Historical November 1992 article. Dates, prices, services and contacts describe the source period; current availability has not been established.
Almost a decade ago well-known home schooler and Skinker-DeBaliviere resident, Mary Pride, frequented the former Kingsbury Kiosk.
A charismatic personality, and at that time great with child, Mary Pride ordered new books each day as she drafted her first book.
She said that with the birth of each child more strength and energy flowed into her.
Now the mother of eight, she has produced several books on home learning which are available from the St. Louis Public Library. I’d like to use this quotation from her Big Book of Home Learning as an introduction to this fascinating subject “Learning is the magic key that millions have used to unlock the educational treasure chest. No longer must you spend a fortune on college credits for knowledge that is sold everywhere for a pittance. No longer must you watch your child shrivel up under the burden of a label that some educrat has stuck on him or her.
In the comfort of your own home you can learn whatever you want to… whenever you want to, and so can your children.” Mary Pride and her family moved to the country a few years ago, but her books are used by home schoolers everywhere. One such person is Janet Holler, who lives in the 5900 block of Waterman and has been home schooling her children, David and Caroline, for the past five years.
They make frequent use of the former Kiosk and now Charing Cross library. Janet and her children gather around a card table in front of their living room fireplace each morning of the week for lessons.
With other families they recently branched out into a more challenging curriculum addition, the history of civilization through literature, art and music. “Of course, I individualize the curriculum materials—which I order through the mail—to suit my children,” says Janet. “And this is the ultimate in teacher-student ratios.” “I balance character development with academic development,” she adds, “and it’s fun.
We enjoy it.
We especially like the peaceful atmosphere of our home, compared with the noise and competing activities that are a part of the usual classroom.” Janet, a warm, fun-loving person who graduated from Washington University is not a teacher, but a parent who is helping her children learn. “Socializing is no problem for us home schoolers,” Janet responds to a familiar question. “After a day of home schooling, the kids are ready to participate in outside activities.
We appreciate St. Roch’s willingness to allow our children to be active in sports.” Janet and her children are also active in Cub Scouts, Brownies, soccer, church activities and the Gifted Resource Council.
Some people “home school” only through the elementary grades, but a few do it all the way through high school. Is home schooling legal?
In Missouri it is legal, but one must keep accurate records of hours spent on each subject, for example. No achievement tests are required. Where do parents find guidance?
There are national, state and local home schooling organizations to assist parents. Home schooling is not for everyone. Obviously, one parent must be at home with the children.
This can have a very real impact on a family’s income, but the rewards are very real, as well.
If you enjoy spending a lot of time with your children and learning with them, it might be right for you.
It requires a gentle discipline to devote time each weekday to schooling. Purchasing the curriculum materials does have some, modest cost.
On the other hand, a great many resources such as pictures, audio and video recordings and museums are free.
Another home schooler, Barbara Havens, lives on McPherson.
She home schooled her two daughters for several years and considered it “An enjoyable and positive time.” Anyone with questions about home schooling may call another neighbor, Lucy Hannegan, at 367-3779
Original photograph caption
Janet, David and Caroline Holler studying in their home school. Photo by King Schoenfeld.
Originally published in The Times of Skinker-DeBaliviere, November 1992.
Read this article in the original newspaper issue.
Original source: SD_Times1992_11.pdf, printed page(s) 6; PDF page(s) 6.
