The Last Straw - Page 5

[2 in August]

What a whirlwind of emotions. You handled yourself wonderfully too. Have a great time homeschooling. Too bad you're on the opposite side of the state, we'd love more hsing friends.

[Mom4tot]

I just wanted to offer a I'm sorry that happened to your little boy.

[636Jen]

We're almost FREEEEEEE!!!!!


I don't want my child to be the one who has to pave the way for the rest of the ADHD'ers out there. I don't want to throw him under the bus and make him suffer through public schools and change policies. BUT what I am doing is giving the teacher Dakota's therapist's cell phone number. (with permission of course) He will go over things with her like possitive reward systems, how to deal with children who are hyperactive and when to do a time out or what reward systems to use and how to use them. I really want her to be informed. Maybe it will make her a better teacher? Not that she's a bad teacher but hmm.....I guess make her able to communicate with parents better and understand the psychology of children. Maybe she'll change her lessons plans to add more movement, maybe have class outside or something....do more projects and hands on tasks....

Anyway, I'm going up to each of the schools in a little bit. Syd gets out at 11:45 and I want to say goodbye to all the teachers I know. Up until this year, they've been really helpful and nice and I want them to know that I appreciate their patience.

So.....WOOOOHOOOOOOO

K, just had to get that out.

I'm really excited!!

[Milakais]

Originally Posted by 636Jen

So let me tell you what happened. ...

Tremendous. Absolutely tremendous.

You handled that extremely well and eloquently. I'm glad to hear the teacher was finally responsive and open to your feedback -- hopefully it will make things better for her current and future students still in school. Very, very well done.

Congratulations and welcome to homeschooling!

[Lillian J]

I'm just about to get off the computer and get on with a very full day, but I noticed this thread title as i was about to sign off, and thought to myself, "Oh! Jen is a homeschooler today!"

So I just had to pop in and say "So! Are you terrified yet?" :

Have a ball! - Lillian

[Wilhemina]

Welcome to homeschooling!

Originally Posted by LillianJ

So, let's see - seems to me that it's a law of some kind that you have to make cookies together on your first day of homeschooli

Just want to point out that the law also requires that you bake in your pajamas.

[MaShroom]

Well, I stand corrected. I'm glad that Dakota's teacher was so responsive and understood you. You sure handled it well! Good job! I was holding my breath while reading your entire post about it.
Congratulations and enjoy those cookies!

[636Jen]

Thank you!!

The principal called me Friday morning and asked if I could come in and speak with him about taking Dakota out of class. He really gave me a hard time about homeschooling and said, "I've seen many parents bring their children back because of how difficult it is. I really hope you understand what a huge project you are taking on." I said, "Oh, I've done research too! I *know* it will be a challenge and I'm VERY MUCH looking forward to it. Thanks for your concern though." He still asked if I would come in. I said, "Sure, I'll be there at noon. My daughter has a class party that ends at 11:45 and I can be there right afterwards." He says, "Well that's lunch time. It's not good for me." I said, "Well, if it was important, I'm sure it would be a great time for you. Thanks anyway."

OH and get this...LOL I went to the school anyway to help Dakota bring some things home...it was right around 12:15. He was at lunch or recess so I just left a sticky note on his desk saying, "See you at the bus stop! Love you! XOXOXOX ~mom" I walked right by the principal and said hello. He said hello back and kept walking...LOL He had no idea who I was. Hmmmm...

[MaShroom]

Heh heh heh, that's funny. Don't disrupt the schedule, you know. Total mayhem would ensue! Can you tell we unschool? I suppose it's their job to give you a hard time about it. When I unenrolled my oldest dd they kept referring to her as a "dropout". They were just not hearing what I had to say.

[Lillian J]

Originally Posted by 636Jen

"I've seen many parents bring their children back because of how difficult it is. I really hope you understand what a huge project you are taking on."

Well, it sounds as if he hasn't known many parents who had this MDC forum for support, huh?

- Lillian

[nicandboys]

This story sounds like exactly what happened to my oldest in 1st grade. Every Friday his class had a cooking day where they all got to help make something, but because my son talked in class excessively on Wednesday, he wasn't allowed to participate in the cooking project two days later. We had a parent-teacher conference and dh and I asked the teacher what one had to do with the other and she had no answer.

It's a myth that hsing is a lot of work. If you're trying to do school at home it may be, but most homeschoolers I've met aren't.

[Lillian J]

Originally Posted by nicandboys

It's a myth that hsing is a lot of work. If you're trying to do school at home it may be, but most homeschoolers I've met aren't.

The Sacrifice of Homeschooling

- Lillian

[Mrs. Cheerful Face]

Oh and just so everythings above board.... count on getting locked out of your house in your jammies just about the time the bus is dropping off. Didn't want you to say you weren't warned!!!! Quite possibly you'll be holding the geckos, with cookies in the oven, ds will be painting, and oh yeah, where are your keys anyway??? Did I mention you just applied a facial mask!!!! Big JK- you'll have a great big blast!!!! Oh, the learning just happens!!!

[Dakota's Mom]

Originally Posted by 636Jen

Thank you!!

The principal called me Friday morning and asked if I could come in and speak with him about taking Dakota out of class. He really gave me a hard time about homeschooling and said, "I've seen many parents bring their children back because of how difficult it is. I really hope you understand what a huge project you are taking on." I said, "Oh, I've done research too! I *know* it will be a challenge and I'm VERY MUCH looking forward to it.

My daughter got this exact line from her son's principal last Monday when she called him to tell him that Friday would be the last day her two children would be attending his school. I wonder if it's written in the principal's handbook or something. My grandkids got cheated out of their last day of school though. It was too foggy to have school on Friday. (I never heard of it being too foggy for school. Too snowy, yes, but too foggy?) Now she has to go back after the break to pick up their things.


I'm glad you did the right thing by your son.

Kathi (Happily unschooling five year old Dakota and grandma to two other homeschoolers.)

[636Jen]

Mrs Cheerful: I wouldn't be surprised if that exact scenario played out. Of course, the neighbors (knowing me) would just shake their heads and laugh and say, "NOW what is that family up to!?"

On the last day of picking the boys up from the bus stop, dealing with the principals at both schools, and having lots of wind in my sail from the support I received from talking with my other neighbors, I told my closest neighbor. She said, "OMGOsh....are you CRAZY???" I said, "I'm homeschooling, not eating my Chihuahua for dinner." She still had *that* look on her face when I just laughed and walked inside with my kids.....hahaahahah I'm not even going to try to explain things to that woman!!

[HikeYosemite]

Coyote stars' posting sounds like great advice. I agree with pp's that the letter is too strongly worded and angry; it made me wince. When things are in writing, they sound even more negative, somehow, than when spoken in person. I think writing it was great catharsis for you and prepared you for the effective conversation (surprising that the teacher would spend so much time talking to you during a class party, with others listening), but it is probably unnecessary to send any version of it to the teacher at this point. It is nice to provide closure and to try to educate the school on their shortcomings, but most teachers do their best in a tough situation that won't turn around overnight. If the teacher calls you, you can give more detail about what wasn't working for you and what she might do differently.

I hope that your homeschooling year is great for both of you!

Originally Posted by Coyote star

...But I would definately 1. say it in person, not in writing (not at first) 2. wait until the party was over for your son's sake and 3. use as controlled and detached body language and voice tone as possible. It is much easier to write off a hysterical parent than one who is articulate and in control of herself.

Afterward, I would write two letters to the principal. One detailing the mealworm incident. And a separate one briefly notifiying your son's unenrollment.

Anyway, I'm not trying to discount your anger. I'm just offering advice that is most likely to effect any change. Again, trust me, an angry letter sent just to me from a parent wasn't going anywhere but the garbage can. A calm conversation however, and a controlled letter copied and sent to my principal, however! Whew!

[Lillian J]

Originally Posted by 636Jen

I told my closest neighbor. She said, "OMGOsh....are you CRAZY???" I said, "I'm homeschooling, not eating my Chihuahua for dinner."

Guess I'll have to make a mental note not to take a sip of coffee right before reading your posts! - Lillian