INSTRUCTIONS FOR SUBMITTING INFORMATION FOR THE H.E.R.O. E-MAIL UPDATES

The HERO updates are a place where private homeschooling families can share information with one another.

All submissions are subject to review, editing, or rejection at the Moderator's discretion.

Please follow these steps when submitting information to be included in the H.E.R.O. e-mail updates:

1. Submissions should be sent via e-mail to nancy@happilyeducatingourown.org

2. The subject line of your e-mail should say HERO Submission

3. Include your first and last name in the body of your e-mail

4. Include contact information in the body of your e-mail (phone, e-mail)

5. Include your location when applicable (especially helpful for want ads, requests for recommendations, etc.)

6. Be BRIEF - Keep submissions as brief and easy-to-read as possible (see submission format sample)

7. Include vital details (date, time, location, contact information, cost, deadline, etc.)

8. We do not include attachments.

ANNOUNCEMENTS - Click here to see Announcement sample format

ADVERTISEMENTS - Click here to see Advertisement submission instructions and a sample format

ONE-TIME RUN POLICY

As a general rule, we only send out information one time.  This means we do not re-run the same submission multiple times.  We will run a subsequent post if there is a change, additional information to be shared about that particular event or submission, or one reminder notice for an event.  

Since the H.E.R.O. e-mail updates contain so much information, we do not wish to overwhelm anyone or bog them down by having to wade through a lot of repeat information to get to the new posts.  Also, we believe the families on our list are responsible, organized people capable of responding to a post they are interested in without having to be reminded several times.

ANNONCEMENTS REGARDING CLASSES

We prefer announcements about classes that are supplementary in nature.   We will allow announcements about classes in core subjects for upper level students provided they are being offered within the homeschool community as a means of support and not to replace the parent as the primary teacher.

Although we do not encourage the outsourcing of a child's home education experience, we understand the value of helping one another so we are able to continue through the high school years successfully at home.  We encourage parents to be judicious when choosing co-ops or classes for their children. The parent should remain the primary teacher as stated in Arizona Revised Statutes 15-802.

Homeschooling parents have different strengths and skills sets. It is good to share our skills and areas of expertise with one another and to encourage one another along the way.  Through HERO we will promote enrichment opportunities, classes, and co-ops that are being led, taught, and organized by homeschooling parents.

• Supplementary, enrichment classes in non-core subjects are welcomed.
• Classes in core subjects offered to upper level homeschooled students from within the homeschool community are permitted.
• No classes affiliated with public or private schools will be published.
• Submissions are subject to review.

Click here to read "A few thoughts on supplementary classes" by James & Nancy Manos

PROGRAMS FOR HOMESCHOOLERS THROUGH PUBLIC & PRIVATE SCHOOLS

We do not promote programs for homeschoolers run through the public school system (i.e. Eagleridge, Casa Vida) or through private schools. Nor do we promote programs that appear to be homeschooling but are, in fact, public school programs done at home (such as AZ Virtual Academy, Connections Academy, etc.).

POSTING INFORMATION ON THE WEB SITE

If you have information for an ongoing event, class or resource, or if you have an announcement about an event happening at least 2-3 weeks in the future, that information can be added to the web site upon request (and upon review by the Moderator).  Due to the effort involved in posting information to the web site, we will not post information about events that are happening quickly.  If you wish to have your H.E.R.O. submission added to the web site in addition to running in a H.E.R.O. e-mail newsletter, please let us know this in your e-mail.  

ADVERTISEMENTS

There is a separate section in each H.E.R.O. newsletter for advertisements. This section is for private homeschooling families that are on the e-mail list only. For sale and wanted to buy ads may be submitted for a variety of items including curriculum, books, household items, etc. Former homeschoolers with homeschooling curriculum for sale may submit an ad.

NOTE: We no longer include advertisements for babysitters/child care wanted from non-homeschoolers (churches and others).  We were getting inundated with these submissions and the churches sending them were not getting a good response because we are busy homeschooling and not usually available during the day to do childcare. Homeschooling families may ask for recommendations for babysitters in the e-mail newsletter.

IMPORTANT NOTE: It is assumed that the buyer will arrange to pick up the item as soon as possible.   If the seller is willing to mail the item, the buyer is expected to cover the cost of mailing. Buyer and seller should work out an arrangement acceptable to both of them.  We encourage buyers and sellers to communicate effectively with one another and to be honest and upright in all of their dealings. James and Nancy Manos do not endorse items listed for sale in the HERO e-mail updates, nor do we offer any mediation between buyers and sellers if there is a problem.

Click here for Advertisement formatting instructions.

SUBSCRIBERS ARE REPONSIBLE FOR INVESTIGATING SUBMISISONS

Submissions from HERO subscribers and others are generally unverified. H.E.R.O. subscribers should investigate all submissions on their own and utilize any services or resource at their own discretion.  The H.E.R.O. moderator does not necessarily endorse all people, products, or services shared in the H.E.R.O. updates.

PERMISSION TO REPRINT

If you wish to publish information found in a H.E.R.O. newsletter, we ask that you contact the person listed and ask their permission before including their announcement in your newsletter or publication (either electronic or printed). This is especially important for posts that include someone's personal contact information.  We ask that subscribers DO NOT forward or reprint the HERO e-mail newsletter in its entirety. Thank you!

PROMOTING YOUR PERSONAL BUSINESS

On the HERO web site we offer a Business Directory and we are happy to list a homeschooler's business or businesses highly recommended by homeschooling families, especially those that are Christian owned/operated.

We ask that you respect the individuals posting information in the HERO e-mail newsletters and web site. Please do not use the HERO e-mail updates as a marketing opportunity for your business by harvesting e-mail addresses or phone numbers and contacting HERO subscribers to solicit their business.   NOTE: We do not include business signature lines with any HERO e-mail newsletter submissions. 

We will include a submission in the HERO newsletter one time letting people know about your business and will list it on the HERO business directory ... especially businesses owned/operated by homeschooling families or Christian owned/operated businesses. If you are hosting an open house, offering a special sale or discount, or other event for your business, a brief announcement could be submitted for the HERO update as well.

Thank you for your cooperation and for helping make HERO a healthy, happy, safe place for fellow homeschoolers to share information!    We all get more than enough unwanted solicitations via telemarketers and mail, we don't need to experience that through HERO as well :-)

QUESTIONS ... Contact Nancy Manos nancy@happilyeducatingourown.org