Considering public school

[Heavenly]

Well we are considering school now because I don't think my personality isn't a good match for homeschooling. I am not patient enough and other issues. I was totally against the idea of public school but I have been looking into the public schools in the district we will be moving to (kitchener/waterloo) and they actually seem to have made a lot of positive changes. The school day is 6.5 hours and there are 3 100 minute blocks and two 45 minute eating and play breaks. They think kids will do better with longer breaks and two eating periods so they have a 20 minute eating period and a 25 minute play period twice a day. I actually think that's a good idea. And they are really cracking down on bully issues. Admittedly I am worried about moral teaching, I am a Christian and don't want schools teaching my kids about sexuality issues but hopefully I could opt them out of that. I would love to do some sort of private school but it would be really hard for us financially and would make it next to impossible for us to have any money for activities for the kids and any recreation. Since we are moving we could specifically plan to move into the area with the best schools. Actually I am considering Elmira instead so we could do a rural school. Is anyone else doing public schooling and happy with it? My son turned 5 in January and would be starting senior K this falls. Technically my daughter could be starting Junior k as she will be 4 on November 9 and the cutoff is to be 4 by December 31 but I think that is too early so I would probably hold her back a year. Or do you think I should start a child that young? Her little best friend who lives down there will be starting Junior K this year, not that they would be at the same school. It just seems odd to me to have my kids only one grade apart when they are almost 2 years apart in age. Any input is appreciated!

[ChristaN]

I wouldn't hold your younger one out solely based upon where she would fall in regard to her older brother. My brother is older than me by 22 months and we were 1 grade apart in school.

It was suggested that I be grade accelerated in 5th grade and my parents chose not to do it so that we wouldn't be in the same grade. For me, I honestly think that it would have made a big difference to have had that opportunity (to actually have work that I couldn't do with my eyes closed, etc.), but I can understand that it wouldn't have been great for my brother. However, us being one grade apart didn't create a problem for him. We probably hung out together a low more than we otherwise would have and had fun together. It didn't seem to make my brother feel inadequate, either.

eta: if you do think that your dd is developmentally not ready, though, that is a different issue.

[lauren]

There are lots of us that have found public schooling to meet our needs. My guess is that you will not have trouble finding ways to hold your kids out of the sexuality classes. (Just don't forget to fill them in on it at home!) There is usually a letter sent home ahead of time.

I wish you well with this step. Let us know if you have any more specific questions.

[Mama~Love]

Chiming in a bit late here....

I, too, feel like I don't have the right personality for homeschooling either. I doesn't make you a bad parent (as I've read on the HS board : ). HS is NOT for everyone.

The PS here (rural area) is a part of the same school district in the neighboring larger city. I didn't want our kids to go to a large school, but a smaller one. There's one classroom per grade, with less than 20 kids in each class. My school-aged kids are in 7th, 5th, and Kindergarten. My K child is one of the older ones in his class (turned 6 in December), and is doing amazingly well. Now when my 5th grader went to K, he was one of the younger ones (May birthday). He did well too, but struggled a little bit at first. He has had no problems since then either.

I would go on your DD's readiness for school, not where she would be compared to her brother . The school days sound very nice with the 2 45 min. eat & play breaks.

Hope you find something that works out for you .

[boongirl]

[QUOTE=Heavenly]Admittedly I am worried about moral teaching, I am a Christian and don't want schools teaching my kids about sexuality issues but hopefully I could opt them out of that. QUOTE]

Moral teaching is hard to avoid since we all come at the world through our moral viewpoint. But, public school teachers should be open-minded and respectful of all viewpoints. As for the sexuality issues, I don't know about your state but in mine we don't start teaching sex ed until late junior high. We teach health ed in 5th grade but that is nothing more than body parts and how to be respectful of each other while going through puberty. Parents can opt out of it, too.

[BethSLP]

Originally Posted by lauren

Just don't forget to fill them in on it at home!

Also, private schools in our area annoy me quite a bit. I am a speech pathologist who works in a public school and do contract work on the side for kiddos in the private schools. Overwhelmingly, I find some of the catholic schools here actively pushing kids out who have trouble. For instance, a kindergartener who had a severe language impairment that i worked with. Her mother was constantly getting told that the child needed evaluations for learning disability, handwriting disability, attention deficit disorder, etc.

She had barely been in school! They had the kinders sitting doing 20+ worksheets a day, and didnt have circle time because their program was "structured." My response was "Structured to be totally developmentally INappropriate."

The mom got so much heat from the school about needing all these evals, that she switched her daughter to a different school. That school will brag to prospective parents about their high passing scores on all standardized tests....but you have to look at WHY that is. In a public school, our kids come with a variety of strengths and talents. ALL of those kids get averaged in the test scores. We don't get to hand pick our students and push out the poor test takers. But the education here I think is far superior and more developmentally appropriate.

Every school is different, but DON'T let those numbers they throw out fool you. They could be pushing out kiddos with learning disabilities, and they have the luxury of having a higher socioeconomic status in general. Doesn't necessarily mean the teaching is better.....

Best of luck to you!

XOXO
Beth

P.S. I don't know where you live, but in Texas there is hardly any mention of sex in school (which I personally HATE). I work in an elementary school, and our health class has to do with wearing deoderant and hygiene. Sorry to break it to you all, if you don't already know, but the 5th graders in my school need WAY more info than that. For their own safety and well being. Kids learn about sex regardless, it would be nice if they got correct information. If you turn down the school's programs, PLEASE tell them the real truth. Abstinence is a nice idea but I wouldn't rely on it as your sole program. Its too deadly not to at least arm them with the facts. You can still give them a moral upbringing and set expectations....but its life and death we are talking about.

Just my two cents from someone who is "in the trenches" and hears the kids talking.