Did you all know that as home schoolers, we are eligible to participate in Pizza Hut's Book It program? I am not sure if there is still time to sign up for this year. The program starts in October. Go check it out on their web site! We just got our program materials and our free personal pan pizza coupons for the entire year. :) We read every day anyway, so free pizzas just sweeten the deal!

Thanks for the reminder.  I've been meaning to sign up for that.  Free pizza, yeah!

Our Homeschool group does this every year. 

I signed up a few months ago and received our packet in the mail today.  Awesome program!

thanks for the heads up. I just signed up.

We got our stuff in the mail yesterday.  My 6 yo is thrilled!  He's my only guy who is still eligible.

We read every day anyway and love free pizza, too! 

our homeschool group had done it for as long as I can remember.

We haven't gotten our materials yet.  I hope we get them soon!!

Has anyone else noticed that they aren't allowing homeschoolers to participate in the bookit beginnings program?

I'd really like to get my daughter into that, as it's perfect for her, but they aren't allowing homeschoolers.

I'm not sure what the bookit beginnings program is.  I'll have to look into that one.

We got our coupons the other day. My DS2 was so excited he grabbed a book to read.  When he was finished I reminded him the program didn't start until October.  Oh, well.

Yes, I saw this and didn't much appreciate it either.   I think I remember that you need to be a "real" preschool program to qualify. 

Hmmpphh!  =(   Oh, well, I am glad they let us do most of it!

Judy

I would suggest that those of you that were turned away in the pre-school program, email Pizza Hut.  Homeschoolers weren't originally allowed to use the "Book It" program until some of us complained.  The only way that they'll know people are upset is if you tell them.  :)

Good luck!

I don't know...I seem to recall being involved in the book it program at least 10 years ago (or more) as a homeschooler. 

When PH started the beginnings program my youngest was the right age for it.   I did wish that they would have included homeschoolers.   But...they can offer it to whomever they wish.  It's nice that they offer this program (to traditional schools and homeschools) but I just see it as an added benefit for reading books we'd otherwise read anyway, not my right.

I agree, Tonja, that Pizza Hut is doing a good thing no matter what. Not many companies recognize home schoolers as schools for those sort of programs. It's great that Pizza Hut does, even if not for preschool.

Huh, obviously things must be different in Colorado, but here in Nevada homeschoolers ARE included almost everywhere for discounts and programs.  Our homeschool groups have been active in making sure that we're treated the same as other schoolers and it has really paid off.  One of the main messages to hsers has been to make your voice known.  It's not about griping that it's "our right" but simply politely stating that we're supporting your businesses and we'd like to be treated like everyone else.  That's fair.  They can choose to listen or not, their right.  But it's also our right to take our business elsewhere if they don't.  No problem.

Here in Las Vegas, businesses are very homeschool friendly.  There are very few places that offer educational discounts or programs that do not include homeschoolers.  For that matter, when we lived in Georgia it was the same thing there.  I'm glad we don't live in Colorado if the businesses that honor homeschoolers are in the minority.  Bummer for you.

ET: fix grammatical error

Another bummer is that there are no formal, structured home school organizations in my town.

Wow, I would have thought that you lived in a big enough city that you'd have at least a couple.  That's sad! 

To be honest, when we found out we were moving to Las Vegas I thought for sure that homeschooling would be non-existent.  Boy was I wrong!  It's HUGE here and we actually have numerous homeschool organizations to choose from.  It's AWESOME!  I learned later that the # of homeschoolers is a direct result of how stinky the schools are here.  Great for us, bad for the public schoolers.  :(

Well, we can get the same discounts here in MN at most places ps teachers can.  As for the PH beginnings thing, when I looked into it I don't think they included home-based preschools either.  It's just not that big of a deal to me that I would write a letter to PH.

In Texas home schoolers also qualify for Braum's Book Buddy and an incentive from Six Flags for a free ticket.

HEB did a book thing over the summer, and allowed us to participate even though we're not in Texas.

Thanks so much for the info we signed up and are looking forward to a great year.

angel

I was homeschooling when it first came out and it was for public school students but they allowed us to participate.  It really motivated the girls.  What was funny was there was a party for the class if they accomplished certain reading goals.  Don't know if it is still that way.   They earned it and our class party consisted of me, the teacher, our 3 girls and my husband !   Pizza hut was very supportive as homeschoolers weren't very accepted then.

How do you set your monthly goals for your kids I'm not sure what is the best way I have a 6th grader a 4th grader and a 2nd grader 2 read a little below level so i don't want to set the goal too high and have them get discouraged.

any advice this is the first year we have done this.

angel

I do 30 minutes a night minimum for it to count. Maybe start with 15 for the younger ones?