Back-to-school season brings so much excitement with new clothes, book bags, and the adorable photos we take on the first day of school. But it can also fill the person behind the camera with dread. At the beginning of last school year, my social media timelines were flooded with images of gorgeous children in their new outfits holding their chalk signs in anticipation of the year ahead. In each caption was a prayer from the parents, pleading with God to make it a safe and happy year.
Parents have to contend with fears around friendships, academic progress, and safety, to name a few. Will our kids be bullied? Will they be taught things we disagree with? Will the teachers hide things from us? Sure, we can just try to focus on the positive and turn the nagging voice in our heads off like we historically have. We can try to trust teachers who oftentimes leave us out of the loop with too many other children to focus on. We can take inspiration from all of the other people sending their kids to school daily and finding distractions from the fear. Or we can take action. The rise in alternative education gives us the opportunity to choose a school setting for our children that brings us peace instead of dread.
Our microschool, Lucas Literacy Lab, in Old Bridge, NJ, views parents as the primary teachers. Although we are experienced and certified teachers, we know that our students will learn best in a place that is an extension of their family, not a separate entity. According to an article in Education Week, "[An] APA study showed that not only does parental involvement lead to improved academic outcomes, but it also has a positive impact on students’ social and emotional skills and decreases instances of delinquency." We have created a space that puts the needs of the family first. Our parents can choose how many days per week their child will attend and what curriculum they will use. They have ample opportunity to meet and connect with the community, and they have consistent open communication with teachers. Parents and teachers at Lucas Literacy Lab are cocreators of the educational experience for our children. That means that parents can take a deep breath and rest assured that they are not turning their children over for the year with hope and a wish that everything will turn out alright.
At Lucas Literacy Lab, we support families, honor freedom, and champion creativity. We are the microschool created for families by families.
There are only four short weeks until the first day of school. RSVP for our Zoom info session this Thursday at 6:30 PM to learn more about what we offer and how to enroll!
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