In the calendar list, click the title of any individual event for additional information.
Wednesday, May 14, 2025 | 7:00-9:00 pm
Shaker Ridge Country Club
WHAT TO EXPECT
7:00-7:30 pm Introduction / Orientation
7:30-8:30 pm Keynote: Will Estrada, HSLDA
8:30-9:00 pm Q&A
9:00 pm Teen Hangout Session at the Hotel*
*Click here for time-sensitive hotel information
Thursday, May 15, 2025 | 8:30 am-2:00 pm
The Well, Legislative Office Building (LOB)
8:30 am Worship, Prayer, Orientation, and Catered Brunch | The Well, LOB
9:00-11:00 am *Meetings with your local Assembly Representative and Senator | LOB
9:00-11:00 am Workshops | The Well, LOB
12:00 pm Will Estrada, keynote | The Well, LOB
1:00-2:00 pm Additional meetings and tour of the Capitol
*All meetings will be facilitated by a Homeschool New York Board Member, and we will offer training sessions via Zoom leading up to the event so you feel confident and equipped! Your teens will also have the opportunity to pass out Homeschool New York opinion papers and ask representatives for their support (we’ll pair teens who are new to the program with teens who are more experienced).
Come early on Wednesday or stay late on Thursday to check out the New York State Museum!
This year, there are already two bills we are working hard to advance! One is the Sports Bill (A389 and S3436), which will allow homeschool students to participate on high school sports teams. The other is the Letter of Substantial Equivalence Bill (A2326 and S199), which will require District Superintendents to write the Letter when students have completed their home education in compliance with Section 100.10 of the Commissioner’s Regulations. We’re hoping to see it move this year!
– The importance of the Letter for home educated students
– How difficult the Letter is to obtain
– Ramifications when superintendents refuse to write the Letter
– Stories of colleges refusing to accept home educated students
BRING THE WHOLE FAMILY!
We are homeschoolers, so, of course, this is a family-friendly event! No childcare is available, as we encourage you to have your children present during the meetings. There will be a room set aside for nursing and a place for you to put coats. Every Individual Home Instruction Programs (IHIP) has a section for Citizenship; participating in this event together with your children is a great way to accomplish that! Further, this event is open to all friends of NY home education! You do not have to be a current homeschooler or Homeschool New York member to participate, so please bring your extended family and friends along!