Homeschool Parent Encouragement Conference 2023

Join us for a day of Encouragement and Exchange of Ideas!

March 18th, 10am to 4pm at Monument Bible Church, 4124 Ave I, Scottsbluff, NE 69361

We will begin at 10am with a welcome time and some door prizes, and then jump right in to Curriculum Show and Tell!

  • Bring your favorite curriculum to share. We will have a casual time of sharing and then time to browse the books!

Lunch Break: For lunch we will have a sign up for items for a great Charcuterie Spread. Sign up HERE. There will be a freewill offering to help cover other costs.

After lunch we will enjoy our keynote speaker, Misti Lacy sharing about “Pie on the Floor Days :Staying the Course When Life Throws You a Twisteroo!”

We have all had pie-on-the-floor days, haven’t we? They happen, but the reward comes from staying the course. In this encouraging and humorous keynote, Misti Lacy, a veteran homeschool mom and leader, shares highlights from 20+ years of living and working in the homeschool world. You will laugh and sigh, and more importantly leave with the realization that God can and will equip you to run the (homeschool) race He has set before you. “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses,  . . . let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. ” Hebrews 12:1

Misti grew up on a wheat farm and cattle ranch in Morrill County and graduated from Bridgeport High School. Knowing from an early age she wanted to teach, Misti earned a Bachelor of Arts in Education from Tabor College in Hillsboro, Kansas. Putting her teaching degree to good use, she has taught in public, private, and international schools while moving around the world for her husband’s work. While living in Arizona and homeschooling her two children, Misti founded and directed a large, hybrid school and homeschool organization where she taught writing, literature, and history. Most recently, she worked in the publishing industry with a homeschool curriculum company where she encouraged thousands of families in their homeschool journeys. In 2022, Misti completed her master’s degree in English with an Emphasis in Education from Grand Canyon University. Nowadays, she is an adjunct professor at Summit Christian College and directs the youth program at the Church of Christ in Bridgeport.

Breakout Sessions: guest speakers and mentor homeschool moms. More to come, but so far we will offer:

  • “Been There, Done That, What I learned” by Sheri Logan

Sheri will be sharing from her many years as a homeschool mom. She will encourage us with her experiences having graduated all but one of her students already. Sheri will share who you are effective even when you think you are failing. Don’t miss her time of wisdom and encouragement.

  • Teaching “Writing” without Writing (Parents of K-4th Grade) by Misti Lacy

It is never too early to start a writing adventure with your children! Misti details how to teach writing to kindergarten through fourth-grade students in this interactive and informative workshop. Picture books, games, and crafts make writing fun! If children aren’t reading, that’s okay! If they struggle with the physical act of handwriting, that’s okay too! They can still create storylines! Come and put your fears to bed, and leave this workshop with the confidence to teach your little ones to love writing.

  • How to Teach Writing to Tech-Savvy Tweens and Teens ( Parents of 4th-8th Grade) by Misti Lacy

Do you fear incorporating digital tools into writing lessons because screen time seems endless? Do you push your students away from technology? Misti helps you find the screen-time balance by using technology to its best advantage, and she gives you the tools to impart a LOVE of writing to your children. Learn tips and tricks to keep writing objective, purposeful, and relevant. In this interactive workshop, Misti shares exciting ideas for writing across the curriculum and gives you sample—and simple—activities that help those fidgety and computer-savvy kids stay engaged. When the door-slamming seems endless, let writing become the calm in the middle of these (fractious? hormonal? challenging?) years. Breathe! You can do it!

  • Homeschooling 101 by Laura Leggott

Join us as we discover those first steps in homeschooling, from getting your paperwork in with the state, to choosing a curriculum that’s right for you. We will discuss in a casual atmosphere all those first steps: like re-framing your view of school, utilizing the resources here in Scottsbluff like the homeschool curriculum library, discovering your and your kids’ learning styles, and answering your questions.

  • Online Planning Software and Transcripts for High School by Laura Leggott

Laura will demo Homeschool Planet as well as talk about some of her other planning methods (sticker charts). Feel free to come and share about the planning method you use, or learn something new. We will also spend some time on how to plan for high school credits and how to record them on a transcript.

  • The Crossroads of Homeschooling with Larissa Daugherty

Transitioning from public school to homeschool, from home to public, from little to big, and out the door!

Contact Laura Leggott to help or ask questions. Please SIGN UP if you think you will be coming so we can keep you in the loop on details as them come along. You can sign up through the calender event, on Facebook, or by texting Laura at 641-1226. 

  • Children welcome with RSVP, program provided by Kelly and Jennifer!

Greetings! I’m sure everyone is looking forward to the Valley Home School Association Encouragement Conference coming up on March 18th! We are pleased to include a children’s program at this event, hosted by Kelly B and Jennifer I. Here are the details for which you have been waiting!

Children’s Prorgram 10am-4pm, for ages 10 and under. (Siblings 11 and up are welcome to help!.)

      • We are going to do a VBS style day with bible lessons, crafts and games. No charge. A donation jar will be available to cover the costs of crafts.
      • Please pack a sack lunch AND a snack for your child, and mark their name on it. (If you have multiple children attending/helping- please feel free to pack their lunch and snacks together.)
      • The morning session will be the Days of Creation, led by Jennifer I, the afternoon session will be the Story of the Flood and Noah’s Ark, led by Kelly B.
      • Please RSVP as soon as possible to help with planning, or at the latest by March 16th.

RSVP to valleyhsa@gmail.com, Thank you! (Please include the names and ages of your children. The nursery will be available for littles under 1-2yrs).