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    Powers Is Back in Power

    Posted by Peggy on Wednesday, May 16, 2007 @ 07:51 PM  
    A couple weeks ago, my old computer died - then last week Richard's hard drive quit.  No web searches, no e-mail, no blogs - we CAN'T live this way!  Makes me wonder how we survived before the computer age.  Anyway, that is why you haven't heard from us.  It was good to catch up on the blogs, but too much information to digest and respond to quickly.
    One thing that I have wanted to pass on to HeatherDawn, is the web site for free home schooling: www.connectionsacademy.com
    It is based in Maryland, and is free public schooling on the internet.  We have enrolled Violet, here in Oregon, for next year.  You might want to check it out for Kadie - sorry Lisa, as yet Washington has not yet had a school district join. 
    Because it is public schooling, it is funded by the state and cost you nothing (except your school taxes) and is fully accreditied.  Each student is assigned to a teacher, who is available to help the home coach M-F, 8-4:30.  Students need to check in daily for attendance and to report work accomplished, however, you can adjust their work schedule to meet the needs of your family.  All supplies (books, workbooks, & instructions) are supplied by mail, and all assignments are supplied weekly on the internet.  Students are required to meet all state regulations and testing.  They also offer electives (starting in K,) including foreign languages (starting in 1st grade.)
    Other than that, I just want to say thankyou for all the birthday/Mother's day greeting.  Wed., Richard BBQ'd steaks for dinner and made me a cake.  Then on Friday, Lois and Mike came for the weekend.  Lois, Sue, Mom, and I went into town Sat. for shopping and lunch, while Michael stayed with Dad.  Then after church on Sunday, Violet went to a birthday party for her friend and the grown-ups all went to Bandon for a seafood dinner by the ocean.
    My note got a little long - love to all - hope you are all enjoying spring. Peggy
    1
    Reply by Heatherdawn on May 17, 2007 @ 07:13 AM
    I just checked out the online homeschooling site and it looks like a good program, especially if you're planning on traveling with Violet next year. But what about testing? On the site it says:
    Connections Academy students complete all standardized tests required by their state or district. We set up testing sites at multiple locations throughout the state or region, and administer the tests.
    Can you guys get the testing in other states if you're traveling or do they make provisions for online testing?

    And here's a kicker...it's based out of Baltimore, Maryland, but Maryland doesn't have any schools/districts that participate in the program. They have a couple of states that are slated for "school in development" so maybe, by the time Kadie is ready for it, they'll be adding Maryland to the list (or we'll be in Colorado which already participates).

    It's good to hear you're back up and running. My computer took a hit yesterday but we're not sure how bad it is yet. We were having thunderstorms in the area and my best guess is that we got hit with a power surge and my UPS crapped out on me (Jeff's UPS did its thing and shut down his computers without a problem). Time to get a new UPS apparently. Hopefully, we won't be buying a new system to go with it.


    2
    Reply by Peggy on May 17, 2007 @ 07:57 PM
    I guess I just assumed Maryland had a participating school district.  The testing they are talking about are state assessments which are done twice a year, I believe in November and May.   They are scheduled well in advance, so we could plan ahead if it is a paper test.  They have, in the past, had it online, but I understand that they are currently looking for a new provider.  We will knnow more about it in August when we get the materials.  First day of school is Aug. 26th.  They follow a regular school calender, 180 days of school, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and spring break, but without the teacher inservice days, etc.  There are several other parents looking at the program as an alternative to our 3rd/4th teacher.  Students tend to regress as much as 5 months under her direction.  Sometimes small town politics get in the way of intelligent actions.


    3
    Reply by Heatherdawn on May 18, 2007 @ 07:09 AM
    Considering the stories I've heard about this teacher and the fact that the online program is FREE, why doesn't the entire class sign up? Without students, would this woman still get paid? Would it send a strong enough message to the board? If it's because some of the families wouldn't be able to have a parent there during the day, maybe they could team up and share the load - homeschooled kids still need the interaction of other children and that would help. Of course, I'm always surprised by the numbers in Powers. I keep thinking there can't be more than 8 or 10 kids in this class (making the strategy a little easier to handle) but I can see it being more difficult it there were more kids.

    So, now that you've taken care of the "mobile home" and schooling needs, have you guys thought about your plans for the year? Where and when you'll be going? What you'll be doing?

    btw...I've been meaning to call just to say "hi" but timing hasn't been on my side as of late. I've been wanting to do it at a time where I can get Kadie on the phone for a few minutes but she's been having a couple of tough weeks in terms of attitude. She's been having a much better week this week so, hopefully, we'll be giving you a ring this weekend between planting, creating garden walls, laundry and other various details. (I buy stock in Excedrin nowadays. )

    And...my computer does appear to have taken the final step into electronic heaven. I don't know when I'll be back up and running as Jeff likes to build them himself and he doesn't go for cheap components, so (for budgeting reasons) I may be stuck with just my work computer for a while. I do try to glance at my regular emails at least every other day or so, but if anyone needs to get a hold of me quickly, the blogs and an email to Jeff would probably be the best way to do it.

    FYI...for anyone that remembers Jeff's best friend, Dean, we've just received news that he has proposed to his girlfriend, Kathy (of 2 or 3 years), and she has accepted. We always thought Dean would end up the equivalent of the old maid living w/ 50 cats (he was burned pretty badly from his last 2 serious relationships), but it appears that he's found someone to take a chance on. Both Jeff and I think Kathy's a good fit for him so we were very happy to hear the news.

    And our friend that went in last week for surgery on his prostate cancer has just received the news that he's 100% free of it. He's still in a lot of pain, but the news has cheered him up considerably.

    And I just got my blood test results back and my blood sugars / insulin levels have returned to normal. Since it's a "condition" now, I'll have to keep up the work on it, but what I've been doing seems to have done the trick. I go back for another round of blood letting in 6 months and will let you know if anything changes.

    And now that I've totally commandeered your blog, mom, I should get back to work.

    Hope everyone has a great day and that some of the positive energy flowing around here finds its way west and across the ocean to the east.


    4
    Reply by Grateful on May 18, 2007 @ 08:17 AM
    (A reply to comment #3)
    Congratulations on the sugar test!  I am glad that you passed with flying colors, since I know how hard you have worked at making healthy decisions.


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