COVID-19 and the Public School Response

I have seen that a number of school districts are sending out surveys asking, among other things, if you will be homeschooling next year. I've also seen concern from the homeschool community about this as it could possibly be a back-door registration of your homeschool.

While I think that is a very valid concern if the information was being submitted to the Superintendent of Schools office or the State of Illinois - in this case it is not. Instead, in this case, letting the public schools know early that you aren't coming back is a kindness. It lets them better manage their budget.

Families and schools both find themselves in an unprecedented situation.The schools aren't sure what is happening next fall and, as a result, neither do the families.

The schools are spending money hand over fist trying to create an environment that will be safe for both the students and their staff. At the same time they realize they may be losing a significant percentage of their students. This means they also would be losing a large percentage of their funding!

Families, on the other hand are dealing with a variety of situations:
* Some have had horrible experiences with last spring's e-learning and know they need to find something that will work for the children if the schools end up going into lock down again.

* Others are almost desperate for more social / emotional interactions for their children and they know they can get that by homeschooling.

* Still others know that their children will not be successful in a mask all day or if they have to sit at a desk all day.

* In other cases they know what the schools are going to do but because both parents need to work have to find a consistent weekday schedule - and that is something the school can't offer them this year.

So, in my opinion, let the school know as soon as possible when you have made your final plans. It is a kindness. If you can simply mark private school as an option absolutely do that since your homeschool IS legally a private school - but please don't deprive the public school of the information they need.