I had a few really cute photos to post today. The only problem is, the photos were in my head. As in, I didn’t actually take them. I just planned them out and imagined how cute they  would be and what I’d write.
But look, I have a couple of Instagram photos!
I spent the morning loading Judah and Tilly’s brand new laptops with their Switched On Schoolhouse software.
Oh, and trying to get caught up on laundry since we’ve been having washer issues for a few weeks. 
Next, I called the local elementary school (they just opened their office today) and zipped over with three of the cutest kids you’ve ever seen, to pick up enrollment papers. The kids were thrilled with going. We poked around the school a bit, though it was pretty deserted.
Being at the school actually made me feel a bit better about sending them. It really is a nice school. It’s small and welcoming. I know these three will do fine academically and have a great time. They will be supervised and learning, even when I’m at one of Apollo’s appointments. That’s a very comforting thought.
Honestly, my only concern is that they have challenging enough work for Hezekiah. This spring I administered our yearly testing I chose the California Achievement Test. You could say I was a bit shocked with the results…He scored halfway through twelve grade (12.5) for reading comprehension 11th grade for vocabulary and 9th grade, 7th month for language expression.
He’s 8 and will be entering 3rd grade.
Jubliee also scored ridiculously high and Tucker didn’t get tested, since he hasn’t started “school” yet. He’s now devouring chapter books.
I spent several hours this afternoon filling out the enrollment papers and plan to send along a copy of their tests scores.
Eleven more days until they start school…
I miss that school! My son attended K – 4th grade there and it was a great spot. (We only left because we had to move.) The principal is very understanding and is a great listener. The school in general was wonderful about figuring out different ways to support us through difficult times. I hope it is a good (if temporary) fit for your younger crew.
What if after the year is over the kids like public school and want to stay in it? Would you let them stay?
Bell- I have no idea. We’ll see how it goes.
Holy cow! That’s some smart kids you’ve got. Please continue to keep posting on how they do in school and how school does with *them*. We’re starting a kindergartener next week in our public school who’s reading chapter books and loves to learn, but gets very wiggly when he’s bored.
I will definitely post about how it is going.
you know.. you can always ‘after school ” them.. That is what we do.. it fills in the gaps the ps school leaves.
Sue in NJ
Sue- I do hope to do this….however, I am trying so hard not to put added pressure on myself since my goal is to relieve a little stress and chaos.
i was going to mention supplementing them also..or “after school” as she put it.
I am so curious at how big the school is and what the ratio of children to teacher is. You just sound so calm and at peace..I am so happy for you. I felt the exact opposite when initially thinking we would try and put our oldest son with sp needs (then barely 5) in K…I felt with all my being he shouldn’t be there..Mind you this was a “very good school”..” one of the best” and we live in an affluent city/suburbs. So not “best of the worse” …
The teacher to student ratio was 30. We both volunteered for every party..every outing..every class room thing. It was so depressing. I mean there were kids who were 4..kids who were 6yrs…there were kids who barely talked…kids who said things they shouldn’t..The teacher was reading with one child while i was running 5 tables…it was so stupid. There is no other way to put it. the kids were supposed to move to the next table when done with a pretty simple project. Simple for some….unable to achieve for others. So there were 9 kids at a table with 5 chairs..wresting on the floor with scissors…it was just so sad.
My son had an IEP…that took about as much time as you spend with Apollo. No joke…4 hr meetings..teacher/principal calling daily…over infarctions like “he hid the pencils”..annoying? sure…worth a 30 min phone call/email..not so much..And there were probably 10 other kids who either were sp needs also or had yet to be diagnosed in the class…
There are no “intensive” classes. With his IEP my son should have been getting 1 on 1 in the “resource room” with a trained professional…what he got was 1 on 1 time while he swept class rooms..(something my son enjoyed way more than sitting and playing play dough). At the time he was on meds and they forgot to give it to him at least half the time. so we would pick him up and he would be so angry and aggressive…it was awful.
I am sorry about my rant, but i always wonder where all these little gems are..the place you send Mordecai ..this quaint elementary school…
I believe the plan was for us to homeschool all our children..and maybe our lack of confidence was to be restored(which it was) through this horrific experience…who knows?
I bet your kids will do great. Since you are gone alot with Apollo you sound like this will be a better fit. If I had to take a year off i would just have them home.They take a couple Enrichment classes at a very large establishment in a church where my husband teaches high school chem and anatomy to kids who are home schooled.. The school experience here is far worse than anything we could provide at home on idle…
I hated him being gone ALL day..he was exhausted and at his worst by the time he got home…and we were only doing half days. Not sure how it is in your school, but at ours they let my son go until 2pm.. and then until noon…even though half day was not offered. The principal was real good about letting us know that as tax payers we have the right to use the public school system as we see fit..within reason. They said they have kids do art or gym or music who are home schooled.
Another thing I am sure you considered is the influences. I went to a “pajama jam” once put on by the elementary school and the lyrics to the songs..and the provocative dancing by 1st and 2nd grade girls….i had to leave with the kids. I wanted to be the number one influence in our children’s lives and this was impossible with them at school all day..or half day then sleeping…I tried so hard to immerse myself in that world.
He was reading/writing nothing at end of K…even though he also tested IQ wise at a “superior level”…he is now reading at 2nd grade level a yr later…His ADHD/ODD is limiting some of this. I bet he is alot like Heze…just not reading as well:)
just remember you are not even committing to a full year. You can take them home at any time. In our state of Michigan we don’t need to show any testing or proof of hrs or anything. Maybe different where you live? We just didn’t go back one day. It’s funny as I hear the same relief in your tone as I had when I never took him back..:)
This is not meant to be a downer.I really am supporting you. Just venting a bit at same time.
Praying for you!!!
Liz
wow.
Liz- It looks like last year there were just a little over 300 students in this school. In Mordecai’s special needs class, there were 7 students, one teacher and 2 or 3 teacher’s aides. I hope to be there as often as possible. Last year I only made it to two event because Apollo had appointments on the other days. I hope to be there more this year. Mordecai had an IEP and the meeting were always pleasant and only took 30 minutes or so. I got along just fine with all the staff and they really seemed to care about/like Mordecai.The influence….yes, of course this is a worry of mine, but I feel like this is the only option right now, and Chuck agrees. In WA we just need to test once a year, we don’t need to show the results to anyone, just agree to keep them on file. I’ve never been asked for them. I’m sorry your school experience was so bad. So far, with Mordecai it’s been 99% positive.
that is an awesome ratio..they didn’t have aides or parapros or anything..wow …in our Enrichment classes there are a max of 10 home educated kids which is great..they also liked my son, but it was as if what was on paper and promised to us never came to fruition. I mean how could it really with a ratio of 30 to 1..
I am so happy you have found these schools!!!
I have been considering starting my daughter on SOSH next year for 9th grade. I would love for you to write a post, later in the year, on how you like it, how your kids like it and what you think of it!
Faith- I will definitely update and let everyone know how it’s going.
Renee,
I wantedto encourage you to have Hez tested for any sort of gifted programs the school offers. All of your kids would probably qualify. The problem with a kid like Hez, is that even if the school let him move up a grade or two for reading, he would still be reading much lower books than he is used to. He really needs a program suited just for him. Even if this just means letting him self direct durng reading time(pickinga book more on his level, and creating book reports, oral reports, etc). Once you know who his teacher will be,you can shoot her an email introducing yourself, and mention his test results, asking what types of gifted programs the school offers? At least get the conversation rolling.
Susie- Thank you for your encouraging words. Just for the record though, the “Liz” you are commenting to is a different Liz from the one who regularly comments on here. I know this because I can see where the comments come from on my dashboard. I also just deleted her comments because she has commented here under at least three different names, including one yesterday that started “I agree with Liz…” Normally, I only delete comments if they are mean or attacking to other commenters, in this case, since I can she she is commenting under more than one name and trying to stir up trouble, I just deleted all of her comments. And because of that, I chose to edit out your comments to her and just leave your comment to me. I hope you don’t mind.
Sounds good Renee!
I’m one of six children, so I’m certainly not going to condemn anyone for having a large family. I was also a critically ill child who spent more time in the hospital than in school. Large families are more difficult; it was more difficult for my parents to balance the financial, emotional, and physical needs of six children than it was when they had two children. That’s just common sense. However, my parents were capable of providing adequately for all of us, and we are all college educated and successful in our personal and professional lives. Renee is doing what she feels is best for her children, all of her children, and that is all that can be asked of any parent, regardless of the number of children they have.