West End Nc

Ranks of homeschooled kids in Arizona expected to rise

As millions of students across the state adjust to new schools, teachers and classmates, thousands of others are starting the school year in very familiar places – their homes.

About 22,500 students are estimated to be homeschooled in Arizona, according to the Maricopa County Education Service Agency, including more than 10,000 in Maricopa County. Local and national experts expect that number to increase as dissatisfaction with public education grows and the conversation on school choice intensifies.

The Arizona Families for Home Education convention, in July at the Phoenix Convention Center, attracted 5,120 families – an increase of 320 over the previous year.

The Chandler-based organization primarily attracts families that want more say in curriculum and Christian principles to be the foundation of their kids’ education experience.

“A lot of families are second-generation homeschoolers. We’re starting to see a lot of people that are grandparents that homeschooled with their kids who are now homeschooling,” said Carol Shippy, AFHE legislative liaison and board member.

Luis Huerta, an education policy professor at Columbia University’s Teachers College, studies national homeschooling trends.

“Homeschool families are not monolithic. There are not just religious and political reasons people are doing this. Some have very strongly held convictions for keeping the state out of their living rooms and they will also do everything possible to oppose any form of state sanctioning,” he said.

Besides being an educational and support group, AFHE is a legislative organization. The group provides members with e-mail updates on legislative issues, participation in the annual convention and graduation ceremony, an annual leadership conference, a quarterly magazine and some social events.

Despite the growth in Arizona’s homeschooling community, Shippy said some families do leave for public, charter and private schools.

“I think we see that more at the upper-secondary level more so than primary education,” Shippy said. “I think that it mostly hinges on the fact that the high-school-level curriculum is more challenging.”

However, many families that were once anxious about homeschooling during the high school years are discovering new resources.

“There is no issue any longer with access to high-quality materials or information. A financially challenged family can provide so much through the Internet and public libraries,” Shippy said. “Some excellent institutions are putting up lectures on YouTube.

Danny Lee Puckett |Obituaries| Boles Funeral Homes

Danny Lee Puckett 61 of West End, NC; passed Friday July 22, 2011 in Southern Pines. Mr. Puckett was born March 28, 1950 in Moore County to the late Otis Puckett and Leatrice (Marshall) Puckett.

A funeral service will be held 2PM Wednesday July 27, 2011 at Boles Funeral Home Chapel in Southern Pines with the Rev. Otis Goins, and Rev. David Reynolds officiating. Burial will follow in the West End Cemetery.

Mr. Puckett grew up in the West End area of Moore County where he graduated from the West End High School. He was an avid motorcycle rider and member of the Sandhills Harley Owners Group. Mr. Puckett owned and operated DP Construction for many years. 

Mr. Puckett is survived by his companion, Michelle Brewer of West End. A son, Jason Harris and wife Suzane and grandchildren Alayna and Devin of Tarboro, NC; a daughter, Lisa Bustamante and grandson Charles Sanderson of Alabama. A stepmother, Mozelle Puckett of West End. Two sisters, Brenda Puckett Frye and husband Richard of Carthage and Debbie Puckett Bowman and husband Ronnie of Arart, VA; a stepsister, Goldie Edwards and husband Wayne of Winston Salem , NC; a sister-in-law Betty Puckett of West End and brother-in-law Jim Leonard of Hoffman, NC. And many nieces and nephews Mr. Puckett was preceded in death by a brother, Dwight Puckett and a sister, Louise Puckett Leonard.

A visitation will be held Tuesday July 26, 2011 from 6 to 8PM at Boles Funeral Home in Southern Pines.

In lieu of flowers memorial donations can be made in memory of Danny Puckett to the Harmony Baptist Church at PO Box 11 West End, NC 27376.

Not many people get to know the danny i knew, from the days of softball to the days of the past few weeks danny and my friendship grew by leaps and bounds. when i had the stroke a few weeks ago, i had a house to start that week, and with me in the hospital that wasn’t going to happen. Danny stepped up and ran my crew to build that home. what a friend, what a brother what a man. i loved him and will miss him greatly

My little girl and I just seen you last week at the Log House produce in West End. We go way back in the day I dated one of your good friends. May you rest in peace and your family is in my thoughts and prayers.

Jet

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