Some of you may know that Chris and I have been fighting to get DHS approval to homeschool the girls since early December. Since they are technically still foster, it is up to them to decide until the adoption is final (just a couple months to go). I have a million reasons that I would like to homeschool, and at the top of that list is Shyann's diabetes. The school has done a deplorable job of taking care of her and I am so close to blowing my top that I can't hold out too much longer. That wouldn't be good, because I still have to have close contact with them and need all of us to be on the same team.
Last Thursday I looked in Shy's backpack for notes from the teacher and her blood-sugar readings for the day. What I found were several crumpled up candy wrappers from a Valentine bag the teacher had given her. I checked her blood-sugar and it was 477!!! That took the cake. Why would they give a 6-year-old diabetic candy and expect her to not cave in to temptation. She's SIX! I called the school this morning and told them that she would no longer be attending on days that parties were planned and that they needed to let me know when they were planned in advance.
Then I called our adoption worker. He told me that he had a meeting with the DHS branch manager on Thursday regarding the homeschooling. He told me to prepare our letter to ESD, that he saw no reason that they would turn us down. He had sent me a letter stating all of the stipulations for homeschooling foster kids and I sent back a pointed response to each issue clear back in December. I also created a letter addressing all of their concerns. He said that those, along with all of my research into it and contacting the homeschool group would go a long way and that he was positive that the answer would be yes.
This will be a major victory in our lives! I am so scared everytime I see 'Public School' show up on my caller ID. I worry that something terrible could happen to my daughter, not to mention all of the crap that is the government school. I really thought after her diagnosis that transferring her to this school was going to be a good thing (her last school didn't call me the day she was diagnosed with diabetes and she was in ketoacidosis, with only hours to go before she would have gone into a coma). I continue to pray that it is truely a go-ahead.
God Bless!
LIBERTY VS TYRANNY: WHICH WILL WE CHOOSE
4 years ago
Oh MY I would be worried sick!! I hope things go well!!
ReplyDeleteDo you know about Homeschool Legal Defense? Since the girls are still 'foster' at this point, you need to get DHS approval. But once they are adopted, you should check it out. For a small annual fee, they will defend your right to homeschool all the way to the Supreme Court if necessary. The public schools do not like to lose enrollment because they get revenue based on the number of kids enrolled ...so don't expect them to support your decision.
ReplyDeleteI began homeschooling my two kids when they were in 9th and 5th grade. It was a hassle getting them out of public school, but once we got on our own program, it was great. They both went on to college and I feel homeschooling gave them a leg up on college level studies because they were already well accustomed to being self-motivated and accountable for what they accomplished. Just a thought.
Oh I too hope things go well. Personally if I had kids at home again, they would be homeschooled for many, many reasons...
ReplyDeleteTonia-Thank you! Me too!
ReplyDeleteWWRWH-I have debated with the idea of joining. Oregon laws regarding homechooling are so easy to follow, but I've been to their site and saw that some Oregonians had some problems, I decided that it is definitely the route to go. It took me a long time to decide to actually want to do this, and now I can't see any other way. I sure don't want that taken from us.
Linda- There are so many reasons for us. Especially in this day and age. Once we are given the go-ahead, I will be yanking them out so fast it may give us all whiplash!
When I was homeschooling, I looked at it as cheap insurance. Like any insurance, you hope you never have to use it ...but it's comforting to know you have it!
ReplyDeleteTexas is 'homeschool friendly' too ...much more so than Colorado was (the state we moved from). In Texas, you are a private school. The kids did have to take a GED to take college classes, but they did so in their sophomore and junior years of homeschooling ...so they were ahead of the pack when they finished with homeschooling and just went to college. I loved being able to teach them to THINK and solve problems ...not just regurgitate facts about different subjects. : )
Colorado isn't to friendly about much of anything any more. I lived in Colo. Spgs. and it just got worse and worse. I definitely think it is a good idea to have someone in your corner instead of just being the little guy when the sharks circle.
ReplyDeleteI can't wait to teach them myself. Shy and I work together so well. I have been able to teach her ways to do things that the school doesn't have time. This helps her understand a different perspective. Kirsten, I'm worried about a little. She gets frustrated pretty easy and so do I. Couple that with being a bit of a slow learner and it may be difficult. Good thing I'm up for the challenge!
I didn't realize you were in CS ...or maybe I knew and forgot ...I do that these days. Ha!
ReplyDeleteYou will do FINE with both girls. The key for your own frustration is to realize and accept that they ARE different and DO learn differently. You will find different methods that work with both of them and it is so rewarding to see their little light bulbs go off when they GET IT. If there is a homeschool support group in your area, that will make your adventure easier. Enjoy the journey!
Hello, Paula!
ReplyDeleteI have yet to join HSLDA, since WA laws are easy, as well. Our legislature is trying to change that, of course. I use Sonlight materials here and there, and ought to use their discount on a membership.
Lovely blog, BTW.
I hope you keep us informed! I homeschool too :) Finally after many many years of wanting to (and starting to a couple of times) and now I won't let them go back to public school. I would move to another state if I had to...no joke.
ReplyDeleteI haven't joined HSLDA but... am considering it very seriously.