LEAF or "Learning Enrichment Active Fellowship " is a network of home learners that welcomes all homeschoolers in many communities in south-central Massachusetts, northern Rhode Island and northeastern Connecticut.
What is the purpose of LEAF?
The main purpose of the LEAF network is to give families, interested in participating, the opportunity to share resources and talents, field trips and events, learning enrichment opportunities, park and beach days, and overall fellowship with others, in a variety of group settings.
LEAF is for those families who would like to maintain connections with others throughout the year through an ongoing calendar of events to be updated by the participants themselves.
To be a part of LEAF, all that is needed is a willingness and commitment to actively participate on a regular basis by offering ideas and events to share.
How does LEAF work?
LEAF is informal, all-inclusive and participant-directed. There is no one leader or group of leaders which plans activities and makes decisions for all network participants. Every family in the network is a fully contributing partner in the network.
Each family that plans an event or outing is responsible for its coordination. In other words, that family "owns" the event unless help is requested. However, don't hesitate to offer an "idea" for an event even if your family is not able to plan the details at that time; some other family in the network may offer to help or to coordinate the event instead.
Every family in the network is free to make decisions about what to offer in terms of events or field trips, but would be responsible for checking the calendar in the course of planning. Choose to offer an idea or learning opportunity that works for you and your family, and extend that offer to others. We all know life is busy! Attend or plan only those events which work within your family's interests and schedule.
All planned events posted to the calendar are open to all homeschoolers in LEAF and are not restricted to a select group within the Network. Events or classes may have posted minimums, if necessary, filled on a first-come, first-serve basis. Families would be offering to the calendar only those events and ideas they wish and are able to share.
Needless to say (but worth saying anyway!), the "Golden Rule" always applies: network participants treat each other with the respect they would hope to receive from others.
How can I participate in LEAF?
If you are interested in being part of the network outlined above,
an email/discussion list has been set up at Yahoo
for the purpose of connecting
network families. Upon joining the discussion list, you can start
posting ideas and events right away, or voice your opinions about how the
network will function. Have fun and keep those creative
juices flowing!
Membership Guidelines:
LEAF is informal, all-inclusive and participant-directed. In order for
LEAF to fulfill its purpose of supporting and connecting homeschool families
and remaining member-directed, members
must be either current homeschoolers, of any educational philosophy, or
families considering homeschooling. Members may not be non-homeschooling
third parties (such as representatives of commercial ventures, curriculum
vendors, or administrators of non-profit educational groups) unless that
member is currently homeschooling within LEAF's geographic area and intends
to be an active participant in the Network.
Posting Guidelines:
LEAF members may, at
any time, post their suggestions for activities, and may announce the details
of events they are organizing. Discussions and questions about getting
started in home education, homeschooling methods and styles, resources
and books, and dealings with school districts are always welcome. Please
be respectful of differing opinions! Member LEAF families may also freely
post community learning opportunities that have been useful to them, and
upcoming activities and classes at educational, art and nature centers
that they feel might be of interest to other homeschooling families or
are homeschooling-related.
Please no spam! Those who are not homeschooling
and who subscribe solely to post uninvited announcements for products and
services, whether commercial or non-profit, will be immediately removed
from the list. If you wish to request a post about your product or service,
please contact a moderator for screening. Solicitations and postings of
business information will be selectively forwarded at the discretion of
the moderators. Not all requests for the forwarding of such information
can or will be accommodated. Local homeschool LEAF members
who have home-grown businesses may post their business details to the appropriate
section in the Database, and make semi-annual announcements to the group
regarding their businesses.
The LEAF list at Yahoo! Groups is a public communications area; members are not approved before joining. With this in mind, members are advised not to post detailed personal information (full names, addresses, phone numbers, and so forth) to the list.
A calendar is available at the discussion list
location where network participants can post their
own events. If there are continuous additions to the calendar there
will always be a great variety of events happening from which to choose!
This is how the network will thrive and stay connected.
Here's how to join LEAF:
Or go to:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/LEAF-Network/
Leaf Forum:
LEAF maintains an unmoderated, non-email discussion
forum for its members at http://leafnetwork.proboards15.com/.
Members are free to chat with other members at any time, about any
subject, and for as long as desired. Members must register
and be approved to participate in the LEAF Forum. Although post topics
and content will not be restricted, we encourage everyone to have respect
for the varying opinions of others, and we encourage peaceful interactions
between LEAF members.
Since this is a public forum,
members are advised NOT to post personal information such as full name,
address, phone numbers, email addresses, and the names and ages of your
children. If members do post this type of information, it will be at their
own risk and LEAF will not be responsible for any consequences of this
action.
The Forum also provides a Marketplace section for
posting items to be sold, exchanged, or given away free. LEAF members who
have home businesses may also post their business information here.
When offering or requesting items, it is recommended that members complete
the exchange at a public meeting spot whenever possible. For home pickups
of items, it is advisable to have someone else home at the time unless
the member knows the person coming for the item. Members are reminded to
please exercise caution in any transaction and take reasonable precautions
to safeguard their privacy and safety.
By participating
in the LEAF Marketplace Board, members do so AT THEIR OWN RISK, and they
agree to hold neither the list owners, moderators, nor anyone affiliated
with LEAF responsible or liable for any circumstance resulting from a LEAF-related
exchange or communication.
LEAF Information Sheets
A LEAF information sheet is available to print for distribution at "branch" meetings. These sheets are available in PDF file format. You will need Adobe Acrobat Reader to view this type of file. If you don't have Acrobat Reader, you can download a free copy by clicking on the link below.
The Information Sheet can be printed directly through Adobe Acrobat Reader which will open automatically when you click on the PDF file listed below.
For questions or more information about LEAF,
please feel free to email Lisa
or Olivia.
Inquiries are welcomed!
For more information on homeschooling in the greater
Milford, MA area visit the Living
and Learning website.
For questions and problems with the website or the
Yahoo Group pages, please email the site administrator.
Copyright © LEAF Home Learners
Network 2002-2006
Duplication of text and graphics used on this website
is prohibited without prior consent. Please contact the site administrator for more information.