This is the question still looming over my head. Right now I have moments where I just want to send Charly to school and she would be fine but then I start thinking about how the principal answered certain questions.
Like for example when I asked about how much parental involvement there was or could be for me and he replied...
"The PTO isn't really active and there aren't opportunities for parents to help in classrooms because of confidentiality reasons and maybe if I made my voice heard to the teacher they would send me home with things that need to be cut out from laminate."
What!?
Or when he said they didn't really like the parents to be involved too much because it discourages kids from being independant. I am going to assume he is not educated on the benefits of attachment parenting. Just a guess. Or the fact that when parents are involved and care what their children are learning it makes school an all around better place for everyone. Why are no other parents questioning this? Is it crazy to want to be involved in what my five year old will be doing? So strange.
I'm also thinking about why he would say I couldn't pick out a teacher I wanted for Charly when I know full and well that I do in fact have a choice. The underlying bullying really bothers me about public school. Like all of the sudden if you have a child there you are no longer in charge of them....sort of reminds me of another place I can think of *ahem* hospitals.
Lucky for me, I know my options so it doesn't intimidate me to stand up for myself/Charly.
Doesn't the obvious choice here seem to continue on with homeschooling and forget all the hoopla? A part of me is thinking I am crazy for even considering this place. I literally was shouting in my head on the way into the school to get the heck out of this place..."What are you doing here?'.
So for now I stand in limbo on the whole thing, but even as I read this back my head knows the obvious choice...but what my heart will say, that is the magic question.
Or is it the other way around?
Or is it the other way around?
4 comments:
I too am on the fence with this. Although I don't really think that I have much of a choice. We are thinking about moving to a smaller town. Wonder if that would help?
I am fully scared of K2 being lost in the system. I am afraid that she too would be diagnosed with ADHD (not criticizing anyone who really has it).
Just a month ago it was suggested that K1 has it... Hum a grade 2 in a classroom for 8 hours strictly learning, taking out gym and recess AND only having a 1/2 hour for lunch. This includes eat and play... I wonder why the children are crawling out of their skins... But no lets get 'em drugged...
What?!? What kind of freakin school is that!!! Our school sends home monthly newsletters where they have days they encourage parents to come in and be involved. They say the doors are wide open for parent involvement anytime. I guess it just depends on the school system. Maybe your next one will be better.
Sometimes giving a good look at the options makes you more conviction when times get frustrating. I picked up one of the neighboor boys from school one day. No nurse, no place to sit/lie down when he was sick, along with other feeling; I am VERY happy to be homeschooling! It gives you the feeling behind -This is why I am Homeschooling- along with a million other reasons. When you are questioned or questioning yourself you do have more conventions, homeschooling really is what I want to do. At the same time I think my children would do "ok" in public school. I do think that overall they will do better at home with the co-op and other learning situations we have set up. They are getting plenty of socialization and a home where they are consistantly learning but also being able to play like kids should do. Just my thoughts. At the same time maybe they are others are missing out on the influence my children could have on them?
~Wrylon
Is that school your only option for public school? If so, run! Our school is not like that at all. They really encourage parents to be involved, including classroom volunteers (confidentiality my rear). I think this was meant to tell you that you are doing the right thin. That or it's a sign that the school needs your help! But probably not. ;)
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