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Special Board Announcement
As you are all aware, the CDC, the President, and other state and local officials are issuing announcements daily in regard to COVID-19. Gatherings of 10 or more and outings of any kind that are not essential are being discouraged. Governor Hutchinson recently called for public school closures statewide through April 17. In addition, President Trump has asked the nation to continue social distancing through April 30. As these announcements are made, many REACH activities are also being cancelled or postponed. At this time we are cancelling or postponing all events through April 30. Brainstorming sessions are in progress to find creative solutions to the scheduling challenges these restrictions present. It is a troubling and unprecedented time, but also the very best time to be homeschoolers and more importantly, followers of Christ. Take this time to enjoy your family and remember to encourage others who may not be taking easily to being thrust into the ranks of the homeschooled.
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Coordinator News
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The following article, by Sharon Garrett, is a reprint from May 2018.
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This is the last newsletter for which I will submit an article as coordinator and I’ve thought about what I’d like to say. So, here it is: I really don’t think our kids will suffer from lack of love, good curriculum, socialization, great activities, etc., about which homeschool moms so often worry. I think one of the greatest risks our kids have is growing up with the same self-absorbed, entitlement attitude that is so prevalent in our culture.
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Although most homeschools prioritize Biblically based curriculum and honor God in the home, I observe a large degree of decision making rooted in the criteria of “what my child likes and doesn’t like.” I observe extreme amounts of busyness due to extracurricular activities based solely on what children want and don’t want. Often these decisions are made to the detriment of mom, dad, finances, and time as a family. I am not suggesting that we never make decisions that please our children, we love them and want to make them happy. However, I would ask each of us to consider how and why we make the choices that we do. And in the choices we are making, which appetite are we nurturing in the hearts of our children? An appetite for God and His Word, or an appetite for self gratification and worldly pleasures. Are we raising kids with the ability to do hard things? Are we raising kids who are aware of the needs of others (Philippians 2:4)? Are we teaching our kids to put others first, to consider others better than themselves (Philippians 2:3)? Are we showing them how to pick up their cross daily and follow after Christ (Luke 9:23)? Are we showing them how to serve “the least of these,” (Matthew 25:40)?
Please always remember that the primary goal of the truly Christian homeschool is not well educated children or well insulated children or properly socialized children or fully scholarshipped children. The primary goal is launching young adults who pursue the heart of God, which will always be shown forth in devotion to God and service to others. We need to warn our children of the destruction that awaits a self-focused life. Self is the idol of our culture. Nurturing a self focus in our kids is subtle thing and is often disguised under the label of being a good parent. Our culture definitely pushes a silent pressure of what “good parents” do and don’t do. Well, here are a few things they won’t tell you.
1. Make sure your children know that God and His Word are the final authority on everything (1 Peter 1:25)!
2. Make sure your children understand the universe doesn’t revolve around them; that their very purpose is not their own happiness, but to fulfill the purposes of God.
3. Make sure your children know and see others less fortunate than themselves.
4. Make sure your kids know that Christ is literally coming back and that we will all stand before His judgement seat (2 Corinthians 5:10).
5. Make sure your children know that friendship with the world is hatred toward God (James 4:4).
Some may say, “These things are too harsh to say to our children!” I’m not suggesting that we say these things to our children. I’m strongly urging that we live these principles before them. When our kids see us putting God first, loving His Word, sacrificing for and serving others, dying to ourselves, and turning off the world they get a three dimensional picture of what that looks like. It becomes well defined for them. As we personally prioritize our lives in a manner that says, “God is the number one priority,” we lay a foundation in the hearts of our children. When we tell them, “God is number one,” but live as if He isn’t, we also lay a foundation in their hearts. We have an incredible opportunity before us; and with the enablement of the Holy Spirit, may
we use it well!
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Board News
Michelle Green has been voted in as the 2020-2021 REACH Coordinator.
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The current board has voted for the following board position replacements starting with the 2020-2021 REACH year:
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Chelsey Carnahan-Activities Director
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Save the date for a combined committee head gathering on May 18. This is planned for 2019-2020 and 2020-2021 committee heads.
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REACH Meetings
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At this time all meetings for the year have been postponed or canceled.
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Membership News & Reminders
Welcomes and Farewells
Robert and Jamee Bass live in Russellville and have three children: Avah, age 16; Dulci, age 13; and Garin, age 10. Jamee will be serving on the Library Committee.
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Baby Recognition 2019-2020. . . We Welcome
Eva Adalee born to Jacob & Rhiannion Davis on February 25. Siblings are Eli, Jaysa, Bella, & Jacob, Jr.
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Sperry baby soon to be born to Joshua and Sarah Sperry. Siblings are Keren, Caleb, & Gideon.
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HSLDA
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If you plan to join HSLDA you can receive a discount as a REACH member. Just enter the code 210726 when prompted. Annual membership is $115 with our group discount, a savings of $15.
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Committee Head Requests 2020-2021
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If you are interested in heading a committee for the 2020-2021 REACH year, then here is your opportunity. Committee heads need to be in place soon since member sign-ups will start in May. A decision will be made in April about committee heads and what committees REACH will have available for the coming year, so it is very important that …
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Deadline to request a committee head position for 2020-2021 is April 1.
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Yearbook
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Check out our new yearbook tab under the teacher toolbox. It has details on photo submissions, senior page submissions, yearbook orders, and yearbook deadlines. Please note that some deadlines detailed below have been extended. All yearbook events on the calendar as well as yearbook posts automatically feed to this tab so you can find all of our yearbook information in one place.
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Custom yearbook pages are due May 1.
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Yearbook Updates and Reminders
If you ordered a yearbook we are still planning to have them completed! Our staff is working on some creative ways to remember these odd events!
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Yearbook Staff: Please be working on your assignments! We are looking at options to have some "virtual" class time in the next few weeks.
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REACH Seniors: Please submit Senior Page information, deadline extended to April 15th.
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Yearbook Orders: Did you miss yearbook orders? We are extending orders until April 15th. Please remember this is a fundraiser for REACH - $5 of each book sold goes to support our group!
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SIZE OPTIONS:
Business card - $25
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Senior ads are available for purchase. These are NOT the same as their senior page, all seniors receive a senior page in the yearbook. These would be special congratulations and recognitions from the parents (or a relative) for the senior.
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Half Page Senior Ad - $50
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When looking at the calendar, please note that all activities for April 1-30 have been canceled or postponed. These are still posted on the calendar with a cancellation/postponement note added at the beginning of the post.
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PSP Day-Parties/Skating/Parks
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Remember that the 2nd Friday of each month is devoted to PSP-Parties/Skating/Parks. These activities are open to all ages including teens, but there must be an accompanying adult.
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At this time all PSP events have been canceled.
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Clubs
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At this time all Club events have been canceled.
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Intensives
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At this time all Intensives have been postponed or canceled.
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Field Trips
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What field trips would your family like to participate in?
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There are so many great opportunities in our community as well as surrounding areas for field trips! If there's somewhere fun and/or educational you've been wanting to go perhaps you'd like to organize a field trip so other homeschool families could join in! Anyone in REACH can plan a field trip. Here are some ideas of potential field trips: …
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All April field trips have been postponed.
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Potts Inn is currently rescheduled for May.
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Potts Inn Museum Field Trip-May
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Potts Inn was a stagecoach station on the Butterfield Overland Mail route from Memphis and Fort Smith during the 1850’s.
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Jr/Sr Banquet
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Due to our current needs for social distancing, there will be no banquet on April 24. Jackie will contact the church as well as the affected REACH families and later a decision concerning complete cancellation or just postponement will be announced after the information is considered by the committee and board...
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Senior Graduation-May
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The REACH Graduation Committee would like to invite you to attend the 2020 REACH Senior Graduation Ceremony to be held on Saturday, May 2, 2020. A reception will follow offering refreshments, a chance to view senior boards and an opportunity to leave cards for the graduates. If you haven’t attended a REACH graduation …
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Kindergarten Graduation-May
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What your child will need to know for the graduation:
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Verse: Please learn in this version so that all the children are saying the same thing and no one gets confused, thank you!
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Psalm 119:105 NKJV Your Word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my …
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Used Book Sale-May
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It's almost here, Ladies!
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*Label each item with SELLER’S NAME, PRICE, SHORT ITEM DESCRIPTION, GRADE LEVEL
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*Label all give-away items “FREE” *Bring sale items to …
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Moms' High School Class: Navigating the Maze
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This class will meet for three different evenings in May and June. Topics to be covered include: recordkeeping, credits, transcripts, smart core, ACT/SAT, college admissions, scholarships, CLEP, AP, concurrent classes, and more. Please sign up by May 15 if you are interested in attending. Location and exact times will be communicated to those who sign up. Contact Velvet with questions …
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Honor Roll 2019-2020
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REACH has an honor roll for 9th – 12th grade students. It is based on a student’s achievement on a standardized test. The school year for honor roll purposes is from the beginning of July to the end of June with the honor roll being published in the August newsletter for the previous school year. Deadline to send scores is July 10th.
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High School Classes 2020-2021
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If you are interested in helping out our high school students by offering a REACH class for the 2020-2021 year (fall, spring, or all year), please let the board know by May 15. It helps our moms of high school students to know what classes may be offered so they can plan their high school credits. Thank you to Sarah …
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GIVE TO REACH
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FlipGive - To become a team member, use code C339UZ when prompted.
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Fresh Roasted Coffee and Artisan Tea
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Labels are collected at each REACH Meeting. A collection box is also located in the REACH Library. For the new style of Box Tops, you will need to use the Box Tops phone app to scan receipts within 14 days of purchase.
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REACH Codes/Information
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REACH Library Information
Reminder: Please note that this information is for current REACH members only.
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- Place the key in the lockbox, and mess up the code to keep it secure. Secure the library by locking the door behind you.
- Sign in upon arriving and sign out upon leaving.
- No food or drink allowed in the library.
- Follow displayed instructions for checking out and returning books
- Use the 3,400+ items REACH Library Database
- Check out our new library tab.
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Local, State, or National Events
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**The following are not REACH sponsored events but are provided for informational purposes only.**
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