested in European tours with other home-based students, please check out the following website: www.loewentours.com

Law Day Poster Contest - a homeschool winner!
Heather Woytowich won the annual Law Day poster contest in April 2008... It was open to all Grade 5 students and she was chosen the final winner... her prize was a backpack filled with art supplies as well as being a guest of honour with her parents Barry and Iris at the banquet which was held on Law Day in conjunction with the McKercher Cup competition for high school students. They did indeed make mention on more than one occasion that she was a homeschooled student.
The winning poster...

THINK. STUDY. SPEAK. DEBATE.
WHY NOT?
There are countless skills students learn in debate. While people generally think that debate is only for those interested in legal or political careers, the whole process of preparing for a debate and debating provides such a learning and growth experience for any student. Between the research on current issues and underlying issues and then developing thinking skills, public speaking and debating strategy, a student has a real opportunity to grow and gain skills that can enable him or her to find and have a voice and impact their community. You will never be the same in confidence and your ability to assess world affairs and research viewpoints on both sides of a topic.

Saskatoon Home Educated Debaters meet once a week on Wednesday mornings from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. at the Ong residence, 5550 Clarence Ave. South, Casa Rio (south of Grasswood Rd., just past the SPCA/Animal Pound)..The club participates in tournaments sponsored by the Saskatchewan Elocution and Debate Association. This year the debate topics include: banning smoking in vehicles containing children; biofuels, immigration, government and politics and for the Provincial Debate, the use of child labor.

Homeschooled Students in Grade 5-12 are invited to join the club. FIRST CLUB MEETING IS ON WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 3, 2008.

For more information, contact Melissa Ong at elevenongs@link.ca or (306)653-4030

Congratulations!
to three homeschool students who have qualified for international competition in Bible quizzing, to be held in Pennsylvania in July. Good-luck to:

Erin Beech - Saskatoon Avalon Alliance
Jared Haight - Saskatoon Erindale Alliance
Joel Haight - Saskatoon Erindale Alliance

Congratulations!
Also to our homeschool debate team for their success at Provincials
and their trip to St. John's

Olivia Brotzell
Marie Ong

New Book - "TALES OF THE HEARTILY HOMESCHOOLED"
What do you get when you throw twenty children, four parents, several cross-country trips, and a sense of humour between the covers of one book?
Lots and lots of big family fun that will tickle the funny bones and warm the hearts of your entire clan.
Rachel Starr Thomson is the oldest of twelve children. Carolyn Currey, her second cousin, is the oldest of eight. Not only are their families huge, they also homeschool! Drawing on some of their favourite memories, Rachel and Carolyn have written a book of essays that will make you laugh, think, and thank God for family.
For more information, including sneak peeks, original cover art, and author bios, visit www.littledozen.com/thh.html

Please consider...
There was a new children's movie out in December called "The Golden Compass". The movie has been described as "atheism for kids" and is based on the first book of a trilogy entitled "His Dark Materials" that was written by Phillip Pullman. Pullman is a militant atheist and secular humanist who despises C. S. Lewis and the "Chronicles of Narnia". His motivation for writing this trilogy was specifically to counteract Lewis' symbolisms of Christ that are portrayed in the Narnia series.
Clearly, Pullman's main objective is to bash Christianity and promote atheism. Pullman left little doubt about his intentions when he said in a 2003 interview that "my books are about killing God." He has even stated that he wants to "kill God in the minds of children". It has been said of Pullman that he is "the writer the atheists would be praying for, if atheists prayed."
Snopes.com, an online rumor-researching/spam squelching site has more information.
Please consider a boycott of the movie and the books. Also, pass this information along to everyone you know. This will help to educate parents, so that they will know the agenda of the movie.

Updated 14Oct2008