March 2018 Newsletter
Cedar Rapids Home School Assistance Program
2301 J Street SW
Cedar Rapids, IA 52404
Phone: (319) 558-2088
http://homeschool.cr.k12.ia.us
The mission of the Cedar Rapids Home School Assistance Program is to provide an educational alternative that considers the best interest of the student, benefits home schooling families, meets the educational requirements of the school district, and complies with state law.
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CRHSAP Families,
As spring draws near we begin planning for the next school year. Each spring we ask that families fill out new enrollment forms so we know what your plans are for the following year. We will be distributing the 2018-2019 re-enrollment forms to our current families in early March. Returning these forms by March 30th ensures your continued enrollment in our program for next year, and assists our teachers and staff with planning. If you have any questions or concerns about this process, please be sure to contact your resource teacher.
As always, we have many fun events lined up for the next month! Please read through this newsletter and RSVP by 2/23/18 to the events of your choosing using the links provided.
Thank you for allowing us to continue to serve you and your family!
Sincerely,
Deann, Andrea, April, Kathie, Laura, Peggy, Wayne, and Mary
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Important Reminder
There will be no enrichment classes March 12th-16th due to Spring Break.
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CRHSAP NOW HAS A FACEBOOK PAGE!
Service Club Book Drive!
The CRHSAP service club is collaborating with high school students from Iowa BIG High (and Barnes and Noble) to raise money for their local book drive. All the funds will go directly to purchasing books for local kids, and will be distributed through area community agencies.
There are two ways you can help them out!
- Order a T-shirt (or other gift, such as candles, handmade jewelry, and more) at https://onemission.fund/support/iowa-big-book-drive/ 40% of the purchase goes straight to the Book Drive. (P.S.: Wear your t-shirt on March 2nd, for Read Across America day!)
- Donate NEW (or very gently used books) by dropping them off in the CRHSAP Office.
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Workplace Learning Connection Internships
Job Internships for Grades 11 & 12
(in 2018-19 school year)
Interested in an internship in the fall of 2018? Applications due April 6th!
Students in 11th and 12th grades may apply for 45 and 90 hour internship experiences. Interns can learn new skills, apply classroom knowledge in a real-world setting, develop employability behaviors that prepare them for the workplace, and gain insight that will help them make more informed career choices. More information and applications are available at www.workplacelearning.org.
Applications are now being completed online. Internship applications for fall 2018 are due April 6th, 2018. Questions? Contact Andrea Malek at amalek@cr.k12.ia.us or 319-558-4673.
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Homeschool Hatchery March Event!
Our Makerspace, the Homeschool Hatchery, will be hosting our last challenge event on Friday, March 23rd from 2:00-3:00pm. The "Makey Musician" challenge will ask makers to create an instrument out of materials they never knew could make music!
Want to know more? Keep reading!
Can you design and build your own instrument and then make it play music? You probably can with the use of the Makey Makey kit and Scratch MIT. If these terms are foreign to you don’t worry, we will provide you with the resources you need. You just need to provide the creativity and imagination!
A Makey Makey is a small circuity board with alligator clips and a USB cable. Hook it up to a computer and it can operate as a remote controller. With some creativity you can use it to play games on the computer, create musical instruments, or invent something ingenious. To get an idea of what a Makey Makey can do, check out the video on their website: www.makeymakey.com. (Or search You Tube with the words Makey, Makey inventions.) Come with an idea in mind for a musical instrument and see what music you can create!
To RSVP for the "Makey Musician" challenge, click HERE.
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World Food Fest!
The World Food Fest has been hosted by CRHSAP for many years and remains one of the program’s favorite annual events. Please read the information below about how to participate. It is a delightful way to involve everyone in your family in a meaningful learning experience.
When: April 12th, 2018. Setup is at 6:00pm, viewing and tasting is from 6:30-8:30pm.
Where: Wilson Middle School Cafeteria
Details:
1. Choose: Choose a country you would like to study. You can choose one country as a family or each student may choose his/her own.
2. Display: Share what you have learned with others in the form of a display. For instance, you might include maps, written reports, artwork, or products, and/or artifacts from the country. Displays can include a tri-fold board or computer presentation. Each display will have a 3’ by 3’ table space.
3. Samples: Prepare food that represents your country. Please bring enough to share with 150 people.
4. Cookbook: Each family will receive a cookbook which will include recipes from all the participants. Your recipe page may also include artwork and written information about your country. This is due no later than Friday, March 30 at 2:00 pm in order for the book to be published by the day of the World Food Fest. Submit all text and illustrations in black ink only on an 8 ½” by 11” white paper. It is very important to leave a 1” margin on all sides.
5. Flag: Make an 11” x 17” paper flag of your country. This is also due in the CRHSAP office by Friday, March 30 at 2:00 pm. Your flag will be taped to the table beneath your display. Your resource teacher can get you the colored paper you need.
6. RSVP: Please indicate on your RSVP if you need electricity and if you want a packet of display ideas. Your resource teacher can also work with you on this project.
Please Note: Attendance at the World Food Fest is open only to participants and their families.
To RSVP for the World Food Fest, click HERE.
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2018 Student Writing Anthology
Submission deadline: Friday, March 30th
Calling all writers and artists! ANYONE in grades K-12 can submit their work to the CRHSAP writing anthology, for publication in April 2018. This year, we will also be accepting artwork. Send in your poems, prose (that includes sentences and short paragraphs, young writers!), original riddles, short stories, and artwork.
Submission guidelines:
Include a title of your piece.
Include the name and grade of the artist.
For artwork, include the medium.
Email work to amalek@cr.k12.ia.us or hand deliver it to the home school office (if you’d like it returned, you will be responsible for picking up the work again at a later date).
Publication guidelines:
A polished composition is highly recommended. For example, carefully re-write a poem on blank white paper (rather than lined notebook paper). You might also want to include drawings or artistic embellishments in the margins.
Short stories and book excerpts should be limited to 2 pages. However, small exceptions can be made.
To submit 3D artwork (e.g. clay or dioramas), take a well-lit picture of your piece on a solid-colored background.
Think outside the box! Well-written reports, persuasive essays, calligraphy, hand-drawn characters with a short back story, limericks, and many other types of work are welcome.
Final composition will be at the discretion of the anthology editor.
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All-City Music Contest
When: Saturday, April 7th, 2018
Families interested in having their students participate in the All-City Music Contest may pick up forms at the CRHSAP office. Contest information is also available in the office.
Forms should be returned to our office by Thursday, March 1st, in order for our secretary to get your students registered by the deadline. Checks should be made out to CRCSD and must accompany the entry form.
Dates to remember:
March 1, 2018 (4:00 pm) - Solo / Ensemble entry deadline - $8
March 9, 2018 (4:00 pm) - Solo / Ensemble LATE entry deadline (no time requests) - $16
After March 9, 2018 (4:00 pm) - any entries - $24
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Maple Syrup Tour at Indian Creek Nature Center
Why is March maple syruping month? Because that’s when maple sap flows from the sugar maple trees at Indian Creek Nature Center!
Learn about the lore and history of this unique North American heritage activity, and explore the Native American, colonial, and pioneer history of "sugaring." In this tour, the teacher-naturalist shares that maple syrup is the first agricultural crop harvested in Iowa each year. The physiology and identification of maple trees are reviewed. Then participants visit the sugar bush (woods where the maple trees grow) and use tools (bit & brace, hammer, spile and collection bucket) to tap a maple tree. Classes then tour the sugarhouse to learn how sap is boiled to create maple syrup.
Make sure to wear clothing that is appropriate for outdoor exploration! :)
All ages are welcome.
Cost:
Toddlers - Free
Children ages 3-17 - $4.00
Parent/Chaperone - $2.00
To RSVP for the Maple Syrup Tour, click HERE.
Friday, Mar 2, 2018, 12:30 PM
Indian Creek Nature Center, Otis Road, Cedar Rapids, IA, USA
2018 Planning for Your Future Event
All Linn County High School students and parents are invited to attend the 2018 Planning for Your Future Event on Tuesday, March 6th at Marion High School.
This year’s event will feature a new format to the evening.
5:30-7:30PM
Students & parents will attend up to four 25-minute sessions to learn about the following topics:
· Careers: Gain insights from career professionals representing 10 different career fields during panel presentations
· Scholarship Opportunities
· The Most Important Things You’ll Never Learn in High School
· Career Decision-Making: Resources, Resume Writing, and Interviewing Tips
· Parent Session: Navigating the Last Years of High School
7:00-8:00PM
After learning about career options, explore next steps! The following organizations will be on hand to meet with students and parents:
· Colleges and universities
· Apprenticeships
· Military
· MEDCO’s Community Promise
· Workplace Learning Connection
To RSVP for the Planning for Your Future Event, click HERE.
Tuesday, Mar 6, 2018, 05:30 PM
Marion High School, South 15th Street, Marion, IA, USA
Chick-fil-A Tour
1964: After testing out hundreds of recipes, S. Truett Cathy creates the recipe for the Original Chicken Sandwich with two pickles on a toasted butter bun.
If you would like to see what goes on behind the scenes of a Chick-fil-A restaurant, join us as they explain the process of placing your order and picking it up at the drive through.
All ages are welcome. Space is limited, so RSVP soon!
Friday, Mar 23, 2018, 10:00 AM
Chick-fil-A, Collins Road Northeast, Cedar Rapids, IA, USA
Kaleidoscope Series at the Gallagher Bluedorn- "Curious George"
Join the inquisitive, lovable little monkey Curious George, in this delightful new musical. All-You-Can-Eat Meatball Day came just once a year. George had been waiting all month for that day, a day almost bigger than his birthday! On Meatball Day, George helped his friend Chef Pisghetti cook some delicious meatballs, and serve them to the hungry crowd. But this year, the crowd had vanished!
Tickets for this performance are $1 a piece. Just a reminder that if you sign up for this performance, you are agreeing to purchase tickets whether or not you attend. Tickets are limited so please RSVP as soon as possible. Please stop by our office to pay for your tickets & pick up your voucher before each performance. Call 558-2088 with any questions.
To RSVP for "Curious George," click HERE. The deadline for sign-up and payment is March 2nd.
Tuesday, Apr 17, 2018, 12:30 PM
Gallagher Bluedorn Performing Arts Center, Dakota Street, Cedar Falls, IA, USA
Kaleidoscope Series at the Gallagher Bluedorn- "Kite Runner"
Description:
From the first novel about contemporary Afghanistan to be written in English, this performance dramatically portrays the relationship of two boys - Amir, a privileged Pashtun and Hassan, a Hazara servant.
Tickets for this performance are $1 a piece. Just a reminder that if you sign up for this performance, you are agreeing to purchase tickets whether or not you attend. Tickets are limited so please RSVP as soon as possible. Please stop by our office to pay for your tickets & pick up your voucher before each performance. Call 558-2088 with any questions.
To RSVP for "Kite Runner," click HERE. The deadline for sign-up and payment is March 2nd.
Friday, Apr 27, 2018, 10:00 AM
Gallagher Bluedorn Performing Arts Center, Dakota Street, Cedar Falls, IA, USA
YMCA OPEN SWIM
The First and Third Wednesdays
March 7th and 21st
Time: 1:30-3:00
Helen G. Nassif Center
207 7th Ave SE, Cedar Rapids
The YMCA generously opens their pool for CR-HSAP families during their open swim times. This opportunity is free. When families go, please show your membership card or if you are not a member of the Y, please sign in on the CR-HSAP sheet located at the front desk.
Below are the YMCA Rules:
1. A parent needs to accompany their children at this event.
2. Any non-swimmers must wear a floatation device; plan to bring your own.
3. The non-swimmer must have their parent in the water and within an arm’s length reach at all times.
4. Inflatable items are not allowed.
5. Pool toys are allowed, but use may be constrained depending on patron usage of the pool during that Open Swim time.
6. Lifeguards have the authority over all of the posted pool rules and rules that only appear in the YMCA’s handbook.
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WE WANT YOUR HY-VEE RECEIPTS AND BOX TOPS!
Remember to save and turn in your Hy-Vee receipts and Box Tops for Education! Receipts can be collected from all Hy-Vee businesses, including the drug stores and gas stations. The HSAP receives $1 for every $200 in Hy-Vee receipts collected, and 10¢ for every Box Top.
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Scholastic Book Orders
Don't forget that Scholastic has some great deals on books and other educational materials!
To order online:
- REGISTER at www.scholastic.com/bookclubs
- ENTER the program’s activation code-LM3CY
- CHOOSE from thousands of print titles, value packs, and Storia eBooks
Our third book order is due by February 23rd and will arrive about a week later.
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Thank You Information for February Events
Eastern Iowa Airport
Att’n: Jackie Meyer
2515 Arthur Collins Pkwy SW
Cedar Rapids, IA 52404
State Historical Museum
Att'n: Matthew Beyer
600 E. Locust St.
Des Moines, IA 50319
Science Center of Iowa
Att'n: Paula
401 W. Martin Luther King Jr. Parkway
Des Moines, IA 50309
State Hygienic Lab
Att'n: Rick Bonar
2500 Crosspark Rd.
Coralville, IA 52241
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Non-Discrimination Policy
It is the policy of the Cedar Rapids Community School District not to discriminate in educational programs on the basis of race, creed, color, gender, sexual orientation, marital status, gender identity, socioeconomic status, national origin, religion, disability, age (except for permitting/prohibiting students to engage in certain activities) or genetic information and in employment opportunities on the basis of age, race, creed, color, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, religion, disability or genetic information. There is a grievance procedure for processing complaints of discrimination.
If you have questions or a grievance related to this policy, please contact Rod Dooley, Executive Director of Equity, (RDooley@cr.k12.ia.us), and/or Linda Noggle, Executive Director of Talent Management, (LNoggle@cr.k12.ia.us), Educational Leadership and Support Center, 2500 Edgewood Rd NW, Cedar Rapids, IA, (319) 558-2000.