Questions from one interested in moving to Wyoming

[MarthaK]

Dr. Alan,

I'll start with the first question - Sundance.  It is a very small town.  I love the fact that my boys can roam to the park or the fishing pond and be gone for hours and I don't worry - too much    There is no crime that I can see - maybe speeding.  By 10:00 at night the whole town is basically asleep.  People hold the post office door open for each other and make eye contact to say good morning.  The weather so far has been great.  We got between 6-8 inches of snow yesterday and it hasn't been above 0 for 2 days.  Not for the faint of heart.  However, the summer was a real summer - warm enough to go several times to Sand creek and jump in.  There were many gardens in town, so I know that there is somewhat of a growing season - I can't wait to begin on my own.  As to jobs -  - not much to support a family.  Most men work in the mines around the area, or travel to Gillette or another town for "real" employment.  Tom drives to Gillette every day - close to 70 miles one way, I think. 

Question 2 - drill trash  .  This refers to men (and some women) who work on the drill rigs.  Many take pride in the title.  They basically live hard - much partying and no saving for tomorrow.  Bar fights, drugs, DUI's, home life (if any) is a mess.  You get the idea.  My father was a part of that for a short time while he worked in Rock Springs and our family lived in Pinedale.  Tom and I saw it every day in Green River.  Tom saw it more than I did when he delivered fuel to the rigs in that area.  It's just not a lifestyle that we want to influence our kids in any way.

I don't mind questions as long as you don't mind my opinionated responses  .

Martha

[Dr. Alan]

Thanx again, Martha; Sundance sounds like an excellent place to raise a family. BTW I noticed from Tom's post that you folks homeschool your kids. My wife also homeschools our 3 kids (13, 11, & 9). How are the home-education laws in Wyoming as far as gov't requirements and all? Also, have you found a teaching program that you prefer?

Shalom, Dr. Alan

[MarthaK]

Homeschooling in Wyoming is easy - as far as gov't regulations go.  I go to the school's administration office, and they have a packet of about 3 pages that I fill out.  One is just specifically if you want your child(ren) to get "special ed".  The other two pages are very basic info such as name, address etc. etc. Oh, and they do ask what curriculum you are using.  Apparently the school board then approves the information you've submitted because I get a letter each year.   

I don't really use a set curriculum.  I'm using Sonlight reading for my oldest (it was too difficult for my middle), A-Z Reading for the middle (it's an online book thing), and just teaching the youngest his letters and their sounds right now.  English is laid back - they are both writing "books" right now and it has been the best English we've had so far.  They essentially correct themselves and ask when they don't know - like with using quotation marks and correct adverbs.  Math - I use several different sources.  The main one right now is from livelylessons.com - Noble Knights of Knowledge.  I am kinda writing my own taking off from this story by having a Friar of Fractions and Dragon of Decimals.  History goes with the Sonlight - much reading out-loud different literature.  Science is probably my weakest point.  Many times I have them go to the Science encyclopedia we have and just read a page.  There is usually a small experiement that goes with it.  Funny thing is that they tend to remember this better than any lesson I can come up with.

Have I over-answered your question? 

Martha

[Paul Bonneau]

Homeschooling in Wyoming is easy - as far as gov't regulations go.

It's even easier if you don't tell them you are homeschooling. None of their damn business after all. The laws on homeschooling are unconstitutional, much like most of government is.

Something to consider, anyway. Of course if they already know about you, then it's harder! But the penalties for violating this unconstitutional law are pretty small.

Back on my Oregon homeschooling list, the question used to come up a lot. The so-called "non-compliant" homeschoolers always were glad they didn't bother with the state, and many of the "compliant" ones wished they had gone that route. In Oregon, non-compliance was pretty common, unlike here (as far as I can tell).

On the other thing, Moorcroft is even closer to Gillette than Sundance. It is even a quieter town too! 

[Dr. Alan]

Thanx Martha and Paul for your detailed answers. Martha, in one of your posts you mentioned that rent for a 2Bd house in Gillet was $1,500?mo. How are the rents in Crook County in comparison to Gillet and Rock Springs?

Also,( for either of you, or both) with regards to Wyoming homeschooling are there any testing requirements mandated by the Gov't for Home-Educators? Here in Arkansas, our children must be tested annually to evaluate their academic progress. This requirement is all the way up to 12th grade.
I appreciate your input!!

Shalom, Dr. Alan

[MarthaK]

Dr. Alan,

Rents in Crook county seem much more "normal" - at least from what I've seen.  Tom and I have gotten a 5-year lease on this 4? bedroom 1 1/2 bath house for $700/mo.  It went up $200/mo in January, but I am allowed to do whatever I want with the property    Okay that excites me just a little.  I think the small apartments (1 bedroom all utilities paid) is $400/mo.  Beulah seems to have some rentals as well that are reasonably priced.  I really don't know anything about Moorcroft.  There are others on the forum that can probably answer this question better than I can.

I've never had the boys "tested" at all.  I thank God that we don't have to do any of that crap!  I teach what I want, when I want (or some days when the boys want  )

Martha

[Jared]

On the other thing, Moorcroft is even closer to Gillette than Sundance. It is even a quieter town too! 

Well, except for the trains.  Kind of like when Jake goes to Elwood's apartment and after they get shaken by the train asks how often it goes by - "So often you won't even notice it!"