Posts: 4592
9/15/12 2:57 P

That is so cool! I wont lie, I'm a little jealous, although there is nothing wrong with being Canadian, I get wander lust every now and then :)

Being multilingual will be an immense benefit to your children in the long run, good for you!

Posts: 321
9/14/12 3:05 A

I've lived here 13 years. My husband is Italian and he had to finish university so we started out here. Now 13 years later...
I came when I was 19 so I've spent my whole adult life here and have become 'Italian' in many ways. We celebrate Thanksgiving and do some other American things as a family, but the kids were born and raised here and for me this is my home now. They are perfectly fluent in both languages and are currently starting to learn German as well.

Posts: 4592
9/13/12 4:30 P

Ohhhhh! I see, well that's a great idea also :) I'm glad you and your children enjoy the system.

How long have you lived in Italy? I imagine it's a really interesting experience.

Posts: 321
9/13/12 11:25 A

Tipytoad...the Italian school doesn't actually mix the age groups, they just keep the first grade class together year after year until they finish 5th grade. The students and teachers move up a grade every year. I do like it though!

Posts: 4592
9/13/12 8:06 A

That is really neat! Virtual school, what a cool way to learn.

I like the idea of the Italian school as well, I've always been pro-mixed age groups, here they do mixed Grades (Canada) so my youngest two were in a junior kindergarten/senior kindergarten split last year. That was nice.

Posts: 1279
9/13/12 7:17 A

It's like homeschooling, except I have a teacher for each student to back me up and help with things they just aren't understanding. The teachers also hold on line classes called class connects so all the students can interact and to help cover the material that is on the state tests. In Ohio it is considered a public school so I don't have to buy books, and since they are at home no school fees. I do have to buy crayons and markers and things like that and some extra things you can find around the house. They even send everything you need for science like scales, microscopes (for older kids), and the chemicals you need. Some books are borrowed and some you get to keep and they pay for all the shipping costs. They even reimburse you some money each year to help pay for the internet. If you don't have a computer you don't have to worry, they will provide you with a desktop that you can send back at the end. This is our 4th year and I love it. I know exactly what they are learning, no other kids making fun of anyone, they do not allow any negative activity in class connects, they have removed students being rude from class connects and they will contact parents. They do have scheduled vactions and days off but you don't have to take them, then you could end the year early, and/or schedule your own vacation. They perform testing on each child and put them in the appropriate classes, which I love. No more falling behind from not understanding and no more being bored from knowing the material, we can move on. In Ohio to attend a virtual academy you have to meet face to face at least 4 times a year. Our school, Ohio Virtual Academy hosts 100's of outings across the state. They hold science fairs, spelling bees, art shows, back to school picnics and a ton of other stuff. You only need 4 but we try to squeeze in at least 1 a month for a fun day.

I really love it. It always takes 1 -2 weeks in the beggining to get our daily schedule and routine down but after that it goes great, with the occasional technical difficulties.

Posts: 321
9/13/12 4:13 A

My kids just started school yesterday! In Italy they always start after the 10th of Sept. My daughter is in 4th grade and my son is in 2nd. They both love school and at the dinner table while my daughter was praying she asked the Lord to make the night go by quickly! She's so cute! Anyway, here the kids have the same 2 teachers and classmates all the way from 1st grade to 5th. At the beginning I found it very strange (being American myself). However, it's quite nice because you already know your teachers and they know you. The teachers already know the class dynamics so they don't have to waste time figuring out who they're working with and how to handle problems. The kids also know exactly what the teachers expect of them and they have the chance to make really tight bonds between their classmates. In the end it's almost like a second family and I've seen lots of tears on the last day of school from the 5th graders over the last few years. It's sweet.

Another thing I have found positive about the school system here is that there is no bullying. Maybe in the big cities like Milan and Rome you'll hear about it a little. But my kids have never been picked on or made fun of in a rough sort of way. Of course the boys pick on the girls, but I've never heard of kids being MEAN.

Posts: 4592
9/12/12 8:17 P

That really neat! What does a virtual academy entail? Is it like home schooling or completely different? This is the first I've heard of it!

I'm sure your younger DD will want to join in soon :) MY youngest only wants to go to school some of the time lol, she's a real character about it.

Posts: 1279
9/12/12 8:01 P

My older 2 girls attend a virtual academy, so they are at home all day doing school work with me. It has been a little strange teaching 2 this year but really fun. My youngest is still adjusting to not having her sister with her all day. She did finally decide to join us at the table today and listen to some of the things we were doing. She doesn't want to do the work yet but I'm hoping in time she will want to join her big sisters and do work for her age like she did last year.

Posts: 4592
9/11/12 1:25 P

It does feel strange doesn't it? But not all together unpleasant, we made it through the baby years, now they're moving on and learning! Exciting days up ahead I think :)

Occationally I see a baby and think "I wonder if I should....." and then I promptly kick myself in the butt and enjoy an almost stress free day with my big girls :)

Posts: 17082
9/11/12 1:02 P

My kids are all in school as well. My daughter came home with a cough :( I now have all three in school and it feels so strange.

Posts: 4592
9/11/12 12:27 P

How are everyones girls and boys enjoying school so far?

My girls are in Senior Kindergarten, grade 1 and grade 3.

My youngest unfortunately has gotten sick already :( Strep throat to boot! Yuck! Hopefully that will be it for this year though, she's typically really healthy.

My middle daughter started grade 1, she's doing well so far. I thought she'd be tired going to school all day but she's handled it like a champ so far!

My oldest is in the third grade and also doing well so far. She's a bit cranky about having to get up for school tis year though, so that's new.

Hope everyone has a great school year!! Good luck to all the little guys and gals :)