|
|
|
|
HEAV Leader Letter
October 28, 2009
 Dear ,
Even
though we are well into the homeschool year, HEAV continues to get questions
from new and veteran homeschoolers--members and non-members alike. Questions include
"How much information do we have to supply on the NOI form? Where can I find a
support group? What do I need to do to get started homeschooling? What about
H1N1?" And many, many others. Sound familiar?
As a
leader, you are most likely getting these kinds of questions too! We hope this HEAV Leader Letter--filled with practical information and answers to questions,
as well as important notices, including a free Practical Homeschooling magazine offer--will help lighten your
load.
~:~ ~:~ ~:~ ~:~ ~:~ ~:~ ~:~
~:~
H1N1
INFLUENZA VACCINE FOR HOMESCHOOLERS
As the H1N1 vaccine* is arriving at pubic schools for
distribution to students, some homeschool parents are asking if their children
can also receive the free vaccine from a public school. Many private and
homeschooled students have reported being unable to receive the vaccine, while
a limited number of other parents have had no problem.
HEAV contacted the Virginia Department of Health and Human
Resources and the Virginia Department of Education to quickly resolve this
matter. Michelle Vucci, director of policy for the Virginia Department of
Education, was sympathetic to homeschool parents, and suggested they contact
their local health department to determine distribution policies at the local
level. She also recommended parents contact their local school. HEAV has had no
official response from the state health department, but some local health
officials urged parents to check with their primary-care physicians.
Parents who choose to have their children vaccinated* will
be required to supply personal information that will be compiled in a statewide database that may be linked to a national database.
Virginia has received only about five percent of the
state's requested order for H1N1 vaccine, and at the present time, availability
is sporadic in schools and health departments.
For information about the H1N1 shot or inactivated
vaccine, visit www.cdc.gov/vaccines/Pubs/vis/downloads/vis-inact-h1n1.pdf.
For state and national information, visit www.vdh.state.va.us/index.htm
or www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu.
*Important Note: Vaccinations
are a controversial issue. Because homeschoolers fall within the target at-risk
group for H1N1 influenza, HEAV is requesting information regarding equal access
to the vaccine for homeschoolers. HEAV does not recommend or endorse any
vaccine. Vaccination decisions are the responsibility of the parent.
 ~:~ ~:~ ~:~ ~:~ ~:~ ~:~ ~:~
~:~
ARE YOU GIVING MORE THAN YOU SHOULD?
Homeschoolers in various
parts of the state have reported their school districts are requesting
additional information after submitting their Notice of Intent. Some districts have acknowledged receipt of the NOI, but state
they need parents to supply birth dates or birth certificates in order to
"process" their NOI.
A veteran homeschool parent
from James City County recently called HEAV and questioned her district's
request for a birth certificate. In response, I called Cathy Parker, the James
City County homeschool designee, to discuss the county's policy. Ms. Parker
responded that ALL students must supply a birth certificate to confirm the
children belong to the parents. I told her while public school students may
have to comply with their policy, the homeschool statute did not require
parents to submit this information.
Other parents have been
asked to supply their children's birth dates after sending in their NOI.
According to the Virginia homeschool statute, parents do not have to supply
this information either. If something questionable is required, respectfully
ask the official to put the request in writing and indicate where the
homeschool statute (§22.1-254.1) makes reference to the "requirement."
In both situations
mentioned above, officials justified their requests by
stating most parents voluntarily send this information. The best way to
protect our homeschool freedoms when district officials ask homeschooling
parents to "voluntarily" supply additional information, is for parents to
respectfully NOT comply with the request. We understand this can be an
intimidating situation, and although it may seem like a harmless infringement
on our rights, submitting to demands that go beyond the requirements of the law
could encourage future restrictions on
homeschool freedoms.
If you or members of your
group encounter questionable requests, please contact HEAV by calling
804-278-9200, or e-mailing me at support@heav.org. We will be glad to
clarify the requirements of the homeschool statute for you, and contact your school
superintendent's office, if necessary. (When making these contacts, we do not
mention the name of the homeschool family in our conversation.)
Making us aware of the
challenges you are facing allows us to address the issues more effectively, and
if a problem is widespread, initiate a legislative solution.
 ~:~ ~:~ ~:~ ~:~ ~:~ ~:~ ~:~
~:~
HEADS UP!
Day at the Capitol is
tentatively scheduled for Thursday,
April 8, 2010. Due to policy regulations at the Virginia State Library, the
library cannot confirm our date until mid-December. However, we have submitted
our request and this date is available. We plan to open registration first to
HEAV members, then to all other interested homeschool parents. This annual
event is limited to 500 students and parents. Parents will be able to register
online at www.heav.org
starting sometime in January.
The all-day event will
include tours of the newly renovated Capitol and the Executive Mansion, as well
as a scavenger hunt on the Capitol grounds. Again this year, we will
incorporate the very exciting and successful "Capitol Classroom," where
students and parents can sit in a legislator's seat and debate and vote on a
bill! Box lunches will also be offered. Watch for additional details in future HEAV
Virginia Homeschool Updates!
~:~ ~:~ ~:~ ~:~ ~:~ ~:~ ~:~
~:~
CAN WE HELP YOU?
"I am looking into
homeschooling my 5th grader who is now enrolled in public school. I
have no clue where to begin or what I need to do. Any help is much
appreciated." This is an e-mail I received this week and, like similar phone
calls, it expresses the need for homeschool information. As a leader, I expect
you encounter the same requests for one-on-one counseling.
 Parents
make the decision to homeschool throughout the year, and no matter when they
begin, they need basic information on getting started, the law, and choosing
curriculum. I know you're willing to answer all the questions related to
beginning homeschooling, but it takes a LOT of your time to answer the same
questions again and again. Here's where we can help!
To save you time and
effort, and to help interested parents get answers to their questions, HEAV
would be glad to present a How-to-Begin Homeschooling Success Seminar for your
support group. We'll explain curriculum choices, how to get started, the Virginia
law, and more. Not only does this help new homeschooling parents, but an
informational event like this also encourages veteran homeschoolers and keeps
them on the cutting edge of new information. Call me at 804-278-9200, or e-mail
me at support@heav.org,
if you would like more information on scheduling a seminar in your area. We look
forward to partnering with you to serve and equip parents!
The next How-to-Begin Homeschooling Success Seminar at our Richmond office is
scheduled for January 7, 2010.
~:~ ~:~ ~:~ ~:~ ~:~ ~:~
~:~ ~:~
 ARE YOU LISTED?
FREE Support Group Listings
Every year, the HEAV website has tens of thousands of visitors, and whether
new homeschoolers call us or come to a Homeschool Success Seminar, we always
encourage them to connect with a local support group and direct them to
the HEAV website to locate a group that meets their needs. Some fields were accidentally
omitted from our support group form for a time, meaning some of you may not
have had the option to list your group under all the appropriate regions,
counties, and cities. Please take a
minute to make sure your information is listed in all the areas you serve and
to double-check your contact information and website link. We are happy
to update your information so families can find you!
SPECIAL NOTE OF ENCOURAGEMENT
If you are listed as the
support group contact, please respond to the e-mail inquiries you receive.
Many new homeschoolers are eager to connect with a group, but are very
disheartened when no one responds to their e-mail message. If you find you
are not able to fulfill this important job for your group, consider
delegating the responsibility to someone else. We will be glad to post the
change on our website.
~:~ ~:~ ~:~ ~:~ ~:~ ~:~
~:~ ~:~
 FREE MAGAZINE OFFER!
Mary
Pride, the publisher of Practical Homeschooling,
is offering FREE subscriptions to support groups!
In this economy, would your group members be happy to:
- Save some serious money?
- Get five FREE issues per
year of a magazine that costs $4.95 an issue on
the newsstands?
- Be alerted to educational
and political trends that affect their homeschools BEFORE they happen?
- Receive FREE how-to-homeschool advice from experts?
- Get regular helpings of homeschool encouragements?
If you answered "yes" to these questions, follow this link for more information.
~:~ ~:~ ~:~ ~:~ ~:~ ~:~ ~:~
~:~
PARTING NOTE
As the homeschool year moves forward, please contact HEAV if we can help you
in any way. May God's grace empower you to serve others with joy!
With warm regards,
Yvonne Bunn
Director of Homeschool Support
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
