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Nov. 7, 2006 - Vacation has started!

To save money this year on our "family vacation that isn't to Grandma's" we decided to stay home and do all the things around town that we haven't done before.  #1 - Sleep in.  With a nursing infant that means after the 5:30 AM feeding, I'll go back to bed  :)  #2 - Late breakfast (we usually eat 7AM)  #3 - Vote on the way downtown!!!  #4 - Going to all the museums downtown, Florida History, Pensacola Historical, Civil War, and Historic Village Tour.  #5 - Eat out!  This is a particular fave b/c with 8 people in the family you don't eat out much! 

 

We only got our 'foundational' subjects in today.  I watched a friends 4 children for a few hours while she went to a meeting for me.  I oversee a 'program' that we have with our local Public School - Office of School Choice.  Parents who have pulled their children out of Public schools for discpline and truancy issues and decide to homeschool have 30 days to put together a small portfolio of work to show that they are in fact schooling.  When they come in to the office to be reviewed we have two homeschooling parents who attend along with the School officials.  They are there to give a Homeschooler's opinion on the quality/quantity of work being done.  We really want to try to help and encourage families if they are struggling with their child's education.

 

It is very eye opening though, to work with a Public School System in this way.  Because of the nature of the situations that these families are coming from it is easy to understand why so many Public School offiicials have a negative view of homeschooling.  They see the 'non-compliant's', the truants and the children whose parents simply don't want the teacher bugging them about their child anymore so they pull them out of school and then do nothing. Unfortunately, many of them never even show up for their reviews which adds to the negative image. 

 

It has also helped us to gain a new perspective on the role the School System plays.  I no longer fear getting a threatening letter from the County.  We have learned that like so many other government offices, the people are very over-loaded with work and things do fall through the cracks.  Most times a cool-headed phone call will clear it up.

 

No, I'm not saying I support the Public School System.  I think it has failed greatly in many ways, for many reasons.  (not the least of which being the exclusive teaching of humanistic philosophy and religion)  But  my desire to protect and promote Homeschoolers in a positive light outweighs the fears I have of the Institutions.  I think we must put ourselves out there occasionally as examples of the 'Wonderful Fruits of Homeschooling'. 

 

Well,  I hope everyone gets out and votes tomorrow if you haven't already.  To keep our rights and freedoms, like Homeschooling, we must be aware and be involved. 

 

It's late!!!  But that's ok - I get to sleep in  :)  I'm going to try and figure out how to get a picture on here so you can see our 'Fieldtrip week' here at home.  ( If you think I'm idiot for that last comment, read my post 'Low-tech mama' then you'll understand)

 

Until tomorrow~

your two cents

Nov. 7, 2006 - Thanks for stopping by!

Posted by mom2mine

I just wanted to return the favor! I enjoy this post about working with the school system. I think that it is a good thing to do and can be very scary. I think that you are doing a great job!

I would love to hear how your vacation ends up! I read this same idea in a Family Fun magazine, and I was very interested in it. I mentioned it to DH and he wasn't too keen on it :) I have thought it would be nice to do sometime.

Have a GREAT vacation!

Tancy
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