Hybrid School fundraiser BBQ

Having dinner with Hybrid school at a fundraiser taking place at a local BBQ place.  Fun times!!!

End of summer

Meet the teacher night at Hybrid school.  

Girls day OUT - Jamba Juice and shopping

Out of town visitor - GRANDPA HARRY.  Change to perform with our instruments, and interview him for archiving!!

Hanging out with cousins in Longview, Texas

End of the school year....

 Classroom party.  Awards ceremonies.  Summer reading books!!

Class photos

Where's Hana?  Where's Ian?

First Grade

Third Grade

Curriculum smooth sailing

Hana:  has had her last gymnastics meet.  Is now doing a conglomerate of "itty bitty sports" for fun and exercise.  She is excited about basketball, but is not wanting to try soccer, cheer, and track.  So, we thought this more "overall" program was a great way to allow her to experience various sports before committing to one.

She is doing well in Hybrid school, learning standard 1st grade stuff:

• Handwriting (A Reason for Handwriting)
• Spelling (A Reason for Spelling)
• Math (Math Mammoth)
• Explode the Code (reading/phonics)
• Language (First Language Lessons)
• History (American Pioneers)
• Reading Comprehension
• Physical Education (itty bitty sports)

Ian:  spent the summer swimming and playing Splashball.  He made the competitive swim team, but won't compete until next semester (allowing him time to enjoy the team before competing).  He continues to do guitar (both private lessons and group lessons), and he has joined the choir with his big sister.

• Handwriting (cursive in A Reason For Handwriting)
• Spelling (A Reason for Spelling AND Spelling U See)
• Math (modified Math Mammoth)
• Taiwanese Mental Math
• History (Story of the World Volume 2)
• Language Arts (First Language Lessons)
• Science (Astronomy text and journal)*

*I don't whole-heartedly endorse the above books, but they are what's used at Hybrid school so we make them work, and modify as needed.

• Swimming 3x/week
• Water polo 2x/week
• Choir
• Guitar 2x/week

Haley:  is quite busy.  In addition to the Hybrid 8th grade curriculum, she has many enrichment activities.

• Algebra I (which she scored a 96% on the first test.  This is great because it indicates that she is "in the right place" in terms of math placement - validating since I advocated for her to move up, and the summer was spent knocking out pre-algebra). 
• History - American
• Language Arts - grammar, essay writing, reading
• Physical science

• Choir
• Piano
• Harp
• Orchestra
• Debate - which is quite a bit of work, discussion, and research
• Fencing 3x/week
• Cotillion

And all 3 children have Jack and Jill.

Hybrid school has begun

Its the first day of school!!  

EIGHTH GRADE

FIRST GRADE

THIRD GRADE

The curriculum

New Academic Year - Meet the Teacher

How exciting to register for Hybrid School, meet the teacher, and see the classrooms.  

Curriculum Modifications

Slight modifications in the curriculum have included:

We have not started Latin yet.  The Spanish is more "difficult" to incorporate than anticipated (i.e. is taking more of our time).  Also, Haley's days are long enough (about 6.5 hours at home) just with the Hybrid School curriculum (Language, History, Science, Math, and Spanish).  Haley has quite a bit of reading expected of her in History/Language Arts - and she's not a fast reader yet.  So we've gotten audio books, and read to her to keep her caught up (for discussions, ability to use the information to write papers, AND to have the knowledge of the story in her intellect - which was the most important aspect to me, hence the reason we read it to her, or buy the audio book for her to follow along).  But this semester, we are weaning that a bit, but her reading speed has increased, so it's working out!!

Also, she's increasing her piano time because her teacher believes that if she's pushed a bit more the results will be phenomenal.  So the goal is 2 hours of practice per day on piano (and prepare for her *own* solo spring recital!!), and 30 minutes on harp.  PLUS she wants to run track this spring (starts next month) so...

...we have put Latin, Debate, additional music (choir/vocal), sign-language, vocabulary all on hold for now as we adjust to whats currently on our plate.  Instead we've extended piano, harp, added track.  We are allowing her to read on her own more, and she has started a blog all of which require time.

Plan:  After our immersion activity this Spring/Summer (May/June) we will revisit vocabulary and Latin.

For IAN
He has started guitar.  I'm toying with the idea of doing a Math Camp (like Mathnasium of some sort) with him.  He had a hip issue which limited his physical activity - so the afterschool PE had to be placed on hold.  Thinking about swimming - but if Ian isn't enthusiastic about it, that time may be better spent on an IT class (something he's asked about a couple of times recently).  He is also taking afterschool art class, as he enjoys art.

Plan:  Continue the spelling, handwriting, math, language, history and art being taught at school.  Add afterschool art.  Continue guitar for music.  Find IT/computer class.  Consider Mathnaisum.  Would like to add Spanish, but don't see how to do that right now.

For HANA
Great news with Hana is:

1) Kindergarten doesn't require much time outside of the 14 hours they're with the teachers.  And in class, shes doing phonics, handwriting, math, Spanish, and spelling.  At home, she practices math and handwriting.  I show them Spanish Sesame Street to help develop an ear for the language.

2)  We moved her from one gym to another gym (for gymnastics).  Now she's on the Team (level 2) and practices 9 hours/week.  So she's busy.  Haley is teaching her the piano.  Outside social is primarily Jack and Jill.

Overall, I'd like to start incorporating more "Spiritual Development" into the curriculum.  They get the Christianity spin in school, but I'd like for them to explore deeper spirituality (i.e. the meaning/purpose beyond the religions).   That'll be a summertime curriculum goal since the academic year has proven to be quite full.  Much of the "fullness" is due to the hands-on approach a transition requires.  As Haley becomes more independent, I can see the sun thru the clouds as clarity descends and more of my energy can be redirected from the "basics" to more "elaborate" homeschooling.

Field Trip - Washington DC

Lots of travel education!!  Washington DC is PRIME for leaning about history and politics.  We had the opportunity to visit MLK, FDR, and WWII Memorials.  We went on a twighlight tour of the Monuments.  We spent time in the Capitol Park.  Stayed in a luxury hotel at the city center, and mixed-mingled like VIPs at the W Hotel with Disney Jr.  Great practice socializing and ettiquette.  And they ROCKED IT!!

"Myiesha, your children are so accustomed to this...they act like the First Family!"  Yeah they do!!  :)

Accepted into Hybrid School

We had an *awesome* time yesterday at The Hybrid School.  We had missed their open house late January (*just* DAYS behind the eight-ball on that one), but we made up for it at this interview.

All day we planned for the interview.  We printed the application (to have a copy to take with us).  I had to decide on attire for myself, and for the children.  We picked up the 2 kids early from school so they could come home, get a snack, relax a bit, bathe, change, and be ready to go.

I'll admit that we were a bit nervous.  It can be uncomfortable knowing someone is in your presence to evaluate you as a person, a mother...and also evaluate your children, and family!!

We arrived 15 minutes early (hoping to arrive before the end-of-school chaos and possibly catch a glipse of the school when people are present...feel the energy).

The directors were very nice and passionate about their work.  The teachers were nice.  The classrooms small.  And our two children were well-behaved and interactive.

The interview lasted about 1.5 hours.  Acutely aware that this interview is reciprocal, we asked plenty of our own questions, and shared our views/thoughts/dreams honestly with the Directors (such that an HONEST discussion can take place, so a determination of mutual benefit can be assessed by all).

After our interview (or as we were closing) they said we are "in" and the two children have a spot in their program!!

We are so excited to explore this opportunity further.  Especially since the Charter Academy isn't likely to pan out without us pouring in significant time/resources with no guarantee that the school will be better...

...and in light of local parents with children who attend Charter Academy expressing dissatisfaction with the curriculum, we're feeling quite optimistic about Hybrid School!

Also, realizing that there's a LARGER home-school component than school component, we are gearing up for a transition to "pseudo-homeschool."

***

I've spent some time online after the interview yesterday at the recommendation of the Hybrid School Director researching local support groups and online forums/discussions.  I found a few:

Horizons Homeschoolers
DFWSaFE Secular Unschooler Group
Bear Creek Interfaith Homeschooler's Network
DFW Homeschool Cafe' (and their Facebook Page)

I've also requested membership into a few others - and will update with acceptances.

One thing I love about blogging is, I can keep all of my "important" links organized and in one location (see side-bar)!!

The Hybrid School Application is complete

After days of internet research on the Hybrid School and weighing the pros/cons, and considering our alternatives we submitted an application today.

Our discussions centered around what was best for Haley.  As I mentioned, while she was an “above average” student in 5th grade, her grades and knowledge were not reflective of her intelligence.  Also, she was a bit stressed-out and her behavior was not consistent with what we know of her personality.  She didn’t really have any friends, and her peer-group acquaintances were not very supportive of her.

We discussed simply holding Haley back a year – allowing her “extra time” to “catch up” since she was 2 years younger than many in her class.  We discussed allowing her to progress to 6th grade, but then holding her back then, preventing a premature advancement to middle school.  We applied for the local Charter Academy (but the chances of her being accepted are small since we don’t live in the City). And I collected local periodicals to scour for Private Schools that might serve our purpose for Haley.

Then, I discovered the Hybrid School.  I was *instantly* intrigued.  After a couple of days of discussion with the Hubby (and after a very difficult evening whereby he expressed his disappointment in moving here, to a great local school district, only to have our child NOT utilize said school district) he agreed to consider the Hybrid School.  While I understood his concerns/disappointment…I am a “let’s not dwell on what isn’t working…” type of person.  So I was already way past him on this issue.

I completed the application that day!!

Yesterday the school was closed – but I did speak to the director via telephone.  And today, as I was preparing to drive up to the school and drop off the application...Hubby suggested we add Ian to the application!!  What?  Really?!!

No argument from me.  Even though I figure he would likely end up maintaining his presence at his current Local Public Elementary school with Hana, I *did* apply for admission into the Charter Academy for everyone (those notifications should be made soon).  But this additional (Hybrid) option for Ian is wonderful!!  I’m all about preserving options!!

***

We turned in the application for the Hybrid School for BOTH Ian and Haley.  The Director wasn’t available, but I dropped it off at the front and email confirmed that it was received.  We await an offer for a family interview….

Hybrid School, could it be?

After weeks of investigating our options...
...and after articulating exactly what I was looking for....

I think I found a nearby Hybrid School where the children go to school 2 days/week, and 3 days/week they are home-schooled.  This will allow Taylored Curriculum to really have time to work.  It doesn't involve moving.  It's very affordable for us, and by working just a few 'extra' shifts per month, we can cover the cost.

-- side-note --

I am *very* cognizant of over-working - and the multitude of negative experiences and unintended consequences that arise when we fall into that "I'll just work a little bit more, so we'll have a little bit more money" TRAP.  I have had colleagues who have committed suicide because they jump onto that hamster wheel of work-money-work-money...that they fail to develop any other aspect of their lives...their relationships fall apart...and their own mental and physical health decline...

...just so they can make "more money."

I decided long ago, I will work what's comfortable for the family.  If I'm gone too often (for too long) our family relationship suffers.  Mommy....is kind of a big deal.  And things are better when I'm present.

Anyway, since this school "only" requires a few "extra" days of work a year (and the benefit of working thereby making the money outweigh the drawbacks to the children) I'm willing to consider it.  But only to make things "better" for the family.

-- side-note end --

So I've sent an email inquiry, spoke with the hubby about the possiblity.  Although he's not quite seeing the 'vision' of the part-time school just yet, if it's the "best" choice for our babies...he'll be on board.