Here We Are

    It seemed this would be a good time to review school supplies.  We are in the third quarter of school and are just opening the second ream of paper. 
    Admittedly, not all our this paper went to items that were necessary.   We used the workbooks whenever possible.  We only printed the assessments and pages not included in the workbooks.  However, for extra educational opportunities, we did print science experiment instructions, craft instructions and competition rules and submission pages for a variety of educational, art or writing contests that included a chance to win scholarship prizes.
     We could have probably been more careful and used only one ream of paper for the entire school year if I were not packing the children's work to take to my office three days per week. 
     If we were looking to be even more conservative, and working on classwork only at home where each child has a computer, they could have simply written their answers in their notebooks while looking at the PDF file on the screen.
     We have used about 1/3 of the paints that were sent.  We have used almost 1/2 of a small bottle of school glue.  We have used countless pencils.  We have both wooden pencils to sharpen and mechanical pencils.  My younger child prefers the fine line of mechanical pencils for certain things... like her art assignments. 
     My younger child has used the markers, colored pencils, crayons and the pastels for her art class.  The art pastels and paints were provided by the school.  I will not need to repurchase crayons next year as hers are in fantastic condition.  I will purchase more markers when these dry out... Amazingly, she is still using the same set.. I guess markers dry out faster in a school setting.
     We have opened three packages of loose leaf paper.  My older child is at the stage where she needs to take notes.  She uses both notebook paper as well as the online note taking tool so that she can study anytime or anywhere.
     I did purchase graph paper after school began.  Both children had math assignments that could have been completed without graph paper, but graph paper did make the unit easier to complete and understand.
     We have not used the sticky notes much.  I did find that the agendas were used a lot.  My oldest child especially was able to write down assignments she needed to complete each week.   She looks through those assignments and plans hers according to how many books she wants to carry to my office on "work" days.  That is her methodology. 
     My younger child is more particulular.  She has better success if writing assignments are completed in the mornings.  She is better able to complete her art assignments if she does those at home.  The art assignments can be very specific.  "Now use the pastels to create color contrasts and shadows."   Often, when she has completed the assignment according to the directions, she will show me, I check it off on her attendance and progress and then she will continue to "embellish" with glue, magazine cut outs, markers, or whatever she likes.
     My recommendation still comes back to the very basics.  Purchase the items recommended for the classes...and know your child.  Do not go overboard.  You will not need to purchase near the quantity that the regular schools request.  There is not as much damage or breakage in the home.  Or, I guess I should say, there has not been as much in our home.
     I am looking around this office and am very pleased.  For the next school year, I anticipate purchasing one ream of paper, mechanical pencil refils, and a few items for our extra activities.  I am thrilled.
    Now, if you will excuse me, I have to check on a paper mache brain in the other room.  I believe it is time to paint it. 

We Will Be Re Enrolling!

       I cannot believe we have already completed the first half of the school year!  This year has really just flown by!  
      As a parent of a 7th grade student, there have been a few things we have made note of. 

• There doesn't seem to be a National Junior Honor Society chapter.   My daughter has earned straight A's, which has given her Honor Roll and Academic Achievement status, but no NJHS.  We are currently researching other scholarship opportunities.  I will create a separate post for this later.
• There are certain normal school traditions that have given me lots of fond memories.  Powderpuff football, Senior skip day, Pep Rallies, ... I am still coming across things..  We are keeping this in mind as we get ready for the high school years.
• We are learning about AP classes and the credits given by universities and weighing this also.  Are we really ready to supervise AP classes? 
• We are currently paying for sports, music lessons, etc.  These are things that would be considerably cheaper in an actual school setting.

   These things are not necessarily "deal breakers".  I just bring them up because they were things we had not considered.  It is one thing to make a change for a year, but as this really does appear to be the best opportunity for education, it is important to not overlook other experiences. 
    Yes, I absolutely still love this school.  I love the curriculum.  I love our teachers.  I love what we are doing.  We just are going to look into changing a few things in the near future. 
    Our local school district does not allow for virtual students to participate in school activities.  In our personal situation, we have been looking at the possibility of moving.  Since this was already a long term goal, we may be making adjustments to this goal.  There is a possibility that we will now search for a community with both better schools and the ability to use the virtual schools.  Ideally, we would like there to be cooperation between the two.  It would be nice if we could continue to use the virtual school more progressive curriculum and also be able to cooperate with a local school for certain classes or even music and sports.   (Yes, these agreements exist.)
     We do know that for next year, we will be re-enrolling with our current school.  In our current location, this is absolutely the best option.  Our local high schools have just above an average rating, so it is likely that until we are in a different area, we will continue. 
     On a completely different note, it appears local laws may be changing soon.  It appears there is indeed an attempt to raise the expectations.  I will try to remain hopeful, even though I have seen how twisted the "No child left behind" laws became. 
     I do hope that by the time my children are parents, that the schools have made positive progress.  I have lived here for a long time and there were improvements made 15-20 years ago...and then it seems began the long disappointment.
    Our children deserve better from us, from teachers, principals, districts, as well as state and federal government.  Repeatedly lowering expectations has created a situation that has already put many of our children at risk.  Neither of my children is interested in tech fields right now, but if they were graduating right now there chances of being hired by US based tech companies would be microscopic.  Check the numbers.  The overseas recruits are beating us in education.
     That is completely appalling to me, so I will continue to push my children.  Reach higher.  Do not make excuses.  Find solutions.  Make progress.
    Now I must go purchase drinks so that my younger child will have 2 liter bottles for a science experiment.  We are lucky to have been invited to participate in a Science Fair.  Yay! 

Education is a constant choice.