When listening to music, several pictures may come to mind depending upon the tune, the instruments used in the music and the personal experiences of the listener. The interpretation of a piece of music is not the same from one person to another. Through the annual The Color of Music art contest, students are able to express themselves using artwork as their voice to share their interpretation of a piece of music.

The Color of Music is presented by the Jackson Symphony League for students in kindergarten through the eighth grade. It is in its twenty-second year with the goals of:

• Providing an opportunity for listening to and visually interpreting classical music.
• Increasing awareness of The Jackson Symphony and familiarize students with repertoires presented by The Jackson Symphony.
• Encouraging a lifelong appreciation of symphonic music by young people.

Each year, students across West Tennessee have shared their artistic talent and creativity producing beautiful artwork that has brought to life the number of music selections chosen over the years for the contest. The music selections for this year are “Carmen-Habanera”, by George Bizet and “La Traviata – Brindisi” by Giuseppe Verdi. Students are to listen to the music and choose one piece to interpret through art.

One of the nice things about this competition is you do not have to be an artist to participate. The student is challenged to share his interpretation, which alone is art.

There are a number of categories for which students will be recognized with prizes including cash, T-shirts, art supplies and symphony tickets. Student winners will be presented at an awards ceremony that will be held on Saturday, April 13, 2019 at the Carl Perkins Civic Center. Finalist entries will be on display at the center in the lobby. The winning pieces of The Jackson Symphony League Bravo Award; the Conductor Awards; Blue Ribbon and Honorable Mention Awards will be displayed at another TBD location in Jackson. All prize-winning artwork will also be available online for viewing.

If your homeschool student would like to participate, please contact Jennifer Smeltser to receive the contest packet. All art submissions must be submitted to Jennifer Smeltser by Friday, January 25, 2019. Read the rules, so you may learn how your student may participate. The contest is open to students in Madison County and its surrounding counties (i.e.: Carroll, Chester, Crockett, Gibson, Hardeman, Haywood, Madison, McNairy and Weakley) only.

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©2018 Homeschool Roster. Article by Jennifer Smeltser. All rights reserved. All text, photographs, artwork and other content may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form without the written consent of the publisher http://www.homeschoolroster.com/.

There is something to be said about a new beginning. It is a new beginning! It is a chance to start from the beginning and do it better than you did it before. Of course there will be failures, but there will also be successes. That is pretty much how your homeschool year is going to happen. So realize it, stay encouraged even when you feel like you are drowning and push through. August 1 is a new beginning with many exciting opportunities happening for homeschoolers.

Homeschool Roster
I have been planning all summer long filling the Homeschool Roster calendar with educational and fun field trips. Today is our first official day of the season and our first event is tomorrow for the annual Back-to-Homeschool Splash. After that, we continue the season with some new and some family favorite field trips that I hope all of you enjoy. Homeschool Roster is a free online resource for homeschool families. Although our focus is West Tennessee, we also share homeschool news and events that are of interest to all homeschoolers.

Public School Sports
If your child plans to play sports at your local public school, the letter of intent to homeschool is due today. Be sure to hand deliver it to the school board office. The next step is to ensure you notify the school principal and coach of the team for which your child would like to play. A try out does not guarantee your child will be accepted onto the team, but they do have the right to try out, even as a homeschooler. If you are with an umbrella school, you may also maintain that coverage.

TN Promise
The Tennessee Promise application opens today. What is that you ask? Well, if you have a graduating high school senior, they may apply for the Tennessee Promise scholarship, which provides seniors two years of free tuition at Tennessee community colleges and technical colleges. Over the two years, students may earn an associate’s degree and, if desired, continue to a four-year institution to further their education. If your senior is graduating this school year, be sure they apply for the TN Promise. Even if they have already decided they will not attend a TN Promise technical school or college, they may change their minds. Believe me, it happens too often and the scholarship opportunity is no longer available to them. With the TN Promise, you do not have to use it, but once the deadline has passed to apply, there is no second chance. Students have only one opportunity to apply for this scholarship, which is during their graduating senior year. The application closes on Thursday, November 1, and they ain’t playin’!

FAFSA
Does your child need money for college? Check out FAFSA! The FAFSA application is now open. If you have a child who will be entering college next fall or one who will be returning, be sure to get that FAFSA application completed. The financial aid is granted on a first-come, first-serve basis, so get started on completing those applications and do not wait until the last minute.

Back-to-Homeschool and Registration
For many homeschool families, today is the first day of school. Also, if you have not already registered to homeschool with your local school board or an umbrella school, submit that application. If going the school board route, you must register with your local school board by the first day of school in your area. If going the umbrella school route, you may register after August 1, but fees usually increase on or after that date.

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©2018 Homeschool Roster. Article by Jennifer Smeltser. All rights reserved. All text, photographs, artwork and other content may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form without the written consent of the publisher http://www.homeschoolroster.com/.

I am not certain how it happened, but I am going to have my first high school student this fall. Cue the deer in the headlights look . . . tears . . . a sigh . . . and then the excitement! Although the high school years bring me closer to one of my children leaving home and no longer being a part of my every day, it is a time full of new experiences and many firsts for him that will set the foundation for the rest of his life. If you are not already where I am, one day, you will be here. If you have already crossed this path, you understand. It is a bittersweet moment, especially since we have homeschooled from the beginning. I have had the opportunity to be my son’s primary teacher over the last nine years and watch him learn and grow into a wonderful young man. Both of us are ready for the next step on our journey as we homeschool through high school.

I created Homeschool Roster with the hope to provide an online listing of educational and fun activities and events for West Tennessee homeschoolers. As transplants to the area, we did not have the connections or familiarity with our new surroundings when we moved here. There are so many opportunities in West Tennessee and we often found out about them after they happened. We were missing out on some wonderful experiences. Through Homeschool Roster, I have been able to stay informed and not miss out on anything. Homeschool Roster has also become a great resource for other homeschool families. I want to enter and continue through the high school years just as informed and realize there are other parents out there like me. I also know there are many of you who have knowledge to share. That is why I created High School Happenings 4 Homeschoolers.

High School Happenings 4 Homeschoolers is an online group and resource created for parents of high school homeschool students. The high school years open many new opportunities for your child. There are special programs, internships, workshops, camps, proms, scholarships, get-togethers, sports, dual enrollment, athletics and more. High School Happenings 4 Homeschoolers is the place where I will share the opportunities I learn about and hope you will do the same in the group. High school is about the academics, but it is not all about the academics. As your child is working their way through high school preparing for college or life after graduation, make sure they do not miss out on opportunities along the way that are just for them.

The base for High School Happenings 4 Homeschoolers is Tennessee and those events will be shared in the closed group. Opportunities outside of the state may also be shared in the closed group and I will share some I find on the public page. So, come on over and join me at High School Happenings 4 Homeschoolers, so your high school child does not miss out!

Like High School Happenings 4 Homeschoolers (public page).

Join High School Happenings 4 Homeschoolers (closed group).

Don’t miss a thing! Subscribe to the Homeschool Roster blog and get our articles in your inbox!

©2017 Homeschool Roster. Article by Jennifer Smeltser. All rights reserved. All text, photographs, artwork and other content may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form without the written consent of the publisher http://www.homeschoolroster.com/.