So much stuff, other than paleo, is going on around here, these days.
We've been applying to schools.
What?
Yes, you read that right.
This has been STRESSFUL, but also exciting.
Homeschooling has been great during this time, but it was never our forever life plan.
With Baby starting elementary school, it is a good time for us to find a great school for BOTH girls.
Kid is very excited (and nervous) about it, she always loved school, and she does miss having kids around her all day.
I think, I've done right by her these last couple of years and it's time to move on to a new challenge.
I know she's at a place academically where she can preform in a traditional school setting, and we're hopeful this can work and be a fulfilling experience, academically and socially.
We've been all over the board on this, and finding a good fit for both of the girls has been challenging.
But I think, as of this afternoon, we've (I've) made one.
Out of left field, though it may be, tomorrow we're submitting an application for a conservative religious school.
Believe it.
(some of you could probably see this coming a million miles away)
Sure, there is some stuff we would not choose (like daily devotional & weekly chapel) but what I KNOW is that every school has something you would not choose.
(Like her old hippie school where a mom swore to the kids that there were werewolves. Thanks.)
Having a superior playground is all that mattered to the girls.
Baby looked out at it while I was in the office finishing up our tour, and when we walked out she said...
"I am definitely going here!"
Also, the greatest Kindergarten room set up I have ever seen. Awesome. Awesome. Baby's mouth fell open.
It's amazing what a whole bunch of church funding can do for a school.
Awesome, fully stocked library & computer lab? Check.
Huge brand new gymnasium? Check.
Music room... like a REAL one with stands for the choir? Check.
Art room... foreign language (this has gone missing almost everywhere else)... small class size, only one class per grade... did I mention the playground?... holy crap it was nice... yearly musical.... the whole nine yards.
Gym EVERY day.
and UNIFORMS.
Did I ever tell you how much I love uniforms? Love 'em.
Oh, and it's the cheapest private school I have ever come across. Both kids can go for LESS than one at any other area school. Half of one. It's insane.
After looking at weird hodgepodge programs, and bizarro charter school wackiness... this place was like a gift from God.
hahahahaha.
Anyway, I thought it was interesting how the girls had really hated the other schools we saw (you could feel the disorganization) and then they walked in here and everything was structured and organized, and you could see what everything was and how it would be, and they were both totally into it. Which I suppose isn't too surprising, since that is how I felt as well.
Having gone to private schools, this school finally felt like a real school to me.
The downside is that I will have to drive 1/2 hour & back to pick up Baby from Kindergarten at 12 (oh yeah, half day!!!!!! the driving is worth it) and then a 1/2 hour there and back at 3. But if all goes well for Kid there, the next year they'll both be full time.
And I can get a job.
I've been kind of yearning for one, for quite some time.
I just try to keep it on the down low.
So this coming year, I can hopefully get my feet wet with some volunteer work at an agency I'd like to work with later.
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6 comments:
This sounds great for the girls! I'm glad you've found something that feels like a good fit. I know certain kids that really benefit from uniforms and lots of structure, plus it sounds like they will have great creative areas too. I hope it is everything you dream of for them. The drive sounds like the worst part, but I'm sure you can handle it for one school year...you've certainly handled worse! Good luck Furious family!
Interesting step, but as you mention, no wholly out of the blue; a private non-secular school would by design have some of the things you've articulated in the past are lacking - and quite necessary - for your kids; that was one of the drivers behind your decision to home-school for a while, as I recall.
Related, but unrelated, we send Isaac to CCD (we're...Catholic-ish. Well, Jen is catholic anyway), and every Sunday there is this unreasonable voice in the back of my head wondering what weirdness I'm going to have to undo. Then I remember...he's 6. They're teaching him about respect and love and fairness. I also have to remember that I came upon my own...um...beliefs (?) after a type of immersion in religion, like he is experiencing.
And you know, Smitty, Isaac surely is his own person!!
Anyway, a glimpse into the insane ramblings of a parent who over-thinks.
Smitty,
" a glimpse into the insane ramblings of a parent who over-thinks"
I live there.
Yes, I agree. I'm more than a little worried about some of the church doctrine that we just flat out don't believe... (It is conservative Lutheran, so anti-gay)... but like you say, it's not like they are also coming home to that environment. And, I'm kind of hoping some of it won't be coming up in elementary school, anyway. While I am not traditionally religious, I do have the same basic goals and ideals... just phrased a little differently. I have no problem with a focus on forgiveness and service to others. I was however alarmed when the principal said "we are all sinners" right off the bat... but I'm trying to breathe through it. Some of it, though, I won't be able to know for sure until we experience it. On the plus side, memorizing the bible is a neat party trick ;)
Gigs,
" I know certain kids that really benefit from uniforms and lots of structure."
I did :) So, I'm not too scared off of that part... just the devil part ;)
Mrs. F:
WORD. Every bit of it. Kindered spirit, here.
Sorry to hijack the thread. Hope everything's okay with you and your family. We saw what the tornado did just east of Dexter, and Ann Arbor was a mess. We were near Pioneer High School, and a house was engulfed in flames @ Stadium and Main, and it was hard getting to our house because 7th was closed and many other streets were flooded.
We were hit, Amy. Everyone is fine just house & major tree damage. We had to head out of town since we have no power & we can't get out car out since the roads are blocked with trees. I'll update tomorrow.
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