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This is the first @home e vent I have ever participated in and I thought it was very informative and to be able to ask questions as the topics were discussed was extremely helpful.—Suzanne, MA
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Our Speakers
HSLDA’s @home e•vents program showcases speakers who are experts in their fields and often leaders in the homeschool community. They’ve been in your shoes and want to come alongside you in your journey to enhance your family’s homeschooling experience! Our speakers possess the breadth of experience, talent, and enthusiasm suited for encouraging you and equipping you with relevant tools.
Past e•vents have included presentations by well-known authors and speakers, such as Andrew Pudewa, Lou Priolo, Dr. Jay Wile, Jeff Myers, and Hal and Melanie Young, as well as experienced homeschooling parents and homeschool graduates. HSLDA staff speakers have included President J. Michael Smith, Chairman Michael P. Farris, many other attorneys, and some of our Special Needs, High School, and Early Years coordinators, such as Dianne Craft, Vicki Bentley, Becky Cooke, and Diane Kummer.
Thomas J. (Tj) Schmidt, Esq., HSLDA Attorney
Thomas J. (Tj) Schmidt was first taught at home in the second grade by his parents in northern Vermont. For nearly all of the remaining years of his elementary and secondary education Tj was taught at home. For much of that time his family was on foreign mission fields. Tj received his J.D. while studying at home from Oak Brook College of Law and began serving as a Legal Assistant at HSLDA. Now, as an HSLDA Staff Attorney, Tj answers general legal questions and assists members across the country experiencing legal difficulties. Tj and his wife, Susan, have five children, Josiah, Suzanna, Ella, Makenna, and Jonah. They look forward to teaching all of their children at home.
“Today's e-vent was informative! I currently live in CA but planning on relocating to IN in the near future. I was enlightened and encouraged to hear about IN law for homeschoolers. Thank you for this timely event.” — Julie, CA
E•vents
2/18/2010 (4:15 PM EST): State Counsel: Quarterly Reports and Assessments for New York
HSLDA’s attorney for New York State, Thomas J. (Tj) Schmidt, offers helpful information and advice to parent’s homeschooling their children in the Empire State. In this webinar, Tj will focus on the quarterly reports and how to prepare for the year end annual assessments. If you have questions about what you need to include in the quarterly reports or whether you have to use a standardized test or use the alternative written narrative evaluation this is the webinar for you.
Member Price: Free
Non-Member Price: Member Only Event
7/20/2009 (3PM EST): State Counsel: Kentucky: Threatened Home Visits in Marshall County
On July 7th, 2009, the Marshall County Tribune-Courier reported that the Director of Pupil Personnel (DPP) for Marshall County Public Schools intended to do random home visits of all of the homeschool programs in the county over the next few months. HSLDA has written to Ms. Williamson and explained that this would be contrary to the Best Practices Document and potentially in violation of a family's privacy rights. Staff Attorney Thomas J. (Tj) Schmidt will host a discussion of this situation and provide general information to members on what to do in the event Ms. Williamson’s stated plan goes forward. There will be time for questions.
Member Price: Free
Non-Member Price: Member Only Event
9/1/2010 (3PM EST): How to Homeschool in New York
HSLDA’s attorney for New York State, Thomas J. Schmidt, offers helpful information, advice, and guidelines to parents seeking to homeschool their children in the Empire State. In this straight-shooting webinar, he will address how to submit formal documents to uphold the state’s educational regulations, which subjects must be covered in each grade level, and how to navigate annual assessments and standardized tests. You’ll learn all you need to be informed and equipped for your New York-style home education.
Member Price: Free
Non-Member Price: Member Only Event
11/18/2010 (3PM EST): State Counsel: How to Homeschool in Arizona
Don’t leave your Arizona homeschooling questions unanswered! In this @home e-vent provided as a benefit to HSLDA members, Thomas J. (Tj) Schmidt (HSLDA staff attorney for Arizona) offers helpful information and advice to parents homeschooling their children in the Grand Canyon State. Tj will cover everything from submitting your affidavit to what type of records you should keep and for how long. You will also have the opportunity to ask additional questions during the e-vent. Get the peace of mind and advice you need—sign up for this e-vent today.
Member Price: Free
Non-Member Price: Member Only Event
2/22/2011 (8:30 PM EST): How to Homeschool in Hawaii
Homeschooling is hard work—and it can be even harder if you don’t understand the homeschool laws in your state! If you need guidance for complying with the legal requirements for homeschooling in the Aloha State, HSLDA Staff Attorney Thomas J. (Tj) Schmidt is here to help. In this relaxed webinar, Tj will address how to submit the required notice to satisfy the Hawaii Administrative Rules, what subjects should be covered, how to navigate annual progress reports, when standardized tests are required, and any record-keeping requirements. You’ll be fully equipped for your Hawaii-style home education program!
Member Price: Free
Non-Member Price: Member Only Event
5/17/2011 (3:30 PM EST): How to Homeschool in New Mexico
HSLDA’s attorney for New Mexico, Thomas J. (Tj) Schmidt, offers helpful information, advice, and guidelines to parents seeking to homeschool their children in the Land of Enchantment. In this straightforward e-vent, he will address how to submit formal documents for beginning your homeschool program, which subjects must be covered, and what record keeping is required. Tj will also discuss teacher qualifications and college admissions. Join us for this e-vent, and you’ll learn all you need to be informed and equipped for your New Mexico–style home education program!
Member Price: Free
Non-Member Price: Member Only Event
7/7/2011 (3PM EST): How to Homeschool in Florida
In this informative webinar, HSLDA attorney Thomas J. (Tj) Schmidt addresses homeschooling in the state of Florida. He explain the various options for homeschooling in accordance with state law and gives advice for successfully navigating the requirements of compulsory school attendance, notice of intent submission and umbrella school enrollment, record-keeping, and evaluations. Tj will also address virtual public school programs and the questions that we often receive from parents who want to remain in control of their private home education program. With clarity and passion, Tj outlines specific considerations for homeschoolers, and answers the questions you may have regarding home education in Florida.
Member Price: Free
Non-Member Price: Member Only Event
8/22/2011 (3:21 PM EST): How to Homeschool in Kentucky
In this informative webinar, HSLDA attorney Thomas J. Schmidt addresses the needs and questions of homeschooling families in the state of Kentucky. Learn how to successfully navigate policies and regulations regarding compulsory attendance age, notice of attendance, scholarship reports, and attendance records. This webinar also touches on declaration of participation forms and documents necessary for student driver's licenses. Tj clarifies specific considerations for homeschoolers and takes the time to answer your questions regarding home education in Kentucky in a Q&A session.
Member Price: Free
Non-Member Price: Member Only Event
9/29/2011 (1:47 PM EST): How to Homeschool in Indiana
In this informative webinar, HSLDA Staff Attorney Thomas J. Schmidt addresses legal requirements for homeschooling in the state of Indiana. Learn how to successfully navigate policies and regulations regarding compulsory attendance age, notification, required instruction, and record-keeping. Tj clarifies specific considerations for homeschoolers and answers your questions regarding Indiana home education in a Q&A session.
Member Price: Free
Non-Member Price: Member Only Event
11/15/2011 (3:27 PM EST): Being Thankful for Our Homeschool Freedoms
It's important to look back at our history and remember how our forefathers (and mothers!) strove for the freedoms that we enjoy today. In this @home e-vent, HSLDA Staff Attorney Thomas J. (Tj) Schmidt gives a brief historical overview of the events that have protected and advanced our right to homeschool in America. From court cases and legislative battles to grassroots action, Tj will show how God raised up families to stand for our right to give our children the education they need. Join us for this special e-vent to learn more about our freedoms and the people who have fought for them!
Member Price: Free
Non-Member Price: Free!
12/15/2011 (3:33 PM EST): Books for Boys: Personal Favorites for Boys of All Ages
With all the video games and gadgets out there, how do you interest your sons in good, quality books? Find new ways to encourage reading in this special presentation by HSLDA Staff Attorney Thomas J. (Tj) Schmidt, who shares a handful of books and authors that have impacted his life starting from his homeschool years. Whether you are dealing with a son who won't open a book, or you can't find enough options for your voracious reader, this practical webinar will share new books and authors appropriate for boys of all ages and reading levels. Get ideas for encouraging reading as part of your homeschool curriculum, or reading just for fun!
Member Price: Free
Non-Member Price: Free!
2/24/2012 (3:29 PM EST): How to Homeschool in Louisiana
HSLDA's contact attorney for Louisiana, Thomas J. (Tj) Schmidt, offers helpful information, advice, and guidelines to parents seeking to homeschool their children in the Sportsman's Paradise. Tj will discuss the two options available to homeschool parents under Louisiana law as well as the pros and cons of each option. You will learn what you are required to submit to the Louisiana State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education, and what legal requirements you must fulfill when teaching your children at home. Tj also discusses recent legislation passed to recognize home study diplomas as well as the educational tax credit, and takes questions at the end of the presentation. Learn all you need to be informed and equipped for your Louisiana State-style home education program at this free-for-members e-vent!
Member Price: Free
Non-Member Price: Member Only Event
5/4/2012 (3:53 PM EST): Homeschooling in New York: Year-End Assessment Options
Are you trying to plan your year-end assessment for your child? Do you know all of the options available to you when you homeschool in New York? This is the e-vent for you! Join Tj Schmidt as he explains year-end evaluations in New York. Tj will talk about your choices for a nationally normed standardized achievement test (or other test approved by the New York State Education Department). He will also explain the alternative written narrative option. There will be plenty of time for Tj to answer your specific questions at the end of this practical session.
Member Price: Free
Non-Member Price: Member Only Event
6/21/2012 (3:55 PM EST): How to Homeschool in Oregon
In this informative webinar, HSLDA attorney Thomas J. (Tj) Schmidt will explain the requirements for homeschooling in accordance with Oregon state law and provide key details for the notice of intent to the local education service district (ESD) and suggested record-keeping. Tj will discuss the various legal options for evaluating your child's progress and provide you with the information you need to know when these evaluations are required. In this webinar Tj will also discuss hot topics in the state, such as virtual public school programs and access to public school activities and services, along with the impact of involvement on parents' control of their child's education. Be sure to bring your specific questions have regarding homeschooling in Oregon for Tj to address.
Due to technical difficulties, this e-vent has been rescheduled from the previous week. If you have already registered, you are automatically registered and do not need to sign up again.
Member Price: Free
Non-Member Price: Member Only Event
8/2/2012 (3:59 PM EST): How to Homeschool in Washington State
HSLDA's contact attorney for Washington State, Thomas J.(Tj) Schmidt, offers helpful information, advice, and guidelines to parents seeking to homeschool their children in the Evergreen State. Tj will address what is required in the Declaration of Intent and where to submit the form. In this webinar, you will also learn what a parent must do for the annual assessment as well as all other legal requirements parents must fulfill when teaching their children at home. Finally, Tj will also discuss part-time participation in the public school and how you can know that you are still in control of your child's education if you choose to participate in these programs. In this webinar, you'll learn all you need to be informed and equipped for your Washington State-style home-based education program.
Member Price: Free
Non-Member Price: Member Only Event
8/16/2012 (3:33 PM EST): How to Homeschool in Oklahoma
HSLDA's attorney for Oklahoma, Thomas J. (Tj) Schmidt, offers helpful information, advice, and guidelines to parents seeking to homeschool their children in the Sooner State. In this straight-shooting webinar, Tj will address what you need to know about the unique protection Oklahoma provides under the state constitution to parents "providing other means of education" to their children. In this @home e-vent you'll learn all you need to be informed and equipped for your home education program in Oklahoma.
Member Price: Free
Non-Member Price: Member Only Event
11/8/2012 (3:34 PM EST): The Blessing and Benefits of Reading to Your Children
How can your family implement or renew reading time in your home? Join HSLDA Staff Attorney Thomas J. (Tj) Schmidt for his personal look at the blessings and benefits of reading to your children. Tj will share several books that he and his wife read to his children, as well as some of the opportunities that reading together has provided for his family to learn and grow. Join the conversation as Tj opens up for feedback and questions at the end of this e-vent.
Member Price: Free
Non-Member Price: Free!
2/28/2013 (3:33 PM EST): From Homeschooled to Homeschool Attorney
Join HSLDA attorneys Peter Kamakawiwoole and Tj Schmidt as they share their stories-from being taught at home to defending parents teaching their children at home. They will also discuss their different paths through law school and how they were drawn to HSLDA to help advocate on behalf of thousands of homeschooling families. Tj and Peter will also share how their personal experience of being homeschooled helps them as they represent homeschooling parents. Get an inside look at the passion HSLDA's attorneys bring to protecting homeschool freedom, and see how your homeschool experience can equip you to help others!
Due to pervading health reasons, this e-vent has been rescheduled from it's original time on Friday, January 25, to Thursday, February 28 at 3:30 p.m. (ET).
Member Price: Free
Non-Member Price: Free!
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