Replies to '11/24 Great School Debate'

I am a public schooler of my two kids, grades 2 and 3. I am comfortable with it b/c I have them in a setting I put much effort into discovering. That setting is being compromised due to insufficient funds in our Valley's public school system and so small rural schools are being closed so that they can grow their educational dollars in the "bigger" schools. Creating more bigger schools to me is not the educational answer but it is a present system and it is what they have deemed as working educational solution...or is it? I am trying not to feel threatened by it. One of the moms I spoke with lastweek said she will homeschool her daughter if they close down our Rural Traditional School (Vancouver Island, Canada) and frankly for me I do not have that luxery and homeschooling is something I considered once and have made my decision not to homeschool. It is not a sacrifice I am willing to make. I love my children and I am there teacher in life, and putting them in public schools does not threaten or compromise that role for me.

My position on homeschooling is one of support as most of my friends homeschool. I feel I hardly get to see my friends that homeschool on a ladies night out level and I know their time is consumed.

Unschooling...I had no idea what to say to that until the show aired. My first thought was...is that LEGAL? Only in the USA maybe...it is just a term I am unfamiliar with. I have heard such philosphies on learning that the unschooled mom spoke of as we have a school here that is Private that literally "facilitate" the children that go there and they are not considered teachers and they also will not "pressure" a child to read if he/she is not ready etc. I have a friend that sends her son there. HM! Oh dear...I believe the desire to learn and apply what you learn is not innate. It must be cultivated and that takes a rich and educating environment, the right chemistry and skill. Learning can happen but it cannot also not happen! Learning is supported and that is the role of parents, homeschooling or not.

What I believe the public school provides for my children is plenty of oportunity to develop some of who they are ("some" I say is b/c I get the priviledge of playing a big part in that), public school aids in growing and developing future leaders. School's aid in children's ability to deal with all kinds of pressures, time, performances, peers, the good, the bad, and the ugly. It gives them much oportunity to stand the ground of what is good in this world and fight for what is right in the face of some oposition. It teaches them to adjust to new teachers year after year as well as getting to know new peers (depending on school size). My children are currently fortunate to have the same peer group in their class for at least this year as small schools are being shut down here. In light of my reasons to public school my kids, I face new challenges of yet attending another different school. When I talk about it with my children and I look into their eyes, I see how delighted they are not to have to wear their uniforms to school...ohhh, something I am not thrilled about as the uniformity of dress code in my opinion aids in learning as it removes that external element and helps them settle into what they are there for...to listen and learn. I have full access to their curriculum as there is a strong parental board at this school. My children are also confident that they will get along well in the new school as they say to me they will make new friends (sighh, this mama is feeling a little better at their encouragement).

I am pleased to send my kids to the public school and will adjust to the BIG school a couple blocks over if they close this wonderful Rural Traditional School of ours down...we are fighting it though and this kind of school attracts homeschoolers, however, in our battle to keep it open and publically funded, it has risked the losses of supporting student bodies that are needed to keep the school funded and publically open. We shall see by spring how this school fight ends!