My ds is 7 and in 2nd grade in a public school. His school district has gone without a staff contract for over a year and talks are not going well. It's all about the money- the staff has always had their benefit premiums paid for 100% by the district(WOW!). But state budget cuts and rising cost of healthcare and utilities have made it necessary for the district to ask for payroll contributions for benefits, which the staff refused (UGH!) The staff union has proposed higher co-pays and reduced pay raises, but it's not enough. Last year there was talk of strike, but I hadn't heard anything about it since then. There were two other districts in my county that hadn't had contracts in about a year also, but they have now settled. My ds' district is the only one left, and they are apparently still preparing for a strike and have set up crisis headquarters.

SO! I am left wondering whether or not my son will be attending school for a while. Should a strike actually happen, I do not want him thinkng this will be another "vacation". I would like to continue working with him. I am considering asking his teacher if I could borrow the workbooks they have been using when/if a strike happens. Or should I just say the heck with it and school him myself?

By Andyjoy on Friday, October 15, 2004 - 06:14 pm:

I would recommend checking out www.vegsource.com/homeschool. It's a wonderful chat board devoted to homeschooling issues. I'm planning to homeschool my future children myself, and I have found this board to be very helpful and informative.

By Unschoolmom on Saturday, October 16, 2004 - 07:38 am:

I say homeschool but I'm biased! Research it anyway...There are a ton of different styles and ways to do it and it isn't always the first or second way you try that you stick with. Finding a style you like and your son enjoys is important.
But if you decide not to and there is a strike, heck, I would treat it like a vacation. Do neat things together, travel around your local area...it's a great chance for him to get a view of life that he's frormerly missed by being in school this time of year.
Here's a great place to start reading..
http://homeschooling.gomilpitas.com/

By Audreyj on Saturday, October 16, 2004 - 06:29 pm:

Lots and lots of great sites and resources out there these days, don't forget the public library, websites for kids like funschool, popbrain and starfall. I really love McGraw Hill Learn at Home, it has all the cirriculum and worksheets and everything. 29.99 at Barnes and Noble. Good Luck! AJ

By Conni on Saturday, October 16, 2004 - 09:10 pm:

Audrey, Did you mean Brainpop or Popbrain?? My ds's teacher sends them to Brainpop.com all the time when they are using the laptop's at school. It is a great site. He love's it!!!

By Conni on Saturday, October 16, 2004 - 09:12 pm:

BTW, Lisa, I just dont know what advice to offer you! I am sorry your school district is in such turmoil. That isnt good. I hope things work out for the best!

By Yjja123 on Monday, October 18, 2004 - 10:19 am:

If you decide to homeschool feel free to email me. This is my second year and I have learned a lot over the past 2 years (different methods and material resources). I now wish we had done it sooner! Both of my children are doing extremely well. They are even working at a higher grade level.
Yvonne