As many of you probably remember from previous posts, our school district participates in a "school choice" program. This means that earlier this year I had to submit --in order-- my list of preferences for elementary schools for my triplets. I toured almost all 12 of the schools in my district. Many I did not care for at all. Two stood out as possibilities. The one I put first is a school for the arts. Recess daily. Two art programs every day -- dance, violin, choir, dramas, art...etc. After touring that school I said to my husband "I feel like I can do better than every school we have toured so far homeschooling -- except this one." The number of artistic opportunities offered would be hard to duplicate on a homeschool budget. Well, we got notice today that we got our first choice. Unbelievable since there were only 20 K spots available and I needed three of them!! I have become so invested in the homeschool mentality in the meantime, however. I truly see its value and the wonderful flexibility and closeness it brings to families. I also worry about my kids shyness and the requirements of participating in a performance-based school. My trio have never successfully completed any sort of performance. School holiday shows, end of preschool shows, ballet -- NOPE. I am also currently dealing with one of my boys who has horrible stomach aches before preschool every morning. He tells everyone that school is too long and he misses Mommy too much. It breaks my heart after all this HS research that he is feeling this way. All I want to do is keep him home. How is he going to deal with ALL DAY Kindergarten in just a few months? Six hours of school plus over an hour total travel. That is a lot of time apart! I was really secretly hoping we would get assigned to a horrible school so that I would have no choice but to homeschool. Somehow that would be easier to explain to family and frankly to myself. Can someone please help me? Should I try the "best elementary school in the county" and see if it fails us first before turning to homeschooling? What if it is a good fit and is just what my shy kiddos need to gain confidence? Tara
Wow, that's a tough decision! I would be tempted to try it, since it's the one that seemed so good. Will all of your kids be in K? Is it just the one that has problems? Does this school seem good because it's what YOU would like, or what your children would like? Probably because it sounds like they'd have so many good opportunities? But if it's not something THEY are particularly interested in then it may not be such a great idea! If you DON'T do this school this year, and wanted to try again next year, would you be less likely to get what you wanted because you turned this one down? Is there a way to do some YMCA or classes like that with them over the summer to see how they do? All I can say (other than ask a million questions!) is that I will pray for you to make the decision that is best for your children and for you!
Those are some great questions Deena! Yes, they will all be in K next year, although at this school they will not be allowed to stay in the same class. They have three K classes, so my kids will be split one into each of them. It is a school policy to split up multiples. Not something I necessarily agree with, but I am also not upset enough to make a stink. I am curious to see how it works! I do like the opportunities that the school offers. It is small, they keep the same teacher and class for 1/2 grades and 3/4th grades -- which I like. The biggest is all of the artistic exposure. The school really feels like one you would see in a movie or something. Children's artwork all over the halls, a huge dance studio, performance hall, art room, etc... I know my kids would enjoy making the art projects and playing music. I am hesitant regarding the drama and dance aspects of things. Again, separating them could make all the difference. I sometimes wonder if they don't pull each other down in these incidents. To answer your other question, I really only have one who has consistent stomach aches before preschool. He got in trouble for being silly today in school, so I am beginning to think he is bored. He can read already and this is a school that concentrates on learning through play. Four hours of that might just be too much for him! I guess I have a lot of thinking to do. Just because we got in does not mean I have to make a rash decision. I have all the way up to the start of school to decide. Thanks so much for your input. It really does mean a lot to me. We all just want to do what is right for our kids, you know? Tara
I would probably try it...depending on the kiddos, of course. My 2 girls would have truly excelled at that sort of thing...my K son would not enjoy it at all. He's not into art, music, etc....so he'd be miserable. This opinion comes from a pretty new homeschooler. We have be HSing for 12 1/2 months. Previously my oldest did K-3 at a Dept of Defense school (one of the best in the entire DoD system), my middle went there K-1, and my son for Pre-K. We started HSing when we moved to VA last March. I don't regret sending my kids to their previous school. It was a great school and I was a very active volunteer parent (and PTO Treasurer). Even with such a wonderful school, I know now that there are areas that I know my kids would have excelled better in at home....but I'm sure they excelled in other areas at their school that I would not have focused on with their Daddy deployed to the Middle East most of that time. Like you mentioned, you have time to consider all the options. Maybe tour the school again now that you're "in". With the lottery system, this is probably your only shot to get them into this school BUT that shouldn't be the deciding factor....if you aren't sure you want them in any school......I realize this probably doesn't help much and is stating the obvious Definitely a prayer request for discernment over what is best for your 3 kiddos. Best wishes as you consider all the pros/cons.
If I were you, I'd make a couple of lists. Make a list of things that are important to you regarding your children's education and family life and prioritize them. Then include those in a list of pros and cons, for both homeschooling and sending them to this school. It might help put both options in perspective
If the only reason you were homeschooling was because your kids would not get into this school and now they did get in then you have no reason to homeschool now. LOL...did that make sense? If you wanted to homeschool and that just pushed you in the direction more into homeschooling then you have a decision. I agree with making a list of what is important to you. I also think you need to consider what would be best for your family. Go, back to the school and see if it is what you really want. It is hard to find awesome schools, so I see your confusion.
If that was my child having the stomach aches he would be staying home with me no second thought to it. He sounds emotionally not ready for all of that and that's ok. For some reason he needs security right now with mom. I have one just like him. It's just not worth the ulcer in my opinion. In a year he may feel totally different about being in school. Again, Just my opinion from my own personal experience!
You have special considerations to balance in your decision with triplets. It would seem that there are social issues to consider that might not apply to singletons. Just do what you feel is best for the children and you can always pull them later if you chose the school of the arts over homeschooling and it does not work. As far as the homeschooling instincts, parental involvement is the cornerstone of success regardless of educational chioce. As others have stated, make a list of pros and cons of both. Make an exhaustive list. Also make a list of potential personal motives for either selection as painful as that might sound. Then Pray. You will do what is best. Don't worry. They are your babies.
I don't have any adivce, but how jealous am I that you get to choose, and that they arn't all the same cookie cutter crap like there is here. Not that I would pick one even if I had a choice but I have friends that would jump at the opportunity. English is becoming the SECOND language here and children are rapidly getting left behind if they arn't biligual. Kuddos to your county for giving you a choice at least, and for one to be as cool as that one!! MAN! That is a toughy!!
Thank you guys so much. You are right it is a toughy. I had really decided to homeschool, but wanted to do my research and tour the schools anyway. I figured it doesn't hurt to submit my request to school choice because I can always refuse what they assign. This was the only school that gave me goosebumps when we toured. The integration of the arts is amazing. The kids all learn how to play chess and have a school-wide tournament at the end. Classical music plays throughout the hallways. Little things like that. The school is so small and difficult to get into that I was told there would only be 18 spots available this year. When I signed up, the school choice office tried to discourage me from picking it as my first because the chances were so low. Statistically, if you put this school first and you don't get in, you get bumped down to your 7th or 8th choice. I just talked to a girlfriend who had this happen to her. The school she got is at 85% minority with a history of violence and poor teaching. I chose this school first because I had nothing to lose. I was so confident in my choice to homeschool I figured I didn't really care what they assigned to me, 'ya know? It was comparable to the last point in a basketball game being thrown from across the court and actually making the basket! :-D Thank you ladies so much for your insight and ideas. Once again I am so humbled to receive your honest opinions. You seem to truly understand my issues and are not just easy to say homeschooling is the right choice even though you are all doing it. My triplets turned 5 on Thursday and this week is such a whirlwind of parties I cannot even think straight. Today is our "family" party and tomorrow I have 15 preschoolers coming over for what was supposed to be a backyard water party. Sprinkler, slip-n-slide, water balloons, etc... We are now looking at probable rain. Yikes. When that is all finished I am sitting down with DH and making the lists you all suggested. It is old school, but sometimes you need to be reminded as to what is really important. Thanks for the suggestions. Tara
What do your trips think about the idea? IF one of them wants to stay home and the other two go out would that be a problem? I can see where it could be a blessing and a problem with three trying to figure what is best for them. It could be fun for kindergarden, to go out or at least to try it at the begining, just be prepared that if it does nto work to bring them home, it is after all only kindergarden and that is easy to make up later if there are problems. Thats just my opinion, and I did not read the whole thread, just your begining and end one really. (blush) so hope thats helpful too!
I guess I would let them try it and see how they respond. Then make your decision. As your one little one grows up some he won't be so dependant on you..... able to spend all day at school
If I may ask, Are your triplets boys, girls, both and are two of them twins to each other. BTW and OT: Are you familiar with the Twins Days festival in Twinsburg Ohio. My MIL's were twins and we took them up there the last few years they were both able to travel. (ages 84-88). The had a blast. It was a real shock to see a parade with 15-1700 sets of multiples in it dressed in clever costumes.
Thanks again for all of your insights. I have two boys and a girl. They are all fraternal, so no identical twins here. I just spit out three eggs. This is why DH does not want to "go for a fourth!" LOL! I personally wouldn't mind. I think you guys are right. This school is not typical, so it is probably worth giving it a try. I am not ready to give up on HSing yet, so I am still going to sit down after all these birthday parties are finished and make my pro/con lists just to be sure. Have a great weekend! Tara
I hope you decision becomes more clear once you make your list. Please let us know what you decide. Also, no matter what your decision is, please keep posting here!
