Valentine's Day is around the corner! Again this year Great Day Skating is allowing us to have our Valentine's party at their facility. We will meet on Friday, February the 12th, from 1:30 - 3:00. It will be $5 for regular skates and $8 for inline. We are allowed to bring refreshments, but please be prepared to purchase drinks at the concession stand. This is a middle school function with an invitation to any older and younger siblings who want to join in! For those who are interested, the kids can exchange Valentine cards. Remember to bring a bag or box to hold the ones received. The kids had a wonderful time last year, please plan to attend! Please contact Cathy Flack with any questions (contact information located in the member directory on the Yahoo group).

CHESS currently has tickets on reserve at the Arts Center of the Ozarks to see "Winnie the Pooh' on Monday, March 8^th at 9:15 am. 

"Winne-the-Pooh, Christopher Robin's fat little bear of Very Little Brain, would like to drift peacefully through life, humming tunes and stopping frequently to eat "a little something." However he finds himself involved in all sorts of frantic adventures, assisted by such friends as Eeyore, Piglet and Rabbit. A.A. Milne's wit and special understanding of young people make this tale a charming experience for all ages." 

The target ages for this play are Kindergarten-3rd grade. The cost of the tickets is $2 per person. Payment must be made in advance and is nonrefundable. If you are interested in attending please RSVP to Laura Rodgers (contact information is in the Member Directory on the Yahoo group) with the number of tickets you need. Payment for the tickets must be received by Monday, February 1^st. Payment can either be given to Laura Rodgers or mailed to CHESS, P.O. Box 6447, Siloam Springs, AR 72761.

CHESS kindergarten graduation will be held in late spring 2010. The cost to participate will be about $20 if you purchase your cap and gown through CHESS. This cost may fluctuate depending on the number of participants, but should not exceed $25. Group orders will be placed in February 2010. After that date you may still choose to participate in the ceremony, but will be responsible for securing your own cap and gown. Please contact Angel Backes (contact information is in the Member Directory on the Yahoo group) with further questions or to sign your child up to participate in kindergarten graduation.

All parents or guardians who wish to homeschool in Arkansas must complete a set of forms, which must be turned in to the superintendent of the local public school district. These forms can be printed from the Arkansas Dept. of Education website. Forms must be turned in EVERY YEAR that the family plans to homeschool. For parents who plan to teach at home beginning in the fall, the deadline is August 15th. Those who plan to homeschool for the second semester must submit completed forms by December 15th.

MISSED THE DEADLINE? Parents may begin homeschooling at any time during the school year, subject to a 14-calendar-day waiting period. The local superintendent may waive the waiting period at his/her discretion.

Please contact CHESS with any questions.

Please remember to cut out and save Box Tops for Education, found on grocery items. We collect the Box Tops to earn cash for CHESS activities. Look for the collection box at CHESS events, or any board member will be happy to take them. Parents can also earn money for CHESS by registering with Box Tops for Education online. Contact CHESS with any questions.

Please channel homeschool-related announcements (field trips, social events, etc.) through the appropriate coordinator: Elementary (Suzanne Griffin), Middle School (Cathy Flack), High School (Tina Coon), or Athletics (Jennifer Creekkiller). For announcements of a general nature, please submit items directly to CHESS.