So Worried!!!

[bugsmom]

I'm so stressed out right now I can't even think straight! I just got a e-mail from my son's school that as of Jan 15th, 2007 that because of buget shortfalls that his class is going to be merged together with the 6th grade class to form a 5/6 split. I am just beside myself.

Josh goes to a very small private christian school and the church is having terrible financial trouble. This is not a total shock, but to have it happen in the middle of the school year makes me very uneasy. They are eliminating the Associate Pastor, 2 Teachers, and making the Principle take the dual job of Teacher/Principle. Although I understand why its happening, I guess I'm just so fearful as to how Josh will handle such a change in the middle of the year. I don't even know if he will still have his same teacher! There is a meeting on Sunday about the whole thing and I don't think I can wait that long to find out more information. I chose this school for Josh because of the strong academic record and because the class size has always been low. The highest number of kids he's ever had in one year was 16. This year he is in a class of 12 and I know that is unbelievably wonderful, and yes we are lucky, but now his class will be 28 and that's just too much for him. I know him and he will just be nuts with that much activity. What am I going to do???

I just needed to get that off my shoulders.

[misty]

OMG...what a huge change! I think the first thing I'd do is go in & talk to the principal. Josh has been in this school & they are aware of his issues...could be they already are making some plans to help ease the transition on him & some of the other kids. If not, then you can suggest some things! After all, I'm sure they'd like to keep your tuition!

When Shannon was in the small Lutheran school, they started doing splits like that, but never in the middle of the year! I can't even imagine!

[Charlie Girl]

It sounds like they are really in dire straits financially to do this now. You can talk to the principal but there is a good chance their hands are tied and they can't do anything else. If they don't accept government funds, they aren't eligible to receive anything back that they would use to help him.

((((hugs))))

[bugsmom]

From what I understand from the e-mail...this is going to happen no matter what. I will be in the school the first thing in the morning to get some more answers. What gets me to upset is that these are the only classrooms that are going to be effected. Not that I want other students to get the short end of the stick, but man, after last year he's been doing so much better. I just wanted him to have a good year under his belt. Maybe I'm jumping to conclusions...maybe it will be ok. I don't know...The thing that really makes me mad is that I pay full tution because we are not members of the schools church. I don't have a problem with that, I love my church. What makes me so mad is that half the people that do go to that church only go because they get a huge school tution discount. They get half off the tution and then never tithe to the church. So now the church is in debt because the offerings that should come from those families don't. I know people show up to church to say their in attendence and walk out after without supporting their "so called church". I couldn't do that if you paid me. The problem is that the church supports the school and right now the church isn't doing that so now the kids have to suffer. Just burns me up. I love the school, I really do. They have been so good to Josh and I can't imagine him anywhere else at this time. This just stinks!

[jj]

Oh no! That does stink. Couldn't they have found another way? Like having those parents who "attend" the church pay the whole amount? I am just so sorry to hear this. I do know most Christian private schools struggle....but to have this happen in the middle of the year.....like everyone else said...really is rotten.

I pray he handles this well and I hope they have some idea's up their sleeve to make the transition work for your son.

[lillian]

That's an interesting thing for the school to do in the middle of the year. I, too, would be concerned, but I am concerned anytime there is a school change for my son.

Let us know what you find out.

[farrah]

this is interesting.....my church has a school and they were toying with the idea of members get a discount and non pay full price...

when i heard this I told a friend whose kids go to the school, that if they do that I being a public school parent will have have to pay for your child to go through school with my donations, and then where will the money for the church come from, everyone should pay the same amount.

I must not be the only complainer cause everyone pays the same.

[leigh]

Wow.....that really IS a stressful situation. To pay for the private education, part of that being the small class size, this hardly seems fair. I'd be interested in knowing if they'd give you a discount. I suppose you're in a spot, though, where if they won't give you a discount, then you'll be forced to just see how it goes with the big change. In the end, they may lose students for the next school year if they don't come up with something. Saying a prayer that it works out for you.

[bugsmom]

Well...the shock of finding out this news last night is starting to settle in, although my concern is not subsiding. I spoke with the Principle first thing this morning and he is just so wonderful. He completely understood my concerns and validated every fear I spoke of. He suggested that we (dh and I), Josh's teachers, and himself sit down before Christmas break and discuss what things we can do to make this transition best for Josh. He said that he will go to any lenghs to make sure the year continues to be a good one for him. Although I appriciate his kindness, I still can't imagine Josh being in a class that big. Maybe he'll suprise us all and do fine, maybe I'm not giving him enough credit...I don't know. We already talked about Josh having the freedom to leave the classroom if he's feeling too much anxiety or stimulation. He was able to do this last year without any question and just work quitely in the office. It worked out good but I don't want to go down that path again. Anyway...we're going to discuss things after the dust settles in about a week or so. All the kids we're told about the changes today and Josh is already starting to worry a little. The one good thing is that 3 of his best buddies from the basketball team are in the 6th grade and they will now be with him in class. That made him feel a little better, but I can already tell he's stewing about the whole situation. The good thing is that he is keeping his teacher and they are staying in their same classroom. The 6th graders are moving into their room. I know that's not much but every little thing that doesn't have to change at this point is good. I was very honest with his principle and told him that if this doesn't work out that I would homeschool him until the end of the year. It was so hard to even to hear myself say those words, but I have to do whats best for Josh. I hope it doesn't come to that. He's gone to school there for 7 years! So...that's where were at right now. I'm broken but not crushed...please keep my little guy in your prayers for a smooth transition...Thanks everyone!

[alan]

man thats a hard one i will be thinkin about you too. I hope it all goes well and the three new freinds being in the class helps. My daughter was in a 5/6 class and i feel it brought her on a good bit faster.

good wishes bugsmom...

[jj]

I'll be praying everything works out Bugsmom.

[bugsmom]

Well...the school saga continues. Just an update and wanted to get your advice or opinion on a thing or two.

Just got a new letter sent home about the up coming changes to my sons class. Originally the classes were to merge on Jan 15th, which would be the start of the new semester, but a letter came home today stating that this would happen as soon as they get back from Christmas break. So really, he has only two more weeks with his 5th grade classmates before this becomes effective. I am still VERY upset with this whole thing...I feel helpless.

Anyway, this is my new problem. In the letter they sent home today was the new class schedule. They (the 5th graders) are still going to go out of class for Math and English. They are combining 5th/6th for Science, Reading, Social Studies, and Religion. The 5th graders are now going to have to use the 6th grade science book and curriculum. For Social Studies the 5th graders always study Michigan History that is an excellent curriculum...now they are stopping that and starting an old SS curriculum that hasn't been used in years for both 5 and 6th because niether class has used it. I don't know what they are doing for Reading yet, but you can bet when I march into school in the morning I'll find out. Religion doesn't bother me because they really all learn the same stuff. Anyway...I can't imagine what they are thinking making the 5th graders go up to a 6th grade science book. The science curriculum is already very hard. How do they expect that to happen? I'm going nuts about this. What do you think I should do about this? HELP!!!!!

[lillian]

I would be totally stressed out, too. Have you talked to any of the other parents about the changes?