Hi,
So..this is the beginning. I can't believe I'm actually doing it. Really...I can't believe it. Anyone that knows me probably thinks I've gone off the deep end...flown the coo-coo's nest or some sort of crazy act. Here goes......I've decided....(GULP) to Homeschool Alyson. YIKES! I've said it...I can't take it back now.
Let me tell you a little bit about me. My name is Angel and I am married to Mike (together for 10 years, married for 7). We have two beautiful girls....Alyson, 7 and Molly, 4. After Molly was born, I stopped working to be a stay at home mom. 2 years ago, I got a part time at home job in the field I was working in (banking) and I love it. I work at nights, make a little extra $ for us...it's all good.
Alyson has been going to a public school in the Carmichael area now since Kindergarten. Started when she was just 4 years old, almost 5...so she is on the younger side of her classes. She and I love the school. So much so, that I am so involved-over involved...I work in the classroom every morning, I was (up until recently and due to very unfortunate circumstances i.e. drama so I left) on teh PTA Board for the past two years, helping out at functions, helping other teachers...you name it, I would do it. Why? Because I loved being there and supporting the school that my daughter goes to. Now she's in 2nd grade. Great teacher. Great Administration. She is probably one of the top 5 in her classroom as far as test scores and doing her work and reading and all of that. She has many friends. Is in Girl Scouts, Soccer, Softball. So why, oh why, would I think of taking her out of the school that we have loved so much?
1. Class Sizes. Wow....when she started Kindergarten, 23 students. Not bad. Do-able. And it was all new and fun. 1st grade-got to keep the same teacher (he moved up), so it was very comfortable even though the class size increased to 30 to one teacher (no aids or assistants). 2nd grade, 31 kids. And it's just getting worse. With today's budget crisis in CA, the schools can no longer keep Class Sized Reduction, this school was sent too many kids enrolled (we have a central type enrollment that disburses kids around the district) and now we are stuck with this many kids (how do you tell some they have to leave?)....so these teachers, who are excellent, getting 31 kids from all different backgrounds...and having to manage that every day. I couldn't imagine. Part of why this is troubling to me is that there is no time for one on one instruction or more personalized instruction based on each child's individual levels. So, the kids that are doing well-will continue to do well and get by but not be challenged and while they are sitting around waiting for a new lesson or activity (because they have already finished their assignment or worksheets) the one teacher has to go around and try to get the kids that aren't doing as well up to speed-wasting time for my student to get more. So instead she reads...and reads...and reads. Don't get me wrong...this is a great thing-reading. But, in place of actual classroom instruction and challenging curriculum for her level-not good.
2. Bullying. People talk about bullying either in two ways. They are appalled at their child getting picked on or called a name....or they think kids need to get a thick skin and learn to deal with it and figure out ways to handle it like when they were a kid. Here's what I feel...a little bit of both. But here's the thing-I honestly don't think kids in lower grade levels should even be faced with this in their daily lives. Yes, it's going to happen. A name calling or stealing of a snack. Not nice...not good...but good lessons to learn. But when it goes further, that's where I have a problem. This whole he said, she said thing. My daughter has been faced with this. Last year, when she was just 5 years old almost 6 in 1st grade....a 2nd grader accused her of kicking him between the legs...just walking up to him at a recess time and kicking him. Really? The parent came in and was all upset. So, principal decides that she has to write up my daughter. Hold up! She's just 6 years old (barely) and has never had any history in Kinder of doing anything like this.....so big drama, I was upset, she was upset, teacher was confused (since he knew her since Kinder)....I call for an investigation (which should have already been in the works). After interviewing the boy again and the boys that he said saw it.....he finally confessed that he made it all up and just wanted to get the nice girl in trouble. Really???? What is wrong with kids these days??!!! All that drama and stress and introduction to my daughter with things that she shouldn't even have to worry about....all because this kid has a sad home life or something and wanted to take it out on the nice little 1st grader. Fast Forward to 2nd grade. Beginning of 2nd grade. Girl calls her Stupid and Mean (my daughter is super friendly with everyone she meets and very kind). Kids start taking her snacks at lunch or recess time-right out of her hands....and then a boy accuses her of touching his private parts. Huh??? Parents go straight to the district to complain. Wha? Teacher doesn't even know about it, no one saw them even together, she says it never happens, he can't remember what day or where or when or anything....but here it is again....it's his word against hers. They are in the same class and teachers and staff must make sure they never sit or stand or are anywhere near each other. It's all a bunch of drama mess. Again-that she shouldn't have to deal with. And no one sees anything...with over 100 kids (sometimes more) at a given recess time, and only 2 yard duties....they can't see everything that is happening.
3. Social Interactions.....have you noticed how kids these days are growing up way too fast and in ways that are not good? Boys are more violent (um...video games/tv) and girls are getting sassy and more disrespectful with adults (including their parents)? I am seeing it...every day...even from some of my daughter's classmates. Things they are saying, songs that they know, other things that they know or see at home. It's amazing what kids tell me...I try to put ear muffs on, but sometimes they just keep talking. I don't want my child hearing about these things.....abuse in the homes, broken homes, custody battles....it's too much for any child at this age. So many people-mostly public school teachers and administration-are so concerned with her social/emotional needs. She will have those needs met at home and in our interractions with field trips and classes she will take and outtings with me and her sister. I'm not worried about that....I'm worried about her social interactions at school more than I'm worried that she won't get them met when I homeschool her.
I love the school, I just feel like all these things have been weighing a heavy burden on my heart for awhile. I wonder every day if something new is going to happen or what she's going to hear on the playground today.
I've doubted my decision-which I read and hear is normal. That's why I thought it was important to get down in writing some of my reasons for pulling her out of this school that she and I love so much. I see her happy most days....and I love the staff and parents and working with most of the students. But then I think about how much more I can give her on a one-to-one basis, in way less time. And how much more she can grow and learn if she was able to really delve into a subject and learn it and explore and ask questions and go to museums and exploratoriums with me or on homeschool field trips.
So at Winter Break, I will officially pull her from 2nd grade at Deterding Elementary in Carmichael, CA and begin home schooling her January 7th. I've submitted the application to join the South Sutter Charter School, which provides an Educational Consultant assigned to me and funding each semester for curriculum and supplies. I'm excited, and nervous, about starting this new journey. Alyson is excited. She says she will miss her school and her friends, but she is happy to learn at home with me and be able to do some new things.
I am applying in January for the lottery at the CA Montessori School....it is a free public charter and the location closest to us is so close, we could actually walk there. I love the philosophy of the school (more individualized learning and small group activities) and the best part is very low class sizes. Max of 20 and that is with one teacher and one assistant. They encourage parent participation as well, which I'm a huge supporter of. I will be applying for Molly to start Kinder there next Fall and Alyson 3rd grade (if I like what I see after I take the upcoming tour of the classrooms and meet some teachers). It's a lottery, so we'll see if they get in. Cross those fingers...but in the meantime, homeschooling here I come. :) Wish me luck...I'm gonna need it :) haha!
Angel :)
