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Join THSC Before Rate Increase Goes into Effect
 Membership is the backbone of support of the work that THSC does. However, Texas Home School Coalition Association has not changed its membership fees in almost ten years, even though we have had to add additional staff and resources to meet the growing needs of the home school community in Texas. To help deal with expanding fiscal needs, the membership fee will increase to $100 effective September 1. Members of support groups, co-ops, or regional groups will continue to be eligible for the group discount of $15, making that new rate $85.
However, until September 1, people can still take advantage of the current rates of $85 and $70 respectively. Also, if people agree to auto-renew, they'll be able to get one more year at the old rates (now current rates). They could also purchase a two-year membership at the lower fee of $85 or $70 per year. (Click on the graphic to get more information.)
Tell your friends! Join the Membership Drive Contest!
Until August 31 you can help your friends by encouraging them to renew before the rate increase and help yourself too! The person or organization that recruits the most new members will receive a Southwest Airlines voucher good for anyplace that Southwest flies. Recruiting more than fifty new members will win the person or organization two travel vouchers.
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School Starts August 24!
 Public schools in Texas start this year on August 24 or later. Does this mean home schoolers must start then also?
Public schools must meet 180 days every year. Students must attend 170 each year. What happens if your school doesn't meet those requirements?
How many hours per day must your home school meet?
As you prepare for a new school year, check out the Frequently Asked Questions at the Texas Home School Coalition website.
(Click on the graphic to read the story about how Texas came to have such a great home school law!)
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Wear Your Freedom Proudly!
 Visit the Texas Home School Coalition Association store and buy a great T-shirt advertising that you homeschool in Texas. The shirts are made of grey cotton. Children's T-shirts cost $10. Adult-sized shirts are $12; extended adult sizes are $14.
THSC Association now has three great designs to help you brag about being a home schooler in the best place possible. See pictures and wording of all the designs.
Visit the THSC store for more great home schooling helps!
Stop the presses! THSC is announcing a closeout sale on extended sizes of T-shirts. Get your favorite 2X or 3X T-shirt with a 22% discount off regular prices, while quantities last. Call 888-200-4309 to get a great deal! ($11/shirt; regularly $14)
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North Carolina: For More Kids, Home Is Where the School Is
"There were a record number of home schools and students at these institutions in the state of North Carolina and Richmond County last year.
"In fact, these numbers have steadily increased over the course of the past five years at the state and local levels as more parents and guardians decide to keep their children home for the academic grind.
"For local resident Stacey Straight, the decision to home school her four school-age children stemmed from her university studies in elementary education, as well as her belief system."
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THSC State Convention in the News
 The Courier of Montgomery County, 8-10-09
THE WOODLANDS - The sixth annual Texas Home School Coalition State Convention and Family Conference provided Montgomery County residents and visitors from across Texas with information about how to protect and cater to the home-school community during a three-day event at The Woodlands Waterway Marriott Hotel and Convention Center.
The event, which ended Saturday, drew thousands of attendees for the workshops and guest speakers, and offered teen and children's programs. A variety of topics were covered, including raising accountable children, how to write goals and objectives and teaching mathematics as a language.
THSC President Tim Lambert said this year's convention was a success...
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Reprinted with permission. Taken from the Official Book of Homeschooling Cartoons, www.familymanweb.com
Do you have a funny, home-school-related anecdote you'd like to share? We'd love to publish it! Please send it to THSC and include your name and city. | |
Articles and advertisements in THSC's weekly E-Newsletter are included because of their potential interest to the home school community of Texas. Inclusion does not signify an endorsement. We encourage parents to practice due diligence before participating in any program. THSC is not responsible for any material or ads that may be encountered when clicking on links that take the reader away from the THSC website. |
:: staff@thsc.org
:: http://www.thsc.org
:: 806-744-4441
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The Hidden Dangers of Computer and Video Gaming
Thomas Umstattd
"Come on, Mom, just a few more minutes; I'm almost done with this level." Parents have all heard it: a child's pleading to get just a little more time to play. I know. I was that child.
When I lived in a college dorm, my room was across the hall from a gamer, whom I will call Dominique. He played the computer game World of Warcraft for sixteen hours or more each day. He stopped going to class and eating at the cafeteria, and he withdrew from anyone outside of the game. He took only brief breaks to pick up fast food to eat while playing. The artificial greatness of gaining Level 70 replaced the adventure of following Christ in his life. He finally dropped out of school as the game consumed his life. How could someone become so consumed by a mere game?
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New Auction Site - Listia
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August Events
August 22, Abilene
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Want to Reach Texas Home
Schoolers?
Find out how to advertise.
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