February 21, 2020

First, read through the general Homeschool Connections news!
Then, each campus' announcements are listed.

Please read thoroughly every Friday!
Very Important Survey
Your insight is valuable & we favor your opinion! Please take the time to fill out this survey.
Self-Pay Families
Don't wait until the last minute!
Balances for Winter 2020 Semester are due April 3, 2020
Payments received after April 3rd may be subject to a late fee and your account will be locked for our Fall 2020 registration until it is paid in full. Please make sure you are in the correct semester when making payments - Winter 2020. If you have any questions please email accounting@mihomeschoolconnections.com. 

Thank you - Pam Koskinen 
Funded Families
  • Remember that the districts do not pay for registration fees, lunch, study hall, certain science lecture classes and any other class that they have told you they will not cover. When you are in Orbund, double check that you are in the correct semester.
  • You MUST satisfactorily complete any requirements as specified by the district in order to be eligible for district funding. Count requirements are listed below.
  • If you have questions about what they will pay for, please reach out to Ken Janczarek, Clarkston representative at: kpjanczarek@clarkston.k12.mi.us 
  • Verified and approved district funding credits will be applied to your account once count is complete, usually by mid March. 
  • If balances are not paid in full by registration for the following semester your account will be blocked from being able to register until the balance is paid in full.
  • If you do not complete your Fast Five Feedbacks, you are jeopardizing your district funding.
If you have any questions please email me at accounting@mihomeschoolconnections.com. 
Thank you - Pam Koskinen 
Don't Forget Winter Count!
If you are receiving funding from CCS you should have received an email from them explaining the next count window.

Here are some main points to remember with this count period due to our mid-winter break (Feb. 16-22).

  • Week Two (Feb. 19-25): Please use any of the options outlined in this email from CCS. These will occur on February 19, 20, or 21. The options include Google Hangouts, email, or in-person meetings at designated locations.

  • Week Three (Feb. 26-March 3): We will be back to normal with on-campus count.

  • Week Four (March 4-10): Normal on-campus count.

Read the email here .

Pro Tip: Set a reminder in your phone!!!

If you need to contact your mentor, please email them.
  • Dana Pennanen - ccsmentor.dpennanen@clarkston.k12.mi.us
  • Suzie Miller - ccsmentor.smiller@clarkston.k12.mi.us
  • Rodney Pierson - ccsmentor.rpierson@clarkston.k12.mi.us
State Testing
Please read this important information (click here to read)  related to state testing if you have a student in grades 3 through 12 .

In the letter, there is a State Testing RSVP survey to fill out for each one of your students.  Please be sure to complete this by February 25th, 2020.

If you have any questions or concerns please reach out to a mentor or Ken Janczarek.

Read the letter here .
General Announcements!
Do your Fast Fives!
This is Homeschool Connections’ online, weekly component that has been implemented in every class as a type of “homework.”
  • It will be 5 questions that teachers have created based on the weekly lesson. The questions/answers are related specifically to that particular week’s topic/lesson. It can be thought of as a review-at-home exercise for the students.
  • Questions will be in the format of (a) Yes/No, (b) True/False, and (c) Multiple Choice.
  • Weaving together different parts of the course and approaching content with varied tools helps students integrate what they learn and develop a deeper understanding of the material.
  • Teachers will be able to use the information gathered from students to affirm that what they are teaching is reaching your students’ minds. It will also reveal any students who are struggling and perhaps need a little more differentiation in the classroom.
  • “Bridging” and “Reviewing” are powerful teaching strategies and FAST FIVE FEEDBACKS help develop specific skills being taught in the classroom.
  • This is a self-assessment for students to discover if they are actually “plugged in” to the class lesson.
  • When parents are with students when doing a FAST FIVE FEEDBACK, you will see more exactly what your child is learning in their classes and then perhaps reiterate those lessons in creative ways at home.
  • This is an objective piece in all of our courses that will be entered into the grade book.

Every student is expected to do their Fast Five Feedback questions!
Dress Code Reminder
Parents, please review our dress code policy and help us to keep our focus on learning.

We do not allow any apparel that has graphic designs that are offensive, political agenda, inappropriate sayings, or anything that the campus supervisors or teachers feel is causing a distraction or may be offensive to other students. If your student is wearing an item that breaks our dress code, they will be asked to change or turn their shirt inside out. Thank you for your understanding and for cooperating in this matter.
Absent for Sickness Policy Reminder
If your child/teen is sick, please keep them home to prevent the spreading of germs!
When your child/teen is absent, please do the following:
  1. Call or text your campus supervisor to let her know.
  2. Email your child/teen's teachers for missed assignments and homework.
Our 2020 Teacher Showcase and Science Fair is May 1st at 6:30 pm!

Hosted at the Rochester Church of the Nazarene
1799 Walton Blvd.
Rochester Hills, MI 48309

This year’s teachers will be at this event to show off Winter 2019-2020 classes! Come and see your students’ teachers! They may even have students’ work samples, current curriculum, and class manipulates used during class.

We are very excited to bring you the fifth ever, Homeschool Connections and HighPoint Hybrid Science Fair. This contest is open to all students. If you have an interest in Science, or anything relating to Scientific Principles, you are encouraged to attend. We want it to be a great time with lots of fabulous science projects, but for that to happen we need people to participate. You will find the signup form here:  SIGN UP NOW ! There is still enough time to put together a winning science project.
Auburn Hills Campus - Enter/exit through NORTH doors.
February 24 is Session 6 - March 2 is Session 7
Please park in a parking space, not at the door or in front of the mailbox!

Pizza Day is March 2nd! Preorder your cheese or pepperoni slices with your campus supervisor. $1 per slice.

Homeschool Connections t-shirts are available for purchase at your campus! $10 each.
Request from Kathryn Williams:
I'm in need of carpool/transport for my 13 yr old to and from Auburn Hills campus on Mondays. We live on John R 1/2 mile north of Avon in Rochester Hills.
I'm available to drop off/pick up at any location on Tuesdays and/or babysitting, after school care, and activities, etc.
If interested, please contact me. My phone is 248-320-4888. Email is KLW7602@hotmail.com.
Your Campus Supervisors are:
  • Vickie Turner - 248-807-4147
  • Michelle McCoy - 248-710-0360 ext. 1001
Clarkston Campus - Enter/exit at door #7
February 28 is Session 6 - March 6 is Session 7
Please dress warmly to play outside after lunch!

Pizza Day is March 13th! Preorder your pepperoni or cheese slices for $1 each with your campus supervisor.

Homeschool Connections t-shirts are available for purchase at your campus! $10 each.
Your Campus Supervisors are:
  • Michelle McCoy - 248-710-0360 ext. 1003 or 248-840-5626
  • Lora Vogler - 248-765-1221
Rochester Hills Campus - Enter/exit through BACK doors.
February 25 is Session 6 - March 3 is Session 7
basketball-basket.jpg
NO CLASSES at Rochester (ONLY) on MARCH 10 (there is a local election). Rochester Hills WILL have classes on May 12 to make up this day of classes.

March 17 is March Madness/Sports Dress Up Day!

Pizza Day is March 24! Choices are pepperoni and cheese. Prepay your campus supervisor $1 per slice.

Homeschool Connections t-shirts are available for purchase at your campus! $10 each.
Your Campus Supervisors are:
  • Katie Vallus - 248-710-0360 ext. 1004
  • Stephanie Caira - 248-710-0360 ext. 1004
Romeo Campus - Enter/exit through NORTH doors.
February 27 is Session 6 - March 5 is Session 7
Check lost & found! The collection is growing!

Pizza Day is March 5! Options are cheese or pepperoni. Pay $1 per slice to your campus supervisor.

Homeschool Connections t-shirts are available for purchase at your campus! $10 each.
Your Campus Supervisors are:
  • Jodi Kloock - 248-710-0360 ext. 1005
  • Erika Bowers - 248-710-0360 ext. 1005
Shelby Township Campus - Enter/exit through the SOUTH doors.
February 28 is Session 6 - March 6 is Session 7
Midwinter Break: No class on February 21.

SPRING BREAK CLARIFICATION:  Due to a scheduling conflict the Shelby Twp. campus WILL MEET on Friday, April 17, but WILL NOT on Friday, April 24.

March 20 is March Madness/Sports Dress Up Day!

Pizza Day is March 27! Choices are pepperoni and cheese. Prepay your campus supervisor $1 per slice.

Homeschool Connections t-shirts are available for purchase at your campus! $10 each.
Your Campus Supervisors are:
  • Katie Vallus - 248-710-0360 ext. 1004
  • Stephanie Caira - 248-710-0360 ext. 1004
Troy Campus - Enter/exit through the EAST doors.
February 27 is Session 6 - March 5 is Session 7
Pizza Day is March 5! Preorder with your campus supervisor. $1 per cheese or pepperoni slices.

Homeschool Connections t-shirts are available for purchase at your campus! $10 each.
Your Campus Supervisors are:
  • Michelle Davis-Poeder - 248-710-0360 ext. 2016
  • Shelly McMahon - 248-710-0360 ext. 2016
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