looking for home school support group

[lewisfive]

This could be tricky, since we don't know what base we'll be on, as of yet. But I am fairly certain there should be a homeschool and/or unschool support group on the island, somewhere. I am just wondering if anyone can direct me to a website where I can get more information and maybe see a calendar of events.

We should be arriving in the spring.

jax

[socalheart]

I've only known a few people who participated in a home school program. I don't think it matters which base you're on. Try the DODDS/DODEA website for the Pacific region below for starters. It's a good beginning at least.

Home Schooling Information - Non-DoD Schools Program (http://www.pac.dodea.edu/edservices/NonDoDSchools/home_schooling.htm)

[Cathleen_38]

um question: doesn't homeschooling begin in the home? As Homer Simpson would have it, "Doh"!

[kombu_kid]

This could be tricky

You were warned up front!!:D

[FDokinawa]

What's wrong with DODDS schools? From what I have seen over here it is a very good school system.

And so far every person that I have met that has been home schooled has had serious social issues. They dont know how to interact with other people correctly, they have no social skills, very few friends. Dont coddle your kids.. you're only hurting them.

[DoctorP]

What's wrong with DODDS schools? From what I have seen over here it is a very good school system.

And so far every person that I have met that has been home schooled has had serious social issues. They dont know how to interact with other people correctly, they have no social skills, very few friends. Dont coddle your kids.. you're only hurting them.

That's not the case with all home schooled kids. Many home schooled kids are far better educated than traditionally trained kids.

[FDokinawa]

That's not the case with all home schooled kids. Many home schooled kids are far better educated than traditionally trained kids.

just going off the few people that I know personally that were home schooled. And like I said, DODDS is a very good school system. I'm not saying parents shouldnt play a part in their kids education, in fact I think most parents dont spend enough time with their kids. I just think its wrong to keep kids at home that much. They need interaction with other kids, other races, other beliefs. Talk about culture shock when they do finally leave the house after 18 years and go to college or the military.

[DoctorP]

I have 2 newphews and a niece that were home schooled. All three received full educational scholorships to SEC schools. Maybe it was just their genes that spurred them to success, but I tend to believe that it was the time and effort put into their education by my sister.

I agree that kids need interaction with other races, beliefs, etc... but that is not good enough reason to say that kids need to be in a school vice home schooled.

I have seen several Mom's here on island that take their kids to the schools for sports (which is allowed by DoDDS btw) and to the different kids clubs on island for that needed interaction. Also, by being home schooled, it allows the kids more time for clubs, dance classes, martial arts, etc...

Another reason home schooling is good here, is that many families (not all, and not most) take the oportunity for travel to China, Korea, and other countries...then use it as part of their educational training.

It's not a bad thing, and it's not for everyone, but it works very well for some people.

[FDokinawa]

well not really trying to start an argument here. Just stateing what I have seen. And per a guy at work, DODDS has a represitive that you can contact about homeschooling on okinawa.

[socalheart]

I personally knew two families here who home schooled their children.

1. Family A: had two school-aged children. The oldest, a boy, had problems with following teachers' instructions. The youngest, a girl, had problems with paying attention to the teachers. The boy participated in DODDS sports though. Both kids are very well-behaved otherwise. Their mother is very much a (type-A) controlling person. The family tried putting their kids into DODDS and private schools here, but each time the child didn't like to be in school, he or she acted out enough to be put back in the home school program.

2. Family B: had one school-aged child. The boy was a "smart alec" and hyperactive. He participated in club sports only. His mother is also a very specific type of person. They never tried putting the boy into a school.

All three children are smart and good at their schoolwork, well socialized within the military community and polite. I wouldn't choose to home school my own children, but see nothing wrong with it for some families.

As far as I know by law, you can only home school your children up through the eighth grade. The problems with home schooling that many are familiar with, like a lack of social skills, are addressable as long as the parent is educated about it. Some parents who home school don't know how to let go of their "little baby" regardless of how detrimental it is to the child.

(Disclaimer: This is in no way about the original poster. This is based on my personal experience with the two families mentioned above.)

[smink63]

I am also looking for some home schooling support. I am non-military, so we do not have access to the base schools. Any answers to the original question? Are there any home schooling groups in Okinawa?

[Asshat]

We went through IDEA. I don't know if they have reps here, but they can certainly lead you in the right direction. I do know there are still some homeschoolers here.

http://www.ideafamilies.org/

[DoctorP]

http://home.kc.rr.com/milhmschlhq/military_DoDEA.htm

I don't know of any support groups (doesn't mean that there aren't any) but maybe the above link will help?

[Ducky1971]

Hi Jax,
I homeschooled mine when we were on Okinawa. It was great! OCHEA is the name of the group on Okinawa. We did not join because our church there had a large homeschool group and we were quite busy with that. They do alot and even have book fairs, etc. Check it out at http://www.geocities.com/ocheaokinawa/what_s_ochea.html
We are coming back in June, looking forward to it. Hope this website helps. Good luck.

[TheNoNamedOne]

Please continue the discussion on rudeness as an off-topic discussion HERE (http://www.japanupdate.com/forum/showthread.php?t=3540). Thank you. -- TP

[Tempestuous]

When we were there, there were several groups.

There was OCHEA (exact acronym ???) was the largest. It is a Christain group & acknowledged by HSLDA (link mentioned above)

There was a small/medium size group called FISH (Faith In Schooling Homes)

There was also a very anti-religious affiliated HS group as well
(they advertised in the Japan Update classifieds). Things I was told by members of the group were that they didn't feel they "fit" or were welcome with OCHEA yet wanted a support group to be a part of.


Okinawa Homeschoolers Support Group
A homeschooling support group in Okinawa, Japan. Membership is open to homeschool families of all religious and educational beliefs.
PSC 480 Box 123
FPO AP 96370-0123
FAX: 011-81-6117-46-3748

Shinshu Area Homeschoolers
A Japanese and English-speaking homeschooling group, located in the Shinshu area (Nagano Prefecture). <DaveInNagano@hotmail.com>


Online forum of homeschooling military families (http://www.vegsource.com/homeschool/military/)



Yahoo group to look at (http://groups.yahoo.com/group/okinawahs/)

[Ammoyankee]

Try these, they may help too. Good luck...

http://www.asahi-net.or.jp/~ja8i-brtl/military.htm

http://www.virtualginza.com/okilink.htm

http://www.midnightbeach.com/hs/Japan.html

http://www.okinawa.usmc.mil/Public%20Affairs%20Info/Archive%20News%20Pages/2006/060126-homeschool.html