SAT Test Registration Deadline
2024-05-16 08:00 - 17:00 UTC
Digital SAT Test Registration Deadline
By Collegeboard.org
Thursday, May 16th
Note: This is NOT a Cola City Event.
At this time, registration is open for all students for the entire 2023–24 testing year.
All deadlines expire at 11:59 p.m. ET, U.S.
These test dates and deadlines apply to all students—U.S. and international—taking the digital SAT:
Registration Deadline- May 16, 2024
Deadline for changes/regular cancellation/late registration- May 21, 2024
SAT Test Date- June 1, 2024
*Students who need to borrow a device from College Board will need to register and request their device earlier than the registration deadline—at least 30 days before test day.
**Late registration is available internationally starting in March 2024. Additional fees may apply.
<REGISTER HERE>
Info on test fees and other policies found at the link.

Picture Book Panel: Virtual Workshop
2024-09-05 13:00 - 14:00 | Virtual Event
Picture Book Panel: Virtual Workshop
By Cardinal Rule Press
Thursday, Sept 5 at 1 pm
FREE — Parent/Educators
Note: This is NOT a Cola City Event. Contact Cardinal Rule Press for more information
Tune in for this vibrant community of authors, parents, families, and friends to hear about Cardinal Rule Press’s newest children’s book Do-It-Yourself Dollhouse & how to transition back-to-school! We look forward to hearing from the author, Shannon Anderson and hope to see you there!

FACILITATOR: Nationally recognized author, publisher and speaker Maria Dismondy is dedicated to inspiring and empowering children. She has authored nine children’s books and made more than 800 speaking appearances. She lives in southeast Michigan with her husband, Dave, and their three children.
PANELIST: Shannon Anderson is an award-winning author and speaker who enjoys traveling the country for author visits and other events and conferences. She taught for 25 years at both the elementary and college level, and was named one of the Today Show’s teachers who “awed and inspired” in 2019.
Moni Ritchie Hadley, a half-Japanese military brat, bounced back and forth from the USA to Japan. Daydreaming was a favorite pastime. She is the author of the forthcoming Miso Magic (‘24), Anzu and the Art of Friendship (‘23), and The Star Festival (‘21), a 2022 Bank Street College Best Children’s Book of the Year.
Kathryn is an award-winning author/illustrator, best known for her character-building number/color book series: One, Zero, and Two. She is also the co-author of Beautiful Hands, a book about possibilities and reaching your dreams. She helps readers find creative methods to engage and connect with their students through the power of reading, art, and literature.

Mental Health Awareness: Virtual Workshop
2024-09-05 14:00 - 15:00 | Virtual Event
Mental Health Awareness: Virtual Workshop
by SC Homeschooling Connection
with Butterfly Beacon
Thursday, Sept 5 at 2pm
FREE — Parent/Educators
Note this is a free event by SC Homeschooling Connection. Scroll down to register so we can send you the zoom link and keep an eye out for you.
The workshop will also be recorded for replay.
CLICK HERE to find out more about Butterfly Beacon.
Did you know?
Statistics show that 5000 youth ages 15 to 24 are successful every year at taking their lives. There are 12 successful youth suicides everyday. 1 is too many!
Our goal is that the wings of every youth in the B.U.T.T.E.R.F.L.Y program unfold, revealing the true beauty within themselves and the world around them. Through mindful guidance and real life education, we strive to break through the false sense of reality perpetuated by popular culture, social media, and entertainment. Our vision is to cultivate a generation of respectful, self-loving, understanding, educated, compassionate, resilient, and socially conscious youth who not only recognize their worth, but also understand the profound impact they can have on the world. A purpose only they can fulfill!

Thinking back as an adult…

Did you ever feel misunderstood as a child?
Did you feel like you didn’t fit in anywhere?
Did you ever feel like your voice didn’t matter?
Did you ever feel unsure about whether you were loved or not?
Was there ever something that you felt like you needed, but wasn’t given that could’ve changed the direction of your life?

If you did, then you know how our children are feeling, and you understand them more than you think you do. You also realize that they are dealing with so much worse because of the access at their fingertips. We must listen to what they are saying/not saying and look for any changes in their mood and attitude.
Having been bullied while struggling with feelings of low self-esteem, low self-worth and feeling misunderstood, elementary, middle and high school were hard for me. I felt like how I was feeling didn’t matter, like I didn’t matter. My experiences weren’t isolated. Many youth struggle with these same emotions every single day! Just like a Butterfly, our youth go through different stages. This 12 – week program is designed to help 6th through 12th graders (ages 12 – 18) navigate each stage of their life with love, support, patience and understanding while securing their mental, emotional and social wellbeing. We must advocate for our youth and teach them how to rise above their circumstances.
EMPOWERING YOUTH, UNLEASHING POTENTIAL
In each weekly module students will learn…

Be – how to exist daily, how to overcome suicide and find the value in themselves daily; to live
Uniquely U – that they are the sole example for themselves; they write the story for their lives
Today – to focus on the present time; to not allow their past to decide their future; growth
Tomorrow and – to plan for the future, but not dwell on it; to be prepared for what’s ahead; goals
Everyday – how to be consistent on a daily basis; what it means to stay true to oneself; integrity
Remembering to – how to learn from the past; the importance of forward movement; forgiveness
First – self-care; how to not focus on other’s opinions of them; what it means to be a priority
Love – to build an unconditional devotion to self-love; self-appreciation; self- respect; importance of
Yourself – individuality; to know and love who they are, what they stand for; morals and values

Register here to reserve your space!

New Author Read-Aloud: Virtual Workshop
2024-09-10 14:00 - 15:00 | Virtual Event
New Author Read-Aloud:Virtual Workshop
by SC Homeschooling Connection
Tuesday, Sept 10 at 2pm
FREE — Elementary Ages
Note this is a free event by SC Homeschooling Connection. Scroll down to register so we can send you the zoom link and keep an eye out for you.
Tune in to hear a new, young author read-aloud her picture book. Celebrate the major accomplishment of this SC homeschooler getting published! Have You Heard of Spaghetti Day? by Chloe Hilbrands

Stick around for a brief Q/A with the author and her manager-mom.
Get the book here with our referral link: https://amzn.to/4egSOJc
Register here to reserve your space!

Virtual Workshop: College Scholarships & Financial Aid
2024-09-17 14:00 - 15:00 | Virtual Event
College Scholarships & Financial Aid:
Virtual Workshop
by SC Homeschooling Connection
with Clear Vision College Counseling
Thursday, Sept 17 at 2pm
FREE — Parent/Educators
Note this is a free event by SC Homeschooling Connection. Scroll down to register so we can send you the zoom link and keep an eye out for you.
The workshop will also be recorded for replay.
As you’re looking ahead to college tuition costs, let’s talk about financial aid, grants, loans and scholarships. Clear Vision College Counseling is here to help us understand the various options to consider.
Register here to reserve your space!

Parenting Teens Through Launch Anxiety- Webinar
2024-09-26 02:00 - 15:00
Parenting Teens Through Launch Anxiety
by Roya Dedeaux
Thursday, Sept 26th @2pm
Parents — FREE Virtual
Note: This is NOT a Cola City event.
30 minute webinar for parents to help with…
Parenting Teens Through Launch Anxiety
Even when it scares the $#$@ out of both of you 😉

Do your teens doubt their own abilities?
Have your teens expressed their worry that they don’t have what it takes to “adult?”
Are they worried they missed out on some vital piece of information?
Do they feel like they didn’t get the growing-up handbook everyone else did?

What do you do when your awesome kid doesn’t believe you when you tell them how capable they are?
This 30 minute parenting webinar is designed to give parents the tools and opportunity to look at their own feelings about their growing-up-kids, and figure out how to best help them through the launching process.

​Will you get tools & language to use right away? Absolutely.
Will it help you communicate with your kids even when you’re both anxious? Yup.
Will your teens benefit from more effective support from you? 100%

If you want to support your teens & young adult kids during this normal-yet-terrifying developmental process, but you’re struggling with how much to push when they feel overwhelmed, while also allowing that “launching” in 2024 looks very different than it did for you back in 19*mumble mumble*… so you aren’t sure what to do… Then this is for you.

Reserve your spot HERE

ACT Webinar: Choosing the "Right" College
2024-10-16 19:00 - 20:00 | Virtual Event
Choosing the “Right” College
by ACT & CollegeWise
Wednesday, Oct 16 @7pm EST
FREE — Teens/Parents
Note: This event is *NOT* hosted by Cola City Homeschoolers. Contact ACT for more information
Finding Your Fit: Researching & Choosing the Right College
Wednesday, October 16, 2024 – 6:00 p.m. CT/7:00 p.m. ET

About this session: With over 4,000 universities just in the US, it’s no wonder most students feel overwhelmed by the research process to find the right schools. Where do you even begin?
In this webinar, Collegewise admission experts will be sharing top tips on how to effectively conduct college research and solidify a well-rounded list of schools. We want every student to be thrilled about their options.
By the end of the session, you will discover:

How to do robust and effective research
What factors to consider when conducting college research
How to maximize college visits
How to create a balanced college list that includes likely, target, and reach schools
How to find schools that are the right fit for your personality, aspirations, and budget

College research doesn’t have to be so complicated, and with Collegewise expert advice, you’ll be all set to approach it with a greater sense of confidence.
Register now and secure your seat!

Bridge Day
2024-10-19 08:00 - 17:00
Bridge Day
by Spivey Sparks (TPT)
Saturday, Oct 19th
All Ages — FREE
Note: This is NOT a Cola City event.
Did you know?
Today is Bridge Day, a celebration commemorating the building of the New River Gorge Bridge in West Virginia. But we can celebrate it here in SC by building our own bridges!
Here’s a FREE STEM activity from Spivey Sparks on Teachers Pay Teachers that will walk you through the math, science, and planning that goes into building a functional bridge. Test your build to see if it will withstand weight, water, and even simulated natural disasters!
Find the FREE PDF HERE!

Virtual Workshop: Learning Differences
2024-10-24 14:00 - 15:30 | Virtual Event
Adapting Curriculum for Struggling Learners:
Virtual Workshop
by SC Homeschooling Connection
with BJU Press/Homeworks
Thursday, Oct 24 at 2pm
FREE — Parent/Educators
Note this is a free event by SC Homeschooling Connection. Scroll down to register so we can send you the zoom link and keep an eye out for you.
The workshop will also be recorded for replay.
Adapting Curriculum for Struggling Learners: Discover ideas for planning, scheduling, and adapting materials to meet your child’s learning style. Examples will be shown from BJU resources. But, you can use these strategies for any resources.
Peggy has been involved in education for over 35 years as a homeschool mom, classroom teacher, substitute teacher, tutor, and elementary-level curriculum writer. Working with her own struggling learner at home as well as substituting in a Christian special education school led Peggy to pursue further training through a special education degree. She has the desire for every child to acquire the tools he or she needs to reach their full God-given potential. Peggy and her husband, Arnold, live in South Carolina. They have three grown children. Peggy is a consultant with HomeWorks by Precept and convention workshop presenter. She stays in touch with homeschooling as her oldest daughter homeschools four of their grandchildren.
Register here to reserve your space!

My Street, My Story Competition
2024-11-01 12:00 - 12:30 | Virtual Event
My Street, My Story Competition
by USC Center for Civil Rights
Deadline: Nov 1
All High Schoolers — Free
Note this is NOT hosted by Cola City Homeschoolers. Please contact USC Center for Civil Rights for more information and submission

Columbia-area high school students are invited to participate in “My Street, My Story: Celebrating History and Community through Youth Expression,” a visual and literary arts contest created by the USC Center for Civil Rights History and Research.
Inspired by the Center’s current exhibition, Intersection on Main Street: African American Life in Columbia, located in the Columbia Museum of Art’s Our Story Matters gallery, students are encouraged to use their preferred methods of artistic or written expression to create a body of work that draws connections from the stories of community and resilience of the Historic Black Business District in Columbia to their own present-day experiences in their community.
MORE Information Click HERE

NCAA Webinar
2024-11-03 18:00 - 19:00 | Virtual Event
NCAA Webinar
By NCAA Eligibility Center
Sunday, November 3 @ 6pm
FREE — Teens/Parents
Note: This event is *NOT* hosted by Cola City Homeschoolers. Contact NCAA for more information
Are you a student-athlete dreaming of playing your sport at the NCAA level? Invest in your future and spend an hour on Sunday, Nov. 3, from 6 to 7 p.m. Eastern time, understanding the requirements and how to prepare for NCAA certification. Join NCAA Eligibility Center staff, who will walk you through what you need to do to compete at the NCAA Division I, II or III level.
Staff will be answering questions live during the presentation, so come prepared to learn how to take your game to the next level!
Click here to register.

Spanish Christmas Caroling
2024-12-04 15:00 - 17:00
Spanish Christmas Caroling
by Academia Bilingual Bridges
Wednesday, Dec 4th @3pm
FREE — Ages 5-12
Note: This is NOT a Cola City event.
Greetings. It’s almost time for our annual Spanish Christmas Caroling Event, and we would like to invite all homeschoolers and their friends ages 5 to 12!
This is a free event that’s sure to be lots of fun! Please RSVP by emailing academiabilingualbridges@gmail.com

Virtual Workshop & Roundtable Discussion
2025-07-18 14:00 - 15:30 | Virtual Event
Community Roundtable & Workshop
Abuse & Neglect Prevention
By CHRE & SC Connection
Postponed till September
Free — Virtual
NOTE: This workshop is hosted by the SC Homeschooling Connection. Free for Home Educator’s in SC to raise awareness about abuse and neglect–and practical ways to protect our homeschool community. CLICK HERE TO RESERVE YOUR SPACE, you’ll be notified when the new date is set.

Presentation: The Coalition for Responsible Home Education is an organization run by homeschool alumni that provides resources for homeschooling families, conducts research on homeschooling issues, and educates the public on how gaps in homeschooling oversight policy can provide cover for abuse and neglect. Since 2013, we have conducted research on homeschooling outcomes, paying attention to unique red flags, risk factors, and patterns of abuse that are unique to homeschool settings. Our research shows that, while most families homeschool responsibly, abuse and neglect do occur in homeschooling environments, and that community-based solutions are critical to prevention.
In this introductory workshop, we introduce our organization’s work and give an overview of our key findings. We will then facilitate a group discussion to explore how our data and perspective can be of service to homeschooling community stakeholders. We do so with the ultimate goal of developing resources that aid homeschooling communities in recognizing and preventing abuse and neglect.
Presenter: Jonah Stewart is the Interim Executive Director of the Coalition for Responsible Home Education (CRHE). Jonah leads CRHE’s research on homeschool policy and outcomes, and oversees CRHE’s core projects, including the Homeschooling’s Invisible Children database. Jonah earned a Ph.D. in Education from the University of Oxford on a Rhodes scholarship.
CLICK HERE TO RESERVE YOUR SPACE

Office Hours: Cola City PLUS
2025-08-22 14:00 - 15:30 | Virtual Event
Office Hours: Cola City PLUS
by Cola City Homeschoolers
Friday, August 22 @2pm
FREE — Parent/Educators
Brainstorming, planning and community building time! Come find out more about the *NEW* Cola City PLUS app.
We’ve got lots of ideas–but, we need YOU and your ideas too! Field trips, Clubs, Share Fairs, Market Day, Career Day, Family Dance, Park Meet-ups, and more.
Join Zoom Meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85685414485?pwd=[REDACTED]
Or go to: https://zoom.us/join
Meeting ID: 856 8541 4485
Passcode: [REDACTED]
**************************

If you’re not on the app, yet, set up your free trial account first:CLICK HERE. Once the admin approves your account, you’ll be able to log in to the app. Directions will be emailed to you with instructions.

DISCUS: Open House Workshop
2025-08-26 14:00 - 15:00 | Virtual Event
Discus Open House: Online
by SC State Library
Tuesday, August 26 @2-3pm
FREE — Parent/Educators
NOTE: This is *not* a Cola City event. It’s open to the public. More info click here
Do you know about Discus – South Carolina’s Virtual Library? It’s a FABULOUS resource for your homeschool. Find out more at this Open House Q/A workshop.
Discus Open House: Tuesday, August 26, 2025 2:00PM – 3:00PM Whether you’re new to Discus or a long-time user looking for tips, this is your chance to get personalized support in a flexible, open format. No formal presentation—just answers, demos, and discussion!
Click here to register! https://statelibrary.sc.libcal.com/event/15046270

Cola City PLUS: Zoom Chat
2026-01-19 14:30 - 15:30 | Virtual Event
Cola City PLUS: Zoom Chat
Monday, January 19 @2:30pm
FREE — Parents
What are you gonna do about socialization? You know the question. And you may have some cliches to answer. But, just between us–we have to acknowledge socialization is harder when we are homeschooling.
Let’s be honest: The struggle is real.
Finding interesting activities, kids that your kids like, and moms that you like. Plus coordinating schedules and paying for the fees. Then, what happens when conflicts arise or your friends move away?
Finding a group makes you feel like you’re Goldilocks. This one’s too big; that one’s too small. Or too quiet or too loud. Or too far away or too expensive. You can’t find one that fits just right.
So, what are your biggest challenges? Let’s put the problems out there and start brainstorming some possible solutions.
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85685414485?pwd=[REDACTED]
Or go to: https://us02web.zoom.us/join
Meeting ID: 856 8541 4485
Passcode: [REDACTED]
Read more Cola City PLUS
