April 2003 Newsletter
Sonoran Desert Homeschoolers
Tucson, Arizona
Mission Statement
Sonoran Desert Homeschoolers is an open, not-for-profit home education network, providing social and creative outlets for homeschooling families. We are not devoted to any one homeschooling approach, political platform, religious outlook, or philosophical ideal. Our homeschooling community supports all families, regardless of their personal lifestyle or educational choices in the area of home education. Our motto is "hozho," a Navajo word meaning "harmony" or "walking in beauty or friendship."
Quote of the Month
"Great spirits have always encountered violent opposition from mediocre minds."
Albert Einstein
Calendar
(check below for related announcements)
April Fool's Day Potluck Tuesday, April 1
Project Report/Show and Tell Tuesday, April 1
Men's Coffee Night Wednesday, April 2
Roots and Shoots Club Friday, April 4
Middle Reader Group Tuesday, April 8
Homeschooler Roller Skating Party Friday, April 11
Roots n Shoots Meeting Friday, April 18
Book Discussion Group Tuesday, April 22
Homeschooler Ice Skating Party Friday, April 25
Newsletter Deadline Friday, April 25
Children's Theater Wednesday, April 30
Crafty Ladies Wednesday, April 30
Spring Music Recital Thursday, May 8
**Park Meeting Time Change** Tuesday, April 15. Park Meetings begin at 9:30 a.m. with announcements at 10:00 a.m.
Announcements
April Fool's Potluck Tuesday, April 1
We are lucky enough to have park day on April Fool's! To celebrate, we will be having a potluck. So, bring your craziest dishes to share and laugh about (I heard of a kitty-litter cake!) and it will be fun.
Project Report/Show and Tell Tuesday, April 1
We meet the first Tuesday of the month. Anyone of any age is welcome to participate! We begin with a Show-N-Tell portion, then a formal/informal report portion and finally a science demo. Please join us to present or just listen. If you have any questions contact Alice or Madeline G.
Men's Coffee Night Wednesday, April 2
The Men's meeting is held every first Wednesday of the month. This is an opportunity for us fathers to discuss homeschooling issues as well as other topics. Please join us at the Borders on Oracle for coffee, tea, good company and conversation. This casual meeting starts around 7:30 PM. For more information contact Jeff O. or Brian M.
Roots and Shoots Club Friday, April 4 & 18
We are having a lot of fun! This month we will be planning and making our entry for the Earth Day parade at the Tucson Children's Museum. The parade will be held on Saturday, April 20.
Roots & Shoots is the Jane Goodall Institute's international environmental and humanitarian program for young people. Its mission is to foster respect and compassion for all living things, to promote understanding of all cultures and beliefs and to inspire each individual to take action to make the world a better place for the environment, animals and the human community. You can read more about it at their website: http://www.janegoodall.org/rs/.
We meet 1st & 3rd & 5th Fridays from 10 a.m. - noon. We are keeping things as simple as possible, the only requirement is that you be a member of SDH. If you want to join Roots & Shoots (it is easy!), just contact me, Heather M, email heather@optionsanalysis.com.
Middle Reader Group Tuesday, April 8
We will meet on April 8th after announcements to discuss The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame and The Thief by Megan Whalen Turner. If you have any questions, please call Paige J. or Christine G.
Homeschoolers Roller Skating Party Friday, April 11
Friday April 11, from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
NEW LOCATION
3970 W. Ina Road
$3.00 per skater, includes skates
Book Discussion Group Tuesday, April 22
This month we will be reading Ceremony by Leslie Marmon Silko. Ceremony is about a young Taos Pueblo man returning home from World War II. He returns to the Laguna Pueblo reservation full of feelings of estrangement and alienation. Tayo searches for healing in his Indian past and its traditions. The search becomes a "ceremony." For information contact Kim B.
Homeschoolers Ice Skating Party Friday, April 25
Friday, April 25, from 9:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
Do you like to go AROUND with the COOL bunch?
Come join us for ice skating at the Gateway Ice Center, 7333 E. Rosewood St. (back behind Wal-mart on the corner of Speedway and Kolb). Just tell them you are with the Homeschooling group, and it's $5.50 at the door, includes skates.
Newsletter Deadline Friday, April 25
Editor's Note: I will be stepping down as newsletter editor at the end of this year. The May newsletter will be my last as editor. If anyone is interested in taking over from me, please let me know. I know the newsletter can seem like a daunting job, but it has been a great opportunity for me. I came to know a lot of people in the group whom I wouldn't normally have had the pleasure of knowing had I not been the newsletter editor. It helped me to become a more active member of SDH and has given me the desire to do more activities within the group. It has been a rewarding feeling to be a vital and useful part of group. If you would like more information on becoming editor please contact me or see me at the park. Kim B.
CHILDREN'S THEATER--Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse
** DATE CHANGE** April 30
Scurry in to see this rambunctious rodent take on the world. This is a production by Childsplay, a
No children under 3 are allowed in the theatre.**
Wednesday, April 30 10 a.m. We'll meet in front of the theater at 9:40 a.m. to be seated together. Pima Community College, West Campus, Center for the Arts, 2202 W Anklam Road. Contact Heather M. at heather@optionsanalysis.com with questions.
Crafty Ladies Wednesday, April 30
Join us for a parent's night out! We will be meeting at Cuppucino's Coffee House at 3400 E Speedway Blvd. We get together from 7:30 PM on, but some of us get there quite a bit later. We chat, laugh, and a few of us bring a project to work on (knitting, crochet, sorting pictures, etc.). This is open to any parent, but so far only moms have shown up. It is a great way to get to know others better and there is always a mix of parents with younger and older children, so you can ask lots of questions too and discuss things. For more info contact Kim B.
Spring Music Recital Thursday, May 8
The Spring Music Recital will take place on Thursday, May 8th, 3 pm at Washburn Pianos (Broadway and Craycroft). I can be reached via email (which I only check once a week) at macberrypie@yahoo.com or at home. You do not need to tell me your program until a week before the recital. Enjoy your practicing in the meantime! You probably will not see me at many of the park days due to my one-year-old's nap schedule, so please feel free to contact me with any questions or suggestions. Victoria M.
Thursday Park Day
Join us on Thursdays at about 11:00 AM at Connor Park. This is the perfect venue for newcomers to the group. It's small and intimate; a wonderful place to get to know a few homeschooling people. This is mainly a play park day. No official announcements will be made. Connor Park is at 2200 E. Glenn St. To get there, you go to Campbell and Glenn. Head east on Glenn until you get to Wilson Avenue, go south on Wilson Avenue, until you get to Calle Alta Vista, go west on Calle Alta Vista. A bit down the way you'll see the park on the north side of the street. If you have any questions, contact Tara O. directly at tjmaldo@azstarnet.com.
Athletics at the Park
Every Tuesday at 12:30pm Blake B. will be organizing sports for the kids. We will alternate between, soccer, flag football and slow-pitch softball. The emphasis is on fun, friendly competition. For safety reasons, this will be for kids 8 years and up. If you have any questions contact Blake or Kim B.
