The Texas Home School Coalition is in the process of producing a documentary on the modern history of the Texas home schooling movement. The purpose of the documentary is to relate the compelling story of parents willing to take on the state to do what they believed was best for their children in the early 1980s....

We are searching for family photographs of support group meetings, field trips, the Austin TEA Party, book fairs – anything related to home schooling during the time period from the late 1970s, throughout the 1980s, to help us visually tell the story.

Children’s Ministries of Texas is hosting a Children’s Ministry Workshop on November 9-11, 2006, in Houston. This talented group has run the Children’s Program for the past several years at the THSC Convention & Family Conference.

The goal of the workshop is “to assist families and young people in preparing for ministry and service to children by providing them with the tools and training needed to give them confidence and initiative in stepping into the opportunities that God places in their paths.

“We desire to inspire young people with a vision for furthering God’s kingdom and to propose avenues for creative service with which they can minister to those in their communities and around the world.”

Early registration goes through November 1, 2006.

THSC is joining the Family Rights Foundation in offering a Continuing Legal Education seminar on Defending the Family Against CPS. If you are an attorney and are interested in attending, be sure to register by November 3rd to guarantee a seat at this important and informative event! The registration deadline for this beneficial seminar is November 3rd, so send your completed registration form soon!

Responding to the urgent need for advocacy and the legal defense of families against false Child Protective Services (CPS) allegations, Texas Home School Coalition has launched an effort to build a network of attorneys who are willing to help. THSC is therefore offering FREE registration to attorneys in exchange for an agreement to handle one pro bono CPS case that is referred by THSC or the Family Rights Foundation. This seminar is approved for continuing legal education credit by the State Bar of Texas.

THSC president Tim Lambert, Family Rights Foundation president Chris Branson, and Paul Stuckle, attorney at law, will be the speakers at this important event. The seminar will be held Friday, November 10, 2006, at the Houston Hotel Marriott, 5150 Westheimer, in Houston.

We would like to encourage all Texas home schoolers to vote early between now and November 3, 2006! (Click on the graphic to see schedule of 2006 election dates and deadlines.)

Why should you vote early? One never knows what hindrances might present themselves on Election Day, November 7th. As home schoolers, and parents in general, most of us understand that principle!

[You still have Good Citizenship opportunities with your students between now and Election Day. Texas families need to educate their friends and neighbors about the importance of selecting the candidates who will best represent the interests of families. Volunteering for such candidates is also an option. You can vote now and look forward to learning about and participating in lobbying through the THSC Capitol Days next year as the new legislative session begins! Registration information is now on the website!]

Whether you vote early or wait until November 7th, the main concern is, don’t forget to vote!

New Jersey home schoolers answer the socialization question in an article by Michelle Pittman, which was posted October 22, 2006, in The Express Times at nj.com. Excerpts from the story follow:

“Home-school parents: Kids not sheltered

“One of the most common concerns critics express about home-schooled students is they will have a hard time later in life getting along with others.

"‘Many people assume the only way a child can learn to play with others is to be in a classroom of 20 other kids the same calendar age, sitting at desks six hours a day,’ said Jill Drake, one of the founders of The Kids Homeschool Network. ‘How does spending your entire day with age-grouped peers prepare you to socialize in the diverse real world? Other than 13 years in public school, when do you spend the majority of your day with people within two years of your age?’”

THSC has been asked to pass along the following information:

“Homeschooling Southern Baptist families will find this year's annual meeting of Southern Baptists of Texas Convention full of educational opportunities for their children as the November 13-14 annual meeting provides a study hall, local field trip experience and internship options.

SBTC home school families planning to attend the annual meeting can email Tammi Ledbetter at sbtexas@sbtexas.com and request more information on any of these opportunities. Students in grades eight through twelve can apply for internships that will be customized to suit each family's schedule and the student's interests and educational needs.

We've also invited a Texas representative of the Southern Baptist Church and Home Education Association (SBCHEA), who will have the opportunity to field questions from individual Southern Baptists seeking information about homeschooling.”

Come Thursday, November 16, 2006, to a FREE, informational meeting for new or prospective home schooling families. Or tell a friend who is new or thinking about home schooling. Anyone who is looking into home schooling, wondering what it's about, or interested in learning about home schooling is welcome!

The meeting will be held:
7 - 9 p.m. at the Barbara Bush branch of the Harris County Public Library, 6817 Cypresswood Drive, between Stuebner Airline and Kuykendahl Road, in the Women's Council of Realtors room. (Click on the picture to see map.) No childcare will be provided.

For more information, call 832-249-6765, or contact THSC at 806-744-4441.

**Sponsored by the state home school organization of Texas, the Texas Home School Coalition**

THSC Association is pleased to highlight the $7.95 discount for members provided by World Magazine, part of the Association’s ever-growing list of benefits. World Magazine is like TIME or Newsweek, but from a Christian perspective. Association members may take $7.95 off the base subscription price! Click on the graphic to see more about this great offering. Join THSC Association and begin immediately to enjoy the many benefits and discounts. A payment plan is now available, so you can work this valuable asset into your home school budget!

In keeping with its mission to serve the home schoolers of Texas, Texas Home School Coalition has established a scholarship fund for Texas home school graduates who attend Patrick Henry College. The required information must be completed in order to be considered for scholarship money from this fund. The deadline for submission of an application is April 2, 2007 (postmark date).

THSC Association President Tim Lambert wrote a letter on behalf of a member family in response to problems with the school district. After the family followed the TEA process recommended by the TEA for withdrawal of a student, the school insisted that the family had to do more.

Have you joined Texas Home School Coalition Association yet? (Click on the graphic for more information.) THSC Association is continually looking not only for more member discounts to add to its Member Benefit Package but also for ways to make joining more manageable.

It has gotten even easier to budget for your membership now! We still offer $15 off the annual membership price of $85 for members of local home school support groups. In addition, an auto-renewal option gives another $5 in savings. Our newest budgeting tool is our monthly payment plan. You can now spread your payments throughout the year. The base price still includes the discounts.

To learn about the new options or to join, you can call our office at (888) 200-4903 and speak to our friendly, helpful staff or send your questions by email to staff@thsc.org. You can download, print, complete, and mail or fax your application and order form. Mail completed application to THSC, PO Box 6747, Lubbock, TX 79493 or fax to (806) 744-4446. If you would like to join or renew your membership, you can still join online, but the payment plan options are not yet available at the web store.