Homeschooling

Christmas Break
2022-12-20
Co-op is closed for Christmas Break. Enjoy the festivities and give thanks to the Lord for the gift of eternal life through His Son, Jesus Christ. We will see you in the new year!

Cookie Cottage Field Trip
2022-12-16 13:00 - 15:00 UTC | The Cookie Cottage, 335 Gillespie Ave, Sarasota, FL, 34236, United States
Let’s get together and decorate some Christmas cookies! This is one of our favorite field trips of the year! Read details below.

The Cookie Cottage provides everything we need. Each child will get several cookies to decorate and an apron to decorate and wear as well.
Please wear your green LAF shirts to make it easier for us to keep track of our group (and so we can get a great photo of our outing!).

Details
Date: Friday, December 16, 2022
Time: 1:00 pm (We will start decorating promptly at 1, so please arrive a few minutes early so that we can all get situated.)
Cost: $10 per cookie decorator (parents can decorate too but must sign up and pay as a decorator)
Location: The Cookie Cottage, 335 Gillespie Ave, Sarasota, FL 34236

Click here to register and pay for this trip.

Bible Bucks Store
2022-12-13 12:45 - 14:00 | Renewal Church, 7221 Bee Ridge Road, Sarasota, 34241, United States
Our Junior Co-op students have worked hard all semester to memorize Bible verses and earn Bible Bucks in the process. Our Bible Bucks Store is a great way for the students to celebrate their hard work and spend those bucks. The store day will be held at Co-op on the WEST side of the building. If you have any questions, email Allison Flagg at vicepresident@learningandfamilies.org.

Middle School Christmas Party
2022-12-10 17:00 - 19:00 | Watercrest Senior Living, 4100 University PKWY, Sarasota, FL, 34243, United States
This event is open to all Middle Schoolers enrolled in the LAF Support Community. Bring a wrapped gift for a gift exchange and a snack or dessert to share! We will be Christmas caroling for the residents of Watercrest Senior Living community.

The Jungle Book
2022-12-04 19:00 - 20:30 | The Music Compound, 1751 Cattlemen Rd, Sarasota, FL, 34232, United States
Join us for the debut performance of the LAF Junior Theatre Troupe. Our students in first through fifth grade will perform The Jungle Book.
Tickets are $5 each and can be purchased here.

Alice In Wonderland
2022-12-03 17:00 - 19:00, 2022-12-03 13:00 - 15:00 | Rise Above Performing Arts Centre, 3501 S Tamiami Trail Suite 1105, Sarasota, FL, 34239, United States
Join us for LAF Theatre Troupe’s annual Fall Drama. This year, the troupe is performing Alice In Wonderland, based on Lewis Carroll’s Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, adapted by Anne Coulter Martins.
To purchase tickets, please click one of the links below:
General Admissions ($10 each)
VIP Tickets ($15 each)
Table for Four ($65 each)

Field Day
2022-12-02 10:00 - 14:00 | Colonial Oaks Park, 5300 Colonial Oaks Blvd, Sarasota, FL, 34232, United States
Our annual Field Day is always held on the 1st Friday in December at a park in Manasota. All Field Day participants will have the opportunity to compete against each other in many classic Field Day games and relay races.
There are preschool activities as well as games, and the park has two age-appropriate playgrounds. We also typically have food and shaved ice available for purchase.
Last year we celebrated LAF’s 35th Anniversary and had a bake sale and face painting. Every year is a just little bit different, but we always have an epic kickball competition, as well as relay races, tug of war, sack races, hula hoop marathons, and much, much more!
All of the event information will be listed in the Facebook Event on the Facebook LAF Community Support page five weeks before the date of the Field Day.
Field Day is fun for the whole family. Let the Games Begin!
All families enrolled in the LAF Support Community are invited to join in the fun.

Want to Host a Game?
Each year, our Field Day includes several fun games and activities. If you would like to participate by hosting a game booth or an activity, please submit the following information. Once we receive your information, someone will be in touch with you to confirm your participation.

Please enable JavaScript in your browser to complete this form.Name *FirstLastPhone NumberEmail *What game or activity would you like to host?Submit

High School Activity -- Escape Room
2022-11-30 15:00 - 17:00 | Premier Adventures Escape Room, 7369 52nd Pl East, Bradenton, FL, 34203, United States
All high schoolers enrolled in the LAF Support Community are welcome to join us for the December activity — Escape Room!

Picture Day
2022-11-29 09:00 - 13:00 | Renewal Church, 7221 Bee Ridge Road, Sarasota, 34241, United States
Every fall, LAF offers all families enrolled in the Support Community an opportunity to have professional school pictures taken. There is no sitting fee, and you are not obligated to purchase a picture package.
Just for participating in school picture day, you will receive picture proofs. and a spot in our Yearbook. Please note that we are no longer offering picture ID cards.

Thanksgiving Break
2022-11-24, 2022-11-22
Co-op will be closed for Thanksgiving Break. We wish you a joyful celebration and a deep sense of gratitude. We are grateful for YOU!

Co-op Spirit Day -- Pajama Day
2022-11-15 08:30 - 15:00
This month, it’s wear your PJs to Co-op Day!
LAF Spirit Day is the 3rd Tuesday and Thursday of the month, excluding December and January. Everyone can participate (all ages)!
Help us make this the BEST LAF Co-op year yet!

Florida Museum of Natural History Field Trip
2022-11-11 09:30 - 17:00 | University of Florida Cultural Plaza – Powell Hall, 3215 Hull Road, Gainesville, FL, 32611, United States
Come explore the Florida Museum of Natural History and Butterfly Rainforest in Gainesville! This is the perfect addition to LAF’s Junior Co-op Flying Creatures theme this school year. However, this trip is open to all families enrolled in the LAF Support Community.
Please read the complete description below before purchasing tickets.
Babies 0 – 2 years old are FREE. Please email president@learningandfamilies.org with the total number of babies attending.
This is the perfect addition to LAF’s Flying Creatures theme this school year. The Butterfly Rainforest is a can’t-miss living exhibit that features hundreds of free-flying butterflies and birds from around the world along with an assortment of other animals, including turtles and fish, to experience firsthand. Our trip will include:

The Butterfly Rainforest
Northwest Florida waterways and wildlife
Library of Life
Florida Fossils
South Florida
Our Energy Future
Discovery Zone

Cost (Includes Butterfly Rainforest Admission) *Click links to purchase tickets

Kids 0 – 2 years old FREE (email president@learningandfamilies.org with total number of babies attending)
Students (ages 3 – 17 ) $12
Adults (ages 18 and up ) $18

Meeting Place

We will meet just outside the “Museum” entrance
Please look for the sign that says, “LAF Check-In”

Food

There is no place in the plaza for families to purchase food. There are restaurants close by on Archer Road – anything from Cheesecake factory to McDonald’s – there are a lot of options to choose from.
The covered picnic area is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Open, grassy areas can be used for fair-weather lunches. Additional picnic tables are available adjacent to the UF Natural Area Teaching Lab next to the Entomology building on Surge Road.

Please do not feed any of the wildlife that might come on the patio.
Please make sure all trash is placed in the appropriate receptacles if extra trash receptacles are needed, please alert front desk staff.
Please make sure to clean all trash and leftover food off the tables.

Parking
(Click here for directions to the Museum)

Vehicle parking is available in front of the Harn Museum from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday at a rate of $4 per day, cash, or credit/debit cards. Look for the Orange and Blue parking attendant booth on the right after turning off Hull Road.
The Museum is not responsible for parking tickets. UF Transportation & Parking Services information and Museum comment cards are available at the front desk.

Special Instructions

Green LAF T-shirts are mandatory for everyone attending the trip (anyone not wearing an LAF T-shirt will be required to purchase one on-site for $25 or forfeit their ticket)
Please look for the sign that says, “LAF Check-In”
Upon entering, we must stay in groups no larger than 15 people, including parents

Things to Know

NO REFUNDS at any time for any reason.

Tickets are NOT TRANSFERABLE.

Late arrivals will NOT be allowed to enter.

TEXT (941) 993-5870 if CANCELLING at any time
The Butterfly Rainforest is an enclosed, outdoor exhibit
​​The bat houses are across from Lake Alice on the UF campus. You cannot go and see inside of them, but you can watch them come out at dusk, if you wish to stay and do that.

General Museum Rules

Stay at least 8″ away from the artwork and walls.
Turn off all cell phones.
No backpacks.
No food, drink, or gum in the museum.
Loose objects must be left in your vehicle.
No touching of art is allowed.
Stay at least 8″ away from the artwork and walls.
Non-flash photography is allowed in all exhibitions.
Flash photography is not permitted in any of the exhibitions.
Cameras and camcorders are welcome unless specified for some featured exhibits.
Tripods, monopods, and commercial photography are prohibited.
The Discovery Zone is for children 2 to 8 years old.
Only ONE group at a time in the Discovery Zone, Groups will be asked to leave the Discovery Zone if they do not follow this rule.
10 students plus their chaperones at a time in the gift shops.

Butterfly Rainforest Exhibit Rules

Backpacks, large bags, umbrellas, and strollers are prohibited in the Butterfly Rainforest exhibit.

Bags may be checked and left with Security at the Rainforest entrance desk.

USDA regulations require staggered entrance into the Butterfly Rainforest exhibit and no touching of plants and animals.

Visitor Safety and Conduct (Group Size & Chaperone Responsibilities)

Parents are responsible at all times for ensuring that their children explore the Museum in a safe and respectful manner.
Parents must stay with their children at all times, no matter the age of the students.
Parents are responsible for making sure children do not block walkways.
Membership benefits do not include guided tour chaperone fees or organized groups (e.g., school groups, camp groups, affinity groups)

Middle and High School Activity -- Bowling Party
2022-11-04 16:00 - 18:00 | AMF Gulf Gate Lanes,, 7221 S Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, FL, 34231, United States
Calling all Middle and High Schoolers! Join us for a night of bowling fun. This is for Middle and High school students only — no younger siblings. Parents can join in, but you must reserve your spot.
Cost: $25 per student (Includes 2 hours of bowling along with shoe rental – unlimited fountain drinks and unlimited pizza and appetizers!)
Please visit the appropriate Facebook Event below, click going, and then post in the thread with how many bowlers you are bringing.
Middle Schoolers click here.
High Schoolers click here.

Fall Meet and Greet
2022-11-03 18:30 - 21:00 | Rusty Bucket, 257 N Cattlemen Rd #81, Sarasota, FL, 34243, United States
Every year, we welcome new families to LAF. Our Fall Meet and Greet is an opportunity for all new families, plus any families currently enrolled in LAF, to come meet the LAF leadership team and get to know many of the wonderful moms and dads who make LAF a strong community.
For the 2022/23 school year, we will meet at the Rusty Bucket for some fun, food, and fellowship. Hear from the LAF Board of Directors and find out how each one of us is here to serve the families of LAF. Enjoy great conversation with many of the families enrolled in our community, and start the year off making new friends.

Field Trip -- "Meet The Ringling" Museum Trip
2022-10-26 10:00 - 13:00 | The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art, 5401 Bay Shore Rd, Sarasota, FL, 34243, United States
“Meet The Ringling” is an introductory tour for elementary-aged children. In this tour, students will define what art is and what museums do. Students will explore The Ringling galleries and learn about the collection. Then, students will analyze and interpret 3-5 works of art from The Ringling Collection. This tour is an opportunity to explore all the Museum of Art has to experience! This tour practices visual arts standards, English language arts, and social and emotional learning (SEL) skills.
Date: Wednesday, October 26th
Time: 10:00 am
Location: The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art, 5401 Bay Shore Rd, Sarasota, FL 34243
Cost: $10 for adults; Children are FREE! Click here for tickets.

Middle School Activity -- Games & Swimming
2022-10-22 13:00 - 16:00
Calling all Middle Schoolers! Join us for a fun night of fellowship, games, and swimming. This event will be held at the Falde home. For more information, visit the Facebook Event or contact Allison Flagg for more details at (941) 320-9528.

High School Activity -- Premiere Adventures Escape Room
2022-10-21 15:13 - 16:30 | Premier Adventures Escape Room, 7369 52nd Pl East, Bradenton, FL, 34203, United States
Details TBA. Check the High School Small Group Facebook group for upcoming details.

MOM’S NIGHT OUT – PRINTMAKING AND STAMP CARVING CLASS
2022-10-20 18:00 - 21:00
Please visit our Facebook Event for details.
THIS EVENT IS FULL!

Co-op Spirit Day -- Favorite Sports Team
2022-10-18 08:30 - 15:00
This month, let your sports flag fly and represent your favorite team!
LAF Spirit Day is the 3rd Tuesday and Thursday of the month, excluding December and January. Everyone can participate (all ages)!
Help us make this the BEST LAF Co-op year yet!

Hilt's Party With a Purpose
2022-10-13 19:00 - 20:00
Join us for a virtual Mary Kay party to bless LAF’s Hilts Family, who lost everything in the Hurricane. All proceeds will directly to the Hilts family. Orders can be placed anytime in the Facebook Group. For more information, please contact Mary Kay Consultant Wendy Coffey at (941) 914-0416. For more ways to help LAF families who have suffered during and after Hurricane Ian, visit our Bearing Each Other’s Burdens website page.

AWAKEN FOOD PANTRY COMMUNITY SERVICE OPPORTUNITY
2022-10-12 | Awaken Church, 390 Flamingo Blvd, Port Charlotte, FL, 33954, United States
LAF’s Zdrojowy family pastor Awaken Church in Port Charlotte. Many distribution centers are closed in that area and have sent their supplies to Awaken’s church/food pantry. LAF is taking a group down to help organize donations and run the food pantry. They will put us to work wherever they need us!
Beginning huddle is at 8 am. If you can make that, it would be amazing. If you can’t get there until later, that’s okay. Any portion of the day that you can come will be helpful.
Bring your own lunch. Older kids are welcome to come help! Parents need to keep track of their own kids.
If we can get some teens who can help, we will take a crew over to the Zdrojowy’s house, where there is a lot of hard cleanup that needs to happen. Bring lots of bug spray; it’s mosquito-infested!
Please visit the Facebook event if you are able to come, so we have a rough idea of numbers. It will help them know what kind of goals we can accomplish that day!
If you have any questions about this event, please contact Madeline Bryant at (941) 320-0607.

FIELD TRIP – SARASOTA-BRADENTON INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT TOUR
2022-09-30 09:45 | Sarasota Airport
Join us on an exciting tour around our very own Sarasota-Bradenton International Airport! We will get to see many of the daily operations as well as some exclusive behind-the-scenes looks at what it takes to operate an international airport.
We have a limited number of spaces for this trip, so if you want to go, sign up quickly! And please only reserve a spot if you are sure you can attend. Remember – you must wear your green LAF shirt to attend this event.
IMPORTANT – this trip is for children who are 6 years old and older ONLY.

Co-op Spirit Day -- Crazy Socks and Crazy Hair
2022-09-20 08:30 - 15:00
This month, wear your craziest socks and let your hair go WILD!
LAF Spirit Day is the 3rd Tuesday and Thursday of the month, excluding December and January. Everyone can participate (all ages)!
Help us make this the BEST LAF Co-op year yet!

Ice Skating Field Trip
2022-09-14 14:00 - 16:30
Let’s start off the year right with a Back to School Skating Bash! Come join us for a fun-filled afternoon at Ellenton Ice and Sports Complex. This field trip is for all ages.
Please remember to wear your green LAF shirts for this event, and don’t forget to bring a jacket – it’s cold out on the ice!
Date: September 14, 2022
Time: 2:00 – 4:30 pm
Location: Ellenton Ice and Sport Complex, 5309 29th St E, Ellenton, FL 34222
Cost: $13 per skater
*Plan to arrive by 1:45 pm, so we can be ready to go at 2 pm.
Visit our Facebook Event to let us know you’re coming, and make your payment at the LAF Shop.

MIDDLE SCHOOL ACTIVITY – PARK NIGHT
2022-09-10 17:00 - 20:00 | Tom Bennett Park, Playground Pavilion, 280 Kay Rd., Bradenton, FL, 34208, United States
Hey Middle Schoolers, let’s kick off the year with a night at the park!
Volleyball, ultimate frisbee, fishing, and games!
Let us know you’re coming by clicking “Going” in the Facebook Event

High School Axe-Throwing Party
2022-09-09 14:30 - 17:00 | Axe & Bull, 4088 Bee Ridge Road, Sarasota, FL, 34233, United States
Come join your friends in the thrill and fun of Axe throwing at LAF’s first high school axe-throwing party!!
We will meet at 2:30pm at Axe & Bull, and we will start at approximately 3pm, after waivers are signed and everyone is here.

COST: $$20 an hour per person tax included.
*Here is a link to copy and paste for a groupon
**Please purchase tickets online for the 1 hour time slot from 3-4pm ASAP to be sure your high schooler gets a spot**

You’re welcome to bring in snacks and drinks to share. Water will be provided.

Grab your best friends, and let the games begin!!

Click “Going” on the Facebook Event to let us know you’re coming!

Important Info

Anyone under 18 will have to have a waiver signed by a parent in order to participate. This can be done on the website ahead of time if you’d like.
This event is strictly for 9th-12th grade only (We are sorry, but it’s for safety).
Parents are welcome to stay (but not required) and throw as well. You will just need to purchase a ticket. We will have student games and parent games if we have enough interest.
Here is the link to Axe and Bull website to copy and paste. Please look over FAQs ahead of time

Additional Info
After everyone is here, Axe and Bull will go over safety protocols and then teach the correct throwing techniques.
Once everyone is comfortable, we play games!! Let the fun begin!

First Day of Thursday Junior Co-op
2022-09-08 08:45 - 12:30 | Renewal Church, 7221 Bee Ridge Road, Sarasota, 34241, United States
Junior Co-op welcomes everyone to the 2022/23 School Year! Be sure to arrive on time.
First
Find the flying creature that represents each of your student’s classes in the gym, and have your student sit with their backpacks under the sign for their flying creature.

Next

If you are a Pod Parent, head over to the Support Table and check-in, get the folder for your pod, and then meet your pod at the sign of your class’s flying creature. Ask your students if they have memorized their Bible verse, and check off the ones who did.
If you are a Classroom Assistant, head up to your classroom to assist the facilitator with set up.
All other service positions, head to the location of your position to get ready for the Co-op day

For any Co-op questions, email coop@learningandfamilies.org.

High School Graduation Information Meeting
2022-09-07 18:30 - 20:30
Every May, Learning and families hosts a beautiful high school graduation! This year, the Learning and Families graduation will take place on Friday, May 19, 2023 at Covenant Life Presbyterian Church, 8490 McIntosh Rd, Sarasota, FL 34238.
We are hosting an information meeting in Sarasota off Lockwood Ridge Rd (north of University) on September 7th at 6:30 pm to begin brainstorming and planning for this year’s ceremony. We invite families to be involved in the planning process, so they really feel like the graduation is their own. You and your graduate are invited to attend. Bring a snack or dessert to share. We will provide drinks, cups, plates, and utensils.
If you would like to attend, please email info@learningandfamilies.org, and we will send you the address.
