For your first question, it really shouldn't be too hard to move the
appointments manually.  Switch to a table view of your primary calendar, such
as By Category (which is unfiltered).  Then, with your folder list showing,
select all the items you want to move -- hold down SHIFT and click the first
and last items if they are adjacent, and/or hold down CTRL and click to
select non-adjacent items.  Then drag all of the items to your homeschooling
calendar.  Select Move if you are asked whether to move or copy.

As for reminders: By default, reminders only fire from the Inbox, Calendar,
Tasks and Contacts folders in the primary mail store (the file where your
mail is delivered).  To extend reminder functionality to other folders, see
the 3rd party addins available at http://www.slovaktech.com.