I just want to say that I love reading all of these posts! And I kinda wanted to steal #100… 
Get out of the parents’ board, kid!
I would have had #100. Actually, I never looked at the numbers before.
Anyway, my son is doing very well in most areas. He is struggling in math, however. I’m sure by now that he was placed in the wrong class, but it’s probably too far into the year to do anything about it. Also, it’s hard to know whether he is really throwing himself into the life of the school or just hanging out with his friends in his spare time. Or does the latter count as throwing himself into the life of the school?
It definitely counts!! 
I love it when K2’s friends are hanging out in his room and they each take turns interjecting themselves into our conversation or ask for the phone to rat him out about something . It doesn’t happen often but when it does it warms my heart in a way. Boys can be so funny - Let me speak to your mother! or I’ll say, Put him (your friend) on the phone right now! Boy banter is hilarious- you really get a sense for how close these kids are. And- as long as it’s good natured fun and they work hard and stay out of trouble- I’m fine.
That said- I have some awesome BS boy stories… OMG. So funny, I can’t tell them without tears rolling down my face.
Speaking of phones… Recently- I heard about how older students are coming up with new ways to help younger students battle phone addiction- especially if their phone is interfering with their studies. My favorite: The “phone addict” takes a photo of a student of their choice ( usually an older student who is also big or intimidating like a football player or hockey player ) so every time they look at their phone that’s the first thing they’ll see.
I don’t know if it’s been truly helpful or not- but I thought it was a fun and very clever idea.
@PhotographerMom Share some of your awesome BS boy stories! I’m curious to hear what goes on.
No… we’ll keep those stories in the vault for another time. Maybe someday (when my kids aren’t monitoring me on CC, I’ll let it rip ) I’ve already caught a little flak for over-sharing in the past …
That sigh of relief you just heard was from K2 ( and his merry band of revelers )
I’m loving all of these anecdotes as well! I’ve haven’t written yet, because every time I sit down to say something, the dynamics for my daughter have changed! So, I suppose that my “First Year Reflections” could be summed with “constantly evolving”
DD is now VERY happy, settled and thriving at Cate, but there were definitely some ups and downs along the way. Luckily, I didn’t share them with all of you, because I would have sounded a bit all over the place! Tears one day, joy the next, overwhelmed with activities, then bored by the isolation, homesick, then missing school, etc etc etc… The process of working through all of this will, I think, serve her well going forward. It has been an incredible experience!
Yes @GMC2918 that’s a fair and honest description! Growth means constantly evolving. My daughter is home for a short break and it’s been amazing to see how she has grown. She is constantly being challenged, it’s imprinting her with the understanding that she is capable if she so chooses. That’s an amazing sandwich, especially for high school.
Disneykid did well academically the first term, but adjustment was rocky. Halfway through second term, he is doing really well in in classes without angst, except for a big socials project… When he gets through that, he will be more confident overall, especially compared to the beginning when he said, “Mom, these kids used the SSAT words in class discussions!” (For those who don’t follow, he is international, English is his second language.) Socially, his world has expanded cuz he made it on a minor sports team. During winter break, he wasn’t confident about making the B team cuz there were 7 guys for 3 spots. But he practiced with his old coach and friends here, went back and secured his spot. He was so pumped after making it and loves the comradely, cheering for the awesome A team. His partner who is extremely social(maybe parties too much) has broadened the social horizon of DS. He is also an advance, but not racing, skier, and made another group of friends doing that. I think his first friends, two really nice boys from China, who were even more lost than he was, will be his closest friends throughout school. (The mother of one bought a home and now lives nearby…) But I know he wanted to expand his circles and he is doing that. His goal for third term is to get some meaning community work. Nothing is quite set but he has a few interesting leads. His biggest frustration with BS is probably about how regimented the schedule is. Mine would be that the staff are not as nurturing as I would have hoped. And Wifi sucks, hard to have a decent quarrel when you always get This signal is weak…"
BUMP
This mama with Office skills had way too much time so made a colorful class schedule for DS using excel. Made a personalized version of this chart.
http://www.nmhschool.org/sites/default/files/sites/default/files/uploads/CMAP%20Sheet.pdf
and then using website photos and ppt, made a personalized version of this for DS
http://www.nmhschool.org/sites/default/files/sites/default/files/uploads/2015%20P12.pdf
Thinking of making another partnership of 12 slide for the kid at home too. :))