As Filing Deadline Approaches, Seminar Fuels Confidence in Beginning Homeschoolers

As the August 15th filing deadline looms, the Virginia Home Education Association-a grassroots, non-partisan organization-is offering one-stop shopping for the nitty-gritty details parents need to homeschool with confidence.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Of Interest to: Education Editors, Community Editors

As Filing Deadline Approaches, Seminar Fuels Confidence in Beginning Homeschoolers

RICHMOND, VA-(July 10)

     With increasing numbers of parents considering homeschooling, a straightforward and thorough source of information is ever more important. Parents are often daunted by the legalese and need a helping hand to hold as they make the leap into home education. As the August 15th filing deadline looms, the Virginia Home Education Association-a grassroots, non-partisan organization-is offering one-stop shopping for the nitty-gritty details parents need to homeschool with confidence. Scheduled for Saturday, July 20th from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., VHEAs low-cost Beginning Homeschooling Seminar helps prospective homeschool parents understand the law and find the resources and support they need. This special event will be held at the Science Museum of Virginia, 2500 W. Broad St., in Richmond, and all registrants receive free admission to the SMV for the day! Advance cost is $15 for an individual, and a parental couple is $20. At the door an individual is $20, and a parental couple is $25. Registration is available online or by mail. For more information see www.VHEA.org or call (540) 832-3578.
         Families choose homeschooling because it offers a custom education, provides family togetherness, stimulates lifetime joy in learning, and many other benefits, and VHEAs Beginning Homeschooling Seminar will provide a comfortable and affordable experience for the broad spectrum of parents interested in homeschooling. The seminar is particularly helpful for parents who are anxious about the upcoming filing deadline, but even more-experienced parents can gain from the seminar. I've already found the answer to some of my questions," stated Virginia resident Darlene White, but this would even benefit people like me who are still finding their way."
Featuring Will Shaw-the co-founder of the Virginia Home Education Association-VHEAs Beginning Homeschooling Seminar will cover the legal avenues for homeschooling in Virginia, including when and how to file papers. In addition, the seminar offers an overview of homeschooling methods, curriculum options, what to avoid, where to find support, options for testing and assessments, homeschooling teens, a question and answer period and more. Each registered family will receive a folder that includes everything they need to get started with homeschooling: handouts, forms, resources, and a six-month VHEA membership.
         Ann Shows of King George, who attended a VHEA seminar in April, was enthusiastic about the event saying the presentation was exactly what I needed to hear...legal matters were presented in an understandable way... questions were answered honestly without legalese...[and] the resources provided were fantastic!" Shows especially appreciated that the presenters demonstrated that no one way was correct for everyone," and she enjoyed their sense of humor and honesty." New homeschoolers often have myriad concerns, but Show stated she now knows where to go if I have more questions."
        Registration is available via Internet or by postal mail. Visit www.vhea.org/hs-seminar.html, or, to receive a registration form by postal mail, call 703-494-6021 and leave your name, address, phone number and e-mail address (optional).
Virginia homeschooling veteran Rhonda Jacob would definitely recommend that anyone considering homeschooling attend such a seminar." Kris Stafira, an attendee at the April seminar, summed up her experience by stating that the biggest thing I got out of the day was seeing that other 'normal people do this homeschooling thing...it took away a lot of fears."

About the Virginia Home Education Association:

Since 1993 the Virginia Home Education Association has served the diverse homeschooling community through proactive legislative work, assisting homeschoolers on an individual level, and providing information, speakers, and resources. VHEAs sole intent is to aid and inform homeschoolers; there is no religious or political agenda. The Virginia Home Education Associations Web site provides the full text of the homeschooling and related statutes, and other documents and articles to assist homeschoolers in meeting the legal requirements and understanding home education in Virginia. www.vhea.org

CONTACT:

PR Representative
Shay Seaborne
703-494-6021
PR@vhea.org

or

Virginia Home Education Association
(540) 832-3578
VHEA@juno.com
www.vhea.org

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