Inspire Insider

Bringing families together, one newsletter at a time!

Monday, August 5, 2019

Quote of the Week

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School News and Important Dates

Join Inspiring Parents Tonight!


New to homeschooling? Or maybe you want to hear from other homeschoolers to learn some tips? Join us each Monday for Inspiring Parents - Live @ 5 in August!


The amazing Serena Michelle Barnett and team members will join Inspiring Parents_Live@5 this Monday, August 5, to explore the offerings on the Online Subscription Package (OSP). Join us and get many questions answered.

Zoom Link for Inspiring Parents – Live @ 5
http://bit.ly/InspiringLink

Sign Up to Receive Link to Inspiring Parents Recording and Resources
http://bit.ly/SignUpInspiringParents

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California Homeschool Parent Association



Dear Families,


We have exciting news! Membership for the 2019-2020 school year is now open to join the California Homeschool Parent Association (CHPA). This is Inspire’s new, non-profit Parent Organization!


If you join before July 19th you will be able to also participate in the elections for the 2019-2020 Statewide Executive Board officers and 10 Regional Community Councils. You will also be able to nominate yourself or someone else for the positions. Read the FAQ’s below to find out more. Elections will be held at the end of July so we want to make sure everyone has a chance to join now!







Kindly,

The CHPA Founders

Community Connections Team

If you have an idea you'd love to share with us, please fill out this form!
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Enrichment Ordering Information

We hope the following reminders about ordering, dates, guidelines, etc will help you on your homeschooling journey!


Enrichment Ordering Information


  • Our systems are optimized for CHROME browser. If you don’t have it, you can download it to both your computer and your phone easily.
  • Your login information will be the same for each of the ordering sites: Field Trips and Events, Enrichment Ordering System and Lending Library.
  • Missing funds and/or students questions can be directed to enrichment@inspireschools.org.
  • If your password isn’t working on any of the platforms listed above, simply hit “Forgot Password?” and check your email to get your new one.
  • Remember that all services requested must begin on or AFTER August 20th, the first day of school.
  • Our Enrichment Staff works quickly but are also processing thousands of orders. Have patience and expect a 1 - 2 week wait depending on your requests.


View EOS tutorials:


1st How To Video:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1phq3KJ9lR0BIaXmlzY8LuOnJLoELfH5_/view


2nd How To Video:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1hrtsXA1_K0OoNmcfBRyWd7GiJdVGkW9e/view


Here are the links for each site:




Kindergarten Readiness Online Info Session

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SAVE THE DATE! BACK TO SCHOOL EVENT!

Do you know a fantastic Inspire vendor? Please let them know we would love to have them at our Back-to-School event in August! They just need to fill in this form. Thank you!
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Non-Consumable Item Returns

Do you have enrichment items that you are looking to return this year? You can drop off the non-consumables you no longer want or need to our Costa Mesa Lending Library.


Please note, non-consumables do not need to be returned until you withdraw from our school, so this is purely voluntary.


Here is the Enrichment Return Item Form that you need to fill in with your return.

2019-2020 School Planners

Inspire is excited to announce we will be providing school planners again this year! You will receive the following from your Inspire Homeschool Teacher (HST) at your first in-person meeting of the school year:


- One planner per student
- One parent planner per family


We listened to the feedback we received last year and did our best to incorporate the specific customizations families requested! Take a look at these new features:


Student Planner Features Include:
- I CAN Checklists for grades TK-8 for Math, English Language Arts, Science, and Social Studies
- Full size High School planner
- Uniform weekday matrix layout for grades 1-12
- Field trip log
- Book log
- Stickers


Parent Planner Features Include:
- Full size planner
- Multiple boxes on each day of the week with space to write your students’ names to help organize assignments by student
- Learning Period dates
- Note pages
- Field trip log
- Book log
- Stickers

2019-2020 School Calendar

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More OSP Info

If you are still deciding which Online Subscriptions would suit your family, be sure to check out Inspire's OSP Handbook! If you have any additional questions, please email our wonderful OSP team here: OSP@inspireschools.org

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Inspire's Summer Reading Challenge

Are you looking for a fun activity to keep your child engaged and inspired? Inspire's summer reading challenge bingo activity is a great option! Students can be entered into a prize drawing by returning their completed BINGO activity to the Lending Library or their HST by August 15th.


There are many sweet adventures to be had this summer, all in the pages of the nearest book.


Happy Summer Reading!

New Middle School Program - ChoicePlus Bridge powered by Bridgeway

You asked and we answered! Many families have expressed a desire for Middle School courses with live online classes and instructor support. That program is here, and it is called ChoicePlus Bridge powered by Bridgeway. This program will offer 4-core classes with Bridgeway Academy instructors offering support, weekly live online classes, office hours, and more. Special Bundle Course pricing exclusively for Inspire Students is available. More details and pricing can be found in our ChoicePlus Bridge Flier or our 19-20 TK-8 Curriculum Options Flier.

Academic Decathlon joining ChoicePlus Academy this Fall!

We’re so excited to welcome Academic Decathlon to CPA. Days and times of class meetings will be on the upcoming Fall 2019-20 CPA Course Catalog! See Academic Decathlon flyer for more information!
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Field Trips

Educational Tools

Smithsonian Maker Lab Books

Supporting STEAM education initiatives and the Maker Movement, the National Parenting Publication Award-winner Maker Lab includes 28 kid-safe projects and crafts that will get young inventors' wheels turning and make science pure fun.

Each step-by-step activity is appropriate for kids ages 8–12, and ranked easy, medium, or hard, with an estimated time frame for completion. Requiring only household materials, young makers can build an exploding volcano, race balloon rocket cars, construct a lemon battery, make sticky slime, and more. Photographs and facts carefully detail the "why" and "how" of each experiment using real-world examples to provide context so kids can gain a deeper understanding of the scientific principles applied.

With a foreword by Jack Andraka, a teen award-winning inventor, Maker Lab will help kids find their inner inventor and create winning projects for school projects, science fairs, and beyond.


Check out the Maker Lab: Outdoors and the Maker Lab: STEM book too!


Price: Prices starting at $12.48 on Amazon

Able to purchase with funds: Yes

Homeschooling Advice

20 Tips to Homeschool The Distracted Child

"One of the greatest challenges we face as homeschoolers is keeping our kids on task. Whether you have a large family with kids that would rather play together than work or have a child that can’t seem to concentrate for longer than a few minutes, I have put together a list of over 20 practical ideas that you could try. I have tried all of these at one time or another and I find that some work better than others and some work well, but only for a season. Don’t get discouraged if what WAS working, STOPS working in a month! In fact, I recommend printing these off and adding to the list so that you have something to turn to when you feel frustrated."


Read the full article by Rebecca here

Local Events

OC's Sunset Cinema Films: Mary Poppins Returns at Irvine Park

The annual Sunset Cinema film series returns, featuring 14 free movies at various parks in Orange County. Sunset Cinema will screen recent favorite and popular classic films June 14 – September 13 around sunset.


Friday, August 9 welcomes Mary Poppins Returns at Irvine Park, 1 Irvine Park Road, Orange.


Pack a picnic, blankets, and beach chairs and head to OC Parks Sunset Cinema. All movies are free to attend, with free parking beginning at 6 p.m. and show times starting around 8 p.m. after the sun has set. Food trucks will be serving on-site.

  • Event: Free
  • Parking: Free after 5 p.m.
  • Click this link for a complete list of Sunset Cinema film series events.
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2019 OC Fair


Barns full of animals? Check! Zany and delish food? Check! Concerts under the stars? Check! Midway games and rides? Check! Blue ribbon winners? Check! Acres of shopping? Check! Check! Check!


Come on out and watch your mama pet a llama, soar up high on La Grande Wheel and dare your friends to try the newest bacon-wrapped, deep-fried, sugar-coated concoction. Don't forget to check out the best in visual art, woodworking, jam-making and more. It's all here at your OC Fair!


*Children can earn 3 free ride tickets if they read two books! Find the rules and summary form here!


General Information



The 2019 OC Fair runs July 12 through Aug. 11.


OC Fair Hours:


Wednesday-Friday: Noon – Midnight
Saturday-Sunday: 11 a.m. – Midnight
Monday-Tuesday: Closed


Pacific Amphitheatre Box Office Hours:


Open Wednesday-Sunday. Weekdays, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.


Single-Day Admission Prices

Wednesday-Friday:
General (13-59) – $12
Senior (60+) – $7
Youth (6-12) – $7
Children 5 and younger are free

Saturday-Sunday:
General (13–59) – $14
Senior (60+) – $7
Youth (6–12) – $7
Children 5 and younger are free


Super Pass

General (13-59) – $40
Senior (60+) – $33
Youth (6-12) – $33

Includes admission to all 23 days of the Fair.


Find more details here.

Invite Your Friends To Our Info Sessions

Have a friend who asks about Inspire's amazing team and benefits? Do your friends ask you about homeschooling? We'd love to meet them at one of our upcoming Information Sessions!


Enrollment for the 2019-2020 year is open here now! Current parents do not need to re-enroll, your HST will send you a Master Agreement to sign for 2019-2020.


Below you'll find some of our upcoming Information Sessions! To view our complete list of Information Sessions, please click here.

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Community and Connection

Facebook Page

Did you know we have an Orange County Facebook page? We have new parents in the group who would love to hear from you! We also advertise our field trips here, and upload the newsletter there every week.

Instagram Page

If you are on instagram, we'd love to hear from you! Join our page, learn about our upcoming events and field trips, and tag us in your homeschooling photos!

Orange County Parent Resource Site

Have you visited Inspire's Orange County Parent Resource Site yet? If not, head on over to meet our regional team, stay current on school events, and find general school information. This website is a great resource and one you'll want to bookmark!

Ladan Rashidi - OC Family Liaison

I have three children who are 2, 6 and 8 years old, and I was previously a high school math teacher. Four years ago, our family chose the path of homeschooling and we have enjoyed it ever since! I am passionate about helping families navigate their way on their exciting homeschooling journey, and connecting individuals to build a community!


ladan@inspireschools.org

Shaemanique King - OC Family Liaison

I am a mom of four children, ranging in ages from 8 years to 6 months, and have homeschooled for the past four years. I consider my homeschooling style to be “eclectic” as I draw from many sources and philosophies. I have a background in Project Management Support and enjoy planning and hosting activities and events. I look forward to interacting with and supporting homeschooling families!


shaemanique@inspireschools.org

Feedback

We would like this newsletter to best reflect the needs of our community! If you have any suggestions or input, please complete this survey. We appreciate your feedback!

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