Home-schoolers heading to class

SANDPOINT — Melinda Rossman would like to see 100 students in the Homeschool Academy by the end of the year, and although she is one-fourth of the way to that goal, the new program is already growing at a steady pace.

Rossman is the teacher and facilitator of the academy, which was started this year through the Lake Pend Oreille School District. Rossman said she had 16 students on the first day and as the third week came to an end on Friday, a total of 26 students were enrolled.

"We are getting ready to hire our first employee to support me with some of the events that we do," Rossman said. "There is a lot of stuff in the works."

The students are currently learning about "Lake Pend Oreille Beyond the Surface," she said, such as the kokanee run they experienced on Wednesday, which was attended by 22 students and seven parents. Rossman said parents are always invited and encouraged to participate in the activities at the academy.

Each Wednesday the kids go on a field day, and then on Thursday they participate in art activities related to what they learned the previous day. On Fridays, Rossman has been teaching Introduction to Spanish in the morning and "choice" activities afterward. The older students are in a robotics program and the younger kids are building with legos, learning how to communicate and cooperate together, Rossman said.

Rossman said she is pleased with the attendance on all three days, since the students are only required to participate a minimum of two-and-a-half hours per week.

"The kids get to pick and choose what they come to, that's what is so different than a traditional education," she said. "The kids really have a choice on what topics they are interested in learning about."

The classroom will soon have scientific equipment such as microscopes and water quality kits so Rossman and the students can examine and monitor the quality in the local area.

Rossman is looking forward to getting the technology equipment in next week, such as an Apple TV for projection activities and video connected learning. The students will be using the code.org program, which teaches kids the basics of computer science. Some of the older students will help mentor the younger students as well. They will begin learning culinary arts next week as well. Although the district will not be able to put in a full kitchen, she said it will be viable program through substituted activities.

For winter activities Rossman plans to pair up with Sandpoint Outdoor Leadership Experience, where they will continue to explore water quality and snowpack issues.

"Everything that affects our lake, basically, is what we are keeping the theme all year long," Rossman said.

The kids will even learn about fishing next week by an instructor from North 40 Outfitters. They will learn how to cast, learn about fly rods, as well as fishing for sport versus fishing for food.

Rossman said the academy is always looking for local organizations, especially any connected to the arts, to pair up with her for ideas and activities.

"My door is open for creating as many connections as possible," Rossman said.

Rossman can be reached by email at melinda.rossman@lposd.org