Advocates for Home Education in Massachusetts, Inc.
Strengthening the grassroots presence of homeschoolers in Massachusetts
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Email info@AHEM.info if you need help with accessing the flyer or registration form.

Whole Education Without Schooling:
Family, Community, Freedom

Join us for a dynamic and provocative day of ideas and discussion!

Saturday, October 11, 2008
Park Avenue Congregational Church
50 Paul Revere Rd., Arlington, MA

9:30 - 10:00 Registration
10:00 - noon

Welcome & Panel: Patchwork of Days What's it like to actually homeschool your kids? How do philosophy and reality intersect in the practical, day-to-day world of homeschooling? Experienced homeschooling parents Erin Matica, Mary Plowden, Venus Taylor, and Phillip Yoo talk about their successes, challenges, and the life of a home educator. This panel is designed to cover frequently asked questions about homeschooling, while providing inspiring testimony on the homeschooling lifestyle. Panelists represent a range of homeschooling approaches and methodologies. Time will be set aside for audience questions. (Click here to see panelists' bios.)

noon - 1:30

Lunch and Focus Groups
Getting started homeschooling: A brief overview of Massachusetts homeschool law, with time for discussion and questions about how it works in practice.
Living with Children 24/7: The benefits, the joys, and the challenges.
Beyond the Empty Homeschool Nest: Is there life after homeschooling? Focus on parents and how we transition as our kids move to independence and adulthood.

1:30 - 3:30 Panel: Grown Homeschoolers "How do they turn out?" is one of the perennial homeschooling questions. The answer -- as individual and unique as one might expect. Our panel of grown homeschoolers includes an archivist, a musician, a registered nurse, a budding social reformer, and a world traveler. Andrew Huckins, Lexie Jenkins, Emily Murphy, Leah Sakala, and Fred Sladkey talk about homeschooling from the vantage point of the kids, the experience of forging their life paths, and what it's like to live in a mostly schooled society. Another perennial question - "What about college?" -- is looked at through the lens of homeschoolers representing a range of possible choices. The session winds up with a Q&A with the audience. (Click here to see panelists' bios.)
Food: We will provide light refreshments. There are many places to buy lunch a short walk away, or feel free to bring your own non-messy food and drink.
Children: Because we are unable to make special accommodations for children, we ask that you leave at home children who will be as happy or happier there with a loving caregiver. Children over 12 months old who accompany you will need to register, pay the registration fee, and be supervised by you at all times.
Raffle: Featuring fabulous prizes selected with homeschooling families in mind! Everyone who registers gets one complimentary ticket and grand prize is first choice of which gift you want to take home.
Networking: Remember to bring cards to swap with people that you want to keep in touch with.

Register by September 30 and pay $20 per person. Space is limited: advance registration recommended. Mailed registrations must be postmarked no later than September 30, 2008. Full payment must accompany registration. Cancellation requests received by September 30, 2008 will be honored. No refunds after September 30, 2008. Registration confirmation will be sent via email (preferred) or enclose a stamped, self-addressed envelope or postcard.

After September 30, 2008, call 781-641-0566 or email info@AHEM.info to check availability. Walk-ins will be accommodated, if space allows, with an additional cost of $5 per person.

Directions to Park Avenue Congregational Church:
From Route 2:
• Take the Park Avenue exit (Exit 58);
• Turn north into Arlington on Park Avenue;
• Continue to the top of the hill, past the water tower on the right, and down the long, steep hill just until you see the traffic lights at the intersection of Park Avenue and Massachusetts Avenue.
• The church is on the left, one block south of Massachusetts Avenue at the intersection of Park Avenue and Paul Revere Road.

All proceeds benefit Advocates for Home Education in Massachusetts, Inc., a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.

Download the registration form and/or a reproducible flyer from the box at left.

Have questions? Need help? Email info@AHEM.info or call 781-641-0566.

The information on this website does not constitute legal advice; it is provided for informational purposes only.