Homeschooling can feel scary when you're just starting out! 
Below is a list of resources that will help you get your footing if you are a Kansas homeschooler!
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• Online registration for your Homeschool (or NAPS:Non-Accredited Private School) https://apps.ksde.org/naps_form/default.aspx
  
• Homeschool Law Compliances https://hslda.org/post/how-to-comply-with-kansas-homeschool-law
  
• Basic At a Glance Fact Sheet  https://www.ksde.org/portals/0/ecsets/factsheets/factsheet-homeschool.pdf
  
• Kansas Department of Education website page for NAPS https://www.ksde.org/agency/division-of-learning-services/special-education-and-title-services/title-services/non-accredited-private-schools
  
• Curricular Standards by grade level in Kansas (not mandated for NAPS, but good reference if desired) https://www.ksde.org/Agency/Division-of-Learning-Services/Career-Standards-and-Assessment-Services/CSAS-Home/Curricular-Standards
  
• Public school access https://hslda.org/post/public-school-access-for-homeschoolers-in-kansas
  

• How to choose a style of homeschool https://www.homeschool.com/homeschooling-methods/ Quiz https://eclectic-homeschool.com/homeschool-philosophies-quiz/
  

• How to track grade/progress (Helpful article by MPE) https://midwesthomeschoolers.org/record-keeping-grades/
  
• Local co-op finder https://www.thehomeschoolmom.com/homeschooling-in-kansas/homeschool-co-ops-academic-enrichment-classes/

My name is Stephanie. I put down roots in my husband's hometown of Leavenworth in 2005 and together we are raising our two girls on our two acre homestead; complete with a garden, orchard, chickens, ducks, and cats. I joke that this undertaking is what spurred our homeschool, as it was all new to me and something that has been a long learning process full of rich rewards. 
 
The reality was that as a product of the public school system it never occurred to me that I might one day be a home educator. If I look back at the path it was clear that it was already forged for me. My role as mother and nurturer was one that was clearly defined for me at an early age so it was natural that I would continue to want an active role in my children’s day to day lives and later that translated into taking an active role in their education. 

I have always had clearly defined goals for my girls’ education experience and they revolved around two things: 1) helping them figure out how they personally learn; knowing how you take in and apply information will always put you in the driver's seat and keep all opportunities open to you, and 2) raising and teaching them as a part of day to day life in the world around them so that they understand that they are a whole person at every age, that the things they say and do matter, and that the way they engage holds weight; there is no coming of age that readies them, no one granting permission, and no restriction to the ways in which they can engage in their community. If people know their worth and have the ability to learn and grow then they will be unstoppable in achieving their goals!

Our lifestyle lends itself well to learning new skills and much of our learning is a shared experience. I love that my husband and I are able to model what it looks like to be lifelong learners and we get to have a front row seat to watching our girls blossom and grow. The gift of community within The Social Homeschooler and Homeschool Recess has been pivotal in allowing my girls to learn and grow as individuals; growing their skills in interacting in new spaces and with new people. Over the years it has been a safe space to learn the important skills of navigating friendships, conflict resolution, working with multi-age peers, interacting in meaningful relationships with adults, participating in shared learning, and learning to share their own skills. 

The learning, skill building, and connections aren’t just something that my children benefit from, but something that has helped push me to continue to actively pursue my own learning and growth. The friendships and connections I have made within the community have been formative in my own journey as a home educator, mother, and friend. The gift of community is truly invaluable. 

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