Can homeschoolers still participate in public school activities?

[Raineyrocks]

There is a 99.99% chance that I will be pulling my daughter out of school next week but she plays the trombone in band and I was wondering if she would still be allowed to at her old school?


I looked online for homeschool music things such as band and I can't find any, at least not anywhere remotely near me.  I don't want her to feel she has lost everything and she has worked hard to learn how to play her trombone but I have no idea how to approach the school with this question.

I know when we pulled our son from the same school the principal said if there is anything we need to let him know so he seems pretty nice but the school doesn't even know that I'm planning on taking her out so it's not like I can call there and ask this question.  I don't want to be deceptive either and pretend the question is for my son, it would feel whimpy to me.

Somebody told me that public schools here in New Hampshire have to let homeschoolers participate in extra curricular activities, I don't know if that's true.  I know in Delmarva homeschoolers couldn't participate in anything having to do with public schools.  Band might not be considered an extra curricular activity either, right?

[toowm]

Yes, they can. Since she is already registered with the school, it should be easier to just keep going.

[Raineyrocks]

Yes, they can. Since she is already registered with the school, it should be easier to just keep going.

Thanks Toowm!   When I pull her out though she won't be registered at the school anymore so are you sure?   

I have another question too.  Yesterday I called HSLDA and asked them about the "letter of intent" that I must file now before I give the school the "withdrawal letter" and they told me that it would be better to send the letter of intent to a private agency not the superintendent.  What private agency?  If you know of one can you give me their address and website?

I sent the superintendent the letter of intent with my son so next year they said just do it differently with a private agency.  Are these private agencies a form of school that I must teach the kids?

I whimpily asked my husband if he would call the principal this afternoon and discuss the questions about our daughter being able to participate too just in case nobody had the answer here.   Anyways he just called me and the principal is out until Monday, but your sure that it shouldn't be a problem, even with the band, right?
Thanks again!

[toowm]

Well, she won't be in the school, but all their bureaucratic papers will still exist. They can make it a hassle for her to continue on trombone, but you're paying for the school whether you use it or not.

Dawn or my wife would know more, but the private agency is the organization that is "certifying" your homeschooling. We use Tri-City Christian Academy, which is a wonderful organization, if you don't mind the religious background. (If you're calling HSLDA, I assume you don't.  )Here is a list of orgs:

http://www.nhhomeschooling.org/nonpubschool.htm

[Raineyrocks]

Well, she won't be in the school, but all their bureaucratic papers will still exist. They can make it a hassle for her to continue on trombone, but you're paying for the school whether you use it or not.

Dawn or my wife would know more, but the private agency is the organization that is "certifying" your homeschooling. We use Tri-City Christian Academy, which is a wonderful organization, if you don't mind the religious background. (If you're calling HSLDA, I assume you don't.  )Here is a list of orgs:

http://www.nhhomeschooling.org/nonpubschool.htm

Actually Rick just talked to the vice-principal and she said they can participate in sports, band, art and speech classes, so that's good that they're not giving us a hard time. In Delmarva this homeschooling mom let her son go into 9th grade public school because he wanted to play football real bad and the schools there wouldn't let him as long as he was homeschooled.

Wow, I didn't know Dawn was your wife, she made me feel so much better last night with what she wrote.

Thanks for the links!   Do I have to follow their curriculum?   I guess that info will be on the websites.  Thanks again, I really appreciate it!

[Raineyrocks]

Well, she won't be in the school, but all their bureaucratic papers will still exist. They can make it a hassle for her to continue on trombone, but you're paying for the school whether you use it or not.

Dawn or my wife would know more, but the private agency is the organization that is "certifying" your homeschooling. We use Tri-City Christian Academy, which is a wonderful organization, if you don't mind the religious background. (If you're calling HSLDA, I assume you don't.  )Here is a list of orgs:

http://www.nhhomeschooling.org/nonpubschool.htm

Hi Toowm,   

I checked out the website but it looks like it's a school that the kids have to attend, am I right?  I just want an agency that I can send the letter of intent to because I have my own curriculum for the kids.  Do you have any link like that?

[dawn]

Whoa, there, Dawn is not his wife! This is how rumors start! He said Dawn OR his wife! ROFLMA!

OK, anyway, you can participate in things in the public school while homeschooling. I think it's called dual enrollment. Go to www.nhhomeschooling.org and do some research. Do your homework and know the laws for yourself. You also do need to withdraw your child in writing and have it signed in some way by the school that they have been notified of the withdrawal so you will not be faced with truancy issues.

I strongly suggest filing your letter of intent with a private school, not the public school you are leaving. We use Tri-City Christian Academy in Somersworth. They charge a nominal fee per child ($40?) and are very homeschool friendly. Call them at Phone: (603) 692-2093. I have used them for 3 years and have no complaints. They take your paperwork for filing now and for the annual evaluation in early summer. No hassle.

[dawn]

Well, she won't be in the school, but all their bureaucratic papers will still exist. They can make it a hassle for her to continue on trombone, but you're paying for the school whether you use it or not.

Dawn or my wife would know more, but the private agency is the organization that is "certifying" your homeschooling. We use Tri-City Christian Academy, which is a wonderful organization, if you don't mind the religious background. (If you're calling HSLDA, I assume you don't.  )Here is a list of orgs:

http://www.nhhomeschooling.org/nonpubschool.htm

Hi Toowm,   

I checked out the website but it looks like it's a school that the kids have to attend, am I right?  I just want an agency that I can send the letter of intent to because I have my own curriculum for the kids.  Do you have any link like that?

You totally do your own thing when you file with TCA. They are just the keeper of your paperwork. Call and ask them to tell you how to use them as a participating agency. They'll hook you up with the contact person, Deborah Mears. And you do not need to promise anything on the religious front to use them, you just need to send them the proper paperwork at the proper time and you're all set.

[Raineyrocks]

Whoa, there, Dawn is not his wife! This is how rumors start! He said Dawn OR his wife! ROFLMA!

OK, anyway, you can participate in things in the public school while homeschooling. I think it's called dual enrollment. Go to www.nhhomeschooling.org and do some research. Do your homework and know the laws for yourself. You also do need to withdraw your child in writing and have it signed in some way by the school that they have been notified of the withdrawal so you will not be faced with truancy issues.

I strongly suggest filing your letter of intent with a private school, not the public school you are leaving. We use Tri-City Christian Academy in Somersworth. They charge a nominal fee per child ($40?) and are very homeschool friendly. Call them at Phone: (603) 692-2093. I have used them for 3 years and have no complaints. They take your paperwork for filing now and for the annual evaluation in early summer. No hassle.

Oh my gosh, I just reread that, sorry!   Hmm, I wonder why Toowm didn't correct me, see that's where rumors start, ha, ha!   Only kidding anyway because I don't think he replied after that post.

Yup, I'm definitely going to make sure I leave the school with a copy of my signed withdrawal paper.

I'm grasping a much better understanding of how NH homeschool laws work finally!  Thanks Dawn!

[Kat Kanning]

I heard Dawn was into Polygyny.  Too bad Sam Cohn is taken now.

[Rosie the Riveter]

Well, she won't be in the school, but all their bureaucratic papers will still exist. They can make it a hassle for her to continue on trombone, but you're paying for the school whether you use it or not.

Dawn or my wife would know more, but the private agency is the organization that is "certifying" your homeschooling. We use Tri-City Christian Academy, which is a wonderful organization, if you don't mind the religious background. (If you're calling HSLDA, I assume you don't.  )Here is a list of orgs:

http://www.nhhomeschooling.org/nonpubschool.htm

Hi Toowm,   

I checked out the website but it looks like it's a school that the kids have to attend, am I right?  I just want an agency that I can send the letter of intent to because I have my own curriculum for the kids.  Do you have any link like that?

Note -- thanks to Dawn and friends you do not have to submit any information about your curriculum.

This is an example of exactly what to send. 
http://www.nhhomeschooling.org/notification.htm

Since your child is planning on Homeschooling and attending public school -- dual-enrollment. You could use the district as your "agency" since they will have your child's information anyway because of the dual-enrollment.

[Kat Kanning]

I think you're supposed to submit curriculum the first time you homeschool in NH, then you don't have to again.

[toowm]

Oh my gosh, I just reread that, sorry!   Hmm, I wonder why Toowm didn't correct me, see that's where rumors start, ha, ha!   Only kidding anyway because I don't think he replied after that post.

I'm at work today and was on the boards over lunch. I got back on just now. Maybe I should avoid the Liberty Ladies board. It's kinda racy for me.

[Raineyrocks]

Oh my gosh, I just reread that, sorry!   Hmm, I wonder why Toowm didn't correct me, see that's where rumors start, ha, ha!   Only kidding anyway because I don't think he replied after that post.

I'm at work today and was on the boards over lunch. I got back on just now. Maybe I should avoid the Liberty Ladies board. It's kinda racy for me.

No, please don't avoid the Liberty Ladies board it was just a simple misunderstanding on my part, I'm sorry!

[Raineyrocks]

Oh my gosh, I just reread that, sorry!   Hmm, I wonder why Toowm didn't correct me, see that's where rumors start, ha, ha!   Only kidding anyway because I don't think he replied after that post.

I'm at work today and was on the boards over lunch. I got back on just now. Maybe I should avoid the Liberty Ladies board. It's kinda racy for me.

Whoa, there, Dawn is not his wife! This is how rumors start! He said Dawn OR his wife! ROFLMA!

OK, anyway, you can participate in things in the public school while homeschooling. I think it's called dual enrollment. Go to www.nhhomeschooling.org and do some research. Do your homework and know the laws for yourself. You also do need to withdraw your child in writing and have it signed in some way by the school that they have been notified of the withdrawal so you will not be faced with truancy issues.

I strongly suggest filing your letter of intent with a private school, not the public school you are leaving. We use Tri-City Christian Academy in Somersworth. They charge a nominal fee per child ($40?) and are very homeschool friendly. Call them at Phone: (603) 692-2093. I have used them for 3 years and have no complaints. They take your paperwork for filing now and for the annual evaluation in early summer. No hassle.

See people what missing such a little word "or" can lead to?   Now enough of that let me get off topic: Did you know that the writers of the Jehovah's Witness bible changes the entire meanings of versus by misplacing punctuation?