01-24-2006, 08:20 AM
This next bit is my OPINION only... so take it for what it is worth.
I have several new friends here who are school teachers. They talk to me regularly about their classrooms and the goings on. The major concern is not the racism the children face but the linguistic deficits of local kids that keep them so far behind the curve on learning. It slows everyone down. We need to remember that Pidgen may sound interesting but it is truely another language and kids raised in a household with this language spoken must struggle with proper American English (I was tempted to write proper English, but my English friends would hit me with a stick!!).
The problem with homeschooling on a social level is that your kids are MORE isolated, MORE different and therefore more likely to have problems with local kids. My own experience is that kids of all colors, religions backgrounds and even ages get along well here on the Puna side. They learn to fit in just like they do anywhere else. All new kids are teased. If they take it to heart and let it overwhelm them, they become targets. Kids can be cruel. However, if they go to the local school, participate in local sports (I have never seen more kids playing soccer than at the fields in Keaau), hula and other activities, they will make friends and find their places. Most of the kids now are Hapa (half Hawaiian, half Haole). Simply put, most have a non-Hawaiian parent or grandparent in the household. Your kids experience will be what they make it.
Rumor has it that the worst school for High School r/t the race issue is Kea'au High. I have one friend who quit teachig there because of the uncontrolled fighting issues. He feels he principal does ot maintain equal discepline amongst the kids, being too lenient and understanding of "angry" locals, actually perpeutating that issue. He thinks the fighters are just bullies and need to be taken down a notch. That is the ONLY comment a teacher has made to me of a racial nature. I have friends who's kids go to that high school and they express the same experience.
On the other hand, Hilo High and Waikea (sp???) are supposed to offer excellent programs with lots of extracurricular activities. There are a lot of charter schools also.
So now you have heard my "babble". But I strongly encourage you to put your kids into public schools and let them learn the new ways and make new friends. Should their experience be negative, you could always change to home schooling after 6 months or a year.
Welcome to a wonderful island and I look forward to meeting you when you arrive. We have a wonderful network of new friends here on the island.
Warmly,
Pam Lamont
Just another day in P A R A D I S E !!
I have several new friends here who are school teachers. They talk to me regularly about their classrooms and the goings on. The major concern is not the racism the children face but the linguistic deficits of local kids that keep them so far behind the curve on learning. It slows everyone down. We need to remember that Pidgen may sound interesting but it is truely another language and kids raised in a household with this language spoken must struggle with proper American English (I was tempted to write proper English, but my English friends would hit me with a stick!!).
The problem with homeschooling on a social level is that your kids are MORE isolated, MORE different and therefore more likely to have problems with local kids. My own experience is that kids of all colors, religions backgrounds and even ages get along well here on the Puna side. They learn to fit in just like they do anywhere else. All new kids are teased. If they take it to heart and let it overwhelm them, they become targets. Kids can be cruel. However, if they go to the local school, participate in local sports (I have never seen more kids playing soccer than at the fields in Keaau), hula and other activities, they will make friends and find their places. Most of the kids now are Hapa (half Hawaiian, half Haole). Simply put, most have a non-Hawaiian parent or grandparent in the household. Your kids experience will be what they make it.
Rumor has it that the worst school for High School r/t the race issue is Kea'au High. I have one friend who quit teachig there because of the uncontrolled fighting issues. He feels he principal does ot maintain equal discepline amongst the kids, being too lenient and understanding of "angry" locals, actually perpeutating that issue. He thinks the fighters are just bullies and need to be taken down a notch. That is the ONLY comment a teacher has made to me of a racial nature. I have friends who's kids go to that high school and they express the same experience.
On the other hand, Hilo High and Waikea (sp???) are supposed to offer excellent programs with lots of extracurricular activities. There are a lot of charter schools also.
So now you have heard my "babble". But I strongly encourage you to put your kids into public schools and let them learn the new ways and make new friends. Should their experience be negative, you could always change to home schooling after 6 months or a year.
Welcome to a wonderful island and I look forward to meeting you when you arrive. We have a wonderful network of new friends here on the island.
Warmly,
Pam Lamont
Just another day in P A R A D I S E !!
I want to be the kind of woman that, when my feet
hit the floor each morning, the devil says
"Oh Crap, She's up!"
hit the floor each morning, the devil says
"Oh Crap, She's up!"