Social Networking and Homeschooling Resources:
*The following links & resources are provided solely as as a convenience, and the inclusion of any link does not imply our affiliation, endorsement, or adoption of any site or any information contained therein.

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​Join the Partnership on Facebook!
Join our Facebook pages to get up to the minute updates on new classes or cancellations. 
Use this link to request to join the group: Partnership Info Page (partnership info only):  https://www.facebook.com/groups/555552544557198/
Use this link to request to join the group: Berrien Partnership Community (homeschool-related and partnership-related news and events: :http://www.facebook.com/#!/groups/190326294355471/

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New to Homeschooling?
​Wondering about how the State of Michigan views homeschooling, and what you need to do, or don't need to do in the eyes of the government?  For a  policy summary and links regarding homeschooling in MIchigan, see State of Michigan Homeschool Regulations and Graduation Requirements.

Wondering about where to find out more about core standards and graduation requirements?  Click on the link above.

Need core curricula suggestions? Email Sharon at shaynes@homeoftheshamrocks.org.

Need to find out your student's proficiency level at reading or math?   
Jill Blackburn has been a homeschool mom for 13 years and a certified Barton Reading/Spelling Tutor for over 5 years. If anyone would like a reading assessment for their child, they can contact her at blackburntutoring@aol.com or check out her website at http://blackburntutoring.weebly.com/  Tutoring is available in Cass County or via the internet.

The Virtual Academy provides free NWEA testing any time, just make an appointment for the 2 hour test held at the Academy, open to any homeschool student in grade 3-12.  Contact Rachel Stout: 473-0500.

Classical Conversations provides annual standardized testing opportunities.  Please contact Kati Howard for more details: krhowardemail@gmail.com

Interested in the idea of homeschooling but cannot teach your student due to work or other commitments?  
​Berrien Springs Virtual Academy may be the right fit for you. Students are provided with all core curriculum and teacher support in an online and personal format. Open to students in all grade levels!  Virtual Academy students may also take Partnership Community Class electives.  Contact Rachel Stout for more information: 473-0500.

Work Permits: One of the advantages of Partnership membership is being able to obtain a work permit.  Once the student has secured a job, the parent must come to Berrien Springs High School's main office, ask for a work permit, fill out student section, have the employer fill out their part and then return it to the school.  The parent then needs to fill out the parent section.

Driver's Ed: Driver's Education is not a part of public school education, it is a service that parents seek and find in their community on a self-pay basis.  There are a number of driving schools in the area, just search the internet for local driving schools. 

GED: 
There are two testing centers - Andrews University and Lake Michigan College. All you need to do is make an account for your student at myged.com. If the student is under 18, you will be prompted to fill out an age waiver when you try to schedule a test. 
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There are four individual tests - Reasoning through Language Arts, Math, Science, and Social Studies. Tests are scheduled and taken individually. They are $37.50 each. Students can retake a test if they don't pass that subject the first time. The retake fee is $10. Once a subject is passed, it's passed, even if the other subjects aren't passed yet.

Official practice tests are available and highly recommended. They are $6. One note on those - the computer does not score the essay on the practice test. You can print out the rubric and get an idea of how the essay would have been scored.   

Special Needs Support Group 
If you parent or have custody of a child with (dis)abilities, come connect with other families going through a similar journey.  Together we'll build a community, explore challenges, and gain understanding.  Intended to be ongoing, this support group will be facilitated by child-focused professionals.  Childcare is a future option we hope to offer.  Starting 2/21/17 we will meet from 6-7:30 p.m. at PMC (Pioneer Memorial Church), Berrien Springs.  Follow the signs for room location.  Email RSpecialKids@gmail.com for more information or questions.

Cerebral Palsy Support
link: https://www.cerebralpalsyguidance.com/cerebral-palsy/
Cerebral Palsy Guidance is the web's most detailed site on cerebral palsy, providing information on vocational counseling, education, carers and more.

Another resource for CP guidance and information can be found at https://cerebralpalsygroup.com/   Cerebral Palsy Group is an online resource for anyone who has been affected by cerebral palsy, brain injuries, or birth injuries.

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Social Networking and additional homeschooling resources
Social networking is very important to homeschoolers, especially when just beginning the journey.  There are several types of homeschool social groups beyond the Partnership.  The Berrien Springs Parent Partnership is not a co-op or a network, but a unique educational partnership to enhance homeschool education by bringing together parents and educators in their local communities from all over the tri-county area.

Homeschool co-ops are educational in nature and usually require parent volunteers to teach and otherwise help run the co-op.  Homeschool networks traditionally fill the role of connecting homeschoolers to each other for playdates, moms' coffee breaks, curriculum sales, information sharing, etc.  

There are several local networks that serve our area:
A network exists to bring homeschool moms and students together for social events and to hold events of interest to homeschool families.  Membership is either free or costs very little and attendance at any events is entirely voluntary.

Lakeshore Lifelong Learners (Bridgman/Stev/SJ/Coloma and more): contact:  MaryAnn Annis at mihomeschooler@comcast.net
SMCS (Southwest Mich Christian Home Scholars): contact: Rachel Rentas at adamandrachel@hotmail.com
Niles Homeschool HUB: www.hshub.org
TLC, The Learning Community: Kalamazoo: A very active network and co-op: see website and email for details: tlckalamazoo@gmail.com  
http://www.tlckalamazoo.com/

Local Co-ops:
A Co-op exists to teach academics, core and non-core, to groups of students of similar ages.  Classes are usually taught and supervised by moms.  There is usually an application process and commitment is for the school year.

Classical Conversations (Berrien Center, Bridgman, Granger or St. Joseph): contact Kati Howard at krhowardemail@gmail.com
Covenant Learning Co-op: contact Susan Florian at florian5@comcast.net

TLC, The Learning Community: Kalamazoo: A very active network and co-op: see website and email for details: tlckalamazoo@gmail.com  
http://www.tlckalamazoo.com/

ACT/SAT - prep course/tutoring:

Dr. Scott Carlin, 517-803-5037 

• SAT Prep class held at LMC in winter/spring

Dave Foster 269-313-1780 

• ACT/SAT tutoring located in St. Joe​

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