Thursday, February 17, 2011

Fun For All!

We love our school. I love that the state of Utah is encouraging options for all of its students. Charter schools are public schools, funded by the government, free of cost to any interested families, that offer an alternative to families and students. I don't believe there is one right way to educate children. Having choices in schools is not about "good and bad", it is about being able to make a choice that is right for your child and family. We have a wonderful neighborhood elementary school...truly wonderful! But when we were preparing to send our oldest child to kindergarten, we realized he had some unique needs that our neighborhood school did not seem able to best equip. And so we looked at options and found one that fit his needs, his style of learning, and fit our family's educational philosophy. Like I said, it isn't about being better, it is all about being best for MY children.

Some of the things I love about our school are:


My kindergartener's new favorite hero. Do you know who is? What American iconic item is named after him? My children's charter school is an official Core Knowledge visitation site...a prestigious and unique honor. Not very many schools have earned that recognition. It is an AMAZING curriculum that aligns with the Utah State Core Sequence but enhances a child's opportunity to explore these subjects in greater depth.
I've spent most of my life being terrified of math. My kids love math and they are totally "getting" it. Love this program. Just don't ask me what this problem is or how to solve it. (I'm breaking out in a cold sweat just looking at it.)


I want my children not only to learn about science, history, literature, music, art, etc., but I want them to be able to think about it, express their opinions and feelings clearly, to be able to write, create, compose, and have the confidence to do anything and be anything they want. I want them to have a framework to place the ideas and philosophies they learn. I want them to have respect for the world they live in and the many different people they live with. I feel that classically educating children gives them these tools. Core knowledge teaches them the facts and classical education teaches them how to think about those facts. It is a powerful combination to give a child.

There are so many other reasons I could give.


I love literature circles and the written works my children are exposed to. I love the smaller class sizes and higher teacher and instructor ratio per student. We have a phenomenal staff and faculty. They are truly some of the most talented, dedicated educational professionals I have worked with. My children have loved their teachers and they are the constant that keep us coming back year after year. I love our music and art program. I love the high level of parent involvement and input. I love my children’s friends. We truly feel so blessed to be attending this school.
 Knowledge is power if you teach a child how to use what they learn. Teach them to think, act, and give them a lifelong thirst for knowledge. I don't want school to be a chore and endless string of useless information. I want school to be a place that excites and ignites them. And I want what they learn to give them a hunger for learning that will last a lifetime.

 

Don’t be afraid to demand the best for your child. Look around in your community, explore the options, and decide what is best for your child. There are so, so many wonderful schools in Utah. Our neighborhood schools and charter schools offer so much to a wide variety children. Find out what they are all about and then enjoy having the choice to choose what is best for your family.