I interrupt these trip updates to bring you some news. Don't forget to scroll down and see some pictures though.
Rae is going to kindergarten! Well, sort of. Our entire marriage we've said we would home school when it came time. As it has started "becoming time" I found myself wishing that we had half-day kindergarten here. I feel like there are some benefits to public school that I wanted Rae to get a small sample of: learning to cooperate with other children under the guidance of an adult other than her parents, exposure to proper speech from other children and adults, being forced to make herself understandable without help from her parents, following directions and just socializing in general. Several months ago I had heard from a friend that you could have your child go part-time, but I just kind of put it in the back of my mind. Also, I understood it as 5 hours instead of 7, which was still too much.
Anyway, I just kept feeling like Rae was going to miss an experience that would be good for her, so I contacted the principal and asked what kind of options there were for part-time. She was really nice and said whatever we want to do is fine. So Rae will be going when school starts (8:20) and coming home at lunch. I think that 3 hours will be the perfect amount of time for her to be away from home. We went and enrolled her today. Then we went and got all the nonsense school supplies from Walmart. (Seriously, 20 glue sticks?! What is my tax money covering? :) Just kidding...kind of.) She is really excited to start and already made a picture and wrote a letter to her teacher (even though we don't know who it is yet).
We feel really good about our decision and even talked about sending each of our kids to kindergarten part-time just go let them get a little experience with school. But hopefully by the time Blaise is 5 we will be living somewhere with more homeschoolers and that won't be necessary. Oh, that was another factor with sending Rae - there just aren't a lot of opportunities here in Kirksville for her to be with other homeschoolers or many activities for us to do.
Anyway, thought I'd share the news! I know I am going to bawl my eyes out on the first day but it will fantastic to have her out of the house for a few hours! My boys and I will get some nice quiet time together and I can focus more attention on Blaise and his learning. I really think it will benefit the whole family. I told Rae that if she doesn't like it then she doesn't have to go, but I think she'll like it! Now I have to figure out how I'm going to get us dressed and out the door by 7:55am without Roy (On MWF Roy teachers a 7am class -ugh) Wish us luck on this new adventure!
BTW, I don't have a problem with people sending their kids to public school. It is kind of the way I feel about epidurals - they can be great but just be informed before you rush out and get one. I'd list reasons why we are homeschooling, but I'd probably offend someone without meaning to, so I won't. But seriously, I'm not passionate and judgmental about it. You can judge me, I didn't want to send Rae to school because I didn't want to drive her everyday! I calculated it and I'll be spending an hour going to and from the school everyday - ugh!
9 comments:
My initial passion for homeschooling was because I didn't want to interrupt naps to pick up/drop off Jaime for school!! I think that's great that you can do half and half. Good luck. She'll do great.
Cool! I think that is awesome that you go just send her 'til lunch. Way to go principal.
Okay, I have vented to probably three different people today about the glue sticks I am supposed to buy - 6 .77 Elmer's glue sticks that happen to cost $1.50 each. And they have to be white, which I haven't found yet. About ten bucks in glue sticks alone, not to mention the TONS of other stuff on the list.
When does school start?
"can", not go.
The picture of Roy at the kiddie table is too funny--love it! And I'm excited for Rae! I am working on signing Forrest up for a part-time formal preschool for the same reasons--all that social, independent stuff. But anyway, I would love to hear your reasons on preferring homeschool--I'm not set either way, but like to be informed--maybe email me if you have time? Much luck to Rae!
That's great!
I'm with Lani- I would like to know some of your reasons for homeschooling whenever you get the chance. I can't believe that kindergarden is 7 hours long in kirksville, thats a lot of time. I look forward to reading about her experiences and yours with her being enrolled in kindergraden.
WOW, that IS big news! You'll have to let me know how it goes. BTW, I never felt that you were judgemental of me for being pro-public school! :) It's good that there are a lot of choices out there. I'm amazed at how willing they were to work with you. That's awesome. I can't believe you had to get your own school supplies. And why can't you use just one glue stick?
--Rachel
Fantastic! I think it's great for all those reasons you mentioned. The kids in Germany start Kindergarten at age 3. Some of them go all day. Way too much, but they do go half days too...but it's everyday. They go to kindergarten for three years and then start "school" at age 6. Kindergarten isn't mandatory, but is the social norm, even for member families. The kids do all kinds of great stuff. Anyway, totally rambling, but there are advantages to school. I think it's a little microcosm of life. Aside from academics there is so much to learn from it. Good luck with that.
Hey Ash, you don't strike me as a judgmental person at all. It'll be nice to get a break though!
So, i posted about the tie die stuff on the comment part of my blog, but I'll just tell you I got it at a craft store (Robert's b/c they have a 50% off coupon in the store). It was A LOT easier than buying all the gloves, rubberbands, bottles, & dye. It was a ta messy but lots of fun!
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