Homeschooling

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.

Hilt's Party With a Purpose
2022-10-13 19:00 - 20:00 UTC | FL
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.

Co-op Spirit Day -- Favorite Sports Team
2022-10-18 08:30 - 15:00 | FL
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!

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

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.

Middle School Activity -- Games & Swimming
2022-10-22 13:00 - 16:00 | FL
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.

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.

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.

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.

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)

Co-op Spirit Day -- Pajama Day
2022-11-15 08:30 - 15:00 | FL
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!

Thanksgiving Break
2022-11-22, 2022-11-24 | FL
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!

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.

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!

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

Alice In Wonderland
2022-12-03 13:00 - 15:00, 2022-12-03 17:00 - 19:00 | 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)

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.

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.

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.

Cookie Cottage Field Trip
2022-12-16 13:00 - 15:00 | 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.

Christmas Break
2022-12-20 | FL
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!

Make-Up Picture Day
2023-01-19 09:00 - 12:00 | Renewal Church, 7221 Bee Ridge Road, Sarasota, 34241, United States
This is for students and facilitators who were not able to attend Picture Day.
Sign in at the welcome table when you arrive.

Field Trip - Save our Seabirds
2023-01-20 13:00 - 15:00 | Save our Seabirds, 1708 Ken Thompson Pkwy, Sarasota, FL, 34236, United States
Let’s spend the afternoon learning about birds at Save Our Seabirds. We will visit their Wild Bird Learning Center and take a stroll along their Birdwalk. Students, bring a notebook to keep track of some exciting information for your field guide!
Afterward, anyone interested can bring a snack and enjoy some outdoor time at the nearby park.
Please remember to wear your green LAF shirts to this event.
NOTE: This is a free event. Please bring a few dollars to drop into their donation box so we can help them continue their amazing work!

Let us know you’re coming by visiting the event page on Facebook.

Mom's Night Out - Print Making and Stamp Carving
2023-01-21 13:00 - 16:00 | Pompa Home (see FB for details)
This is the 2nd date for this class. It is capped at 18 so if you missed the class in the fall sign up now to hold your spot!
Join us for a fun night of crafting with our very own LAF Art teacher Alaina Pompa! Alaina will teach us how to carve Rubber stamps to be used for printmaking.
The cost includes all supplies to create a 4X5 Stamp and about 10 printed cards. Everything will be provided. The cutting knives, paper, ink, rollers and a pattern to work from for the stamp.
Middle and High School girls are welcome to participate.
No experience is necessary for this project.
Let us know you’re coming by visiting the event page on Facebook.

Valentine's Exchange
2023-02-14 14:15 - 15:00 | FL
Our annual Valentine’s Exchange and Friendship Celebration is held on the Tuesday before Valentine’s day at a local park. Each student participating makes or purchases a Valentine’s box that can hold approximately 50 valentines. They also make or purchase 50 valentines to distribute.
The Valentines can be candy or non-candy items and can be as simple or as creative as you want.
Families meet at a park after Tuesday Co-op to eat lunch and play. The actual exchange starts at 2:15 when the participants line up their Valentine boxes with their age group and drop their Valentine’s in the boxes.
Each family is asked to bring a small sweet or salty snack to share as well.
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 Valentine’s Exchange, and all ages are welcome to join.
All families enrolled in the LAF Support Community are invited to join in the fun.
In the event of rain (as was the case in 2022), we will move the Valentine’s Exchange to the Co-op gymnasium.

Co-op Spirit Day — Decades Day
2023-02-21 | FL
This month, it’s Decades Day! Choose from 60s, 70s, 80s, or 90s, and dress like you are a blast from the past!
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!

Junior Co-op Egg Drop Challenge
2023-03-07 13:00 - 15:00 | Renewal Church, 7221 Bee Ridge Road, Sarasota, 34241, United States
Our annual Egg Drop Challenge is for all LAF students this year.
It is held on the west side of the CLC building (see location below).
The students are challenged to create a system to protect a raw egg from cracking or breaking from a high fall. They can use any materials they want to protect their egg so it survives the fall.
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 Egg Drop.
All families with students from preschool through 12th grade enrolled in the LAF Support Community are encouraged to participate.
1:00 PM — Pre-K through 5th Graders
2:15 PM — Middle and High Schoolers

History Fair and Wax Museum
2023-03-10 14:00 - 16:00 | Selby Library, 1331 1st St., Sarasota, FL, 34236, United States
This special event is open to all families enrolled in the LAF Support Community.
Details TBA
