Outside of the Box
Well, it is time for Kindergarten registration in our house!!
woo hoo for Avery! too bad for Lyla. (who also thinks she will be attending kindergarten next year.)
When we moved to Hawaii, we were aware of the bad reputation of the schools in Hawaii.
A little background on the education system in America.
Well, maybe not. That would take forever.
We all know that education is and has been one of the first things to go on the chopping block in terms of budgets. I don't know why this is, it seems obvious as to why it should be the last to be cut, but sadly, it is not the way it is currently. I personally think Michael Moore should dedicate his next documentary to the state of our nations educational system. SCARY!!!!
Anyway, Hawaii is on the bottom of the list in terms of adequate education. We are the only school system that has furlough fridays. Do you know what that means? We are out of money to pay the teachers and administration in our schools. So we get three day weekends every week.
Oh, another thing in addition to the furloughs, is that we also no longer have money to bus our kids to school. What?? The head start program is also being cut.
Also, because of the terrible, "no child left behind" program, almost every Hawaiian child gets left behind. They have shortened the school year, elongated the weekends, and school breaks, and then expect the children to perform up to national "standards". Schools lose funding if they don't pass the tests!
Agggh.
Also, did you know that Hawaii only has one ONE school district for the entire state of Hawaii? That is eight different islands, all with individual and unique demographics, with only one district to manage! It makes no sense whatsoever! Can you imagine? Utah has 84 school districts.
I don't know why people get sooo angry about health care issues, and stand by saying nothing about education!!!!
Anyway,
deep breath!
We were at quite the crossroads...
We had tried a private school for kindergarten for Sophia, and while it was enchanting, the prognosis of the school did not look good. How do you integrate children with very abstract learning with kids already established linear learning?
ex:
My kids" I think in purple....."
Other kids" What the >?*S???? is wrong with the new kid?
Another option was homeschooling.
I can hear the cringing. Believe me, this is not what I wanted. But the reactions from people kind of made me want to do it just to prove them wrong.
just know, I'm not homeschooling, but I could do it, and do it well, if I wanted to.
(don't look at my own schooling as reference..)
There are other options, but they are in different parts of the island that wouldn't be compatible with Toby's work.
There is a great school in Hilo. It's St. Joseph's. Okay, but we aren't Catholic. I know that there are lots of parents that send their kids there that aren't Catholic either, I just don't feel quite right about it. Also, Toby refuses. As in, will not budge. Ironic, seeing as he graduated from Boston College.
Charter Schools...
hit or miss.
We definitely found one that is a hit.
We feel so lucky to be a part of this school.
It is so important to honor the Hawaiian culture while we are living here, and this is an amazing school, and our girls are so fortunate they get to experience this school....
Talk about stepping outside of the box!
The video says it is grades 6-12, but they have expanded to include grade school as well!
woo hoo for Avery! too bad for Lyla. (who also thinks she will be attending kindergarten next year.)
When we moved to Hawaii, we were aware of the bad reputation of the schools in Hawaii.
A little background on the education system in America.
Well, maybe not. That would take forever.
We all know that education is and has been one of the first things to go on the chopping block in terms of budgets. I don't know why this is, it seems obvious as to why it should be the last to be cut, but sadly, it is not the way it is currently. I personally think Michael Moore should dedicate his next documentary to the state of our nations educational system. SCARY!!!!
Anyway, Hawaii is on the bottom of the list in terms of adequate education. We are the only school system that has furlough fridays. Do you know what that means? We are out of money to pay the teachers and administration in our schools. So we get three day weekends every week.
Oh, another thing in addition to the furloughs, is that we also no longer have money to bus our kids to school. What?? The head start program is also being cut.
Also, because of the terrible, "no child left behind" program, almost every Hawaiian child gets left behind. They have shortened the school year, elongated the weekends, and school breaks, and then expect the children to perform up to national "standards". Schools lose funding if they don't pass the tests!
Agggh.
Also, did you know that Hawaii only has one ONE school district for the entire state of Hawaii? That is eight different islands, all with individual and unique demographics, with only one district to manage! It makes no sense whatsoever! Can you imagine? Utah has 84 school districts.
I don't know why people get sooo angry about health care issues, and stand by saying nothing about education!!!!
Anyway,
deep breath!
We were at quite the crossroads...
We had tried a private school for kindergarten for Sophia, and while it was enchanting, the prognosis of the school did not look good. How do you integrate children with very abstract learning with kids already established linear learning?
ex:
My kids" I think in purple....."
Other kids" What the >?*S???? is wrong with the new kid?
Another option was homeschooling.
I can hear the cringing. Believe me, this is not what I wanted. But the reactions from people kind of made me want to do it just to prove them wrong.
just know, I'm not homeschooling, but I could do it, and do it well, if I wanted to.
(don't look at my own schooling as reference..)
There are other options, but they are in different parts of the island that wouldn't be compatible with Toby's work.
There is a great school in Hilo. It's St. Joseph's. Okay, but we aren't Catholic. I know that there are lots of parents that send their kids there that aren't Catholic either, I just don't feel quite right about it. Also, Toby refuses. As in, will not budge. Ironic, seeing as he graduated from Boston College.
Charter Schools...
hit or miss.
We definitely found one that is a hit.
We feel so lucky to be a part of this school.
It is so important to honor the Hawaiian culture while we are living here, and this is an amazing school, and our girls are so fortunate they get to experience this school....
Talk about stepping outside of the box!
The video says it is grades 6-12, but they have expanded to include grade school as well!
posted by Amy at
12:17 AM
3 Comments:
Well HI might not be the only state with 3 days weekends. Many law makers in IL want to do the same thing.
I think in black, dark black :) The education system sucks all the way around, just ask any teacher! I am glad you guys were able to find a school that fits all your needs and I am sure the girls will love it.
Oh Amy.. that was such a big concern for us! We never ended up having to make the desicion since we moved back to Utah.. but I had been leaning towards homeschooling. It's funny the comments you get when you say that to people:) You would've done a great job.. but I'm so glad you found a great school!
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