Thursday Q&A {1}
Joni Rae at Tales of A Kitchen Witch asks:
Hi Sarah! I was wondering what would you do if one of your children wanted to go to school?
Ah school. We have done public school (three of them!), homeschool, and unschooling. All with varying degrees of successes and failures.
When I became pregnant with Daniel, I immediately decided he would be home-schooled. Fast forward to single parenthood, working full time (I’ve never received child support from his biological father), and a stressful living situation and the choice was made to have him start public school.
I was not confident in my decision. It felt wrong. It felt like it was too soon, that he wasn’t ready. I should have listened to my intuition. Surrounded by my family members who told me I was an awful mother if I didn’t send him to school, I started him at Brentwood.
From day one he was overwhelmed. The school focused more on the social aspects rather than the educational. He and this other little boy at the time, Christopher, did NOT get along. Daniel has always been very tall for his age and Christopher was of course, smaller. He would push my son and then claim he “had to” because my son “scared him”. I made numerous requests in person to the principal AND his teacher asking them to place my son in a different classroom. Instead, they “separated their tables”.
It killed me. He didn’t learn a single thing in kindergarten. Not one thing. In fact, he began to hate any kind of learning.
Then it’s time for first grade. This teacher refused to answer any of my emails, refused to schedule any conference with me, and again focused on the social aspect. During this time the decision was made that he would move to Pennsylvania to live with his biological father. WORST MISTAKE EVER, not only was my son abused physically/emotionally/mentally by his biological father and bio-father’s girlfriend, but again was set up to fail in his school (Laurel Elementary School) there. Their security was lax, in fact, it was brought to my attention that my sister had posed as me and spoke to the principal at that school on more than one occasion. I still don’t know what went on up there…
Anyway, after five miserable months in PA, he came home and started up at North School. Right away I was uncomfortable. His teacher (sensing a theme here!) never responded to my emails or in person contact. The principal would text my cell phone after 9pm suggesting my son go on more “playdates”. He spent most afternoons in her office because, again, he was not having good interactions with the other students. They would have him do handwriting worksheets as punishments.
Now during all this time and all those schools, what did he learn? That he needs to play nice or be “punished”. That’s it. He didn’t learn to write or read. Didn’t pick up any history or science.
Considering my own history with school, I was a bit shocked. After all, I really didn’t have any issues.
So Keith and I decided to homeschool. Then we chose to unschool very shortly after that. It’s now been a year and a half and Daniel does some writing, a touch of reading here and there, and is quite good at math. However, he still fights us every step of the way if we even SUGGEST he “read a book” or anything he construes as learning.
So you can imagine my utter shock when last night, Daniel told Keith and I that he wants to try public school again.
We spent over an hour discussing it with him. What his reasons were, that it would be hard work catching up educationally, that there is a lot more structure and rules, etc. That if he was solid in this decision, we would support him and make it work.
I am terrified.
I am worried that we will spend a small fortune to enroll him, get all the supplies the school “requires”, get all the clothes they require (as a lot of them are specific on a dress code), for him to decide he made a wrong decision and to choose to be at home again.
I am freaking out about the level of work that needs to be done to catch him up to grade level when it comes to reading (which he seems to hate to do).
I am concerned about potential bullying by other students, it seems like every hour of every day there’s another article released about bullying in schools.
I am stressing out over all the “what-if” scenarios.
I feel quite lost actually. Have you been in a similar situation? I could use all the helpful advice you have to offer!
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In that my sister was able to call up and get personal information about my child without any identification without my knowledge or permission.
I don’t know of any other parents in the area personally, what we plan on doing is contacting the district and seeing what schools are options and then narrow it down from there.
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I think she means because her ex’s chick could pose as the mother without proving it.
Great post Sarah!
<3
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Ahh– I thought it was biodad’s chickie. I was confused. Still a good post though.
I hope my little never want to go to school!
<3
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Dude, wouldn’t put it past her either! The phone calls I would receive from her when I was at work… just… insane stuff.
I’m kind of curious to know what his reasons are for wanting to go, since you didn’t mention them. Daniel definitely doesn’t seem afraid of hard work so it’s definitely doable. If he could just get over the reading hatred he could do really well.
What sort of books/material have you introduced him to? I think I’ve heard he’s jumped into WoW and stuff before, so have you introduced fantasy books to him? They’ve been publishing a lot of low-level fantasy books for kids lately :)
He said he wants to have more structured learning. Which is totally understandable as I am the least structured person seriously! However I am concerned that once the reality of school hits, he will change is mind.
He has a collection of close to 50 books or so? I let him pick them out at the bookstore. Generally he prefers Star Wars, Iron Man, Spider-man, a few WoW comics, etc. I try to get some “other” books in there, two nights ago I bought him a Johnny Appleseed book because well… Autumn is almost here aka apple season lol.
He says he wants more structure – why not give him that at home? There is nothing wrong with combining the ideas of unschooling with the more structured homeschooling.
As far as books go, have you tried audio books? Have him listen to them and follow along in the book. I know most public libraries have them for free if you don’t want to invest the money (they can be very pricey) right away.
Good luck. We are still discussing homeschooling our kids. Thankfully, we have some time, but I am starting homeschool preschool with my oldest next year.
Part of it is because I have a REALLY hard time being structured. I try, I have the best intentions, yet I’m distracted by anything and everything, “OHH SHINY!”.
OHHH audio books, that’s something I can put on his iPod! That’s an awesome suggestion!!
Glad you like the idea! We are thinking about getting audio books for long car rides.
What about hiring a tutor to give him a little structure? Even just hiring an education student to “teach” him a couple days a week might be an option.
My 12yo has tentatively mentioned wanting to try public school once or twice. I’ve discussed it with her, heard her reasons, and I do take her opinion seriously. But ultimately, I think that it’s up to her father and me, as the parents, to make the final decision.
As much as Daniel’s input is important, you are the mom, and you are qualified to decide what is best for him. Do you think he could really benefit from going to public school? What would have to happen for him to really be happy and succeed in public school — is it feasible? What if he does go for a while and then change his mind — could he benefit from that experience?
Knowing my daughter as I do, I would not put her in a public school. I don’t believe that the environment would be good for her, and I’m certain that it would be damaging to her self-confidence. (Based on previous experiences.) Some of my other kids, I actually might consider it — but they aren’t interested in public school. ;)
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It’s really hard for me to judge what would be best. Perhaps if he progressed further while at home I would tell him that I didn’t think public school was best but, sadly, that’s not the case.
As it stands a lot of it will depend on the schools themselves, I want Keith and I to have a sit down meeting and DISCUSS everything before we enroll him anywhere.
Public schools are all about social development. That is the primary selling point of them over homeschooling, but that comes with negative aspects too. People are dangerous and cruel, even as kids, and schools don’t have the resources (monetarily or staff-wise). I don’t have kids, but I want them to go to a private or public school, because I know I am not very extroverted. So I’d probably not provide enough out-of-the-home social interaction for a kid to experience a diverse social life. Of course the schools from your son’s history have grossly wronged him and you. I am in no way denouncing your experience, so please don’t get me wrong! I am just offering my POV.
Everyone fears those “what ifs” and parents especially. That is natural. It sounds like you and Keith are doing the right thing in giving him your support for his decision at this time. As you’ve experienced, all things in life are fluid.
It’s hard because I think as a society we place WAYYYYY too much value on a “social life”. Am I less of a person because I don’t have many local friends? Of course not! Yet society feels people are “worth more” if more people are around them. Drives me nuts!
I have local friends in a number I can count on my two hands. I have many friends I’ve met online and even met my boyfriend via the web 10 years ago (still together!) So I very strongly and understand your perspectives about relationships. I do not think social interaction is purely about relationships. I meant learning how to deal with people, as a population, and the lessons/choices/opinions made by experiencing/enduring other humans in public settings. Learning to deal with those bullies as adults in a work setting is one of an infinite number of lessons learned through social interaction. There’s such a multitude of personalities we meet in school and making your own choices on how to deal with them cannot be learned entirely at home — at least not by my (theoretical future) children since I’m not the type of person to be around others with similarly aged children very often.
Oh yes, LOL, I met DS1’s father online actually and my twin sister met her fiance (and father of her daughter) online as well!
I don’t think school teaches anything about how to DEAL with people overall though due to the age segregation. So you may learn how to deal with your age peer group but that is pretty limited.
My boys have been curious about school a few times over the years — particularly around middle and high school age when it feels like the only way they will ever get a date is if they go to school. I was willing to let my 16 year old try public school (the private school he was interested in was beyond what we could afford). His father said absolutely not because he is afraid the school is unsafe. I think my 16 year old could handle what came at him. Ultimately, my son decided we could expand his social world in other ways (registering for a community college class, taking other classes with more people he could meet) and frankly I think he realized he didn’t want to get up that early in the morning every day so decided not to go to public school.
When my 13 year old recently asked about middle school, I did actively discourage him. He is shy, tends to get really depressed when kids pick on him, and I think he wouldn’t last a week before he refused to go back. If he were a bit older and it was high school rather than middle school, maybe.
My 10 year old has some learning differences. No matter how much he might want to go to school (and he never has), I wouldn’t let him. It would be harmful to him.
So my view is that as home/unschoolers we do have to respect what our kids want — sometimes against our better judgment. If a child want more structured learning (and my kids have all asked for this at one point or another) I do give them more structure. But whether they go into an environment that may be physically and/or emotionally dangerous is ultimately our call as parents.
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It just boggles my mind because he was in the school system for two years so it’s not as if it is some great mystery.
All I can do is support him I suppose but it’s hard.
My daughter is younger than your son, but she asked to go to school. She doesn’t really know what school is though. i asked her what she wanted to do at school.Her response was to make more friends, and play with them. She said she wanted to go to the zoo and museum, so we do more of those things.
Someone else suggested getting her some new clothes, shoes, her own lunch box and bookbag. Something she could take with her when we go out. I’ve started attending more play groups, La Leche League meetings.
For the past month we have been on the move. Zoo, museum, beach, aquarium, play dates, parks, libraries.
We’re also looking into Girl Scouts for her.
Have you looked into a homeschool co-op? What about Boy Scouts?
With the books and reading, maybe you could get books and set them out w/out mentioning anything about picking one up to him for a month. Just leave them out with no expectations.
Have you asked him what it is about school that he wants to try? Someone else suggested classes, like karate class, dance, art, music. Any class that you think he would enjoy. Talk to him, see what it is he wants and go from there.
My daughter has not asked to go to school since we started doing more of the things she asked for.
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He said he wants more structured learning.
I know he would LOVE to take a karate class (he’s never brought it up but is very much “into” it lol) however, we can’t afford it.
Aside from that, he’s never asked us to take him anywhere or explore. He is much more interested in video games (which we limit) and star wars right now.
I’ve not been in your situation, but I admire the support you are offering your son. As far as dealing with bullies, I read a tremendously useful article a few years ago and am keeping it on file for when the issue comes up for my daughter. It was in Wondertime magazine. Here’s the link: http://wondertime.go.com/learning/article/bullyproof-your-child.html
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That is a wonderful article! I will have to think of some ways to bring that down to a childs level (verbally).
I have zero helpful advice to offer but I think you are a bad ass. You have been through so much and seem to want nothing but the best for your kids like a good mother would. Good luck. I hope you find a solution you are comfortable with.
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Aww thank you!!! I hope we find something that works for everyone, especially Danny!
I am playing devil’s advocate here, because you mentioned, “Then it’s time for first grade. This teacher refused to answer any of my emails, refused to schedule any conference with me” and “His teacher (sensing a theme here!) never responded to my emails or in person contact”
In what manner did you try and contact his teacher in person? I find it quite hard to believe that you weren’t able to track him down once, even if it meant disrupting the class to do so, because as a parent if I wasn’t able to get a hold of my child’s teacher, I would resort to any method necessary to do so and to make a point. –shrugs–
He only had female teachers. It was that I was never able to get an appointment to sit down and talk with her. She would reschedule constantly. Instead I had MANY visits with the principal but that was zero help as the issues stemmed from the classroom/teacher situation at the time. My emails went unanswered, my phone calls (more so, voicemails) never got returned.
The principal at the time told me that she couldn’t MAKE the teacher respond to me, that I was more than welcome to talk to her during Open House (basically a school wide teacher/parent conference, no privacy).
It was one issue after another. I try to be as involved as possible and when I’m ignored, it completely erases ANY trust I have in the teachers abilities to educate my child.
Right and I understand that, but you still didn’t answer my question. At what point do you as a parent, decided enough is enough and track the teacher down yourself to figure out what is going on?
If the principal was not cooperating with me, then I would have went straight to the source, the teacher and her classroom during the times I KNEW she would be there. My whole point is, if the teacher didn’t want to make herself available when she wasn’t in the middle of conducting class, then I would be well within my rights to approach her while she is conducting class. Know what I mean?
I don’t know how much experience you have with schools? You can’t just storm in, especially during class, to demand the teacher speak with you. Most schools, even the worst of public schools, have a lot of security measures and you most likely would end up arrested in that case.
All you can do is follow the chain of command. Email/call the teacher. Contact the vice principal. Contact the principal. Contact the superintendent. And so on.
I think though, really, that’s all besides the point of my post. I am more interested in if anyone has had a similar experience, or advice on how to get everyone in the same direction.
I actually have a lot of experience when it comes to public schools. All of the education I received up until college was via a public school and in addition to that my mother-in-law is a first grade teacher so I am quite familiar with procedures, etc when it comes to elementary schools and parents being on campus/in the classroom.
As such when you stated that you can’t just go storming into a classroom to take to a teacher, you’re right. If you “storm in” like you said, and create a scene, you are going to meet resistance; however if you go in civilly and advise the teacher you need to speak with her/him there is no issue and for the most part a lot of teachers will step away from their students (after giving them something to keep them busy) so that they can address the situation at hand. For the most part any type of security in an elementary setting is often to ensure kids aren’t leaving unattended, or kids are outside of their classrooms when they shouldn’t be, etc. It isn’t until high school when security is a little more tightened because students have the ability and the capacity to just drive off and the possibility of school shootings. However, even then the notion of a paretn being dragged off by security– assuming they aren’t causing a scene as stated, is really a very laughable one.
Lastly, all of this has a lot to do with what this post is in regards to, given the negative connotations you have towards public school. My point is, as much as you want to fault the teacher, there is a point where the parent has to take responsibility and do what is necessary to ensure they can reach the teacher, even if it means having to disrupt a classroom, most especially when previous attempts of contact through the appropriate lines were unsuccessful.
Every school has different security policies. I know that even the elementary schools in my area, you have to sign in with the main office, and if you don’t have an appointment with a teacher, they aren’t just going to let you walk into the classroom. They can notify the teacher that you are there, and are requesting a conference, but that still doesn’t mean that she will get face time with that teacher. Dependent on the teacher, she may be deliberately avoiding Sarah.
Yes, she has a negative view of public school. My children aren’t even in school yet and I have a negative view of public school. I’ve seen how teachers treat parents that they deem “difficult”, I have taught at the elementary level. Some teachers just want the paycheck (small as it may be). Kids in, kids out, if they learn, fantastic. If not, the teacher next year can deal with it. Granted, most teachers are not like that, but there are some.
Eh, I had a point there somewhere.
I don’t think I have any advice for you. I don’t look forward to the school years, though. We’re going to give public school a shot. Obviously the situation you experienced was unacceptable.
I doubt we’ll go the unschooling route, especially in the early years. I personally do not have enough discipline to do unschooling “properly” (which, in my opinion, means LOTS of different life experiences on a frequent basis).
Homeschooling, perhaps, but I hear it’s fairly difficult to find quality secular materials and organizations. (We’re having an IMPOSSIBLE time finding a secular daycare. Oh, I didn’t want to have to explain God or Jesus to my 3 year old.)
Have you looked into the various reading programs available? I’m sure a Google search would turn up something. Literacy is definitely important to me and I know from the quality of your writing that it’s important to you, too! Reading needs to be made fun, one way or another.
As for the social aspects of school, now that he’s older he may be better able to understand the motivation of others’ behaviors. There’s no excuse for a teacher doing something emotionally damaging to a student. That kind of stuff needs to be reported to the VP or principle. It’s not fun, I’m sure. I’ve read so many terrible tales of teachers vs. students and parents! It’s one of the motivating factors of many I know who homeschool.
Is it the social aspects he’s craving by returning to school? Can he write or dictate a list of reasons why he wants to go back to school and are there any alternatives to these you can fulfill by enrolling him in different extracurricular activities or home-school co-ops? I think many museums and libraries have programs throughout the year for group activities for kids of all ages. This is why I don’t know if I could do home/unschooliing — the planning!
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Part of the reason we went with unschooling so quickly is because it was so hard finding material that wasn’t religiously based.
He said he wants more structured learning. Hasn’t mentioned anything about new friends or people. Just wants structured learning.
What worries me about so many people gravitating toward homeschooling these days is that the child is not getting the social interaction needed for the real world. It is not about making friends, it is not about going on play dates, or being the popular kid in class. Even bullying has its lessons. Bullies exist in the adult, working world. If your son has not learned how to deal with them in his childhood, how is he going to deal with them as an adult? He cannot run to Mommy and have her tell the boss to move her son to another department. In that aspect, I applaud the school for not moving him. It’s a life lesson. Should he be bullied? Absolutely not. But it happens. It will happen to him at some point, be it this year or twenty years down the road.
Ultimately, you are his mother and only his parents will be held responsible for his upbringing. It is your decision to make, whether you take his wants into account or not.
Have you checked into a learning program such as Sylvan or anything similar that might be in your area? I have heard testimony from an old neighbor that she put her son through a program like that – and he hated school with a passion – and saw him excel and flourish academically.
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Hmm being placed in a group of only people your exact age has nothing to do with the “real” world or learning about work experiences where your boss could be ten years older or younger, than you are.
I didn’t go into depth about the issues from the kindergarten class as they are private however keeping him IN that classroom subjected my son to things that should NEVER occur to any child.
Generally Sylvan, to my knowledge, tend to work with children who are in school to raise test scores and such, not too useful for homeschool or unschooled children.
My point about the social aspect was that the child is learning how to interact with others. Peers or otherwise. The Parent-Child interaction can only go so far before they have to deal with people in the real world be them strangers, a co-worker, a boss, etc. That is why I, personally, am against homeschooling. I know that I could never give my child the amount of social development that they would need to be a successful adult. I would want too badly to protect and coddle him and hold his hand.
I’m sorry that there was more to the kindergarten aspect than you let on. If things were so bad, I would have just simply pulled him from the classroom myself.
I disagree. Even though it may be designed to raise test scores, the idea behind it is that if the child is doing better academically, the hatred of school will abate because s/he is not struggling and not behind his/her peers, feeling alienated.
Have you asked your son what he would define as “more structured”? Maybe he could give you an idea of what he expects/wants and you could work with that? I don’t know the difference between “unschooling” and “homeschooling” so I don’t know if that includes any sort of lesson plans or whatever. But maybe including him will get you both what you want out of the experience?
I guess we should agree to disagree!
He now is interested in online schooling so that may be another option we’re going to look into!
Well online schooling definitely seems to be a good middle ground. It appeases his ‘geek’ side and keeps him at home. Congrats!
Love the site design, especially the postal icons! Clearly I don’t come here often enough, lol. I saw you post about this on Twitter though, and it grabbed my attention. As I know Danny a bit (most of all his love of Star Wars) I found it surprising that he made that request. I didn’t know a lot about his previous school experiences, most of my knowledge comes from what I just read, and it seems that for them to cause you to make a 180 on your views for his schooling and pull him out of there, they caused you monumental concern. As sweet of a boy as Danny is, I understand your motivations. Along with surprise, I also think it’s great that Danny has spoken up about trying something else, it sounds like maturity on his part to express concern for his needs and to have a plan in mind.
In my return to college, I find that the online classes I have are more of a challenge than the conventional classroom settings. Some of it is distraction, okay more than some, but some of it comes from the environment. Maybe he’s feeling frustration that the same roof under which he plays, eats and sleeps is the same one where he has to switch gears into a focused, learning mode? Try taking him to the library and give him some math (a subject he’s enjoying) or hand writing to do for an hour each day for one week while you and baby play/nap/read off in the background. I think this will give him a sense of the school environment, without going cold turkey on what he’s used to, and see what he makes of having to be in a routine, of having to focus and complete a task, and being in a different, bland environment. If an hour goes well, like Susan mentioned above, have him listen to an audio version of the book while following along with the paper copy, if they have both versions. I think this may also help to gauge where he’s coming from. If he’s looking for more instruction, and I know you said expenses are hard, I hear ya, but maybe inquire at Sylvan or another tutoring service about what they offer for him, and how comfortable you are with them, so that any worries about bullies, socializing, and teacher accessibility are off the table while he tries it out.
As all my knowledge of being a parent in the schooling system comes from third parties, I don’t have any experiences to share with you, just thoughts, but I do have to agree with the posts above about the need for socialization. Not popularity, or cliques or anything, because I too was not a master in any way, and met my boyfriend of 10 years online. But the root word in society is social. Humans are social beings with sharing thoughts, concerns, needs, etc, and have developed language to further that socialization. But it’s not just language, it’s reading expressions and body language, and it requires practice at dealing with people that make us feel scared or hurt or uncomfortable that keep us from feeling anxious in situations that involve us dealing with people in person. Practice gives us the tools to fit in with other members we haven’t met before, be it going to a restaurant, having a job interview, or talking about something with the person next to you in line somewhere. Practice gives a sense of pride and self confidence when navigating social interactions, regardless of whether the outcome was good or bad. I feel like I’ve gotten preachy, and I don’t mean to, but as someone who’s boyfriend has autism, I have a particular experience around socialization.
I wish they had a Star Wars curriculum LOL, wouldn’t that be AWESOME!?
What Keith and I plan on doing is talking to the district, talking to the school, and go from there. We aren’t going to just register him and hope for the best. I love the library idea and the audio book suggestion!
I’ve always worried about his social interaction simply because he was rarely around other children as a little one because of the apartment complex we lived in (as you’re familiar with lol). I just want what’s best for him and the NOT KNOWING scares me.
Just throwing a few ideas out here: What about getting him a homeschool curriculum that he could work through on his own? He could have more structure but it wouldn’t have to come from you? Or would he be willing to sit down and create goals and a plan and maybe a schedule for himself that he could do at home? Also, is it possible, given his bad experiences with PS before, that he might want to go just to find out for himself if he can do it better this time? To find out if he can meet the challenges of PS and make it through? Is this his challenge for himself? I don’t know the answers to these questions but I’m just throwing ideas out there.
I had a hard time finding a curriculum that 1. we could AFFORD and 2. wasn’t religious based. I think it’s VERY possible that he sees PS as a new challenge or just a different environment and it’s just possible that he’s matured emotionally to DEAL with PS now instead of just a year or two ago.
I just wish I could skip to the future, get a peek, and see what the best decision is lol.
I vote for sending him. Let him face that choice. It shows you trust him and it seems the pure unschool way.
See the thing is, I’m not a radical unschooler so just because he WANTS something, doesn’t mean he’s going to get to do it.
He was offered his educational options although I was unaware of online schooling, and is now pondering online school vs public school. I know his father and I still will contact the district and school for a sit down meeting to discuss their options as well.
Just have to respond to the “school teaches you how to deal with people” theme. My eldest went to school until second grade after two years of pre-school. I went to public school K through 12 (though I skipped a grade). One of the reasons I pulled my son was that I saw he was learning what I did — most effect way to cope with bullies is to become one. It is behavior some people do indeed take with them into the adult world and those are the people most of us avoid. Most learn more productive ways of interacting in college or later — things they might be learning earlier if they weren’t trapped in narrow peer groups.
Instead my kids have learned to interact productively with people of all ages. Their schooled peers have not learned to interact with adults. My kids are exposed to a more diverse range of social relationships and interactions than their schooled peers.
I know many people who don’t know much about the real day-to-day of homeschooling think that we keep our kids in a Skinner box chained to a Bible. I am much more worried about kids who spend 8+ hour days exposed only to people their own age.
Sarah, have you looked at BrainPop? We love it, it isn’t too expensive (try the free 30 days), and the kids can run their own structured work.
Joni recommended BrainPop to me! The trial was only for a week though and we didn’t have much of a chance to play around with it however I am going to give it another look tonight!!
I think before just letting him go back, Work with him get him up to speed on the reading and writing, and tell him this, That if he really wants to go back and give it a try then he needs to do those things. It will lessen the other kids making fun of him (I know a lot of kids who were made fun of cause they couldnt do certain things.) And will make him feel better about him self cause he will be able to participate alot more. If he has friends from around your neighborhood, find out what school they go to and maybe send him there so he knows some people and wont feel lonely. I know being military and switching schools every 2 years was hard on me. It also made it hard to make new friends, I was often the kid on the outside and it hurt alot.
I think we are going to look into an online school actually, so now the hunt begins into finding a good one!
Sadly our area LACKS in children, also he did go to the local school, North, that was the one where the principal would text my cellphone late at night heh.
I keep hearing radio spots for http://www.k12.com/ its a online school and work at your own pace i think, I have heard great things about it though
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I'm Sarah or you can just call me StarryMom. I'm also known simply as "awesome".
I'm a married mom of two fantastic boys, Daniel (10yrs) & Tristan (2yrs). I'm super passionate about Attachment Parenting & photography! I like to help people with blog design and coding and make blogs in general suck less. I also have a slight nail polish addiction.
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What do you mean about the third school being lax on “security”? Did they have issues with creepers?
If he feels ready to go, I’d be all for it. I hope you find a good school that can help him catch up with reading and hopefully they’ll let you pick your teacher. Perhaps phone around to other moms about which teachers were best for his age level.
My sister had a teacher from kindergarten to 1st grade who made her uncomfortable. They pegged her as unintelligent because she was too shy to talk. A better teacher opened her up and she finally started making friends. Hope you find a good one!
shared blog post — Studio