News
Friday, May 9, 2008
Home School Santa Barbara, a Proposed Educational Program
The Santa Barbara School Districts are considering a home school program to support students and families with educational resources, a mentor teacher, distance learning programs, connections within the community, service learning opportunities, and more. Superintendent Brian Sarvis and Assistant Superintendent Robin Sawaske tapped veteran educator Pat Morales, retired principal of Peabody Charter School, to plan, design, and determine interest in the proposed home school program.
Stated Superintendent Brian Sarvis, “We have a number of parents interested in a home school program. It would add to the long list of educational opportunities and choices within our elementary and secondary school districts and help us serve families who might otherwise look outside our districts for other options. Pat Morales has been working to design a unique home school program where students would have the opportunity to benefit from the home school setting and link back to programs and resources unique to the traditional school setting.” The superintendent added, “This home school program is part of our revenue enhancement plan. It would be financially self-sufficient and would not cost the districts’ general fund as a small amount of categorical funds are being used to design and implement the program. Those funds could not have been used for staffing or current programs. While we do not have enrollment estimates at this time, we believe this new alternative program would generate additional average daily attendance–referred to as ADA–which means increased revenue.”
Ms. Morales will hold informational meetings for families of elementary-age children on Tuesday, May 13, 2008. Then, on Tuesday, May 20, she will hold an informational meeting for families of junior high and high school students. The parent meetings will take place at Home School Santa Barbara’s office at 487 No. Turnpike from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Registration will begin on June 3, from 3:00 to 7:00 p.m., and again on August 12, from 4:00 to 6:00 pm.
Home School Santa Barbara would support home schooling families so that students develop the academic, personal, social skills and qualities of lifelong learners. The school’s philosophy would be based on the belief that children grow and learn in different ways. The educational path for students in grades K-12 would be fashioned around each student’s individual needs, goals and interests. A key element of the program would be the availability of resources, network, and support groups.
Each Home School Santa Barbara student and their family would work with their respective mentor teacher to determine educational goals and objectives, create an individualized curriculum, and determine individual methods of teaching and learning. The family and the mentor teacher would work together as a team to optimize the learning experience for each individual student. The involvement of the teacher would vary from an advisory and assessment capacity to one of almost complete administration of the student learning process, depending on the needs and wishes of the family.
Ms. Morales has been in education for 36 years, for the last 16 years with the Santa Barbara School Districts as principal of Peabody Charter School. Following her retirement, she briefly served at Washington Elementary School and recently worked as a consultant to principals.
For further information on Home School Santa Barbara, Pat Morales can be reached at pmorales@sbsdk12.org or (805) 896-2634.