The same issue of the Newsletter carried a description of SVS's first conference by Hanna Greenberg. Hanna recounts the planning and preparation for the conference at the school which she said is the only democratic school more than 10 years old. Reactions of several participants were included in the article. Sudbury is located at 2 Winch St., Framingham, MA 01710.

Claudia Berman has written a book entitled The School Around Us: 25 Years. The book gives the history of the small parent-run school, a description of its principles, educational philosophies, practices and concerns. For more information contact the School Around Us Press; Kennebunkport, ME 04046.

Frances Moore Lappe and Paul Martin Du Bois, husband and wife directors of the Center for Living Democracy, have released a new book, The Quickening of America: Rebuilding Our Nation, Remaking Our Lives. This book reveals that an "invisible revolution" is taking place all across America -- in education, human services, workplaces, housing and community development, and even in relation to the media and government. Americans are discovering how to link their own personal growth to solving public problems. Without preaching or theorizing, the book puts forth real lessons from real Americans telling what they are learning as they become active in finding solutions to some of today's problems. The Center provides information and training in effective citizen participation.They also have a newsletter, Doing Democracy, just introduced this summer/fall 1994. RR #1, Black Fox Road; Brattleboro, VT 05301. Phone: (802) 254-1234.

Canadian education and sexual regulation is explored in Sex in Schools, edited by Susan Prentice. The book is an anthology offering insight into the links between sexual regulation and other forms of social organization; especially gender, sexual orientation, age, class and race. Published by Our Schools/Our Selves Education Foundation; 107 Earl Grey Road; Toronto, Ontario M4J 3L6.

Jerry sent out free copies of AERO-GRAMME to 50 people on Prodigy, asking them for their suggestions and recommendations. John Gavlik has replied by subscribing and complimenting us on a job well done. Thank you, John, and we appreciate your input!

Marina A. Carlton wrote to us telling us she is involved in reworking a court detention school to make it more responsive to the population served. The school is now operating like all other schools, "being 'alternative' only in the fact that the students are housed on campus and attendance is not a problem." She is looking for information and proven methods on making school more productive and for alternative education conference information. She is a supporter of alternative education and would like support from others in the field. 4806 Euclid Ave #7; Cleveland, OH 44103. Phone: (216) 361-2468.

An article entitled "Montessori in the Home" by Tim Seldin appeared in the October, 1994, issue of Tomorrow's Child. In the article, Tim, who is President of The Montessori Foundation, outlines ways in which parents can help their children create an orderly environment in the home which will support what they are experiencing in their Montessori classrooms. 17808 October Court; Rockville, MD 20855.

The quarterly board meeting of the School of Living was held October 28th at Common Ground Community, in Lexington, VA. Jerry Mintz attended, and also visited Snakefoot Homeschool Resource Center, Blue Mountain School, in Floyd, Community School, in Roanoke, and visited the Gralla and Moates homeschool families. AERO is a part of the School of Living.

PHOTO
School of Living board members and visitors at Common Ground
PHOTO
Snakefoot Homeschool Resource Center

CONFERENCE CALENDAR

(let us know if you like this new feature)

Jan. 12-15, San Diego, CA, Conference on Accelerative Learning and Teaching: The Future of Learning, Learning Forum Foundation, 1725 South Hill St, Oceanside, CA 92054, 619 722-0348

Jan 17, Sateline Town Meeting, School to Work: Preparing Students for High-Skill, High-Wage Jobs, US Dept. of Ed., 800 USA LEARN

Feb 1-5, Cocoa Beach, FL, The National Aerospace/Environmental Studies, Institute, sponsored by Magnets Schools of America, 800 226-6587, 800 462-5526

March 16-18, San Diego, LeARN 1995, Realizing the Vision: Quality, Caring, and Choice, 310 940-1812, or 714 547-2344

April 12-15, Association of Childhood Education, 11501 Georgia Ave, Wheaton, MD 20902, 301-942-2443

April 17-23, Colorado, National Coalition of Alternative Community Schools, PO Box 15036, Santa Fe, NM 87506, (505) 474-4312

April 27-30, Winipeg, Manitoba, Embraciing Education, A Progressive Education Conference, Grove St Teachers Center, 1-116 Grove St, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada R2W 3K8, (204) 934-5200

April 28-May 3, Holland-Russia, Eureka Avant Garde, Contact AERO

May 2-5, San Jose, CA, International Conference on Magnet Schools, Bridges to the 21st Century, 2111 Holly Hall, Suite 704, Houston, TX 77054, 800 462-5526

June 28-July 2, Bloomington, Indiana, International Alternative Education Conference, Tom Gregory, 3206 School of Education, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN 47405 (812) 856-8144

August 3-6, National Coalition of Educational Activists, MIT, Cambridge, MA, NCEA , PO Box 679; Rhinebeck, NY 12572.

TEACHERS, JOBS, INTERNSHIPS

Reader Rick Miller called to tell us that the Marietta Johnson School of Organic Education is looking for a teacher. The school is the oldest continuously operating alternative school that we know of, having been founded in 1907. Write to the school at 8 Marietta Dr, PO Box 1555, Fairhope, AL 36532 or call Lily Sol at 205 990-9112.

We received a letter and resume from Eugenie Hwang, who will graduate from Miami University in May, 1995. She is seeking a position teaching History and/or Women's Studies. She would like to experience teaching all level and different types of students. Contact her at 2671 Country Meadows; Shelby, OH 44875. (419) 342-3093.

The Highland School is looking for a full or part-time teacher to begin after January 2, 1995. A college degree is required, but certificatiion is not. They are also looking for a teaching intern or student teachers for spring and fall semesters. Highland is a small, democratically governed school in rural West Virginia. Applicants with preschool children can bring them to school. The position includes housing in a two bedroom trailer on the school grounds. Contact Charlotte Landvoigt at 304 869-3250 or 3253, or nights at 3252 or 3253.

Joan E. McLachlan of the City-as-School program requests information on interim programs, internships, or volunteer positions with living stipends for students who may not want to go directly from high school to college or full time, permanent work. As she points out, many of the School's students want to do something productive, but they aren't quite ready for a full-time training program. Also, the concern is that if they get a job that pays too well they may not want to stop and continue with their education! Any program suggestions or opportunities would be welcomed. Contact her at City-As-School; 16 Clarkson St.; New York, NY 10014. Phone: (121) 691-7801; Fax: (212) 675-2858.

A former California public school teacher of life sciences and math, Rena Nayyar, is looking for a position teaching in an alternative private school. She also requests information on networking in educational alternatives, listings, or newsletters. Please contact her at 271 Seely Ave.; Aromas, CA 95004.

Sarah K. Leonard, a graduate student in the Counseling Department of Virginia Tech University is interested in an internship in counseling or education during the summer, 1995. She prefers the Denver, Colorado, area. Call or write her at 102 E. Roanoke St., Apt. #3A; Blacksburg, VA 24060. Phone: (703) 951-7803.

The Colegio Bilingue "Jorge Emilio Gutierrez" needs three teachers for their next academic year which is from February 1, 1995 to November 30, 1995, with a one month vacation from June 15 to July 15. The areas needing teachers are English as a second language, Arts, theater, music and ecology. The school will provide: room and board plus a monthly salary; round-trip air fare from Miami; and Visa paper work. A Bachelor's degree in Education is required; Spanish is helpful. For further information: Alejandro Acero, Director; Apdo Aereo 101634 (Unicentro); Avenida 15 #124-49 Of 303; Bogota D.C.; Colombia, SA. Phone: 57-1-2150051; Fax: 57-1-6123560.

Robert Lopata would like information on any teaching or office internships available. Contact him at PO Box 5234; West Lebanon, NH 03784.

We would like to thank Heather Lawton for her kind note wishing Jerry well after his heart procedures. She has completed her Elementary Teaching Credential work and substituted in public schools for a while. She is a graduate of Shaker Mountain School. Now she is doing after-school childcare work at the local YMCA. Perhaps someone could help her find a position in teaching in an alternative school. If so, write her at 214 Bellevue Ave.; Santa Rosa, CA 95407.

INTERNATIONAL NEWS AND COMMUNICATIONS

ENGLAND

Barbara Leeds, who had told us she was writing her thesis on Nellie Dick, ordered several Modern School videos and mentioned that she talked to Nellie on the phone. "To say it made my week is an understatement--what a remarkable lady she is." She also enclosed a series of questions about the Modern School, which we would be glad to send on to any Modern school reader who wished to answer them.

David Gribble wrote to inform us that the Hadera group is arranging another conference in Vienna to take place sometime next spring. He promised to let us know as soon as he gets any further details on the event.

BOLIVIA

A new preschool and kindergarten has been started by Martha and Nur Ritter in their home in Bolivia. Having only had experience with the American School in their area, and since Bolivia has just adopted educational reform, they are now trying to determine what kind of official permission they may need. Anyone who may be able to provide information to the Ritters can reach them at: Casilla 5170; Cochabamba, Bolivia. Phone: 011-591-42-32682; Fax: 011-591-42-32716.

GERMANY

In May, 1994, the European Forum for Freedom in Education (EFFE) held a workshop on "Teacher Training in European Co-operation." It was decided then to stage a series of symposia on innovative teacher training. As a result, the first "International Symposium on Innovative Teacher Training in European Co-operation" was held this past November, 1994, at the University of Witten/Herdecke. EFFE can be contacted at Annener Berg 15; D-58454 Witten-Germany. Phone: 49-2302-699 422; Fax: 49-2302-699 443.

A letter from Nicole Haensell of Nurnberg, Germany, asked "Why doesn't anybody ever write about the Freinet movement?" She reports that it is very popular in France and Germany as an alternative method for teachers in state schools. Celestine Freinet developed it as a result of trying to change mainstream education from within. Teachers meet to exchange ideas, support, and develop Frienet material.

JAPAN

A British expatriate living in Japan, Marc Sheffner is looking for ways to educate his 3 children at home using British materials, either homeschooling or distance learning. He wants them to grow up bilingual and fit into the British educational system in case they return there. A university teacher, Marc has access to computers and is interested in the use of computers as a resource for children's self-study. If you can provide him with contacts in Britain or with information, write to him at Haginodai 5-1-2-105; Ikoma-shi; Nara-ken 630-02; Japan 07437 6 8624.

RUSSIA

Alexander Tubelsky, Principal of the School of Self-Determination, a public alternative school in Moscow, will be visiting the United States from January 13 to January 28th. He, his wife, and another teacher from the school will first be visiting us in New York until the 17th. We will be visiting several alternatives in the area. They will then visit Sudbury Valley School in Framingham, MA, and other alternatives in the area. In Boston they will be hosted by Alla Denisenko and family. Alla is a former teacher at Tubelsky's school. Anyone interested in connecting with Tubelsky should contact the AERO office.

UKRAINE

We received a wonderful package of photographs, letters, hand made bells and traditional Ukranian clothing from the Stork Family School in thanks for the help we provided to their school, through the Edwards Foundation. Stork is a parents cooperative, almost like a big homeschool, and is very special In a note from students Ann Botvinnik and Nina Stepanenko they reported school news and sent their love. Sergei Stapanenko, who just graduated from Stork said he is now studying "at the Technical University of Vinnitsa in the department of automatic systems." He said that he attended the Second Alternative School Festival in Sochi with the delegation from Stork. "Artiom and I organized the ping pong tournament that was called 'Festival table tennis Championship named after Jerry Mintz'...It's a pity that you couldn't come there. The days in Sochi were wonderful. Maybe you'll have a possibility to visit Vinnitsa. Our country is in a total crisis, but life doesn't stop and the sun shines like always. So we're waiting for you in our city and in our school." Stork teacher Oleg Belen wrote to thank us and the Edwards Foundation. He mentioned that "many of our kids had read Jenifer's book (My Life as a Traveling Homeschooler) and they liked it very much. So when they saw pictures of her in AERO-GRAMME it was as if they got a message from an old friend." A note accompanying the ceremonial bells said that "We want them to remind you of us and our school and of our love and best wishes. We say that if you would be lonely or in trouble, ring one of those bells and we'll surely hear it and do all we can to help or to cheer you. Take them as parts of our souls." To communicate with or support them, write to Oleg Belen, Stark Family School, Ul. Stakhurskogo 62 Kv. 40, Vinnitsa, Ukraine.

PHOTO
"The last bell rings," graduation ceremony at Stork
PHOTO
Story Family School members just off the bus at Sochi

PUBLIC ALTERNATIVES

The October 12, 1994, issue of The New York Times included an article entitled "Some Educators See Experimental Hybrids As Country's Best Hope for Public Schools." In it, author Peter Applebome reports on charter schools which operate independently of the local public schools but which are largely supported by state funds. The first charter law was passed in Minnesota in 1991; 11 states now have such laws; to date 96 charter schools have opened in the US. The charter movement has already started to have an impact on education, especially in Colorado, the 3rd state to pass a charter law and now has 3,500 students enrolled in them. The movement has also, according to proponents, caused several public school districts to create their own alternative schools in order to compete with these new schools.

Oasis High School sent us a copy of their magazine, The Third Eye, in which students published their own short stories and poems during their Reading/Writing Workshop project. Oasis is a public alternative high school in Michigan. The address is 310 West Michigan; Mt. Pleasant, MI 48858. Phone: (517) 773-1383.

Marshall Fritz, Director of the Separation of School and State Alliance, has undertaken a campaign to inform Americans how education can be improved by the full separation of school and state. For information, contact Mr. Fritz at: 4578 N. Fresno, CA 93726. Phone: (209) 292-1776; Fax: (209) 292-7582.

HOME EDUCATION NEWS

We have a new publication exchange with Self-Schoolers Network News, which is edited by 14 year old Zoe Blowden-Ledoux (RFD #1 Box 452, Lisbon Falls, ME 04252, (207) 353-5454). It contains stories of positive homeschooling experiences, learning activities, problems solving suggestions and encouragement for all teenagers to make the most of their education by assuming responsibility for learning what they want to know. In a note to us she said she had just come back from a week interning with Susannah Sheffer at Growing Without Schooling. She was impressed with 15 year old Shiloh Moates' plans to go to Africa to help teach organic farming, as noted in AERO-GRAMME #13. Shiloh just e mailed us that he will leave on December 30 for 5 months in Africa. On his return, Radford University has invited him to become part of their New College of Global Studies. He would start next school year.

The Summer, 1994 issue of Lib ED has an article written by Bonnie, a 12-year old homeschooler in rural England. In the article entitled "Education at home - Left or Right?" she relates her experiences with another homeschooling family. Bonnie describes her difficulties in dealing with the attitudes, biases, and unfair treatment displayed by this family of five children and their parents. Write to Lib ED, Phoenix House; 170 Wells Rd; Bristol, BS4 2AG.

Family Learning Exchange, in their Sept./Oct., 1994 issue, announced a "New Service to Provide Homeschooling Information." The Homeschooling Information Clearinghouse (HIC) has been formed to provide advice, suggestions, information, and references to state, regional, local homeschooling groups as well as to reporters and the general public. The aim is to assure that homeschooling is depicted fairly and understood correctly by Americans. HIC's address is PO Box 293023; Sacramento, CA 95829-3023. Family Learning Exchange is located at PO Box 300; Benton City, WA 99320.

Puget Sound Community School has opened the world of the Internet to their students via their home computers. As Andy Smallman points out in his article, "Take Note:" "Education has entered a new era....And more than ever, the importance of a supportive educational environment can not be understated." The article appeared in the November, 1994, newsletter. Puget Sound Community School is located at 1715 112th Ave NE; Bellevue, WA 98004. (206) 455-7617.

Since last writing to us seeking gifted programs in Pennsylvania, Yves Haury informed us that he has become a member of PAGE and is presently homeschooling his son, a 5th grader. In the course of doing research on enforced classroom education, he shared with us his observation that when it comes to educating children, "guidance is the keynote....with the daily needs that social living demands, there is a steady growth of self-confidence and independence." Good luck to Yves and son on your homeschooling endeavor.

Kristin Cleage Williams, publisher of Umoja*Unidad*Unity, has announced that she will no longer be putting out the Newsletter for Homeschoolers of Color. She suggests The Drinking Gourd; PO Box 2557; Redmond, WA 98073, for people looking for another newsletter dealing with multicultural issues. Kristin can be reached at 5621 S. Lakeshore Dr.; Idlewild, MI 49642.

Pat Montgomery of Clonlara School told us in a recent E-mail note that she just returned in October from a trip to Japan where people are eager to learn about alternative and home schools. She met with some students who are enrolled in Clonara School Home Based Education Program, their parents, and the students of Tokyo Shure School. (Happy Birthday, Pat!)

The Pennsylvania York Sunday News, dated September 25, 1994, ran several articles by Heidi Russell about homeschooling. (Thank you to Grace Lefever for sending them to us.) One of the articles noted that since a new homeschooling law was signed in 1988, the number of homeschoolers increased nearly 300% in PA. It also cited a study which indicates that homeschooled students score at or above the 80th percentile on standardized tests, compared to the national average in conventional schools of 50 percent.

The October, 1994, issue of Mentor included an article by Anne Jones called "Homeschooling and Religion." Anne examines the widely-held perception of homeschoolers as embracing two distinct "types": the religious and the secular. The homeschooling community is further divided into: conservative, liberal, traditional schooling and unschooling. She concludes that regardless of differences, homeschoolers need to focus on what they hold in common as a basis for communication, working with each other, and maintaining status in the larger community. Mentor is published by Home Education League of Parents (HELP); Suite 131; 3208 Cahuenga Blvd.-West; Los Angeles, CA 90068. 800-582-9061.

"Teaching Montessori in the Home" appeared in Public School Montessorian (Fall, 1994.) Elizabeth Hainstock re-examines her position on adapting Montessori methods to the homeschooling environment using an eclectic approach. Her three books have been widely read for almost 30 years. Today, although having always been somewhat of a "rebel" regarding mixing Montessori methods with those from other sources, she says she has no regrets and that if she were to start over again now, she would be "even further away from the purist approach." The PS Montessorian can be reached at Jola Publications; 2933 N. 2nd St.; Minneapolis, MN 55411.

Beau & Jonni McCoy are homeschooling their 7-year old son. They have published a book called Miserly Moms -- Living On One Income In a Two Income Economy. For more information or a copy of the book, contact them at 2325 Granite Lane; San Jose, CA 95133.

Jewish Home Educator's Network (JHEN) is a new project of the Family Learning Exchange. It provides support, resources, and information through a bi-monthly newsletter and brings together homeschooling families from around the world to share experiences and ideas. All are welcome to participate. Contact JHEN at PO Box 300; Benton City, WA 99320 or call Janie Levine at (509) 588-5013.

We received a letter from Kathi Lomuscio who has been homeschooling her two sons for the past four years. She believes that learning is a very natural and enjoyable part of life. She would love to hear from others about their thoughts on the subject of learning and teaching. Write to her at 5657 Bay Island Cay; Acworth, GA 30101.

Ideas or leads on finding a group or individual to exchange software/hardware for a computer is needed by Tom Tsotsos for his children's homeschooling studies. He wonders if there is any source for such exchanges. Any ideas? Let him know! 13444 Old Orchard Lane; Lockport, IL 60441.

The results of a survey in which 2,244 families participated were published in Christian Home Education News, Volume III. They reveal that almost 43% of all homeschoolers are either in their first year or not yet started. Other statistics concerned legal covering, grades taught at home, materials used, and number of children in the homeschooling families. The newsletter, which is free, is published by Real Productions Inc.; 12847 66th St N; Largo, FL 34643.