the paquettes

Going Public (part 2)

This part of the book really encouraged me because I’m not just sending my kids ‘off.’  I can send them to public school and “homeschool” them!  I love it!

“Public-school parents, take heart! Not only is it possible for your kids to survive the public-school system, it’s also possible for them to thrive and become fine men and women who make a positive impact on others. And in the process, it’s possible for families of faith to help shape the public-school system and infuse it with the winsome fragrance of Jesus Christ.” (pg. 12)

“We consider ourselves to be our children’s number-one educators, and we will never give up that resposibility or privilege-even though they spend 30 hours a week in somebody else’s classroom.  We instruct our kids every day.  We look for the teachable moments that intersect with what they are experiencing outside our home.  We draw frames around their encounters and activities, showing how they fit within God’s greater perspective.” pg. 21

In this book, it is written that there are five areas that need the greatest attention from parents.  God gave these children to us.  He will hold each of us accountable for their upbringing.  We are their first and ultimate teachers.  What goes into their minds and souls is our responsibility.

1.  Biblical Worldview-The battle between good and evil, light and darkness, the unique place of God’s people in offering His love to humanity, the fact of absolute truth, the coming day of accountability to an eternal God.

2.  Creation

3.  Sexuality-you can ‘opt out’ of public school’s sexuality unit due to it’s failure to address the moral dimension of human sexuality.

4.  American Heritage-Due to a desire to be politically correct, most public schools teach a very skewed, stripped down version of what guided the founding of this nation.

5.  Spiritual Life and Devotion-The public school is not even going to try to expose young people to God’s Word and prayer on a daily basis-and it shouldn’t.  That is our job. pg. 158-160

Going Public part 1 here

Going Public: Your Child Can Thrive in Public School
I read a book!!   For those who know me well, you know this is a feat! At best, I’m a magazine reader (People magazine is my choice!)  I have always been a fast/good reader, but I have so many other things I would rather do with my free time (i.e. SCRAPBOOKING)!  That being said, a book that catches my eye must be about something that really stirs me.

Rilyn is going to kindergarten in 3 weeks.  And, yes, we are putting her in public school.  This decision seemed simple at first, (to me!)  I mean, I was a public school teacher for three years and I was raised in public school and I turned out fine (right?)     But James was raised in private school and so a small debate ensued…and then we moved to a community where many are homeschooling so that was brought to light as well.

Our purpose as a family is to share Jesus’ Good News of grace, truth, and compassion to our neighborhood, Austin, and the world. And even though home schooling would give us the most direct influence on our children’s’ lives, I couldn’t shake God’s call on our lives to shine the light of Christ in this world like stars in the universe (Phil. 2:15)

As Christians, public school presents several overwhelming and real challenges such as secular curriculum and sex education…BUT God is bigger than our culture, more powerful than the forces of darkness at work in this world.

So it has become one of our missions to go in to public school as a FAMILY.  In other words, we should not think in terms of sending our children off by themselves to shine their light, but rather we go there together.  When we show up in August to enroll our kids for another school year, we are enrolling our family into the life of this institution.  I will be at Rilyn’s school whenever I get a chance.  I will go through all her papers.  I will talk to her each day when she comes home about her friendships, teachers, assignments.  I will live life beside her.  God equips us-just ordinary moms and dads-to equip and fortify our kids.  In so doing, we set them up to face adulthood with strength and conviction.  Starting in the very first classroom, our home, we teach them to be the influencers rather than the influenced.

I needed some encouragement and ‘armor’ as I send Rilyn to public school and this book was perfect for me to read!  I HIGHLY recommend it to anyone who may be struggling and praying about their decision as to how to educate their child and to those that are already in the trenches of public education!

So, I will march into Rilyn’s school on August 25th and not be nervous.  He is Sovereign, after all.  “The one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.”  1 John 4:4

*Going Public Part 2

*Going Public Part 3

This blog post is also really encouraging about the top ten reasons this dad sends his kid to public school.

This blog is also really great about homeschooling your public school kids!