The new year has either started or is quickly approaching around the nation. Many parents are faced with the decision to send their children to school outside of the home, keep them in a virtual schooling environment or decide to completely homeschool them all together. Who is to say what the best option is?
YOU!
If you are reading this, I am assuming you have some interest in students returning to the classroom whether it is your child or the child of a loved one. Although our nation has lifted many restrictions and it seems everything is going back to normal. We are still in the “Time of Corona”. This period has affected finances, educational needs, physical health, mental health, etc. The list goes on. Where do you draw the line? Many employers are reversing work from home eligibility which removes the virtual option for many parents. Other parents, myself included, decided to withdraw their children and completely homeschool during this time. Homeschooling provides a flexibility that many other options do not provide. However, this is not what the post is about. This post is about a parent’s choice. Speaking of, I took a Public Speaking course over the summer that challenged us to create a speech on a topic that was important to us. My topic surrounded my school choice for the current school year. Check out my speech below.
Written version of the speech for those who would like to read it.
The pandemic was a good time for me. The best thing that ever happened to me was during the pandemic. I got to try out homeschooling. I was able to find resources and connect with individuals [within the homeschool arena]. It was like a trial period that I never had to pay for. Well, except for that monthly fee for the learning software, gas and money spent on store runs for supplies, and not having a clear set time away from children. But hey, it’s fine. I’m alright. I made it.
Education is important to me. I have two degrees, a professional certificate and I plan to eventually return to school for my doctorate. However, that trial period I just told y’all about….has come to an end. These kids going back to school. I got to the point where I realized I needed more hands on assistance. And yet, I still want to have some input in the learning process. I will outline three ways to be active in your child’s education even though they are in school away from home.
Number 1: Get to know their teacher. Go to the open house, download the Class Dojo app (or whatever app your district uses), and/or ask if there are times you can sit in the class [or volunteer]. This process alone lets the teacher know you are present and involved.
Number 2: Get familiar with the school administration as well as the board member that represents your school. [It may take a few office visits, emails or mini conversations while you are at the school. That is fine. It all adds up.]
Number 3: Interact with your school parent liaison or visit the parent resource center if one is provided. Each district may have a different title for this position but find out who this person is and seek them out. If not available [and even if they are], join the PTO (Parent Teacher Organization).
Now I am providing these tips to help parents be better consumers of public education [since that is my family’s current choice]. However, my days of homeschooling may not be over. One of the greatest homeschool advocates I know is set to launch an online support system for Black homeschoolers [and as supplemental learning for those in other educational choices outside of the home] in August [2021]. No matter what type of education your child receives, they will need support. A support system is essential to the learning process.
I’ll leave you with a quote by Ziad K. Abdelnour, who is a famous finance guy who just so happens to have good quotes. “Be strong enough to stand alone, smart enough to know when you need help, and brave enough to ask for it.”
Thank you.
Now back to the message at hand. Do what feels right for you and your family household! With my husband working outside of the home, caring for, educating and loving on all four children started to get heavy. I needed some relief. I deserved some relief. And besides, my kids were not as grateful for all the energy I put into making homeschool fun for them. So to borrow a few words from Kevin Hart…..they “gon learn today!” Hahaha, all jokes. But seriously, my children missed the classroom connection.
My best advice to you.
- Talk to your children to gauge how they feel about the new school year.
- Weigh the pros and cons and trust that you are capable of making the best decision.
- Reassess as often as needed. It is okay to change your mind. Nothing is permanent.
- Do whatever you need to do in order to keep your spirits high and heart light.
Until next time,
Cheryl
JAZ-C Parent Company LLC 