September 30, 2007 Newspaper Article
Tom and Sylvia Effler, founders of the Westbank Homeschool Organization Inc. W.H.O., celebrated a successful back-to-school meeting on Aug. 7.  Veteran homeschool families, as well as new homeschoolers, discussed Louisiana laws on homeschooling, registering your homeschooler with the state and the Home School Legal Defense Association.

Sylvia Effler, W.H.O. president, spoke about registering options for Louisiana and passed out curriculum catalogs.

She also discussed the calendar of events for upcoming activities and programs for the W.H.O. homeschool year, which includes field trips, math and reading programs, painting classes, 4-H activities, standardized testing, and arts and science projects.

W.H.O. meets on the first Tuesday of every month at 7 p.m. at Westwego City Hall, 419 Avenue A , Westwego. School materials are offered free for the taking at these meetings.

Mike Guilliot, Westwego assistant fire chief of fire prevention, will display the Hazard House at Tuesday's meeting. The Hazard House is a three-dimensional, interactive house where educators can simulate fires or other safety hazards commonly found in a typical home. Children who would like to do a fire prevention poster may do so and bring it to the meeting.

On Aug. 17, members of W.H.O. jam-packed into the Terrytown Skate Country where they counted 79 skaters on the floor, breaking their previous record of 73 skaters.

Basketball, soccer and Hula Hoops were just some of the many games that took place at W.H.O.'s first day of homeschool physical education classes on Sept. 11. Classes are held on the second and fourth Tuesday of the month from 1:15 to 2:45 p.m. at the Westwego Gym, 1200 Avenue D, Westwego. Homeschool children of all ages are welcome to attend.

On Sept. 14, students visited Mardi Gras World to see artists, painters and sculptors creating, building and decorating sensational floats right before their eyes.

W.H.O.'s upcoming field trips will include visits to the Rivertown Museum in Kenner on Thursday, the Houmas House Plantation and Gardens on Oct. 26, and the Steamboat Natchez on Nov. 15.

Members should contact Sylvia Effler at (504) 348-9866 for information or to sign up for these field trips.

Stephanie F. has put together a young girls' dance class during physical education classes for the following dates: Oct. 9, Nov. 13, Jan. 8, Feb. 12, March 11, and April 8.

Participants will receive instruction in the basic steps of ballet, tap and jazz. The class is being offered at no cost, but donations will be accepted.

The first homeschool 4-H meeting took place Sept. 11 under the direction of Kim L.. The club, open to students in kindergarten through 12th grades, teaches leadership, citizenship and life skills.

The deadline for signing up to join 4-H is Oct. 31.

W.H.O. has joined more than 25,000 schools and thousands of students in grades kindergarten through ninth participating in the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital Math-A-Thon program.

Students complete a sponsor sheet with the names of family members, friends, and neighbors who will sponsor them for every math problem in their fun book that they answer correctly.

Shannon C. is the math-a-thon program coordinator for W.H.O.

Participants will receive a certificate of achievement and, depending on the amount of money they raise, the chance to win a free pass to any Six Flags theme park, a St. Jude T-shirt, a St. Jude backpack, a digital camera, a plug 'n' play game system with 50 games or an MP3 player.

Homeschoolers can also join the W.H.O. Inc. Reading Program, which is divided by grade: Itty Bitty Read to Me for preschoolers, kindergarten through fifth-graders and sixth- through 12th-graders.

Participants are required to keep a log of all books read, which is to be turned in at the end of April. Parents can print out the reading logs from the W.H.O. Web site.

Students in each age category who read the most books will be awarded certificates and prizes. Prize funds are being raised with the sale of Krispy Kreme Partnership Cards, which entitle customers to a free dozen original glazed doughnuts with the purchase of a dozen of their choice.

Cards are $9 and can be purchased from Elaina S., the W.H.O. Reading Program coordinator. Proceeds raised from the sale of these cards will go into the reading programs for prizes.

For a yearly calendar of W.H.O.'s programs/activities and events, visit the Web site www.geocities.com/who2000inc/.
Times-Picayune
Westbank Homeschool Organization, Inc.
Sara B.
October 14, 2007  Newspaper Article
What a great start to this new school year. The Westbank Homeschool
Organization Inc. has 90 families and 158 children this year.
Membership dues are $12 per family, per year, and are still being accepted.
Membership forms can be found at the W.H.O. Web site,
www.geocities.com/who2000inc/, and mailed to W.H.O. Inc., P.O. Box 569,
Marrero, LA 70073.
W.H.O. Inc. is a 501c3 nonprofit organization and a member of the Home
School Legal Defense Association. Signed W.H.O. members receive a discount
off their memberships to HSLDA. Contact W.H.O. president, Sylvia Effler, at
(504) 348-9866, for the discount number once signed with W.H.O.
Over the past seven years that W.H.O. has been a homeschool support group,
the number of east bank W.H.O. members has steadily grown. This school year,
W.H.O. is proud to announce a newly developed east bank physical education
class, and monthly meetings. For location, dates and times, contact Effler.
Kat Stelly, the W.H.O. librarian, has finished this school year's library
list. Members of W.H.O. must present their 2007-08 membership card in order
to check out anything from the library. The library list can be viewed at
the W.H.O. Web site.
W.H.O.'s first crafts project day will be held Oct. 23. Science or social
studies projects are due during physical education class, or at the Nov. 6
W.H.O. meeting.
Projects can be done on posters or project boards and should be equivalent
to the child's grade level. Certificates of participation will be given to
each child and the W.H.O. Inc. board members will judge and pass out ribbons
for first, second and third place.
. . . . . . .
November brings the Westwego Cypress Swamp Fest, which is W.H.O.'s biggest
fundraiser. Westwego Fest will be held Nov. 9-11 at the Westwego Park.
Members are asked to start saving prizes for the W.H.O. booth, which will
have a variety of games. Prizes include knickknacks, toys, candy and
household items in good condition.
Members also are needed to volunteer for two-hour shifts or more.
Effler will provide a sign-up form and more information about Westwego Fest
at the Nov. 6 meeting.
. . . . . . .
W.H.O. is enrolled in the Box Tops for Education Program as another
fundraiser.
Box tops are on Betty Crocker and General Mills products, as well as some
other foods. W.H.O. has saved $36 for this school year, with a goal of $100.
Bring box tops to Effler or any other W.H.O. Inc. board member at the
monthly meetings or other W.H.O. activities.
Another activity offered to W.H.O. members is Judy Erwin's painting class,
held every Wednesday from 9:45 to 11 a.m. and 11:15 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at
the Westwego Art Center, 401 Sala Ave., Westwego.
This class has had an overwhelming response, so she can only take a few more
students. To sign up, W.H.O. members can contact Effler.
Other activities and events such as the W.H.O. 4-H, Reading Program and
Math-A-Thon are all off to a great and promising start.
For more information, visit the W.H.O. Web site.
November 11, 2007 Newspaper Article
The Efflers say their awesome board of directors this year is W.H.O.
Tom and Sylvia Effler, founder and president, would like to thank their board for coming forth to help usher in another great home school year.

Members of the 2007-08 W.H.O. Inc. board of directors are: Diana H., vice president; Shannon C., secretary; Doris B., treasurer; Michelle B., membership coordinator; and Debra O., at-large position.
For more information about the board, their duties, eligibility, and also information concerning the W.H.O. Inc. Bylaws, visit the Web site www.geocities.com/who2000inc/WHOBylaws.html.

The W.H.O. November newsletter included information about this year's Christmas banquet to be held Dec. 13 at the YMBC Hall, 101 Holly St., Westwego.
A small piano will be brought by Ann C., so if any members want to sing Christmas carols, they are welcome to do so.
A dish list was included in the newsletter, and each family attending is asked to please bring two dishes from this list: a main dish and a dessert dish, or two main dishes. Call Sylvia Effler at (504) 348-9866 to sign up for the banquet and give her your information as to what dish your family will be bringing.

Members are always encouraged to take photographs of their children at all W.H.O. events/parties/meetings/field trips, etc. W.H.O. Inc. will be working on a DVD yearbook for its members and the estimated cost at this time is between $6 and $8.

The following are dates of interest for W.H.O. members to put on their calendar: Tuesday, Stephanie F's dance class held at the Westwego Gym, 1200 Avenue D, Westwego, during physical education class; Wednesday, Kim V. P.'s W.H.O. Inc. Club K-2nd-grade class called Reading Adventures and Judy E.'s paint class held at the Westwego Arts Center, 401 Sala Ave. in Westwego; Thursday, field trip to the Steamboat Natchez; Nov. 20, Thanksgiving craft at the Westwego Gym; Nov. 27, W.H.O. Inc. RAK Club first meeting at the Westwego Gym during physical education class; Nov. 30, Hard Rock Café field trip; Dec. 3, field trip to Domino's Pizza; and Dec. 4, the W.H.O. monthly meeting will also be a holiday party.

For more information, visit the W.H.O. Web site, which is full of useful information that members can access at any time.

Among the many topics of interest to our home schooling members that are just a button tab away are Louisiana Law FAQ, TOPS Program, Letter of Intent-Private School, Homestudy Program, Homeschooling Q&A, Curriculum, Worksheets, Educational Web sites, Homeschool Days for Parks, Museums, etc., National Homeschool Honor Society, Louisiana Office of Financial Assistance, Presidential Fitness Program and Congressional Award.

In addition, W.H.O. has a 2005-06 and 2006-07 photo album for new and veteran members to enjoy. Monthly meetings, newsletter information, and all aspects of the W.H.O. group are also featured at the Web site. Thanks to Sylvia Effler for her continued excellence in moderating the group's site.
October 28, 2007 Newspaper Article
The Westbank Homeschool Organization Inc. is gearing up for its biggest fundraiser, the Westwego Cypress Swamp Fest 2007.
The fest will be held Nov. 9-11 at A.J. Catfish Bourgeois Park, at the corner of Avenues C and D in Westwego.
There will be amusement rides, games, food booths, crafts and music.
Sylvia Effler, W.H.O. president, once again has a great W.H.O. booth that will feature the following games: bowling, tic-tac-toe, draw a prize, pencil pull and sand art.
Members are encouraged to continue saving prizes to contribute to the W.H.O. booth.
Proceeds from the booth, and also a portion of the gate entrance fees, will support the group.
Volunteers are needed for this three-day event. Those who volunteer will receive a name tag and will enter the gate free.
Also, in February, W.H.O. gives a free supper for all its members who volunteered as fair workers. For more information, call Effler at (504) 348-9866.

. . . . . . .
The Board of W.H.O. Inc. has introduced four new clubs for its members. They are: WHO Inc. RAK (Random Acts of Kindness) Club for middle school to high school; WHO Inc. Kids Care Club for elementary to middle school; WHO Inc. Mission Club for families to participate together in; and WHO Inc. Club for K-2nd grade, which is still under development. Information about the RAK Club can be found at www.actsofkindness.org. There are hundreds of projects to choose from.
The first WHO Inc. RAK Project will feature the Millet family.
Members who wish to participate in this club can view their story at http://www.geocities.com/who2000inc/tina.html.
Information on the Kid's Care Club can be found at www.kidscare.org.
Kid's Care Club projects, as well as all four clubs, will be discussed at the next monthly Westbank and Eastbank W.H.O. meeting on Nov. 6 at 7 p.m. at 419 Avenue A in Westwego.
At the meeting, W.H.O. will welcome writer Bessie Smith, who will speak about her books and about Futuristic Kids (A Church Program of Fulfilling the Gospel's Ministries).
Also on Nov. 6 the Audubon Zoo Bugmobile will be present at 1 p.m. at W.H.O.'s physical education class at the Westwego Gym, 1200 Avenue D in Westwego. The free event is open to all W.H.O. members.
The physical education class will have the following November schedule: Nov. 13, Stephanie Foght will present her dance class in the Activity Room upstairs; Nov. 20, Sylvia Effler will do a Thanksgiving craft; and Nov. 27, the RAK Club will meet in the Activity Room upstairs.
Visit the W.H.O. Web site, www.geocities.com/who2000inc/, for more information about November W.H.O. activities.
November 25, 2007 Newspaper Article
The Westbank Homeschool Organization Inc. had another terrific year at the Westwego Cypress Swamp Fest.
This had to be the year with the most volunteers, and their personalities were friendly and bright, making it a very cheerful working atmosphere. They were an enormous help making WHO's booth a huge success.
Tom and Sylvia E. give their thanks to all who volunteered their time.
. . . . . . .
Many of WHO's members won the Westwego Fest's Poster and Essay Contests.

Out of four participants, WHO member Chalsea A., 17, won second place and $25 in the ninth- to 12th-grades essay contest. Ashton B. won 2nd place and $25 in the sixth to 8th grade contest and Matthew O. won 1st place in the 6th - 8th grade contest.

WHO's very own O. family won many places and prizes at the Fest. Out of 60 participants, Christian O., 6, won first place for the first- through third-grade poster contest, winning $50. Gabrielle O., 10, won third place for grades four through six. She beat out 162 other participants, and her prize was $10. Matthew O., 13, was the first-place winner for grades six through eight, winning $50, and he was the second-place winner for grades seven through nine, winning $25. Tiffany O., 15, won first place for seventh through ninth grades and her prize was $50.
All winners also received free a $20 wristband, which gave them all-day access to the fest's rides on Nov. 11. Also, all first-place winners will go on to Louisiana State Competition in February. Congratulations to all those who participated and all our WHO winners
. . . . . . .
WHO's next field trip will be held Nov. 30 at the Hard Rock Café, 418 N. Peters St., at 1 p.m.
On Dec. 3, a field trip will be held to Domino's Pizza on Barataria Boulevard.
For more information or to sign up, call Sylvia Effler at (504)348-9866.
. . . . . . .
WHO members should mark their calendars, because this year's standardized testing will be held March 25-28.
The cost is $42, and Nicole F. will be charging an additional $10 to administer the test.
Members can bring their children to Nicole F's house. All money for the test is due by Feb. 8.

For more information, call Effler, or visit WHO's Web site at http://www.geocities.com/who2000inc/.
December 20, 2007  Newspaper Article
The Westbank Homeschool Organization had a great turnout at the monthly meeting and Christmas party Dec. 4. Families gathered after the meeting, where they sang Christmas carols and looked at the Christmas light displays. It was a perfect evening for WHO members to come together and celebrate an early Christmas together.

On Dec. 28, WHO will be having a field trip for its members to go to the Old State Capitol, the new state Capitol, the USS Kidd, and the "Nina." This is a free field trip to Baton Rouge. There also will be a field trip on Jan. 16 at 9:30 a.m., and Jan. 18 at 11 am, to visit the Coca-Cola plant. There is a limit of 3O people, so please sign up quickly!

The month of February holds two field trips: one to the IMAX and Aquarium, and the other to the Audubon Zoo. To find out more information about any of the upcoming field trips, please call Sylvia Effler at 348-9366.

WHO will be having its traditional Easter egg hunt at the Westwego Park on March 8. There will be games for the children to play, like tug-of-war, sack race and others. Also, be sure to bring your most decorated hat to compete in the Easter Hat Contest. More details about the Easter egg hunt will follow closer to March.
On Performing Arts Night, which will be held May 3, students can show off their talents, such as art exhibits, sign language, singing, dancing and instrument playing. This is a great night when the children get to showcase their many talents and shine.

Please visit the WHO website at http://www.geocities.com/ who2OOOinc/ to view past years' photos of the Easter egg hunt, Performing Arts Night, and more.
Merry Christmas and have a Happy New Year!