Inspire Insider

Bringing families together, one newsletter at a time!

Monday, March 25, 2019

Quote of the Week

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School News and Important Dates

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College & Career Fair

Orange County will be hosting a College & Career Fair on April 16, from 12:30-2:30pm at Urban Workshop. We will have local colleges available to talk to students and parents. There will also be representatives from different professions and trades available to share their experiences with students. This is a great place to have all your high school questions answered!


If you are planning on attending, please fill in the short form below the flyer. Thank you!

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2019 Promotion and Graduation Ceremony

Please save the date for our 2019 promotion and graduation ceremony! We will have many more details coming soon!


5th, 8th and 12th grade families should complete this RSVP form here.

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Kindergarten Graduation

We are so excited to see all of our little Kindergartners graduate! Please make sure you RSVP by May 17th, 2019!

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End of the School Year Picnic

Can you believe we are already talking about the end of the year? Please join us and other Inspire families for our end of year picnic!

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Preferred Vendor Info Sessions

Do you have questions about our Preferred Vendors? Want to learn more about your options for our 2019-2020 school year? Our wonderful team is holding Preferred Vendor Info Sessions throughout the next few months! Simply join from your computer here: https://www.tinyurl.com/inspirepv
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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 info session!


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 at the end of the year to sign for 2019-2020.

Brave Writer Webinar Series

Exciting news Brave Writer fans! For those of you who were not able to make it to Julie Bogart’s Inspiring Talk in Orange County or Long Beach, here’s your chance. EVERYONE can learn from her engaging wit and wisdom during Inspire’s Brave Writer webinar series. First Wednesday of the month beginning April 3 from 1-2. Free for everyone, but please RSVP for the April 3rd webinar to ensure we have Zoom room capacity for all: https://tinyurl.com/BraveWriterRSVP-April3


Sign up for one, two, or all three sessions and walk away with tips and tricks to enchant your child’s writing journey. Learn it now and take writing outdoors to change up your routine. Or learn how to make writing more fun even if it’s at the kitchen table.


#1 April 3 - The Writer’s Jungle: A Survivor’s Guide to Writing with Kids Help! You have a child who hates writing. Or, your child is so prolific at writing, you’re afraid you aren’t helping her enough. Or, your child writes well, but the results are wooden and tedious to read. Or, your child as the best imagination ever, but punctuation, spelling, and mechanics are atrocious. Or, you’re afraid of writing yourself and have been avoiding it for, oh, the last (yes, you admit it) four years. Gulp!


#2 May 1 – Writing Across the Curriculum Writers like to write about what they find interesting. Writing Across the Curriculum Teaches you how to develop your students’ abilities to hone skills in writing across the curriculum, narrowing their chosen subjects and determine subtopics.


#3 June 5 - Help for High School is a self-directed writing program for teens that both teaches rhetorical thinking in writing, as well as the academic essay formats for high school and college. Teens work independently of their parents, however models of completed assignments and rubrics for feedback are included, as well.

Senior Grad Night

We would like to invite all Inspire Seniors to Inspire’s Grad Nite at Disney California Adventure on June 11, 2019! Your ticket includes access to Grad Nite festivities like dance parties and California Adventure rides and attractions from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m.


Please note! We recently received an update that instructional funds can now be used for Grad Nite tickets. If you have already paid out of pocket, the Enrichment Team will be contacting you.

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Testing Resources

Testing dates are nearly upon us! Our wonderful teachers have complied a list of resources and links to practice tests to help your student feel comfortable with the testing process.


CAST Resources

SBAC Resources

À la Carte OSP Subscription Options

We’re excited to begin offering our remaining available OSP subscriptions à la carte! Families may begin submitting requests via the À la Carte OSP Subscription Order Request Form.


The available subscriptions and prorated cost (Instructional Funds only) are listed on the order request form. All subscriptions are valid through September 1, 2019 (unless otherwise noted) and are subject to availability.


Funds will be manually deducted from the student’s Enrichment account and the subscriptions created within 1-2 weeks of the request submission.


If you have any further questions, please contact the OSP Team -- osp@inspireschools.org

OSP Subscription Survey

Please fill out this survey to help us better plan for next year's Online Subscription Package (OSP) offerings. Even if you opted out, we would like to hear from you too! Thank you for your time and consideration!

More High School Info Sessions

Amy Edwards, Inspire teacher and homeschooling parent, held an amazing High School Information Session on Friday. If you were not able to attend, here are the upcoming dates in which she will hosting more sessions.


If you have a student approaching the High School years, or have a friend that is considering options for High School, this would be a great place to start! Everyone is invited!

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Special Education Newsletter- March 2019

From our wonderful department of Special Education:


"Spring is just around the corner! We can definitely see a difference in our students this time of year. We have a long stretch of instruction without interruption and consequently, it is also the time when students want to be outside and having fun. Please encourage your child to continue to work to his/her fullest potential, even when the weather is calling them outside. We are excited for them to “show what they know,” as the school year begins to wind down. Thank you for all your daily hard work and please let us know how we can assist you."


Read the full newsletter here.

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Field Trips

Stop By The Inspire Booth At These Upcoming Free OC Events

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OC Summer Camp and Activities Fair

The Orange County Register and OC Family magazine will play host to the ninth annual Summer Camp and Activities Fair on Saturday, April 7 at The Market Place in Irvine.

The event, which runs from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., will include family-friendly activities, live performances, games, giveaways and more than 40 exhibitors, including local camps. The Anaheim Ducks’ Power Players are scheduled to appear at the fair.

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Imaginology

Invention + play + experimentation = learning

Have you ever wondered how math can help you cook … or what causes a rainbow … or how baby chicks know when to hatch? Set a course for full STEAM ahead to OC Fair’s Imaginology, April 12-14, 2019, where science, technology, engineering, art and math come alive in the most fun and exciting ways.

Hours: Friday, April 12, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
Saturday, April 13, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Sunday, April 14, 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

Admission is free. Parking is free on Friday; $9 on Saturday & Sunday.

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Educational Tools

Science Comics


Every volume of Science Comics offers a complete introduction to a particular topic--dinosaurs, coral reefs, the solar system, volcanoes, bats, flying machines, and more. These gorgeously illustrated graphic novels offer wildly entertaining views of their subjects. Whether you're a fourth grader doing a natural science unit at school or a thirty-year-old with a secret passion for airplanes, these books are for you!


Check out the selection on Amazon here, or pick one up at your local library!

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Vendor Spotlight: Celebration Education

Celebration Education is a one-stop for all your educational needs. Like schools in Finland, Celebration Education uses themes for grades K-6. Reading, writing, math, social studies, art, and STEM are all integrated into weekly hands-on activities and projects. For grades 7-12, schoolwork is customized for each student, based on the classes they're taking, their interests, and their skill level.


The students and teachers at Celebration Education's Santa Ana location are a close-knit community, where all are respected and individuals are respected. Inspire students may take one class to one day of class each week, or students can join the Preferred Vendor program to get two days of class each week. Celebration Education also offers theme-related field trips, special events, and at-home activities, so students can use Celebration Education as a full learner-centered curriculum. For more about Celebration Education, visit CelebrationEducation.com.

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Homeschooling Advice

For the Homeschool Mom Who Never Wanted to be a Teacher

"If you are struggling and feel like homeschooling is becoming too much, please don’t be afraid to ask for help! Teachers do it all the time. So should we homeschooling parents.


There is no shame in admitting that you have no idea where to start, or your child’s latest inability to progress in math has you losing sleep. In fact, looking for ways to partner with other moms often has the immediate effect of making you feel a lot less alone.


Asking for help is not failing. I think it’s the secret to truly owning your homeschool experience."


Read the rest of the article here.

Local Events

Stonyfield Free Park Day

Stonyfield Organic is teaming up with the various cities and non-toxic neighborhoods for a Field Day celebrating parks becoming organic! As part of the StonyFIELDS Initiative, they are working with communities like Costa Mesa to make fields and parks healthier for all by replacing toxic pesticides with organic alternatives

Join them for their FREE park day for organic yogurt, live music, eco-crafts, and more information on making your favorite parks healthier places to play!


Saturday, March 30, 2019 from 10am to 1pm

TeWinkle Park, 970 Arlington Dr, Costa Mesa

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Crafty Kids Sunday

Come join us for a fun themed craft project anytime between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m.!

Crafty Kids Sunday features FREE craft activities in the Muth Interpretive Center’s Discovery Classroom.

All ages are welcome, recommended for ages 2 to 10 years old. No registration is required. Children must be accompanied by an adult.


When: Sunday, March 31, 2019

Time: 10:00am to 3:00pm

Where: Muth Interpretive Center, 2301 University Avenue, Newport Beach, CA 92660

Phone: (949) 923-2290

Website: Click here

Apprentice of the Wild programs with Chris Morasky!

This program offers children the opportunity to have fun learning the skills of our ancestors from someone who’s lived the Old Ways. It’s a beautiful way to bring balance to their technology-driven lives, understand the difference between their needs and wants, and gain the self-confidence that comes from meeting those needs directly.

This is a mentoring program. We will make fires by rubbing sticks together, learn edible and medicinal plants, move silently, feel the natural rhythm of the land, and discover ancient wisdom as we “seek what they sought.”

This class is taught with love, compassion, non-violent communication (NVC) methods, and the inherent principles of living a life in Harmony with the Earth.

I’ll be drawing from over 30 years teaching experience to offer a day that’s specific to the interests and uniqueness of the students.

Here is a partial list of experiences children may have:
Exploring
Nature immersion games
Sensory awareness, expanded vision
Silent walking and stalking
Tracking and reading animal sign
Camouflage
Safe use of knives and knife sharpening
Edible and medicinal plants
Fire making with flint and steel, bowdrill and handdrill
Preparing char cloth
Preparing tinder
Types of fires for warmth, signalling, cooking and the making of tools
Using fire to shape and bend wood; straightening handdrill shafts and coal burning
Shelter design and concepts for insulation and weatherproofing
Shelter location based on topography
Water purification using primitive methods
Making rope/string from plants for fishing line, nets, snares, etc.
Digging sticks and rabbit sticks
Primitive hygiene (making soap, toothbrush and comb)
Paiute deadfall trap, quail trap and springpole snare
Safety outdoors (poisonous plants, insects, reptiles, bear and mtn. lion)
Useful knots
Outdoors cooking methods and wild teas
Accessing intuition
Navigation
Traditional and modern stories
Wilderness ethics

Age 5-16 (children 6 and under must be accompanied by an adult)
Adults are welcome to join us at no cost.

For more info and to register, go to http://wisdomkeepers.us/los-angeles/

APPRENTICE OF THE WILD: COSTA MESA SATURDAYS!
Time: 11am to 3pm
First class is April 27. Meets every Saturday.
7 classes
Inspire Charter funds welcome, sign up here and put in your order.

For more info and to register, go to http://wisdomkeepers.us/los-angeles/


ABOUT YOUR INSTRUCTOR: Chris Morasky is a wildlife biologist with over 30 years experience teaching Stone Age skills and nature connection and is considered one of the top Stone Age skills experts in North America. This program is a rare and unique opportunity to experience living "with" nature from someone who has actually done it. Chris has lived most of the past 20+ years in the wilderness and small communities of British Columbia, Idaho and Utah. He lived in a tipi for 6 years, homesteaded along the most remote mail route in the lower 48 states and led totally Stone Age expeditions into the wilderness of Idaho and Oregon. His teachers include Lakota, Shoshone, Arapaho, Crow, Blackfeet and Serri tribesmen, many wilderness skills experts and life itself. Chris’ workshops focus on awakening instincts, ancient skills and deep nature connection as doorways to understand more fully who we are, why we're here, and where we’re headed.

Turtle Rock Nature Center

The Turtle Rock Nature Center is located at the base of the San Joaquin Hills in the City of Irvine, and serves as a community resource for environmental interest and concern. The five-acre nature preserve is both a home for wildlife and an outdoor classroom where visitors and program participants learn to protect our natural environment. Visitors can explore the nature center at their leisure, taking a self-guided trail walk during regular operating hours. Trails may be closed due to inclement weather.


Nature Trail
Winding through the nature preserve is a paved trail that displays native Southern Californian habitats, including riparian, desert and woodlands. Frequent visitors to our nature preserve trail include local birds who enjoy swimming in our pond, lizards who bask in the sun on our rocks, and rabbits who disappear into the desert brush.


Native Plant Garden

Designed and completed by Eagle Scout Nathaniel Pinckney, the native plant garden features some common plant species native to Orange County. Visit the garden for a chance to learn about the importance of local plant species and to get information on how to plant natives in your own backyard.


Labyrinth
The labyrinth – a circular, winding rock path – was designed and completed by Eagle Scout Michael Nakahara, Troop 606.There are as many ways to walk the labyrinth as there are individuals. It represents our passage through time and experience. Like the journey of life, no time or effort is wasted. Every step takes us closer to our goal.


Turtle Rock Nature Center

1 Sunnyhill Drive
Irvine, CA 92603(link is external)

Phone: 949-724-6738

The 11th Annual World Dance Celebration

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Community and Connection

Meet Our Orange County Family Liaisons

We would love to meet you! We are holding a coffee chat and we hope to see you there!
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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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