<p>MD & College,
While my D13 didn’t have a slide, we did go to an alumni assn “advisory” meeting of sorts at UVA last summer. They looked at her transcript through sophomore year and told her, “You know its ok to have B’s, right?” I don’t think they are begging kids to try to pull in a bundle of B’s, but I do think most students have them here and there. Sophomore year seems like a fine time to have a brief “drop” if they are going to have one since the all- important junior year is ahead to “fix” it. FWIW, I dragged my S14 off on a college visit over spring break since D13 was looking at a school I thought he might like. He was in need of some motivation, and let me say this- he’s gotten everything to A’s except one class after seeing the college and falling in love with it. So, a quick visit to someplace this summer could be inspirational… just a thought.</p>
<p>Sorry for your DD’s scheduling conflict. We just found out last week that S3’s school won’t be offering AP Chem!! Are you kidding me?! Not enough kids signed up. When my 2011 grad took it they had two full classes, this year apparently only 16 students, now they didn’t even get that many. This adds all kinds off issues as it covers two blocks here (lab and lecture are two different classes here) so S3 has to choose two new classes. He added two classes, one of which we already know there was a conflict with this year on his proposed schedule. I’ve contacted his GC to see if they know the schedule enough for next year to tell us if those two classes will conflict. If they do I’m not sure what he’ll take. What a pain!! Usually we don’t find out about conflicts until we get a call in August…that’s how organized our school is…</p>
<p>Wahoo: Thanks 
Those were the words I was hoping for.</p>
<p>Scheduling conflict has taken a back page and the excitement of the last day of school is gone today due to the death last night of a member of the Junior class. Some facebook postings this morning alerted DD but she didn’t know who until a call from a classmate. An automated school call to home and cell phones came just before we were to leave this morning. The school won’t be releasing any details without the consent of the parents (no accident or long term illness involved). The student was one she knew (small school so most know each other) but not one of her close group of Junior friends thankfully. His 2-year girlfriend is in band with DD which was to be their first class this morning, hence the call from her other band mate. The band is such a small, close group here (25 kids maybe) that it will hit them all hard as well as the members of the Junior class. It’s just so sad. DD said he was a smart kid but not part of the other group of smart kids she hangs out with and not one who’s name I would know. But then it sounded familiar and I remembered seeing that he was one of three who were invited to go thru the NM process, so I’m assuming that meant he was a semi-finalist. I’m sure it’s got to be an awful day in school and many kids will be too upset to deal with finals which start tomorrow. Life can change so quickly. It’s good to know the school has the people in place to help the kids deal with their grief and the whole situation but wish they didn’t have to!</p>
<p>akmom - So sorry for your community’s loss. There are no words to soothe the loss of such a young person. I am glad, as you say, your DD’s school seems to be making grief counseling available to the kids. Some of the toughest issues can be between students who don’t appreciate and understand that everyone grieves differently (ie. you’re not crying, you’re laughing today, you’re going to a party, you must not have loved him as much as we did…). Grief touches young adults in much different ways and it’s often hard for them to learn to respect that in each other. My most sincerely condolences to the young man’s family.</p>
<p>Oh AK mom that’s terrible. Very similar to what was just said on the 2013 thread. How sad for the family, friend, and classmates. Hope you can find soothing words…</p>
<p>Blueiguana, we’re worried about there not being enough interested students for a Calc II class senior year, so I get the dismay over no AP chem. it’s a pretty common occurrence, though. D’11 wanted to take chemistry this summer at her college, but only 3 kids were signed up (construction this summer, so not many classes offered, not many students around). She’s taking it at the local cc. Glad she found the class, not happy that it’s all summer instead of just one intense summer session. </p>
<p>Akmom124, so sorry about what I presume to be a suicide of one of your d’s classmates. Something like that the rock a small school to its very center</p>
<p>Ordinary - Yes, that’s what I’m assuming given the little bit of chatter that was going on this morning. It’s a small catholic school and not being catholic I don’t have a good idea how they’ll be handling this. I pick up DD in less than an hour so she’ll have more info then. Just hope she’s doing ok. Plus she heads off to HOBY for three days tomorrow. I’m a bit concerned about the timing but assume she’ll be fine as he wasn’t a close friend. But it’s bound to affect her anyway.</p>
<p>“TJ students feel it’s just grade 13” can be a very divisive statement"</p>
<p>BlueIguana -
I am sorry if I offended. This wasn’t MY comment. Perhaps I wasn’t clear. This is what my DD says. Personally I would LOVE it if she would consider UVA. It is a great school. I think it has a tremendous amount to offer.<br>
Eva</p>
<p>BlueIguana -
I hit POST before I meant to… the reason why TJ students feel this way is SO MANY of them go to UVA. It is like a “day at TJ” (so they say). NOT because of the academics - in any way.
Again - my apologies.
Eva</p>
<p>Got an email from his English teacher. S’14 had signed up for AP English next year (his first AP class and the only one his GC suggested for him for junior year), and she said she has enjoyed seeing his progress, but she feels the class would be too much for him (he has a learning disability). </p>
<p>I told her I appreciated her comments and suggestions. I’m fine with it, but S was concerned: when will I take all my APs? I told him – not everyone takes AP classes. IMO, the point of APs is not simply racking up as many as possible, it’s to challenge yourself. APs represent a good challenge for many students. But for a kid with LD, taking Honors English and a language and Honors Math, etc. is challenging enough. </p>
<p>And there’s always senior year – maybe he can do AP English then.</p>
<p>@Classof2015</p>
<p>Good morning! How can the GC suggest it and then say that she feels like it would be too much for him? Doesn’t make sense and why would she get his hopes up? Sounds like he wants to be challenged…</p>
<p>^thanks – I’m already frustrated and I’ve got a long way to go!</p>
<p>GC had suggested the class a few months ago when we picked out classes; English teacher just yesterday kaboshed it (with GC’s understanding and approval). This is the same GC who told S’14 to take SAT II for World History on June 2, after which S was thoroughly demoralized. </p>
<p>This is such an ugly process…</p>
<p>S14 just texted, “wow this Friday feels like the last day of school”. Well, that would be NEXT Friday, I had to remind him. Sure wish work stopped for the summer too…
Question. Are any of your kids doing any college prep stuff this summer? Thinking I’ll have S14 take some practice SAT tests, but not for any good reason besides “why not”. I’m firmly in the throes of applications-must-be-started with his sister (who is a rising senior) so maybe I’m not being fair here…he surely will object…</p>
<p>Ds is doing SAT/PSAT prep. In fact he started half an hour ago by logging on to college board to see his soph. PSAT. his assignment for the week (we got out of school on Tuesday) was to look at his errors and explore the website. </p>
<p>I have laid out a weekly study prep for him and told him it is all or nothing. He can’t do it when he feels like it. It includes working through the blue book every day and taking a full length timed practice test once a month. </p>
<p>I told him we have 400 dollars for test preparation. He could take a Sat class, hire a tutor or earn the money himself by self study. </p>
<p>Love to see an increase on the score and he isn’t a great test taker. Teachers say he makes silly mistakes so I think there’s potential.</p>
<p>Wow. I like that. Pay him to do the studying… Hmmm… that’s quite clever…</p>
<p>Wahoo: To be honest, I am about all tested out for now due to S13 
Maybe a few cocktails on the beach during our family trip in July will help me get the strength needed to get D14 in gear with testing, etc…</p>
<p>But to be perfectly honest, I would love for her to just enjoy this summer…just be a kid one last time. It’s going by WAY to fast :’(</p>
<p>Love what you said to your son, class of 2015? And you’re so right. My D’11 never took a single AP class. Hasn’t been a problem at all. I think d’14 might end up with just 2 because her interests lie in different areas than her sister. I don suspect it’ll be a problem for her, either.</p>
<p>Great idea! Double payment for studying for the SAT - better test scores and $$$!!!</p>
<p>@momreads, Thank you for your suggestion. My D wa able to take SAT US history in Chicago as standby.
I am very nervous about my D grades. Currently ,She has a GPA of 3.75 , not a staright A student. She is interested in HPME programs ( Northwestern, Brown etc). The competition seems very intense. Any of your kids interested in NU HPME? any suugestions?</p>