Trying to Build a Positive School Experience
By cmathias12
@cmathias12 (1025)
Armed Forces Canada, Europe, Middle East
August 26, 2008 8:46am CST
So I know there are probably plenty of parents out there that may not agree with me but last year after my children had one of the worse experiences in school (2 in elementary and 1 in Junior High) I decided to Home School this year. It isn't because of the incidents but because of the way the schools didn't handle the situation. First my 8 year old daughter was followed home and beat up by a boy and a girl, if that wasn't bad enough my oldest in Junior High was taken to the emergency because a boy twisted her arm behind her back and caused injury. When I bring up my daughter getting beat up at home, that was just when I had enough. She was tormented daily by these two children and no one stepped in. They just told her to stay away from them. If it was that easy! But as we all know a bully is a bully because they are following our children around picking on them. So because of several other reasons I decided to home school but to let them attend a special at school so that they could keep there social skills up and hopefully have an enjoyable experience in the process (fingers crossed). Now would be a good time to mention that I attend the specials with them so that they can partake without any over powering conflict that may be presented. First day of school (specials) my oldest was placed in art class with the boy who already physically harmed her the previous year. Since she was so afraid of him she will not go back even if I am with her. What is up with teaching our children to behave these days and also why is the school hiding their heads between their heads? I know that you can't catch everything but when we reported that boy for harming our daughter, we were told he had done this several times to other girls on school property and yet they still put my daughter in class with him. Am I missing something here?
2 responses
@caussara (53)
• United States
26 Aug 08
No, you aren't missing anything, the schools are. We have had similar experiences here with our children. In the end, we took our youngest out of school and I am homeschooling him. The two teenagers were allowed to transfer schools after we filed a police report against those that were following them home from the bus stop and beat them up. When you end up having to go get your child more than once a week in the middle of the day because the school will not separate children that are being picked on. (The teachers even requested that they be put in separate class rooms, but the principal nixed it) The children are not learning in that environment, our second grader is so much happier now and doing well.
1 person likes this
@cmathias12 (1025)
• Armed Forces Canada, Europe, Middle East
29 Aug 08
Great for you! I use to be against home school because I did not think I could give hem a good education but since these incidents happened, and my mommy bear instinct kicked in, I have realised that this is far from the truth. They are larning more from me so far. I am all for Home Schooling now!
@cmathias12 (1025)
• Armed Forces Canada, Europe, Middle East
30 Aug 08
Socialization is the toughest area, especally if you reside in the U.S. We are from the united states but are stationed in Germany. Fortunately, activities are very well spread here but I would suggest to you, to check into sport activities that he may be interested in, or Boy Scouts and 4H are good choices. He can make long lasting friends this way, then you can have play dates. I would also check in with the local school and see if there is some type of home school support that allows you to get together with other parents and their home schooled children. I know we have agoup that meets once a month for a potLuck planning session for feld trips that they get together for. wa vry shaky about home schooling myself but like you, I found it is very enjoyable for myself and my children.
@caussara (53)
• United States
29 Aug 08
I have always wanted to homeschool, my sister homeschooled all three of her daughters, back when there wasn't very much help available on the internet. All three of the girls are now college grads. I wasn't able to homeschool my kids when they were small, didn't have the resources or the confidence. I was a single mom for most of the time. I am now homeschooling my 7yr old stepson and it has been an exciting learning experience for both of us. I only started last year in April and we are just starting out this year, but a lot of it is done online and I love the fact that I can see just how and what he is learning and that I am able to see right away where he is having problems and help him. The biggest worry I have is the socializing aspect, I am still not sure how to solve that. If you have any suggestions I am all ears.
@Vickie7978 (164)
• United States
26 Aug 08
That's awful. I would be home schooling too. I can't imagine the impact on your kids from not feeling safe in an enviroment that should be. Have you talked to the school board? I wish you the best of luck and patience.
1 person likes this
@cmathias12 (1025)
• Armed Forces Canada, Europe, Middle East
29 Aug 08
Unfortunately we are deployed and living on a military base and sometimes you get the run around, so yes I have been complaining but can not get a straight answer as to were to take my complaint to get something done. Now,I would have to honestly ay, that I have set my mnd on home school and am not trying to work out a solution with any part of the school. Although I would stand up behind any one els that may have issues and state what our sitation has been in the past.
