The following education event is sponsored by the NASA JPL Earth Public Engagement Team.

NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory near Pasadena, Calif., is co-sponsoring Climate Day 2010. This two-day event will feature lectures and demonstrations by scientists, a Climate Jeopardy competition, career information and educator resources.

The event will take place March 26-27, 2010, at the Pasadena Convention Center. On Friday, March 26, educators and students in grades 6-12 are invited to attend from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Event hours for the public will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, March 27. Pre-registration is required to attend on Friday.

For more details about Climate Day and to pre-register online, visit http://climate.nasa.gov/ClimateDay/.

Please direct any questions about the Climate Day event to Annie Richardson at Annie.Richardson@jpl.nasa.gov

Since you are the parent of a homeschooled child, you care deeply for the materials that your student studies. Most parents do not make the decision to homeschool lightly. For this reason, you are very involved in the curriculum you choose for your child and in the goals you have for your child as well as those goals your child sets for him or herself.

Now that you know your child wishes to go to college for a nursing degree, you want to give him or her the best possible foundation for pursuing that degree successfully. What areas of study are important for a homeschooled child considering a nursing degree?

Biological Sciences

A strong foundation in biological sciences, the study of life, is critical. Such courses prepare your child for the strong focus that nursing studies will place on biology, human anatomy, human physiology, and microbiology.

Mathematics

Many nursing students are surprised to discover the emphasis of math that plays a role in nursing studies. Since nurses are responsible for calculating medical dosages it makes perfect sense that a strong mathematics background is required in order to get the correct dosage each and every time. Small math mistakes can have huge repercussions when it comes to life saving medications.

First Aid and Health

Having a good head for the basics of health care before beginning college nursing classes will give your child a huge head’s up on some of the competition. A firm grasp of first aid is good for every student, but is critical for those interested in entering into the medical field.

English and Communication

Oddly enough, effective communication is one of the most important skills a nurse can develop. For this reason it is important that your student have a well rounded education in English, grammar, and interpersonal communication.

The most important way a parent can help a child that is homeschooled qualify for various college nursing programs is to check out the admission requirements that various colleges have for entry. Some will require pre-entrance examinations and others have specific course requirements.

AP Classes for College Credit

I recommend condidering taking AP courses in algebra, chemistry, biology that can be used towards your academic requirements for a degree in nursing. Taking the initiative to study courses required for the degree will be looked upon favorably by selection committees. Homeschooled teens can also often take such advanced courses at a local community college.

Volunteering Does Not Go Unnoticed

Another educational opportunity for homeschool children considering nursing careers is to volunteer in local hospitals. Taking the time to get to know nurses and administrators in the hospital can come in handy when seeking references for scholarships and acceptance into various colleges nursing programs. Keep in mind that many hospitals work hand-in-hand with colleges in and around the area and have a good working relationship with them. A recommendation from hospital staff is sure to carry some weight.

For more information on nursing and and how to learn First Aid refer to Julie Blanche’s nursing blog.

May 1, 1921 – January 20, 2010
Died in Colorado Springs, CO. Formerly of Walnut Creek, Oakland and Piedmont, CA.
Shirley was born in Oakland, California to Frank and Sadie Pollard.  She graduated from Piedmont High School (1939) and the University of California, Berkeley (1943).  While at Cal she majored in Public Speaking and was a Pi Beta Phi.  After graduation she worked for the Navy on Treasure Island and with her father’s manufacturing business.  One of the heartaches of her life was the lost of her younger brother Frank “Bud” Pollard Jr., an Army Air Pilot, during World War II.

As President of the Oakland Junior League she helped found the Oakland Junior Center of Arts. She was the first recipient of the Rosalie M. Stern award for outstanding volunteer work by a Berkeley graduate. In 1968 Shirley took on the job of the first “development person” with the Head Royce School. During her five year tenure she was intricately involved in the transition into the co-ed institution now known as the Head-Royce School.  She then helped her husband found and operate a construction company until their retirement. She was an active volunteer at both Piedmont Community Church and LOPC.

Shirley married her high school sweetheart, the late Alden “Pete” Peterson on January 17, 1947.  They were the proud parents of Ann Alden Zeise (Fred) of Milpitas, CA; Frank Pollard Peterson (Sue) of Missoula, MT,  and Carol Peterson Hennekens (Dave) of Colorado Springs, CO.  They were blessed with five grandchildren (Sara Dodge Ellsworth, Travis Peterson, Scott Zeise, Dustin Peterson and Colton Peterson) and two step-grandchildren (Ellyece Hennekens Hammer and Derek Hennekens).  Gavin Dodge Ellsworth was her one beloved great-grandchild.  Mom always considered her family to be her greatest accomplishment.

Pete and Shirley retired to Rossmoor in Walnut Creek where they lead an active life of golf, swimming, Rotary and various family and social activities.  Much of their time was spent at their mountain retreat in Graeagle, California.  Shirley was a devoted caregiver for Pete during his fight with cancer which ended in 1996.  She was a strong and independent widow who traveled and organized many events for family and friends.
 
When her health declined in 2005, she moved to Colorado Springs to be near her daughter Carol.  She enjoyed several years of independent living at Liberty Heights.  In this last year, she lived with Carol and Dave.  Many wonderful caregivers, most notably Karla Campbell, made her final days comfortable.   She “caught her bus” as she was known to say, in the gentle care of Pikes Peak Hospice after a brief final illness.

In lieu of flowers, please send a donation to the National Fibromyalgia Association, 2121 South Towne Centre Place, Suite 300, Anaheim, CA 92806, or a charity of your choice.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, March 13, at 2 p.m. at the Lafayette-Orinda Presbyterian Church, 49 Knox Dr. Lafayette, CA. Reception will follow.

Friday, March 19 – Saturday, March 27, 2010.

Receive a special discount in our stores.

Every day in the classroom, at home, in lecture halls and within libraries across the country, the commitment of the professional educator shines.

Borders is a longtime proponent for literacy and learning and strives to recognize each teacher, homeschooler, professor, religious educator, and librarian’s efforts to share the love of books and knowledge with their students.

During the event, current and retired educators, administrator, librarians, homeschoolers and many more, enjoy a 30% savings on personal and classroom purchases of books, CDs, DVDs, cafe items, gifts & stationery and more* when you bring in your current Classroom Discount Card, educator ID with date, homeschool certification, or pay stub. For more information, please visit www.borders.com/educators

And Don’t miss our Special Reception, Saturday, March, 20, 2010
2:00 – 6:00 pm at Borders stores nationwide.

[From Ann Zeise: Do check with your local store to see if their events coincide with the national events. There may be variations. Also, at the store near me, they brought out promotional books that they were not allowed to sell, and allowed all us attending to pick what we wanted to take for free!]

Thank you for the great work you do!

Please share this event information with other educators in your life. We look forward to welcoming you to our stores every day and especially during our Educator Appreciation Week March 19 – March 27, 2010.

*some exclusions apply. Cannot be combined with any other offer, including “buy one, get one 50% off” offers. Excludes previous and online purchases, special orders, gift cards, newspapers, magazines, comics, coupon books, eBooks, digital downloads, self-publishing programs, Smartbox products, Rosetta Stone software, shipping and all electronics, including but not limited to the Sony Reader and the Zune. May not be combined with coupons, sale pricing or corporate, classroom or other group discounts.

A wonderful operatic version of the classic Hans Christian Anderson fairy tale. This story tells of a homely little bird born in a barnyard that never seems to fit in with the other ducklings. Much to her delight (and to the surprise of others) she matures into a graceful swan and becomes the most beautiful bird of all. Join us for this charming story as we learn about opera and realize that being different is not necessarily a bad thing.

Students will learn about:
-the basics of a story line
-male and female voices in the opera
-opera audience etiquette
-the difference between right and wrong
-the lesson that things are not always what they appear!

It is Thursday March 4th at 10 am in the Sanctuary at Johnson Ferry Baptist Church on Johnson Ferry Road in Marietta. The performance is 45 minutes plus a short Q&A session.

Tickets are on sale now to groups or individuals and are $6 in advance, $8 at the door. Children under the age of 2 are free.

Invite your friends. Everyone is welcome. The performance is targeted for ages 3 through 5th grade, but everyone will enjoy it. No strollers please.

Contact Suzanne Perrin, 770.354.1174, suzanneperrin (at) bellsouth.net for more information.

To order tickets by mail, please send a check made out to JFBC Homeschool group as well as a self-addressed, stamped envelope to:

Johnson Ferry Baptist Church
Attn: Michelle Newbold, JFBC Homeschool Group, Children’s Ministry
955 Johnson Ferry Road Marietta, GA 30068

Tickets will be mailed back to you up until one week prior to the event and after that they will be held at will call.

If you would like to receive an education guide to use to prepare your students before the event, please email
Suzanneperrin (at) bellsouth.net

Remember: First impressions last long! For some field trips, your group will represent the public’s first exposure to homeschooling. Let’s make it a good one!!

Ideas for Field Trips

During the year, Colonial Williamsburg designates several weeks as Homeschooler Experiences. This winter, the dates are February 27 – March 7, 2010.

Condos are available at a discounted rate to homeschool families at the Historic Powhatan Resort near Colonial Williamsburg during this time. Here are the rates:

For Sunday-Thursday night stays, 2-bdrm condo w/ full kitchen (sleeps 6) $65/night, 4-bdrm $130/night

For Friday and Saturday night stays, 2-bdrm condo w/ full kitchen (sleeps 6) $95/night, 4-bdrm $190

All stays require a 2 night minimum to be booked. A one-time booking fee of $35 will be charged in addition to the total.

To make reservations please email Rachel Joyner at freebie73@gmail.com or call (703) 830-6967. Visit the Powhatan’s Website.

More information on Colonial Williamsburg’s Home Educator Weeks.

Need Colonial Williamsburg Virginia Admission Secrets?
Includes how to get in free! How the locals do it.

From Rajan:

All,

I just wanted to share with you pictures I took of the annular solar eclipse that was visible in India yesterday (Jan 15, 2010). It was a very unique spectacle to watch. Many thousands of people around the world came to South Indian cities mainly Rameshwaram, and Dhanushkodi to watch this once in a lifetime event.

The eclipse was visible about 95% or more in these two cities, and the ring of fire as it is known (the ring or circle that forms when the moon is in front of the sun fully) lasted for over 10 minutes. I hear/read that this phenomenon (longest duration of the ring) will occur again in 3043 AD, although there may be other total solar eclipses in between now and 3043 AD, the will be not as long as 10 minutes, per scientists.

I took these pictures with a point and shoot digital camera from a rooftop of a home in Chennai, India. All pictures were hand held. Note that the eclipse was only visible 80% in Chennai. That is the ring of fire can only be seen 80% not a full circle.

Thanks,
Rajan
From India

Terrapin Turtle

During the three-day/two-night workshop you will stay in the Sedge House, a renovated duck-hunting lodge, which is equipped with a common room, 7 bunkrooms (you will have to share a room), a full kitchen and dining room. As part of the experience, you will live a conservation ethic. Fresh water is limited (we transport bottled water from the mainland) as is electricity — a solar generator provides power. Grey water from sinks and showers is treated in a special grey-water system and sewage is composted in a Clivus Multrum composting toilet.

This program is open to homeschool students ages 10-16 years old. Parents may attend, but must participate in the program. The cost of this three-day program is $70 per adult, $55 per student. SPACE IS LIMITED, with a maximum of 14 participants. A non-refundable deposit of $50 is required to secure your space. The cost includes transportation to and from the island, instruction, equipment and facility use. Participants must provide their own meals and bedding.
REGISTRATION IS FIRST COME, FIRST SERVE.

Each family will be responsible for the food and preparation of one meal for the group during your the stay. On site, there is a gas range stove, refrigerator, a gas grill and a quick steamer for preparing the day’s harvest, as well as all the cooking utensils you may need.

Registration deadline and $50 deposit is June 1, 2010. For more information or to register, contact Liz Jackson at (908) 637-4125 or send an email to ejackson@dep.state.nj.us. You can also visit www.njfishandwildlife.com/sedge.htm

Liz Jackson, Senior Public Information Assistant
NJDEP Division of Fish & Wildlife
Pequest Trout Hatchery
605 Pequest Road
Oxford, NJ 07863
Phone: (908) 637-4125
Fax: (908) 637-6735

Thursday, January 28, 9:30am—12pm
Peanuts Cooks:
The Peanuts strips are filled with delicious references to pizza, cookies, cake, root beer, and other edible treats of all kinds, as shown in the Museum’s exhibition, Peanuts Cooks. Enjoy a day of food-related art and experimentation by creating M&M candy art, solar ovens to take home, coconut bird’s nests, and more!

Tuesday, March 23, 9:30am—12pm
Take a Hike:
Enjoy a morning of Beagle Scouting with a variety of hands-on nature and science activities, including making a compass and map and experiencing some basic orienteering. Also explore the Museum’s newest exhibition about outdoor fun called Take a Hike, Snoopy.

Add ice skating to both days from 12—2pm!

Both events are appropriate for children in grades K through 6 and include the option to ice skate from 12:00—2:00pm at Snoopy’s Home Ice.

Cost per event: $5 per student, adults are free.
Ice skating is an additional $5 per person.

Where: Charles M. Schulz Museum
2301 Hardies Lane
Santa Rosa, CA 95403

How: Advance reservations are required. Call today to reserve your space at (707) 284-1263 or email Jeff Hollis

If you would like to receive more information regarding home school events, please join our e-mail list today.

Jeff Hollis
Program & Floor Coordinator
Charles M. Schulz Museum