::she just is::

Hi,

I just signed up on here yesterday, so I didn't get your introductory
message. Anyway, I'm Eryn. I'm fifteen years old and have been homeschooled
all my life -- I've been unschooling for about a year. I have many
interests, which you'll probably find at my webpage:
http://www.camenaworks.com/Eryn/ and my views on unschooling can be found at
http://www.camenaworks.com/Eryn/Unschooling/
Anyway, who else is on here? ~Eryn

==
"I dreamed I was a butterfly, flitting around in the sky;
then I awoke. Now I wonder: Am I a man who dreamt of
being a butterfuly, or am I a butterfly dreaming that I am
a man?" - Chuang Tsu
http://www.camenaworks.com/Eryn/
#24591173 ::she just is::
AIM :: Opal Fayre


>I have already hit the web site, that is where I found out about
>Unschooling in the first place. I was impressed and excited, and read just
>about everything there was to read at the site. Including: What is
>Unschooling, my state laws on the subject and frequently asked questions,
>and all the essays.
>
>I am STILL waiting to hear from SOMEONE, ANYONE, on the subjects mentioned
>in my origninal introductory message. Where is everyone?
>

Fiona

Hi,

I know it said to read for a few weeks, but of course I have to jump
in with a question. That said, thanks for having me.

Here's my story, in brief: my son Andrew (8/4th grade) has been
labeled since Kindergarten. Now he is at the point where he thinks
he's "bad" and "can't change". (Bet you've heard this story before..)
At any rate, I am sick to death of this. My child can go anywhere and
be complimented on his manners and kind attitude, except that one
school.

So here we are. (In CT, by the way.) My problem now is a notice of
intent. I wrote a letter to the superintendant, whom I know, and the
principal, whom I've worked with. It said something like, "We'll be
home schooling Andrew starting on this date.. We feel this is the
most positive enviornment for him.. You are welcome to review my
portfolio at any time."

I've been told I don't have to notify, I've been told it's very
important to notify. I realize I'm opening myself up if I offer my
portfolio but in all honesty, I'd rather go by the books the first
year and see what happens. Worst comes to worse, they start citing
laws and threaten to take my child, I'll get a lawyer. Best case
scenario, they ignore me.

The letter I wrote doesn't ask for a reply, however. Do they need to
acknowledge me?

Thanks, all, for any input. Very glad to be here, and again, please
excuse me jumping right in!
Fiona

Kelli Traaseth

Hi Fiona, I don't know how much help I can be, I'm in MN, but when I started hs I also notified my district and didn't hear a peep from them. Now this year I havn't done a thing and again I havn't heard a peep from them. Now, I don't know if its too early to know, meaning its only Sept. still. Or that they, the school district, is too busy with other things to bother with me? I'm sure there are others on this list that will know what to tell you, I just don't know where everyone is right now.

Usually I get up in the morning and I have like 30 e-mails, today I had 1? hmmmmm

Anyway, I'm sure someone will have some suggestions, and welcome to the world of unschooling! We are loving it. I also have a son who would be in 4th grade. And he is why we are homeschooling also.

Take Care

Kelli T

Fiona wrote:Hi,

I know it said to read for a few weeks, but of course I have to jump
in with a question. That said, thanks for having me.

Here's my story, in brief: my son Andrew (8/4th grade) has been
labeled since Kindergarten. Now he is at the point where he thinks
he's "bad" and "can't change". (Bet you've heard this story before..)
At any rate, I am sick to death of this. My child can go anywhere and
be complimented on his manners and kind attitude, except that one
school.

So here we are. (In CT, by the way.) My problem now is a notice of
intent. I wrote a letter to the superintendant, whom I know, and the
principal, whom I've worked with. It said something like, "We'll be
home schooling Andrew starting on this date.. We feel this is the
most positive enviornment for him.. You are welcome to review my
portfolio at any time."

I've been told I don't have to notify, I've been told it's very
important to notify. I realize I'm opening myself up if I offer my
portfolio but in all honesty, I'd rather go by the books the first
year and see what happens. Worst comes to worse, they start citing
laws and threaten to take my child, I'll get a lawyer. Best case
scenario, they ignore me.

The letter I wrote doesn't ask for a reply, however. Do they need to
acknowledge me?

Thanks, all, for any input. Very glad to be here, and again, please
excuse me jumping right in!
Fiona


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[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

MO Milligans

At 11:39 AM 9/19/02 +0000, you wrote:

>I know it said to read for a few weeks, but of course I have to jump
>in with a question. That said, thanks for having me.
==
Welcome to the list, Fiona :) I didn't even wait for a week <g>, so I
wouldn't worry about it.

Todd

"If you choose not to decide, you still have made a choice.
I will choose Free will" -Rush (and Todd)
http://rambleman.tripod.com/index.html

Betsy

**I've been told I don't have to notify, I've been told it's very
important to notify. I realize I'm opening myself up if I offer my
portfolio but in all honesty, I'd rather go by the books the first
year and see what happens. Worst comes to worse, they start citing
laws and threaten to take my child, I'll get a lawyer. Best case
scenario, they ignore me.**

Do your state laws say that you have to offer to let them review a portfolio?

Local homeschool support groups can usually give you accurate info about
what it required. Your local school personnel might lie or exaggerate.
(We've collected a lot of stories about school people giving out
misleading information about actual homeschooling requirements. They
tend to mistake their wishes for laws.)

Betsy

[email protected]

Kelli T,

Thanks so much for your email. I did change the wording of my letter,
amending it to sooner and firmer. I am excited but scared - can I do this,
sort of thing?

Thanks again,
Fiona


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[email protected]

In a message dated 9/19/2002 9:53:47 AM Eastern Daylight Time,
Ozarkren@... writes:


> Welcome to the list, Fiona :) I didn't even wait for a week <g>, so I
> wouldn't worry about it.
>
> Todd
>

Thanks for the warm welcome, Todd. I feel better each email I read.
Fiona


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[email protected]

In a message dated 9/19/2002 10:54:26 AM Eastern Daylight Time,
ecsamhill@... writes:


> Do your state laws say that you have to offer to let them review a
> portfolio?
>
> Local homeschool support groups can usually give you accurate info about
> what it required. Your local school personnel might lie or exaggerate.
> (We've collected a lot of stories about school people giving out
> misleading information about actual homeschooling requirements. They
> tend to mistake their wishes for laws.)
>
> Betsy
>

According to the homeschool "support team" (for lack of better phrase) in my
state, I don't even have to notify. I did out of courtesy but as I told
earlier, I reformed my letter to say, "We are doing this, starting.. " and
didn't say boo about a portfolio. I understand I have the law on my side,
that >obscenity< school makes my child cry one more time, they're gonna have
to deal with a lot more than home schooling. Wow, where did I find my
backbone? > :)

Thanks, Betsy
Fiona


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Kelli Traaseth

Fiona, the more and more I learn about unschooling the more I feel that anybody can do it. If we just can relax and let the kids do what they want. My big obstacle is my own schooling ideas. My kids always seem to know the right thing, I just have to trust my kids instincts. This is a great group, you'll find a wealth of info here!

Kelli
mom2andalex@... wrote:Kelli T,

Thanks so much for your email. I did change the wording of my letter,
amending it to sooner and firmer. I am excited but scared - can I do this,
sort of thing?

Thanks again,
Fiona


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]


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Liza Sabater

Hi Fiona,

This is not just to you but to all that post to the list. When asking
about homeschooling compliance, please always, ALWAYS tell us what is
your state of residency. There are a few of us here that can help but
that is the most important piece of information we need.

That said, everybody would do well to check their state's
homeschooling laws. The National Home Educators Network
<http://www.nhen.org>www.nhen.org has a wonderful website with all
the state's homeschooling laws and/or regulations.

Most states have compulsory education laws that are supposed to
ensure all children in the state receive "equivalent instruction";
meaning an education comparable to the one they would receive at a
public school. Here in NY, one of the state's with the worst
homeschooling regulations in the nation, we have very specific
curriculum guidelines that, even though we are supposed to start
complying with by first grade, they are really retroactive to
kindergarten. Yes, NY kids are supposed to have knowledge of certain
topics subjects by the time they enter 1st grade.

Needless to say, unschooling is something that we would not announce
to the district nor would we mention on the quarterly reports we are
supposed to submit for the next 12 years of homeschooling
"instruction". Why? Because unschooling, technically (and I am saying
technically because there are no laws that I know of that refer
specifically to unschooling) would not be allowed in most states with
compulsory and equivalency laws.

So arm yourself ALWAYS with the exact wording of your state's laws or
regulations and NEVER and I mean, NEVER give them more than what they
ask. You are doing yourself and all homeschoolers in your state a
disservice. As it is, homeschooling should be off-limits to public
schools. Why would I want to give my child an education equivalent to
a public school if I am not put under the same grind if I were to pay
$16,000 for private education? And no, in NY the SED does not have
any say on how private (or in our case "non-public") schools are run.
They have guidelines only --not even regulations.

So check out nhen.org. They are a wonderful resource.

Best,
Liza



>In a message dated 9/19/2002 10:54:26 AM Eastern Daylight Time,
>ecsamhill@... writes:
>
>
>> Do your state laws say that you have to offer to let them review a
>> portfolio?
>>
>> Local homeschool support groups can usually give you accurate info about
>> what it required. Your local school personnel might lie or exaggerate.
>> (We've collected a lot of stories about school people giving out
>> misleading information about actual homeschooling requirements. They
>> tend to mistake their wishes for laws.)
>>
>> Betsy
>>
>
>According to the homeschool "support team" (for lack of better phrase) in my
>state, I don't even have to notify. I did out of courtesy but as I told
>earlier, I reformed my letter to say, "We are doing this, starting.. " and
>didn't say boo about a portfolio. I understand I have the law on my side,
>that >obscenity< school makes my child cry one more time, they're gonna have
>to deal with a lot more than home schooling. Wow, where did I find my
>backbone? > :)
>
>Thanks, Betsy
>Fiona
>

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Rachel Ann

So I'm not waiting two weeks...I'm barely waiting 2hrs...

I'm a mom of five, but only two are left to homeschool...currently they are both watching different t.v.s . My eight year old (going on 9) loves a varity of shows and I have found she really learns from them... between the lions helped her read, she is a cyber chase fan, and loves all the animal shows I think...zaboomafoo, stanley etc. Not to mention all the animes...

She has also just started getting involved in Neopets. Anyone else do these? I just signed parental consent so she can do email...She is starting to really like the games and has completed her first quest. The whole thing really looks fun...I'm tempted to get my own pets..if only I was younger!

We are Orthodox Jews...getting ready for Succot...got to finish cooking, but I'm here, avoiding work... Soup stil to go, chicken for us... If I wait long unless it will cook itself, right? Someone agree..

Anyway, nice to know ya
Rachel Ann



[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[email protected]

Thanks Kelli!


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[email protected]

Nice to know you too Rachel Ann! I'm Fiona from Ct and new, too. I have an 8
and a 2. We're starting Monday.

Go cook! : )


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[email protected]

In a message dated 9/19/02 2:36:46 PM Central Daylight Time,
[email protected] writes:

<< .getting ready for Succot.. >>

Welcome Rachel.
In celebrating Succot, do you do the whole outside natural tent thing? Or am
I thinking of another Jewish celebration? It seems that Succot was the one
where you build a little family tent outside, very earthy. Sounds really neat.

Ren

Rachel Ann

Yep, outside, but more of a hut rather than a tent, at least in configuration....it has walls and a roof made of what is called saach---usually bamboo...open enough to see the stars.
I think the English is Tabernacles? Though I'm never sure, since I have always called the holidays by their Hebrew names...


I've done most of the cooking! Feeling rather proud...soups up and cooking, gefilte fish is done, rice cooked...just one more thing to go and that I think I'm going to do tomorrow. House is still a mess, but is always a mess....by most people's standards even when I've cleaned. Meet the kid with the messy room and the messy desk...

Talk to you all later
Esther wants to go play more neopets


----- Original Message -----
From: starsuncloud@...
To: [email protected]
Sent: Thursday, September 19, 2002 4:16 PM
Subject: [Unschooling-dotcom] Hi


In a message dated 9/19/02 2:36:46 PM Central Daylight Time,
[email protected] writes:

<< .getting ready for Succot.. >>

Welcome Rachel.
In celebrating Succot, do you do the whole outside natural tent thing? Or am
I thinking of another Jewish celebration? It seems that Succot was the one
where you build a little family tent outside, very earthy. Sounds really neat.

Ren

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~~~~ Don't forget! If you change topics, change the subject line! ~~~~

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[email protected]

Visit the Unschooling website: http://www.unschooling.com

Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the Yahoo! Terms of Service.



[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

MO Milligans

At 11:44 AM 9/19/02 -0400, you wrote:

>Thanks for the warm welcome, Todd. I feel better each email I read.
>Fiona
==
You're welcome :) And you'll continue to feel better and better...I hope. <g>

Todd

"If you choose not to decide, you still have made a choice.
I will choose Free will" -Rush (and Todd)
http://rambleman.tripod.com/index.html

MO Milligans

At 11:50 AM 9/19/02 -0400, you wrote:

>According to the homeschool "support team" (for lack of better phrase) in my
>state, I don't even have to notify. I did out of courtesy
==
That was nice of you :) Our (MO) law says we don't have to notify either
... so we didn't :)

Todd

"If you choose not to decide, you still have made a choice.
I will choose Free will" -Rush (and Todd)
http://rambleman.tripod.com/index.html

Rachel Ann

Hi Fiona,


Is your child interested in becoming penpals with my daughter? I do the typing or she would never write...it takes her too long to find the keys, and it sort of takes the fun out of writing... If you think she might, write to hindar@... later, I'll have her account set up and ready...

Just let your daughter? son? know if s/he is interested that it will be Sunday night or Monday before Esther can write back to her...

be well, and welcome to you too!
Rachel Ann
----- Original Message -----
From: mom2andalex@...
To: [email protected]
Sent: Thursday, September 19, 2002 2:32 PM
Subject: Re: [Unschooling-dotcom] Hi


Nice to know you too Rachel Ann! I'm Fiona from Ct and new, too. I have an 8
and a 2. We're starting Monday.

Go cook! : )


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]


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~~~~ Don't forget! If you change topics, change the subject line! ~~~~

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[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[email protected]

Thanks Todd > : ) It was more of "Hey we're taking our child out of your
grasp! Heh!"

Actually, Andrew went to school so excited yesterday, he ended up getting in
trouble again. The principal pulled my husband aside and he told her and she
was very supportive. One hurdle crossed!

I am going to go check out your site. Are you a designer?
Fiona


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[email protected]

second try, sorry. Thanks Todd > : )

Fiona


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

[email protected]

In a message dated 9/19/2002 11:24:39 PM Eastern Daylight Time,
hindar@... writes:


> hindar@...

Rachel Ann, that is a great idea! The mail is ready and waiting for whenever
she gets on line. Andy is not a great fan of letter writing, so you just did
me a great big favor! Thanks!
Fiona


[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

MO Milligans

At 06:46 AM 9/20/02 -0400, you wrote:

>I am going to go check out your site. Are you a designer?
>Fiona
==
I'm assuming you mean of websites, and not clothes.<g> Yeah, I guess I sort
of am, but not professionally --but I try :)

Todd

"If you choose not to decide, you still have made a choice.
I will choose Free will" -Rush (and Todd)
http://rambleman.tripod.com/index.html

MO Milligans

At 07:03 AM 9/20/02 -0400, you wrote:

>Garth or Garthette : ))) Very nice site. Fiona
==
Thanks, glad you like it. It's always nice to get compliments :)

Todd

"If you choose not to decide, you still have made a choice.
I will choose Free will" -Rush (and Todd)
http://rambleman.tripod.com/index.html