9.08.2006

fyi to NYC Homeschoolers not in the know...

From:

The New York City Department of Education

Joel I. Klein, Chancellor

Office of Youth Development

Office of Attendance Room 218

52 Chambers Street - NY, NY 10007

August 31, 2006

Dear Parent,

Welcome to the beginning of a new school year. Our records indicate that during the 2005-2006 school year you home schooled your child. We are contacting you in order to provide information about the home schooling program.

This school year, home schooling will be administered centrally in order to facilitate a more streamlined process for parents and students.

If you have already submitted a letter of intent to your regional office and if you have received your Home Schooling Packet for this year please send the completed packet with the IHIP to the Home Schooling Office at the following address:

Department of Education

Home Schooling Coordinator

333 Seventh Avenue, 12th floor

New York, NY 10001

If you have submitted a letter of intent but have not yet received a Home Schooling Packet, please contact our office at (917) 339-1700 or email: HBeacot@schools.nyc.gov .

If you have not yet submitted a letter of intent and would like to home school your child for the 2006-2007 school year please send your letter of intent to the Home Schooling Office at the address indicated above. For your convenience a sample letter of intent has been enclosed.

If you have any further questions please contact the Home Schooling Office at (917) 339-1200 or email HBeacot@schools.nyc.gov .

Lilian Garelick

Director of Mandated Responsibilities

New York City Department of Education

Office of Youth Development

****

Yes, kids, that is ONE Homeschooling Coordinator for ALL five New York City boroughs! When our kids get their Metrocards is anybody's guess!

5 comments:

NYCitymomx3 said...

Ok, I called and spoke to *the* Ms. Henrietta Becoat (she bemoaned the incorrect spelling of her name everywhere) and she seemed to be alright. She said this was done because "homeschoolers are not taken seriously nor are they getting the attention they need". I don't know what context to take that in, but she did sound like she was going to advocate for us and streamline the correspondence process.

And yes, we have to go to her office in Manhattan to pick up our Metrocards. She said she should have the files from our region in a few days.

So, I won't knock this til I see what this year brings. I have no problem calling her every day if I have to. I hope she understands we are not (all) radical non-conformists, but concerned, caring parents who are choosing the best education for our kids.

This should be very interesting.

la Maitresse said...

I knew her name was misspelled! I was hoping to be the lucky parent who got the prize for spelling it correctly. Now you've given the secret away... heh heh...

Liz Margoshes said...

Office of MANDATED RESPONSIBILITIES!!!!

what a name!

la Maitresse said...

Re: Office of Mandated Responsibilities...could there be a more vague department (or less-powerful-sounding) title? I seriously wish the DoE and BoE folks would get a grip on the English language.

Meow.

Anonymous said...

We are new to homeschooling and sent in our intent letter in June and the end of August, didn't receive anything back until my daughter's old school began threatening us! I have spent the last few weeks trying to get the problem solved, and believe it has... except for the fact that I am being investigated for educational neglect by an ACS worker who is completely unaware of homeschooling regulations! What a nightmare!