Re: OT: Neighbors; homeschooling

[Guest guest]

I never mentioned that the reason the social workers were able to

question my older kids in the first place is that they were home

because we homeschool. One of their first questions was why they

were not in school. My husband said they homeschool. When they

walked into their room, they were sitting on the floor reading (my

2nd grader was reading a Boxcar Children book and my 1st grader was

reading Chronicles of Narnia). In private, they asked my son (then

just starting 2nd grade) what he is doing in math - " plusses and

times? " My son responded, " Oh no, we are doing plusses and minuses;

times will be next year " . Also, their bedroom is filled with

educational stuff - maps on wall, a bookshelf full of books, math

manipulatives on the table etc. At the end of the meeting they said

it looks like our kids are very smart and happy. They never made an

issue about the homeschooling besides that. I think it all depends

on what state you live in. Also, it is now on my 2 year old's

official records with Regional Center that his educational plan is

that they are going to prepare our son so that by the time he is of

kindergarden age, we can take over to homeschool him like his older

siblings. As for neighbors, they never ask because during the school

hours, they are either inside or out with us. Our kids are in a co-

op which makes ID cards they can carry to identify themselves. I

have known others to do the same thing that includes the school name

(you make one up), principal's name & number (yours), the child's

name and grade along with a picture and laminate it. That way if

anyone ever asks, they can show their ID and that person can call

their principal (you). While I am at it, I have one made for me as a

teacher which gets me discounts at various stores ( & Noble,

Borders, Zany Brainy etc.)

> The talk about neighbors made me wonder if those of you who

homeschool let

> your neighbors know this. We hadn't shared it with anyone & are

undeclared.

> But if someone saw a child out during the day would they think

truant? But

> then again I never thought it was worth making an announcement of

in the

> neighborhood; we hardly see anyone during the day anyway.

>

> What do you who homeschool do?

>

> Thanks,

> Michele

[Guest guest]

While I am at it, I have one

> made for me as a

> teacher which gets me discounts at various stores

> ( & Noble,

> Borders, Zany Brainy etc.)

>

>

,

I also made cards for our homeschooling group. I just

put the name of the homeschooling group, the name of

member, and the school year on them. BTW, you can

also get a discount at Waldenbooks or Brentano's.

=====

__________________________________________________