<p>Well, it's my own fault. Our oldest is a wonderful kid, but has always been the shy, retiring, sensitive type. When the youngest came into our lives, I remember thinking "I hope he has little more spunk".</p>
<p>Iderochi: Snort. You made my coffee go up my nose with that one. :)</p>
<p>Carolyn, glad I could help make your day . . . </p>
<p>Anyway, the little guy really is a ball of pure energy, so for him to sit still for the bus ride has always been a challenge. He got written up in November for being out of his seat, and again in February (when, to be fair, every child on the bus got written up for what is quickly achieving legendary status as the bus ride that went through several layers of Dante's inferno). The latest adventure apparently (details are still sketchy) started when one of the boys on the bus started teasing DS along the lines of "you've got a girlfriend, you've got a girlfriend, etc." -- though I'm not sure why this was a problem, our little lothario has been talking about his "girlfriends" since he was 2. Heck, I've got a great picture saved for his wedding -- DS, age 6, surrounded in the hot tub by 6(!) neighborhood girls ranging in age from 5 to 13. Anyway, DS got mad, snatched the boy's hat, the boy snatched it back. Pushing, shoving and general chaos ensued. Naturally, DS got written up again -- and under the district's three strikes rule, a three day suspension of bus privileges was mandatory. Aargh. I love him dearly, but I think I need to hide all of my old Calvin and Hobbes books so he doesn't get any ideas once he gets old enough to read them .</p>
<p>It WAS a stupid bus. <em>pouts</em></p>
<p>Greenie: shouldn't it be initial caps, i.e., Stupid Bus? :rolleyes:</p>
<p>I would not diginfy that place with capitalization. ;)</p>
<p>I'm trying to work out my class schedule and courseload for the IB diploma junior year, and I'd appreciate a parent's perspective (that is, one not emotionally invested in the process). I've posted [url="<a href="http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/showthread.php?p=505051%22%5Dhere%5B/url">http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/showthread.php?p=505051"]here[/url</a>] if anyone is interested in helping. Thanks in advance!</p>
<p>The long-delayed meeting with the GC finally took place. He was actually very helpful and had some good insights. He talked to S a little about possible college ideas, likes and dislikes, how he's doing in his current AP History class, etc. And at the end of the day recommended that S push off the AP Euro history until Senior year. That will still give him a challenging course load of advanced classes (AP English, AP Problems of Democracy and Advanced Algebra/Trig), along with two other solids -- Chemistry and Spanish III. </p>
<p>The GC had what I thought was a good recommendation to replace AP Euro -- S is starting to look into the possiblity of pursuing an appointment to a Service Academy or one of the state military institutes (VMI or Citadel). GC strongly recommends that any of his students who is even thinking about such a course take at least one ROTC course -- the HS has a very well-regarded ROTC curriculum. That will give him at least an intro to military science and will also result in a more balanced course load. </p>
<p>Thanks to all who gave me feedback on this. Oh, and BTW the youngest has been on his best behavior on the bus (so far).</p>
<p>I'm coming into this thread a little late and with very little knowledge, so forgive me. Would someone explain to me what the whole deal is with the AP courses that have become the norm since way back in the neolithic times when I was in high school (graduated from HS in 1972)? Why are so many kids "needing" to take AP classes? What is behind this - does this imply that regular classes or Honors classes are not really cutting the mustard? </p>
<p>I used to think AP classes enabled a student to skip the that particular course in college...but now it seems that's not really it after all.</p>
<p>Even if one has a Lake Wobegon child ;), I still wonder why it is that they need to take AP classes?</p>
<p>Please take this in the spirit it is being written in whic is - complete cluelessness!</p>
<p>Blumini, I'm just home from our 4-day college tour and too tired to write much right now, but I can tell you that based on what I heard over the last 4 days, it is clear that AP classes now serve two functions. The first, as you know, is to prepare students for the AP tests so that they can obtain credit (or placement). But every admissions meeting we attended said that IF a high school offers AP classes, they expect to see the applicants taking some of those courses. Doesn't mean you have to take 15 AP classes --- but your record needs to reflect that you at least "met the challenge" by taking some.</p>
<p>Thanks Iderochi, I do understand that sometimes colleges may give credit or placement due to AP courses...and, really (sigh), I guess I do know that it's become normal to show that one has "met the challenge" by taking some APs.. I guess I'm just longing for the past when an Honors class was as good as it got...you know, sort of like the days when kids spent their summers doing "stuff" rather than attending "programs" that might "help" them along their way... Ah, call me nostalgic, I suppose.</p>
<p>Unbeknownst to me, my daughter had already planned on an American History AP course for next year...perhaps it's better if I just let her figure it all out herself. ;)</p>
<p>Again, thanks for your reply and I hope you recover quickly from your college tour! :)</p>