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FAQ: Using the schools
"opting in for music at Pub school"
by Judy Aron
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Back when he was in school in 3rd grade and we were looking into homeschooling, his music teacher was in the process of asking the 3rd graders what instrument they wanted to play when they got to 4th grade...very innocently my son asked "how can you teach me music when I homeschool next year?"

The music teacher who is really just interested in teaching music to kids. said " I would love to continue having Jeff as part of my class next year -but I guess we ought to find out what the principal would say". So I approached the principal who then said "gee ..no parent has ever asked me this before let me find out from the administration - (pupil services here).

Well he got a call from the pupil services director who said "Public schoolers are public school and homeschoolers homeschool and ne'er the twain shall meet" ..no dice. Well the principal said - sorry no can do.

Well , me not being able to take no for an answer, I went to the pupil services department (mind you this was all over about 1 1/2 weeks so far) and I asked them, "May I please see the policy that you are quoting in writing? Where is this specifically written as school policy that I cannot have my son in band?" I also told them how progressive this school district is in many matters since we are starting to view our schools as community resources, we have an elementary school which has a daycare center and a family resource center etc.

I stressed how avant garde the system has been and this is just another way to show how they can share resources with all taxpayers. I even offered to help come up with a fair policy as long as we could get the superintendent, director of pupil services, and me together. (of Course Summer vacation was now in bloom, and they would all be away!)

While they fumbled around for about a month, I called a friend of mine who is on the school board of education and told him my story. He thought it was outrageous for a school administrator to be making policy over the phone on the fly and not consult the board on such matters (so it wasn't so much a case of supporting my cause as it was an affront to the policy making process). This board member went and complained to the superintendent and before I knew it they gave me the okey dokey to have Jeff participate in the music program last year. This board member really made a stink about it.

Jeff was the first homeschooler ever to opt in for anything. I understand that the superintendent thought that if my son came back for music that eventually he would come back period...that didn't happen ..but they found out that his opting in was not a disruption and that the fact that he is homeschooled brought further "diversity" to the classroom (they love that one) and that he also brought some skills and ideas to share with the other kids. It has been a success all around and they have not given me any problems since.

I guess it all depends - - -

1. What the specific laws or policies are in your state/town about homeschooling - CT happens to be a very homeschool friendly state. I don't know specifically what rights you have as a taxpayer - but it seems to be at their discretion. I know another homeschooler in New Hampshire TinaNH@aol.com who opts in for stuff at her school.

2. How you approach it - most administrators don't want to have homeschoolers demanding anything, so my approach was to complement the good parts of the school, but to also say that we have chosen homeschooling for a variety of other reasons. To let them know how education is heading towards the view of schools as being a community resource and that we all support the education of children. You may want to do some research and see if there are other towns/cities in your state that allow opting in.

3. Ask them to give it a try - they have nothing to lose - your child opting in would show how accepting they are of diversity - and respecting other peoples philosophies.

4. See if you can bring your case to someone on the school board who might support you.

5. Be careful though - you don't want to set precedents for other homeschoolers who might not agree with what you are doing - like don't agree for the school to have tighter control over what you teach in return for opting in etc.

6. I guess I would just try to have a very civil talk with the superintendent - see if you can get some support from the music department or principal of the school, and if they are willing to do it why isn't the superintendent willing to give it a try. Let the superintendant know that there are other school districts that do this very successfully and it works with great success.

7. See what your local or state homeschool organizations have to say about it.

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The making of a professional musician
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Josh Layne has been playing the harp for over a decade. He was homeschooled by his mom, Marty Layne. He learned how to play at age 13, inspired from listening to harp music. Now in his early twenties, Layne has become totally devoted to this instrument. Why? "Some people are addicted to chocolate, I'm addicted to harp playing!" he reveals. Find out more about Josh's homeschool journey and how he has become a professional musician.

Homeschool FAQ:
If I homeschool, can I use the local schools for sports, music and other subjects?

also see:
Do I need to test my kids?

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