I need some suggestions!

My daughter is in the process of creating a History/Science project with the objective is to create an items that will solve an issue. Well, she chose solve the issue: her difficult-to-wake-up brother, and her project: a catapult alarm clock. She wanted to make the alarm clock spray water, but that is a whole other story!

As this mom is really not great at crafty ideas, I need a suggestion on a latch or clasp that I could use to old back the top of the catapult. This clasp or latch will attach to a thin jewelry wire which is attached to the bell portion of the alarm clock. When the alarm goes off, the movement triggers that clasp to open and the catapult shoots the ping pong ball.

This mom could really use some ideas on this. Do you have any? Please share them!

Thank you!

Back in January, my husband and I decided – well more like I decided – to move our daughter from her public school to a private school. Private school because we didn’t have another public school choice – read about it here – but with the tuition and other initial yearly fees, it quickly has become difficult to continue to see her finish out her school time in a private school.

So, yet again, looking to alternatives. One alternative – virtual academies.

I decided to sign my daughter up today for our state’s virtual academy. If you’re not 100 percent sure what a virtual academy is, it is basically a mix of traditional school, online school, and home school all rolled into one. Our daughter would receive a top education using a top-built curriculum that fits our state’s standards; she would work both online and offline, and as her parent, I would act as her learning coach, much like I would if she attended a traditional public school (like a parent helping with homework).

Our state’s virtual academy is part of the state public school system, so if my daughter is accepted, she would be able to attend free of charge, unlike many other virtual academies that are private where again I would pay tuition, fees, etc.. And yes, I wrote accepted. With the virtual academy you are placed through a lottery system. With so many families applying, of course spots fill up fast, so thus the lottery. Returning families and siblings receive first spots and spots left are chosen through a random lottery drawing.

Lottery held: April 25th. Notification: May 2nd.

Of course, if we are not chosen through the lottery, we are placed on the waitlist. Which means she could receive a spot at anytime, or never. So again, looking to other alternatives. But, virtual academies are a solid choice in education. If your state does not have an academy run through your public system (most do), the private virtual academies are a great choice, if you have the means to pay for the tuition and fees. Make sure you check out the links below!

Now it is the waiting game. I’m a very patient person, just not for things of this nature. I want an immediate answer, only because if it is a ‘waitlist’ answer then I have to make the determination – should we just give up the spot and move on to our next alternate, or wait it out and then be stuck when we never receive a spot? The week of May 2nd we will have our answer and then I can make the choice – wait or move on.

Wish us luck!

K12 Virtual Academies (accredited, leader in k12 online public schools)

The Keystone School (awesome school, holds 2 accreditations)

It wasn’t too difficult to make the decision to move my daughter from her current school. Bullying has really pulled her down. She cries, feels so down on herself, and many times will go straight to bed right after school.

She is constantly asking, “Why?”

Explaining to my ten year old that some girls are just mean and rude she understands. What she doesn’t understand is why nothing is being done.

How does a mom fix this? I went to her teacher. I moved onto the counselor along with the teacher. Finally, I went to the Principal. Nothing worked. They did nothing. I know that if I was told one more time that that is just how fourth grade girls are, I would have blown up.

No. That is not how fourth grade girls are. That is how fourth grade girls are when they are allowed to behave poorly and no one tells them NO and NO one teaches them correctly. Stop giving excuses and actually fix the issue.

It is ridiculous that as a parent I have to move my daughter because the school won’t make it (basically) safe for her to learn. But, as a parent, that is exactly what I am going to do. I’m moving her because I need to make sure my daughter is safe, can learn, and feels comfortable in her surroundings.

Frustrating!

Today was her first day at her new school. A private school. It costs an arm and a leg – something that I can’t afford, but unfortunately the school district we are part of only has one school designated for her grade level and we’ve submitted for a district change with a ‘no go’ on that.

It might cost me, but she will be taken care of and I really believe that. And, finally she will be able to learn without be made fun of, being called names, and made to feel like an outcast.

Girls can be mean. Girls can be brats. These should never be excuses for poor behavior. Girls can be taught right from wrong. It is our job as parents to teach our children.

You don’t want your kids labeled as a bully, do you?

Here are some websites to turn to for information on bullying:

Stop Bullying Now

Education.com

U.S. Department of Education

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