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Guilford Christian Academy is a private school that allows the students to be taught in their own homes by the parents.

Trisha White

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Guilford Christian Academy 2015-2016

Jim and I have carried Guilford Christian Academy every year since we have started in 2002.

We have been honored to help many families over the years. The time has come when our children have now completed their schooling and we needed to make a decision on the direction of the school.

There are over 350 students that we serve this year (2015) and it would be with great uneasiness to just send them off in all directions for the assistance that we have given for over a decade.

The experiences we have had assisting hundreds of families help encourage and strengthen those that desire to educate their students at home.

Guilford Christian Academy would like to remain operating and in order to do that we need to start looking at a sustainable plan. We desire to continue doing what we have done for most of our children’s growing up. In order to keep Guilford Christian Academy operating we need to make some changes to its structure. We need to charge a fair price for the services we offer whichGuilford include reporting all students to the local superintendent in the districts that they reside, supervise all work, request previous records from public and private institutions and maintain those records while updating with current records. Being available for advice and help on a daily basis, monitoring and testifying at public hearings for legislation that will/could affect your ability to home educate and to offer field trips, classes and workshops that will enrich your child’s education are a very important part of what we do. Reclaiming credits when needed and providing transcripts and diplomas for all students, offering some discounted offers as a school and look for more every year are some options that are available as well. In order to do this effectively we need to lease an office space and pay for utilities that we have not had in the past. We have gained a lot of credibility with colleges and military accepting our diplomas and transcripts. Our prayer is that you would continue along this journey with us and allow us to continue serving your needs as a home educating family.

We would like to thank you for allowing us to be part of your lives and we look forward to many more years of assisting those families that want to education their children and enjoy that freedom.

Please remember to talk to your older children about the fact that they are private schoolers and not homeschoolers when they talk to colleges and military. It will eliminate confusion and maintain our credibility.

Sincerely,

Jim and Trisha White

Guilford Christian Academy

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Do You Have Cabin Fever?

So, it is almost the end of January, do you have cabin fever? Are you ready for spring? One of the fun things we did with our students this time of year was to take some tempura paints and paint spring on our windows? We painted flowers and butterflies etc on the windows and when spring finally got here we washed it off. Those were the days! WeHomeschooling did so many interesting things like that to keep us sane in the winter. We would sometimes take a break and just go snow shoeing, although I did not do as well as the kids at it and they sometimes had to help me get up it was fun and the fresh air was really good for us.

Some other things you can do to help with spring fever is to visit Housing a Forest. They have lots of really cool and fun things to do from Observing Ladybugs ( they seem to last all winter here in Maine ) that gives you information and crafts to do in regards to the little red and polka dotted beetle. There is much more on the site as well but I don’t want to give it all away. I will say that she has art and experiments on there that will make any day fun.

Staying active is most helpful during the winter months so get out there and build a snowman, “do you want to build a snowman”, oh sorry, just couldn’t refrain. Other winter activities that do not break the bank is snow shoeing, snow ball fights and snow forts. Go sledding, in our area we have a lot of great sledding hills, ice skating is also offered at many parks.

Visit local (and not so local here in the big state of Maine) museums and aquariums etc. There are some places that offer free days or discounted days for homeschoolers, give them a call and ask and set up a day for other homeschoolers to go with you to get a discounted rate.

Over at Ihomeschool Network there is a list of articles all on “Surviving the Winter Blahs”. I have only read a few of them, feel free to comment on some that you have peeked at.

Have a game day! There are lots of great games out there that make learning fun and break up the monotony of the winter days. Most of all have fun and enjoy this time with your children. Remember that learning is not all from a book, there are many things that can be “learned” by doing and having fun doing it.

Please comment with your cabin fever preventives. There are many that will benefit from your ideas. 🙂

Happy Homeschooling.

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Volunteer!

Volunteer – Do you have a talent or expertise that you would like to share with others?

We are looking for people to volunteer to teach something that they enjoy whether it be a day or two or a month it is up to you.faces-426078_1280

Work with us and we will offer classes for you or your student in exchange for your time.

Please fill out the form below if you think this would be something you are interested in.

We would like to offer things of interest to homeschoolers and the community so it can be anything.

We need people to watch over the children when we have Mom’s Fellowship and it can be a capable teen for this job, we will provide games and fun things to do.

Do you make crafts? Children and adults like to make crafts.

We could really use something for the boys too, so dads, what could you offer?

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November Newsletter

New Office Space

I wanted to update you with a November Newsletter on some things that have been happening with Guilford Christian Academy. I tried to send it in an email and it did not work out well so I am putting it here for you all to have access to.

I have leased a new office space in Dover-Foxcroft that I will use to meet with homeschoolers and to plan classes and workshops for you. November Newsletter office pic

I have several in place at this time and will list them in the Workshop/Class section of this newsletter.

I have been working hard to get the office space ready but could still use some help and items. I am looking to the homeschool community for help with this. I will provide you with a list of needs and if you can help great! If not that is okay too. It is my desire to make this a homeschoolers hub. Come in and say hello, bring the kiddos or don’t, need help with something come on in, I will be here most days from about 9 am to 3 pm. It is best to call as sometimes things come up and I have to step out but I will try to let you know on the FB page if you are on FB.

 

Workshops and Classes

There are many things coming down the road but this is a list of what we have scheduled for the month of November so far, there may be more and you should check the calendar for updates.

Starting Tuesday November 4th we will hold a beginners knitting class, this class will go for 6 weeks, the week of Thanksgiving will not have a class and we will be done by Christmas. The students will be able to choose between two projects that they can make and use as gifts.

There is a limit on how many students we can take so please let me know if you have a student that would like to take this class.

Details can be found here: http://guilfordchristianacademy.com/events/event/knitting-classes/

Wednesday November 5th will start the beginners sewing class, similar to the knitting class with a smaller limit. Please bring your sewing machine. We will have a couple available if you do not have one but it is best to bNovember Newsletter picring the one you will be using. Details are here: http://guilfordchristianacademy.com/events/event/sewing/ ‎

November 10th – Turkey Table Centerpiece Craft and Story http://guilfordchristianacademy.com/events/event/thanksgiving-t…ey-craft-story/

Friday November 14th – Journal Project http://guilfordchristianacademy.com/events/event/journal-project/

Beginner Sign Language Starting November 13 at 1 pm http://guilfordchristianacademy.com/events/event/beginners-sign-language/

November 21st Game Day http://guilfordchristianacademy.com/events/event/game-day/ ‎

January 6th Tony Sohns will be coming for a one time class following the holidays. We look forward to having him monthly classes in the spring. http://guilfordchristianacademy.com/events/event/tony-sohns-bug-guy/ ‎

Needs

The workshop area is in need of folding chairs for the students to sit on. I have three tables at this time but could use another one or two 6’ folding tables. If someone knew of a business that is getting rid of a copier/printer I would be interested in taking a look at it to see if it is something that I could use. Of course finances are always appreciated and if you would like to donate please visit www.gofundme.com/gcamaine and share the link with others that would like to support the homeschool community. If you have something that you would like to share with the children please contact me. I would like to get someone to come in and do some sort of music program with the kids. I am also looking for someone to do an art session or two.

It would be real nice to have a small refrigerator and microwave so that I can bring in things from home and keep them cold or heat them up, if you know of a dorm fridge kicking around pass the word.

This space is for you to use, if you have something you would like to schedule we can make arrangements for the use of the room for a very small fee.

Thank you!

I would like to thank everyone for their support in finances, prayers and time! You all are a blessing to me, more than you know and I look forward to what this year will bring.

Happy Homeschooling.

Trisha

 

 

 

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Workshop / Classroom and Office Space

Here it is, the future office of Guilford Christian Academy.

Office closet

The map above shows where the H&R Block business used to be. This is the location of GCA soon. Not in the H&R Block office but in that building.

As you walk in the front door, you can see it on the right of this picture,  there is a little foyer area. You can enter the workshop / classroom from that foyer as well. You can also see the closet where the curriculum and science equipment will be stored. It is a nice big storage closet.The door against the wall is going to go on the doorway to the foyer for private sessions with new and veteran homeschoolers.

 

Office

The next picture shows the office space and while it has been freshly painted I will need to paint it something a little brighter because there is no windows in it. The door you see is to the next office which is vacant at the moment. I will be removing the paint from the glass on the door to allow the light to come in from that adjoining office. Once the office next door gets filled we will rethink that but for now I really would like the light. What color do you think it should be? Please comment below with your suggestions.

 

Office 2

 

In this picture you are looking into the office from the workshop /classroom area. There is a door from the workshop area to the office and then another one from the classroom to the entrance. So, the workshop / classroom area can be completely closed off from the office and the foyer for sound purposes. The layout is perfect for our needs.

 

 

workshop

 

And lastly this is the workshop and classroom area, the room has a nice big window over the sidewalk of down town Dover-Foxcroft. We will have a blind installed and a curtain. The heat and AC unit will be installed over the next month while we get it ready and moved in. We will leave the color as is in this room. The door on the right is the one into the office space.

We will also have a display window right down on the sidewalk outside the mall for everyone to see what we are up to.

 

What would you like to see for a workshop or class? Comment below. Do you need a space to hold an activity or class? We can offer the space for you to use for a small fee. We plan to get a copier/printer and a laptop for students and parents to use if they need one, come in and get online do your copying and visit.

This is going to be a hub for homeschoolers in Central Maine, we have needed this for so long and we look forward to all the visitors and activities. So, if you see the lights on even as we are getting it set up, stop in and say hello. We are upstairs in the mall by the Rt 7 and Rt 15 lights. The fourth window from the left. You can access the office by entering the door on the right of the building on the sidewalk. #66, go up the stairs and we are suite 5 on the left.

First order of business is a coffee pot! We will be looking for a small refrigerator and a microwave if anyone has one that they would be willing to donate. Printer and copier are on the list as well.

Guilford Christian Academy members will have discounts on workshops and classes whenever possible.

Happy Homeschooling!

P.S. Share our GoFundMe at www.gofundme.com/GCAMaine