A Special Invitation to Homeschool Teens and Their Parents:

The Acadiana Homeschool Key Club (AHKC) will hold its first meeting of the 2010-11 school year on Tuesday, August 31 from 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the South Regional Branch of the Lafayette Public Library.

AHKC is a student-led organization that teaches leadership through serving others. Key Club is the world’s largest high school service organization with a membership of nearly 240,000 members in 24 nations. This is the first homeschool Key Club in Louisiana and is chartered by the Saint Martinville Kiwanis Club. Elected Officers for 2010-11 are McKenna Andrepont, President; Tyler Mott, Vice-President; Haley Barfield, Secretary; and Dennis Boudreaux Treasurer/Parliamentarian. Any Acadiana homeschooler in grades 8-12 is welcome to join. Annual dues, payable in September, are $15.

AHKC meets once a month and typically plans one service project per month along with several social activities annually (rock climbing, ultimate frisbee, bowling, etc). Projects are planned and carried out by club members. Members pick and choose activities according to what works best with their schedules and interests. Acadiana Homeschool Key Club provides a great opportunity to meet other homeschooled teens and help the community. It is also highly recognized on college applications.

Possible volunteer opportunities this year include: FoodNet Acadiana, Bridge Ministry of Acadiana, Buddy Walk with the National Down’s Syndrome Society, Habitat for Humanity, Saint Joseph’s Diner and the St. Martinville Kiwanis “Every Child a Swimmer” program, among others.

If you are thinking about joining, but just aren’t sure, please plan to attend the meeting and check out AHKC. Parents are also welcome to attend. If you have any questions, please feel free to email acadianahomeschoolkeyclub@… or call McKenna at 337.636.3298 . The international Key Club website is www.keyclub.org

Every Wednesday night 6:30pm-7pm
Southside
Bedtime Stories
Bedtime Stories is a night-time version of Family Story Time. Storytelling, music, and educational activities are included for all ages. No preregistration required.

September 8th & 15th 6pm
North Regional
Teen Book Club
Teens 13-18, are invited to read and discuss books. Call (337) 896-6323 for more information.

September 18th 2pm
North Regional
Lego Club
Kids 7 years and older will build lego projects based on a theme.
A parent must accompany the child. Sept. preregistration starts 9/11.
Oct. preregistration starts 10/16. Call (337) 896-6323 to preregister.

September 25th 1pm
Southside
Oh, the Drama!
Teens ages 12-18 are invited to join a monthly group that will do dramatic readings. Preregistration starts 9/6. Call (337) 981-1028 to preregister.

Other events can be seen at the library’s website.

Wii Free Play and Mini Tournament
Date: 6/11/2010
Start Time: 1:00 PM
End Time: 3:00 PM
Description: Teens are invited to sign up for video game fun and tournament play for prizes. Preregistration begins June 1. Call 261-5787.
Library: Main Library
Please Note: Attendee must be between the ages of 12 Years and 18 Years old.

Wii Gaming for Families- For Ages 7 and Up
Date: 6/12/2010
Start Time: 11:00 AM
End Time: 1:00 PM
Description: Spend some family time competing for prizes while playing Wii games. Preregistration begins June 2. Call (337) 261-5779 for more information.
Library: Main Library
Contact Number: (337) 261-5779

D.I.Y. Soap Making
Date: 6/9/2010
Start Time: 10:00 AM
End Time: 11:00 AM
Description: Teens can learn how to make soaps in this free workshop by Connie Boustany. Call 856-5261 for more information. Preregistration begins June 1.
Library: Milton Branch
Please Note: Attendee must be between the ages of 12 Years and 18 Years old.
Also there will be an encore presentation at 1pm-2pm at the Southside Branch on the same day.

All About Rain Gardens
Event Type: Adult
Date: 6/26/2010
Start Time: 10:30 AM
End Time: 11:30 AM
Description: Jessica Hardy, of the Laf. Par. Bayou Vermilion District will give information on various rain gardening techniques that work best in our area.
Library: Main Library

Check out the full calendar at the library’s website! Also check out the quarterly newsletter – BOOK TALK (pdf)!

Key Club is part of the Kiwanis family of service organizations and is the oldest and largest service program for high school students. If successful, this will be the first Key Club for homeschooled students in Louisiana. The purpose of the student led Key Club is to encourage community service and student leadership. All activities are designed, voted on and coordinated by student members with the support of parents.

Membership is open to all Acadiana homeschoolers in grades 8-12. The club will host monthly meetings, service projects, and social events (bowling, Roc Haus, etc), to encourage community service and leadership for high school students while at the same time HAVING FUN! Please plan to attend and invite your friends! (No obligation to join). Parents are also invited to attend.

Key Club is great for high school community service hours and carries weight on college applications. Community service may be completed individually, through churches, or through Key Club group activities. Activites are planned by the students and are not mandatory – members pick and choose what works for them.

For more information please call McKenna Andrepont at 337-636-3298 or visit their website at http://ahkc.wordpress.com/

Free teen events at the branches of the Lafayette Public Library for March.

Main Branch
3/4 Thursday 5:30pm Teen Advisory Meeting- (Note time change) Podcasting and pizza (be ready to discuss a book you have enjoyed).
3/9 Tuesday 4pm Video Editing w/LITE* – Teens will create, shoot, act in, and edit short promotional videos for the library
3/16 Tuesday 5pm Animanga Club

South Regional Branch
3/20 Saturday 11amOpen Acoustic Jam – bring your guitar, all levels welcome
3/20 Saturday 1pm Teen Advisory Meeting

North Regional Branch
3/9 Tuesday 6pm Teen Book Club- writing tips
3/17 Wednesday 6pm Cooking Made Easy – no-bake appetizers

LPL Teen Writing Contest entries are due March 31st. For writing contest submission forms, as well as, information on all of the above events go to www.lplteen.net
*Photo consent forms are required for the Video Editing w/LITE.

Amy Wander
Youth Services Librarian
Lafayette Public Library
Lafayette, LA
awander@state.lib.la.us
(337) 261-5752

The University of Louisiana at Lafayette, Office of Enrollment Services will be hosting our 6th Annual Homeshool Information program for highschool aged homeschooled students and their parents on Thursday, March 18, 2010 from 1:30pm- 3:30pm. The event will take place in Bayou Bijou, located in the Student Union.

This informational session will give students and parents the opportunity to find out about admissions criteria, dual enrollment opportunities, scholarships, TOPS, and financial aid. We will also be open to discussion about other topics of interest to homeschooled students and their parents. Upon conclusion of the program, a campus tour will be available.

Parking will be available in front of the student union and in the new parking garage. Questions and to RSVP, please email April Flugence, at aflugence@louisiana.edu, or call (337) 482-5923.

http://www.womansfoundation.com/course/category.php?id=29

Sponsored by the Woman’s Foundation Inc.

Safe Sitter participants will learn: 

• What to do when a child chokes 
• Safety for the sitter 
• What to do in an emergency 
• How to set up a babysitting business 
• How to screen job requests 
• How to manage problem behavior 
• How to prevent injuries 
• How to manage injuries 
• Infant and child CPR 
• Infant and child choking rescue 
• How to entertain children of different ages