Families that homeschool face special challenges, but resources are available.
By MICHELE MILLER
Published August 1, 2004
DADE CITY - When Pasco schools open on Aug. 9, Kyra and Katie Rookey already will be well established in their school routine.
As homeschoolers, their first day of school starts whenever the time is right. This year it was smack in the middle of July. "It's so hot out that the kids don't want to be outside," said their mom, Leslie Rookey, who for five years has been schooling Kyra, 13, and Katie, 8, from the Dade City home she shares with husband, Leon.
The academic year for homeschoolers doesn't have to coincide with that of Pasco County schools, said Leslie Rookey, who typically lets her kids take a few weeks off when it comes time to raise sheep, goats, rabbits or chickens for 4-H Club projects for the Pasco County Fair. "That's one of the great things about homeschooling - it's so flexible," Leslie Rookey said.
Still, she will be joining the throngs of parents hitting the stores to get school supplies next week. "I like to take advantage of the sales so I buy a lot all at once and stash it away," she said. "I even buy them new lunch boxes. That way they don't feel like they're missing out on anything and besides, we go on a lot of field trips so they use them then."
Like many other teachers, Rookey admitted to feeling a case of the back-to-school jitters - particularly this year because Kyra moved on to high school lessons.
"It's intimidating. Especially when you know that what they need for college could weigh on what they're doing right now. High school takes a little more paperwork. You have to log all the hours and credits. It's real intricate," Rookey said.
During her five years of homeschooling, Rookey has garnered a lot of useful information, much of it from others who have joined her homeschooling group, Welcome 2 Home.
About 25 families attend the monthly meetings and join in on the weekly bowling and park-day excursions. Rookey also compiles a newsletter featuring homeschool opportunities - from book sales to discounts and freebies at attractions throughout Florida. There are about 158 families on her mailing list "from Tampa all the way to Weeki Wachee," said Rookey, who offers the following tips to those who are just starting out:
Know the homeschooling laws inside and out. Know what's expected in paperwork, testing and evaluations and whom you report to. "They're the laws sort of like our bible. You have to know what rules we need to be following." (For Florida homeschool information, go to the Florida Department of Education's Web site: http://www.firn.edu/doe/choice/hemain.htm.)
Don't waste a lot of money on curriculum. "You don't have to spend a fortune. I have been able to do it on less than $30 each year," said Rookey, who often finds bargains at homeschooling book sales.
Get involved with a group of people. "The fun part about being with a support group is that people share their experiences," Rookey said. "Though it doesn't have to be a support group but a group of people that are like-minded. You don't want to isolate yourself and your kids or fall into a slump of not doing anything."
Check out various resources such as local co-ops, library programs, 4-H clubs, special classes at the Museum of Science and Industry or the Lowry Park Zoo to enhance your child's education. "There's a lot of places that host homeschooling days," Rookey said. "We end up doing a lot of programs for free."
Don't do too much. "Pace yourself. Budget your time well," Rookey said. "There's a lot of resources out there, but remember, you don't have to do it all."
Be prepared for a few gloomy days and burnout. "Your kids might go through somewhat of a depression if you've pulled them out of public school. You need to watch for that." said Rookey. "My kids are really into it from July to November. Right about then, they need some time off. If you see them starting to stress, it's a good time to take a break - whatever it takes to free their minds up so they can start learning again."
Be organized. Rookey keeps all her teaching materials in one place in her home so they are easily accessible. As for her kids, even though they aren't trekking back and forth to school, they are learning anywhere from sitting at the kitchen table to taking an environmental class at Bok tower gardens in Lake Wales. Because Rookey has health problems, her children sometimes end up doing schoolwork on the road or in a waiting room at Tampa General Hospital. "You'd be surprised how fast the kids can lose their books," Rookey said. "That's why I have them keep all their books in a book bag. That way they know where everything is."
"My big thing, the most important thing: Make it fun."
