Hollister
– Back to School Nights are a long-standing tradition at most
schools as an opportunity for parents to acquaint themselves with
teachers before the school year begins in earnest.
Hollister – Back to School Nights are a long-standing tradition at most schools as an opportunity for parents to acquaint themselves with teachers before the school year begins in earnest.
But what if you are the teacher?
Local parents are organizing the first annual Back to Homeschool Day, an effort to bring homeschooling families together and celebrate the beginning of the academic year.
“This is the first time we’re really trying something like this,” said Kim Taylor of Hollister Homeschoolers, an informal league of local families. “We do know there are a lot of us out there, so we’ve formed this group and hope it will expand.”
The Hollister Homeschoolers are inviting homeschool families from around the county to spend the day out at the San Benito County Historical Park on Sept. 22 to socialize and get a little living history lesson, to boot.
“We had a picnic at the park last year and it was such a neat place, and the Historical Society has been really open to working with homeschoolers,” Taylor said.
Students will be treated to a tour of the historical buildings at the park, including an old one-room schoolhouse, jail structure and print shop. A few volunteer docents will be available and students may even be treated to a hayride.
“This is really what we’re all about,” said Peter Sonne, president of the Historical Society. “Teaching people about local and California history, and the kids usually seem to have a good time too.”
Taylor estimated that around 40 or 50 local families homeschool at least one of their children. It’s difficult to know for sure, however, because families who choose to homeschool have so many options available as to how they wish to run their children’s education. Some go through public or private school districts with an independent study program, some use professional companies that provide materials and keep track of paperwork, and others choose to essentially establish their own private school. Some, like Taylor, may have one child homeschooling and another going to a conventional school.
“It’s becoming much more popular, and it’s much more accepted as a way to educate your children,” Taylor said.
The reasons families choose homeschooling are just as varied. Some wish to have a religious component as part of their child’s education, something they simply won’t get at a public school. Others want to take their child’s coursework at a faster or slower pace, and still others find it simply fits in better with their lifestyle.
“We have a lot of special needs children, but I think we all have one or two special needs,” Taylor said. “And they just can’t address that in a big school. It’s too challenging.”
Hollister Homeschoolers will cover the reservation fee for the picnic site and provide a cake, but attendants are asked to bring their own lunch. Attendants are also asked to e-mail ki*****@ya***.com or call 637-1906 to RSVP.
Danielle Smith covers education for the Free Lance. Reach her at 637-5566, ext. 336 or ds****@fr***********.com.
