Well, we visited the charter school in Clarksburg. It was small, friendly, and the drive only took about 20 minutes. Brand new classrooms, books and supplies for all of the kids, nice size play ground with lots of field space for games, sports, and just plain running about. I couldn't ask for anything more! Oh, wait. A first grade teacher would be a nice addition.
It turns out that there are not enough students enrolled to hire a full time teacher for first grade. Therefore, they will be having a Kindergarten/First Grade combined class. Not all bad, if there are 15- first graders and you throw in half a dozen kinders. But the ratio is 15 Kindergartners and only 8 first graders. So basically in the morning it will be a kinder class with the others doing independent study and group work and then after the little ones go home at lunch the first graders have the last 2 hours to focus on grade level material.
Yeah, that's not going to work for me. I met the teacher and she seems lovely. She has experience teaching both levels and has an extra reading/language arts credential. I would be very happy with her as Sarah Jane's teacher. But Sarah Jane not getting a full days focused instruction seems like a waste. She has such potential in academics and for her to have half of the day without a truly focused teacher is not what I envisioned for my baby's first grade experience.
We gladly put our name on a waiting list, and told them to contact us as soon as enrollment increased to the point of hiring a separate teacher for first grade. They were very understanding and would love for that to happen tomorrow. Although, I'm not holding my breath that we'll get in at all this year. We will definitely reevaluate next summer and see where we are, and if we still think Clarksburg would be better than where we are now then great! But for now, we take a deep breath, wipe away the tears of disappointment (yes, there were real tears) and prepare for another year at Alyce Norman Elementary School.
So, continue to pray for us and for Sarah Jane's education. May it be blessed to the utmost!
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1 comment:
You are doing the right thing! As hard as it is to walk away froma great school, you have to give her the best opportunity possible to learn.
Keep your chin up!
We'll be praying for you!
Christy
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