Did you know that Bonner County has a support group for homeschool parents and their children?

I didn’t, but I saw a notice at the Priest River Library and followed up with a visit to their website.

I sure wish something like this had existed when I started home schooling my kids – but that was a long time ago and it wasn’t a popular thing to do back then. I had a heck of a time trying to find out what curriculum I needed to follow – nobody could tell me, not even the teachers who were friendly toward the idea. They all said things like “It depends.”

I finally signed up with Calvert Schools in Maryland and got all the books sent in the mail. But now I see that the Bonner County Homeschool Group has curriculum posted on their site. They also have a link to the laws regarding home schooling, so that doesn’t have to be the confusing question that I faced.

You’ll find plenty of “good stuff” there – like links to more resources for parents and a schedule of their regular “Kid’s Day” get-togethers. Home schooling parents and kids no longer have to feel isolated.

If you teach your kids at home, check this out!

If you’ve driven up Peninsula Road you’ve seen the signs – urging you to call Commissioner Joe Young and “just say no.”

Shelly Stafford, spokesperson for the group, wrote me that “Joe Young came to our home for a meeting with us & the neighbors.  It was pretty much political talking points but we did learn that there will be a workshop on March 10^th at 6:00pm at the Priest River Junior High School.”

Shelly and the others urge everyone to attend and let the commissioners know that we do care what they’re doing.

Why should we care? I’ll tell you in Shelly’s words – from an earlier letter she sent me:

“I can’t even express how upset all of us are.  Our real estate value will be cut in half & no one would ever buy any of these properties across the street from dumpsters.  We live in the land of plenty of land, why should anyone have to have dumpsters across the street from them?”

If you’d like to support Shelly and the other residents, please take a minute to sign the petition. You’ll find copies at River Mountain Realty, Zippy’s Mini Mart, BorderTown Feed, Bev’s Furnishings, NAPA Auto Parts, Big Moose Rentals & Lou’s Place. You can also read a full report on the impact this move will have on those residents.

So… get out there and help them protect their property values and their safety. Sign the petition, then attend the meeting.