Saturday, March 9, 2024

Reflections

 I started this blog/website fifteen years ago when my oldest daughter was going into first grade.  I had struggled to find an umbrella that would allow me to join and I experienced a lot of rejection.  Homeschooling in Harford County has changed a lot in the intervening years.  There are still church specific groups for members only, and mom's clubs (co-ops that you have to be invited to join), but there are also many groups open to anyone that have started up over the past decade and a half.  The increasing number of such groups has made my heart glad.  

One group that has also facilitated and brought together homeschoolers across groups has been FCA.  Harford County, Cecil County, and northern Baltimore County residents are fortunate to have such a developed sports program available to homeschoolers.  Unfortunately, other areas of Maryland do not have such groups.  

If you have found this website and are just starting to explore the idea of homeschooling your children, I hope you will find some helpful information here even if it is a little older.  I no longer live in this area, but moved to another part of Maryland with my family.  

I am nearing the tail end of my homeschooling journey and it is one I'm thankful that I had the opportunity to take with my children.  And they are glad, too.  When people discover they are homeschooled, there is a wide variety of reactions.  To my oldest, the people at her college were skeptical that she would do well--but she's been on the President's List every semester.  She had to go in without a chip on her shoulder and show her professors what she could do.  For my middle daughter, people at her college are shocked and don't expect it based on how she gets along with everyone and stays on top of her assignments.  And for my youngest, people tell him he's lucky because he doesn't have to deal with the bullying at public schools that some kids he knows have dealt with.  My kids have dealt with bullying and harassment, but they didn't have to be surrounded by it all day and we had the choice as homeschoolers to leave groups where they were bullied or harassed.  That is the difference.  

So, here are the top 5 things I've learned as a homeschooler:

#1 Be a student of your student.  Learn how they learn.  But, be sure to use a curriculum that also works for you, otherwise you will procrastinate teaching it!

#2  If you don't find the activity you are looking for, start a group of your own!

#3  If someone doesn't want to be your friend, go find the people who do!  Shake the dust off your feet and keep walking.  Don't resent and hold a grudge--just go find your people!  This applies to parents and kids.  Teach your kids to be the ones who include others.  Exclusion can be intentional or unintentional, but inclusion is always intentional. 

#4  Remember you are the parent, not your child(ren).  You need to do what you believe is best for them--not just what they do or don't want to do.  Your children's job right now is to be a student--it is their work, just as your work is to be the teacher.  In every job, there are parts that people like and parts they don't, but that they have to do.  Schoolwork is the same way.  Children have to learn to do both the things they want to do and the things they don't want to do.  

#5  Love your kids.  Tell them often that you love them.  Enjoy them.  Talk to them.  Listen to them.  Correct them when necessary.  Teach them to be respectful.  Teach them to say they're sorry when they've done something wrong and take responsibility.  Teach them to love people and be kind.  But, most of all--love them.


Tuesday, May 3, 2022

FCA Girls Varsity Soccer

 Fellowship of Christian Athletes Womens Varsity soccer fall 2022 registration meeting is scheduled!!!!

We will meet Friday, May 6th at 7:00 pm at Mountain Christian Church in Joppa in Timothy Hall, which is in the older building at the top of the hill.


Come meet the coaches and returning players and ask any questions you may have about becoming part of our team for the upcoming season.


Our home field is at Beachmont Christian Camp, but we also travel across MD for games. Practices/games will be Monday-Friday with just a couple of Saturdays . 


See below for a link to policies, fees and registrations documents. https://www.nmdfca.org/girls-soccer   


Contact Tim Hines for questions prior to meeting. 


FCA Girls Volleyball

 2022-2023 FCA GIRL’ S VARSITY VOLLEYBALL INFORMATION/REGISTRATION MEETING!

 

The FCA Vanguard Girl’s Varsity Volleyball Club is preparing for its 2022-2023 Fall Season.   The INFORMATION meeting is 16 May 2022@ 6:30 PM, at Upper Cross Roads Baptist Church GYM (please drive to the building in the rear of the property).  The address is 2717 Greene RD, Baldwin, MD 21013.

 

You will be able to meet the coaches, find out details about the schedule, meet some present players, and play a little volleyball! Coach Elita Perusek and Tim Hines, will be available to answer any questions.

 

FCA Volleyball is open to girls in the 8th Grade and up.  Upper Cross Roads is our home gym, and we practice M, Tu, Th, and Friday, with a few weekend tournaments.   Please save the date, and RSVP to Coach Elita Perusek, for further information at 910-670-9114 or eperusek@yahoo.com.  You can see more at https://www.nmdfca.org/girls-volleyball!

 

Wednesday, April 27, 2022

Resource Night at Mt. Zion Church in Bel Air

 


EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES RESOURCE NIGHT — Wednesday, May 4, 7:00 pm, Tent — HOW TO MAKE AN EDUCATIONAL CHANGE FOR YOUR CHILDREN — come learn about homeschooling, private schools, community college ——— MT. ZION CHURCH, 1643 Churchville Rd., Bel Air  mzprays.org 410-836-7444 office@mzprays.org  #mzprays

Sunday, October 18, 2020

FCA Boys Varsity Basketball

The FCA Saints Boys Varsity Basketball team will be having their registration and information night on Friday October 23rd, 630pm at Upper Crossroads Baptist Church located at 2717 Greene Road in Baldwin,Md. The meeting will be held in the gymnasium. Please wear a mask during the meeting. 

Please call or email us if you have questions prior to the meeting. Head Coach Rob Bauerle can be reached at 443-528-8378 or robert.bauerle@verizon.net or Teams Ministry Director Tim Hines at 443-324-3914, thines@fca.org  We look forward to a safe and competitive season!  https://www.nmdfca.org/boys-basketball         

FCA Girls Basketball

 The FCA Girls Varsity Freedom Basketball team will be having their registration and information night on Monday October 26th, 630pm at Upper Crossroads Baptist Church located at 2717 Greene Road in Baldwin,Md. The meeting will be held in the gymnasium. Please wear a mask during the meeting. 

Please call or email us if you have questions prior to the meeting. Head Coach Marie Johnson can be reached at 410-688-9806 or mariejjohnson8@gmail.com and thines@fca.org or 443-324-3914. You can also visit our website at https://www.nmdfca.org/girls-basketball   We look forward to a safe and competitive season! 

Sunday, June 28, 2020

FCA Cross Country

The FCA X Country team will be having their information/registration night on Tuesday June 30th from 7-9pm(Outdoors) at New Covenant Presbyterian Church - 128 St. Mary's Church Rd, Abingdon, MD 21009 and will also be offered via zoom at the same time. The team exists to glorify God using their athletic abilities. We have regular team devotions and often reflect on how often God uses running and racing as analogy for the Christian life. We serve homeschoolers, private schoolers and athletes who cannot play for their public school throughout in the Harford County, Cecil and surrounding area.

Overview: The Falcons program technically consists of four teams: boys and girls varsity (9th-12th grade) and boys and girls middle school (6th-8th grade). Most of the practices and meets are at the same time and place for all the teams. Both new and experienced runners are welcome. The season runs from August to early November.
The program has several coaches. The best contact for general questions is team coordinator Dan Foster:danielfoster@cedarville.edu  For more information and necessary forms for registration, visit our team website athttps://www.nmdfca.org/cross-country

There is also an option to attend the meeting via Zoom.  Contact Dan Foster for more information about that option.