Self Guided Field Trip at PAFB

We a field trip in early September to the Clinton County Historical Museum where they gave us a nice walking tour map of the old air force base. I am going to come to the Oval on Oct 23rd at 11:00am and do a self-guided walking tour for my family and anyone else who wants to join us! Let's meet at the veterans' memorial on the far southern end of the Oval (the side nearest all the museums). As we walk around, we can stop and play at the playground on northern end. If I'm a little late, it's just because we'll be coming from an orthodontist appointment, but we'll be there.

Sunita Halasz  

sunitahalasz@gmail.com

Pre-school and Toddler Time at the Peru Free Library

"Beginning on Wednesday, September 30, 2015 from 10:00a - 11:30a at the Peru Free Library, all toddlers and preschoolers (plus parents!) are welcome to join us in the Children's Room for free play, a story or two, and a craft if so inspired. We will plan to meet every 2nd and 4th Wednesday of the month (opposite schedule to NCH co-op). Hope to see you there!"

Please direct all inquiries to Heather at heatherlavigne2@gmail.com.

Homeschool String Orchestra

Calling all string players!

Gouverneur, NY

A beginning string orchestra ensemble for new and experienced homeschool string players.

Presented by Lauren Correa

My name is Lauren Correa.  I moved to Gouverneur in August 2014.  I graduated from Nyack College with a degree in Music Education.  I am a violinist and also enjoying singing, playing guitar and piano.  I currently teach violin lessons out of my home in Gouverneur.  I attend the First United Methodist Church of Gouverneur.  

My vision is to begin an orchestra group for homeschooled students and create a place where they can grow in their musicianship and be part of an ensemble.  This group will be comprised of Violin, Viola, Cello and Bass players.   We will play a variety of musical genres and will meet at a time that is best for all who are involved.   

If you are interested in joining this group please express your interest through email or phone.  Students can participate even if they do not take private lessons.   Private lessons are available for all four string instruments through me or my husband Victor Correa.  Victor plays the Bass and teaches private Cello and Bass lessons.

Violin Lessons By Lauren

26 Jefferson Street

Gouverneur, NY 13642

LVCorreaIII@gmail.com

845-926-6741

FESTIVAL OF TIBETAN ARTS AND CULTURE OF THE ADIRONDACK COAST OPENING CELEBRATIONS ANNOUNCED

Plattsburgh, NY - September 22, 2015 - The Festival of Tibetan Arts and Culture of the Adirondack Coast announced in early March 2015 gets underway during the last week of September and runs through October 27th. Initial events include an opening reception at the SUNY Plattsburgh Art Gallery, the official unveiling of the mosaic mural in downtown Plattsburgh, and a concert by singer/songwriter Techung with the Adirondack Youth Orchestra.

Exhibitions and events will take place through the rest of September and October, beginning with an opening reception at the Burke Gallery and Winkel Sculpture Court on Thursday, September 24 from 4:30 to 6:30 PM. The exhibition showcases artwork from Tibet, and Tibetan Artists. Mr. Tenzin Dechen, Assistant to the North American Representative of His Holiness the Dalai Lama will make opening comments.

On Friday, September 25 at 5 PM, the official unveiling and dedication of the mosaic mural created by Sue Burdick Young with the Plattsburgh Renewal Project and hundreds of community volunteers will take place. The mural was recently installed in downtown Plattsburgh, on the corner of Bridge and Durkee St. All are invited to a reception at the Strand Center for the Arts immediately following the unveiling.

Capping off the weekend of celebratory launch events will be a concert by Techung and the Windhorses with a performance by the Adirondack Youth Orchestra on Sunday, September 17 at 2 PM at the E. Glenn Giltz Auditorium in Hawkins Hall. This talented and engaging group of multicultural musicians will bring their engaging international sound to Plattsburg The young musicians of the Adirondack Youth Orchestra will premiere traditional Tibetan songs arranged by conductors Todd Pray and Kate Bulluck. Tickets to this concert are availble online here:  http://plattsburgh.universitytickets.com/user_pages/event.asp?id=582&cid=41

Mountain Lake PBS, the lead organization in this collaborative partnership project, continues to film the events of the festival for the new documentary Arts in Exile: Tibetan Treasures in Small Town America .  This documentary explores the hidden treasures within our region, and the unique ability of the arts to unify communities from a small town in New York across the globe to Tibet. The documentary will be released in spring 2016, and has the potential to be viewed nationally on PBS stations across the United States.

The Festival of Tibetan Arts & Culture of the Adirondack Coast is a series of community events illuminating the arts and culture of Tibet in the North Country between April and December 2015, including performances by the Adirondack Youth Orchestra; exhibitions and events at SUNY Plattsburgh; the creation and installation of a tile mural in downtown Plattsburgh led by Sue Young and the Plattsburgh Renewal Project with support from the Strand Arts Center; and a documentary by Mountain Lake PBS. This festival is funded, in part, by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Andrew Cuomo and the New York State Legislature. More information about the festival can be found online at  http://mountainlake.org/tibet.

FULL SCHEDULE OF EVENTS FROM SEPTEMBER 24 - OCTOBER 27:

http://organizations.plattsburgh.edu/museum/tibet15.htm

MORE INFORMATION:

http://mountainlake.org/tibet

Park Day Wednesday 9:30

I'd like to invite anyone interested to a park morning Wednesday at 9:30 at Cumberland Head park playground. This is a chance for new to homeschooling families to meet some more experienced families. Or those with younger children thinking about homeschooling can have a chance to ask questions. Come join us for play and getting to know each other! 

This Week at the Paul Smiths Visitors Interpretive Center

Issue #166 Sept. 15, 2015
VIC Paint Out  Check out plein-air artwork done on site.  Admire Teddy Roosevelt Bird Walk Saturday, Sept. 19 Learn to identify local birds.   Be on the lookout Adirondack Fungi Fest saturday, Oct. 3Celebrate the healing nature of the fifth kingdom! Join us Adirondack Rural Skills & Homesteading Festival Saturday, Oct. 3Celebrate the talents of a bygone era with a distinctly Adirondack flair. Live off the land Hours 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. seven days a week.

North Country Homeschool Co-op 10/7/15

North Country Homeschool Co-op 10/7/15

Please come join us at the Wesleyan Church on Rt 3 in the village of Cadyville.

Set-up for those teaching will begin at 10:15am.  Also, teachers, please remember to bring an envelope marked with your class name, fee, and some change to place on the sign-in table!  

Classes start promptly at 11:00am, and conclude around 2:00p or 2:30p when the 1:00pm afternoon classes finish. Feel free to come for the whole time or just for the portion your family wants to participate in. Bring a lunch to enjoy upstairs in the Fellowship Hall or next door at the playground!

Full details available on all class offerings below.  For quick reference here is an overview of what is being offered this day:

11:00 - 12:00

Preschool Free Play -- PreK --  Emilia Warren (set-up)

Fall Plant Walk -- K-2 -- Mike Burgess

Little House: In The Big Woods -- 3-5 -- Holly Warren
Harry Potter & Percy Jackson Trivia Fun -- 6-8 -- Amanda Bokus
Bicycle Maintenance, Part 2 -- 8-12 -- Joe Moracco

12:30 - 12:55:

Children’s Chorus -- PreK-3rd -- Holly Warren

Current Events -- middle/high school -- Tammy Neureuther

1:00 - 2:00:

Watercolor Art -- K-5 -- Shannon Stone

Forensic Science #1 -- 6-12 -- Amanda Bokus

Free Play Room:  Tinker toys

11:00a - 12:00p

Preschool:

Free Play Fun Day

Join in a fun day of free play in the preschool room.  Toys, books, arts & crafts will be set up for our youngest members to explore with Mom & Dad or on their own!

Fee: FREE

Elementary (K - 2nd):

Fall Plant Walk

Come join local homeschool dad & biology professor Mike Burgess for a fun hour exploring & learning about fall plants here in the North Country.

Teacher: Mike Burgess
Fee: FREE
RSVP: Susannah Burgess, burgess.susannah@gmail.com

Gr 3-5:

Little House: In the Big Woods

This class is the first in a series of classes over the fall & early winter semesters that will be based off of Laura Ingalls Wilder’s Little House series.  Students will explore late 19th century pioneer life through lapbooking & hands-on activities taken from The Prairie Primer.

Teacher:  Holly Warren
Fee: $2 per child

RSVP: Holly Warren, hollyjwarren@gmail.com

Gr 6-8:

Harry Potter & Percy Jackson Trivia Fun

Play trivia/jeopardy with Harry Potter & Percy Jackson facts.  We’ll be using questions gathered online, with material from the first few books of each series.

Teacher: Amanda Bokus
Fee: FREE
RSVP: Amanda Bokus, bokusfamily@westelcom.com

Gr 8-12:

Bicycle Maintenance, Part 2

This class is a continuation of the bicycle maintenance & repair class offered by Joe Moracco last spring at co-op.  Students who didn’t attend the previous session are welcome to join in though!  Bring your bike if you wish.

Teacher: Joe Marocco
Fee: FREE
RSVP:  Samantha Marocco, smarocco@gmail.com




12:00p - 1:00p

Bag lunch period.

***Please remember that co-op has a nut free policy!  This includes not only items brought for bag lunches but also for holiday treats, snacks, etc.  If you are looking for a nut butter alternative, sun butter is OK to use! ***

We will meet upstairs in the fellowship hall and/or next door at the playground for lunch break.

12:30p - 12:55p

Children’s Chorus -- Gr. K-3

Students will be practicing songs for a Christmas recital at a local nursing home.  Children's Chorus is open to all children as long as they are old enough to stand with the group & not be a distraction to the other singers.

Teacher: Holly Warren

Fee:  FREE

RSVP:  Holly Warren, hollyjwarren@gmail.com

Current Events  -- Gr. 8-12

This weekly group will discuss and explore what is happening locally, nationally and around the world.  Due to some of the content that may be discussed this will be for the middle school and highschool students only (with parental approval).  Students will be asked to contribute weekly.  This class will meet in the downstairs board room.

Teacher: Tammy Neureuther

Fee: FREE

RSVP: Tammy Neureuther, tamneureuther@yahoo.com or Facebook Tammy Neureuther

1:00p - 2:00p

K-5:

Watercolor Art

Warhol inspired leaf art, using watercolors.  Everyone will need to bring 4 medium-sized leaves.  Students should wear smocks or old clothes.

Teacher: Shannon Stone

Fee: $2 per student
RSVP: Shannon Stone, lucky07clovers@aol.com

Gr 6-12:

Forensic Science/CSI #1

Solve fun mysteries using science skills.  Analyze crime scene photos & lab reports, test hypotheses, collect evidence.  Lap components will include: dental impressions, fingerprinting, evidence collection & more!

Teacher: Amanda Bokus
Fee: $15 per student for supplies & booklets

RSVP:  Amanda Bokus, bokusfamily@westelcom.com .  PLEASE RSVP BY 9/25/15.  Booklets & supplies need to be made/purchased.  Extra materials will not be printed “just in case” as the cost is prohibitive, so make sure to RSVP your student by the deadline!

Afternoon Free Play

There will also be building blocks, preschool toys, basic art supplies, the free play room, and other items to help keep our youngest co-op members entertained throughout the afternoon.

Homeschool Co-op Dates and Policies for 2015-2016 Year

Homeschool Co-op is gearing up for another fun filled year of learning and playing together!  
Co-op is a nondenominational group open to all local homeschooling families.  New families are encouraged to attend a couple sessions before enrolling for the year. There is no mandatory attendance once you've joined, simply come to the classes that are of interest to your family! 

There is a $25/year registration fee per family to cover the cost of our group's insurance, donation to the church for letting us use their space, and miscellaneous supplies.  Each family is asked to volunteer teaching (or arranging an outside teacher) for 3 60 min classes each school year. 

If you have a problem viewing the attachments, or any other questions, please contact Holly Warren, at northcountryhomeschoolcoop@gmail.com .  

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Co-op Meeting Dates for 2015-2016 School Year

Fall Semester:

10/7/15

10/21/15

11/4/15

11/18/15

12/2/15

Winter Semester:

1/6/16

1/20/16

2/3/16

2/17/16

3/2/16

Spring Semester:

3/16/16
3/30/16

4/6/16

4/20/16

5/4/16

5/18/16 -- End of Year Field Day

++++++++++++++++

The regular weekly schedule will be:

10:15am - 11:00am -- Building opens, set up time for teachers, families arrive.  Parents, please make sure to arrive by 10:45am in order to be checked in & settled before classes start promptly at 11:00am.  If you arrive after 11, please check-in and help your student find the class they are taking.

11:00am - 12:00pm -- Structured class time for all ages PreK- high school.

12:00pm - 1:00pm -- Potluck/Bag lunch.  Recess next door at the playground (weather permitting).  Indoor group games, rec room time, free play room & board games in bad weather.

12:40pm - 12:55pm -- Chorus, Current Events, and club groups meet

1:00pm - 2:00pm -- Classes, as well as ongoing craft activities & other projects.  Afternoon class offerings will be for grades K-12 , but younger siblings are always welcome to stay and play in the preschool, free play room, or neighboring playground.

2:00pm - 3:30pm -- This time slot is available as overflow for longer running afternoon classes.

Registration Fee

Co-op remains open for all North Country homeschooling families to join, however, this year we will be charging a $25 registration fee per family.   This fee will cover each attending family’s portion of the co-op’s newly purchased insurance policy, an annual donation to the Cadyville Wesleyan Church (which let’s us use it’s building for free), and any other supplies the group needs (shelving, art supplies, etc).

**  A registration table will be set up next to the sign-in table throughout the year.  Please take a moment to fill out our short registration form, and place it, along with your $25 fee, in the drop box provided.  PLEASE BRING EXACT CHANGE, co-op does not have a checking account and cannot cash checks.  Cash only please!

**  We want co-op to remain an affordable, fun option for any member of the community who wants to participate!  If you have difficulty paying the $25 registration fee please contact Holly Warren to make alternative payment arrangements.

Volunteer Requirements

Additionally, each family registering will be expected to volunteer three times each school year.  Volunteering can take many forms -- teaching a class solo, team teaching a class with another co-op family, bringing in an outside teacher, or holding a staff position are all examples of ways to contribute.

Please speak with Holly Warren or Amanda Bokus if you need ideas for getting involved!

**  New families are able, and encouraged, to come to co-op 1-2 times prior to registering to make sure the group is a good fit for your family.  Once registered, new families have a one semester “grace period” before volunteer requirements begin so they have time to make friends & see how co-op runs.


Class Fees

Fees for individual classes will still be paid weekly to cover the teacher’s cost for materials.  Fees will continue to be collected using the honor system at the sign-in table each class day.  When you sign-in, please be sure to check to see if the classes your child is attending that day have fees, and if so, please put payment in the appropriate envelope.  

As class fees are generally very modest, it is best if families can bring $1's and $5's when paying for classes.

Fees will continue to be announced in the class descriptions so families can make sure they have the correct change.  

Please make sure to check the announcements for any classes your children are attending to see if there is a fee or other item that should be brought in order for them to participate.

Attendance Policy

Families are welcome to come to as many or as few classes as their schedules & interests allow.

We meet at regular times though, so that families can easily schedule other classes and commitments around co-op without conflicts.

Please note the RSVP policy for each class your family is interested in & contact the appropriate person via email or phone.  

Due to the growth co-op has experienced in the past year, as well as how many students can comfortably fit in our classrooms, many classes this year will have limited class sizes ranging from 8-20 students per class.  Classes posted with an enrollment limit will fill on a first come, first serve basis.  Please make sure to RSVP to the teacher so your child’s spot is held!   

General Rules

1)  Parents, please do not drop off your child.  Co-op is NOT a drop-off activity.  Parents are expected to be on the premises at all times.   Drop-offs may occasionally be allowed on a case by case basis for children 7+, with prior permission from the instructor and/or one of the co-op coordinators.

2)  Please no candy treats as prizes in class.  In order to be mindful of food allergies, encourage a healthy lifestyle, and mindful of everyone's various food preferences we are asking that candy not NOT be given by teachers as rewards in class.  Families are certainly welcome to pack whatever they would like for their own children to eat during the bag lunch/recess period, but for prizes please consider stickers or other small tokens.

National History Day Competition (Grade 6-12)

Greetings from Fort Ticonderoga!

I hope the new school year is off to a good start for you and your students!

I wanted to touch base early in the school year and let you know about this year’s North Country History Day.

Two new counties have been added to the North Country Region: Hamilton County and St. Lawrence County.

THIS YEAR’S THEME: Exploration, Encounter, Exchange in History

The 2016 theme books, theme sheet, and sample topics are all available on the Fort Ticonderoga website at:

http://www.fortticonderoga.org/education/students/historyday

THIS YEAR’S CONTEST

This year’s North Country History Day Contest takes place on Saturday, March 6, 2016. Registration for all entries will be due by February 4, 2016. The registration fee remains at $10 per student, which will be due with submitted registrations.

SUPPORT FROM THE REGIONAL DIRECTOR

I am always happy to provide advice and answer questions about History Day. I’m available to meet with administrators, teachers, and/or students. Please let me know if you’d like to schedule a visit to your school,

PLANNING AHEAD

History Day is not a day, it’s an experience. As veterans, you know that History Day projects don’t just happen. Now is the time to plant the seed. Projects should be well underway by late October. I’ve found the “After School Club Kit” from New York State History Day to be a great way to organize the History Day program in your school—even if you don’t do it as an after school club. Here’s the link:

http://ny.nhd.org/AfterSchoolClubToolkit.htm

THANK YOU

Thank you for your past support of North Country History Day. I look forward to working with you and your students again this school year!

Sincerely,

Rich Strum

Director of Education
Fort Ticonderoga
PO Box 390
Ticonderoga, NY  12883
www.fortticonderoga.org
phone: 518-585-6370
fax: 518-585-2210

Twelfth Annual

Fort Ticonderoga Seminar on the American Revolution

September 25-27, 2015

Learn more at: http://www.fortticonderoga.org/education/workshop-seminars/american-revolution