Tag Archives: elite

Wrapping up and moving forward

The weekend came and went too fast, as always.  I think many families feel this way these days.  Saturdays and Sundays are simply just a continuation of the taxi-driving and calendar events. It’s all self-induced so I can’t complain, but it’s still frustrating to see on Sunday night the mess in my closet, for example, still remains a huge mess.  Things just don’t simply get addressed because there aren’t enough hours in the day.

At present, I’m regrouping for the week, and I can already see that our academics will need to be adjusted because of outside activities.  That takes some mental gymnastics on my part to see that I adjust our calendar appropriately.

It’s interesting. I was talking with a retired kindergarten teacher today, and she was asking me various questions about homeschooling such as how do I know what needs to be covered and how do I juggle all the various curricula. I could tell my world was completely foreign to her, so I invited her to come over and see what we’re doing.  I gladly welcome another set of eyes on our environment as you never know what good feedback you might get. Of course, I told her what I do is not easy at all, but it is doable.  She then went on to talk about how many public school teachers, who really love teaching, are so frustrated by all of the rules being forced onto them.  The regulations and bureaucracy are taking the joy out of teaching for them.  She also mentioned one of her girlfriends who is still teaching just simply wants to quit because of the mess that they’re having to work in.

Isn’t that awful? That our society has degraded the training of our children to sets of rules, boundaries, and tests is so unfortunate. No wonder kids don’t want to go to school.  Our system is broken, really beyond repair.  I don’t think any amount of government intervention is going to help and will likely only make it worse.

Well, now that we are all depressed, let me leave you to get pumped up about tomorrow. Gotta keep my own energy going since I’m flying solo:)

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I wish they’d just go to bed

Does that sound awful? Well, it’s how I felt a couple of hours ago. I’m tired. The day started early with travel soccer, then travel gymnastics, then travel soccer again. I don’t want to do anything except put on my pajamas, eat chocolate and buttered popcorn, and watch some mindless movie. Maybe I’ll have something of value to add tomorrow. I really need to clean my toilets.

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Elite private schools-Yes, I’m studying them and what they’re offering in their curricula

http://www.businessinsider.com/most-expensive-private-schools-2012-9?op=1

Current events-What NYC parents are facing

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/04/30/education/parents-owe-full-tuition-after-withdrawing-children-from-private-schools.html?_r=1

 

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702303916904577374192746153620.html

Parents have so much to process in regards to their children’s education not to mention the financial commitment.

 

Would your student benefit from the “gap year”?

Interesting topic…Lots of good articles to read on the subject.

http://www.interimprograms.com/AboutInterim/Counselors.asp

http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,2015783,00.html

http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/24260521/ns/today-parenting_and_family/t/should-your-child-have-gap-year-college/

How will you be remembered in this life?

In the midst of the circus that runs around me, I paused to attend a funeral for a loved one today.  During  the service, you heard this lovely Christian woman described as gracious, generous, and a legacy.  And she was every bit of that in real life.  Sometimes things can be exaggerated at funerals, but not so in this case.  She was an inspiration to so many people in the local community.   As I sat there, I began wondering what people will say about me when I leave this earth.  Will they call me gracious?  Times like these make you reassess what you’re doing in your everyday orderly chaos…

Excelsior “Friends and Family” night-more photos

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Making geography fun and tangible

Just got these geography puzzles in today from Rainbow Resource.  Hopefully, the kids will enjoy them.  Maybe I went a little overboard?