Question

We are considering home schooling our kids next year. and then transferring back the following fall. In California the school districts offer Home schooling with their curriculum. Does anyone known if 204 offers that?  

Answer 1

In a chat with our principal about next fall, she says they’re discussing that even if schools reopen, they should probably offer some eLearning too for those families who choose not to come back physically. Ie: even if nothing exists now, it probably will next year. Talk to your principal.  

Comments

@coulometer that makes me feel better! I was really hoping that would be an option.  

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@coulometer thank you! are u 204?  

Answer 2

Home schools are private schools in Illinois and receive nothing from local districts

Answer 3

It has not in the past- but I think there could be an option for more support, or e-learning options in the fall

Answer 4

I would imagine that if your choice is based on the pandemic there may be options available for families that choose not to send their kids if schools do reopen, fingers crossed.  

Answer 5

203 offers part home school/part in school if requested. I don’t think it would hurt to ask via email!  

Answer 6

I highly doubt schools will be open in the Fall anyways.  

Answer 7

I dont think they will reopen

Answer 8

I want to do the same. As far as I know that is not an option in Illinois. Maybe that will change due to the virus.  

Answer 9

Home schools do not receive funding in Illinois. I heard this morning the Dept of Education is wanting to resume in school this fall Speak with your principal for best and most accurate information. 204 does need to know know your intent to return sooner than later as well. Class numbers and staffing matter a lot.  

Comments

I was just wondering if 204 offers it at all since we are new to 204. I knew other states did. We actually have not met our principal who is actually retiring this summer and she has never returned a single email which is frustrating. The new principal for the school hasn't been announced yet. So inthought i'd ask here vs. leaving a message with the district. I cannot say if we are doing home school yet. just as schools dont know the plan because IL still hasn't hit our peak yet. Still waiting to see but trying to plan for worst case.  

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@iso525 welcome to 204. Things may change home schoolwise given the circumstances. Maybe try the assistant principal or student coordinator at the school? I know one or two who have home schooled, but sent to school for music, or reading recovery (but that defeats purpose health wise). Not sure how any of that works tho. Even the building secretary should be able to guide you a little. Welcome to the area!  

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@michaeline24 thank u! Will try them.  

Answer 10

I’ve reached out to 203 about options in fall and I’m waiting to here back, hopefully they’ll have something

Comments

@aesir yeah- no one is getting back to me yet either. They are probably overwhelmed.  

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The Illinois School Board of Education is waiting for further input from the governor to determine what next year may be. Because of that the school districts are in limbo. I think they need more time.  

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@lau89 I reached out about R specifically, they have to at home options for kids like her.  

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@aesir that makes perfect sense. I’m not sure about all kids though. Asking teachers to essentially do two curriculums - home and school - is going to be a tricky contract issue. I would love if they did half size classes and go half time, but it’s all a logistical mess. I guess we wait and see.  

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@lau89 It’s all such a mess. I don’t want to deprive R of school but she needs to be safe. Now with this whole PMIS I’m super worried. I was set to start preschool but how do I send her? This is what I get for looking forward to having the house to myself for a couple hours a day  

Answer 11

@sleet is the homeschool expert! She can chime in for you and eliminate any confusion!  

Answer 12

My HS son has taken social studies through IVS, which is connected to ISBE and approved by Naperville Central. They have HS, AP and middle school courses. I would recommend this. The courses are designed for online learning. They just don't upload in-classroom materials. It is responsive and interactive.  

Comments

@creep no elementary classes tho?  

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No. What ages? But if they are late elementary you could move up. Illinois Virtual School used to contract with Apex for some courses, which was out of Seattle but offered Illinois certified courses. The instructional design in those online courses was outstanding. Class even gave estimated completion times.  

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K and 1st haha

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@creep do you know if classes have to be approved by school before enrolling ? We where considering doing classes this summer at COD to transfer for high school credits. Now that the college campus is not open looking for other options! Thanks!  

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@prussianism At Naperville Central they do. You are only allowed 2 credits/ 4 semesters of external credit. You need to check and make sure the high school will take AP credit offsite. Here are IVS summer courses. .  
https://ivsexternalpages.s3-us-west....com/

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Johns Hopkins, Apex, Northwestern CTD offer HS level online classes but the high school has to approve it. I would be very cautious getting into too deep on a tough subject. Kids in HS AP classes are pretty fried by this point in some circumstances.  

Answer 13

My kids were were worked with a lot before entering a magnet program in grade 4. I would consider buying an electronic book with log in and actual book from Pearson Big Ideas Math. Its well designed for smaller kids and many districts use it including 203. The Critical Thinking Company also offers a lot of great resources--the magnet elementary program used their activities sometimes for language arts acceleration. Message me for more ideas. I have an incoming 8th grader and HS junior.  
https://www.criticalthinking.com/

Answer 14

Here is a link to the Naperville 203 resource list, which lists grade by grade the textbook and curriculum materials--Big Ideas, Autentico, ect. You can go on Pearson's website and price out the material cost and see what is out there. Summer may be a good time to "test run" options and rent/but a textbook/e-access license and purchase a workbook and see how it goes.  
https://www.naperville203.org/Page/5385

Answer 15

Check this resource out. Thankspically you register through the county regional office of education.  
https://www.isbe.net/Pages/Homescho....aspx

Answer 16

FYI - esp since your kids are so young. You can absolutely homeschool for a year with your own resources (and at those ages, so much is just done in playing and reading! ). Then enroll them back in school whenever you are ready. They’ll be placed by age. Illinois doesn’t require you to do anything specific really at home - you just notify the school you’ll be pulling them (or for the K child, you just never enroll them in the first place). There are tons of resources & websites & curriculums available to homeschoolers. We choose what works best for my kids, not just what the schools use. Illinois does not have an all-online virtual school like some states do. (Who knows what the future may hold, now, though! ) Feel free to PM me if you have any other homeschool questions. I can try to answer, we’ve been at it for 6 years. This is a tough time for all of us though. Best of luck!  

Comments

@flooded i have to do something specific with the 1st grader though right? Because legally he has to attend school unlike the Kindergartener?  

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@iso525 - well technically IL lists the subjects that should be taught at home. But nobody checks up on you, there’s no oversight or testing, so you can teach them in your own way, and in the way that makes the most sense for your child. I never bought curriculum in grades K-1. We played a lot with high quality materials, apps, board games & library books. Here’s the IL Board of Ed website for homeschooling:  
https://www.isbe.net/Pages/Homescho....aspx

Answer 17

Good question❤️