LIFE Fest 2009 Roster Growing!

Learning is for Everyone 's roster of vendors and community groups joining in on our 8th annual LIFE Fest Celebration of Learning is exciting and growing. LIFE Fest 2009 will be held on Saturday, September 26th at the Eckerd Conference Center and Lodge at 4200 54th Avenue South in St. Petersburg, FL from 10 a.m. – 5p.m.

Joining us so far this year:

• Great Explorations Children's Museum

• WMNF Community Radio

• Lakeshore Learning

• USF - HIPPY - Home Instruction for Parents of Preschool Youngsters

• FIRST Robotics

• Homeschool Ballroom Dance Team
  

• THINK Day Homeschool Cooperative

• Homeschoolers in Pasco

And workshops and round table discussions on:

• Home-based Learning Options in Florida
• Up Close and Personal with the Charlotte Mason Method
  
• College Planning
• Picturing America : Teaching History, Science and More through Art
• FIRST robotics for STEM education
  
• and much more!
  

The event brings together home and alternative learners from across Florida, educators, museum and library program organizers, community education groups, youth groups and clubs, parent support and networking groups, and anyone interested interested in exploring a wide variety of learning and teaching ideas, opportunities and resources.

General admission is just a $10 donation per family, $8 prepaid via Network for Good (click and pay at http://LIFEofFlorida.blogspot.com by August 21 - bring your receipt as your ticket). And, in the spirit of our Green LIFE Fest, carpool discounts of $10 a (safe and legal) carload will be available the day of the event. Lodging is available right on the premises for $65/night. Call the Eckerd College Conference Center and Lodge at (800) 456-9009 to reserve your room before August 1.

We'll have a variety of great vendors, lots of free materials, great workshops,door prizes and raffles, and a fun and educational children's area with art and animals, all adding up to a full and exciting day that will offer ample opportunities to meet other home and alternatives educators from around the state and to learn how to make the most of your home based learning adventure.

Vendor space is still available, and we’re happy to provide free exhibit space to youth groups and clubs, home school and educational support groups, community education groups like libraries, parks, nature centers, museums and associations providing free or very low cost learning opportunities. If you feel your group or service qualifies, and you’d like to join us to provide outreach and information to guests about your support and education programs, please write to us with the name of your group, the services you provide, and the costs of your program(s).

For more information on any LIFE Fest 2009 opportunities, please email info@learningis4everyone.org for full details. Also contact us if you're interested in hosting a presentation, program or workshop, or providing raffle or door prizes.

All proceeds from LIFE Fest 2009 fully support Learning is for Everyone’s community education programs, including FIRST robotics, Picturing America Endowment for the Humanities program, Tampa Bay Mentor Match, homeschool support and more.

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Learning is for Everyone is a 501c(3) not-for-profit organization supporting family choice in learning and empowering families and students with information and networking resources, on the web and off. Visit www.Learningis4everyone.org to learn more.

LIFE Fest 2009 Planners Drawing Entries & Vendor Discount Deadline Nears

May 31 is the deadline for both our Planners Drawing Entries and a $50 Vendor Discount. Read on for more details:

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The annual LIFE Fest Celebration of Learning will be held Saturday, September 26th at the EckerdConference Center and Lodge at 4200 54th Avenue South in St. Petersburg, FL from 10 a.m. – 5p.m.

This is a great location that lends itself well to a family friendly event, with Ft. Desoto camping and beaches just down the road,and St. Pete museums and other attractions nearby. After last year’s event drew over 300 guests, LIFE has reserved both Conference center buildings to better accommodate attendees, vendors, community groups, speakers and workshops.

The event brings together home and alternative learners from across Florida, educators, museum and library program organizers, community education groups, youth groups and clubs, parent support and networking groups, and anyone interested interested in exploring a wide variety of learning and teaching ideas, opportunities and resources.

Cost
As before admission is just a $10 donation per family, $8 prepaid via Network for Good (click and pay at
http://LIFEofFlorida.blogspot.com by August 21 - bring your receipt as your ticket). And, in the spirit of a Green LIFE Fest, carpool discounts of $10 a (safe and legal) carload will be available the day of the event.

Lodging
Lodging is available right on the premises for $65/night. Call the Eckerd College Conference Center and Lodge at (800) 456-9009 to reserve your room before August 1.

Content
There will be a variety of vendors, lots of free materials, great workshops,door prizes and raffles, and a fun and educational childrens area with art and animals, all adding up to a full day that will offer ample opportunities to meet other home and alternative educators from around the state and to learn how to make the most of a home based learning adventure.

Vendors
Vendor booths are $100 if reserved by May 31; $150 after that, through August 21, and will be sold on a first-come, first-served, paid-in-full basis. A sliding scale may be considered for very small, family based businesses. An additional 10% discount is provided to vendors supplying a door prize.

Planners Drawing

As before, we’re inviting our guests to help plan the party by holding a Planners Drawing in which those who send us LIFE Fest ideas by May 31 are automatically entered to win a great prize (last year it was tickets to the Edison-Ford Estates).

So send your ideas now to info@learningis4everyone.org with “LIFE Fest Ideas” in the subject line. Be sure to include your full name, address and contact info and you'll be automatically entered in a special LIFE Fest Planner award drawing at LIFE Fest 2009. You have to be present to win -- but you're helping plan so why wouldn't you be?!

LIFE Fest Bazaar
This year, the LIFE Fest Bazaar will be held in its own room. Cost is still just $20 for Bazaar space. Vendors can sell books, curricula, toys, clothes, and any other (reasonable) household goods at our LIFE Fest Bazaar. There will also have a give-away table available.

Reserve by August 21
Vendor and LIFE Fest Bazaar booths must be reserved by August 21. More information will be available at Learning is for Everyone throughout the summer.

Program Advertising

Guests at LIFE Fest will receive a printed program describing the day's agenda, workshops and round table discussions, and listing vendors. Costs to advertise in the program range from $25 to $100. Contact Learning is for Everyone for a rate sheet.

Community and Support Groups

As always, free exhibit space will be provided to youth groups and clubs, home school and educational support groups, community education groups like libraries, parks, nature centers, and museums and associations providing free or very low cost learning opportunities.

If you feel your group or service qualifies, and you’d like to be part of LIFE Fest 2009 to provide outreach and information to guests about support and education programs, please send LIFE the name of your group, the services you provide, and the costs of your program(s).

For more information on any LIFE Fest 2009 opportunities, please email info@learningis4everyone.org for full details. Also contact LIFE if you're interested in hosting a presentation, program or workshop, or providing raffle or door prizes.

Florida Virtual School Programs Safe

Just a short update -- Florida Virtual School reports that while the school suffered some cut backs like all schools in the state, no programs have been cut, nor will be in the foreseeable future.

Evidently, vigorous outspokenness by supporters helped legislators see what Florida Tax Watch Center (PDF) concluded in 2007 about FLVS (www.floridataxwatch.org/resources/pdf/110507FinalReportFLVS.pdf ):

"FLVS students outperformed their statewide counterparts on two independent assessments, both the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test and Advanced Placement examinations. They earned higher grades in parallel courses. And this was accomplished with less money than was typically spent for instruction in traditional schools." (Up to $1000 per student less!)

At any rate, we can continue enjoying FLVS as we have before -- at least until the next budget go-rounds next year!

House Bill 363 - Liability Waivers and Parental Authority

Some of you may have seen this making the rounds. But it didn't seem clear to me, just what the actual issue was when the consulting and lobby group, Home Education Foundation, sent out an “Immediate Alert Info” email about House Bill 363, so I sought some clarification.

The bill, endorsed by Walt Disney World but applicable to all family activity providers, expands the waivers and personal injury release forms that parents sign before doing things like renting theme park boats, going on certain rides, or field trips or participating in certain activities, to cover negligence on behalf of the activity provider. That means if you sign a waiver before going on a ride, for instance, and the ride breaks and your child gets hurt or worse, even though it's the provider's fault (and not yours or your child's for horsing around or using the equipment improperly), the provider is not at fault.

A competing version of the bill in the Senate (SB 886) does not cover provider negligence. The Legislature has only two weeks to resolve the issue before its 2009 session ends May 1. HEFs position is that this bill affect home educators directly because we participate in a variety of activities that require waivers. HEF believes, reasonably enough if seems, that those providing such activities shouldn’t be immune from responsibility or liabilty if a parent signs a waiver.

From the Home Education Foundation:
http://www.flhef.org

Homeschoolers have a well-rounded curricular experience which often includes field trips and extracurricular learning opportunities. In recent months, the Florida Supreme Court and the Florida Legislature have moved to better define which activities may not only put students at risk but also whether or not those providing such activities should be immune from responsibility or liability should a parent sign a waiver.

Some see this as an assault on parents' rights to make decisions regarding whether they believe an activity puts their student at "risk". Others feel this is a necessary step in order to better define, for activity providers, what guidelines should be in place to ensure a safe experience for all involved. Without this important legislation, providers may not carry insurance should negligence occur, and all costs of injury or death would be borne by the parents.

…The amendment being put forward by Rep. Llorente better defines what is currently proposed in the Florida House and will conform the House bill to the Senate bill. This issue will not be easily settled, but homeschoolers have an opportunity to weigh on this issue by asking House members to include Rep. Llorente’s amendment (# 344949) in HB 363

The bill - without the amendment - will allow the commercial activity providers cover for any negligence on their part. A parent would have to sign a waiver, which under the current version of HB 363, would waive the inherent danger as well as any negligence on the part of the activity provider.

The Llorente amendment would not allow the vendor to be immune for negligence.

The language of the Llorente amendment is:

(b) In addition to the authority granted in paragraph (a), natural guardians are authorized, on behalf of any of their minor children, to waive and release, in advance, any claim or cause of action against an activity provider and its employees for the inherent risks involved in any activity; however, any waiver or release by a natural guardian on behalf of any of his or her minor children does not grant civil immunity to any person or entity whose negligence, gross negligence, or intentional conduct causes injury to a minor child sustained in the course of an activity. As used in this section, the term “negligence” means doing something that a reasonably careful person would not do under like circumstances or failing to do something that a reasonably careful person would do under like circumstances. Waivers and releases under this subsection are disfavored and must be strictly construed against a party claiming to be relieved of liability due to such a waiver and release. Such waivers and releases are enforceable only where and to the extent that the intention to be relieved of liability was made clear and unequivocal in the waiver and release and the wording of the waiver and release was so clear and understandable that an ordinary and knowledgeable person would know what he or she would be contracting away. Nothing in this paragraph shall be construed to relieve an activity provider or its employees or agents from liability for any claim based on a violation of state or federal law.

(c) Notwithstanding the authority granted in paragraph (b), natural guardians are authorized, on behalf of any of their minor children, to sign waivers or releases in accordance with chapter 773, regarding equine, activities and s. 549.09, 33 regarding motor sport activities.

You can comment to the committee members listed at http://www.myfloridahouse.gov/Sections/Bills/billsdetail.aspx?BillId=40275&SessionId=61 or to your congressional representatives.

You can learn more this bill and see other views at these links:

Bill info : Last Event: Added to Unfinished Business Calendar on Friday, April 24, 2009
http://www.myfloridahouse.gov/SEctions/Bills/billsdetail.aspx?BillId=40275

Panel Approves Florida Child Liability Law
http://www.floridatoday.com/article/20090324/BREAKINGNEWS/90324053/1086

Florida Attractions Association
http://capwiz.com/floridaattractions/issues/alert/?alertid=13181296

Florida Arbitration Law:
http://floridaarbitrationlaw.com/blogs/index.php?blog=5&title=pre_injury_waiver_bill_hb_363_sb_886_sup&more=1&c=1&tb=1&pb=1

Parental Authority Bill Threatened by Trial Lawyers
http://www.racerxonline.com/article/parental-authority-bill-threatened-by-trial-lawyers.aspx

Dilemma: How to let kids take risks, be safe from negligence
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/business/custom/tourism/orl-bizwaivers17041709apr17,0,7999089.story

Liability Waivers: Trial Lawyers v. Theme Parks, Florida Supreme Court vs. Legislature
http://www.floridalawcommentary.com/2009/04/22/liability-waivers-trial-lawyers-v-theme-parks-florida-supreme-court-vs-legislature/

St. Petersburg Times: Don't cut back on online courses, Florida Virtual School supporters say

Read the complete story, by Jeffrey Solochek, at the St. Petersburg Times:

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A proposal to scale back Florida's successful virtual school has incurred the wrath of the powerful homeschooling community and drawn national scorn from education reform advocates.

"Virtual schooling is one of the really promising innovations that has happened in K-12 in the past 10 years, and Florida is the leading state," said Bill Tucker, managing director of the Washington D.C., nonpartisan think tank Education Sector. "That's why some of these proposals in the Legislature are really puzzling and troublesome."

The Senate wants to cut as much as 15 percent from Florida Virtual School's $116 million annual budget. Lawmakers also want to reduce the types of courses the school offers, and limit the number of alternate providers that could step in to fill the void.

Visit http://www.tampabay.com/news/education/k12/article996232.ece to read the rest and comment.

Huffington Post: Don't Stifle Florida's Education Innovation

In Don't Stifle Florida's Education Innovation, the Huffington Post adds its voice to the chorus of Florida residents trying to preserve the integrity and value of Florida Virtual School:

Florida has been a leader in education innovation over the last decade, but one bill currently under review by the state senate's Policy & Steering Committee on Ways and Means--Senate Bill 1676--threatens to wipe much of that out with one misguided and foolhardy swipe.

In its present form, the bill restricts the Florida Virtual School (FLVS)--one of the bigger policy and public education innovation success stories--in such ways that, as its president, Julie Young, said, "[it] would drastically impact our long-standing commitment to support the educational needs of all students of this state."

This would be tragic, as FLVS possesses many of the hallmarks of an innovation that has the opportunity to help transform public education from its present monolithic, one-size-fits-all form into a far more student-centric experience. ...

Complete story at:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/clayton-m-christensen-and-michael-b-horn/dont-stifle-floridas-educ_b_187325.html

LIFE of Florida Pleased to Offer Member Access to Microsoft DreamSpark tools for High School students

A couple of weeks ago, Microsoft Corp. announced the expansion of its successful Microsoft DreamSpark student program to include high school students worldwide. DreamSpark, originally available only to university students, makes professional-level developer and designer tools as
well as training available to students at no charge to support and advance their learning and skills through technical design, technology, math, science and engineering activities.

Learning is for Everyone has been approved to participate in this program, and we're happy to offer 200 access keys for LIFE families' high school students. The access key enables students to download professional Microsoft developer, designer, and gaming software through DreamSpark at no charge, to help students" unlock your creative potential and set you on the path to academic and career success by advancing your learning in the areas of technical design, technology, math, science, and engineering! It doesn't matter what classes you're taking right now, just as long as you're a current student in a verified, accredited School and use the tools in pursuit of
advancing your education in one of these areas."

Now LIFE of Florida homeschooled high school students can download the following Microsoft tools from DreamSpark:

* Microsoft SQL Server 2008 Developer Edition
* Microsoft Visual Studio 2005 Professional Edition
* Microsoft Visual Studio 2008 Professional Edition
* Microsoft Expression Studio 1.0
* Microsoft Expression Studio 2 Trial Edition (includes Web, Blend, Media,
and Design)
* Microsoft Windows Server 2003 R2 Standard Edition
* Microsoft Windows Server 2008 Standard Edition
* IT Academy Student Pass
* MS CCR & DSS Toolkit

In addition, in the spirit of cool things to download and "one-stop shopping", you can also download software (currently available on www.microsoft.com at no charge) like:

* SQL Server 2008 Express Edition
* Visual Studio 2008 Express Edition
* XNA Game Studio 2.0 (with 12-month Creators Club Student trial membership)
* Virtual PC 2007
* Visual Basic 2005 Express
* Visual C++ 2005 Express
* Visual C# 2005 Express
* Visual Web Developer 2008 Express
* Visual Basic 2008 Express
* Visual C++2008 Express
* Visual C# 2008 Express
* MS Robotics Developer Studio

LIFE is pleased to offer this great resource to homeschooled high school students in FL.

(You must be a member of LIFE of Florida to enjoy this opportunity, or a member of a Microsoft verified public or private high school.)