Hello Everyone! I am currently a junior in high school and have very recently transitioned into doing online private school full time. Not to get into too much detail on why I decided to ultimately withdraw from my local public high school, but it was largely due to bullying that started my sophomore year. Though I’ve tried really hard ignoring the constant rumors spread about me and pretended like I wasn’t fazed by hurtful comments made towards me in class, I began developing severe anxiety and couldn’t bear the thought of waking up in the morning to attend school. Before even deciding on finishing off the year online, I called several school districts and asked if they accepted out of district transfers but ultimately ended up having no luck finding another school that would accept me at this point in time. So, here I am a month later.
Honestly, I don’t know if doing online school this year counts as home schooling, but I would really like some advice on how I can make the most out of this year in terms of extracurricular activities. Before online school, I participated in a lot of school organizations such as:
Speech and Debate
National Art Honor Society
National Science Honor Society
Varsity Yearbook/Journalism
Future Business Leaders of America
Math University Interscholastic League
Computer Science University Interscholastic League
Golf
Tennis
With that being said, I was curious on how I can continue participating in some of these activities? I’ve contacted the guidance department of my online school a few days ago with questions on how I can organize some clubs (ie. speech and debate) into the online program but never got a response. Later this month, I plan on applying for an internship with the Senator’s office and am highly confident that I will be accepted as one of the pagers. Other than the page internship, I find myself with a lot of free time that could be spend organizing activist movements given recent turns of political events. However, I am a bit reluctant in setting one up given my inexperience in doing so. Does anyone have any suggestions or advice on what I should do?
In terms of your extracurriculars, it depends on your online school and your state. For example in my school district, there is a law allowing students who are homeschool or doing online school to participate in their local school’s extracurriculars. Even if you are at a non-home school (ie private, charter, traditional) you can still participate in extracurriculars at other schools if your school doesn’t offer it. Contact the GC at your local school as well as any of the coaches/advisors for the extracurricular you want to participate in. They should have more information about bylaws and stuff like that. In terms of organizing activist movements, partner up with local organizations like a local political party organization or other activist organization in your area. It would be hard for you to do it alone, but with a team/organization it would be easier.
I’m in high school and go to the local Sierra Club meetings. I’m the youngest there, but everyone is very friendly!
Many districts require schools to accept on district homeschoolers. In addition, your local library will have lots of information and, probably, programs.
FBLA offers a virtual chapter program
I’m planning on joining the virtual chapter of FBLA as well as running for state parliamentarian at the state competition this year!