Alaska!!!

[shanmar]

I know there are a few of us on here.

We are in Wasilla.

[buddhabelly]

We live in Juneau, Alaska and enjoy "homeschool ski day" every Friday with other homeschoolers in the area.

And for those of you reading this who are NOT in Alaska, I will add that we can't drive in or out of Juneau. And it's the state capital! It is not an island, but those way-big mountains (and ice fields) just east of here has made plans for a road go ever-so-slowly. There are plans for one to be built soon, but there will still be one short ferry ride involved to protect a delicate marine area.

We also enjoy participating in the IditaREAD every year. It is open to everyone -- not just Alaskans! Google "Iditaread" to find out more.

[Annabel Lee]

Hi, I'm new to this forum and was wondering if there was anyone else from the frozen north! I'm in the frigid interior in the North Pole area, just south of Fairbanks. Do either of you participate in any of the funding programs like I.D.E.A., Raven, Cyberlynx, etc.? What are your thoughts on them?

[G&KMCKee]

We miss it and Lord willing we will move back up there.
Maybe the Palmer , Wasallia area.:001_smile:

[MLinAlaska]

We're roughly in the Palmer area and go through Mat-Su Correspondence

Marie-Louise
dd 8
ds 6

[Annabel Lee]

After visiting some family friends there numerous times, and after living up here in the interior, I think you'd like it there, G&KMcKee.
I'm with Cyberlynx distance learning program for now... don't know if I'll stay w/ them for next year or switch back to Raven. I've never used the public school correspondence program before. Do they give any funding?
Cyberlynx has a little more funding than Raven, but not as many "extra services" offered.

[MLinAlaska]

The public school program in the Mat-Su gives quite a lot of funding, it is up to 2500 a child this year I think, am not totally sure, it depends a little on age and on their test results and the rules changed somewhat this school year, but last year for my kids it was 2000 a person for elementary grades. They also have music classes, choir, band etc., field trips and a library, which we really love. On the, somewhat negative side, they require you to come in 4 times a year for evaluations/grading, and they require you to participate in all the public school testing. So that means more paperwork etc. On the plus side though, that means it is easier (I think, but we've never done it) to go back and forth from homeschool to a public school setting. Another advantage our family feels is that we can participate in our local school sports/classes etc. Again we have never done this, but have friends who do this and are very happy with it.

When we started homeschooling I checked all the options out and I did feel it seemed as though IDEA and Raven etc. had people working there who were very knowledgeable about homeschooling, whereas the Mat-Su Correspondence mostly has teachers from the public school setting, who are not always very informed, or even very helpful. It really doesn't matter much to me any more, since we are pretty happy with everything we use but I have definitely learned to come to this and other boards if I have questions about curricula etc., rather than to the Correspondence School

Anyway, that is just our experience

Marie-Louise
dd in 3rd
ds in 1st

[Annabel Lee]

A local homeschooling mom told me of a program she is part of that provides funding under the same legislation as Raven & Idea but doesn't subtract from your allotment if your child participates in any ps things like music, sports, PE, etc. I am interested in the music program starting in 4th grade when it becomes more band/orchestra.
It's up in the air for us whether to stay w/ Cyberlynx or switch for '09-'10. Cyberlynx provides more funding than Idea or Raven (up here anyhow) and is way more relaxed about paperwork. Raven and Idea have all the homeschool group classes, get-togethers, student libraries, and even curriculum libraries for parents to look through (THAT would be SO helpful!). I need to "interview" them to see if they would even cover most of the curriculum we use, what extras they have available and if we'd even use them, and just how much more paperwork and rules are involved.

What I visted this thread for now though, is to ask you all how you're liking the weather? ;) Cold enough for ya? We've been breaking records for the duration of this cold snap. It's been under -40 since before Christmas here, hitting the -50's at times. I hear it's worse in some parts. How are you all faring?

[buddhabelly]

The "teachers" at IDEA here in Juneau are just wonderful, and so are the other homeschooling families. I don't know much about Raven, but our town is pretty evenly split between IDEA and Raven. There is also a local "public" homeschooling group (the advantage with it is you can participate in ps things like band or, uh, ???) but it is only a few years old so I don't know much about it.

IDEA is nice because they have a resource room where we can check out materials on almost any subject. It is well-stocked because you have to give back all your homeschooling materials when you leave the program. Some stuff is pretty new because a family may have left the program unexpectedly.

We also have lots of activities, like skiing every Friday and special swim lessons just for homeschoolers.

HTH,
Julie

[AlaskaGrownFamily]

Reviving this dusty old thread! We're in Anchorage, and using IDEA. :)

Arcticmom, I grew up in Fairbanks and North Pole, off Mission Road! Right by the old, old radio station and across the street from SC House and the giant Santa Claus with the arm that fell off every winter -- does it still collapse under all the snow?! Sigh! I miss the interior. The northern lights... all the snow!

[Annabel Lee]

I never knew the arm fell off Santa every year! I'll have to keep an eye out for that. That radio station is still there, still going too. Not much has changed.