Special Olympics Track & Field 2014. These ladies are already looking forward to this year’s event!
As you may know, my girls attend Seven Generations Charter School. This school is only a few years old – it opened the year Amelia went into the first grade and she is now attending 6th grade there. It’s had its share of trouble. It’s been through a number of leaders – 7, I hear. I come up with a different number, but when you hear “7 leaders in 5 years,” you should know that 2 or 3 of those were hired as “interim” employees – meaning their temporary status was intentional, while the board struggled to find the perfect fit for a full time employee.
Waiting to compete at Field & Track, completely coordinated by the school, which included an all school pep rally JUST for my kid
We’ve been through aides, as well, some who’ve left for better jobs, fewer who were hired as teachers. We’ve been through some support staff, but the best teachers and support people have stayed. We are actually still in touch with last year’s aides and they hope to remain friends with us and our children.
School hike
Personally, I’ve worried about a lot of things during the girls’ education at Seven Gen. Naturally, I worried about sending Amelia to brand new school in the first place. I worried about her in grade 5, after her best friend had moved away. I’ve worried about the various administrative people who’ve not been as friendly or as good as I would have liked, and I’ve worried about the middle school when I heard about all the changes this year. I’m worried about the smack talk I’ve heard from parents who’ve pulled kids, and I’ve worried about the policy of only granting one year contracts to teachers (if that hasn’t changed), and I’ve worried about the good people they’ve let go. I’ve worried about the standards of academics I hear parents complain about. I’ve worried about Seven Gen getting lumped in with other charters, especially cyber schools, and I’ve worried that this governor, like the last, pooh-pooh’s the value of charter schools. I’ve worried about my kids being a burden to a classroom and all the times I was unable to be there.
Amelia hard at work making her candle
But last week I was talking about to Zoe’s former aide, and she mentioned how she does not like that kids are losing their childhoods nowadays. I agreed, and I said, “That is one thing that I love about Seven Gen. When I’m there, the kids feel like KIDS.” This aide, who now teaches at a different school ONLY because she was offered a position that more in line with her heart than what Seven Gen offered her, said, “I even said it in my exit interview. I LOVE the hands on approach. I use it now and the other teachers DON’T like it.” We talked a bit more about academic concerns and she said, “But kids are learning there.”
Zoe and Amelia are buddies in school – way more than at home!
Stop for just a moment, and listen to that:
“Kids are learning there.”
Thing is, maybe they are not learning advanced calculus in the 5th grade (although there now IS a Minecraft group and a Legos group). Maybe programming is not in the curriculum yet. Maybe the academics are not the “get a computer into your toddler’s hands NOW and send him to Swain school for 20 grand a year, so he can be…”
Amelia loves doing colonial chores. She would have fit right in, in those times!
Can be what, exactly? Have you seen the job market? The hot, new, high paying trend? VOCATIONAL jobs- nothing wrong with that, actually. I’m all thumbs when it comes to tools, so I love when the repairman shows up and is intelligent, skillful and can convince me I’m saving money as he makes pleasant conversation. Sure, doctors, engineers, programmers, CEOs, American president – great jobs too, but way harder to find, so I’m guessing the value of advanced science and math skills is going down. And let’s face it, you DO get to learn what you love when YOU WANT TO. College is awesome, but most can’t afford it and there are few, if any scholarships. So what is the purpose of forward moving academics at a young age?
This stuff makes her SO happy!
Now, if you have a book / math nerd of a kid like I was, then maybe Seven Gen is not the place for your child. I thrived in a highly structured, lots of homework atmosphere – you know, the kind the whole Montessori movement rebelled against. My kids? Not so much. They thrive in a different kind of atmosphere, one that encourages movement, breaks, animals in class, the great outdoors, bright colors, meeting participation (a critical skill for the corporate world, BTW), and ACTION. I can’t imagine that any MORE entrepreneurs, programmers, engineers, CEOs AND vocational professionals would come out of traditional public school than what they offer at Seven Gen.
One of my favorite photos of Amelia, proudly showing off her log cabin.
And not only are my kids learning, they are loving it, they are interacting. That is FAR more than I got in school, which I HATED and had very few friends in, despite my stellar grades. Couldn’t WAIT to be in college. This school, though, has a general feeling of welcome AND “play.” I actually LOVE being there. While I know that play is sometimes frowned upon in these “Tipping Point” days when so many parents push their kids to achieve above and beyond to get those 2 or 3 scholarships per school that are offered (if even) or belabor the perfect PRESCHOOL, I also know that my children love school. They love being there. They enjoy it. They love the kids, the teachers,the aides, the staff, the class pets. The atmosphere is warm, welcoming and fun.
Proud to be raising a tree hugger 🙂
Zoe’s in the teal blue shirt – well behaved and listening to the teacher during investigations. Just one of the class!
Amelia’s kindness achievement
Amelia learned that she loves history and colonial times. She is very good at math – at a lower level, yes, but she loves what she can do and pushing a bit further. AND they are focusing on the math you actually use: time, money, addition, subtraction. Zoe is pretty good at math too, and art and science. Yes, they are learning academics – and play, and community, and leadership, and friendship, and turn taking, and communication skills, and all the things you’re supposed to be learning at school outside of academics- but they are still kids, still acting, playing and engaging like kids. Seven Gen also does a great job in engaging the heart – and my kids have BIG hearts. So, mock it if you like, but I’m DONE listening to gossip and back talk on how “bad” the school is. The results speak for themselves.
Valentine’s Day activities!
Michelle Wolfson says
My middle daughter who has ADHD as well as sensory issues, struggles in school despite being a very intelligent child. I think our daughter would benefit greatly from a school like this. Unfortunately, there is none around us to my knowledge. You are very lucky.
Gina B says
Augh, I’m sorry – that is tough! I know two kids who benefitted from Pennsylvania cyber school, but I know someone who hated the lack of administrative structure. Yes, Michelle, I am lucky – and I hope they build more schools like this that come from the Montessori movement. On the down side, the RUSH and limited spots make it a challenge to get in even then. It’s only because I took that considerable gamble back in grade 1 that my girls are in. I don’t get it.
Gina B says
I agree! I know SO many people who don’t have any options that fit and homeschool. They make it sound easy, but a friend knew me well enough to say, “You won’t be able to stand it. Don’t do it, I’m at my wit’s end.” No one size fits all, but I guess it’s hard running good schools differently. And with kids with special needs, you’re limited, since private schools are not accommodating and charge more for IEPs.
Beth @ nextlifechapter.com says
A lovely post that should be shared with your school. It makes me think of my sister–a newish teacher who had a bad experience last year at school because she didn’t feel supported by the administration. We’re not quite to school age yet, but the Philadelphia public school budget crisis make me very nervous, and I know we have a lot to think about.
Gina B says
School budgets all over the country, especially here in PA, have me worried. I have teachers in my family, one in the Poconos, and it’s RIDICULOUS what she has to go through, how strapped they are. She pretty much has to be the special needs aide all by herself, for 3 kids with autism, and a huge class size in grade 1, even though she’s the room teacher. Not fair to anyone and not right, and still she worries about her job. We put priorities on the WRONG things.
Tricia the Good Mama says
My son is still a toddler, so we aren’t at that point yet of picking out a school for him, but I do worry about it. I taught in Philly, and I know a lot of schools are struggling with budgets. In my son’s future school, I would love to see small class size, good, caring teachers, a welcoming, family environment, and definitely some play-based learning. So much of the play has been taking out of schools. Children learn so much through play.
Gina B says
I’m happy to hear you say that. What they learn through play sticks better. I had an English teacher in HIGH SCHOOL, believe it or not, who had us act out scenes in the classroom, practice meditation on the floor, and make funny words to help us learn about the existential movement. We read Chaucer, Camus, Shakespeare, Pinter, Hermann Hesse in junior year – and it ALL stuck. You’re never too old to learn from play! Good luck, I hope the system gets better in Philly.
Gina B says
It’s silly, all this pressure, but I think the pendulum *may* be swinging back again. It may have to – with all the pressure on teachers, the budgets so low and the high end jobs disappearing along with college educations, maybe there’s hope for the future.
Marci says
Good for you! It sounds like your girls are having a wonderful experience and it’s so important for the school to know they are supported.
Gina B says
Thanks! Yes, they are. It’ll be interesting to see how they transition to public high school in a few years, but I think they have some solid skills right now under their belts.
Life with Kaishon says
It sounds like a really great school. Anything hands on just has to be good! Kids need to be kids. I hope your school continues to grow and thrive. Your daughter is adorable.
Gina B says
Thank, I’m hoping and praying it continues too! Thanks, we think they’re adorable too 🙂
Jeanette @ snazzylittlethings.com says
I’m so glad to hear someone else say out loud that kids SHOULD be kids. Our school is extremely competitive in this manner, and my 10 year old daughter just can’t wait to decompress at the end of the week. I am especially glad to get to know your blog, and thankful for your comments on my own blog as I step out of my comfort zone and write about my family. Great work on finding a gem of a school that fits your family. that is hard to find these days!
Gina B says
Thank you, Jeanette! I often wonder if my kids didn’t have disabilities, would I be one of those pushy parents? I have no idea actually, but I’m blessed by our “slowness.” (I’m being sarcastic – it’s really NOT slowness. The truth is, every child goes at their own pace, some quicker than others.) Kids will have enough pressure when they’re adults! Glad you’re enjoying this – welcome! And feel free to email me blog questions, happy to help.
Heather says
Love that image of your girls – so sweet!
Gina B says
I love it too! Fav school photo.
Carrie MkgLemonade says
I love this post! I helped found a charter school in Philly 10 years ago. All schools have a rocky start but the good ones rise to the top. What a gem you’ve found!
Gina B says
That must have been a great experience, Carrie! I appreciate you saying this – it’s easy to get discouraged with all this backlash. I must say one of the really WONDERFUL things about 7 Gen is that they give their teachers LOTS of input and free reign. We now have leadership in place again, but the transition was perfectly seamless thanks to amazing staff, esp the teachers!
India says
Gina, this post really touched my heart! Over the course of the past year we have spent a lot of time debating schools and going round and round with the school we were in last year. They just all but flat out refused to work with us. The teacher was supposed to have been really good but we had a HORRIBLE experience with her, as well as the guidance counselor and even the principal. They wanted him to be a zombie and not a kid. We were really blessed that he was invited to attend the magnet school this year. It has been wonderful. He is medicated for his ADHD but not so much so that it changes who he is. We don’t want a zombie for a child. His teacher this year is really great and works with him really really well. We have been so blessed by this program. I am so happy for you that y’all were able to find a school that worked for y’all!
Gina says
Thanks, India! I’m glad to hear that. Good schools are hard to find. I respect your choice to medicate your child and to keep your eye on it. I wish you the best and hope the school stays great!