So today, I went to Allanah's school for lunch. It was not my normal day, but I missed yesterday due to garage issues lol. Allanah asked me to go today, so I did. Now I realize this was definitely divine prompting. God wanted me to see something.
Today was the pizza "incentive" party for all the kids, who didn't get three strikes in the third quarter. Mind you the third quarter ended at least three weeks ago. And these are first graders, they don't remember what they did that long ago.
Allanah got three strikes. And YES she faced consequences at home for each of them. AND missed recess, and whatever else. So she didn't get pizza. What REALLY upset me was the way this was handled. The other kids all got pizza right in front of her. THEN they all realized she didnt have any and got to tease and harass her about it. HOW the heck is this seen as reasonable? There has to be a better way. Let me tell you, HAD i known today was the pizza party, I would have brought her McDonald's or something. This was terrible.
To make it even worse, even though she hasn't had a single strike since third quarter she also has to miss the end of year party. Her teacher expects me to let her sit at school all day while the other kids party and she can do homework. Thats NOT happening. We are going to do SOMETHING. Maybe even going to the same place as her class.
I am even more annoyed by the fact that some of the kids who DID get pizza and get the party are the kids who make her life MISERABLE. And two who act up EVERY day but get away with it because they are diagnose ADHD. So they have different consequences. The last time Gonzalo called her fat, all he got was a YELLOW card, or whatever the heck they call it. AFTER being talked to about the problem SEVERAL times. NOT even a single strike. HOW is that fair???? REALLY??? And NHA supposedly has a zero tolerance policy for bullying.
I am beyond fed up. And now I know for SURE I will be homeschooling next year. And preparing for a court battle with Eric too. Because after supporting my decision before, and stating if we did it for one we should for both, he now says he doesnt believe in it. I am guessing Mommy changed his mind as usual. And that this has nothing to do with homeschooling and more about percieved parenting time. I will be gathering all the info on pro homeschooling that I can. Any help is appreciated.
My girls
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Thursday, April 14, 2011
To homeschool or not to homeschool
Well first of all, I have decided to give this blog thing a try. I love to write and maybe this well help me get back into the habit.
As many of you know, I have wanted to homeschool since Allanah was just a baby. I have thought about it alot. But because of various reasons Eric and I chose the charter school route. Now for the most part we have been happy at Vanguard, its a good school. But I have several issues.
The biggest one is that Allanah is bullied just about daily. And nothing seems to change it. She has a lot of good friends, but EVERY year there are one or two kids who simply torture her. They make school miserable for her. I have tried EVERYTHING I can think of, talking to her teacher, talking to the kids, and talking to the parents. I have also spoken to both the principal and vice principal. Technically Vanguard has a zero tolerance policy, but yet nothing has been done. I mean these kids haven't even had to move their cars. (a strike system where they go from green to yellow to red, and then off the road. Once off the road a note goes home to the parents).
Part of the problem is Allanah is one of the the youngest children in the classroom. There is one other kid with a november birthday, but he seems to hold his own okay. Most of the kids in her class are seven, and a few are even 8. BOTH of the kids who bully her are 7.5 and 8 years old. Almost two years older than her.
But the bullying is just one issue. A major issue for Allanah is that her reflux is ALWAYS worse in the morning. She may be throwing up at 8 am, or feeling VERY sick and miserable and is fine by ten. If we homeschool she will be able to get up later and feel better. She has had a ton of tardies and absences because of this.
There are other things, and a big problem is Allanah's teacher. And I know she will have a different one next year, but its also some of the policies. She had a great kindergarten teacher whom I loved, so I know not all of them are like the one she has this year. But I am not fond of the principal either. I know we can switch her to West Elementary, but that will just bring about a lot more issues. We chose VanGuard because the parents are very involved and the general public schools just dont have that.
We have a lot of friends who homeschool, and its something I really believe in. Right now I am exploring curriculums and playing with the idea. I figure I still have some time.
As many of you know, I have wanted to homeschool since Allanah was just a baby. I have thought about it alot. But because of various reasons Eric and I chose the charter school route. Now for the most part we have been happy at Vanguard, its a good school. But I have several issues.
The biggest one is that Allanah is bullied just about daily. And nothing seems to change it. She has a lot of good friends, but EVERY year there are one or two kids who simply torture her. They make school miserable for her. I have tried EVERYTHING I can think of, talking to her teacher, talking to the kids, and talking to the parents. I have also spoken to both the principal and vice principal. Technically Vanguard has a zero tolerance policy, but yet nothing has been done. I mean these kids haven't even had to move their cars. (a strike system where they go from green to yellow to red, and then off the road. Once off the road a note goes home to the parents).
Part of the problem is Allanah is one of the the youngest children in the classroom. There is one other kid with a november birthday, but he seems to hold his own okay. Most of the kids in her class are seven, and a few are even 8. BOTH of the kids who bully her are 7.5 and 8 years old. Almost two years older than her.
But the bullying is just one issue. A major issue for Allanah is that her reflux is ALWAYS worse in the morning. She may be throwing up at 8 am, or feeling VERY sick and miserable and is fine by ten. If we homeschool she will be able to get up later and feel better. She has had a ton of tardies and absences because of this.
There are other things, and a big problem is Allanah's teacher. And I know she will have a different one next year, but its also some of the policies. She had a great kindergarten teacher whom I loved, so I know not all of them are like the one she has this year. But I am not fond of the principal either. I know we can switch her to West Elementary, but that will just bring about a lot more issues. We chose VanGuard because the parents are very involved and the general public schools just dont have that.
We have a lot of friends who homeschool, and its something I really believe in. Right now I am exploring curriculums and playing with the idea. I figure I still have some time.
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