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The New School Year

Is Homeschooling an Option?

Learning at Home Turns Surprisingly Social

   With my son’s fourth birthday around the corner, the time has finally come for my husband and I to get serious about kindergarten. Knowing this day would come has not made any clearer the decision that lies before us. The East Bay offers many solid choices on both the public and private front, but with housing prices in coveted school districts stuck to the ceiling and private school tuition at levels beyond our means, our choices are quickly narrowing before even hitting the school-tour circuit. Being the daughter of two retired public school workers and advocates — one a veteran elementary school teacher, the other an administrator and longtime school board member — I personally never thought to seriously throw homeschooling into the mix. I’ll say it: I thought homeschooling meant planting myself at my kitchen table all day while simultaneously sheltering my child from the world around him. With my hands up in a “not that there’s anything wrong with it” fashion, I just figured it was for other people. But talking to those who have made this choice for their children has shed an entirely new light on home-learning. It is surprisingly social, offers a wide range of methods and reaches way beyond the kitchen table. And those “other people” I was talking about? They are a lot like every other parent I know, including myself. I never would have predicted it, but homeschooling is now in the running for my son.

Where to Begin?
The first step in any decision as important as a child’s education is to get as much information as possible, and the Bay Area has a wide range of resources for those who are considering or even remotely curious about homeschooling. The following secular organizations are great places to start. They not only give the facts, but they also help guide newcomers in figuring out if homeschooling is the right choice for their family.

Homeschooling Association of California
Founded in 1987 by Bay Area homeschooling parents, this organization is now a statewide resource. Click on its “Getting Started” page for clear descriptions of the four legal options for homeschooling in California and links to all necessary forms. In addition to a slew of curriculum materials and advice, it offers a variety of information specific to teens, gifted children and kids with special needs. A legal committee is also on hand to advise any questions or concerns related to homeschooling. The annual conference in Sacramento is touted by many homeschoolers as a comprehensive gathering of workshops and panel discussions, including one given by young adults who wish to share their experience as home-learners. While anyone can take advantage of the information on the website, the $30 annual membership comes with extra perks such as bi-monthly newsletter and access to online discussion groups.
(888) HSC-4440, www.hsc.org

California Homeschool Network
Like HSC, CHN also works to inform and empower homeschooling families, educate the public and monitor legislation that could affect this educational choice. Its annual Family Expo in Southern California is another major event for homeschoolers, and the CHS free pamphlet Just The Facts offers all the steps to getting started, whether your child is starting school or withdrawing from another school. Support groups are listed by county, making it easy for anyone to find his local homeschooling community. Curriculum resources span way beyond the five subjects, including “distance learning,” “college and careers” and “frugal homeschooling.” (800) 327-5339, www.californiahomeschool.net

A to Z Home’s Cool
This site comes with a warning: “Be sure small children are safely occupied, you have gone to the bathroom, and have plenty of snacks on hand.” Why? The burst of information on the homepage alone ensures visitors will be occupied for quite a while. Thanks to former homeschooling mom Ann Zeise who runs the site, books, curriculum, car games, chat rooms and countless resources abound. Newbies will appreciate the bright red link at the top that reads, “New to homeschooling? Begin here,” which takes clickers to a page that starts with the question, “What is homeschooling?” and heads off the anxiety that often accompanies the decision to homeschool with titles like “Gaining Confidence” and “Where Do I Start?” From there, the site offers the infinite range of possibilities for building a homeschooling experience to fit any family. http://homeschooling.gomilpitas.com

Homefires
Run by former homeschool mom Diane Flynn Keith, this site is another must. Click “Events” for free workshops and teleconferences with experts in the homeschooling world, including one on Sept. 9 for beginners, entitled “Quick Start to Homeschooling.”  Flynn Keith also runs a number of related sites including www.clickschooling.com, which offers daily curriculum ideas. “Not everyone is cut out for this or in a position to homeschool,” says Flynn Keith, “but everyone should have the option when school is not working for them. The goal of Homefires is to help with every aspect of it.”  www.homefires.com

Where to Meet Others?
The usual question that arises with regard to homeschooling is, “What about socialization?” But pose this question to many homeschoolers and the answer usually begins with an ironic chuckle. “Socialization has almost become the automatic thing with people,” says Marianne Fisher of Homegrown Kids. According to her and many homeschoolers, given the individualized attention, kids often pick up curriculum much faster than in traditional classrooms, leaving plenty of social time. “It’s an inside joke with homeschoolers, because the kids have so much time to be with friends that sometimes you have to pull back.” There are many groups around the Bay Area that offer homeschool parents and children a chance to meet, share resources and of course, socialize.

Alameda Oakland Home Learners
With weekly park days, this group of about 40 families, with children ranging from preschool to 12th grade, provides support for home-learning families. The organization’s goals are simple, including developing friendships, organizing activities and sharing resources. The group even holds a commencement ceremony for graduating seniors.  Check out the calendar for the weekly park days. While the first Thursday of every month is dedicated to new members, the group encourages those new to homeschooling to come anytime. “It’s really important to get together with others when you’re homeschooling. No one knows everything about everything,” says outreach coordinator Liz Uyehara, who lists many co-op classes that were born out of the group, such as financial literacy and writing. “It’s great just hanging out, making friends and even doing projects together.” www.aohl.net

Homegrown Kids
When Marianne Fisher decided to homeschool nine years ago, she put out an ad to find other families who had made the same choice and got a whopping 30 responses right off the bat. Today, the group holds weekly park days and organizes field trips, classes, potlucks and other events. Fisher has also had the opportunity to co-op with other families in the group. “I think that socialization is important for not only the kids but the adults as well,” says Fisher. “If you isolate yourself, then you are not getting the adult time that you need.” She is grateful for the close friendships that her son has developed thanks to the group. “[My son’s friends] are just the nicest boys you would ever want to meet. And the integrity of the families I have met has exceeded my expectations.” www.homegrownkids.org

Contra Costa County Homeschool Meetup Group
With park days every Tuesday, this www.meetup.com group occasionally holds educational field trips and other activities such as a theater club. Members can post their own blogs as well as resources and events. “I’ve personally found many of the blogs helpful and encouraging,” claims Kelli Ludwig, assistant organizer. Currently the group is made up of 58 families with children ranging from newborn to high school. “The main benefit is the sense of community and the ability to learn from others who have already homeschooled successfully,” says Ludwig. “Many friendships have formed, not only between the children, but among the parents.” www.meetup.com/The-Contra-Costa-County-Homeschool-Meetup-Group

Bay Area Homeschool Field Trips
BAHFT is a Yahoo group that invites any member to organize and post a field trip or class. Given its 1,900 member-families, there is a ton of opportunities including hikes, volunteering and art classes. Field trips also run the gamut, from Mrs. Grossman’s Sticker Factory to the Rosicrucian Egyptian museum. Want to take your kid to the ballet or the symphony? Lots of other people do, too. “By networking with other homeschoolers in our area, we can organize field trips to some wonderful places that would perhaps not be open to an individual family,” says Katherine Ingram, head of BAHFT, who began by organizing some classes at the Lawrence Hall of Science that required a minimum of 12 kids. “Of course, it is also a great way to meet other families and make friends.” www.groups.yahoo.com/group/bahft

Tri-Valley Explorers
With 493 families, TVE serves families primarily from the Walnut Creek and Dublin areas looking for events, field trips, classes and tours for their home-learners.  Opportunities range from ice skating and fencing classes to biology and math. Members are empowered to post information about the activity in which they are interested and organize a group. “Life is how we learn,” says membership coordinator Lauri Falabella, who explains that homeschoolers treat everyday experiences as part of education, like going to the grocery store and solving problems around the home. “We even had a tour of a pet shop once.” New members are sent an intro e-mail and are invited to come to one of the group’s park days to get a feel for the group. “The most important thing is being connected. Once you meet other people, homeschooling is a lot less scary.” www.trivalleyexplorers.com