School has finally begun.
Some of you may know of the troubles we've had this past school year. We used to go to a school we loved, but once we moved up the hill, we continued there only on a zone variance. Well, last year, we lost the variance due to overcrowding at the beloved school and were required to attend the school for which we were zoned. It was not a good fit (major understatement) for our family and resulted in a year long battle with policies that we didn't understand and that we could not support, but more importantly, I had to watch helplessly as these policies effectively sucked the excitement and desire for learning my children had right out of them. School became a boring drudge; few new skills were learned and many skills were actually lost. Ultimately, we just bided our time, waiting for the end of the year.
We looked into a variety of different schooling options for this school year and ultimately settled on a brand new charter Montessori school. The downside is that the school is a 35 minute drive each way. The site the Board thought they were securing when we first looked into it (which was considerably closer) was lost, but despite the drive, this school remained the best option for our family. The change in school means we are on a traditional nine-month schedule for the first time in the kids' public school experience. Because the school is new and fledgeling in so many respects, there is no cafeteria, so we are juggling thermoses for milk and trying to mimic some aspects of hot lunch (hopefully not the yucky ones). Also, because this is a Montessori school, the style of learning is completely different than what my children are used to, but the philosophy of "child-led learning" is one that I hope will allow them to soar as they regain their waylaid enthusiasm for learning. (this geeky mommy can't bear another year in which her children learn next to nothing and enjoy the school experience not at all--it's heart breaking!)
So, we gathered the new supplies (reminder to self, never take five children to Office Max by yourself. It's just not pretty!), purchased some jazzy new school clothes, shoes and bags and we were off!
And while the big kids embark on this new adventure (as we round the end of the first week, the spark is coming back, so far so good!), Bam and M will have their own adventures.
Bam will begin his first preschool experience at Miss Karen's Learning Center next week (he can hardly contain himself.
And M will get some alone time with the mom, a rare commodity in the life of child number five.
Sounds like win win (x5) for everyone!
5 comments:
It sounds like a great school, but 35 minutes each way! I've been dying this week taking the kids to their new school and it's only 15 each way. You're a dedicated mommy!
I know I have years before I need to worry about school, but I have been wondering about charter schools, I am interested in knowing how everything goes. AND being child #5, I can tell you, I remember being at home my mom, when I was 3 and 4, those were great times, I remember doing lots of art projects while my mom cooked and baked. In fact, that is why I plan to get Baby J involved in art as soon as possible, so he can have those types of Mommy and Me memories too.
Hi Angie! Hope you guys have a great year and everyone adjusts to the new school! 35 minutes one way is a long commute! I won't complain about my 15 minute drive anymore!
I'm glad to know the first week went well and your kids are excited!
I'm gonna look into them too...we need a better school experience for H and we just found out that his new teacher is very young and planning her January wedding! Gimmie a break...this kid needs an actual teacher who isn't picking china patterns!
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