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Monday, May 9, 2011

We have a Wish

and if you are the wishing/praying/sending of good thoughts sort of person...we could sure use some right now.

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There is something I just don't understand. How exactly, as a Nation, can we appear to be completely and utterly ignoring the importance of a good education? How are we allowing our Nation's schools to be suffering so? I don't know what it's like in your neck of the woods, but in ours.....we are hurting. Our schools system is completely falling apart, and failing our kids. Teachers are up against a rock and a hard place, and they are doing the best that they can with large class sizes, old materials, facilities that are ancient, and unhealthy, and State and Federal demands that go against what is best for the children. They are forced to teach to the test, and it isn't working.

I can't really complain about the education Sugar Bear has received her first year in this system, but I can speak to the potential that isn't there. Her teacher has done a wonderful job of helping her stay motivated, and encouraging growth. She has even received some special services in advanced reading and math. I simply can not feel disappointed in what she has received, but I can be sad about what she hasn't. Physical education but once a week.....no formal music lessons. It only gets worse as the grades go up. In our district.....no more band, or choir.....shop, art, drama, and so on. It is all gone...or going. Next year, they must cut over $2 million dollars, so they are closing Sugar's school of 360 kids and merging them with another that already has 450 pupils. The school will be over crowded. 15 years ago, there were 5 elementary schools in our district, now there will be 2. They are also going from 5 days of instruction to 4 next year. I know we aren't the only State in this situation, and it is breaking my heart.

As I have discussed before, Sugar Bear is quite shy when it comes to people. While I had hoped that she would have outgrown some of it by now, she is, in fact, getting worse. It took her SEVEN months in kindergarten to raise her hand at circle time. I can guarantee that she knows the answer 9 out of 10 times, but she just won't talk in class. Up until a week ago...she had never initiated a conversation with her teacher or another child in class. She has definitely been making strides in the past month. Finally starting to feel a bit "at home" in her class, and now....she is facing a new school....LOTS more students.....and so many more changes for next year. This worrisome heart can't take it. I don't want my daughter to get lost in the shuffle....to be one of many. I want her to be known....guided....and appreciated for the amazing person she is. Her personality makes her a prime candidate for going unnoticed.

I will not stand by and let this beautiful soul go unnoticed!!!

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So we have a wish, a hope, a dream, my dear friends. There is a Waldorf inspired charter school in our area that would be perfect for my Sugar Bear. While it isn't free of problems, it is certainly much more suited to Sugar's personality, and mine, really. I have attended an orientation, and will, today(Tuesday), be entered into a lottery to find out where we will be placed on the waiting list. YES...I said waiting list. However, if she is placed 1,2, or 3 on the list, she could likely have a spot next fall. There are no guarantees, but it is our wish. We want a chance. I believe, in my heart of hearts, that it would be a good move for us. There are at least 5 kiddos already in the class that she knows from Dance, and summer playgroup. It will be a change...but hopefully something she can ease into pretty painlessly. She would have relatively the same kids in her class through 8th grade. She will be known by all the staff in the school, and many of the families. She will not be lost....she will be found, and tended to. She will be nurtured, cultivated, and guided.


So, I'm here, today asking for you to hope, pray, and wish with us.

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We just want a chance to thrive. Is that so much to ask?




11 Live It or Love It:

Nickolaus Cave said...

Sounds like my youngest was as shy as Sugar Bear is. I too feared for her and how she handles herself and how shy she was. (yes was) We had to keep encouraging her to be around others. We have exposed her to church groups and other functions as much as possible. It broke my heart to watch her. She would hold on to me or my husband when groups of people were around. She is slowly growing and getting more independent. She is in the second grade now and she will now finally order her own meal at a restaurant! (all be it, with a very, very soft voice.) She is close by during groups of people until she feels it is safe, but no longer little miss cling on. My best advice I have for you is, keep exposing her to groups of people and encouraging her to go. I know, it is hard. Our little miss is still very shy, but she is coming out of her shell very slowly. I will pray for your wish.

Jen said...

I have my fingers and toes crossed for you guys. I know exactly how you feel. My son is the exact same way and I am terrified about kindergarten next year.

Gayle said...

My two cents.... I had Nicholas in the same kind of lottery 13 years ago. We did not get in. School started. Three weeks in I got a call that a space had opened up and did we want it. I turned it down as he was already involved in his class and I didn't want to move him. Nick graduates on Tuesday. If I could go back to that moment and switch schools I would. Nick "got by" in the shuffle of public school. He is very intelligent, but did just enough to get by. Now he's graduating with no hopes or dreams, no pursuit of further education. He'll find a job and survive. Not what I had hoped for his life. So if you get that call and you are debating about "disrupting" her life, do it. Years later it will have been worth it.

Good luck.

Kerstin said...

phewww - not easy to me to leave a comment in a foreign language but I try.
I cannot understand most of the school systems anymore - here in germany they now decided that highschool has to be finished after 9 instead of 10 years .
A few years ago some politicans had the idea to change our spelling - for example that from now on you spell "foto" instead of "photo" - some words with an "s" now have two "s" - I cannot understand the idea behind. Means that all parents who try to help their children spelling now are completely wrong.
we have way too less teachers and in our classrooms there are more than 33 pupils. How the hell should they try to get through their stuff in one year when there might be such a gap between the knowledge of the pupil?
I hate when children have to leave their way they are used to go. Fingers crossed for sugar bear that there will be a good end.
I hope you got what I tried to say :)
Kerstin

Beth Cotell said...

Praying that Sugar gets a high number on the list. Please keep us posted.

Niki said...

Precisely the same reasons we moved Allie and Tyler to Christ Lutheran. Please believe that if it is God's will, she will get in to this school If not, there will always be a place for her at Christ Lutheran, or any other school you choose to send her to. CL also has tuition assistance which is a huge help too! Small classes, small staff, and a great culture and attitude. My kids have done so well here. Wishing you all the best, I know how hard these decisions are to make.

Scott said...

Good luck getting in.

Your photos are great, love them, especially the third one. Very nice.

Providence Handmade said...

Oh, Corey, what a heartache for you. I can't imagine a better mama to parent your sweet girl. I have the very same educational concerns, and they (among other things) led us to choose to homeschool. How to educate your child is SUCH a difficult decision to make, but I have complete faith in you! :) Prayers coming your way.

inkyblog said...

love her - i am so so so happy she has a Mommy who cares this much about her tender little heart :) i hope that new school has long vacations... you've got to come and visit again xoxox

Jeanette Verster said...

Gosh that's tricky! Hope you get her in the Waldorf school.
I do think too that you need to put that last image on canvas... it's gorgeous!

Christina said...

hoping and wishing and praying along with you! fingers and toes are crossed tight, but however it works out I have confidence that it will be for the best.

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