All summer I would hear from Olivia, "When do I start Spanish school?" She was even more excited the day that she got to meet her teacher and tour her new school.
For the past 10 years I was convinced that I would home-school my children. I wasn't happy with the education that I received. I wanted to find what they were passionate about and help them succeed. When Olivia was 2 years old I started a pre-preschool with her. She quickly picked up everything that I threw at her. As time went on we were working on first grade reading and math.
About the time that my husband decided to return to graduate school I knew that I might not be able to home-school. I know for some they can do it no matter where they live or the situation but I felt that between living in a much much much smaller place and trying to get pregnant and it might be too much for me. I had severe postpartum depression after Lucia and didn't want to push my children aside. So it was time for me to think of schools.
Public school honestly was my last option and with grad school we couldn't afford a private school. I looked into dozens of charters school and still felt lost. I prayed a lot and took this matter to the temple and felt strongly that Olivia needs to learn Spanish. This is for many reasons including: it's a part of her heritage, it would be wonderful if she could talk to her grandparents, it will give her an advantage in the future, etc.
So I was off to find dual immersion schools. My options fell from dozens of options to only 3. One school was in a horrible area that I'm not even comfortable driving in, the second was a gifted program that she would have to test in and the last option was a charter school.
Olivia tested for the gifted program early in 2012 and we finally received the results in May. She did WONDERFUL on the test and obviously shows that she is advanced and gifted but because they give first preference to children whose siblings are already attending the school, there wasn't room for her.
I headed to the charter school to see what I thought and fell in love with it. It truly is a great program for her! We applied, was accepted and Olivia was beyond excited to attend.
School started last week and today is Olivia's 7th day of school. Friday I was told that she cried twice during school and all weekend she cried saying that she didn't want to go to school. Monday was a holiday and therefore no school. Tuesday morning was filled with sobs and I was informed by her teacher that she cried during school as well. This morning was horrible wreck! I had to dress her and literally force her to get into the car.
I miss having Olivia home but I know that this is the best option for her. She tells me that the day is too long (it is full day Kindergarten) and that she misses me. Everyone that I've talked to says to send her to the public school half day program, but there will be no Spanish and she knows that material.
I feel at a loss what to do for her. I want her to be happy because this is tearing me apart, but at the same time I want her to attend this school that I worked so hard for her to attend. I honestly think it is in her best interest.
What do I do?
For the past 10 years I was convinced that I would home-school my children. I wasn't happy with the education that I received. I wanted to find what they were passionate about and help them succeed. When Olivia was 2 years old I started a pre-preschool with her. She quickly picked up everything that I threw at her. As time went on we were working on first grade reading and math.
About the time that my husband decided to return to graduate school I knew that I might not be able to home-school. I know for some they can do it no matter where they live or the situation but I felt that between living in a much much much smaller place and trying to get pregnant and it might be too much for me. I had severe postpartum depression after Lucia and didn't want to push my children aside. So it was time for me to think of schools.
Public school honestly was my last option and with grad school we couldn't afford a private school. I looked into dozens of charters school and still felt lost. I prayed a lot and took this matter to the temple and felt strongly that Olivia needs to learn Spanish. This is for many reasons including: it's a part of her heritage, it would be wonderful if she could talk to her grandparents, it will give her an advantage in the future, etc.
So I was off to find dual immersion schools. My options fell from dozens of options to only 3. One school was in a horrible area that I'm not even comfortable driving in, the second was a gifted program that she would have to test in and the last option was a charter school.
Olivia tested for the gifted program early in 2012 and we finally received the results in May. She did WONDERFUL on the test and obviously shows that she is advanced and gifted but because they give first preference to children whose siblings are already attending the school, there wasn't room for her.
I headed to the charter school to see what I thought and fell in love with it. It truly is a great program for her! We applied, was accepted and Olivia was beyond excited to attend.
School started last week and today is Olivia's 7th day of school. Friday I was told that she cried twice during school and all weekend she cried saying that she didn't want to go to school. Monday was a holiday and therefore no school. Tuesday morning was filled with sobs and I was informed by her teacher that she cried during school as well. This morning was horrible wreck! I had to dress her and literally force her to get into the car.
I miss having Olivia home but I know that this is the best option for her. She tells me that the day is too long (it is full day Kindergarten) and that she misses me. Everyone that I've talked to says to send her to the public school half day program, but there will be no Spanish and she knows that material.
I feel at a loss what to do for her. I want her to be happy because this is tearing me apart, but at the same time I want her to attend this school that I worked so hard for her to attend. I honestly think it is in her best interest.
What do I do?
