March-April NHEG Magazine

1ISSUE 3-4 

MARCH-APRIL 2017 

Happy Springtime! 

Happy Springtime! 

John Oliver points out the major problems with charter schools 

How much does it cost to raise a child? 

Americans are rejecting the 'homeschool myth' 

and experts say the misunderstood education might be better than public or charter schools 

Homeschooling & socialization 

Sample weekly schedule for homeschooling 

Am I doing enough in my homeschool? 

Mom convicted for homeschooling not backing down

www.NewHeightsEducation.org 


Thought of the Month 

Do you think it is a conflict of interest to help 

those of different backgrounds and choice of 

schooling? 

No I don’t! Whether you’re a child or an adult, if 

you need help, you should be able to receive it. 

I have been asked that a few times since our 

journey began, and it’s shocking and alarming 

that someone would even make the statement. 

Education is a beautiful and extraordinarily important 

thing. Do you think it’s only for certain 

people? 

Thank you to all those that believe, and give 

freely of their time and make a difference. 

Marina Klimi 

Magazine Covers and Editing 

Created template 

MarinaKlimi@NewHeightsEducation.org 

Aditi Chopra 

MAGAZINE EDITORIAL TEAM 

Assistant Virtual Developer Of Proofreading/Editing Department (will assign 

proofreader(s) to magazine) 

AditiChopra@NewHeightsEducation.org 

Melissa Mickelson 

Proofreader 

Sadia Eijaz 

Magazine Editor Assistant 

SadiaEijaz@NewHeightsEducation.org 

Khrista Cendana 


Educational Writer of articles for site and magazine 

Khrista@NewHeightsEducation.org 

Jeff Ermoian 

Assistant Virtual Development Director Of Graphic Design/Photography Department 

Graphic Artist/Photographer 

Design and Refine Logo art 

Willing to do cartoons for magazine 

JeffErmoian@NewHeightsEducation.org 

Frani Wyner 

Photographer 

Philip Vino 

Cartoonist 

2 NHEG Magazine | MARCH-APRIL 2017 NHEG Magazine | MARCH-APRIL 2017 3


contents 

Press Releases 


2 THOUGHT FOR THE MONTH 

3 MAGAZINE EDITORIAL TEAM 

5 PRESS RELEASES 

6 RECOGNITION DAY 

3/27/17 

Defiance, Ohio 

New Heights Educational Group Volunteer, 

Khrista-Cheryl Cendana, recognized by the White House for Volunteer Service. 

7 OUR TEACHERS AND TUTORS 

8-9 MISSING CHILDREN 

10-11 OUR AWARDS 

12-13 THE INTERNET RADIO PROGRAM 

14 LATEST AWARDS 

15 CAROON OF THE MONTH 

New Heights Educational Group announced recognition for research and article writer, KhristaCheryl Cendana. 

“Khrista-Cheryl has been a volunteer with NHEG, since January 2015, and an instrumental member of our team,” 

said Pamela Clark, Executive Director. Khrista-Cheryl has received recognition for her volunteer service from the 

White House as the recipient of the Complete Silver Medal Package, www.presidentialservi ceawards.gov/co . 

For more information, visit the NHEG blog www.newheightseducation.o rg/nheg-blog/ or call us at 419-786-0247. 

18 VOLUNTEERS OF THE MONTH & NEWST VOLUNTEERS 

21 NHEG BIRTHDAYS 

22 The Last Homeschooling Family In Sweden 

23 Graduate’s Job Snag Leads To Better Hiring Policy 

25 H O M E S C H O O L R I V E R B O AT C R U I S E A N D P R O M 

26-27 CONTESTS 

28--35 OUR RECIPES 

36 NHEG VOLUNTEERS UPDATES 

37 NHEG ORGANIZATIONAL CHART 

38 News Flash and Updated Education Requirements 

40 Entire Homeschooling Family Kidnapped By The State 

March 27, 2017 

The New Heights Educational Group would like to congratulate the following PVSA Award Winners; Michael Anderson and Robert Hall. 

Both of these volunteers have worked hard with our organization and because of that work both Michael and Robert have been awarded 

the Gold Presidential Service Volunteer Award by the White House and Points of Light. This is what NHEG Director Pamela Clark had to 

say about our award winners: 

MICHAEL ANDERSON – ASSISTANT VIRTUAL DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR OF WEBSITE DESIGN 

“We are proud to have Mr. Anderson on our team; he had a real vision for our site, and we are proud of it and him. He has earned both this 

recognition and his new position.” 

ROBERT HALL – ASSISTANT VIRTUAL DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR OF THE RESEARCH DEPARTMENT 

“We are proud to have Mr. Hall on our team; he is an incredible researcher in his own right and was the obvious choice for the position. He 

has earned both this recognition and his new position.” 




New Heights Educational Group has amazing, award winning teachers and tutors available today to help you start achieving 

Meet our Teachers and Tutors 

CHADS TEWART 

Chad has been an animator since 1992, working on 

projects that include The Simpsons, 

The Emperor’s New Groove and The Polar Express. 

In 2007 he began teaching at an online animation 

school for career-minded adults and now teaches 

elementary students. 

Vanh Vue 

Vanh recently graduated from the University of North 

Carolina, Greensboro with a degree in Anthropology. 

Her volunteer experience includes helping children at 

a local church. Vanh has always enjoyed assisting 

others with their homework, including: math, reading, 

social studies and science. Vanh has also taught 

JAWS, a program that allows a blind person to use the 

computer. 

Savleen Grewel 

At a young age, Savleen developed a passion for 

teaching and passing on her knowledge to improve her 

own understanding of material. Being the oldest of three 

siblings, she regularly tutors them, and helps friends and 

peers whenever she can. In her free time, she enjoys 

running, and is currently training for a half-marathon. 

She also has a passion for cake decorating. 

Maria Lang 

Maria is a graduate of Saint Vincent College 

with a degree in Studio Art and Theology. She works 

from home as a full-time artist and art instructor. She 

has been working with her family for several years to 

build Art Talkin’, an online art course teaching drawing 

from basic through specialized disciplines such as 

watercolor and stained glass. She enjoys spending her 

free time (if not painting) reading. 

David Lantz 

David is an Adjunct Professor of Business Management 

and Economics for the University of Phoenix. 

He teaches for other Indiana colleges, including Ivy 

Tech Community College and Indiana Wesleyan. He 

was named the 2005 Faculty of the Year by the first 

graduating class of the Indianapolis Campus of the 

University of Phoenix. He holds a BA in History and a 

Master’s in Public Affairs from Indiana. 

Heather Ruggiero 

Heather dedicates her time towards making online 

courses and resources for students, teachers, and 

parents. She has a Master's Degree in Education and a 

B.S. in Business Management. Heather has tutored a 

multitude of students across various grade levels. She's 

also developed curriculum, created courses, and taught 

in classrooms. For six years, Heather worked as a 

trainer for adults with disabilities. 

Pamela S. Clark 

Founder/Director 

14735 Power Dam Road 

Defiance, Ohio 43512 

Phone: 419-786-0247 

NewHeightsEducation@yahoo.com 





MISSING CHILDREN 

HELP BRING ME HOME 

NATIONAL CENTER FOR MISSING & EXPLOITED CHILDREN 

ANYONE HAVING INFORMATION SHOULD CONTACT 

Lashanda Westmoreland 

Extra Photo 

Clayton Williams 

Missing Since: Mar 13, 2017 

Missing From: Youngstown, OH 

DOB: Sep 3, 1999 

Age Now: 17 

Sex: Female 

Race: Black 

Hair Color: Black 

Eye Color: Brown 

Height: 5'3" 

Weight: 161 lbs 

Missing Since: Feb 13, 2017 

Missing From: Columbus, OH 

DOB: Dec 8, 1999 

Age Now: 17 

Sex: Male 

Race: White 

Hair Color: Red 

Eye Color: Hazel 

Height: 5'6" 

Weight: 180 lbs 

Both photos shown are of LaShanda. She was last seen on March 13, 2017. LaShanda may be in the 

company of an adult male. She may be wearing a gold necklace. 

Clayton was last seen on February 13, 2017. He may still be in the local area or he may travel to 

Wisconsin. 


Case handled by 


Case handled by 

Follow us twitter.com/missingkids facebook.com/missingkids 

Follow us twitter.com/missingkids facebook.com/missingkids 

CALL 991 

DON’T HESITATE! 

OR 

1-800-843-5678 

Franklin County Sheriff’s Office (Ohio) 1-614-525-3333 



A W A R D S 

our awards 


View all of our awards here 

http://www.newheightseducation.org/who-we-are/awards-and-achievements/ 




THE INTERNET RADIO PROGRAM FROM NEW HEIGHTS EDUCATIONAL GROUP 

LIVE Internet radio program 

Briana Dincher 

Friday 12:30pm-1:00pm 


Charlotte McGuire 

pre-recorded 


Priscilena Shearon 

Pre-recorded 

Shannon Williamson 

Pre-recorded 


The New Heights Show on Education 





Kathy Woodring 

pre-recorded 


Maria Ortiz 

Monday 10:00am–10:30am CST 

1:00am–11:30am EST 






New Heights Educational 

Group recently 

received a 

$200 grant from 

Jane Goodall Foundation. 

We are thankful to 

Jane Goodall Foundation 

for this mini-grant. 

“The money will be used 

in advancing our needs for 

our own online classrooms 

focusing on those with spe- 

march Cartoon 

Latest Award from National School 

Goodbye and well wishes to one of our own Bill Naugle. 

Dear team, 

Bill Naugle has been an integral part of NHEG team for many years now. From handling newsletters to being a magazine editor to being a board member, 

fundraiser, vendor correspondence and so much more, Bill has been a valued team member. He recently received word from his doctor that he must 

step out of his role’s with NHEG for health reasons. We hope he will someday return in some fashion but for now Bill will be on leave. Please wish 

him luck, email/cards of good wishes would probably mean a lot to him. Thank you and please send your good thoughts to him. 

Messages from team members: 

Hi Bill, 

Thanks for all the wonderful work that you have been developing in New Heights team, especially for the Magazine, giving voice to the words in paper 

and colors through New heights pages. 

I wish you all the blessings in this transition moment, in order that one day you can came back to our New Heights family, renewed in healthy and 

quality of life. 

Grace and Peace, 

Daniela. 

© Phil Vino 


CLT10 

NOW FREE FOR STUDENTS! 

WE ARE EXCITED TO ANNOUNCE 

THAT THE CLT10, WHICH IS THE 

CLT’S EQUIVALENT TO THE PSAT, 

IS NOW FREE FOR STUDENTS! 

TO FIND OUT MORE, CHECK OUT THE 

CLT9 AND CLT10 WEBSITE BELOW! 

New Heights Educational Group 

was recently featured in the January 

2017 edition of “Health is your 

Wealth” magazine. The feature 

covered the organization and author Daniela 

Silva’s latest book titled “Unraveling Reading”. 

They also reviewed the book giving it a 4 out 

of 5 star rating in this United Kingdom based 

Magazine, “Health is Your Wealth”. (Being rated at 

a 4, means excellent) NHEG is an educational nonprofit 

organization located in Ohio, but its services 

and opportunities reach worldwide. 

Health is your Wealth website 

http://www.healthisyourwealth.co.uk/ 

http://www.cltprep.com/clt9-and-clt10.html 

Our cards HOMESCHOOL HEARTBEAT 

“I get to wake up every morning and do what I 

love.” 

Ever since he was a little boy, homeschool graduate 

Scott MacIntyre has dreamed of touching 

people’s hearts with his music. 

How did Scott turn that dream into a reality, despite 

being blind from birth? 

HOMESCHOOL TEAM CLAIMS STATE TITLE 

The Anderson News, Lawrenceville, Kentucky | February 15, 2016 

The ‘Lectric Legends, a local high school robotics 

team comprised of nine home educated students, 

recently returned home with the highest honors 

from the FIRST Tech Challenge Kentucky Championship, 

the group announced. 

The tournament, held on the campus of Owensboro 

Community Technical College, included 

teams from Kentucky, Tennessee, Ohio and Indiana. 



Volunteers of the Month 

Riya Chopra, Aditi Chopra, Khrista Cendana, Divya Rani, 

Ranita Ashlock, Kiyoko Green, Bill Naugle, Sadia Eijaz, 


BUSINESS 

Bill Naugle, Sheila Wright, Antonn Bryant, Roberta Perkin, 

Pam Unruh, Jyoti Dave, Mike Anderson, Harish Namiredd, 

Cherrie Stone, Bassey Arikpo, Fizza Zaidi, Frani Wyner, 

Jeff Ermoian, Kevin Adusei, Savleen Grewal , Vanh Vue, Kaden 

Behan, Briana Dincher, Shannon Williamson, Priscilena Shearon, 

Enjoli Baker, Tanu Tiwari, Julie Suffel, Marina Klimi, Jon Aitken, 

Daniela Silva, Cherrie Diana Stone, Venkata (Ramana) Ayyagari , 

Nisha Zachariah, Sam Custer, Sadia R Namireddy, 

Sathiyan Sivakumaran, Robert Hall, Vanessa Dodson, 

Elizabeth Ann Jackson , Karen Muzzall , Padmapriya (Priya) Kedharnath, 

Philip Vino and remove Harish Namiredd, Ashli Arbo, Attorney from CLA, 

Charlotte Cover, Special mention - HSLDA and Christian Law Association 

Fizza Zaidi 1/28/17 

HR Coordinator 

Cherrie Diana Stone 2/3/17 


Venkata (Ramana) Ayyagari 2/18/17 

Program Developer 

Newest Volunteers 

Harish R Namireddy 1/24/17 

Program/Software Development 

Padmapriya (Priya) Kedharnath 

Sujan Reddy Annem 1/3/17 

Online Math Tutor (Geometry, Algebra, 

Calculus) 

Elizabeth Barnett (nee Bley) 2/27/17 


Riya Chopra 1/6/17 

YouTube and Website Video Updater 

Elizabeth Barnett (nee Bley) 2/27/17 


Padmapriya (Priya) Kedharnath 2/27/17 

Assistant Accountant 

Karen Muzzall 3/5/17 

Radio Host (in training) 

Danielle Pickering 1/10/17 

Proofreader/Editor 

Elizabeth Ann Jackson 3/9/17 

Proofreading/Editing/Book/Copyediting 

Jenipher Rowry 3/13/17 

Online Radio Monitor 

Thomas A Huebner 3/20/17 

Proofreader/Editor 

Article Writer 

William Atkinson 3/21/17 

Photographer 

Anna Shi 3/27/17 

Internet Radio Host (In Training) 

Sadia Eijaz 1/16/17 


Student Leadership Council 

Vanessa Dodson 1/20/17 





NHEG Birthdays 

February 2 Pamela Clark 

February 10 

February 12 

February 24 

February 27 

March 10 



April 4 




Desiree Clark and Briana Dincher 

Khrista Cheryl-Cendana 

Mac Clark 

Fizza Zaidi 

Kailyn Spangler 

Kathy Woodring 

HSLDA and Vanh Vue 

Keith Torbet 

Kevin Adusei 

Greg Clark 

Aisha Marballie 




The Last Homeschooling Family in Sweden 

What if homeschooling was illegal in your state? What would you do? Would you move to a place where you could homeschool in 

peace, or would you stay and fight? It’s a hard question for Americans to answer. Our rights to homeschool have been protected 

by law in every state for decades. But in Sweden, one family’s decision to stay and homeschool has resulted in escalating government 

repression. 

Thomas and Marita Sandberg of Mörbylånga, Sweden have endured threats, fines, investigations, and even public shaming as they continue 

to defend their right to teach their own children. 

Taking a Stand 

Their tenacity makes them unusual. 

According to Swedish National Homeschool Association President Jonas Himmelstrand, who like many of his homeschooling compatriots 

lives in exile in Finland, the Sandbergs are the “last known homeschooling family in Sweden.” 

As a result, Himmelstrand said, “the pressure is intense on this family.” 

The Sandbergs have been ordered to pay thousands of dollars in fines. Local school official David Idermark, supported by the chief judicial 

executive on the National Education Board of Education, denounced the family publicly on television. 

Threatening to interfere with the custody of the children, child welfare caseworkers have investigated the Sandbergs—twice. Both times, 

they found no problems. 

Graduate’s Job Snag Leads to Better Hiring Policy 

Home School Legal Defense Association recently helped a homeschool graduate qualify for a job in Missouri without having to obtain a 

GED. 

Our intervention also prompted officials at a prominent recruiting company to make a policy change that could benefit other homeschooled 

students. 

The situation arose when Edward Philpott applied for a position through Penmac, an employment services company with offices in Missouri 

and six other states. 

Edward had graduated some time ago from his family’s homeschool program when they were living in California. 

However, Penmac recruiters initially refused to accept Edward’s diploma because it was not issued by an accredited institution. They told 

him instead to attend classes aimed at preparing him for a GED. 

As longtime HSLDA members, this struck Edward’s mother, Janet Philpott, as unfair—especially when she recalled how her daughter had 

qualified for dental hygienist training in California on the strength of her homeschool diploma. 

“I thought I would call and see if HSLDA could do something,” Janet said. 

I wrote a letter to Penmac on behalf of the Philpotts. In it I explained that Edward had graduated from a legally constituted private school 

and that under California law his parents are authorized to maintain pupil records, and issue report cards, transcripts and diplomas. A 

Penmac spokesperson said that our letter laid the groundwork for a policy change regarding this particular employer. She added, “It will 

hopefully pave the way for more.” 

Janet concurred, saying she was grateful not only for HSLDA helping her son, but for using his situation to 

Source: The Anderson News 

http://www.theandersonnews.com/ 

“The Sandbergs are determined to fight for their right to stay and homeschool peacefully in their home,” said Himmelstrand. “All investigations 

into the family demonstrate that the children are healthy, happy, socialized and well educated. Apparently the government just will not 

stop until all homeschoolers are gone from Sweden.” 

We Stand with Them 

As HSLDA’s Director of Global Outreach, my message to Swedish officials is simple and forthright: We will not abandon the Sandbergs. 

Homeschooling is not going away, and the Swedish government will not succeed in bullying this family out of their fundamental right to 

educate their children at home. 

The right of parents to decide how their children are educated is a fundamental human right. The Swedish government is showing its true 

colors by stubbornly refusing to allow families in Sweden the right to educational freedom. Home education is accepted in most European 

countries, but in recent years there has been increasing pressure as governments continue to use school as a means of control. 

American homeschoolers need to remember that what is happening in Sweden and Germany now was happening to us just a couple of 

decades ago. The fight for freedom to homeschool may seem distant, but government repression is not constrained by national borders. It 

is important that we keep the flame of freedom burning brightly by helping these brave people in Sweden. 

Source: HSLDA 

https://www.hslda.org/ 

OUR NHEG TUTORING PROGRAM 

The NHEG Tutoring program is for K-12 students who are having difficulty in a 

subject and are looking for a tutor to help them learn it effectively. Our tutors 

share the vision of NHEG. 

Our tutoring services focus on the individual’s needs and learning styles. We strive 

to teach each student in the way that he or she learns best. We teach to fill in the 

gaps, promote excellence and help students/families reach their personal goals. 

We don’t believe that teaching to get through a day’s or week’s lesson solves any 

real issues. 

Three hour-long 

one-on-one session 

per week 

$45 per session 

FREE TUTORING SESSION 

Please reserve free tutoring for families that are not 

able to afford regular fees. 

Also, there will be a $45 fee per month instead 

of per session to cover costs. 

Books by the Bushel Activity of 

the week Make Your Own Paint 

This recipe works well with preschoolers because 

it is somewhat runny, which means it 

doesn’t stain so easily, and completely edible, 

in case of accidental ingestion. 

The best part is that it’s easily made from things 

you’ve likely got in your cupboard! 

https://www.booksbythebushel.com/content/paint. 




HOME SCHOOL 

Fort Wayne 

Museum of Art 

The Scholastic Art and Writing Awards features the 

Gold and Silver Key winning students in grades 7-12 from 

Northern Indiana and Northwest Ohio. 

It has grown into what is now a model program for the rest 

of the country, exhibiting the best student artwork and writing 

of the region. 

Year after year, the winning students in our program 

go on to win numerous national awards. 

In the process of receiving national 

recognition, our young artists join the ranks of many celebrated 

American artists and writers which includes luminaries such as 

Richard Avedon, Andy Warhol, Bernard Malamud, Robert Redford, 

Sylvia Plath, Joyce Carol Oates, Luis Jimenez, and Truman Capote, among others. 

RIVERBOAT CRUISE 

AND PROM 

Students from multiple 

states normally attend 

this unique night of fellowship 

to create memories that will last a lifetime. 

Every year NHEG 

partners and looks 

for new opportunities 

in our area for home 

school students. 

One of our annual 

partners is called 

Dancing on the Water 

Prom, a riverboat 

cruise in Detroit, Michigan. 

We will soon share information regarding other proms in the area, though this 

one is a favorite for anyone that enjoys something a little different. 

Please click on the link below to follow the latest news and updates about this 

terrific event. 

http://www.facebook.com/DancingOnTheWaterPromCruise?__mref=message_bubble 

A date has not yet been sent for this event. 


our latest videos 

NHEG - Curriculum Choices 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NE8AFx72kaM 

NHEG - Our Library and Opportunities 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vdgTKv_f0h4 

HELP US BUILD A LIBRARY! 

New Heights Educational Group is 

looking to secure a building that will 

become a permanent home for our 

4000 books, software, DVDs and 

more for public, charter and home school students. 

The New Heights Educational Group, Inc . promotes literacy for children 

and adults by offering a range of educational support services. 

Such services include: assisting families in the selection of schools; 

organization of educational activities; and acquisition of materials. We 

promote a healthy learning environment and enrichment programs 

for families of preschool and school-age children, including children 

with special needs. 

Our organization’s ongoing vision is built upon reaching the community 

through variety of support services. Our goal it to assist families in the selection 

of schools, organization of educational activities, acquisition of materials 

and promoting a healthy learning environment. We also aim at providing 

library and online resources along with enrichment programs for families 

of preschool and school age children, including children with special 

needs . We would like to offer educational events, computer labs, public 

events, tutoring and other educational activities in this location and plan to 

continue offering classes, tutoring, and some afterschool events in Defiance. 

Help spread the word! 

https://www.gofundme.com/newheightseducation 

It’s that time again— the 2017 Poetry Contest is here! How will you craft your poetic masterpiece? 

This year, we want you to take a closer look at the things you may take for granted. Write about them in spectacular, poetic observation. Check 

out the themes below to get a better idea of what you should write about! 

The contest is open to all homeschooled students between the ages of 7—19 as of April 1. Cash prizes up to $200 will be awarded. You can view 

the guidelines here. 

Category 1–(Ages 7–10): Describe Someone You Love 

When you really love someone, you can’t help but notice the little details that distinguish them—the way they throw their head back when they 

laugh or nod their head from side to side as they type on the keyboard. Maybe it’s the way their eyes seem to flash when they’re excited to see you 

or the way their love pours out through their words! These are the things you love about them. 

Write a poem about a special person in your life, describing the things that make them who they are. 

Category 2– (Ages 11–14): Describe a Holiday Tradition that You Would Add or Change 

Traditions help create our sense of belonging and home. Maybe you have fond memories of waking up to the smell of sizzling bacon every Christmas morning—but perhaps you wished they were cinnamon rolls instead. Maybe instead of Easter egg hunts, you wish your 

family would do Easter egg wars—messy, but so fun! 

Tell us about a tradition you would change or add to your family’s holiday repertoire. 

Category 3–(Ages 15–19): Describe the Changing of Seasons 

One week you’re lying on the warm sandy beach with the sun beating down on you, and the next week you’re seeing pumpkins in shop windows and raking up fallen leaves. Seasons change, both in nature and in our lives. Sometimes, it’s a sudden shift that leaves you 

bewildered. Other times, it’s a sweet transition into something that feels better, like the first day you get to open your window and let in the warm winds after a season of perpetual frost. 

Poetically describe what it’s like to go from one season to another, be they seasons of the year, seasons of life, or seasons of another kind. 

To view the full guidelines for the 2017 Poetry Contest, go here: 

https://hslda.org/Contests/Poetry_rules.aspx 



OUR RECIPES 

Italian Breaded Chicken Breast Recipe 

Ingredients 

• 2 lbs Boneless chicken breast 

• 3 C Seasoned panko bread crumbs 

• 1 C Flour 

• 1 1/2 Tsp Garlic powder divided 

• 1/2 tsp Paprika 

• 1/4 C Parmesean cheese 

• 1 tsp Black pepper divided 

• 1 tsp Kosher salt divided 

• 4 Eggs whisked 

Method: 

1. Cut each piece of chicken in half you will end up with 8 halves 

2. Place a piece of chicken on a cutting board and place a piece of saran wrap over then take a mallet and pound till chicken out very thin and set 

aside repeat with all pieces of chicken 

3. Take 3 dishes and in one dish place the bread crumbs and mix in the 1/4 cup of parmesean cheese,1 tsp garlic powder, 1/2 tsp salt and 1/2 tsp of 

black pepper mix together 

4. In the second dish place the flour and add remaining salt and pepper ,garlic powder and the paprika mix well 

5. In the third dish place the eggs in and whisk 

6. Preheat oven to 250 degrees 

7. Place a large baking sheet in the oven 

8. Place a large skillet on the stove over medium heat and add about 2-3 Tbl oil ( you will need to add more oil as you go along for each batch of 

chicken that you cook) 

9. Dredge a piece of chicken in the flour then the egg wash and next cover in the panko bread crumbs and place in heated skillet 

10. Repeat process with each piece of chicken 

11. Cook chicken till lightly golden bread about 3 minutes per side 

12. Place each piece of chicken on the baking sheet in the preheated oven as you take them out of the pan repeat till finished 

13. Bake chicken for an additional 20 minutes after all chicken is in the oven 

14. Take chicken out of oven and place on platter 

15. You will have the most moist chicken ever ! 

28 NHEG Magazine | March 2017 

NHEG Magazine | March 2017 29

MONEY 



TOMORROW 

OUR RECIPES 

OUR RECIPES 

Sweet and Sour Pork Recipe 

Ingredients 

• 1/2 lb. pork tenderloin (cut into bite size pieces) 

• 1/2 green bell pepper (about 2 oz. and cut into pieces) 

• 1/2 red bell pepper (about 2 oz. and cut into pieces) 

• 2 stalks scallions (only the white part, cut into 2 inch length) 

• 1 piece fresh/canned pineapple ring (cut into small pieces) 

• 1 clove garlic (finely chopped) 

• Oil for frying 

• Marinate: 

• 1 oz. corn starch 

• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda 

• 1/2 egg 

• 1 teaspoon cooking oil 

• 1 small pinch of salt 

• Sweet and Sour Sauce: 

• 1 1/2 tablespoons tomato ketchup 

• 1 teaspoon plum sauce 

Ultimate Carrot Cake Recipe 

Ingredients 

THE CAKE 

• 3 c grated carrots - box grater, on the large, round hole side (about 12 med. carrots) 

• 4 eggs 

• 2 c dark brown sugar, packed (like it less sweet? Use 1- 1/2 c) 

• 1 c pineapple, crushed, well drained 

• 3/4 c canola oil 

• 1/2 c applesauce 

• 3/4 c chopped pecans or walnuts 

THE FROSTING 

• 8oz cream cheese 

• 3-1/2 c confectioners sugar 

• 1/2 c sweet butter, softened 

• 1 tsp pure vanilla extract 

• 1/2 c chopped pecans or walnuts 

NOTE: Since I am usually knee-deep in our excellent pure Michigan maple syrup, I am 

adding 1/4 c. to my frosting this time, and omitting the vanilla 

• 1 teaspoon soy sauce 

• 1/8 teaspoon Chinese rice vinegar (transparent in color) 

• 1/4 tsp grated nutmeg 

• 1/2 teaspoon corn flour 

• 1/2 teaspoon Lea & Perrins Worcestershire Sauce 

• 1 tbs pure vanilla extract 

• 1/2 teaspoon rice wine 

• 1 teaspoon oyster sauce 

• 2 c all-purpose flour (message me for a perfect gluten-free flour blend) 

• Frying Batter: 

• 1 teaspoon corn starch 

• 2 tsp baking soda 

• 1/2 cup water 

• 1 teaspoon sugar 

• 2 tsp baking powder 

• 2 oz. all-purpose flour 

• 2 tablespoons water 

• 1/2 tsp fine sea salt 

• 1 Tbs ground cinnamon 

Method: 

1. Cut the pork tenderloin into pieces and marinate with the ingredients for 15-20 minutes. 

2. Mix the sweet and sour sauce ingredients well and set aside. 

3. Strain the dry ingredients of the frying batter and then add in the egg, water, and cooking oil to 

form a thick batter. 

4. When the pork is well-marinated, transfer the pork pieces into the batter and make sure they 

are well coated. In a deep skillet, add in the cooking oil enough for deep-frying. Once the oil is hot, 

deep fry the pork pieces until they turn golden brown. Dish out and drain on paper towels. 

5. Heat up a wok and add in some cooking oil. Add in the chopped garlic and stir fry until light 

brown, then follow by the bell peppers and pineapple pieces. Stir fry until you smell the peppery 

aroma from the peppers and then add in the sweet and sour sauce. As soon as the sauce thickenens, 

transfer the pork into the wok and stir well with the sauce. Add in the chopped scallions, do 

a few quick stirs, dish out and serve hot with steamed white rice. 

Method: 

THE CAKE 

1. Preheat the oven to 350^. 

2. Butter or Crisco and flour the inside of a 9x13 cake pan 

3. In a large bowl combine and whisk together the eggs, oil, carrots, applesauce, brown 

sugar, vanilla extract, pineapple and chopped nuts (the wet stuff) 

4. Combine and whisk together the flour, baking soda and baking powder, salt, nutmeg and 

cinnamon (the dry stuff) 

5. Gently incorporate the dry into the wet ingredients - not too much mixing, just combine 

and distribute the ingredients evenly 

6. Pour the batter into the cake pan and bake for 45-50 minutes and test for done with a 

clean toothpick 

7. Let the cake rest in the pan for 10-15 minutes, then turn it out and let it cool completely 

on a rack 

30 NHEG Magazine | March 2017 NHEG Magazine | March 2017 31



OUR RECIPES 

OUR RECIPES 

Mincemeat Cookies ~ The Old Fashioned Way Recipe 

Ingredients 

• 3-1/4 C all purpose flour (GF works fine in this recipe) 

• 1 C shortening (I use rendered leaf lard - vegetable works fine) 

• 1-1/2 C sugar (I use turbinado) 

• 3 large eggs 

• 1-1/2 C mincemeat 

• 1 C chopped walnuts 

• 1 tsp baking soda 

• 1/2 tsp sea salt 

Gluten Free Chocolate Cake Recipe 

Ingredients 

• 2 cups all purpose gluten free flour 

• 1 1/4 teaspoons baking soda 

• 1/2 teaspoon salt 

• 2/3 cup butter 

• 1 3/4 cups sugar 

• 1 teaspoon vanilla 

• 2 eggs 

• 3 squares unsweetened chocolate, melted and cooled 

• 1 1/4 cups cold water 

Method: 

1. Pre-heat the oven to 400^ 

2. Either lightly grease a couple of cookie sheets or precut sheets of parchment paper to fit the pans (smooth side up) 

3. In a bowl, whisk to combine the flour, salt and baking soda 

4. In a second bowl, cream the shortening, slowly adding the sugar, and beat until the mixture is creamy 

5. Add the 3 eggs, beating to combine well 

6. Add the mincemeat, and combine 

7. Add the chopped nuts, and combine 

8. Slowly add the flour, incorporating with a flex spatula, until all the flour is well incorporated 

9. Using a teaspoon, drop the spoonfuls about 2 inches apart, filling each sheet 

10. Bake for 12 minutes 

11. Cool the cookies down (I like to slide the parchment paper to a rack for 15 or 20 minutes so he cookies can firm up before I rack them to dry a bit) 

Method: 

1. Preheat oven to 350 

2. Grease and lightly flour two 9x1 1/2” round baking pans 

3. Combine first 3 ingredients. 

4. In a mixer beat butter for about 30 seconds. 

5. Add sugar and vanilla and beat until combined 

6. Add eggs, one at a time, beating 1 minute after each 

7. Beat in cooled chocolate 

8. Add dry ingredients and cold water alternately 

9. Turn into prepared pans 

10. Bake at 350 for 30-35 minutes or till done 

11. Cool 10 minutes and remove from pans 




OUR RECIPES 

OUR RECIPES 

Asian-style Deep Fried Chicken Wings Recipe 

Ingredients 

• 18 chicken wings 

• 1/4 cup light soy sauce 

• 1/4 cup dark soy sauce 

• 2 Tbsp. Hoisin sauce 

• 1 1/2 Tbsp. brown sugar 

• 1 tsp. salt 

• 1/4 cup Chinese cooking wine or sherry 

• 1 tsp. white pepper (my preference only) 

Crock Pot Ranch Pork Chops Recipe 

Ingredients 

• 4-6 boneless pork chops 

• 1 can of Cream of Chicken soup 

• 1 packet dry Ranch dressing mix 

Method: 

1. Remove wing tips and set aside for stock or discard, then separate the rest of the wing at the joint. You should have 36 pieces. 

2. Put the wings pieces into a large zip-loc bag. 

3. Combine the rest of the ingredients and whisk until the sugar is mostly dissolved. Pour over the wing pieces, seal bag, and refrigerate, marinating for 

at least 2 hours. Turn bag every so often to evenly distribute marinade. 

4. Drain wings, discarding the marinade. 

5. Heat oil to 360 degrees, and deep-fry the wings in batches for about 7 or 8 minutes, or until cooked through. 

6. Drain well on paper towels. 

7. Plate and garnish with finely sliced spring onions and toasted sesame seeds if desired. 

Method: 

1. In crock-pot layer pork chops 

2. add the cream of chicken soup 

3. then sprinkle dry Ranch dressing all over. 

4. Cover and cook on high for 4 hours OR Low for 6 hours. 

ALL RECIPES ARE FROM THE COOKEATSHARE 

https://cookeatshare.com 




NHEG Volunteers updates 

NHEG Organizational Chart 

JEFF ERMOIAN BIO 

Jeff brings a passion for media and arts education to the NHEG 

team. Those passions are revealed in his career path. TV 

Producer, Corporate Trainer, Illustrator, Cartoonist, Animator, 

Author, Performer, Copywriter, Art Director and Pre-Press 

Network Administrator are among the titles held during his long 

career in visual communication. 

Jeff has 8 years of experience teaching digital media design to 

college students in Texas. He is the inventor of a process which 

rapidly develops visual perception and quickly results in dramatic 

advancement of drawing skill. He is currently developing an 

online academy to teach his unique process to students of any 

age in their home. 

Jeff is anxious to 

utilize his passions 

to advance the aims 

of the New Heights 

Educational Group and 

proud to accept his new 

position in this award 

winning organization. 

its use. 

MARINA KLIMI 

Hello All, Marina Klimi has been a graphic designer with us 

since 2013. She has helped us with many projects,including 

our book and magazine covers, radio show banners, birthday 

and seasonal cards and so much more. She has proven 

to be a trusted and hardworking team member. 

We are thrilled that 

she has accepted 

the Assistant Virtual 

Development Director 

overseeing Social 

Media/ Marketing.dney. 

MIKE ANDERSON 

Mike Anderson created the current website and has poured his 

heart into it. We are happy that he has accepted the position of 

AVDD overseeing Website Design. 

We are proud to have 

him on our team, 

and appreciate his 

incredible talent. 

say not new smallness.. 

MIKE ANDERSON 

New Heights Educational Group announced that volunteer and website designer 

Mike Anderson will be has received an award from the White House. 

The White House recognized him for his volunteer service by awarding him 

the Complete Gold Medallian Package. 

Pamela Clark, the Executive Director of New Heights Educational Group, 

recently promoted him to Assistant Virtual Development Director of Website 

Design and stated, “We are proud to have He has earned both this recognition 

and his new position.” For more information, visit the NHEG blog 

https://www.newheightseducation.org/nheg-blog/ or call us at 419-786- 

0247. Mr. Anderson on our team; he had a real vision for our site, and we 

are proud of it and him. 

ROBERT HALL 

“New Heights Educational Group announced that volunteer and 

Research Coordinator Robert Hall has been a volunteer with NHEG, 

since 2012, and an instrumental member of our team,” said Pamela 

Clark, Executive Director. He has received recognition for his volunteer 

service from the White House as the recipient of the Complete 

Gold Medal Package. Pamela Clark, the Executive Director of 

the NHEG, recently promoted him to Assistant Virtual Development 

Director of the Research Department and stated, “We are proud to 

have Mr. Hall on our team; he is an incredible researcher in his own 

right and was the obvious choice for the position. He has earned 

both this recognition and his new position.” 



www.NewHeightsEducation.org LIFE 

NEWS FLASH 

One of the New Heights Educational Group press releases/events was 

recently picked up by Yahoo.Educational group to host game night, 

discussion on educational options 

New Heights Educational Group was recently featured in the January 

2017 edition of “Health is your Wealth” magazine. The feature covered 

the organization and author Daniela Silva’s latest book titled “Unraveling 

Reading”. 

They also reviewed the book giving it a 4 out of 5 star rating in this United 

Kingdom based Magazine, “Health is Your Wealth”. (Being rated at a 4, 

means excellent) NHEG is an educational nonprofit organization located 

in Ohio, but its services and opportunities reach worldwide. 

Health is your Wealth website http://www.healthisyourwealth.co.uk/ 

WORLD HISTORY REQUIREMENT 

New Heights Educational Group was recently featured 

in the January 2017 edition of “Health is 

your Wealth” magazine. The feature covered the 

organization and author Daniela Silva’s latest book titled 

“Unraveling Reading”. 

They also reviewed the book giving it a 4 out of 5 star 

rating in this United Kingdom based Magazine, “Health 

is Your Wealth”. (Being rated at a 4, means excellent) 

NHEG is an educational nonprofit organization located 

in Ohio, but its services and opportunities reach 

worldwide. 

Health is your Wealth website 

http://www.healthisyourwealth.co.uk/ 

In December 2014, the Ohio General Assembly passed Substitute House 

Bill 367 and Gov. John Kasich signed it into law. Part of this new law 

includes a change to the graduation requirements for social studies. Ohio 

Revised Code 3313.603 requires one-half unit in American history; onehalf 

unit of American government; and two units of social studies, which, 

beginning with students who enter ninth grade for the first time on or after 

July 1, 2017, the two units of instruction must include at least one-half 

unit of instruction in the study of world history and civilizations. 

There will be no state-required assessment connected with the study of 

world history and civilizations.The guidelines that follow will help districts 

offer courses that will meet the mandate of the law. World history will 

cover any period up to and including recent history. (A course with a focus 

solely on U.S. history will not meet the requirement.) Civilizations are 

defined by: 

There will be no state-required assessment connected with the study of 

world history and civilizations.The guidelines that follow will help districts 

offer courses that will meet the mandate of the law. World history will 

cover any period up to and including recent history. (A course with a focus 

solely on U.S. history will not meet the requirement.) Civilizations are 

defined by: 

Cities; 

Well-organized central governments; 

Complex religions; 

Job specialization; 

Social classes; 

Arts and architecture; 

Public works; and 

World history and civilizations courses should include the study of 

multiple civilizations outside the U.S. with an element of historical 

examination. Human geography, world issues, world history and other 

world studies courses may meet the requirement. A course focused 

mostly on history must include multiple civilizations outside of the 

U.S. A course focused mostly on civilizations must include historical 

elements. 

Ohio’s Learning Standards courses Modern World History and 

Contemporary World Issues meet the requirement. District-created 

courses must meet the above requirements for world history and 

civilizations. 

Other courses meeting the requirement include, but are not limited to, 

the following: 

Advanced Placement World History; 

Advanced Placement European History; 

Advanced Placement Human Geography; 

Today, EveryoneOn joins the chorus of nonprofits, organizations, and advocates in expressing 

concern about recent rollbacks to the Federal Communications Commission’s Lifeline program. 

On Friday, February 03, 2017, the FCC told nine Internet service providers that they would not 

be able to participate in Lifeline, an FCC program that was reformed in 2016 to allow a $9.25 per 

month subsidy to be applied to home Internet service. The companies were notified of their acceptance to the program just a few weeks ago. 

“After much discussion last year, we were pleased when the FCC passed Lifeline reform, setting the stage for dramatic changes in the lives 

of the approximately 60 million people in the United States on the wrong side of the digital divide,” said Chike Aguh, chief executive officer of 

EveryoneOn. “On Friday, we were disappointed with the move to rollback this reform, leaving many low-income people in the United States 

without the access to the social and economic opportunity that a home Internet connection can provide. As the FCC moves forward, we hope that 

they reconsider establishing a mechanism for people in the United States to gain access to what we believe is no longer a luxury. By disallowing 

the nine Internet service providers to participate in this program, the FCC has added an additional barrier for those looking to enter the digital 

onramp. We hope that the FCC will reevaluate its position and find a way to renew its commitment to providing low-income people with ways to 

experience the digital world. This decision from the FCC does not close the digital divide and opportunity gap, but rather widens them.” 

About EveryoneOn 

EveryoneOn is a national nonprofit that creates social and economic opportunity by connecting people to the Internet. Since 2012, EveryoneOn 

has connected approximately 400,000 people in the United States, with the goal of connecting one million people by 2020. For more information 

about EveryoneOn, visit EveryoneOn.org. 

International Baccalaureate History. et fuga. 

38 NHEG Magazine | March 2017 

NHEG Magazine | MARCH-APRIL 2017 39


LIFE 

Entire Homeschooling Family Kidnapped by the State 

Rising children is no walk in the park, but it’s even more difficult when the 

state dictates what you can and cannot do with your own family. Kiarre 

Harris is a devoted single mother, trying her hardest to provide her children 

with the best possible upbringing. After growing concerned that her 

children were not receiving an adequate education from the Buffalo public 

school system in New York State, she made the decision to pull her kids 

out of their school. 

“I felt that the district was failing my children,” Harris reported. 

Harris’ feelings are not uncommon among parents of public school students. 

Government schooling has been failing children for years. However, 

since it is funded through tax dollars, rather than being a product of the 

market, it is incredibly difficult to keep public schools, and public teachers, 

accountable. This is precisely why many parents have begun considering 

other options that are better suited to their children’s educational needs. 

Frustrated and desperate for an alternative, Harris spent time researching 

homeschooling, which she ultimately decided was the best direction for her 

family. Unfortunately, the state disagreed. 

Most parents believe themselves to be the sole arbitrators when it comes 

to making choices that directly impact their children, and rightfully so, as 

kids are perhaps the most obvious fruits of one’s labor. But it has unfortunately 

become all too common for the state to intervene, asserting that 

government knows what is best for your child. 

An Unexpected Visit 

Harris and her family received a visit from social service representatives, 

who were accompanied by local police officers. 

Harris had done everything exactly right. She familiarized herself with the 

legal process and followed all the guidelines required by the state of New 

York in order to homeschool her children. 

“I spoke directly to the homeschool coordinator and she told me from this 

point on my children were officially un-enrolled from school.” 

But despite filing all the relevant and mandated paperwork and working 

closely with the district to ensure she was adhering to the proper protocol, 

Harris received a phone call from Child Protective Services a week later, 

demanding to know why her children had not been attending school. 

She explained the situation to the state representative and even offered to 

provide them with copies of the paperwork she had already filed with the 

district. The representative appeared to be appeased by Harris’ explanation, 

and she believed the matter had been fully resolved. 

Before even a month had passed since the unexpected phone call, Harris 

and her family received a visit from social service representatives, who 

were accompanied by local police officers. 

Claiming to have an order from a local judge, ordering the state to remove 

her children from their home, Harris did what any mother would do and 

refused to hand her children over to strangers with government badges. 

Instead of discussing the matter and attempting to get to the bottom of the 

situation before uprooting young children from the comfort and safety of 

their home and mother, police officers arrested Harris for obstructing law 

enforcement in the line of duty. 

What Happens Next? 

While the school district has claimed they are unable to comment on the 

matter, they said that homeschooling is a right only granted to those who 

have full custody of their children, alluding to the possibility that Harris was 

not the sole custodian of her two kids. 

The state is punishing Harris for doing what she, as their mother, believes 

is best for the children. 

Harris, who is no newbie to single parenthood, has had sole custody of her 

children for several years. However, the incompetency of the state appears 

to be enough of a reason to not only remove her children, but to deny her 

visitation privileges altogether. 

It has now been three weeks since Harris has seen her children. By no 

fault of her own, the state is punishing Harris for doing what she, as their 

mother, believes is best for the children. 

The state, as always, has justified their actions under the guise of “protecting” 

the Harris children. However, it is unclear how ripping two minors 

from their home serves any benefit to Harris’ kids. This tragic situation perfectly 

demonstrates the inherent nature of government failure, not only in 

the education system but also with something as simple as proper communication. 

Since Harris had, in fact, done everything right, the fault here lies 

with Buffalo officials, and their inability to properly do their job. 

For now, the case is ongoing, but even though the blame is on the local 

government, the young children must wait in foster care, while the state 

attempts to fix its own mistake. 

Source: The Foundation for Economic Education (FEE) 

https://fee.org/ 

Stephanie Agresti March 1st, 2017 

NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR THE 2017–2018 

SCHOLASTIC NEWS KIDS PRESS CORPS! 

Calling all aspiring journalists! Kids in the United 

States and around the world between the ages 

of 10 and 14 with a nose for news and a passion 

for writing can now apply to join the 2017–2018 

Scholastic News Kids Press Corps. 

Learn more and download the application here: 

www.scholastic.com/kidreporters 

Completed applications must be received by May 

31, 2017. 

The talented group of young journalists from 

across the country and around the world covers 

“news for kids, by kids.” This past year, the Kid Reporters covered national and global 

events including Election 2016, Lunar New Year celebrations, and the Consumer 

Electronics Show 2017 in Las Vegas. 

Past Kid Reporters have also conducted a number of high-profile interviews with 

politicians, authors, musicians, and professional athletes such as President Barack 

Obama, Former First Lady Michelle Obama, country music star Tim McGraw, and 

Olympic gymnast Gabby Douglas, among many others. 

Encourage the aspiring journalists you know to apply! Follow the Scholastic News 

Kids Press Corps on Twitter @KidsPress and find the full collection of Kid Reporter 

stories and interviews on the Kid Reporters’ Notebook. 

40 NHEG Magazine | MARCH-APRIL 2017 

NHEG Magazine | MARCH-APRIL 2017 41



CULTURE 

This Elementary School Abolished Homework 

and the Results Were Astonishing 

Late last summer, Texas teacher Brandy Young made internet waves when she sent a 

note about homework to the parents of her students. 

Instead of the normal spend-30-minutes-a-day-on-homework command that parents normally 

hear, Mrs. Young’s note informed them that she would not be giving homework at 

all. Instead, she asked families to spend more time reading, eating dinner, and playing 

outside, all factors which research has found to contribute to greater student success. 

But Mrs. Young was not the only educator to get on the no homework bandwagon. An 

entire elementary school in Vermont did the same. And according to The Washington 

Post, that decision seems to be turning out just fine for the students, parents, and teachers 

of Orchard School: 

Six months into the experiment, [school Principal Mark] Trifilio says it has been a big 

success: Students have not fallen back academically and may be doing better, and now 

they have ‘time to be creative thinkers at home and follow their passions’… Trifilio said 

he conducted a family survey asking about the policy, and most parents at the nearly 

400-student school responded. The vast majority supported it, saying their kids now have 

time to pursue things other than math work sheets, and many report that students are 

reading more on their own than they used to.” 

The Burlington Free Press recently quoted parent James Conway as saying this about his 

son Sean, who is in kindergarten: ‘My son declared on Monday that he can read now and 

that he doesn’t need any help. So, something is working.’” 

One has to wonder: if these no-homework policies are having such positive effects on the 

mental and emotional well-being of children, then why haven’t we tried them before? 

The answer, according to one former teacher, may have to do with the goal of the education 

system. According to John Taylor Gatto, the current, one-size-fits-all school 

system has long been trying to turn creative, inventive, and bright students into obedient, 

subdued, and dependent individuals. This is done largely through orchestrating every 

minute of their time at school, and then extending that orchestration into children’s free 

time at home: 

Today the tabulation of hours in a young life reads like this: My children watch television 

55 hours a week according to recent reports, and they sleep 56. That leaves them 57 

hours in which to grow up strong and competent and whole. But my children attend 

school 30 hours more, spend 8 hours preparing for school, and in goings and comings, 

and an additional 7 hours a week in something called ‘home’-work - although this is really 

more schoolwork except in ‘Newspeak’. 

After the 45 school hours are removed a total of 12 hours remain each week from which 

to fashion a private person - one that can like, trust, and live with itself. Twelve hours. 

But my kids must eat, too, and that takes some time. Not much, because they’ve lost the 

tradition of family dining - how they learn to eat in school is best called ‘feeding’ - but if we 

allot just 3 hours a week to evening feedings, we arrive at a net total of private time for 

each child of 9 hours. 

This demented schedule is an efficient way to create dependent human beings, needy 

people unable to fill their own hours, unable to initiate lines of meaning to give substance 

and pleasure to their existence. It is a national disease, this dependency and aimlessness, 

and schooling and television and busy work - the total Chautauqua package - has a 

lot to do with it.”Is it possible that the trend away from homework may be one small step 

away from the culture of dependency we’ve instilled in recent generations? 

HELP US BUILD A LIBRARY! 

New Heights Educational Group is looking to 

secure a building that will become a permanent 

home for our 4000 books, software, DVDs 

and more for public, charter and home school 

students. 

The New Heights Educational Group, Inc . 

promotes literacy for children and adults by offering 

a range of educational support services. 

Such services include: assisting families in the 

selection of schools; organization of educational 

activities; and acquisition of materials. We 

promote a healthy learning environment and 

enrichment programs for families of preschool 

and school-age children, including children with 

special needs. 

Our organization’s ongoing vision is built upon 

reaching the community through variety of support 

services. Our goal it to assist families in 

the selection of schools, organization of educational 

activities, acquisition of materials and 

promoting a healthy learning environment. We 

also aim at providing library and online resources 

along with enrichment programs for families 

of preschool and school age children, including 

children with special needs . 

We would like to offer educational events, 

computer labs, public events, tutoring and other 

educational activities in this location and plan 

to continue offering classes, tutoring, and some 

afterschool events in Defiance. 

Help spread the word! 

visit here: 

www.gofundme.com/newheightseducation 

Australian Homeschoolers 

Fight Proposed Restrictions 

The Home Education Network, Inc. and the Victorian Home Education 

Community are taking action against draft education regulations proposed 

in the Victoria, Australia, state parliament. 

The proposed regulations would impose additional burdens on parents 

seeking to homeschool their children in Victoria. For each academic year, 

parents would have to formulate individualized plans that specify when or 

where instruction will take place and how a student’s learning outcomes 

will be recorded. Parents would then have to submit this information to 

the Victorian Registration & Qualifications Authority (VRQA). 

Under the current regulations, the homeschool notice of intent requests 

very little information from parents. No education plan is required, and 

officials may only review a family’s program and materials if there is reasonable 

cause for concern. 

The proposed regulations would greatly inhibit the right of Victorian 

parents, as enumerated in the Education and Training Reform Act of 

2006, “to choose an appropriate education for their child (s.1.2.2 (f)).” 

Beyond burdening parents, these regulations would also harm troubled 

children. They would require parents whose children are anxious, struggling, 

or suicidal because of a negative school environment—or parents 

whose children are being bullied—to keep their children in school for 28 

days or more after requesting to homeschool. Parents would no longer 

be able to immediately remove the child from the harmful environment. 

This increase in state control would be a departure from previous, nonintrusive 

requirements. In addition, the regulations were formulated with 

no evidence that there were issues or abuses in the Victorian homeschool 

community and were written without input from experts familiar 

with the community. 

An international online petition formulated by the Victorian Home 

Education Community addresses two members of the state parliament: 

The Honorable James Merlino, and The Honorable Nick Wakeling. The 

petition asks them to overturn the proposed regulations, to promote 

assessments of home education that are informed by the established 

research on homeschooling, and to appoint assessors of the homeschool 

community in consultation with that community. The petition acknowledges 

the previously friendly relationship between homeschooling families 

and the state. 

SIGN THE PETITION 

The petition is not nation-specific, allowing citizens of all countries to 

voice their support. We urge HSLDA members from around the world to 

read and sign the petition here. 

https://www.change.org/p 

petition-for-fair-and-consultative-regulations-on-home-education 

Homeschool team claims state title 

Gowan advances to super regional tourney in Iowa 

The ‘Lectric Legends, a local high school robotics team comprised of nine 

home educated students, recently returned home with the highest honors from 

the FIRST Tech Challenge Kentucky Championship, the group announced. 

The tournament, held on the campus of Owensboro Community Technical 

College, included teams from Kentucky, Tennessee, Ohio and Indiana. 

In addition to the team’s success, two team members, Eric Adams and Brandon 

Gowan, were nomimated as dean’s list semi-finalists in the state; and Brandon 

Gowan is one of two students to become a finalist in Kentucky. 

Gowan will be interviewed, along with finalists from other states, at the FTC 

World Championship in St. Louisfor a chance to become one of the top 10 in 

the country. 

FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC) teams are challenged to design, build, program 

and operate robots to compete in a head-to-head challenge in an alliance 

format. 

Guided by adult coaches and mentors, students develop STEM skills and practice 

engineering principles (like keeping an engineering notebook), while realizing 

the value of hard work, innovation and sharing ideas. The robot is programmed 

using the Java programming language on Android phones. 

They use the robot to complete tasks to earn points on a standard 12-feet by 

12-feet playing field. The ‘Lectric Legends did extremely well in the robot game 

portion of the competition, and captained the only alliance to beat the otherwise 

undefeated team, the group announced. 

“Their work on and off the floor is what sets them apart from other teams,” they 

said. 

In addition to the robot competition, the team must also interview with a panel 

of judges. 

Coach Barbara Adams said, “FTC is more than just robots; this team has developed 

problem solving, organizational and team building skills that will help them 

in the real world.” 

The ‘Lectric Legends has three coaches – one is a finance person, one is a 

registered nurse, and one is a biologist. Many teams have engineers and programmers 

as mentors and coaches. 

“What that means for our team is that they have to do it all themselves because 

they have surpassed any basic knowledge we may have had coming into 

this,” said coach Kelli Gowan. “This year, one of the things that really helped 

our team excel is learning more of the intricacies of the programming - including 

using gyro, range, color, and touch sensors so their programs were more 

reliable.” 

The ‘Lectric Legends will move on to the super regional tournament in Cedar 

Rapids, Iowa at the end of March. 

Gowan said the team has really grown this year and the level of success 

they’ve had has not surprised her. She and Adams have been coaching robotics 

teams for eight years and have seen teams with great success, but the work 

ethic of this team is the strongest they have seen. 

As a global movement that benefits children and families, home education 

is an option that all countries should respect. 

Source: The Anderson News 

http://www.theandersonnews.com/ 

Source: The Foundation for Economic Education (FEE) 

https://fee.org/ 


Urgent Action Needed: 

Congress Attempting 

to Give Federal 

Government Money to 

Homeschools 

A message from Will Estrada 

and Mike Smith 

Dear Pamela, 

It has been said that there is no such thing as a free lunch. As homeschooling families know too well, government money will eventually lead to government control. 

That’s why HSLDA is opposing a bill introduced by our friends in Congress, Rep. Steve King (IA) and Rep. Andy Harris (MD). Though well-intentioned, H.R. 610 is ultimately ill-advised. It calls for sending all federal education 

dollars to the states in the forms of federal grants so that the states can then give the money as vouchers to public, private, and homeschool students. (Note: While Rep. Trent Franks (AZ) is also listed as a cosponsor of H.R. 610, 

we talked with him and his staff last night and they agree with our concerns about homeschooling families being included in H.R. 610. As a result, there is no need to contact his office, and we are deeply grateful to him for his commitment 

to protecting homeschool freedom from “help” by the federal government. Here is the statement Franks gave to us: “I understand the concerns of the homeschool community. My support for the bill only extends to vouchers 

for public school and private school students. If this bill moves forward, I would request that any language that would impose vouchers upon homeschools is taken out.”) 

If the bill only applied to public schools and traditional brick-and-mortar private schools, HSLDA would take no official position on it. There is no question that many millions of children are stuck in public schools that fail to meet 

their needs, and school choice would be an incredible benefit to them. But HSLDA has repeatedly told our friends on Capitol Hill that our members and many other homeschooling families know that government dollars will eventually 

result in government regulation. Although we are grateful for our friends on Capitol Hill, and although we know that representatives King and Harris are well-intentioned, they need to hear loud and clear from the homeschool 

community. 

Even though the vouchers created by H.R. 610 would be voluntary, we believe that this would be a slippery slope toward more federal involvement and control in homeschooling. 

If you do not want federal government “help,” if you just want to be left alone, this is the time to speak up. 

Dangers of H.R. 610 (click here to read a PDF version of the bill with page numbers cited below). 

1. Elimination of language protecting homeschool freedom in U.S. Code: Page 2, paragraph (a) repeals in its entirety the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965, which was most recently reauthorized as the Every Student Succeeds Act. While HSLDA applauds this 

repeal language, as we believe that the federal government has no constitutional authority to make education decisions which should be left to state and local authorities, this full repeal would also eliminate HSLDA’s language fully protecting homeschool freedom from all federal 

control. 

2. Creation of a “federal right to homeschool:” Page 3, Sec. 104 requires states to make certain assurances in order to receive their portion of federal education dollars. One of the requirements (paragraph (2)(A) on page 

3. States would need to track homeschooling students: Numerous provisions in H.R. 610 require states to count the number of eligible students in their state. Page 4 says “The State shall distribute funds . . . based on the number of eligible children in the public schools . . . and . . . 

the number of eligible children . . . whose parents elect to send their child to a private school or to home-school their child.” Page 5 requires “on an annual basis” that school districts count the number of eligible students who attend public schools, and “whose parents elect—to send 

their child to a private school or to home-school their child.” There is only one way that states and school districts can do this: by requiring homeschooling families to register with them, and be tracked by the school district. This will be especially problematic in states that do not 

require homeschooling families to file a notice of intent with the local school district. H.R. 610 will require homeschooling families in all 50 states to register with the local school district. This would be just the first cost of “free government money.” 

4. The government would now get to decide how much parents should spend on homeschooling: Paragraph (B) on page 6 requires that the federal education vouchers to parents who choose a homeschool “shall not exceed the cost of home-schooling the child.” Who will now 

decide how much it costs to homeschool a child? The government. Page 8 further requires that the federal education vouchers “be distributed in a manner so as to ensure that such payments will be used for appropriate educational expenses.” This is not defined, meaning 

that government officials and public schools will decide what qualifies as an appropriate educational expense. HSLDA has heard over the course of 33 years from numerous parents who have elected to teach their children at home through a government-funded virtual or 

correspondence school. In their experience, they found their curriculum options shrunk as each choice had to pass a government litmus test. 

Call Congress Now 

At this point, it is only necessary to contact these sponsors of this bill, Representatives King and 

Harris.If one of these is your U.S. representative, please call or email him, and politely ask him to 

take homeschooling families out of the bill, including homeschooling families who are defined by 

their state’s education law as private school students. 

Please remember that these congressmen are friends of homeschooling, and that this bill is wellintentioned, 

but ultimately dangerous. We encourage you to identify yourself as a homeschooling 

parent. Your message can be as simple as: 

“As a homeschooling parent, I oppose H.R. 610. I do not want to receive federal vouchers. Government money will 

ultimately lead to government control and regulation, which will stifle the success of homeschooling. I am grateful for 

your past support of homeschool freedom, and urge that you protect the future of homeschooling by rewriting H.R. 

610 to ensure that homeschools, and homeschools defined by state laws as private schools, do not receive federal 

money.” 

You can reach these congressmen by calling the Capitol Switchboard at 202-224-3121. If one of 

these members of Congress represents you, you can find his direct phone numbers and email 

addresses here.If you live outside of these districts, we encourage you to take to social media 

to politely but firmly remind these congressmen that homeschooling families do not want federal 

vouchers. You can also send each congressman a letter via the United States Postal Service. 

Source: HSLDA 

https://contentsharing.net/ 



TOMORROW 

LEGISLATIVE UPDATE 

Dear Pamela, 

Some of HSLDA’s friends in the homeschooling movement have speculated that we oppose the latest legislative fad, so-called Education 

Savings Accounts, because we are a bunch of grumpy-pants, risk-averse lawyers whose knee-jerk reaction is to simply shout, “NO!” 

To that I shout, “NO!” But not simply. 

An Aside 

I prefer to think of us as a merry band of outlaw lawyers living in an undisclosed location in Sherwood Forest (which is in Northern Virginia, 

oddly enough). When the Sheriff of Not-in-homeschool seizes the fair damsel, we don the clever disguise of distinguished barrister and slip 

into the castle undetected. At the opportune moment we fling our powdered wig into the air, tweak the Sheriff’s nose, grab the damsel, and 

gallop to safety just as the portcullis falls and the drawbridge rises. 

Each of our attorneys either is a homeschooling parent, was homeschooled as a child, or both. I was a homeschooling dad before I ever 

attended law school and changed careers in hopes of joining this merry HSLDA band, having read of their noble exploits in the Teaching 

Home magazine. In the fullness of time it came to pass, just as in the fairy tales. We grumpy-pants HSLDA lawyers eat, drink, and breathe 

homeschooling—then we come to work. 

So why on earth do we oppose these so-called “ESAs”? 

Who is responsible for the education of my children? 

HSLDA believes it is not the government that is responsible for our children’s education. As a matter of first principles, we believe that 

parents are responsible, and that the freedom to homeschool has been won because parents took that responsibility—including the financial 

responsibility. “ESA” vouchers are based on the premise that it is the government’s responsibility to ensure that children are educated 

and to fund that education. 

The homeschooling movement has grown up organically, as hundreds of thousands of parents made a myriad of choices in the best interests 

of their very own Hunter and Taylor. Innovation, voluntary collaboration, and an entrepreneurial spirit fuel the engine of the homeschooling 

movement. Not tax dollars. 

Daniel Webster said, “God grants liberty only to those who love it, and are always ready to guard and defend it.”2 

Liberty can be taken by force or through subtler means—such as enticement to grasp at goodies. (See e.g. Eve, Adam, et al v. Serpent.) 

We recognize that some families struggle financially. That is why our sister organization, the Home School Foundation, exists—to help 

single parents, disaster victims, military families, and others homeschool through hard times. And we support other approaches to helping 

families with homeschooling costs, such as Coverdell ESAs, or an education tax credit that allows parents to keep more of their own 

money instead of filtering it through the tax-dollar goose. We urge you to join with us to find better solutions to the problems some homeschoolers 

face. But let’s not sell our birthright of homeschool freedom for a mess of debit cards. 

First, a closer examination of the name is in order. Why is it called a “savings account”? No one is saving money. The happy-sounding 

name belies what is really happening. For example, the full title of the “ESA” bill in Texas says, “Senate Bill 3 establishes a state-funded 

subsidy program called an ‘Education Savings Account.’” 

In other words, as Joe Biden might say, these so-called savings accounts are literally misnamed. Not to be confused with Coverdell 

ESAs1, these fake “ESAs” are just the old idea of vouchers from the 1990s, repackaged under another name. The funds in these accounts 

are not “saved” in any normal sense of the word—they are tax dollars.And what is a tax dollar? It begins as your dollar, then through 

the hocus-pocus of representative democracy it becomes the government’s dollar—whether you want it to or not. After passing through 

various sticky agency fingers it then magically becomes 50 cents deposited in your or someone else’s state-funded voucher—er, “savings 

account,” to be spent with a debit card. 

In the short term, fake “ESA” vouchers might encourage some undecided families to homeschool, provide relief for some families facing 

special financial challenges, and perhaps provide public schools with meaningful and healthy competition. 

I understand how attractive these benefits can be. But they come at a cost. 

New Heights Educational Group Inc. 

14735 Power Damn Road, Defiance, Ohio 43512 

+1.419.786.0247 

NewHeightsEducation@yahoo.com 

46 NHEG Magazine | MARCH-APRIL 2017 

http://www.NewHeightsEducation.org

March-April NHEG Magazine

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