Broadlands Schools - Especially Hillside

I totally agree that the school system should provide the foundation, while parents should be involved in making sure they clarify and supplement the education. Unfortunately, I felt Hillside was providing a poor foundation. By the time I "supplemented" their work, I realized I should just take the whole thing over myself. Believe you me, I would love to resume a "supplemental" role. In order to do what I believe the school system should do, I now start my "day job" at about 4pm-after teaching school all day.

I'm not on a crusade to get people to join the homeschoolers' way of life. I look forward to the day I can send my little bird back out of the nest. The Loudoun County Public School curricula are actually good...however, upon close inspection, they don't seem to be doing what they say they're doing. It's almost as if the writers of the curricula and the teachers who are supposed to implement them never communicated.

On the upside, I am having a blast working with my son. He gets a solid 6 hours of schoolwork (not the 2 hours of work/4 hours of filler I felt he had at school). I've added computer programming to his 5th grade curriculum, and we play xbox for recess

 

Except kids who's parents are republicans. You have stated before that "you do not associate with their kind".

 

i understand where you are coming from- i DID feel that the VA history in 4th grade was waaaay out there- how much is knowing the details of the events at Harper's Ferry going help my son get a job or thrive in the real world?? not that history isn't important- but i DID dislike that it was a focus instead a supplement to the cirriculum.

i know that they HAVE to teach to get high SOL scores. i don't hold the teachers nearly as responsible as i hold the boards and execs that decide what useless info our kids have to have drilled into their heads instead of life skills and impactful subjects that matter after a diploma lands in their hands.

but- nothing is perfect, and i don't feel that my kid will be at a disadvantage going into higher education or achieving his goals as a result of the elementary school cirriculum.

i try to teach him how to LEARN. so no matter what he's being taught, he's got a grasp on processing it, and can get all A's and a few B's. i try to teach him to push thru the uninteresting and seemingly useless stuff because guess what? gotta do that in LIFE sometimes- ESPECIALLY as an adult! his eye is on the big prize at the end and he is learning to deal with the little annoying stuff along the way.

all this because he and i would end the day in blood, sweat and tears (maybe in that order, maybe not!) if i forced him to home school with ME! lol (not saying YOU force your kids- i would HAVE to force mine.)

but i have the utmost respect for families that can do it, AND the utmost respect for those of us who are comfy with public school and stay involved in our kid's education.

 

I wouldn't jump to the conclusion that it happened in the first place, let alone again. It is an allegation that has ruined his reputation and potentially ruined his career. I would wait for all the facts to come out and the case to go to court before you find him or the schools guilty.

 

This has been an interesting thread...

Just a point of clarification: it's the Virginia Department of Education that establishes the standards of learning that are taught in LCPS schools (and in all other public schools in the state as well). I believe the LCPS board and execs only determine how the standards are taught.

 

good info- then it's VDoE that gets a big PBBBBLTTTTT! from me. i know reaaaaally mature. lol

but seriously, if i could make one big change to school cirriculums, i would add more practical life skills starting in the 4th grade and up. math that balances a check book- they could do it using class points (for behavior, participation, finishing assignment early, exta credit, and so on) and those points earn interst each quarter, and there are rewards they can "buy" based on their points. make them pay taxes as well!

assignments that teach applicable life skills that they need to develop young so they are brainwashed- errr- TRAINED- to thrive in the real world:

social skills that train them against the ME FIRST mentality that so many ADULTS display around here in stores, on the roads, etc.

philanthropic exercises with volunteer projects that help the less fortunate

grocery shopping math

i don't know if assignments like this come later, in middle or high school, but the sooner, the better!

 

For another perspective, while I agree that life skills are important (and should definitely be taught at home too), I have been really impressed with the education my kids have been getting at Hillside. I certainly did not know as much Connecticut history growing up there as my kids know of Virginia history, and I've been impressed with the multifaceted way they teach it - textbooks supplemented with field trips supplemented with role playing, hands-on projects, and other imaginative tactics that make it interesting to learn. I would hope that this education sparks an understanding of history and an interest in learning in general that will benefit the kids throughout their lives. They will be our government, policymakers, diplomats, global business-people and so on, and teaching them about how we got where we are and where we fit in the rest of the world will help them and the rest of us. I view social studies at Hillside as a good start on that.

I've also been really impressed with Hillside's team approach to issues that might be of concern to a student's parent or teacher. They really seem to take each individual child's education very seriously. I wonder if the people who were dissatisfied with the math program tried to work with the school first before deciding to homeschool.

 

IT is key to teach history and the fundamentals and progression of math. These items teach the kids not only those specific facts (to draw on later for perspective) but also provide situations for the children to analyze. Success has a lot to do with one's ability to be an analytical thinker and solve problems...... History and complex math are the tools to learning how to think

 

I agree on the history and math, but I also think music is integral. For some public schools that think removing fine arts specials is a good idea for budget cuts or whatever they are doing children a great disservice. Music helps the mind blossom in math. Research proves it.

One area that is needed in our schools is teaching manners and morals also. Learning how to work together in a classroom "community" helps children learn real world skills on learning how to problem solve peacefully. Thank goodness Montessori still teaches these skills. One reason I love the philosophy.

 

First and second grade at Hillside really emphasized citizenship, including class rules set by the class and posted on the walls all year: respect other people, respect property, etc. In addition I saw evidence that they were rewarding kids who showed good manners and were kind to each other. I guess I'm either lucky or unaware, because I know lots of kids at Hillside (of course most of them are Cub Scouts) who are wonderful, bright, thoughtful of others, unselfish, great people. Seems to me those are the vast majority.

 

That's all well and good, but I think they need a bit more "old school" reading, writing and arithmetic.

 

They teach that stuff too! I was responding to what seemed like an implication that our schools didn't teach good citizenship. Along with other important things, I think they do. My point is that I feel lucky to have such a good school for my kids to go to - I think Hillside does a fantastic job.

 

i think that you mean " reading, 'riting, and 'rithmetic " if you are real old schol, they were known as the 3 "r"s.