Education Update

Anyone who pays attention to this blog knows the choice we made for Vinny's education. If you somehow missed this, we chose on-line charter school.

 Because of that choice, Vinny was able to start school as a Kindergartener by name, but skip the K curriculum, instead starting at 1st grade. He flew through the program, completing 1st grade only a month after the second semester began. He has now started 2nd grade and is slated to complete the first semester by years end.

 But some people in Oregon don't like this. They are trying to reduce the number of kids allowed in these programs, cut funding and create a special task force just for watch dogging the on-line charter schools.

 The major force behind these bills is the OEA, a group who claims to be out for what is best for teachers and students. But if that is really the goal, why are they attacking a system that is helping students prosper and a place teachers love to work (I have spoken to multiple ORCA and OVRA teachers about this)?

 Why is it that the OEA and other "for kids" groups are against these others options in education? Is it because they have less control over on-line charter? Because they cannot box all kids into the same mold? Or is it because they see where they are failing and it is not because of a lack of funding, but instead a lack of effort on the part of the administrators in charge of budgeting?  (On-line students get less funding than brick and mortar ones, yet more often than not, do better in school)


 Now please keep in mind, I have nothing against teachers. Many of my friends and family are teachers. They work hard and do their best for their students. But if they are locked into a failing system, they can only do so much.

 I am also not saying on-line education is for everyone. Many need the experience of a B&M education, or would thrive either way so they go to school with their friends. But it is such a wonderful program for others. And as a parent, each of us should have the choice of how our children are educated.

 So I would ask all my friend in Oregon and around the country, if you get the chance to vote for or support a bill, please, give parents the choice for what is best for their child. Support school choice!

Babies, babies, babies!

So many of my friends have just had babies or are pregnant. As a 27 year old Mormon woman you might think this is giving me the baby crazies, but no.

 Now don't get me wrong, I LOVE  babies, as my friend Rachel can attest by my complete willingness to hold and snuggle her little guy, but I am not getting baby hungry.

 When Vinny was born I could still feel a little something missing in my heart. Our family wasn't whole. After Will was born, that went away. We have prayed and considered on and it still isn't there.
 Which is strange for me because I always wanted a girl, but now I have no desire to try for one. I am content in spoiling my nieces and letting them play with my Polly Pockets and Barbie dolls.

So after a lot of thinking and planning we have decided that we have our little family. If that changes down the road, there is always adoption, but now we just don't think there is anyone else waiting to be a Rodgers/Prychun.

 Now why am I bringing this up? It is not to suggested what we are doing is right for everyone, it is not an attack on anyone seeking a large family. I bring it up because I have gotten looks, eye rolls, and "Well, we all make plans.." and that really annoys me.

 Not that anyone who I know reads my blog has been saying anything like this. But I has really gotten under my skin in recent months. People have asked me "When are you having another? Will is already almost 3!" and when I tell them our plans they sigh, one even scoffed like that was a bad choice.

People outside the church often give members grief for having so many kids, and people understandably get upset by it, thinking, "What business is it of theirs if I have 3 kids or 30?" But some of those same people proceed to treat those in the church with smaller families as if they are doing it wrong. Who are you to decide what is right for someone else? You do not receive revelation for anyone's family but your own.


 Anyways, a bit rambly and certainly a ranting post, the point of it all is, church or no church, kids or no kids, 3 or 30, every family is a family and size really doesn't count. What counts is the love and I would add sanity of the members of that family. Love them for who they all are, respect their choice and leave them to their own family plan.