C.H.E.S.S.

And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might. And these words, which I command you this day, shall be in your heart; And you shall teach them diligently unto your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise up."
Deuteronomy 6:5-7

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom and as parents God has given us the responsibility to educate and train our children in the fear and admonition of the Lord. (Psalm 111:10, Ephesians 6:4)

Click here to read the CHESS mandate...

FOR SALE
A whole bunch of homeschooling materials! Please see attached PDF document for details/prices, and contact information!

There are many events and activities happening in the Saskatoon area. Please check the
Saskatoon Home Based Educators
and the
Prairie Spirit Home Educators websites for more educational and social opportunities.

Please note!
Music and art lesson listings, along with activities that have already started are now posted on the Ongoing Activities page.

Events & Activities

CHESS Website Moving
Due to the closing of Geocities in October 2009, the CHESS website is moving to christianhomeeducators.wordpress.com. You will now be automatically redirected to the new site, if you're still waiting after 5 seconds, click on the new link. Thanks!

Saskatoon Home Educated Debaters
FIRST CLASS MOVED TO SEPTEMBER 9 instead of September 2.
Contact Melissa Ong before the class - elevenongs@link.ca
Scroll down for more information about debate.

Food Services Assistant
A seniors’ facility (McClure Place) is seeking a casual Food Services Assistant. The position could become permanent part-time. A potential of 15 hours a week from 3 pm – 7 pm or 4 pm – 7 pm. Duties include setting tables, helping to serve the evening meal, clean up and dishes after. $9.25/hour. Applicant will be required to provide a criminal record check and to attain their Food Safe Course within the first 3 months of employment. This is a great job for a high school student who enjoys seniors. Please forward resume to: mcclureplace@shaw.ca or McClure Place 1825 McKercher Drive Saskatoon, SK S7H 5N5

Not-Back-To-School Picnic
When:  Monday, Aug 31 starting around 12:00 noon
Where:  Warman Spray Park

Come one and all.  We will start by sharing a picnic time, and   afterwards the kids and parents can enjoy the park time as usual. Bring lunch for your family, and a dessert or snack item to share.

HOMESCHOOL SWIMMING
It's that time of year! Red Cross swimming lessons for homeschoolers are once again being offered at Harry Bailey Aquatic Centre. They will start the morning of Friday September 18, 2009, and go for 8 weeks.

Prices are: preschool - Level 4 $55, Levels 5 - 8 $65 and Levels 9 - 10 $75. This includes the 45 minute free swim after the lessons---a great opportunity to meet and socialize with other homeschoolers! Moms swim free and can utilize the hot tub and sauna! If there are any families not registered in lessons who would like to come for the free swim only, they are more than welcome. We charge $2 per person. Please pay Mary Lissel.

PLEASE NOTE: registration will not take place via phone or email. There will be a registration afternoon on Friday September 4 at Harry Bailey from 1 - 3 pm, at which time payment is due by cheque or cash. There is a Family Swim scheduled at the pool during this time, so come and register and enjoy a swim! Regular pool fees apply.

There will also be representatives from CHESS (Christian Home Educators of Saskatoon and Surrounding area) and the Saskatoon Unschoolers. Each of these groups will be bringing their library of books, which are available to borrow at that time.

If you absolutely cannot register on September 4th, please email Janina Chamberlain at hoylingj@hotmail.com or Mary Lissel at mlissel@sasktel.net to arrange for mail in registration.

THINK. STUDY. SPEAK. DEBATE.
The Saskatoon Home Educated Debaters was started six years ago by Carol Crosson, a homeschooling mom. We have had anywhere from 10 to 20 students a year encompassing Grades 5 to 12. The club has had a history of much success. Students participate in regional tournaments sponsored by the Saskatchewan Elocution and Debate Association (SEDA) and have qualified and participated in the provincial tournament. We have had students chosen as part of the Saskatchewan Team for National Debate Competitions, the Canadian National High School Debate Championships, the Junior National Debate Championships, and the National Debate Seminar. The club has also participated in Mock Trials sponsored by the Law Society of Saskatchewan as well as Model Legislature.

There are countless skills students learn in debate. While people generally think that debate is only for those interested in legal or political careers, the whole process of preparing for a debate and debating provides such a learning and growth experience for any student. Between the research on current issues and underlying issues and then developing thinking skills, public speaking and debating strategy, a student has a real opportunity to grow and gain skills that can enable him or her to find and have a voice and impact their community. You will never be the same in confidence and your ability to assess world affairs and research viewpoints on both sides of a topic.

Saskatoon Home Educated Debaters meet once a week on Wednesday mornings from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. at the Ong residence, 5550 Clarence Ave. South, Saskatoon. While there is work do be done, we do have a lot fun working together.

TO REQUEST AN APPLICATION AND FOR MORE INFORMATION contact Melissa Ong at elevenongs@link.ca or (306)653-4030

FIRST CLASS IS ON SEPTEMBER 2, 2009.

Additional Note:
STUDENTS ARE STRONGLY ENCOURAGED TO ATTEND THE DEBATE DAY CAMP HOSTED BY SEDA on August 17-21, 2009 at Walter Murray Collegiate. This is for students in grades 5-12, Beginner, Advanced and Leadership levels. For more information visit www.saskdebate.com

European Homeschool Tours
If you would be interested in European tours with other home-based students, please check out the following website: www.loewentours.com

Please consider...
There was a new children's movie out in December called "The Golden Compass". The movie has been described as "atheism for kids" and is based on the first book of a trilogy entitled "His Dark Materials" that was written by Phillip Pullman. Pullman is a militant atheist and secular humanist who despises C. S. Lewis and the "Chronicles of Narnia". His motivation for writing this trilogy was specifically to counteract Lewis' symbolisms of Christ that are portrayed in the Narnia series.
Clearly, Pullman's main objective is to bash Christianity and promote atheism. Pullman left little doubt about his intentions when he said in a 2003 interview that "my books are about killing God." He has even stated that he wants to "kill God in the minds of children". It has been said of Pullman that he is "the writer the atheists would be praying for, if atheists prayed."
Snopes.com, an online rumor-researching/spam squelching site has more information.
Please consider a boycott of the movie and the books. Also, pass this information along to everyone you know. This will help to educate parents, so that they will know the agenda of the movie.

Updated 11June2009