some thoughts

For those of you who would like to understand what this board meeting will be discussing.  There is a huge difference in Charter (virtual) schools and homeschooling.  I hope each of you will come out tomorrow and listen to what is presented.   There are some that believe this won't have a negative impact on our organization.  I take the stance that the Board can not possibly perceive what doors this could open.  I think we should consider the wisdom of experts.   Please take a few moments and go to www.hslda.org and www.ochec.org   For you basketball families wondering about nations, here is the link for the eligibility requirements.  It will definately impact our elibility.  Please review:  http://nchclive.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=132&Itemid=465 or google "national homeschool basketball tournament 2012'   HSLDA defines Charter Schools as the following: Charter Schools What is a Charter School? A charter school is "a publicly funded school that is typically governed by a group or organization under a contract or charter with the state."1 Each school forms a charter, which is essentially a performance contract detailing the school's goals, programs, and methods of assessment. In exchange for meeting the set goals, the school is granted an exemption from many traditional public school regulations. Charters typically last for 3–5 years, and at the end of the contract period, the overseeing authority (usually a state or local school board) reviews the school's performance and determines whether to renew the charter.2 Although in some ways, charter schools operate similarly to private schools, they are still public schools because they are funded by taxpayer dollars (including both state and federal funds). Is There a Downside to Charter Schools? Despite the arguments of its proponents, the charter school movement is not a panacea for the ills of the public school system. Studies on whether charter schools heighten academic performance are inconclusive; however, critics point out that accurate comparisons between charter and traditional public schools are difficult to make.9 Many virtual charters specifically contract with for-profit companies.10 Some critics also point out that charter schools accept government and tax payer dollars without promising adequate accountability.11 In addition to the above concerns, many homeschoolers have an even broader slate of worries. Virtual charter schools have been aggressive in targeting homeschoolers, sending multiple mailings and marketing materials to persuade them that this form of public education qualifies as "homeschooling." In reality, virtual charter school administrators are competing with traditional public schools for the thousands of dollars per student in state funds that they receive if they bring more homeschoolers into the public school system.12 Some new homeschoolers may lack the confidence to educate their children without professional supervision or government money, and the virtual charter school programs seem like a dream come true. However, children who are enrolled in virtual charter schools must follow all of the program's policies and procedures, which include restrictions such as exclusion of religious educational materials as part of the formal curriculum. Parents who choose these programs must realize that in accepting virtual public schools into their homes, they are also accepting the bureaucracy and government supervision that is linked to accepting tax dollars. What is HSLDA's Position on Charter Schools? HSLDA believes that a distinction between virtual charter schools and homeschooling is vital. While charter schools provide parents with another choice, we emphasize that they are still public schools in every sense of the word. HSLDA also strongly cautions homeschoolers against enrolling in virtual charter schools. Many homeschoolers are seduced by attractive marketing and forget that virtual charter schools are actually controlled by the public school system. HSLDA does not represent students enrolled in full-time charter school programs. HSLDA is also concerned that virtual charter schools will negatively impact the public and American lawmakers' understanding of what it means to homeschool. For nearly three decades, we have worked to define homeschooling as privately led and parent-directed education within the home. If virtual charter schools are accepted as "homeschools," it will be much more difficult for traditional homeschoolers to separate the two in the minds of lawmakers and to obtain legal protections for their "class" of homeschooling. We thus advocate strict adherence to a narrow definition of the word "homeschooling." In addition, virtual charter schools still suffer from multiple accountability challenges. Having that group of schools lumped with homeschools can lower the homeschool "average" academic scores and undo much of our effort to demonstrate homeschoolers' academic excellence. Finally, we caution homeschoolers that participation in virtual charter schools counts as participation in public schools, and invites increased government regulation over the inner workings of their homes.

Fw: Location Change - NOAH Board Meeting

Anyone that was planing on attending the NOAH Board Meeting this Tuesday night at 7:30 please be aware that the location has changed to: Tulsa Hills Bible Church 840 W. 81st. Tulsa 74132 Thanks! "With People" Fred Sabatini 918-607-0549 "With People" Fred Sabatini 918-607-0549

Fw: NOAH Board Meeting Invite

Everyone,   Please see the following important information for the future of the NOAH program. Please prayerfully consider attending this meeting.  Remember this is your opportunity to voice your opinion and direct your home school.  "Do NOT complain about program changes if you do not take the time to attend and participate when you have the opportunity to do so."   Do you know how charter schools, private schools, the K12 online schools could affect your home school?   Is NOAH a club, a business, or a ministry?   Is NOAH an unapologetically Christian organization or just another athletic program?       Let your voice be heard! Stacy     NOAH Parents,   I hope the 2011-12 school year is going well for everyone. Whether you are wrapping up, in the middle of, or preparing for your season We pray that this season is the most God glorifying NOAH season ever!   The NOAH Board would like to invite any parents interested to attend this months board meeting which will be held on Tuesday, October 25th at 7:30pm at East Bible Chapel located at 1215 South 135th East Avenue.    The topic the NOAH board requests your input on is.....DEFINING NOAH ELIGIBILITY.   With the landscape of homeschooling broadening all around us, it is imperative that we prayerfully set the course for the near future of NOAH athletics regarding some foundational questions. As players, parents, coaches, Athletic Directors and Board Members we are all being ask on an increasing basis "Who can play for NOAH?", "How do we define Homeschooling?" "Who does NOAH serve?" even........"What is the purpose of NOAH?"   Homeschool organizations across the country are working through the same issues. Decisions on how to define homeschooling for eligibility purposes are varied, ranging from a simple question being ask of each family such as "Do you homeschool 51% of the time?" to a more detailed look at how, when and where a family educates are being used to determine eligibility. As you all know there are many more homeschooling options today for a family to consider then when NOAH was formed a dozen years ago. We all have kids involved in or families coming to us with questions regarding NOAH eligibility of student athletes that are being educated from home via online courses in both public, private and charter programs, some part time others full time. The same is to be said regarding Tutorial Centers and Co-Ops. The trend around us seems to be only broadening so the need for us to set the course is at a all time high.   If you are interested in attending, please mark your calendars, make arrangements and come with your thoughts ready to be expressed on Tuesday, October 25th at 7:30pm at East Bible Chapel located on 1215 South 135th East Avenue. The Board greatly values and needs your input, guidance and prayers!     Fred Sabatini NOAH Board President 918-607-0549

Fwd: NRA Range Safety Officer course

TO:  NRA Shotgun Instructors RE:  NRA Range Safety Officer Training, Saturday, August 6, 2011 We still have a few openings left for the NRA Range Safety Officer course, that will be held on Saturday, August 6, 2011.  Scouters attending this course do NOT have to be an NRA Instructor. As you know, the 2011 Guide to Safe Scouting requires a NRA (discipline specific) Instructor and a NRA Range Safety Officer for each discipline specific (Rifle, Shotgun, Muzzleloading Rifle, and for Venturers only - Pistol) shooting activity. If you have more than one shooting activity running simultaneously (for example, Rifle and Shotgun), you will need a NRA Range Safety Officer for each range. Currently we have scouters registered for the NRA Range Safety Officer course from the following units: Unit # - # scouters registered Troop 80 - 4 Troop 412 - 1 Troop 44 - 1 Troop 185 - 1 Troop 234 - 1 Troop 214 - 4 Troop 8 - 1 Please promote this traininig in your units.  This is the last NRA RSO course for 2011. The deadline for registration is August 3rd, or until the maximum number or participants is registered.  I have attached the registration form or registration is available online at this link http://www.okscouts.org/2011/05/nra-range-safety-officer-course/ Please let me know if you have any questions or need additional information. Thanks, Denise and Larry

2011 Roster/State shoot results

Pictured above are our NOAH Shooters for shotgun. Athletes are as follows:   Jake Simpson, Daniel Terrill, Aiden Mounts, Andrew Dix, Israel Terrill, Emily Heath, Coach Kyle Heath (not pictured)   Congratulations to our NOAH Jags shooting team!!!  Saturday, June 11th, our NOAH athletes  competed in the Oklahoma State Skeet Shoot through the SCTP program at the Tulsa Gun Club. What a great way to wrap up the 2011 school year!  Our coaches and athletes have represented NOAH well and I am so proud of them!  I am excited to offer the following as an overall of the competition and how the kids placed and shot. We shot 2 varsity squads (3 per squad) this year. Squads were based on average performance during official Saturday practices throughout the season. Our A squad won 1st place. Our B squad won 2nd place. We shot 4 sets of 25 targets totaling 100 targets. Squad A's scores(hits): Daniel Terril - 80 Isreal Terril - 82 Aiden Mounts - 61 Top shooter was Isreal Terril, his best round was a 23 (out of 25). Squad B's scores: Jake Simpson - 74 Andrew Dix - 55 Emily Heath - 56 Top shooter was Jake Simpson, his best round was a 19 (out of 25).   We will be taking July off but will resume with practices in August.  We are planning to offer shooting opportunities and safety training, as well as some fun fundraising opportunities for our NOAH families.  We are looking forward to another great year and the opportunity to grow our shooting program. Sincere thanks to our dedicated coach, Kyle Heath, and the wonderful volunteer parents we have! Have a great summer! See you soon!   Happy shooting! Stacy

email list

I will be "cleaning up" the email loop. If you wish to no longer receive emails about shooting please email me back with "remove" in the subject line.  I will then delete you from my list.  I will be switching lists and regrouping the list at the end of June.  I will also be using the blog for general shooting info but I will be breaking the email list up by disciplines for simplicity and informational purposes.    If you are subscribed to the blog...this will not effect you at this time.   Thank you, Stacy

state shoot

Reminder of our state shoot this coming weekend the 11th!  Be at the gun club no later than 8:15.  If your not shooting BUT are interested this would be a good time to see the kids shoot and support the team.  Be sure to wear your "jag wear" and come support our shooting squads!     Stacy

update

Our SCTP state shoot for skeet is coming up on June 11th at the Tulsa Gun Club.  We will have 2 squads competing. We are excited about the progress they are making and looking forward to our NOAH kids doing well!   We are practicing each week on Saturday mornings at 10:30am at the Tulsa Gun Club. After our state shoot we are looking at some other opportunities for the kids to keep shooting.  We are also working on providing a "gun safety training"  for new shooters and volunteers.  This will most likely be held late summer/early fall.  More details to come...   We have been very blessed and would like to thank the NRA for their support for our program!  Because of their generosity, our students are having their ammunition provided each week.  That is a savings of about $15 per week/ per student!  THANK YOU to the NRA!!! Keep shooting!   Stacy

Fw: NOAH Youth Tackle Football !!!

ARE YOU READY !!!       NOAH Youth Tackle Football Boys Ages 8-12   Introduction & Information Meeting Parents & Players Thursday, May 26th 6:00 pm New Creation Church (NOAH Football & Baseball Practice Fields) 1200 South Olive Avenue Broken Arrow, Oklahoma 74012     Fred Sabatini   President NOAH Northeastern Oklahoma Association of Homeschools www.noahjags.org 918.607.0549 sabatini@noahjags.org

Getting forms Tues

If you need to get me your forms and fees I will be at the NOAH fields on 129th between 81st & 91st on Tuesday @ 5:00pm  If you need to get your info to me please be sure to meet me.  I drive a white Chevy Suburban and I will have a sign that says "shooting" for those who don't know me.  This will be rain or shine!  I will be in the church parking lot.    Thanks, Stacy Daughter of YAHWEH, Wife to Danny, Mom to Garron, Chelsea, Kaylee, Kaden, Grant, Gentry, Amberlyn, & Koben

NO prac Sat due to weather!/reminders

Hey everyone,   No practice for Saturday due to weather.  If you need to get me your paperwork or fees you will need to meet me and get it to me by Tuesday!  I will set up a location and time for Mon or Tues that everyone can meet at one time to get your stuff to me.  Please email me and let me know if you need to meet me so I know who to expect and see what I need to do to get your info. Email me at shooting@noahjags.org  This is for skeet only.   Remember you have to have your Hunter's Safety Card and your NSSA membership to shoot in the state shoot.  If you have any questions or need additional info let me know.   Stacy   Daughter of YAHWEH, Wife to Danny, Mom to Garron, Chelsea, Kaylee, Kaden, Grant, Gentry, Amberlyn, & Koben

reminder no practice

Just a reminder that there is no "skeet" practice today.  See you next weekend!  Don't forget forms and fees are due next weekend!   Stac Daughter of YAHWEH, Wife to Danny, Mom to Garron, Chelsea, Kaylee, Kaden, Grant, Gentry, Amberlyn, & Koben

Skeet shooting forms and fees

PLEASE READ CAREFULLY!   If you plan on competing in the Oklahoma State Skeet Shoot on June 11, 2011 you must have all fees and forms filled out and submitted with payment by April 24!!! NO EXCEPTIONS!   All forms are do to Coach Kyle Heath or AD Stacy Smith NO LATER than April 24, 2011. NOAH must have forms and all fees in to the SCTP by May 1 in order to compete in the state shoot.  We must have your paperwork in so that we can go over it and submit it by this date.     Skeet shooting fees are as follows:   NOAH fee $25.00 NSSA -National Skeet Shooting Association fee $20.00 Tulsa Gun Club SCTP membership $30.00 + tax $2.56 (family memberships available) SCTP- Scholastic Clay Target Program $15.00    http://www.sssfonline.org/       Forms to Stacy or Kyle are:   NOAH registration and $25.00 (get form from Stacy) SCTP forms (registration, consent & waiver, sportsmanship,and medical)  and $15.00 ( forms attached---print, fill out and turn in)     You are responsible for the following:   Forms to NSSA (you must register online yourself for this one) Do this ASAP you MUST have your NSSA membership number on file and have your card with you for the state shoot on June 11,2011.   Web address for online NSSA membership: https://www.nssa-nsca.com/Webforms/NSSAMbrNew/Default.aspx be sure to put Kyle Heath as head coach at the top of page   Tulsa Gun Club membership (online or in person at the gun club)   http://www.tulsagunclub.com/Membership-Application.html     You must have eye and ear protection to shoot!  Do NOT come to practice or a shoot without them...you will NOT be allowed to shoot.    You must NOT wear flip flops or opened toed shoes. You will be disqualified.   You must provide your own ammo and firearm.  We usually shoot two rounds (2 boxes of 25) at each practice. I have obtained a NRA grant so we will have some ammo (12 & 20 gauge) for the kids to shoot.  But always come prepared to shoot with your own.  I will also have a 20 gauge shot gun from the grant that is being shipped now.   You also need to be familiar with the SCTP handbook and rules. There is a dress code. No flip flops or open toed shoes!!! Dress code is on page 13 of the handbook.   http://www.sssfonline.org/about/sctp-handbook.aspx   You must attend at least 6 formal team practices before the state shoot.  Practices will be held at the Tulsa Gun Club on Saturday mornings at 10:30am.  Always check your email before leaving to make sure practice is still being held.  This is for the case of bad weather or if the gun club has an event conflict.   Thank you,   Stacy Smith AD NOAH Shooting Sports shooting@noahjags.org

shooting April 9

We will be shooting shotguns this Satuday, April 9 at the Tulsa Gun Club at 10:30.  I will be sending out the email with fee information and all the forms attached Monday or Tuesday.   Stacy Daughter of YAHWEH, Wife to Danny, Mom to Garron,Chelsea, Kaylee, Kaden, Grant, Gentry, Amberlyn, & Koben

skeet starts April 2

Hey everyone,   We will be shooting skeet this Saturday, April 2, at the Tulsa Gun Club at 10:30am.  I will have information to tell you about shooting and I will send out an email to follow up with forms attached.     Stacy Daughter of YAHWEH, Wife to Danny, Mom to Garron, Chelsea, Kaylee, Kaden, Grant, Gentry, Amberlyn, & Koben

Instructors class dates

Info for upcoming classes for NRA instructors, Do NOT wait until the last minute. There is usually a waiting list and class sizes are limited.  So if you know you want to attend get signed up and paid ASAP. These classes are MUCH cheaper than through the NRA site and are only offered once a year through the BSA.   NRA Range Safety Officer Course, THIS WEEKEND, Feb 26, 8am-6pm, $32.00 as of today they were not full.    NRA Shotgun Instructor Course, Mar 16,18, & 19, all 3 days required, $78.00   NRA Archery Instructor Course May 4 & 7, both days required, $51.00     All classes held at Oil Capital Rod & Gun Club, Coweta.  Courses are offered through the Boy Scouts of America.  You must go to the BSA office to pick up the sign up sheet, fill it out, and pre pay.  Sign up sheets are on the desk hanging.  If you cannot find them just ask someone to help you pick up the sign up sheet your looking for.   Indian Nations Council, BSA- Donald W. Reynolds Scout  Resource Center, 4295 S Garnett Rd, Tulsa,  The BSA has nothing to do with NOAH. They cannot answer questions or give info about NOAH.  We are simply signing up to take the instructor courses as would anyone else.  If you have questions please contact me at shooting@noahjags.org       Daughter of YAHWEH, Wife to Danny, Mom to Garron, Chelsea, Kaylee, Kaden, Grant, Gentry, Amberlyn, & Koben

shooting starts soon

Hey everyone,   I wanted to touch base and let you all know we will be sending out some dates soon.  We will do shotgun registrations and start practices end of February beginning of March.  We will set some dates and have some back up dates in case of bad weather.  There will be a state shoot in June and we will be required by SCTP to have "at least" 6 team practices.  I encourage you all to be shooting on your own when possible. Remember our program is new and it will take time to build up coaching staff and volunteers.  Until then, some of the practices will be up to you.  Over the next few days I will be sending some updates for cost and what organizational fees you will need to have in order to shoot with SCTP.  Remember you will also have a Tulsa Gun Club memebership fee too.    If you have an interest in coaching or volunteering in any capacity please let me know.  As of right now we have 3 coaches for shotgun and we would love to have many more. We will only be doing shotgun until we have a coaching staff for the other disciplines.   If you have any questions or would like to help you may contact me at shooting@noahjags.org   Thanks, Stacy