Looks like we've got the computer issues solved for the moment ~ AOL is reloaded and I can add new entries again.

School is going well so far! We started off with a limited amount on week 1 and are adding subjects each week until we are up to a full schedule ~ partly because some things are being done in classes or co-ops with other people. This week we add Latin and Writing to Amanda's schedule; and next we'll add modern world history to all three.  Eric will also add his Civics from a Christian Perspective class next week.  This allows us time to adjust to our new school schedule without being so overwhelmed by new materials. Just one of the many ways we do things "outside the box".

Another example of "in the box" versus "out of the box" thinking  occurred last week in circumstances surrounding my daughter's volleyball team. Our homeschool support group has a sports program for middle schoolers - high schoolers  in girls volleyball and boys and girls basketball. My husband and I are both involved in the committee which oversees the program. This year we were invited to join a middle school league made up of small  private and charter schools.  While the schools all base their player eligibility for playing in middle school on grade level , our association rep. had to spend a lot of time explaining to the coaches and ADs from these schools that we only use age requirements, because as homeschoolers, grade isn't always easy to determine. Kids can be working in 2-3 grades at one time, since they can often move at whatever pace they are capable of in each subject area.  This was a hard concept for them to grasp, and apparently they DIDN'T grasp it, because our volleyball coach was confronted at a game early this week by the AD from one of these schools, accusing us of playing a 9th grader on our middle school team.  The girls on this team are all 11-14 years old. One of the girls is doing some 9th grade work - really not that uncommon for a 14 yr old.  But according to this person, that was not allowed according to the league by-laws, no matter what the player's age. After a flurry of e-mails and phone calls, we were told that we could no longer be in this league; all future games between our association and these schools would be non-conference.  That is really okay with us. But it was frustrating to try to explain a concept that makes so much sense to me, but that seemed so foreign to those entrenched in "traditional school" mentality-  that children not defined by what "grade" they are in.  Sadly, smart kids, who are able to work at a higher level academically, are penalized in this system by being told they cannot participate in sports with kids their own age / size, but may only compete with older kids who are their same "grade"!!! Does that make any sense whatsoever?

Here is another entry for the "Jillion Reasons Our Kids are Better Off at Home" file.  One of my friends made the decision to place her two boys, ages 6 and 13, back in public school this year.  I saw her today and asked how the boys were doing.  She said her older one was adjusting very well academically, and he was making friends and feeling good about being in school. But one morning this week his dad dropped him off at school a little late, and he entered school through a side entrance rather than the main entrance because it was closer to his homeroom, and he was mugged by an apparent homeless man who was inside the building.  The man grabbed him and demanded money. When the boy said he had none, the man ripped open his backpack, grabbed his lunch sack, and ran.  The boy went to the principal, the police were called, school security was beefed up....my friend is both furious and scared stiff, her son is trying to make it out as no big deal.....thankfully God was with this boy and he was not harmed.  But what a way to start off the school year...

Count your blessings.

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