Ok, I sent my letter of intent back on June 10th via certified mail. I received the return receipt back with the signature from the district office of our public school dated 6/12.

I have not heard one word back from them! Since this is my first time dealing with all of this I am wondering just how long should I wait for them to reply? (this is just another reason to add to my list of why I can't stand this school district and decided to home school our oldest!!) Do I wait for a reply? Do I call? Do I just go on with my plans and if anything is said I can relate back to my letter and proff that they received it??

  I just can't believe that I have to do the follow up on these people.........

Any and all opinions are appreciated-Thanks!!!

 We have never received a response from the school districts in the past.  In Texas a letter is not required (unless I have forgotten), in Florida (and I think OK) we mailed letters- but just keep a copy and go about your merry way.  Its a formality that you can prove you notified them- and depending on your states laws you may never be in contact with your school district again.

Happy schooling,

Edy

Thanks for the help. I am in NY, and I had to send in a letter.

Obviously they have not updated their records at the district office since I received an envelope today chock full of information on how he is due to have a physical on file with the school this September.

I guess I will just get on with my life and plans......I have the proof that I did what I had to do!!

Hi JonicaG,

I'm from NY also. I filed a letter of intent earlier this month and waiting for the IHIP package. Last year we decided late summer to homeschool (2 wks before sch. started) and didn't get the IHIP info. until mid-Sept.,then we waited for approval. Never came, it seems the district only sends disapproval's. We also got a call from the school asking why my dd was absent. So no they don't communicate well sometimes. Did you also send a letter of intent to your County's BOCES? In my CO. they handle your homeschool info, you send them your IHIP, inform you when the state tests to be taken, and handle most of your concerns/? you have.Maybe ask your local sch district.

But according to NYS regulations their obligated to reply within 10 business days of receiving the notice of intent. Also when you send back your IHIP make sure you put in writing that you request your child to take any state standardized tests at the local school. It only applies to 3rd grade and up.Otherwise you will have pay for the tests yourselves.Hope this helps- mom from NY

Hi JRC-

Thanks for the info. We are in Suffolk County (Long Island) and no, I haven't been told that I have to do anything with our local Boces. I was lucky to get what little info I did out of the district office when I asked about the letter of intent.....not the brightest, if you know what I mean.

Well, they are way over the 10 days they needed to get back to me! I am not surprised and will probably be in the same boat as you with receiving phone call asking why my son is absent!

Thanks for the info regarding the state tests....my son will be in the 6th grade when we start our home schooling venture! Do you know what the cost is if we'd have to pay for them ourselves?? Just a thought to keep in the back of my head! 

Hi again,

You might try your local homeschool support group.They can answer any questions pertaining to the school district and homeschooling.The one I found in Suffolk is E-mail: suffolkcountyhomeschoolers-owner@yahoogroups.com . They would know about the testing and the Alternative Evaluation Methods that NY allows. But you shouldn't have any problems with the district if you use Cavert, it's one NYS ED recommends.Wish you the best-JCR

Hi,

Here in Florida, I do not even bother with the school district. I use opton #2 which is homeschooling under a registered private school.  I just have to keep up with an attendence sheet and report cards twice a year.  They do all the rest for me.  They keep our transcripts and everything.  I have never had to go through all that hassel. 

It is so easy and helps me to stay organized.  I hope this helps.

Kim inFL

Knew we should have stayed in Florida!!! LOL!

I never heard back from the district, so I called on Friday 8/8. Nobody was in who could speak with me, so the sec'y took a message and said they'd call me Tuesday (yesterday). Nothing.   I called this morning and left another message, stating that time is getting short! That was at 10:30 and it's now 2:30 and nothing.

As far as I am concerned, I've done my part and have gone over and above what was needed from me. I've documented all of my calls along with my letter and certified return receipt, so they have nothing to call me out on!

One reason I choce Calvert was their record/transcript keeping. Love it!

Jonica 

Dear Jonica,

Looks like you've done all you can on your end then with the school.Their violating the education regulations put in place by NYS.You should still send a

letter of intent to the Superintendent of schools at your local Boces. Just give them a call and ask. Then you know your in the clear. You don't want trouble

later. They will send you a manual to assist you in homeschooling. Last HS year they were very helpful and I liked dealing with them rather than the local

school.

It really wasn't that difficult as it's made out to be.-JRC " href="BLOCKED SCRIPTinsertSmiley('');">

 We're in Delaware.  Our schools rank 48 out of 51 states (D.C> is its own state for educational purposes).  We are the 5th highest in spending or, as I refer to it, wasting good funds!  We sent the paperwork in last year and just got our school ID# two weeks ago.  As long as you have proof that you sent the required papers in...you should be ok.  I would be calling them every day until they got tired of hearing from me and sent me what I needed.

Well, I took the advice and contacted my local Boces to inquire about what I am going through. What do you know, their assistant superintendent called me back! Very nice, she could not understand what my district's problem is. She was able to guide me as what I should do next and said if anything else came up or the situation stayed the same, to call her directly and she would take it to the higher up's.

I have all of my calls documented along with my certified letter's return receipt, so I've done what I've had to do.

Thanks for all of your advice! It has been deeply appreciated and very useful.  

Somedays I just felt like I was losing my mind! 

-Jonica 

Dear Jonica,

That's great, finally someone out there to help you. Just to let you know that we opted to have the Alternative evaluation done by a certified teacher, this is a written evaluation that measures the yearly progress,this is submitted with the 4th quarter report. If you can have a teacher do this, your son won't have to take the 3 or 4 state tests.You have to get the consent of the Superintendent first. Again Boces can help with this. Glad to have helped.- JRC