Vol. 10       No. 77     Updated: Feb. 2, 2010          San Antonio, TX.    Copyright (c) 2010     Patricia  Valdez.            All Rights Reserved. FROM THE EDITOR:    Well the groundhog has seen his shadow. Oh, well. Six more weeks of winter. Bundle up! Happy Homeschooling,        Mrs. Pat Valdez   Editor of HCentralSA.org   Join the Mailing HCentralSA.org List Receive this bi-monthly newsletter in your email! Enter your name and email address below: Name: Email: Subscribe  Unsubscribe    Dear Friends,   You may be aware that my father-in-law has been working with Haitian orphans for many years now. You have probably seen on the news that, along with countless other buildings, several orphanages have collapsed during the earthquake killing many children. The survivors are now in a desperate situation. With no shelter and insufficient food and water, these children are falling ill and many are at risk of dying due to exposure and lack of basic needs. Many of the children were in the process of being adopted by families in the U.S. and elsewhere. The others have families in the U.S. that, since the earthquake, have enthusiastically offered to take them into their homes. There is one major problem. The U.S. State Department has put a freeze on all adoptions and  immigrations from Haiti. This decision is costing lives. These are children who have a place to go. They have families who want dearly to take them in and care for them. My father-in-law is in Haiti now and is working to relieve their suffering where they are and fighting to gain permission to bring them to their new homes in the U.S.   I received this video clip from him yesterday. Please watch it and see the reality they face. They don't have long.   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HgNem1QtBdw   If this touches your heart please contact your senator and representative. Ask them to demand the release of these children into the homes that are waiting for them. If you choose to email them, include the video link so they can see for themselves what is at stake.   Texas Governor Rick Perry is giving his full support to the effort but more voices are needed. Below are the links to our Texas senators as well as a link to find your representative regardless of your state or district.     Cornyn, John - (R - TX) Class II 517 HART SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510 (202) 224-2934 Web Form: http://cornyn.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=Contact.ContactForm Hutchison, Kay Bailey - (R - TX) Class I 284 RUSSELL SENATE OFFICE BUILDING WASHINGTON DC 20510 (202) 224-5922 Web Form: http://hutchison.senate.gov/contact.cfm If you are unsure who your district representative is, the first link below will find them by your zip code, and allow you to e-mail them.  The second link provides easy links to all of the congressmen and representative's websites for all states. http://www.congress.org/congressorg/dbq/officials/   Lastly, if you would like to help the effort either with supplies or financially, my dad's organization is Harvest International. They have been working in Haiti for nearly 30 years. They have the network in place and are able to get the supplies they have to the people rather than ending up in the bottleneck at the airport like so many of the supplies that are already there. A shipping container will be sent soon to bring the necessary supplies into the country. If you would like to contribute either way you can find them at www.harvestinternational.org.   Thanks for your time,   Shantel Leininger

Curriculum HERE http://www.christianbook.com/homeschool?event=AFF&p=1149087 ONCE A MONTH Bowling on the 3rd Wed of each month. Beginning Jan. 20, 2010 from 1- 3pm. We would meet at the AMF Bowling Alley located on 2118 Goliad Rd,San Antonio, TX. 210-333-6150. questions - please let me know - Thanks Susan Molina "smsmolina" sms263@hughes.net Skating Every last Monday of the Month from 1-3 p.m. 223 Recoleta Rd San Antonio, TX 78216 Get Directions (210) 826-6361 $5 per person   If anyone is interested in having their child participate in a 2010 Graduation. Contact Mrs. Price for details. tprice767@att.net   Homeschool Spanish Course Recommendation "...She has learned so much more with Visual Link™." Click here now for free Spanish demo lessons. Kids learn to converse fast! Parents don't need to know Spanish Keeps kids interest so they want to keep learning Recommended ages: 7-18 $15 OFF Coupon Code : HCSA Visual Link Spanish™ Course Testimonial: Our daughter is really enjoying your program. We had used so many others before and even bought Rosetta Stone® at ridiculous prices and our daughter found it very boring and repetitive. She has learned so much more with Visual Link™. She works independently and takes the tests and is doing great. - Maria  Thank Our Sponsors! This website is runned by sponsors who help support this site with their ads. Take time today to thank one of the following sponsors. Celestia Smith Violin Lessons Crystal Sea Drama Company http://hcentralsa.org/CSDCWhBoard.pdf  CBD Homeschool Curriculum D'Nel Stucki Voice Lessons Inspire Fine Art Online Science Science To YOU!  Stone Oak Piano Studio Tutors/Teachers Listing The following sponsors have paid for their advertisements. These organizations are what pay for the domain name, hosting site and upkeep of this site. ~Thanks Place an ad HERE for $35 (one month) or $75 a year!

Homeschool Groups Do you have a facebook? Join the San Antonio Homeschoolers and let's connect. http://www.facebook.com

.    Crystal Sea Drama 8414 Speedway San Antonio, Tx 78230 Crystal Sea Drama Company is a non-profit Christian Drama Troupe that has worked withing the Home School Community for the last 7 years. With the opening of our new studio, we will be the 1st Fine Arts Studio in San Antonio dedicated to training Christians to be entertainment missionaries. There are classes for ages K-adult. For more information or to register, contact Irene Miller, irene@crystalseadrama.org or 210/849-0934 or visit our website,  www.crystalseadrama.org Flyer: http://hcentralsa.org/CSDCWhBoard.pdf Contact Irene Miller imgenscrap@yahoo.com, (210)849-0943, for more information.

VONAGE - SAVE on your Phone Bill! Get Caller ID Voicemail Call Waiting Call Forwarding All for $25 a month! It's easy: 1. Go to vonage.com/friend 2. Enter this number 210-224-8729 Both you and I will get 2 months FREE phone service.

Great Deals on School & Homeschool Curriculum AND Buy and Sell Curriculum to others in San Antonio and surrounding areas. http://groups.yahoo.com/group/SAEducationalBookSwap/

Owl Pellet, Brain and Fetal Pig Dissection Ages 10 and up Location: NW of San Antonio Contact: Carol Flynn errolf78108@sbcglobal.net. Dissection Lab   Students will dissect an owl pellet. They will learn to distinguish different parts of the skeleton of a rodent or bird. They sort and mount the various bones they locate. 2 hours   Students will learn the parts of the brain. They will have 1/2 a brain each and label each area of a sheep brain using diagrams. An awesome hands-on experience.  1 hour   Students will learn the external anatomy and the fetal pig using diagrams. Each student will receive a commemorative fetal pig apron. 2 hours   All three will be on separate days. Please contact Carol for the information on the dates.     *This will count as a lab credit for high school students.   If 15 students enroll, the price will be set at $45. Presently 8 students are enrolled so if you are interested. ENROLL TODAY! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Spring Online Courses!!! Enroll NOW with TX Certified Instructor Mrs. P. Valdez  Elementary Sciences (Chemistry and Astronomy) Gemeral Science Life Science (Middle School) Earth Science (Middle School) Biology (High School) Physical Science (High School) Introduction to Chemistry ( Middle & High School) Introduction to Physics ( Middle & High School) Visit: http://hcentralsa.org/OnlineBiology/photos.html to view photos of other students who have taken the online courses. Students are from all across the U.S. (New York, New Jersey, Washington, S. Carolina, Georgia, California) Loma Linda University in California State's  Dean accepted the Online Introduction to Chemistry for their students. Register TODAY!!! http://hcentralsa.org/OnlineBiology/enroll.html Inquiries? Email: pvaldez121@satx.rr.com

Great Deals on School & Homeschool Science Kits Click to join Sciencehelper  FREE help for homeschoolers in Science at: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/sciencehelper   Science to YOU!!! Visit: http://hcentralsa.org/camps.html    ALGEBRA   Baumil Math Tutor Location:  Mrs. Bauml’s house 9130 Oak Downs 78230 210-287-1898 If you are interested in teaching Spanish to your kids here is some information about a great homeschool Spanish program from Visual Link Spanish: This is the link to watch a free demo and/or place an order: http://www.learnspanishtoday.com/hs/hcsa.html Get an additional $15 OFF with the following coupon: HCSA

1.) Piano lessons - a combination of Suzuki and traditional methods.  $65 per month.  NW side of town off of Braun outside of 1604.  Daytime hours available. 2.) Group or individual Spanish lessons from pre-school to adult   I have 16 years of experience in teaching piano and 8 years in teaching Spanish.  And I love teaching  both subjects.   Marte Casso 488-3120 thecassos@att.net

Place an ad HERE for $35 (one month) or $75 a year! Celestia Smith Professional Studio Violin Instructor celestiasmithviolinstudio@gmail.com 210-520-1519 6134 Broadmeadow San Antonio, Tx. 78240 Huebner and Babcock/Medical Center Area

Stone Oak Piano Studio Susan Hong : Piano Teacher Learn to play piano!!   All ages and levels.  Degreed and over 20 years of experience. Excellent references available.  Have been teaching homeschool students for over 10 years.   We focus on many aspects of music and not just performance.   Performance Theory Ear Training History Composition   Instructional fee for home school students:   Tuition:  $25 per 30 min. weekly lesson. Associated Membership:   Ms. Hong has renewed our 11 year old daughter's interest in piano.  She had completely stopped  practicing and no longer enjoyed her lessons. Ms. Hong's genuine love for music and teaching was an immediate inspiration.  Our daughter now, not only, loves her lessons but, enjoys practicing and is making  great progress. Our 7 year old son also takes lessons from Ms. Hong. She has given him a sense of pride and he plays with a smile on his face. She has made it fun for him and he even likes to play for family and visitors. Ms. Hong is energetic and enthusiastic.  We are so blessed to have found her. Vivian M.  :  Parent.   San Antonio Music Teacher Association Music Teachers National Association Texas  Music Teachers Association National Federation of Music Clubs Location:  Stone Oak Parkway and 281   FREE TRIAL LESSON is offered so please contact  Susan Hong @ stoneoakpianolessons@yahoo.com or   cell  210-413-6348

AROUND TOWN  My name is Denise Ortiz. I work with the city of San Antonio > Parks and Recreation Department as a Program Coordinator at Copernicus > Community Center. Copernicus Community is a beautiful community center > located in East San Antonio. We are currently searching for home school > youth interested in participating in out first PE program for home school > youth on Mon Tues or Thurs for children ages 5-16yrs from > 10-12pm. Our PE program will consist of the introduction of various > sports, fitness and host some home school socials to give the home school > youth the opportunity to interact with other home school youth through out > San Antonio. If you are interested in registering for our program please > contact Denise Ortiz @ 210-648-1072 or you can email me at > denise.ortiz@sanantonio.gov<mailto:denise.ortiz@sanantonio.gov ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Young Birders Club Do you like to look at, listen to and learn about birds? That makes you a Birder. Are you between the ages of 9 and 14? That makes you a Young Birder. Would you like to improve your birding and leadership skills along with other people about your age who are also interested in birds = a Young Birders Club. THEN JOIN THE CLUB! Friedrich Wilderness Park classroom February 27, 2010 8:00 am – 10:00 am March 13, 2010 12:00 pm – 2:00 pm April 10, 2010 8:00 am – 10:00 am May 8, 2010 8:00 am – 10:00 am June 12, 2010 8:00 am – 10:00 am Bring binoculars if you have them. See www.sanaturalareas for directions to park Suggested donation: $2/meeting FREE PARENTING LECTURE: Presented by Cathy Cummins CHEATING OUR KIDS By Joe Williams  New York Daily News reporter Joe Williams sheds light on how American children are grossly undereducated because of “politics and greed.” In this book, published in 2005, Mr. Williams gives suggestions for parents to be involved in making education in this country the best it can be. First, Mrs. Cummins will look at the “report card” and statistics for reading, math, science and social studies. Then the group will participate in a round table discussion. Admission is free, but space is limited; for reservations, please call Michele Cummins, 733‑7331, ext. 210.  Date:                Tuesday, February 2 Time:                7:00 – 8:30 PM Ages:                Adults Tuition:             Free Lecturer:           Cathy Cummins ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Carver Community Cultural Center http://www.thecarver.org/education_csvpa.html Spring Session I: January 9 – February 27, 2010 The classes are eight (8) weeks Tuition for all classes is $45.00 African Drumming (ages 5 & up) 12pm-1pm Saturdays Art (ages 5-12) 9:30am-10:30am Saturdays Beginning Ballet (ages 3-10) 11am-12pm Saturdays Beginning Belly Dance (ages 10 & up) 10am-11am Saturdays Capoeira (ages 5-12) 11am-12pm Saturdays Intermediate Belly Dance (ages 10 & up) 9am-10am Saturdays Praise Dance (ages 15 & up) 9am-11am Saturdays Hip-Hop Dance (ages 8 & up) 12pm - 1pm Saturdays Ceramics (ages 12 & up) 6pm-8pm Thursdays This schedule is always subject to change based on enrollment and interest in additional classes. Spring Session II: March 27 – May 15, 2010 CALL (210) 207-2719 TO REGISTER Home School ART Classes 2008 Inspire Fine Art Center 335 W. Sunset Rd. Call 210-829-5592 or go to  http://www.inspirefineart.org  for more details. Inspire is conveniently located at 335 W. Sunset Rd, between 281 & Broadway. Inspire Fine Art Center is a non-profit corporation.   Please contact us at (210) 829-5592 or register online at inspirefineart.org   FREEBIE of the Month! Teacher Calendar http://www.teachervision.fen.com/holidays-and-seasonal-events/printable/55993.html?WT.mc_id=SOT_2009-12-29_email   Highlight of the Month! Find out what's happening with homeschoolers around TEXAS. http://groups.yahoo.com/group/TexHmEd/ Great Deals on School & Homeschool Curriculum    Sign the Guestbook!http://pub44.bravenet.com/guestbook/3754653768 Own your own business? Now you can let every homeschooler in and around San Antonio know about your business. Visit: www.hcentralsa.org and click the ADD YOUR URL http://pub44.bravenet.com/forum/3754653768link.   Join HCentralSAers at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/hcentralsa for up to the minute news flashes.