military schools?

x-no-archive:yes
45 years ago, I was working for the guidance counselor of a HS, and
found the records of one of the boys for whom everyone recommended
military school as he seemed to be uncontrollable. Then when he was
in 5th or 6th grade, the school nurse took a good look at him and
suggested hyperthyroid. He had an operation and after than didn't
need military school any more.

grandma Rosalie

"Tracy Cramer" wrote in message
...
On Thu, 02 Oct 2003 19:31:35 +0200, Barbara Bomberger
wrote:

I do think its not for everyone, and it should be a choice that the
child participates in, not that is foisted on him or her.

I agree. Military school used to be my favorite threat (although only a
joke!),
but now my oldest (14) has been talking about attending one for his
junior and
senior years of HS. He has some fairly serious behavioural issues, so the
biggest reason he wants to go to military school is for the structure. He
needs
to have his entire day structured pretty strictly and that's not something
that
can be done very well here with 3 other kids.

I have been spending time looking at websites for the schools in our state
and
expect that if he remains serious about this, I'll have to schedule visits
to
see what the schools are like. The only reason I've taken his request
seriously
is that he has good reasons for wanting to attend military school and I
think
he's really thought it through.

Military boarding schools are VERY expensive

That's no lie. This is the biggest issue for us -- the schools I've looked
at
run about $20K per year for a boarding student. There are none close
enough for
DS to be a day student, so I'm hoping we can find some serious financial
aid.

FWIW, DS is planning to go into the Army after graduation, so he feels
that
military school would help him make the transition more easily.

I don't know what options you have as far as high schools in the area, but
some participate in the JROTC program, and it provides many of the same
experiences. JROTC cadets also have an advantage for ROTC scholarships and
military appointments, and can get advanced placement credit for college
ROTC courses.

In most districts, if your local high school doesn't have a program and
another in the city does, its considered a valid reason for a choice
transfer.

The JROTC commandants I've known have generally been very good-retired
military officers who have gotten additional training and experience in
teaching children-and generally they're great role models.


Tracy
======================================
We child proofed our home 3 years ago
and they're still getting in!
======================================

: I agree. Military school used to be my favorite threat (although only a
joke!),
: but now my oldest (14) has been talking about attending one for his
junior and
: senior years of HS. He has some fairly serious behavioural issues, so the
: biggest reason he wants to go to military school is for the structure. He
needs
: to have his entire day structured pretty strictly and that's not something
that
: can be done very well here with 3 other kids.

That's pretty interesting that he has decided that all on his own. I had a
student when I taught in Missouri, as a freshman, the kid was just
awful--very smart, very nice one-on-one, but would absolutely ruin any
classroom he was in due to his behavior. Then one day he disappeared--went
to Colorado to live with his dad and go to military school. He came back to
visit a couple years later, a totally different kid: Polite, well mannered,
and he said right out that that was exactly what he needed.
--
ColoradoSkiBum

: Yes, indeed they should, values that are good and will be reinforced by
: the school system. Trouble is, our public school system is crippled

sigh Yes, that's the problem we're running into here. We're trying our
very best to teach values at home. SS came to us when he was 10 years old,
so a lot of the "values" were already set, and we've had a long road
changing them. He seems to have responded *at home*--we don't have trouble
with him, he's actually very well behaved *at home*--but at school it's a
totally different story. Refuses to do work. Tells the teachers he doesn't
have to do what they say. And on, and on, and on....I could literally write
3 or 4 pages about this kid. And the people at school, their hands are
tied. They *can't* talk to him the way we do; they can't physically
restrain him; he knows this and he walks all over them. (My favorite is when
he tells them we're going to sue them.)

Hence, the fact-finding mission.

Someone else mentioned JROTC. Unfortunately he's in 7th grade, so that's
not an option at this point. I don't think he'll make it to 9th grade at
the rate he's going. He'll be expelled or get his ass kicked by all the
other kids (who hate him) long before he gets there.
--
ColoradoSkiBum

On Thu, 2 Oct 2003 17:27:01 -0600, "ColoradoSkiBum"
wrote:

Someone else mentioned JROTC. Unfortunately he's in 7th grade, so that's
not an option at this point. I don't think he'll make it to 9th grade at
the rate he's going. He'll be expelled or get his ass kicked by all the
other kids (who hate him) long before he gets there.
--
ColoradoSkiBum

Definitely sounds like he needs a change of schools.

One possibility - what about just changing from one school to another
in your district. Sometimes a fresh start with new teachers and new
kids can do the trick in terms of helping him. He can't really be
happy doing what he is doing.


--
Dorothy

There is no sound, no cry in all the world
that can be heard unless someone listens ..

The Outer Limits

We're already on our 4th school in just over 2 years. If you want all the
details I'll be glad to post them here in a new thread, or see my post in
alt.support.step-parents.




--
ColoradoSkiBum

"toto" wrote in message
...
: On Thu, 2 Oct 2003 17:27:01 -0600, "ColoradoSkiBum"
: wrote:
:
: Someone else mentioned JROTC. Unfortunately he's in 7th grade, so that's
: not an option at this point. I don't think he'll make it to 9th grade at
: the rate he's going. He'll be expelled or get his ass kicked by all the
: other kids (who hate him) long before he gets there.
: --
: ColoradoSkiBum
:
: Definitely sounds like he needs a change of schools.
:
: One possibility - what about just changing from one school to another
: in your district. Sometimes a fresh start with new teachers and new
: kids can do the trick in terms of helping him. He can't really be
: happy doing what he is doing.
:
:
: --
: Dorothy
:
: There is no sound, no cry in all the world
: that can be heard unless someone listens ..
:
: The Outer Limits

dragonlady wrote in message ...
In article ,
(mbajema) wrote:

"ColoradoSkiBum" wrote in message
...
Why military school? What do you hope to get from one?
:
:
: gee, maybe discipline, manners, courtesy, respect? Things that are
: SORELY lacking in the public school system these days....

That, precisely. Do you have any idea where we might start our search?

Why not start by looking in the mirror. The aforementioned
discipline, manners, courtesy, and respect starts in the home, you
fool.

Mary

That was certainly mannerly, courteous and respectful. . .

meh


Sorry, I call it as I see it. We are talking about him and his kid, not me.

Mary

In article ,
(mbajema) wrote:

dragonlady wrote in message
...
In article ,
(mbajema) wrote:

"ColoradoSkiBum" wrote in message
...
Why military school? What do you hope to get from one?
:
:
: gee, maybe discipline, manners, courtesy, respect? Things that are
: SORELY lacking in the public school system these days....

That, precisely. Do you have any idea where we might start our search?

Why not start by looking in the mirror. The aforementioned
discipline, manners, courtesy, and respect starts in the home, you
fool.

Mary

That was certainly mannerly, courteous and respectful. . .

meh


Sorry, I call it as I see it. We are talking about him and his kid, not me.

Mary

I think I'm feeling cranky today, because normally I'd just let this go.

There is a big difference between calling it like you see it, and being
rude, discourteous, and disrespectful You could have said, "those
things start at home; you have to teach them by modeling the behavior
and by expecting it. The schools can't be expected to teach what the
children don't learn at home." I can't think of a THING that is added
to that by adding "you fool" or "look in the mirror".

If you are really interested in manners and courtesy and respect, you
have to model it all the time -- not just when you are feeling positive
about someone.

meh
--
Children won't care how much you know until they know how much you care

In article , mbajema says...

dragonlady wrote in message
...
In article ,
(mbajema) wrote:

"ColoradoSkiBum" wrote in message
...
Why military school? What do you hope to get from one?
:
:
: gee, maybe discipline, manners, courtesy, respect? Things that are
: SORELY lacking in the public school system these days....

That, precisely. Do you have any idea where we might start our search?

Why not start by looking in the mirror. The aforementioned
discipline, manners, courtesy, and respect starts in the home, you
fool.

Mary

That was certainly mannerly, courteous and respectful. . .

meh


Sorry, I call it as I see it. We are talking about him and his kid, not me.

Mary


Kinda blew away your own point about being mannerly and courteous though...

"ColoradoSkiBum" wrote in message
...
We're already on our 4th school in just over 2 years. If you want all the
details I'll be glad to post them here in a new thread, or see my post in
alt.support.step-parents.



I don't know if Military schools accept children with problems as severe as
your post indicates. If you can find a program which would be appropriate,
it may be possible to get the school to pick up at least some of the bill,
since apparently his current program is not meeting his needs. It may be
worth talking to a special ed advocate or attorney to see if this is an
option. If there is an Independent Living Center in your area, they usually
have someone they can recommend for advocacy, and may also have suggestions
on appropriate residential schools. (ILC's cover a broader base than you
might think).

Good luck-I hope something works OK.



--
ColoradoSkiBum

"toto" wrote in message
...
: On Thu, 2 Oct 2003 17:27:01 -0600, "ColoradoSkiBum"
: wrote:
:
: Someone else mentioned JROTC. Unfortunately he's in 7th grade, so
that's
: not an option at this point. I don't think he'll make it to 9th grade
at
: the rate he's going. He'll be expelled or get his ass kicked by all
the
: other kids (who hate him) long before he gets there.
: --
: ColoradoSkiBum
:
: Definitely sounds like he needs a change of schools.
:
: One possibility - what about just changing from one school to another
: in your district. Sometimes a fresh start with new teachers and new
: kids can do the trick in terms of helping him. He can't really be
: happy doing what he is doing.
:
:
: --
: Dorothy
:
: There is no sound, no cry in all the world
: that can be heard unless someone listens ..
:
: The Outer Limits