|
Post by violajack on Jan 27, 2020 18:59:40 GMT -6
My 7 year old wants to go to public school next year so he can be around more kids again. *sigh* But I really can't argue with his desire to have more friends. There's only so many classes I'm willing to put them in.
On the flip side, when I ask my 5 year old if he wants to go too, he specifically doesn't want to be around so many other kids all the time. He remembers in preschool wanting to be alone and would tell his friend that he wanted to be alone and then another kid would always come around and bother him. But he also complains about the toddler bothering him at home, so....pick your poison kid.
Guess which one takes after me.
I'm torn because I want a classical education for them, but I also want a break sometimes. We're not close enough to any of the bigger private schools that offer homeschool hybrid programs. I like the freedom and flexibility of homeschooling, but......
I know it's supposed to be an each kid each year kind of decision, but I wanted to just pick something and stick with it.
|
|
|
Post by violajack on Jan 29, 2020 15:07:10 GMT -6
I have tried explaining the whole sit quietly and do your work thing, but our local elementary prides itself on an emphasis on project based learning and the arts. He misses the art classes and I haven't found a good homeschool or studio art class for him and I am not crafty.
We've also talked about the longer day, especially the fact that the bus generally comes around before he's even out of bed. He went to a private pre-K and then public K and we've homeschooled for 1st and now into 2nd.
Part of the issue is that he left behind friends in CA and we haven't really gotten close to any new families in OH yet. I just joined two more local homeschool Facebook groups and I'm looking for new co-op opportunities as it's looking like we will not continue with CC. But I can't give him that experience of being around the same kids every day. I guess I have to figure out if we can satisfy his social desires some other way. Parenting an extrovert as an introvert is hard, yo. And OMG the Facebook groups. I'm not sure how long my sanity will hold up to being in so many homeschool Facebook groups.
Luckily, he's a positive, adaptable kid and will succeed in any environment. But it's not my ideal.
|
|
|
Post by violajack on Jan 29, 2020 18:02:13 GMT -6
Not to my knowledge. I think only private schools can do the hybrid thing. My plan is to just not talk about it for a while to see if it's a passing fancy of his, but it's not the first time he's brought it up. I'm going to research more options in the meantime. But if he's still hoping to go to public school by spring, I'll try to set up a school tour or something.
|
|
|
Post by violajack on Jan 30, 2020 8:29:51 GMT -6
Sweet! Your google-foo is stronger than mine. I had read that they can do extra curricular in the district, but didn't see anything about part time or hybrid enrollment. The principal seemed pretty reasonable in the few email exchanges, and it's a small school, so they may be open to it. I'll have to email and find out.
|
|
|
Now what?
Jan 30, 2020 18:21:48 GMT -6
via mobile
Post by bunnyfungo on Jan 30, 2020 18:21:48 GMT -6
Gah. I’m not used to there being much action on this board. I need to check in more frequently. My 7-year-old is the same. She told me that she wants to go back to school to make more friends. We have activities 4 days a week, which is my limit with 4 under 8. I think she’s mostly disappointed that her gymnastics friend switched to a different class day/time. I’m going to sign her up for a local summer library program that is 4 hours a day to see if we can meet some friends that way. At the end of the day, though, I feel like it’s our (parent) choice. I want her to be happy, for sure, but it needs to work for our entire family. One of the reasons we homeschool is my husband’s work schedule. She would never see him if she went to school. She’s not old enough to understand that. So I will prioritize our family while doing what I can to get her with kids her age.
|
|
|
Post by violajack on Jan 30, 2020 19:30:10 GMT -6
Oh yeah, the off schedule thing is part of the problem too. As a performing musician, if I wanted to work again, or even teach private lessons, it's all evening and weekend work and I would lose out on a lot of time if he were in school during the day. I don't have credentials, so I cant teach in schools during the school day.
Today, we just learned that their gymnastics coach (whom they love) was homeschooled all through high school and ue totally understands my dilemma and how hard it is to make sure homeschooled kids get enough time with other kids. But he also told me that the 6 year old will be ready to move from pre-team to competitive team next year, which means 4 hours a week of team practice time. So that would give him more time with a consistent group of kids.
I also emailed the principal to see if we could join in specials classes like art/gym/music while continuing our academics at home.
I've already joined one local orchestra, which is one night a week, and they players in that group have encouraged me to seek opportunities with another local group. I go back and forth on wanting to take private students again. But if I take on much work, the balance definitely swing toward homeschooling just so I can have that daytime time with the kids.
So much to think about.
|
|
|
Now what?
Jan 30, 2020 19:45:58 GMT -6
via mobile
Post by bunnyfungo on Jan 30, 2020 19:45:58 GMT -6
violajack Are you a viola player?! I played viola up through high school. Alto clef for life lol. DD1 started violin at age 4 through String Sprouts in Omaha (@pipandme) and I’ve been trying to find something for her now that we’ve moved and Suzuki lessons are $$$$. Any chance you wanna teach some Skype lessons 🤣
|
|
|
Post by violajack on Jan 31, 2020 20:20:26 GMT -6
Haha, I am indeed a violist, with 3 conservatory degrees, 8 units of registered Suzuki teacher training on violin, and 18 years of experience. I've only done Skype lessons for a longstanding family that moved to Hong Kong. I need to be able to physically interact with a student unless they've already had a lot of years with me. I probably qualify as $$$$$$ too.
But I'm also going to argue that a good teacher is worth the $ because nothing kills enthusiasm faster than a bad teacher who sets up a student for frustration with bad habits. I'm also pretty sold on the Suzuki method and philosophy.
|
|
|
Post by bunnyfungo on Jan 31, 2020 23:48:25 GMT -6
Haha, I am indeed a violist, with 3 conservatory degrees, 8 units of registered Suzuki teacher training on violin, and 18 years of experience. I've only done Skype lessons for a longstanding family that moved to Hong Kong. I need to be able to physically interact with a student unless they've already had a lot of years with me. I probably qualify as $$$$$$ too. But I'm also going to argue that a good teacher is worth the $ because nothing kills enthusiasm faster than a bad teacher who sets up a student for frustration with bad habits. I'm also pretty sold on the Suzuki method and philosophy. I definitely don’t want to undervalue what you do. It is worth every penny. Seeing my kiddo blossom while learning an instrument that I love has been hands down one of my favorite parent moments. We were lucky that the program she was enrolled in was completely free. As a mom to four kids, that was huge. Because what one does, all have to do 🤦♀️ It adds up for sure. I’m glad to hear you say that you love the Suzuki model. I think we will try to find something for her in our new state. I’ll add a pic because tiny humans with tiny instruments are everything.
|
|
|
Post by violajack on Feb 1, 2020 9:12:27 GMT -6
Tiny violin!!!!!!! Oh I hear you on what one does, all do. I've got two in piano lessons now and one more that will want to start in a few years. One of the most frustrating parts of teaching the bay area was that I was barely getting by and still charging more than my friends could have afforded. I could never pay for lessons for my kids on what I can make, I could barely pay the rent. I'm lucky my husband has a good job. Teaching for a non profit that provided free lessons to kids in a school that had no music program otherwise was one of the best jobs I had. I wish there were more programs like that around and that more educational institutions would recognize the value of instrumental study. But alas, teaching violin and orchestra for an extra curricular non profit does not qualify one for student loan forgiveness and I've got to pay those things off somehow.
|
|
hawkward
Global Moderator
Loss, Infertility
Posts: 19,637 Likes: 123,085
|
Now what?
Feb 1, 2020 11:58:21 GMT -6
via mobile
Post by hawkward on Feb 1, 2020 11:58:21 GMT -6
Really talk out your expectations too. Last year, DS1 asked me to go back to public school. After talking it out, it turned out he literally just wanted to go say hi to his friends, not to stay in PS. We got better about attending social things (my favorite is homeschool PE at our YMCA) and he decided he wanted to stay home.
We’ve said all along we’ll take things year by year but I admit I’ll be disappointed if they decide to go to PS full time again.
|
|
|
Post by violajack on Feb 4, 2020 13:25:03 GMT -6
Update! I emailed our local principal to ask about the kids just attending specials and he said, yes they are set up for that and currently have one homeschooled kid doing that this year (it's a very small district). I'm very excited at that possibility. I sat in my older son's class at co-op today (I usually stay in my middle kid's class) and he just would not stay in his seat! It's not like he was disruptive, or moving around, he just stood up. A lot. In the front row. I don't think he fully understands what a public school day would look like, especially going into 3rd, as his last public school experience was a very laid back kindergarten. We're into the practical art lessons in co-op and he loves it and told me he misses art most, so if we could do art classes through the local elementary, that would be so great.
|
|