by Katherine Kersten, Star Tribune
Star Tribune
Last week we learned the names of the 53 outstanding Minnesota high school seniors who won 2007 $2,500 National Merit Scholarships, arguably the top academic honor in the nation. More than 20,000 Minnesota students took the test that begins the intense competition, and the 53 winners emerged at the end.
National Merit Scholars are often the product of our state's most elite private and public high schools. But as I stopped by the school of one winner, John Molitor of White Bear Lake, I saw no gleaming laboratories or cutting-edge computer labs. John's teacher opened the door. She's also the school's principal, lunch lady and head janitor. She's Joyce Molitor, John's mother.
During the past 10 years, an increasing number of home-schoolers like John have won National Merit awards, according to Eileen Artemakis of the National Merit Scholarship Corporation.
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Tuesday, May 15, 2007
A different kind of summer
A different kind of summer
By Jennifer Bell
Seacoast Online (NH)
May 12, 2007 6:00 AM
As summer approaches, I find myself sorting through day camp brochures, recreation programs, stressing about our finances and juggling the dates with family vacations and visiting friends. In the end, I decide to sign my kids up for only two weeks of camps, save some money and design our summer activities based on the kids' interests. Surely, July and August will boast a considerable amount of down time, but I envision my children having the opportunity to explore an academic subject in more depth, or to pursue an interest that is not offered in public school. As a supplement or alternative to traditional camps, parents can form Special Interest Clubs, a type of mini homeschooling experience in which parents and children design the curriculum, one that meets the needs of learners beyond their traditional education.
Read entire article by clicking on the title.
By Jennifer Bell
Seacoast Online (NH)
May 12, 2007 6:00 AM
As summer approaches, I find myself sorting through day camp brochures, recreation programs, stressing about our finances and juggling the dates with family vacations and visiting friends. In the end, I decide to sign my kids up for only two weeks of camps, save some money and design our summer activities based on the kids' interests. Surely, July and August will boast a considerable amount of down time, but I envision my children having the opportunity to explore an academic subject in more depth, or to pursue an interest that is not offered in public school. As a supplement or alternative to traditional camps, parents can form Special Interest Clubs, a type of mini homeschooling experience in which parents and children design the curriculum, one that meets the needs of learners beyond their traditional education.
Read entire article by clicking on the title.
More women take on dual role as caregiver for children, parents
By Michael King
Post-Crescent staff writer
TOWN OF KAUKAUNA — In fall 2003, when her mother was hospitalized for two weeks with an infection, Shari Nagan faced a decision.
Doctors advised that it was time to move her mom into a nursing home.
Nagan’s answer: “No way.”
Instead, she and her husband, Dan, moved out of their bedroom into a smaller bedroom and took in her |parents, Martin and Evelyn VanSchyndel, now ages 91 and 89, respectively.
Shari Nagan had been watching over the retired farming couple since building a home in 1984 next door on McCabe Road. The decision to bring them under her roof was easy.
“My parents took care of me and I figure I can do the same thing back,” said Nagan, 50, who also homeschools her daughter and tends a four-acre hobby farm. “It’s busy from morning until night, very busy. But, I enjoy it.”
Studies suggest that Nagan’s scenario may be playing out in as many as 10 million U.S. households. She is among an increasing number of mostly women in a so-called sandwich generation, looking after their children as well as their elderly parents.
Read article by clicking on the title.
Post-Crescent staff writer
TOWN OF KAUKAUNA — In fall 2003, when her mother was hospitalized for two weeks with an infection, Shari Nagan faced a decision.
Doctors advised that it was time to move her mom into a nursing home.
Nagan’s answer: “No way.”
Instead, she and her husband, Dan, moved out of their bedroom into a smaller bedroom and took in her |parents, Martin and Evelyn VanSchyndel, now ages 91 and 89, respectively.
Shari Nagan had been watching over the retired farming couple since building a home in 1984 next door on McCabe Road. The decision to bring them under her roof was easy.
“My parents took care of me and I figure I can do the same thing back,” said Nagan, 50, who also homeschools her daughter and tends a four-acre hobby farm. “It’s busy from morning until night, very busy. But, I enjoy it.”
Studies suggest that Nagan’s scenario may be playing out in as many as 10 million U.S. households. She is among an increasing number of mostly women in a so-called sandwich generation, looking after their children as well as their elderly parents.
Read article by clicking on the title.
Homeschool graduation 'a family celebration'
Sun Herald
By ROBIN FITZGERALD
rfitzgerald@sunherald.com
GULFPORT --
A graduating class of college-bound homeschoolers took graceful strides in high heels and white caps and gowns adorned with sashes and tassels in their color of choice.
The four female students, associated with the Coast Christian Home Educators Association, received their diplomas Saturday at Northwood Christian Center in Gulfport.
"Homeschooling stripped away many of the distractions that come with traditional education and helped me see the important things of life," said Hannah Burnell, who delivered the graduation address.
About 300 relatives and friends looked on with smiles and occasional giggles as the graduates starred in slide shows depicting their lives.
Read article by clicking on the title.
By ROBIN FITZGERALD
rfitzgerald@sunherald.com
GULFPORT --
A graduating class of college-bound homeschoolers took graceful strides in high heels and white caps and gowns adorned with sashes and tassels in their color of choice.
The four female students, associated with the Coast Christian Home Educators Association, received their diplomas Saturday at Northwood Christian Center in Gulfport.
"Homeschooling stripped away many of the distractions that come with traditional education and helped me see the important things of life," said Hannah Burnell, who delivered the graduation address.
About 300 relatives and friends looked on with smiles and occasional giggles as the graduates starred in slide shows depicting their lives.
Read article by clicking on the title.
Idaho couple is pedaling across America to spend time with twins
Idaho couple is pedaling across America to spend time with twins
Clan has spent almost a year on the road
By LOREN GENSON
Gazette Staff Writer
John Vogel and his 8-year-old twins Davy and Daryl haven't seen their hometown of Boise, Idaho, since June of 2006, but they've seen more of the United States than many Americans hope to see in their entire lifetime.
The family has traveled throughout the country, on a trip covering the Northwestern U.S. and through Mexico. Through their journey they have found their way to Chillicothe where they will stay through Sunday.
So, why Chillicothe?
"I knew someone in Ripley so we went there, and this is on the way to Columbus," John said.
Their cross-country road trip has a loose structure, the family takes things as they come to allow for time in each locality.
Read article by clicking on the title.
Clan has spent almost a year on the road
By LOREN GENSON
Gazette Staff Writer
John Vogel and his 8-year-old twins Davy and Daryl haven't seen their hometown of Boise, Idaho, since June of 2006, but they've seen more of the United States than many Americans hope to see in their entire lifetime.
The family has traveled throughout the country, on a trip covering the Northwestern U.S. and through Mexico. Through their journey they have found their way to Chillicothe where they will stay through Sunday.
So, why Chillicothe?
"I knew someone in Ripley so we went there, and this is on the way to Columbus," John said.
Their cross-country road trip has a loose structure, the family takes things as they come to allow for time in each locality.
Read article by clicking on the title.
A mother's joy
By Michael Knox
mknox@independenttribune.com
Sunday, May 13, 2007
Lynn Stipe and her son, Conner, 11, swing on a hammock on their porch in Concord. Conner, who is autistic, is homeschooled by Lynn.
Greg Kahn (gkahn@independenttribune.com)
CONCORD - It’s a cool breezy day outside the Stipe home as Lynn Stipe and her 11-year-old son, Conner, swing in the hammock, spending a lazy day together.
Outside on the deck near the swimming pool, Conner sometimes races his dog, Silky, who streaks back and forth along her fenced-in pen. Lynn Stipe, 35, laughs at her son’s antics.
The two laugh together and they laugh often.
Conner is autistic and Lynn homeschools her son, teaching him the basics of learning. The two have just returned from a two-month stay in Maryland, where doctors tested Conner’s symptoms.
Read article by clicking on the title above.
mknox@independenttribune.com
Sunday, May 13, 2007
Lynn Stipe and her son, Conner, 11, swing on a hammock on their porch in Concord. Conner, who is autistic, is homeschooled by Lynn.
Greg Kahn (gkahn@independenttribune.com)
CONCORD - It’s a cool breezy day outside the Stipe home as Lynn Stipe and her 11-year-old son, Conner, swing in the hammock, spending a lazy day together.
Outside on the deck near the swimming pool, Conner sometimes races his dog, Silky, who streaks back and forth along her fenced-in pen. Lynn Stipe, 35, laughs at her son’s antics.
The two laugh together and they laugh often.
Conner is autistic and Lynn homeschools her son, teaching him the basics of learning. The two have just returned from a two-month stay in Maryland, where doctors tested Conner’s symptoms.
Read article by clicking on the title above.
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