President Lincoln Visiting Vegas

and he is bring his best friend Elvis…only kidding! Here is the info:

The NCWHA, along with the Las Vegas Civil War Round Table, has arranged
for President Lincoln to visit Las Vegas.

Mr. William Peak has won national awards for the “Best Abraham
Lincoln”. He has appeared on television and in film. As President
Lincoln, he will be visiting local Las Vegas schools this week. We
have arranged for him to be at the Old Las Vegas Fort on Wednesday,
March 26, from 3:30pm – 4:30pm. This is a time set aside for Home
School students to visit the Fort and meet President Lincoln. He
will be speaking about the time of his presidency, and answering your
questions. Bring a camera to have a photo with President Lincoln.

The Old Fort has also arranged for the fee to be only a $1 for
adults, and children are free. The Old Fort is located at 500 E.
Washington Avenue.

2008 NHN Homeschool Convention, in Las Vegas

Save the date. This promises to be a great event for all Nevada Homeschoolers!

We are pleased to announce the dates for the 2008 NHN Homeschool Convention, in Las Vegas! Please mark your calendars for June 20th and 21st.

Friday, the 20th, will feature a used curriculum sale, round-table discussions on various homeschooling topics, and a keynote address in the evening. The shopping hours are extended from last year’s format…this year open from 10am-4pm with lots of good stuff for everyone!! Anyone may rent a tabel to sell! Start saving your items!

Saturday, the 21st, will feature the Vendor Hall, full of great curriculums and educational products and services. Vendor Hall hours will be 9am-5pm. There will also be speakers and round table discussions throughout the day.

The convention will be located at UNLV’s Student Union Building, 4505 Maryland Parkway, Las Vegas, NV

We regret that this year we are unable to provide childcare, so please start making your arrangements now so that you may attend without your children!

More detailed hours, speakers and vendors will be announced in the coming weeks, so stayed tuned!! You can keep updated via our website: http://www.nevadahomeschoolnetwork. com

Meanwhile, please be thinking about what you can do to help make this
convention a success. We need MANY volunteers. We’ll be sending out more specific needs soon.
Some main needs are:

Advertising
Donations/sponsors
Registration person and people the day of, in shifts
On-site helpers
Goodie Bag stuffers

You can also help by pre-registering (available soon!) and helping to spread the word!

Thanks, and hope to see you there!
Amy Carder and Elissa Wahl, convention co-chairs

LAS VEGAS & HENDERSON HOMESCHOOLERS

There is a great new resource available to new homeschoolers in the Las Vegas and Henderson, NV areas. The website was designed to walk families through the process of starting to homeschool. The site is, also, a great help to those homeschool families just moving to the Las Vegas area. The site breaks the process of getting oriented down into 5 steps-from how to file in the state of Nevada to field trips, finding social groups and city wide homeschool events. Check it out if you are new to homeschooling or to the Vegas area. Even if you are a Las Vegas Homeschool ‘oldie’ you may find some new resources available to you. I know I did!

Day Trip to Calico for Civil War Days

If you missed my post about our fun day at Civil War Reenactment, you can read it here. These events are so much fun and really brings history to life. Here is some information about a day trip one of the groups in our area has put together. Have fun!

The deadline for registration has been moved up to Friday, February 8th.

This will be an interesting day trip, and since the Nevada Civil War History Association is a Nevada 501(c)3 non-profit group, each person who attends the trip to Calico will receive a letter of receipt for their payment with the EIN number of the NCWHA. Your payment is tax deductable.

The Nevada Civil War History Association (NCWHA), is hosting a bus trip to Calico Ghost Town on Silver State Coaches on Saturday, February 16th.

The tour bus will leave the Meadows Mall (at the Dillard’s lower level entrance) at 8:00am on Saturday morning, and return by 7:30pm. We will spend the day at the Calico Ghost Town in Yermo, California. This is one of the oldest silver mining ghost towns in the West. For President’s Day weekend, they are having a special event- a Civil War Reenactment event.

There will be hundreds of reenactors attending from the Southwest states, and Generals Grant and Lee will be there, along with
President Lincoln. Watch two exciting battles during the day, one at 11:45am and one at 2:30pm, visit soldier camps, hear the canons blast, see a Ladies Civil War era fashion show, crafts, blacksmithing, mining tours and visit the Calico shops. Hear
President Lincoln recite the Gettysburg Address in the Calico town square.

It’s an enjoyable day, and a chance to see history come to life in the Old West! The Nevada Civil War History Association is a local Las Vegas non-profit 501(c)3 educational organization made up of volunteers who present living history programs to the Las Vegas
schools. Come along with us to enjoy a fun Saturday Day Trip, and join us for only $35 per person. This includes the roundtrip
transportation and the admission to the event. The admission to the event is $10, and we include this cost in the fee for the bus trip.

We will stop for a break in Baker, California, on the way to Calico, and again on the way back to Las Vegas. This is a convenient and comfortable way to attend one of the most interesting venues for a Civil War reenactment that is near the Las Vegas area. If you are visiting Las Vegas during this weekend, this day trip is also a fabulous one day adventure that allows you to experience some of the sights away from the Strip, and to see a little of our Old West.

The registration deadline is February 8th. Please contact Don Hotchkiss if you need more information or have any questions. Don can be reached at (702) 875-1893.

The payment for the trip is tax deductable, and you will receive a letter of receipt for your payment. Also, if for any reason, the
trip is canceled, everyone will receive a full refund.

Henderson Bird Preserve Activities

I just saw this posted on another group and thought I would pass it
on. We will probably try to catch at least one of these.

The Bird Viewing Preserve in Henderson is offering classes for homeschoolers.

BIRDING FOR HOMESCHOOLERS

Join the Bird Viewing Preserve staff for a fun series of classes about birds in the Las Vegas Valley. Certificate of completion
for students who attend all four classes. The programs will provide a fun learning experience for all age groups. Grades 1-12.

FEATHERS AND FLIGHT

Study what allows a bird to fly. Examine feathers and learn the aerodynamics of flight. For advance students, we will
discuss wing-shape and flight patterns as well as internal bird anatomy. In the field, observe what you have learned in the
classroom and begin your “life list”!
Feb 11 M 10:30-11:30 am $3 191006-63

TOOLS OF THE TRADE

Learn the unique tools each bird utilizes for feeding, nest building and defense. Discover why some birds have long bills
and others have webbed feet. Younger students will enjoy an active game matching beaks and feet. Older students will be
introduced to ecological concepts of niche and competition. While visiting the ponds, observe what you have learned in
the classroom and add to your “life list.”
Mar 10 M 10:30-11:30 am $3 191007-63

BIRD BEHAVIOR

Unlock the mysteries of migration, molting and mating. Much of bird behavior is related to breeding. Learn the why’s,
when’s and where’s of migration. Learn how birds attract mates. Learn about nest building and egg production. Younger
students can attempt to “build” a nest and older students can dissect an egg. In the field look for early signs of spring
breeding behavior. Add to your “life list.”
Mar 24 M 10:30-11:30 am $3 191008-63

SEASON OF SONG

Learn the basics of bird communication. Bird calls and songs proclaim territories, warn of predators and identify a species.
Students will learn to distinguish several bird calls before going into the field to practice.
Apr 14 M 10:30-11:30 am $3 191009-63

http://www.cityofhenderson.com/parks/pdf/brochures/winter2007brochure/bird_prese\

rve.pdf

NV Youth Legislative Issues Forum

Greetings all,

A new program has been started called the Nevada Youth Legislative Issues Forum.
This forum is designed to allow our youth to participate in current political
issues, and to gain an understanding of our government by being an active part
in it!

Senator Valerie Wiener, who helped create this forum, is not only an advocate
for youth, but also for homeschooling. The application process is open to
homeschoolers. Applicants must be in the incoming 9th-12 grade. There will be
21 youth chosen. For more information concerning the Forum please visit the
Forum’s webpage located on the Legislature’s website (www.leg.state.nv.us) and
review the attached documents!

Attached are electronic copies of: (1) the cover letter from Senator Wiener to
homeschool educators; (2) S.B. 247 which created the Forum; and (3) the
application for the Forum.
If you have any questions about the application process, please contact the
Constituent Services Unit of the Legislative Counsel Bureau at (775) 687-8620
or at www.leg.state.nv.us/lcb/research/CSU/feedbackmail.cfm.

This is a great opportunity to be active in civics and to make a mark in future
legislative sessions. Thanks to Senator Wiener for making this possible for us!

Elissa Wahl
Officer Nevada Homeschool Network

TheaterWorks Plays Coming to Vegas

Hi All,

Here is the list of plays that TheaterWorksUSA is making available to the Las Vegas area. We will probably try to go to the Paul Revere one at the very least.

Seats are $10 a piece but if you have 15 or more it is $7.

Feb. 1 Aesop¢s Fables

Feb 4 The midnight Ride of Paul Revere

Mar. 24 Winnie the Pooh

Apr. 21 Henry and Mudge

All performances are at 10 and 12 noon and are at Cashman¢s except Henry and Mudge which is at Ham Hall.

BEGINNING ASTRONOMER’S CLINIC & STAR PARTY

SPONSORED BY THE RED ROCK PARK VISTOR CENTER AND THE LAS VEGAS ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY

WHO: For beginning astronomers of all ages. This event is free and for the public.

WHEN: Saturday, twelve January beginning at 5:00 p.m. (Entrance gate to the Visitor Center closes at 5:30 p.m.)

WHERE: Red Rock Visitor Center (take W. Charleston into Red Rock and follow signs)

PURPOSE: To aid new astronomers in the operation of telescopes and help them in choosing a suitable telescope.

PROGRAM: A 50 minute lecture program in the Visitor Center (rain or shine) followed by telescope viewing (weather permitting). Dress
warmly.

CONTACT: Rob Lambert 461-1390 www.lvastronomy.com

Please..If your bringing a new telescope, get there early so it can be assembled while it’s still light out.

NV Immunization Exemption

Hey all,

I am writing this because I am becoming more and more concerned with phone calls
I am getting, emails, and now the recent RJ article about the Health District
and immunization exemptions. I think some information needs to get out there and
we need to empower each other with FACTS. PLEASE forward this on to anyone who
could benefit from it.

First, let’s understand something basic…the Immunization Exemption is meant
for children going to school. If you are solely homeschooling (not charter
schooling, not using special services such as speech etc) you have no need for
an exemption.

If, however, you are enrolling your child in public or private school, or
getting services, or using charter schools, or even daycare, and you need an
exemption, YOU ARE NOT REQUIRED BY LAW TO GET IT FROM THE HEALTH DISTRICT. This
is important to understand.

The LAW, regarding immunization exemptions, is quite simple and clear. The law
allows for 1) A medical exemption, which the parents AND a doctor would need to
sign for OR 2) a religious exemption, which is a signed statement by the
parent.

NO school, administrator, nurse, anyone should ask you for a letter from your
clergy, no further statement of religious persuasion, no certificate from the
Health District, NOTHING, except what is required by law, which is a simple
signed statement.

Below are applicable law references and a sample non vaccinating letter. I have
used this letter, as have many before me (Thanks Amy Jones I think!). Please
arm yourself with the law and be confident and strong!

Sample Non-Vaccinating Letter

To Whom It May Concern:

Pursuant to Nevada Revised Statutes 392.435/392.437 we/I respectfully
submit this written statement that our/my genuine and sincere religious beliefs
prohibit us/me from vaccinating/immunizing our/my child from any or all
immunizations, ________________________(child’s name), born _____________
(child’s birth date).

(Optional) Our religious beliefs, however, allows us to accept medical
assistance for said child if an emergency arises ie a playground accident.

Sincerely,
______________________________________________________________________
(Parent Signature) (Print Parent Name) (Parent Address)
______________________________________________________________________
(Parent Signature) (Print Parent Name) (Parent Address)

Public School Enrollment:
NRS 392.435 Immunization of pupils: Certificate prerequisite to enrollment;
conditional enrollment; effect of failure to immunize; report to Health
Division; inclusion of certificate in pupil’s record.
1. Unless excused because of religious belief or medical condition, a
child may not be enrolled in a public school within this state unless his
parents or guardian submit to the board of trustees of the school district in
which the child resides or the governing body of the charter school in which the
child has been accepted for enrollment a certificate stating that the child has
been immunized and has received proper boosters for that immunization or is
complying with the schedules established by regulation pursuant to NRS 439.550
for the following diseases:

Public Schools: NRS 392.437 Immunization of pupils: Exemption if prohibited
by religious belief. A public school shall not refuse to enroll a child as a
pupil because the child has not been immunized pursuant to NRS 392.435 if the
parents or guardian of the child has submitted to the board of trustees of the
school district or the governing body of a charter school in which the child has
been accepted for enrollment a written statement indicating that their religious
belief prohibits immunization of such child or ward. (Added to NRS by 1971,
1040; A 1997, 1876)

Private Schools: NRS 394.193 Immunization of pupils: Exemption if
prohibited by religious belief. A private school shall not refuse to enroll a
child as a pupil because such child has not been immunized pursuant to NRS
394.192 if the parents or guardian of such child have submitted to the governing
body a written statement indicating that their religious belief prohibits
immunization of such child or ward. (Added to NRS by 1971, 1041)

Childcare facilities: NRS 432A.240 Exemption from immunization when
contrary to religious belief. If the religious belief of a child’s parents or
guardian prohibits the immunization of the child as required by NRS 432A.230 or
432A.235, a written statement of this fact signed by the parents or guardian and
presented to the operator of the facility exempts the child from the provisions
of that section for purposes of admission. (Added to NRS by 1979, 319; A
2005, 2093)
Recipients of Public Assistance: NRS 422A.355 Subsection 3. The Division
shall waive the requirements of subsection 1 if the failure to immunize a
dependent child is because of a religious belief or medical condition and the
recipient submits to the Division a written statement of that fact in the manner
specified in NRS 432A.240 or 432A.250 for admission to a child care facility.

Please feel free to contact me with any questions, concerns, if you are having a
problem I’d love to call the school or whatever and help you educate them.

Elissa Wahl,
Nevada Homeschool Network Officer

http://www.nevadahomeschoolnetwork.com/

Nevada Proposed Cuts to K-12 Funding

Even though I choose to homeschool, I think we all need to respond to this outrageous cut in education funding! Many homeschooling families still rely on public funding for special programs!

The NQE Board of Directors is in the process of planning 4 simultaneous candlelight vigils on Wednesday, December 19 at 4:30pm in protest of the Governor’s proposed cuts to K-12 education equaling $96,250,000. These cuts will have a devastating impact on our students and teachers. Every school district in Nevada will endure exploding class sizes supply shortages the elimination of tutoring and ancillary programs.

The theme is “The Governor is Burying Education”.

The vigils will be at several locations in northern and southern Nevada. The exact locations will be confirmed by Monday. The locations are CONFIRMED as follows:

Las Vegas: Bonanza High School & Greenspun Jr. High
Reno: Swope Middle School
Carson City: Steps of the Legislative Building

These vigils are dependent upon the number of people making the commitment to attend. Simply put, if there aren’t enough people to speak out and stand up to these devastating budget cuts the vigils won’t happen and the cuts will.

If you are ABLE to attend please send an RSVP email to:

mm@nevadansforqualityeducation.org.

**ALSO include which location you will be at** You will receive an email confirmation of the location and time. Please make time to attend. This may be the most important thing you do for children this year.

NQE Board of Directors

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