Mississippi has been hard hit over the years for being a backwards state. Having lived there, I can say that it can be but there are some very wonderful things about the area as well.
I remember actively discussing homeschool on the internet back in the late 90s. I often heard how I was doing my children a disservice for homeschooling where they would not be exposed to multiple cultures and other beliefs.
In a small town of Mississippi? Did they really think a town of less than 2,000 was going to produce a rich and varied group of people?
In regards to this article post, it should be noted that many of the towns in Mississippi have a small number of residents, this increases the odds of people having the same beliefs, race or lifestyles.
It is not uncommon for a whole street to be occupied by one family consisting of only parents, siblings and their children. It is also not uncommon for a whole neighborhood to consist mostly of people who are loosely related. This vastly increases the chance of whole areas being one race, one faith or of similar views.
If school lines are drawn around these areas then yes, the chances are you will see high percentages of one race in a class or school.
Should people be allowed to transfer outside of zones to attend a different school? I don’t think the majority who do this have any racial issues in mind.
Mississippi itself is a poor state that struggles to fund it’s schools properly. Also, over the years Mississippi towns have suffered the same fate that many small towns are in becoming drug centers. The lower income towns are not the laid back, wholesome towns they once were. They are ridden with drugs, violence and poor education for their children.
Any good parent wants more than this for their child. Perhaps some began using transfers as a means to grab something better for their own.
Perhaps instead of pasting a racial label on this issue, people need to ask why parents are wanting different schools or classes and solve the real problems for the benefit of each and every child.
As I was sifting through information on tea, I came across a a site called Noble Rose Press.
What makes this company so delightful?
It was created by two young women who were home educated. As young girls they enjoyed listening to their mother read to them. As young ladies, they developed interests in literature, history, illustration and homemaking.
They have put their skills and interests together to create a an enchanting line of historical paper dolls.
Daughters of His Story Paper Dolls are based on women who exemplified virtuous womanhood. These dolls are not only inspiring in their dress but each set includes a short biography and a time line so that they become a tool for learning about the women they represent.
This is a wonderful way for homeschooled ladies to share what they have learned with others. Purchasing their product is a wonderful way for those of us who homeschool to inspire our own daughters to embrace grace and modesty in a modern world.
“It’s very easy to get excited about the prospects of selecting a curriculum. The difficult part comes when we look at the vast amount of choices available to homeschoolers today.”
While discussing frugality at The Dollar Stretcher, I realised that homeschooling is frugal for us. I suppose that’s one of those surprise benefits because I didn’t begin instructing our children hoping to save money.
Home is a key word in homeschool. I am not out working and needing to pay work related expenses, I am not spending fuel or other funds being out of the house. I am home.
While I am home instructing, I can do things that women who are out of their homes most of the day may not find the time for.
I can cook from scratch or in bulk which often is less expensive. Between classes or on our lunch break, I can easily prep foods. It’s not a problem to step away from our table to stir a pot or check the oven if I must.
I have flipped through the sale papers, clipped coupons and made shopping lists while monitoring the children’s work. If I didn’t feel I needed to sit at the table and not do other things, I may well fill my time with other activities.
I have spent less on homeschooling than some of my friends and relatives who send their children to public school.
My children don’t need expensive uniforms nor do they even have to meet clothing regulations. I shop at thrift stores for good deals on durable and decent items and they can select seasonally appropriate choices from those wardrobes to wear. We don’t wear shoes in the house so we don’t wear them to class either. This means shoes are for outdoor use only and last longer due to less wear and tear on them.
I am not obligated to purchase specific items. I use a basic set of supplies that are fairly cheap and I buy them when I see them on sale, not necessarily at the beginning of our school year. Binders, rulers and other things can be used for multiple years and some supplies can be shared rather than each child having their own. I have even gotten freebie binders, folders, paper, pens and pencils from friends who had used supplies or leftovers that could not be used in the current year because they were not the right color, size or type required.
Activities and field trips are done on our schedule and budget. My husband’s work has ups and downs. Homeschooling allows me to do more when we can afford it and cut back when we can’t. Activities have dual purpose. Since we do them as a family, it is time spent together. We skip having to pay for school trips or activities in addition to family ones.
As most frugal folks know, saving money is sometimes in what we save to reuse. I don’t have to buy a lot of craft or project supplies because we make use of tidbits we save. I have re purposed other items for school like my husband’s old work clipboard to hold my lesson page for the day or one of his old work binders used for a science binder.