Joining the Texas Home School Coalition Association brings benefits beyond membership in the state organization. (Click on the graphic to find out more about the benefits of membership in THSC.) Among those is legal assistance, provided by the experienced staff at THSC. These staffers intervene when local school officials challenge a family's right to home school. Through phone calls and/or letters, they end the confrontation and confirm the right of parents to teach their children at home. (See samples of such letters in past weekly E-Newsletters.)

If these methods do not accomplish the desired results, we call upon THSC Association's general legal counsel, Shelby Sharpe, to deal with the school districts in the courts. Mr. Sharpe was the lead attorney in the Leeper v. Arlington class action suit, the case upon which the great home school law in Texas is based, so he is more than qualified to handle such problems! (Meet Shelby Sharpe.)

Members also receive help when dealing with other officials about problems related to their home schooling. Often bureaucrats and government officials with whom home schoolers deal make decisions that may infringe upon their rights. THSC Association experiences great success in confirming home educators' rights as it intervenes in these situations on behalf of its members.

Prayer has always been a vital component of our nation's success. The first national call to prayer was in 1775, when the Continental Congress asked the nation to pray for wisdom in forming a nation. President Lincoln called for a day of "humiliation, fasting, and prayer" in 1863, and in 1952, a joint resolution by Congress, signed by President Truman, declared an annual national day of prayer. This resolution was amended and signed by President Reagan in 1988, permanently setting the day as the first Thursday in May.

This year we observe the National Day of Prayer on Thursday, May 3. Most cities will have special gatherings and ceremonies, so check your local venues for what is available in your area (or click on the graphic to go to the website of Texas National Day of Prayer). Although every day is a day of prayer, United States citizens are blessed to have the right to participate publicly and corporately in prayer for our nation. Take the time to celebrate that right and thank God that we have it.

leader , n., a person who rules or guides or inspires others

Show your appreciation for your local support group leaders during Home School Leader Appreciation Week, April 22-28. Whether it's a gift card to a favorite restaurant, a bouquet of flowers, or a homemade greeting card, don't forget to express your gratitude to these hard-working, often unappreciated persons! (Click on the graphic to order certificates of appreciation.)

The last Capitol Day of 2007 is May 16, and the deadline for registration is May 2. Take advantage of this final opportunity until 2009 to observe the Texas legislature in action. While in Austin, visit some historic and educational sites, such as the Governor's Mansion and the Bob Bullock Texas History Museum. Learn more about field trips in the capital city of Texas and discounts which are available to home schoolers at our Web site.

Plan to attend THSC Association's May Capitol Day! Register today! Click on the graphic to download the registration form, or call our toll-free order line, 888-200-4903.

PEACH (Plano Educational Association of Christian Home Schoolers) will host a meeting for dads only this Thursday, April 19, at 7 p.m. at St. Paul Lutheran Church. The church is located at 6565 Independence Parkway, Plano. (Click on graphic for map.)

A panel discussion will be conducted by Tim and Lyndsay Lambert of the Texas Home School Coalition and Dana and Ellen Tillman with World View Classes. Both these couples are veterans of homeschooling, with many years of experience.

The focus of the session, For Dads Only: The Role of the Christian Father in the Home and in the Home School, will be to help dads with ways to support their wives, teach their children, and assume leadership in the home. Dads in the Plano area are encouraged to come and bring a friend.

ARCH, a Houston-area support group for Catholic home schooling families, is holding its annual Bookfair and Speakers' Conference April 20 and 21. Several well-known vendors and speakers are scheduled to speak. Tim Lambert, president of the THSC, will present a workshop titled "What Every Texas Home Schooler Needs to Know."

The conference will be held at the University of St. Thomas, 3800 Montrose, Houston, in the Jerabeck Athletic Center (on West Main Street between Graustark and Yoakum).

"The Paris City Council has tentatively agreed to a request by local home school families to modify a daytime youth curfew that was designed to keep children under 17 off the streets during school hours.

The council on Monday night directed City Attorney Kent McIlyar to add new language that would allow police officers to issue citations or warnings to youths only after determining they do not meet one or more of a dozen 'affirmative defenses' spelled out in the ordinance."

Click on the graphic to see an earlier story about the Paris daytime curfew.

When a Dunbar High School official attempted to compel member parents to fill out unnecessary forms, the family notified the Texas Home School Coalition Association. Tim Lambert clarified the law regarding withdrawal of students to homeschool and urged the school official to withdraw her request for unlawful paperwork.