As you know, my kids began school at Alianza Academy-which was a charter school here in Salt Lake. We went there because of some social problems that both had endured in our local public school the year before. Both kids seemed happy to be back with friends and ready to start the new year. Meanwhile, I started receiving some emails with disturbing information about financial information that had not been disclosed and teachers that were not certified. Apparently, the state school board had stepped in and closed down the Alianza in Magna. We took that as a warning, but were assured that our Alianza was aware of the problems and taking the appropriate steps to fix them. Besides, we were assured that if the state school board tried to shut our school down, there would be a lengthy appeals process that could drag the school out till at least December. We told our kids that there had been some problems in the past with their school, but we had been told that the problems were being fixed. Later, we added that if our state school board-"the people in charge of your school"-if "they" decide to close it, we will have months to find a new school.
By this time, school had been going for a couple days and we were all startng to relax. Then I got an email from some one from Alianza saying that my kids' school would be closed next week because of "ongoing problelms." The worst part of it was that they never even offered to enroll the students in another school. They said that was up to their parents, not their previous school. They were quick to say that their students could go back to the neighborhood public school. The appeals process that we, as parents, had counted on to drag school out till December never happened. The students were told that the school received money from the state for school supplies based on their being at least 350 students. This year they only had 270, so they had to close their doors. Whatever the reason, one thing was certain - this sucked. So now what? It was time to begin with prayer.
What happened next went so fast, it almost hurts my head to think about it. Ethan and I decided to look at the Open Classroom, a co-op school by Ethan's parents' house. Ethan called the school and told the secretary all about the charter school that we had been part of and then it closed, with very little warning. She said that school began on Monday morning and she was almost positive that they would be able to take the fourth grader, but not the seventh grader. On Monday morning, Valin started at the Open Classroom, with me as the classroom helper. I go once a week to help in his class.
Ethan and I decided our seventh grader would excel with computer based online education. She would benefit from not being distracted. We found a home-school option for another charter school close to our house. The home-school started the next day with testing to see where they started from. She began the next morning with the hope of full-time enrollment next year. Plus, it would help me to have some one else around me during the day.
So what started out as absolutely horrible and miserable in every way, actually ended up with both kids being content at their own solutions to this problem. Ethan and I prayed about this situation and then were honest and humble enough to agree why this solution would be a good fit for each student. I learned that even though they each left his presence to come to earth, they are still His, more His than mine. He is still interested in their education and how they spend their free time. We are on his team, and I can't imagine a better place to be.
