so what type of schooling do you do or will you do?

we planned on keeping DebraLyn in Private school but when I lost my child support it wasn't really in the budget...however we are cutrrently unhappy with how much she has regreased since starting public school. We are looking into different private schools agiain but I think we are going to wait until after 1st grade to come to any final choices (or at least until the end of this year.

I wish that I could do private. I will try my hardest to get her into a charter or magnet school though.
Yay I would wait till the end of the year as well, just easier for adjustment

We opted for the public school system but mainly because the district our daughter is in is really good. They are consistently ranked as one of the top school districts in the country. To start things off though, we got our daughter (and now our son) used to full school days by enrolling them in daycare/preschool at 2 1/2. This has allowed them to learn the basics like how to share with other kids to things like being comfortable outside the home for 8+ hours a day in a structured environment. For us it has worked fairly well so far.

I couldn't imagine sending my 2 year old out of the house for 8 hours yet lol. Of course I am a stay at home mom so that makes a big difference. I think it would be important if teh child was never exposed to other kids their age and the such though.
Nichole is never home lol. Ok we will be today!
We have playgroups twice a week (3 other kids, 2 girls and a boy, and they are all within 4 months of each other in age)
We have church twice a week where she is in the nursery with kids both younger and older then her and so on.

We opted for the public school system but mainly because the district our daughter is in is really good. They are consistently ranked as one of the top school districts in the country. To start things off though, we got our daughter (and now our son) used to full school days by enrolling them in daycare/preschool at 2 1/2. This has allowed them to learn the basics like how to share with other kids to things like being comfortable outside the home for 8+ hours a day in a structured environment. For us it has worked fairly well so far.
that's how we handled it with Debralyn as well and will most likely go the same route with Logan

I think it would be important if teh child was never exposed to other kids their age and the such though. Why wouldn't you want your kids to be exposed to other kids their age? That's how they learn things like sharing, playing without hitting, etc. Unless I misunderstood you. :)

you misunderstood. I was saying my child does spen lots of time with kids her age. 2 playgroups a week plus church nursery twice a week. So 4/7 days she is with other kids. So I could see the need to send a child to daycare/early pre-k (2 or 3 year olds) to something if they were never exposed to others

with DD it was matter of need for her to go to daycare when she was 2 1/2. She was never in before that. they said she was to young to start the preschool program so we put her in the nursery. after about 2 days they pulled me aside when I came to pick her up and said if I was ready for her to start their Pre-K program they would take her. They felt it was a waste to have her the daycare when she could be learning and I totally agreed. Classes are only a 1/2 day, so she did have to spend an hour or two in daycare on days I had to work, Logan will just go for the 1/2 day. This school was great...it was 2 yrs of pre-k and by the end of the second yr she was speaking Spanish, writing and reading. With Logan I would start him in with the same thing but not until he's 4 because he will 6 when he starts Kindergarten debralyn was 4 when she started

you misunderstood. I was saying my child does spen lots of time with kids her age. 2 playgroups a week plus church nursery twice a week. So 4/7 days she is with other kids. So I could see the need to send a child to daycare/early pre-k (2 or 3 year olds) to something if they were never exposed to others I understand now. :p It definitely is a great thing, and kids learn new things so much faster when they are around other kids.

I always thought I would send Nichole to pre-k for 2 years (1/2 days like Debrlyn did) but now I am not so sure I will. I have considered joining a early education homeschool program at our library. Now I am just afraid she will not learn anything new in a traditional pre-k class. They don't learn much more then what my dd already knows at just turning two. The only thing that would be new to her RIGHT noow would be letter recognition (she knows her ABC's but not recognition yet) and maybe Spanish. Oh and Writing her name. Everything else she knows already. And there is still a year and half before she would be old enough to start pre-k. I think I would rather teach her things at home (well the library actually lol) and have her far ahead by the time she gets to kindergarten.

that is the problem we are facing now...She is way to far a head of the kindergarten class so she's bored. The program we had her in for pre-k was amazing...science, and history, reading, writing, language...they learned SO much more then I was expecting...now she's slacking cause the work bores her which is why we are considing putting her back in private school

that's a tough one. I would say if you could afford it then I would go back to public school. She will get used to not be challenged and eventually get so bored she may stop doing it all together. ya know?
I'm not a big fan of skipping grades, but what about just putting her one grade ahead. That way she would still be young, but still close enough that it wouldn't matter much?

actually she is the youngest kid in her school right now...lol We can really afford the tution but with help (which the grandparents have offered) we could. My biggest problem is in letting my parents pay the tution. I think my fear is they will want contol of her education and I'm not sure I can allow that. IDK

The nice thing is that the slowness of Kindergarten will be over in a few more months. My daughter had the same experience. Since she was used to full days at daycare/preschool, going backward to half day Kindergarten classes was bad for her. Now that she's in first grade, you wouldn't know that she lost interest at times.

I think that's why we will wait to make any real choices until she is done with 1st grade...or maybe even elementary school. Clarkston is suppose to be a great district...I went there from 4th grade on but I wasn't judging as a parent than

Gosh, believe it or not, I've done all of the above. My one son is special needs and he was not getting the services he needed in the private, nor in the subsequent public school, so in desperation I ended up homeschooling him. It was very successful.

Public schools are very good if you are in a district that has a reputation for excellence and that has renowned schools (ask me why we're moving to New Jersey for the next school year!)

Private schools are great for academically-oriented children, but they seem to fail children who are not as academically inclined and they usually do not provide any remedial or special services if your child needs them.

Homeschooling is, above all, a huge commitment. You have to dedicate yourself to being your child's teacher, or hire someone who will. It is an obligation upon you to make sure that your child learns at least what he or she needs to know at each grade level on a par or above what the local public school is teaching. I also strongly believed that my son needed the socialization of being with children his age, so we joined a homeschooling group and went to all of the events and outings that they had. It is important to research homeschooling options just as thoroughly as you would your local private or public schools.

I hate to start sounding like a broken record, but in my opinion school choice is really about meeting your child's individual needs and it really does depend upon the child.

We worked SOOOOO hard to be able to buy a house in the neighborhood we are in, which has one of the best school districts in the state, so we are able to do public.

All three of mine are attending or have attended public school.

I'm a big advocate of public education and my partner attended both public and private schools. Where I grew up, the public schools are excellent and the only reason why private schooling was around was for religious instruction. he grew up in Atlanta and he attending private school until he began high school.

Since we're not going to be living in Philadelphia when the time comes for our kids to start school, I really have no idea of what we will do. Plus, when I decided to enter the workforce, I just really hate the idea of teaching in a public school while my children are in a private school. I think my kids will have an advantage because Nate and I are both well educated so whatever they don't receive at school, we can give them at home.

We are VERY happy with our public school district. If our DK's needs weren't being met we would consider other options, but private school in our area is very expensive. We're comfortable financially, but at 15K a year per kid, we'd rather invest that money toward their college educations. As a former teacher myself, I volunteer often at the school and have always been impressed with what I've seen. We've not had any problems or conflicts with any of the teachers thus far, and both kids are doing well.

My kids have never been in daycare, but did start preschool at 3 for two mornings a week. Then PreK (4) three mornings a week and finally half day Kindergarten M-F before starting full day in Grade 1. I've been a SAHM since our first was born, and we were always busy with play groups, etc. when they were little.

me too Trina! Thats how I would love to do it, but now I am just questioning the pre-k thing. What would she learn besides what she already knows at 2. I guess I will wait a year and find out

Both my kids LOVED preschool! They loved the social setting and learning things, but it was also very good for them to get used to being away from Mom, especially DD, who was very attached. I liked the gradualness (is that a word? LOL!) of going from 2 half days, to three half days, to 5 half days and then full days in 1st Grade.

thats what I wanted to do, but they don't offer it here. Its just 3 days a week all day. I'm not sure that is the best for a child either. I do like the idea of the gently approach of going into school though.

Both my kids LOVED preschool! They loved the social setting and learning things, but it was also very good for them to get used to being away from Mom, especially DD, who was very attached. I liked the gradualness (is that a word? LOL!) of going from 2 half days, to three half days, to 5 half days and then full days in 1st Grade. I definitely agree. You pointed out some great reasons to consider preschool. :) We did the same thing but it was nice because at the time my employer offered daycare services. It wasn't free but it was full day. Believe it or not my daughter had no problem adjusting. And I truly believe it made the transition to grade school that much easier. Of course everyone's kids are different and parents will all have different ideas of what will work for them. This is one option that worked extremely well for us.

me too Trina! Thats how I would love to do it, but now I am just questioning the pre-k thing. What would she learn besides what she already knows at 2. I guess I will wait a year and find out


I know Nichole is very bright, but preschools teach tons of stuff you don't even think about. Hannah's preschool had centers so they could explore lots of different areas, and they did stuff like hatch chickens, class pets, each child had a job every week which helped learn repsonsiblity in a community, etc. Hannah is a pretty smart cookie herself, and when she was in preschool and they were learning letters and Hannah already knew her letters (and how to write them and the sounds they make) I was like OK what am I paying for this for? But she would also come home talking about all of her friends, and all of the projects they did, and when the special guests would come, it made it worth it. I definitely think preschool was beneficial for her even though some of the stuff they did parts of the day she already knew.

did you ever feel like she was being pushed back though. Knowing all that stuff yet still having to learn it again?

did you ever feel like she was being pushed back though. Knowing all that stuff yet still having to learn it again?

I never felt public school was holding back my kids, especially DS, who started reading chapter books in Kindergarten. A lot depends on the school and the teachers. Our district is good about challenging kids who show potential. Not so much now, because with homework and extra curricular activities there isn't time, but I did a lot of "after schooling" to supplement what they were learning in school.

did you ever feel like she was being pushed back though. Knowing all that stuff yet still having to learn it again?

No, I didn't really. There are a lot of parents that do well homeschooling, I could not be one of them. There are a ton of things that she learned outside of academia that I could never have taught her, or would have thought to. We put a lot of focus on math and reading skills but there are so many other things they learn in preschool. Social skills, sharing, learning to sit still, respecting authority, community responsibility, etc. Luckily we were able to get her into a good preschool as well which helped, because the teachers developed individualized lesson plans outside of group lesson plans as well.
Another thing too is that for instance, Hannah knew her abc's and recognized them and knew the sounds they made when she was 2. but when she was 3 it was like she forgot some of them just out of the blue. the repetition is very important even if they already know the basic stuff.

yay, in Texas it is SUPER hard to find a pre school. You either have to be poor and get govt. aide to get in one or fork over about 2 grand a year to put your kid in a private school.

I wish ours only cost $2,000 per year. :p I just looked at the amount we will pay this year and I think I am going to be sick. :sick:

I wish ours only cost $2,000 per year. :p I just looked at the amount we will pay this year and I think I am going to be sick. :sick:

No kidding! Our preschool tuition in 2006 was over $10,000

No kidding! Our preschool tuition in 2006 was over $10,000
we paid $565 a month for 2 yrs...but I don't regret it. I agree with every point Kim has made about preschool, it was a great experience for Debralyn :)

My God! I couldn't afford that even if we ate Ramon noodles!!!

My God! I couldn't afford that even if we ate Ramon noodles!!!
yeah...at the time I was working and making really good money, and I was still getting child support. My parents also gave me a little toward it because it was one of the best programs in the area. I was glad when we weren't paying anymore though, that's for sure

My God! I couldn't afford that even if we ate Ramon noodles!!!


But, if there was a need for her to be in preschool full time like Hannah was, you would likely be working, and it would make it more affordable, you know what I mean?

yay I can see that point. I know daycare here is around 200 a week. Thats why I don't work. Besides the fact that I love being home with her. For me to go to work, after paying for daycare and all the other work expenses, I would bring home 5oo maybe a month!! I work at the church nursery now, she comes with me and I bring home 300 a month!

My God! I couldn't afford that even if we ate Ramon noodles!!! Yummy, Ramon Noodles... ;) Of course after awhile it would get a little old having the same food all the time.

all that and thats what Mark picks up on! lmao

all that and thats what Mark picks up on! lmao HAHA!!! I haven't had Ramon Noodles in so long so I had to comment. The other stuff of course is more important but when you are hungry, you are hungry. :nodding:

HAHA!!! I haven't had Ramon Noodles in so long so I had to comment. The other stuff of course is more important but when you are hungry, you are hungry. :nodding:
:lol:

LOL

I am a happy homeschooler.

Side note, I ate Ramen Noodles last night. They were quite tasty.

I really would prefer to send my kids to schools with diverse populations, but where we live is overwhelmingly white. The education is important to me, but I want them to have a realistic view of the world.

I understand what you mean. Its that way here as well.
My number one choice is a charter school! Heres for hopeing. I start next year putting her on the waiting lsit for them

What is a charter school?

its a public school that is ran like a private.



A public charter school is a publicly funded school that, in accordance with an enabling state statute, has been granted a charter exempting it ...
nationsreportcard.gov/glossary.asp (http://www.google.com/url?sa=X&start=0&oi=define&q=http://nationsreportcard.gov/glossary.asp&usg=AFQjCNGF_rRT_ChsefV-9Dgd-qXl503pbA)A nonsectarian, tuition-free, public elementary or secondary school that is exempt from significant state or local rules that inhibit the flexible operation and management of public schools. ...
l (http://www.google.com/url?sa=X&start=4&oi=define&q=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charter+school&usg=AFQjCNE7Sqc5aTPkyjkveodZrGLvm3k5iQ)

Charter schools are publicly funded elementary or secondary schools in the United States (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States) that have been freed from some of the rules, regulations, and statutes that apply to other public schools (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Public_schools) in exchange for some type of accountability for producing certain results, which are set forth in each school's charter (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charter) Because of this they are usually much better than the average public school.[1] (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charter_school#cite_note-0)
Their founders are often teachers, parents, or activists who feel restricted by traditional public schools.[2] (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charter_school#cite_note-abc-1) Attendance is voluntary. State-run charter schools (schools not affiliated with local school districts (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/School_district)) are often established by non-profit groups, universities (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/University), and some government entities.[3] (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charter_school#cite_note-2)

a lot of times you have to volunteer a certain amount of hours to your childs school and some even make the child themselves do some sort of community service

I'm all for schools not having to follow Bush's stupid education policy. Sorry if I offend anyone, but he's an idiot.

I'm all for schools not having to follow Bush's stupid education policy. Sorry if I offend anyone, but he's an idiot.
:yeahthat:

I'm with ya!