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Question about Homeschooling

Question about Homeschooling

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by: MAHM Active Indicator LED Icon 9 OP 
~ 9 years ago   Apr 11, '14 2:32pm  
I ran across a post recently in which @Burnsway was giving advice on withdrawing a student in the middle of the school year, and filling out an "intent to homeschool" form. I withdrew my children right after Spring Break. I had sent a certified letter for each of my two children, with the effective date of withdrawal, and stated that I would be teaching them from home.I read on the THC website that you should not go to the school to fill out any forms, but instead send a "letter of assurance" if they call you and ask you to fill out forms. www.thsc.org/getting -started/7-easy-step s-to-begin/withdraw- from-public-sch had to go back to the school a few days after the effective date of withdrawal to return the kids' library books (even though I reminded them to return them on their last day - ugh) and the attendance clerk asked me to fill out the withdrawal forms while I was there. I did not fill them out, per the instructions on the THC website. I told her she could send me something in the mail. I then had a conversation with her and the receptionist, who is also my neighbor, about my son's illnesses and his numerous upcoming doctor appointments that would have caused too many more absences for this school year. It was an amicable discussion, but now I'm wondering if I should go back and fill out that form. Or would a letter of assurance be enough to keep a truancy officer away? 4951
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notfromhere Active Indicator LED Icon 12
~ 9 years ago   Apr 11, '14 2:42pm  
@MAHM I hope whatever gealth issues your kids are going through get resolved. I don't see a priblem with filling out the form. Does the website explain why they recommned this? 4951
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MAHM Active Indicator LED Icon 9 OP 
~ 9 years ago   Apr 11, '14 2:58pm  
@notfromhere  It doesn't specifically say why a parent should not fill out the forms, simply that a withdrawal letter and a letter of assurance, if requested, are sufficient to meet the guidelines of compulsory attendance laws.They provided a link to the TEA Commissioner's letter to all school administrators. Here is an excerpt from that letter:"Students should be disenrolled by school officials when they receive written notice either by signing withdrawal forms or a letter of withdrawal. It is not necessary for the parents to make a personal appearance with school officials or present curriculum for review. For purposes of Leaver Reason Code 60, a signed and dated letter from the parent or guardian stating that the student is being homeschooled and the date homeschooling began is sufficient documentation.School districts which become aware of a student who is potentially being homeschooled may request in writing a letter of assurance from the parents of the student regarding their intention to home-school the student. This letter may require assurances that the home-school curriculum is designed to meet basic education goals including reading, spelling, grammar, mathematics, and a study of good citizenship. Please note that a letter of this type is not required each year." 4951
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notfromhere Active Indicator LED Icon 12
~ 9 years ago   Apr 11, '14 3:04pm  
That looks clear to me. If you sent the certified letter you shouldn't have to worry about the truancy.  4951
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Burnsway Active Indicator LED Icon 13
~ 9 years ago   Apr 11, '14 3:12pm  
If you are pulling them out in the middle of the year you should probably do a full withdraw and to not burn bridges I would do what the school ask . If you were to finish the year the intent to homeschool should be enough.
4951
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Burnsway Active Indicator LED Icon 13
~ 9 years ago   Apr 11, '14 3:17pm  
Also ask the school admin to make a copy and sign the bottom so they can't say it wasn't done. But don't ask in an accusation way.....just ask them to sign and date your copy for your records. Texas and our district is pretty homeschool friendly when done with a smile. 4951
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MAHM Active Indicator LED Icon 9 OP 
~ 9 years ago   Apr 11, '14 3:18pm  
Thanks for the advice @notfromhere and @Burnsway.Is anyone else going to the Home School Family Expo tomorrow at Klein ISD?http://www.eventbrite.com/e/2014-homeschool-family-expo-registration-10218234013?aff=eorg 4951
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Burnsway Active Indicator LED Icon 13
~ 9 years ago   Apr 11, '14 3:23pm  
I don't use standard full curriculum. So I tend to skip expos and conventions. I mix and match most my curriculum from online and what meets her needs at the point. I do about 80% project and untraditional school and about 20% seat work using odds and ends and time4learning. I drove my self crazy looking for the perfect curriculum......it's not out there.....LOL
4951
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brightlights Active Indicator LED Icon 3
~ 9 years ago   Apr 11, '14 3:25pm  
Also as the school admin to make a copy and sign the bottom so they can't say it wasn't done. But don't ask in an accusation way.....just ask them to sign and date your copy for your records. Texas and our district is pretty homeschool friendly when done with a smile.
 
@Burnsway:
 
Just curious...I've seen you (and have heard several others over the years) mention the submissive/walk on eggshells thing a few times with withdrawal. What if you don't do it with a smile? It's not illegal to homeschool, right? Are homeschool moms afraid of big brother getting all up in their business if you **** them off? 4951
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Burnsway Active Indicator LED Icon 13
~ 9 years ago   Apr 11, '14 3:29pm  
It's not illegal and you don't have to walk on egg shells but these teachers and school admin work in your community with all kids and activities. Your children will still play and be friends with those students. Most issues that make us want to homeschool are at state and federal level so I feel best not breaking ties in a negative way with over worked under paid school staff that have no control over those issues. 4951
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Burnsway Active Indicator LED Icon 13
~ 9 years ago   Apr 11, '14 3:33pm  
In short I could care less what big brother thinks....LOL. but I still love the teachers and students of our community and would like to stay on a positive note with them. 4951
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brightlights Active Indicator LED Icon 3
~ 9 years ago   Apr 11, '14 3:42pm  
It's not illegal and you don't have to walk on egg shells but these teachers and school admin work in your community with all kids and activities. Your children will still play and be friends with those students. Most issues that make us want to homeschool are at state and federal level so I feel best not breaking ties in a negative way with over worked under paid school staff that have no control over those issues.
 
@Burnsway:
 
That makes sense. I know a few people (casually) who HS and all 3 of them seem to be afraid of the district from which they pulled their kids, even years later, so I was curious. 4951
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MAHM Active Indicator LED Icon 9 OP 
~ 9 years ago   Apr 11, '14 3:43pm  
The principal and I were not on good terms toward the end, due to my observations at an attendance meeting and her badgering me to come to more. With each subsequent absence, I was "invited" to another attendance meeting. When I would not go, she would ambush me and harass me to meet with her right then. I told her I did not feel it was necessary. I finally wrote an email to her and copied anyone I felt was relevant (from the attendance clerk to the superintendent), stating that she has no new information to provide to me in an attendance meeting and that her idea of "working together" was really harassment and scare tactics. I made it clear that my intention is to do what is best for my children, period.So, to answer your question @brightlights, I am not one to walk on eggshells. I was, however, very courteous in saying goodbye and thank you to the children's teachers on their last day. 4951
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Burnsway Active Indicator LED Icon 13
~ 9 years ago   Apr 11, '14 3:52pm  
I'm by far afraid.....just respectful since I had no issues with the school she was in. In fact I almost went to open house because my daughter misses the school nurse. At this point that's all she seems to miss....LOL. to me I just don't see it public vs private vs homeschool. It's what you feel is best for your kid. Many times I will brag about what we are doing in homeschool and others will see it as a jab on their choice to use the public system and I don't get that. When they brag on good report cards or winning the spelling bee or the cool field trip they took or how great their kids teacher is I don't take it that they think they are better . So I'm not sure where the whole they vs us and walk on eggshells or act out against one another comes in. 4951
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fcabanski Active Indicator LED Icon 16
~ 9 years ago   Apr 12, '14 8:41pm  
The problem is at the local level.  The teachers at the local schools are the ones administrating the state curriculum to the students.  If local administrators and teachers weren't part of the problem, if they took a stand, then there could be no problem. 4951
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Katiemcg Active Indicator LED Icon 4
~ 9 years ago   Apr 12, '14 9:21pm  
The problem is at the local level.  The teachers at the local schools are the ones administrating the state curriculum to the students.  If local administrators and teachers weren't part of the problem, if they took a stand, then there could be no problem.
 
@fcabanski:
 
Teachers who "take a stand" get non-renewed. It's happened quite often. 4951
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