Fort Rucker program aids home school students

By Emily Brainard, Army Flier StaffSeptember 23, 2010

Fort Rucker program aids home school students
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Fort Rucker program aids home school students
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FORT RUCKER, Ala. -- Fort Rucker's Home School and More program offers home-educated youth more opportunities this school year.

The free, weekly program, hosted by Child, Youth and School Services staff, provides military home-schooled Families a chance to participate in extracurricular subjects in a group setting, said John Jennings, Youth Education Support Services director and school liaison officer.

Participation has grown from last year, with about 23 children enrolled now, he said. Activities offered include physical education, fine art, music, language and computer classes.

"The home school movement in this country has encompassed about 10 percent of all children, with a great number in the military," Jennings said. "We are serving a need that has heavy military participation and we're taking care of our Families."

Army Families might home school for a variety of reasons, including educational consistency throughout frequent moves, personal convictions or feeling local public school systems are unable to fully meet their children's needs.

Military wife Kelly Roberson said she began home schooling her four children, ages 8-13, this year because they were unhappy in the public school system. Educating the children herself allows Roberson the ability to challenge her son and daughters in new ways, and has improved their grades.

Home education in general and Home School and More benefit her children in several ways.

"They have more free time," Roberson said. "Home School and More keeps my kids socialized, and helps them meet kids with similar interests."

Marcy Jones shared similar sentiments about teaching her son and daughter at home.

"We tried public and private schools and they didn't meet our needs," she said.

Home School and More offers her children courses that she can't otherwise provide them at home, which is important to their education.

Kari Earwood said Home School and More supports her son, Noble, 6, as the Family tries its first year of home education.

"It's an awesome opportunity for him to get socialization with other children," she said. "The choice to home school is a huge decision and important to us. This is an organized program that's really neat for my son. I love to see him learn."

Spending time with other children in addition to their studies at home makes the school year more fun, said some participants.

"We learn different things and play together," said Dana Hildebrandt, 11.

"I feel like part of a group and make friends," said Henley Jones, 8.

"At home, we don't get to do technology classes or gym," said Madie Roberson, 8.

One of the program's instructors, Sheila Shepard, a Schools of Knowledge, Inspiration, Exploration and Skills Unlimited instructional program specialist, uses physical education to teach other subjects. While jumping rope with Hildebrandt last week, she also quizzed the youngsters on math problems.

"I try to incorporate learning into every day fun, especially math and reading skills," Shepard said.

Home School and More follows the post school calendar year, meeting Wednesdays from 9 to 11 a.m., at Bldg. 2806. The classes are open to children 6-18. Participants must be CYSS members, and can register at Parent Central Services in Bldg. 5700.

For more information or to register for Home School and More, call 255-9812.