Small class sizes ?
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So, I am in Toronto right now, and, as always, I get only occasional email from my wife, giving me a vague idea of what's happening at home. We have basically enrolled my son in a new school, a private school where we hope he'll get some help with some learning difficulties he has had ( he will be repeating grade one ). I am suddenly informed that Calvin will not qualify for any special ed help, even though this school has lots of programs, and so, we are considering a new school. This is a Christian school, ( but non-denominational ), they have a little church service every morning. They have 52 students in the whole school, and the fees are $200 a year. I'm having a hard time coming to terms with this, I mean, how can you run a school on $10,000 a year ? As far as I can see, they must either be running a cult, or they have a high focus on 'work training', which involves the kids sewing clothes in a sweatshop or something. I guess I just feel like I have too little input, but what do you guys think ?
Christian Graus - Microsoft MVP - C++ "I am working on a project that will convert a FORTRAN code to corresponding C++ code.I am not aware of FORTRAN syntax" ( spotted in the C++/CLI forum )
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So, I am in Toronto right now, and, as always, I get only occasional email from my wife, giving me a vague idea of what's happening at home. We have basically enrolled my son in a new school, a private school where we hope he'll get some help with some learning difficulties he has had ( he will be repeating grade one ). I am suddenly informed that Calvin will not qualify for any special ed help, even though this school has lots of programs, and so, we are considering a new school. This is a Christian school, ( but non-denominational ), they have a little church service every morning. They have 52 students in the whole school, and the fees are $200 a year. I'm having a hard time coming to terms with this, I mean, how can you run a school on $10,000 a year ? As far as I can see, they must either be running a cult, or they have a high focus on 'work training', which involves the kids sewing clothes in a sweatshop or something. I guess I just feel like I have too little input, but what do you guys think ?
Christian Graus - Microsoft MVP - C++ "I am working on a project that will convert a FORTRAN code to corresponding C++ code.I am not aware of FORTRAN syntax" ( spotted in the C++/CLI forum )
You're right. You have too little input. My wife and I have 3 children, and after experiencing similar school system issues with the oldest, we decided to homeschool. things are going beautifully now. This isn't a sales pitch for homeschooling; that's a drastic step that just isn't warranted in all cases. The key thing to remember though is to stay as involved as necessary to make sure your child(ren) turns out the way you and your wife want him(them) to. It's our job number one priority as parents to make sure our kids get what they need to be the people we want them to be. If you're not comfortable with the way things are going, and are feeling a little left out (uninvolved), here's some things that can help: -get on the school board of your child's current school -audit the classroom (if the school doesn't allow this, get your child out of there) -go on the field trips with your child where possible -do some after-hours tutoring at home Anything you can do to get more involved in your child's education will definitely help. And, it doesn't hurt to come right out and ask the school how they can operate on a budget like that. If they aren't willing to share, maybe it is a cult?
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So, I am in Toronto right now, and, as always, I get only occasional email from my wife, giving me a vague idea of what's happening at home. We have basically enrolled my son in a new school, a private school where we hope he'll get some help with some learning difficulties he has had ( he will be repeating grade one ). I am suddenly informed that Calvin will not qualify for any special ed help, even though this school has lots of programs, and so, we are considering a new school. This is a Christian school, ( but non-denominational ), they have a little church service every morning. They have 52 students in the whole school, and the fees are $200 a year. I'm having a hard time coming to terms with this, I mean, how can you run a school on $10,000 a year ? As far as I can see, they must either be running a cult, or they have a high focus on 'work training', which involves the kids sewing clothes in a sweatshop or something. I guess I just feel like I have too little input, but what do you guys think ?
Christian Graus - Microsoft MVP - C++ "I am working on a project that will convert a FORTRAN code to corresponding C++ code.I am not aware of FORTRAN syntax" ( spotted in the C++/CLI forum )
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Christian Graus wrote:
They have 52 students in the whole school, and the fees are $200 a year.
<Channeling my late father> Son, if it sounds too good to be true - it is. </Channeling my late father>
Precisely.
Christian Graus - Microsoft MVP - C++ "I am working on a project that will convert a FORTRAN code to corresponding C++ code.I am not aware of FORTRAN syntax" ( spotted in the C++/CLI forum )
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You're right. You have too little input. My wife and I have 3 children, and after experiencing similar school system issues with the oldest, we decided to homeschool. things are going beautifully now. This isn't a sales pitch for homeschooling; that's a drastic step that just isn't warranted in all cases. The key thing to remember though is to stay as involved as necessary to make sure your child(ren) turns out the way you and your wife want him(them) to. It's our job number one priority as parents to make sure our kids get what they need to be the people we want them to be. If you're not comfortable with the way things are going, and are feeling a little left out (uninvolved), here's some things that can help: -get on the school board of your child's current school -audit the classroom (if the school doesn't allow this, get your child out of there) -go on the field trips with your child where possible -do some after-hours tutoring at home Anything you can do to get more involved in your child's education will definitely help. And, it doesn't hurt to come right out and ask the school how they can operate on a budget like that. If they aren't willing to share, maybe it is a cult?
He's definately changing schools, as he's definately repeating the year. My lack of input right now is a matter of geography, I'll be all over this when I get home. Thanks for your input, tho, I agree with all the points you've raised ( we've always supplemented what the school teaches our kids at home, all the more so now, with Calvin )
Christian Graus - Microsoft MVP - C++ "I am working on a project that will convert a FORTRAN code to corresponding C++ code.I am not aware of FORTRAN syntax" ( spotted in the C++/CLI forum )
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So, I am in Toronto right now, and, as always, I get only occasional email from my wife, giving me a vague idea of what's happening at home. We have basically enrolled my son in a new school, a private school where we hope he'll get some help with some learning difficulties he has had ( he will be repeating grade one ). I am suddenly informed that Calvin will not qualify for any special ed help, even though this school has lots of programs, and so, we are considering a new school. This is a Christian school, ( but non-denominational ), they have a little church service every morning. They have 52 students in the whole school, and the fees are $200 a year. I'm having a hard time coming to terms with this, I mean, how can you run a school on $10,000 a year ? As far as I can see, they must either be running a cult, or they have a high focus on 'work training', which involves the kids sewing clothes in a sweatshop or something. I guess I just feel like I have too little input, but what do you guys think ?
Christian Graus - Microsoft MVP - C++ "I am working on a project that will convert a FORTRAN code to corresponding C++ code.I am not aware of FORTRAN syntax" ( spotted in the C++/CLI forum )
With such small annual fees, are there frequent other fees? ie books, trips, materials
"Neque porro quisquam est qui dolorem ipsum quia dolor sit amet, consectetur, adipisci velit..." "There is no one who loves pain itself, who seeks after it and wants to have it, simply because it is pain..."
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So, I am in Toronto right now, and, as always, I get only occasional email from my wife, giving me a vague idea of what's happening at home. We have basically enrolled my son in a new school, a private school where we hope he'll get some help with some learning difficulties he has had ( he will be repeating grade one ). I am suddenly informed that Calvin will not qualify for any special ed help, even though this school has lots of programs, and so, we are considering a new school. This is a Christian school, ( but non-denominational ), they have a little church service every morning. They have 52 students in the whole school, and the fees are $200 a year. I'm having a hard time coming to terms with this, I mean, how can you run a school on $10,000 a year ? As far as I can see, they must either be running a cult, or they have a high focus on 'work training', which involves the kids sewing clothes in a sweatshop or something. I guess I just feel like I have too little input, but what do you guys think ?
Christian Graus - Microsoft MVP - C++ "I am working on a project that will convert a FORTRAN code to corresponding C++ code.I am not aware of FORTRAN syntax" ( spotted in the C++/CLI forum )
Christian Graus wrote:
This is a Christian school, ( but non-denominational ), they have a little church service every morning. They have 52 students in the whole school, and the fees are $200 a year. I'm having a hard time coming to terms with this, I mean, how can you run a school on $10,000 a year ? As far as I can see, they must either be running a cult, or they have a high focus on 'work training', which involves the kids sewing clothes in a sweatshop or something.
Generally with Christian schools the majority of the funding comes from the church via donations etc. While they may only be recieving $10,000 in tuition from students, they very well might be recieving significantly more from the church. Also when you don't have heavy involvement from government agencies you can run things alot more efficiently!
-Matt Newman
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With such small annual fees, are there frequent other fees? ie books, trips, materials
"Neque porro quisquam est qui dolorem ipsum quia dolor sit amet, consectetur, adipisci velit..." "There is no one who loves pain itself, who seeks after it and wants to have it, simply because it is pain..."
I'd have to assume so. Either way, $10k a year isn't enough money to staff a school, let alone other costs.
Christian Graus - Microsoft MVP - C++ "I am working on a project that will convert a FORTRAN code to corresponding C++ code.I am not aware of FORTRAN syntax" ( spotted in the C++/CLI forum )
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Christian Graus wrote:
This is a Christian school, ( but non-denominational ), they have a little church service every morning. They have 52 students in the whole school, and the fees are $200 a year. I'm having a hard time coming to terms with this, I mean, how can you run a school on $10,000 a year ? As far as I can see, they must either be running a cult, or they have a high focus on 'work training', which involves the kids sewing clothes in a sweatshop or something.
Generally with Christian schools the majority of the funding comes from the church via donations etc. While they may only be recieving $10,000 in tuition from students, they very well might be recieving significantly more from the church. Also when you don't have heavy involvement from government agencies you can run things alot more efficiently!
-Matt Newman
$10,000 for the staff of a school is VERY efficient.... The thing is, I don't believe it's run by a specific church, as it's 'non denominational', and certainly has kids from all sorts of churches there.
Christian Graus - Microsoft MVP - C++ "I am working on a project that will convert a FORTRAN code to corresponding C++ code.I am not aware of FORTRAN syntax" ( spotted in the C++/CLI forum )
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So, I am in Toronto right now, and, as always, I get only occasional email from my wife, giving me a vague idea of what's happening at home. We have basically enrolled my son in a new school, a private school where we hope he'll get some help with some learning difficulties he has had ( he will be repeating grade one ). I am suddenly informed that Calvin will not qualify for any special ed help, even though this school has lots of programs, and so, we are considering a new school. This is a Christian school, ( but non-denominational ), they have a little church service every morning. They have 52 students in the whole school, and the fees are $200 a year. I'm having a hard time coming to terms with this, I mean, how can you run a school on $10,000 a year ? As far as I can see, they must either be running a cult, or they have a high focus on 'work training', which involves the kids sewing clothes in a sweatshop or something. I guess I just feel like I have too little input, but what do you guys think ?
Christian Graus - Microsoft MVP - C++ "I am working on a project that will convert a FORTRAN code to corresponding C++ code.I am not aware of FORTRAN syntax" ( spotted in the C++/CLI forum )
I've two kids, My Daughter we paid for Kumon to improve her maths and this worked very well, it it did cost us £40/mth for a year. My Son now 10 has a reading age of 6 (which is really bad; he can memorise whole books after one read as a coping statgey) and a vocabuary of a 13 year old; he's not stupid by any means; and we've tried everything. Currently he's on a the http://www.learningbreakthrough.com/[^] program which we got shipped from the states. This seems to be working as a month into it he won pupil of the month at school for improvement; his day dreaming vanished and he's more focus. Both my kids are left handed (like me) and both have tested positive for Dyslexica. Best advice I can give is keep trying stuff until one works. I don't think my boy will be an academic (I could be wrong) but he's smart enough to have a good vocational career.
Grady Booch: I told Google to their face...what you need is some serious adult supervision. (2007 Turing lecture) http://www.frankkerrigan.com/[^]
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$10,000 for the staff of a school is VERY efficient.... The thing is, I don't believe it's run by a specific church, as it's 'non denominational', and certainly has kids from all sorts of churches there.
Christian Graus - Microsoft MVP - C++ "I am working on a project that will convert a FORTRAN code to corresponding C++ code.I am not aware of FORTRAN syntax" ( spotted in the C++/CLI forum )
Perhaps you should just ask them how they run a school on nothing?
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Perhaps you should just ask them how they run a school on nothing?
When I am back home, I am going to.
Christian Graus - Microsoft MVP - C++ "I am working on a project that will convert a FORTRAN code to corresponding C++ code.I am not aware of FORTRAN syntax" ( spotted in the C++/CLI forum )
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I've two kids, My Daughter we paid for Kumon to improve her maths and this worked very well, it it did cost us £40/mth for a year. My Son now 10 has a reading age of 6 (which is really bad; he can memorise whole books after one read as a coping statgey) and a vocabuary of a 13 year old; he's not stupid by any means; and we've tried everything. Currently he's on a the http://www.learningbreakthrough.com/[^] program which we got shipped from the states. This seems to be working as a month into it he won pupil of the month at school for improvement; his day dreaming vanished and he's more focus. Both my kids are left handed (like me) and both have tested positive for Dyslexica. Best advice I can give is keep trying stuff until one works. I don't think my boy will be an academic (I could be wrong) but he's smart enough to have a good vocational career.
Grady Booch: I told Google to their face...what you need is some serious adult supervision. (2007 Turing lecture) http://www.frankkerrigan.com/[^]
Thanks for this real world advice, sounds like our sons are similar, in that Calvin is in the 96th percentile for some skills, and the 6th percentile for others. We're basically trying anything we can, also. I am assuming that he will also become a plumber or something, but my main goal is to give him the best chance he can, both academically, and in how he's supported at home, to set him up for a happy life.
Christian Graus - Microsoft MVP - C++ "I am working on a project that will convert a FORTRAN code to corresponding C++ code.I am not aware of FORTRAN syntax" ( spotted in the C++/CLI forum )
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So, I am in Toronto right now, and, as always, I get only occasional email from my wife, giving me a vague idea of what's happening at home. We have basically enrolled my son in a new school, a private school where we hope he'll get some help with some learning difficulties he has had ( he will be repeating grade one ). I am suddenly informed that Calvin will not qualify for any special ed help, even though this school has lots of programs, and so, we are considering a new school. This is a Christian school, ( but non-denominational ), they have a little church service every morning. They have 52 students in the whole school, and the fees are $200 a year. I'm having a hard time coming to terms with this, I mean, how can you run a school on $10,000 a year ? As far as I can see, they must either be running a cult, or they have a high focus on 'work training', which involves the kids sewing clothes in a sweatshop or something. I guess I just feel like I have too little input, but what do you guys think ?
Christian Graus - Microsoft MVP - C++ "I am working on a project that will convert a FORTRAN code to corresponding C++ code.I am not aware of FORTRAN syntax" ( spotted in the C++/CLI forum )
I don't know how the public school system works where you are but it could very well be that the government provides the school with the same funding per student that it does the public schools. The $200 could be an additional fee to cover some of the specific extras they do throughout the year. I'm pretty sure that's how the religious schools work here. Cheers, Drew.
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So, I am in Toronto right now, and, as always, I get only occasional email from my wife, giving me a vague idea of what's happening at home. We have basically enrolled my son in a new school, a private school where we hope he'll get some help with some learning difficulties he has had ( he will be repeating grade one ). I am suddenly informed that Calvin will not qualify for any special ed help, even though this school has lots of programs, and so, we are considering a new school. This is a Christian school, ( but non-denominational ), they have a little church service every morning. They have 52 students in the whole school, and the fees are $200 a year. I'm having a hard time coming to terms with this, I mean, how can you run a school on $10,000 a year ? As far as I can see, they must either be running a cult, or they have a high focus on 'work training', which involves the kids sewing clothes in a sweatshop or something. I guess I just feel like I have too little input, but what do you guys think ?
Christian Graus - Microsoft MVP - C++ "I am working on a project that will convert a FORTRAN code to corresponding C++ code.I am not aware of FORTRAN syntax" ( spotted in the C++/CLI forum )
All non-government schools qualify for federal government funding - this is a major source of funds for the independent and Catholic education systems. All the effort you put in will pay rewards. My experience, although I admit is not with special ed, is that as well as the school and resources, it has been has been very important to find the right peer group. Kids are not good at accepting differences (remember how tolerant the playground was), so being with some similar kids in a supportive environment is a good target.
Peter "Until the invention of the computer, the machine gun was the device that enabled humans to make the most mistakes in the smallest amount of time."
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So, I am in Toronto right now, and, as always, I get only occasional email from my wife, giving me a vague idea of what's happening at home. We have basically enrolled my son in a new school, a private school where we hope he'll get some help with some learning difficulties he has had ( he will be repeating grade one ). I am suddenly informed that Calvin will not qualify for any special ed help, even though this school has lots of programs, and so, we are considering a new school. This is a Christian school, ( but non-denominational ), they have a little church service every morning. They have 52 students in the whole school, and the fees are $200 a year. I'm having a hard time coming to terms with this, I mean, how can you run a school on $10,000 a year ? As far as I can see, they must either be running a cult, or they have a high focus on 'work training', which involves the kids sewing clothes in a sweatshop or something. I guess I just feel like I have too little input, but what do you guys think ?
Christian Graus - Microsoft MVP - C++ "I am working on a project that will convert a FORTRAN code to corresponding C++ code.I am not aware of FORTRAN syntax" ( spotted in the C++/CLI forum )
Christian, you may find the various booklets and leaflets available through here of interests. http://www.teachernet.gov.uk/wholeschool/sen/[^]. If they won't ship them to you in Australia, let me know and I can order them and re-post them to you (you will be required to cover postal costs). Failing that, here is a google search for Australian SEN [^]
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So, I am in Toronto right now, and, as always, I get only occasional email from my wife, giving me a vague idea of what's happening at home. We have basically enrolled my son in a new school, a private school where we hope he'll get some help with some learning difficulties he has had ( he will be repeating grade one ). I am suddenly informed that Calvin will not qualify for any special ed help, even though this school has lots of programs, and so, we are considering a new school. This is a Christian school, ( but non-denominational ), they have a little church service every morning. They have 52 students in the whole school, and the fees are $200 a year. I'm having a hard time coming to terms with this, I mean, how can you run a school on $10,000 a year ? As far as I can see, they must either be running a cult, or they have a high focus on 'work training', which involves the kids sewing clothes in a sweatshop or something. I guess I just feel like I have too little input, but what do you guys think ?
Christian Graus - Microsoft MVP - C++ "I am working on a project that will convert a FORTRAN code to corresponding C++ code.I am not aware of FORTRAN syntax" ( spotted in the C++/CLI forum )
Christian, while special services may help your child, the last thing you want is for your child to be in any special education classes. My wife is a special ed teacher, so I'm not making this up. Once a student is labeled as special all the standards for that student are lowered. Once a student gets labeled as being slow, it is very difficult for them get back to being a normal student. It also has a bad psychological effect on the student, they perceive themself as stupid and generally don't preform as well as they could.
I didn't get any requirements for the signature
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Thanks for this real world advice, sounds like our sons are similar, in that Calvin is in the 96th percentile for some skills, and the 6th percentile for others. We're basically trying anything we can, also. I am assuming that he will also become a plumber or something, but my main goal is to give him the best chance he can, both academically, and in how he's supported at home, to set him up for a happy life.
Christian Graus - Microsoft MVP - C++ "I am working on a project that will convert a FORTRAN code to corresponding C++ code.I am not aware of FORTRAN syntax" ( spotted in the C++/CLI forum )
Christian Graus wrote:
Calvin is in the 96th percentile for some skills, and the 6th percentile for others.
Which highlights something of a problem with modern school systems, a failing that can never be addressed and my noting it here is really nothing more than an academic exercise: Modern schools (public and otherwise) are designed to teach everyone the same thing, regardless of their particular talents or abilities. While exposure to subjects you're no good at can prepare you to investigate them in depth when and if you need to, insisting you be as good at that subject as the most gifted student is a recipe for failure. It would be far too time consuming to teach to each child's skills and would inevitably mean some children don't get any attention at all, because those skills are often hard to discern. This limitation falls out of the manufacturing-economy type school systems we developed 100 years ago, when this sort of rote classroom learning made sense and/or was necessary to create a populace geared towards an industrial economy. It doesn't anymore, since in most of the developed nations it's more important to be part of the information economy now. But, like I said.. there's little that can be done about that save homeschooling.
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All non-government schools qualify for federal government funding - this is a major source of funds for the independent and Catholic education systems. All the effort you put in will pay rewards. My experience, although I admit is not with special ed, is that as well as the school and resources, it has been has been very important to find the right peer group. Kids are not good at accepting differences (remember how tolerant the playground was), so being with some similar kids in a supportive environment is a good target.
Peter "Until the invention of the computer, the machine gun was the device that enabled humans to make the most mistakes in the smallest amount of time."
Actually, one thing about Calvin is that he's so self confident that he deals with pretty much anything the schoolyard throws at him ( although he has physcially attacked a few kids who he couldn't get on with ). But, you're right, it's important he has a good peer group.
Christian Graus - Microsoft MVP - C++ "I am working on a project that will convert a FORTRAN code to corresponding C++ code.I am not aware of FORTRAN syntax" ( spotted in the C++/CLI forum )
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So, I am in Toronto right now, and, as always, I get only occasional email from my wife, giving me a vague idea of what's happening at home. We have basically enrolled my son in a new school, a private school where we hope he'll get some help with some learning difficulties he has had ( he will be repeating grade one ). I am suddenly informed that Calvin will not qualify for any special ed help, even though this school has lots of programs, and so, we are considering a new school. This is a Christian school, ( but non-denominational ), they have a little church service every morning. They have 52 students in the whole school, and the fees are $200 a year. I'm having a hard time coming to terms with this, I mean, how can you run a school on $10,000 a year ? As far as I can see, they must either be running a cult, or they have a high focus on 'work training', which involves the kids sewing clothes in a sweatshop or something. I guess I just feel like I have too little input, but what do you guys think ?
Christian Graus - Microsoft MVP - C++ "I am working on a project that will convert a FORTRAN code to corresponding C++ code.I am not aware of FORTRAN syntax" ( spotted in the C++/CLI forum )
Christian Graus wrote:
...how can you run a school on $10,000 a year ?
Maybe that is just to recoup some of their costs.
"A good athlete is the result of a good and worthy opponent." - David Crow
"To have a respect for ourselves guides our morals; to have deference for others governs our manners." - Laurence Sterne