Inspire Insider

Bringing families together, one newsletter at a time!

Monday, December 3, 2018

Quote of the Week

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School News and Important Dates

Funding Has Landed

Your second installment of funding has arrived! If you are in the "Main" program, you would have received $1000, with an additional $250 being added in February if you chose to opt-out of the online subscription package.

Costa Mesa Lending Library Closure Dates

Although our Costa Mesa Lending Library is currently available for pick-ups only (it will open soon, we promise!) please be aware of the following closure dates.
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Students in 5th, 7th and 9th grade


The State of California requires all public schools to administer the Physical Fitness Test (PFT) to students enrolled in 5th, 7th, and 9th grades. Inspire’s Physical Fitness Testing window is February 4, 2019, through March 21, 2019. We ask that parents bring their students to a test location and stay at the location during testing. Most students are finished in about an hour (test time may be a little more or less depending on the size of the location). For more information, see this link and for locations, click here.

Student Entrepreneur Fair

The Orange County Team is so excited for our first student Entrepreneur Fair, where the students will be buying and selling from one another! The Entrepreneur Fair is coming to Tewinkle Park on December 13th and we are hoping to see all of you there! You could be as creative as you would like. Details are listed on the flyer below.


Some ideas: homemade slime, bath bombs, baked goods, decorations, jewelry, etc

If you are interested in participating please RSVP as soon as possible, but no later than December 11th.


OC Entrepreneur Fair RSVP Survey

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Upcoming Field Trips

Park Days

A great way to connect with other families is by attending our park days! We have so much fun planned for you, click on the event flyers below to find out what's in store!


December 7th: TeWinkle Park, Costa Mesa. Time: 1-3pm

December 19th: Sweet Shade Community Park, Irvine. Time: 10.30am-12.30pm.

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Educational Tools

WInter Break Homeschooling

Do you homeschool over the winter break? With some parents using the time to catch up on subjects, and others choosing not to do formal schoolwork, we're sharing one family's winter break homeschooling plan here.

Help! My Child Hates Writing!

"My suggestion whenever a child hates anything is to take a complete break from the current routine and have some fun.


The writing games I’m sharing here are not the kind you find on educational websites or in books of writing “games”. {A quick search of those resources turns up a list of exercises I’d rather gnaw off my own writing-hand than have to endure.}


Here you will find genuinely fun games that adults will enjoy playing as much as children. In fact several have been enjoyed by adults since Victorian times or even earlier. My mildly dyslexic and dysgraphic son adores them too."


We love this post detailing five writing games that are fun for both kids and adults!

Learn to Code at Code.org

Code.org® is a nonprofit dedicated to expanding access to computer science in schools and increasing participation by women and underrepresented minorities. Their vision is that every student in every school has the opportunity to learn computer science, just like biology, chemistry or algebra. Code.org provides the leading curriculum for K-12 computer science in the largest school districts in the United States and Code.org also organizes the annual Hour of Code campaign which has engaged 10% of all students in the world. Code.org is supported by generous donors including Amazon, Facebook, Google, the Infosys Foundation, Microsoft, and many more.


This free resource provides hours of educational fun! Find more information and try their Hour of Code here!

https://youtu.be/bVHSrWuROrk

Events

Huntington Harbour's 56th Annual Boat Parade

On December 8th and 9th, a multitude of marine vessels will make their way around Huntington Harbor and be judged for numerous awards. For more information, visit their website here.

Helena Modjeska Historic House and Gardens at Heritage Hill Historic Park

Tucked away amidst a live oak grove on the banks of Santiago Creek in Modjeska Canyon lies the century-old home of world renowned actress Madame Helena Modjeska. Named for the grounds’ resemblance to the Forest of Arden in the Shakespearean play “As You Like It,” Arden is designated a National Historic Landmark.



Docent led tours of the historic house and gardens are currently offered 10 a.m. Wednesdays and Saturdays, by advance reservation. This walking tour will take you through the years Madame Modjeska resided in her canyon home, and along the rock lined pathways of what she so fondly called the Forest of Arden. Tours are approximately 1 1/2 hours.

Park patrons are welcome to enjoy the self-guided grounds on Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Sawdust Art Festival

Winter Fantasy features 175 artists and makers, three stages of live music and entertainment, thousands of lights and decorations, glassblowing and art demos, hands-on pottery wheel and art classes, falling snow and holiday photo-ops, outdoor eateries and cafes, festive saloon offerings, and so much more! Experience Sawdust’s magical 3-acre art village during the holiday season, transformed into a picture perfect winter wonderland in the heart of Laguna Beach for five weekends only.


When: December 1, 2, 8, 9, 15 & 16

Time: 10am to 7pm

Where: 935 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach, CA 92651


For tickets, book here.

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Community and Connection

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!

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. Please note: There are three short questions to answer in order to join the group.

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!

Ladan Rashidi - OC Family Liaison

I have three children who are 2, 6 and 8 years old and 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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