Learning Educational Assistance Network (L.E.A.N.)

Learning Educational Assistance Network (L.E.A.N.)

For Tyndall’s Homeschooling Parents

Minutes from 25 April 2012

• POC is Mrs. Barbara Copeland, School Liaison for Tyndall AFB; she is retired USAF, and facilitating the group. Her number is 283-4717 (direct) or 283-4204. Her email address: ; works in the Airman and Family Readiness Center.

• Mrs. Copeland noted that there are 130 children stationed at Tyndall that are homeschoolers and 12 that are virtual schoolers.

NEW BUSINESS:

• Mrs. Copeland announced that Michelle Ritsema contacted her in regards to group leader. Mrs. Ritsema will be the group’s main lead.

• LEAN has a public Facebook page: Anyone who “likes” this page and is a part of the Tyndall community (or soon to be) will be redirected to the private/closed Facebook group called “Tyndall AFB Homeschool (LEAN).” The private group is where activities will be listed, and discussions held. If you know of a Tyndall/Panama City NSA homeschool family that is not part of the group yet, please feel free to add them.

• Activities were discussed to include the following:
• Zumba for Youth – Monday, 7 May 2012 at 1400hrs (2pm) at the Base Library. It was noted that there was only 1 family that participated in the last class so we need to decide if we want Zumba classes to continue. The instructor comes out during their off time so we should ensure a full class so we do not waste her time .

• Nature Trail Walk – Tuesday, 15 May 2012 at 0830at Natural Resources Office. Amy Kimball volunteered to be the POC. Will update event on Facebook page and let us know what we should bring. Natural Resources POC (Wendy) recommended closed toe shoes, bug spray, tweezers (in case of ticks), and water bottles.

• Veggie Pizza & Nutrition (ages 6-18) – Thursday, 24 May 2012 at 1400hrs (2pm) at the HAWC. This class was to go along with the community garden, but only plants that have sustained are the cucumbers. Suggested that we can all bring in fresh veggies to make pizzas. A signup sheet will be posted in the Facebook group to ensure we have a good variety. Check out the local farmers markets (off of 15th St across from the Fairgrounds, St. Andrews Waterfront Market, and Tanya’s Garden off of 77). Michelle suggested maybe bringing in some veggies steamed to incorporate them into the sauce.

• Adopt a Turtle Nest – We will not be able to do this due to Natural Resources availability. However, they will try to update the group on nests that have been found and can let us know when they go out to survey and we can meet them during that time. They will see about having their intern posting updated information regarding the turtles in the group.

• Beach Cleanup – Wednesday, 25 July 2012 at 0830, location to be determined (which beach?). Amy Kimball volunteered to be POC. Event will be updated in the Facebook group with updated information. Natural Resources and Mrs. Copeland mentioned that there are several other days that the base will schedule as beach cleanup days that we can join.

• End of Year Picnic – Wednesday, 6 June 2012 (time wasn’t mentioned), at the Balfour Beatty Community Center. We can utilize the pool and gazebo area. Amy Kimball suggested that parents can come up and speak about their children’s accomplishments for the year and we can then present them with a certificate. Multiple certificates can be printed, but left blank. Parents can fill out certificates when they arrive. Mrs. Copeland will provide burgers, hotdogs, and buns. We will need to provide side dishes, desserts, drinks, chips, cups, cutlery, napkins, and condiments. An event should be posted on the Facebook group along with a signup sheet.

• Oral Presentations – last Thursday of every month, 1420-1600hrs (2:20-4:00p), at the Base Library. POC is Amy Kimball. Description from Facebook event:

“Let's give our children practice speaking in front of others!

Format: as casual or formal as your goals are for your children. Parents can use this as a required assignment for their homeschool plan or leave it totally up to their children to do whatever they like!

Presenter Ages: 2-18 (you are welcome to bring your babies with you.)

When: The last Thursday of every month- April, May, August, Sept, Oct, Nov (resuming again in Jan)

Children come prepared with a presentation no more than 5 minutes in length. Can be a 'show and tell', reading of a book report or paper, a memorized recitation, a report with visual aides, a mini-skit...the sky is the limit.

When you arrive, sign your child(ren) up on the Sign-Up sheet. If you check-mark the box marked "Critique", the parents who are present will fill out Critique Cards I provide while your child presents. At the end of the session, the cards will be given to you to review with your child later.

I will start with a five-minute introduction for the kids, giving a bit of instruction on oral speaking skills.

At the end of each Presentation, the audience (children and parents) will have the opportunity to ask questions or make positive comments to the Presenter.

Plan to arrive ten minutes early for sign-up, as we will start promptly at 2:30. If we have about a dozen presenters, we will probably finish in about an hour. But just in case there is a large turn-out, we have the room reserved until 4:00.”

Guest Speakers:

• Samantha Hilton, Balfour Beatty LifeWorks (Event) Coordinator: She is happy to help us coordinate group field trips or events. You may contact her with any ideas you may have. Her contact information: 850-286-1700 or . You can find her at the Balfour Beatty Community Center.

She discussed the Personal/Beauty Care recycling program. They take containers from body care and makeup (such as body wash, face wash, shampoo, conditioner, skin care, makeup, mascara, lipstick, aftershave, mouthwash, baby wash, laundry containers, etc.) $.02 from every container will go to Tyndall Elementary School. She said it is possible to also designate the group as a “beneficiary.” Drop off locations are at the Balfour Beatty Maintenance Facility, 205 Prime Beef Rd. Bldg 3304 or Balfour Beatty Community Center, 4700 Sentry Lane.

She also discussed the Re-Use Shelf that has been set up at the Balfour Beatty Maintenance Facility. If you are PCSing or Spring cleaning and have items to get rid of such as unopened dry foods, canned foods, cleaning products, candles, paint, laundry detergents, hardware, gardening items, etc. you can drop them off at the Maintenance Facility and it will help another family out!

• Wendy Jones, Natural Resources: Discussed the success of the Nature In and Out of the Water event. She mentioned their time is limited due to ongoing projects and that she would not be able to participate as much as she would like.

Natural Resources Office is open Tuesdays and Thursdays from 0830-1100 and 1200-1500. It is located on DeJarnette (sp?) Rd (same road the CATM building is located).

Trail guides/maps are available at the office. We can do trail maintenance as a project during walks.

They can help put together some kits we can check out at anytime. Kit ideas include: trail guides, bird watching, nature in and near the water, fishing, cemetery exploration, bird houses, geocaching, etc.

Discussed juniors/seniors that need volunteer hours and they are happy to help with that.

• LEAN meetings will be held the last Wednesday of each month with the exception of June and July.

Next meeting will be the End of Year Party on 6 June 2012!