Cyber School- one month in

Jayna has been doing cyber school for about one month now. Which also means I've been doing cyber school for about one month now.  Truthfully, I had no idea it would be such a part of life- which is probably why I am blogging about it now- to make sense of it all.

Last year I became increasingly frustrated with how much time at school was spent watching movies and doing other things with little educational value, and Jayna complained of how much free reading time she had while she waited for others to catch up/finish work.  I did address it briefly with the teacher and principal, and I know the teacher had organized a group of kids that were ahead to do a few things differently- however telling a group of 5th graders to come up with something they wanted to learn and do it- just didn't provide enough structure or guidance- or lead to a lasting educational benefit.  I must say that when I mentioned to the superintendent that we were looking elsewhere, he said they could have her tested and she could move up for some of her classes.  Why didn't the elementary principal suggest that in the first place?

Anyhow we looked into charter schools- brick and mortar and cyber.  It basically came down to two options- a brick and mortar charter school about 40 minutes away- benefits being great after school clubs, a cool science room, and the social aspect- or Commonwealth Connections Academy-benefits of moving at own pace, clubs, electives and fieldtrips. In the end Commonwealth Connections is what we felt best about.

Jayna did some testing before the school year and tested into gifted and talented language arts and gifted and talented science.  I am amazed at the level of work that is expected throughout the classes- and I can't really tell how much of it is based on the fact that she is doing GT classes, and how much is just overall increased expectations.  I feel like she is learning so much more- but I will admit having one month in, it hasn't always been easy.  There have been occasional melt downs- when Jayna feels like the work is more involved than what she would like- and as I said, expectations are higher. There are projects that put her outside of her comfort zone- for example involving the community.
Anyhow- I'm just going to bullet some of my thoughts/her thoughts to avoid writing this all day!

• We started out doing 8-10 hours a day to get the work accomplished, but the first week there was some extra testing needing done. Now we are anywhere from about 4-8 hours a day. We are always over the required 25 hours a week.
• Art- Jayna has actually liked her art class so far- which is different than previously. She liked getting out her art supplies and using them. Art is not something that is natural for her, so she really liked the opportunity to use other resources ( for example looking at a clip art picture) to guide her in drawing a picture. Also she didn't get that yucky feeling you get when everyone else is so much better at art than you are- she could just enjoy the process- and I love that!
• The classes use some great online tools and at home activities- I find it crazy that she is finding this more hands on than the school classroom was.
• I started out letting her do everything on her own, but after a few days, realized she needed a little more guidance. So often I will scan over the lessons ahead of time and make her a list of tips and reminders for the day's courses- and she will check things off as she goes.
• Tests! Jayna is learning what real tests are! She recently studied for a test with a 10 page study guide with an additional 44 vocab words.  She has taken 2 tests so far and both have been hard, but she has done well- but it really made her think.  I appreciate that there are more than just multiple choice tests and that well written answers are also expected
• The social aspect- this was one of my concerns, not just the opportunity to be and interact with others, but for me a I have felt that a lot of my learning comes from listening and watching others.  So, I am glad that the classes use discussions, where students are expected to present an answer or thought to a question and also respond to others input. Field trips- there are lots of field trip options- you can go anywhere throughout the state, but I have limited our general range to within about 2 hours.  We have signed up for 4 so far- an upcoming tethered hot air balloon ride, a trip to a zoo, an outside butterfly garden, and a trip to see a Christmas play and then go to the children's museum (with a great hands on activity planned) in Pittsburgh. I hope by participating in these she will make more friends and have some awesome experiences!  I have to drive her to the field trips, but the school pays the cost for me and her up to $20 a person for activity, so most are free. Also she is allowed ( and I feel a little guilty about this)- to participate in after school at our local school- so she is participating in chorus and reading club right now.
• Live lessons are held weekly for each class-so she can interact with the teacher and students.
• I am her "learning coach" and I hate feeling like her grade is also my grade- and I hate that I see grades all the time.  She has all a's and b's right now, but I also want to realize that even if her grades drop some, the level of expected work is higher and she is learning.

So, I guess it seems like it's a good fit so far- I feel like I am more involved than I had expected or even want, ( checking on lessons, checking on field trips, tracking attendance...)but that's what a mom does right?  We will carry on and see where the rest of the year takes us!

And so it goes...

Summer and heading into Fall

So much has happened in these past few months!  Andrew has graduated from high school and is now at Pennsylvania College of Technology ( Penn College- an affiliate of Pennsylvania State) studying Web Design and Interactive media.  He has been there for just over a week and so far so good from what I hear.  Of course this mom's complaint is that I haven't heard a ton from him- and I really am trying to give him his space- but it is hard- AND he has spent a lot more time talking to his DAD!!!  Now, I  understand that he talks to his dad about things like motorcycle brakes, hooking up gaming consoles and computer questions- things his mom can't help with- but still!!!

Whitney has started cross country again and although I can't really say that she seems to enjoy running 3 miles- doing it does make her feel good and she likes her teammates- both good things.  She has also started her first job that is not babysitting.  ( Yes- everyone just keeps growing up!)  She is working at a local bed and breakfast. I am thankful that she got the job basically after I was done or close to being done working 2 jobs ( more on that later)- and closer to when she may be getting her own drivers license. ( has an appt. to take her test in a few weeks!)  It just worked out well.  She does a variety of things from helping make salads to dishes to cleaning rooms and setting up for events.  It is nice because they are only open Weds- Sunday and they seem really willing to work around her schedule- and it is close. However there are stories that the place is "haunted"...
She starts school this week- I am hoping for a good year.  She is not excited to start- and it may be harder not having her big brother around. 

Jayna has been so excited to start Commonwealth Connections Academy!  That is the online charter school she will be attending this upcoming year. She is not happy that Whitney "gets" to start school a week earlier than she does!  We worked on her schedule the other day- she generally has about 4 classes a day and after a month can sign up for clubs and electives.  She has been a bit obsessive looking at all the info.  We also added some of our own things into the schedule- volunteering at the animal shelter 2 x's a month and our own gym class ( some kind of physical activity once a week)- although she does have a gym course.  I have to say that every time I have attended one of their sessions in person, I have felt good about the choice we have made to give this a try.  Here is to hoping it is a good year too!

So this summer I ended up working two jobs- in the morning at a preschool camp, and then in the afternoon at Easter Seals working as a COTA.  It was busy! Probably not many more hours than working full time- but was crazy trying to be done with one job at 12 then changing/eating/driving to the other job and sometimes having to start there by 12:30. I had accepted the camp job before the Easter Seals job had come available- and because I could- and knew they were having difficulty with staffing levels I felt like it was best to go ahead and try both. The Easter Seals job had started out as just to cover during maternity leave.

Well-this is now a few weeks old, and I still haven't put pictures in ( I can't find them, although my hubby says they are now on the computer), so I am going to go ahead and post this as is before it is even more outdated!

And so it goes....

Just Read: "The Confession"- by John Grisham  . I liked this book a lot.  Usually when I read Grisham I come out of it feeling like I have learned something- and this was true this time as well.

A spring update

April 2012

It's been awhile since I did an all around update- and yet so much that has gone on.  Let's see how far I can get with this.

In November I quit my job. That was a big decision, and kind of remains a bit of a stress.  Although I still believe it was right to quit the job I had; it involved a lot of stress and bringing a lot of work home with me.  It felt like it was always hanging over my head- even on my days"off" there was always something to do. However, I really learned a lot from my position as a COTA at the IU- I really felt like it was believed you could and should make a difference in the lives of the children you were working with- and it was inspiring.  I had the opportunity to work with a lot of children with disabilities I had little experience working with.  As I took a break from going to work I had the opportunity to do some online continuing education courses- which just emphasised to me that I DO like the field- and again I learned lot- some of which I really wish I had known earlier.  For those in OT, I have to say I have been impressed with the "occupationaltherapy.com" website offerings for continuing ed.  I had always felt it was best to do continuing ed in person, but where I live there are less opportunities without driving far- anyhow I have been pleased with some of their offerings. However, after a few months not working the finances have gotten tighter than Richard and I like- so I am looking again. Being in a rural area- there is less a need for school based COTAs- unless- like my previous job you spend a lot of time travelling ( one day I would travel about 1 1/4 hours to a school another day an hour), I had an opportunity for  a rehab position, but just didn't feel good about it. I'm actually interviewing for a sub "lunch lady" position tomorrow and have interviewed to work a preschool camp this summer.  I am still keeping a look out for the perfect position, but now know that  means more than a certain tittle. I still want to keep to part-time too.

Well, I was afraid that would happen! That is the extent of my dedication to writing today- perhaps more to come on things like: getting a "new" dog, researching schools , upcoming prom and college plans.

And so it goes...

Just read "Killing Lincoln"- it was ok- the first part was hard for me to read- mostly battle depictions. It was interesting to learn a little history though.

Date Night

So I saw this quote on Pinterest and loved it- yes, how obvious is that " the grass is greener where  you water it"?  Sometimes we just need a good reminder!  So in that spirit, I want to water the relationship Richard and I have.  We've been married 21 years- so we have recently slipped out of the newlywed catergory.  I think our marriage and relationship is better than ever- and that means a lot.  We have not sailed through the past years without our own share of storms and bad weather.  We have been through unemployment, sickness, several moves and job changes, the ongoing raising of 3 children, and his change of religious beliefs.  Some of our beliefs are different in major ways- and some things that are really important to me, don't mean anything to him- EXCEPT because he loves me those things become important to him- at least in wanting to support me.  I've never ever had a better friend- and feel so blessed to call him my husband.

One advantage of the fact that I recently quit my job is that I've had more time to think and reflect on our marriage. And the more I think about it- and Richard- the more I just fall in love with him.  When he texts me from work, I now  have  time to respond with meaning to his messages.  I think about him throughout the day and hope things are going well for him. I feel like he can relax more when he is home because I am more relaxed, and since I haven't been working all day I don't mind if he takes time to relax while I do a few things around the house.

At the start of the New Year, Richard and I decided to take turns planning a monthly date.  This has already been so exciting.  Normal "dates" for us have recently been things like running errands together or just last minute decisions to go out to eat.  And a lot of our dates would feel like "work meetings"- where we discuss things like kids, money and other situations that as the grown ups in our family we have to deal with.  Already having the responsibility to plan dates has upped our level of planning.  I created a   pinterest board that I've titled "Keeping the romance alive", where I've accumulated date ideas, relationship ideas and things- as it says "to keep the romance alive", on my Kindle I've started a running list of possible date ideas.I planned January's date- actually giving Richard a choice of a few ideas.  We went to a sports bar and watched football and ate wings.  We don't have cable, so it was nice for Richard to watch football,and for me it was just nice doing something different.  We have hit the 40's and in less than 10 years we could be empty nesters ( people keep telling me they come back, but we're not thinking about that yet since they haven't even left) - I don't want to be one of those people you read about who don't know what to do with themselves or each without the kids around.  So I find this the perfect year to try new things, maybe things that we find out we love, plus we'll be exlporing the area we live in too.  Today I got a nice surprise e-mail from my hubby about February's date.  He sent me links to two plays and said he couldn't decide- I gave him my input and the next e-mail said he bought tickets.  I love having something fun to look forward to! I love my husband and here is to the next 21 years and lots of watering!

And so it goes...

Just read: Safe Haven by Nicholas Sparks and The Guardian by Nicholas Sparks and Total Control by David Baldacci .  I liked them all pretty well.