Prairie Spirit Home Educators

New Events & Activities

PSHE Website Moving
Due to the closing of Geocities in October 2009, the PSHE website is in the process of moving to pshe.wordpress.com. You will now be automatically redirected to the new site, if you're still waiting after 5 seconds, click on the new link. Thanks!

Saskatoon Home Educated Debaters
FIRST CLASS MOVED TO SEPTEMBER 9 instead of September 2.
Contact Melissa Ong before the class - elevenongs@link.ca
Scroll down for more information about debate.

Not-Back-To-School Picnic
When:  Monday, Aug 31 starting around 12:00 noon
Where:  Warman Spray Park

Come one and all.  We will start by sharing a picnic time, and   afterwards the kids and parents can enjoy the park time as usual. Bring lunch for your family, and a dessert or snack item to share.

HOMESCHOOL SWIMMING
It's that time of year! Red Cross swimming lessons for homeschoolers are once again being offered at Harry Bailey Aquatic Centre. They will start the morning of Friday September 18, 2009, and go for 8 weeks.

Prices are: preschool - Level 4 $55, Levels 5 - 8 $65 and Levels 9 - 10 $75. This includes the 45 minute free swim after the lessons---a great opportunity to meet and socialize with other homeschoolers! Moms swim free and can utilize the hot tub and sauna! If there are any families not registered in lessons who would like to come for the free swim only, they are more than welcome. We charge $2 per person. Please pay Mary Lissel.

PLEASE NOTE: registration will not take place via phone or email. There will be a registration afternoon on Friday September 4 at Harry Bailey from 1 - 3 pm, at which time payment is due by cheque or cash. There is a Family Swim scheduled at the pool during this time, so come and register and enjoy a swim! Regular pool fees apply.

There will also be representatives from CHESS (Christian Home Educators of Saskatoon and Surrounding area) and the Saskatoon Unschoolers. Each of these groups will be bringing their library of books, which are available to borrow at that time.

If you absolutely cannot register on September 4th, please email Janina Chamberlain at hoylingj@hotmail.com or Mary Lissel at mlissel@sasktel.net to arrange for mail in registration.

THINK. STUDY. SPEAK. DEBATE.
The Saskatoon Home Educated Debaters was started six years ago by Carol Crosson, a homeschooling mom. We have had anywhere from 10 to 20 students a year encompassing Grades 5 to 12. The club has had a history of much success. Students participate in regional tournaments sponsored by the Saskatchewan Elocution and Debate Association (SEDA) and have qualified and participated in the provincial tournament. We have had students chosen as part of the Saskatchewan Team for National Debate Competitions, the Canadian National High School Debate Championships, the Junior National Debate Championships, and the National Debate Seminar. The club has also participated in Mock Trials sponsored by the Law Society of Saskatchewan as well as Model Legislature.

There are countless skills students learn in debate. While people generally think that debate is only for those interested in legal or political careers, the whole process of preparing for a debate and debating provides such a learning and growth experience for any student. Between the research on current issues and underlying issues and then developing thinking skills, public speaking and debating strategy, a student has a real opportunity to grow and gain skills that can enable him or her to find and have a voice and impact their community. You will never be the same in confidence and your ability to assess world affairs and research viewpoints on both sides of a topic.

Saskatoon Home Educated Debaters meet once a week on Wednesday mornings from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. at the Ong residence, 5550 Clarence Ave. South, Saskatoon. While there is work do be done, we do have a lot fun working together.

TO REQUEST AN APPLICATION AND FOR MORE INFORMATION contact Melissa Ong at elevenongs@link.ca or (306)653-4030

FIRST CLASS IS ON SEPTEMBER 2, 2009.

Additional Note:
STUDENTS ARE STRONGLY ENCOURAGED TO ATTEND THE DEBATE DAY CAMP HOSTED BY SEDA on August 17-21, 2009 at Walter Murray Collegiate. This is for students in grades 5-12, Beginner, Advanced and Leadership levels. For more information visit www.saskdebate.com

Park Time
Spring is here, and so is the opportunity for homeschool families of all ages to gather together weekly at the Lions Spray Park in Warman. Mondays at 1:00 pm (starting May 4th), come to join in on some soccer, Frisbee, tag, the playground equipment, eventually the spray park - there should be something for everyone. Hope to see you there! If you have any questions contact Shelley Gilbey at 384-2716 or brad.shelley@sasktel.net

New Resources Available!! Updated 2Apr2009
From Carol Demchuk-Kosolofski (our Home Based Education Program Facilitator)...

Now Online...
I just wanted to let you know that the non-print resources (i.e. resource centre kits) are now posted on the PSSD website.  You click on the 'Parents" icon, then the "Homebased Education Icon" then scroll down to resources: it will then list all the kits that we have available for our homebased parents to sign out.

Please contact Carol (683-2830) for further details.

Did you know...
...that there is a Parent Liaison group that meets with members of the Prairie Spirit School Board to form the Prairie Spirit Home-Based Education Committee? Well there is! Last year the Parent Liaison group helped draft the new home-based education policy now in effect. Members of the Prairie Spirit Home-Based Educator Parent Liaison group include: Lori Giesbrecht, Kayla Hunt, Heather Haynes, Teena Ens, Melissa Ong, and Charmaine Panko.

European Homeschool Tours
If you would be interested in European tours with other home-based students, please check out the following website: www.loewentours.com