April 2004 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
“I had a terrible education. I attended a school for emotionally disturbed teachers.” – Woody Allen
Park Meeting Schedule Change Tuesday, April 13
As was agreed to at the parent's meeting last August 2003, the start time of the park meeting will change on April 13. We will meet at 9:30 AM, with announcements at 10:00. Also, the last regular day of Fort Lowell Park meetings will be May 18, and the first Fort Lowell Park meeting in the fall will be on Tuesday, August 17.
UApresents
UApresents Baaba Maal
Just a reminder that the last UApresents is Baaba Maal. on Tuesday, April 20. The start time is 10:00 AM, which means you need to be in front of Centennial Hall by 9:15 AM. We are seated as a group. If you have any questions please contact Alica M. at dragonhawk4@cox.net.
UApresents- Next Season!!!
I do not have next seasons information yet, but I usually get it after the group takes off for the summer. To find out about the 2004/05 season you must have access to the internet. I will post on SDHdiscuss, SDHnewsletter, and on the discussion board. Those who sign up in the summer get all of the shows they want, the second sign-up in August usually cannot get into one or
two of the shows. I am insisting that people are or become SDH members, I had a problem this year with getting a hold of people who were not members of SDH. Alica M.
SDH Jobs
Some of the many SDH jobs will be available for new people to take on next year. Check out the SDH “Who’s Who” list in the Files section of SDH-Newsletter Yahoo Group for a list of possible jobs. If you are interested in these opportunities to learn more about homeschooling while making new connections within both SDH and the larger community, speak with the present holders of these positions to see if the job is open and then come to the to the SDH Parent’s Meeting on Wednesday, May 19 to sign up.
SDH Parent's Meeting
Date: May 19
Time: 7-9
Place: St. Francis in the Foothills 4625 E. River Rd. (NW corner of River and Swan), Room #50
This is the annual parent's meeting where many important decisions for the following year are made. Please plan to attend if you want to organize, volunteer, or just be more involved. This year arrangements for on-site child care have been made; however, if you plan to bring your children you
must let Erin S. know by May 12. Please contact Erin S. at cericon@theriver.com if you have any questions.
Family Poetry Cafe
Date: April 24
Time: 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Place: St. Francis in the Foothills 4625 E. River Rd. (NW corner of River and Swan), Room #50
Bring a poem, and an appetizer, to share with other families. Children are especially encouraged to bring original creations, or a favorite. Children's poetry anthologies will be available for inspiration. Please contact Erin S. if you have any questions.
Adult Book Discussion
Book: Stolen Lives by Malika Oufkir
Date: Thursday, April 22, 2004
Time: 7 p.m.
Where: Something Sweet 5319 E. Speedway
Contact Erin S. if you have any questions.
Book Discussion and more fun for adults
We discussed the book "The Red Tent" at our book discussion on March 11. We met at Something Sweet, where they have delicious desserts. Nine moms were there. No men this time, which is understandable, because of the subject of the book. The book is a historical novel about the life of Dinah, the only daughter of Jacob, and the women around her. It was a fascinating book and most of us enjoyed reading and discussing it, and the issues that it brought up.
We met for about 1 1/2 - 2 hours. Then 4 people left and the 5 of us still there played board games. We played "Trivia for Dummies" and "Taboo" and laughed very hard until closing time. It was great!
Next time we'll discuss a book that might also be appealing to men (see elsewhere in the newsletter), so we'll see who shows up then!
SDH Roots & Shoots
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.
Our group is open to all members of SDH. So far we've had kids ages 0-13, although most of our members are ages 4- 9 yrs. If you have any questions, feel free to contact me, Heather M.
Friday, April 2 10:00 AM - noon
Build giant peace dove for earth day parade.
Location: Riverdance Center, 3636 N. Edith Blvd
Directions: Heading west on River Road... go through light at Dodge and proceed to sharp turn to right. At the sharp turn, take left onto Allen Rd. There are signs for GREEN THINGS NURSERY. Take left onto Edith Blvd. Take second driveway on left. Proceed on drive, passing one house, hang a left and go past the garbage container and turn right. We are located in back northeast corner of property. If you get lost, please call Anna at 603-8878. There is a map at
Materials needed – recycled or used preferred:
3’x6’ chicken wire
Size twin or double cotton, muslin, or linen bed sheets (hotels, hospitals, or industrial launderers)
Rubber ties (used bicycle inner tubes are excellent)
A 1 Ѕ” plumbing T-connector
One 6’ and two 10’ bamboo poles, 1” in diameter
A 1 1/2” long rigid dowel, rigid stick or bamboo, 1-2” in diameter.
Black, white, and yellow acrylic or latex paint (paint recyclers).
Friday, April 16 12:45 - 3:00 PM
Reid Park Zoo - Guided Tour Experience $3/person
Saturday, April 17 8:30 AM
Meet at Armory Park to get organized for the Earth Day parade, which starts at 9 a.m. It is very short, just goes around the block of the Tucson Children’s Museum. Then everyone is free to stay and enjoy the festival which runs until 1 p.m. Last year it was a lot of fun - lots of hands-on kids activities and music. You’ll need to come early to find parking or park in one of their designated parking lots & take the shuttle to the park.
Friday, April 30 1:30 -3:30 PM
Service project - Crafts with residents at Life Care
Nursing Home. We are still looking for a good craft
idea - any suggestions?
Medieval Festival Thank You
The Medieval Festival was a big success! Lou and Kim would like to thank the following people, because the day would not have been so special without their help.
(in alphabetical order)
Sharon A. -- running errands and contributing to the website
Michelle B. -- juggling and teaching juggling
Kathryn B. -- bringing music and helping with Robin Hood hats.
Debra B. -- arranging for the falconer to come out and making the Robin Hood hats.
Eileen D. -- organizing the dancers and bagpiper
Brandye F. -- for making the stone soup, arranging for the SCA to come out, making tabourds and setting up a heraldry display.
Lisa F. -- for hosting Bocci Ball
Debbie G. -- for doing the website page
Sam G. -- for performing
Beryl K. -- for singing
Isabella L. -- for performing
Carolyn M. -- organizing the STT to perform
Heather M. -- bringing the cardboard box castle
Amanda O. -- for dancing
Lara R. -- for performing and singing
Susan S. -- bringing Medieval Activities to the park for distribution
Theresa W. -- making the hair ribbon pieces
Bill and Cindy W. -- bringing out trebuchet
We would also like to thank everyone who dressed up, created art work, made castles, brought food, and brought their enthusiasm. It helped make the day fun!
Treasury report for March 2004
Our balance on February 24, 2004: $1135.79
Our income since then totaled: $25.00
Various authorized expenses* were: $58.38
Our balance on February 24, 2004: $1102.41
*(newsletter, stamps, supplies for medieval day)
Kid’s Corner
First Aid Class by Ingo
I took a first aid class. It was a lot of fun. I had difficulty with sitting still, but I learned about what to do when someone is choking and when someone gets cut. I might do a CPR class. That might be fun. Maybe someone in the group is interested too.
Kung Fu by Bibi
I go to Kung Fu. My class is called Girl Power. It is really fun to do. It is a little hard not to laugh when we are doing stillness. This is when you have to be very still and you are not allowed to move when Si Gong says something. I was part of a demonstration where you show how good you are. Everyone went. They call up your name and then you have to come up. They gave me a rank of yellow belt. Before I had white. My motto is: I am special, I am beautiful, I am smart, and I am strong!
Kung Fu by Ingo
I'm in Kung Fu like my sister Bibi. My class is called Peaceful Warrior. My motto is: I am humble, I am kind, I am aware, and I am strong in spirit! I got promoted to the rank of yellow belt at the demonstration. Afterwards there was a potluck. We had Kentucky Fried Chicken, potato salad, strawberries and lots of other good stuff. Afterwards we went to play midget golf, because it was my dad's birthday. We had a lot of fun.
I saw a Spot by Audrey Hawkes
I saw it there, on my nose
EEK! Another on my toes!
Chicken Pox! I cried-
But wait, I thought, I should have died!
“Freckles,” my mom said.
“Great,” I replied
“I’ve got a polka-dotted head!”
Book Review by Colin
This month I am going to tell you about short stories. Short stories are extremely fun to read because they are a quick read and are just enough to satisfy you! These are the books I am reading this month:
The Art of War, by Sun Tzu - short paragraphs that tell you about business, war and strategy. This book will be useful in a chess match. You can open it to any page and read it.
The War of the Worlds, The Time Machine and also selected short stories by H.G. Wells - I like The Red Room, The Crystal Egg and The Story of the Late Mr. Elvesham. It can be a difficult read because of the language of the late 1800’s but his stories are good and scary!
Selected Short Stories of O. Henry, by O. Henry - I like The Social Triangle because it was ironic and funny. A poor man meets his idol, a politician, who meets his idol, a society man, who meets his idol - the poor man!
In the Land of the Lawn Weenies, by David Lubar - I like this book because there are 37 good creepy stories. My personal favorite is Your Worst Nightmare.
Newsletter dead line
The newsletter deadline for May is April 27 by midnight. And again if you could please send long submissions to my e-mail address I would greatly appreciate it! Thank you so much. greenfreaks@earthlink.net
Have a wonderful April
