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Topic : School Issues
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July 11, 2007, 2:32 pm PDT
 Quote From: bactphd95 As far as the bit with the lysine, I was merely curious about it...I've got a pretty decent background in biochemistry.
You have the opposite humidity problems we do... here, 50%-plus humidity is the norm; in the summer months it can be much more humid than that.
I'm really the "mean Momma" when it comes to TV. DD & I have had any number of pitched battles in recent months about what is and is not appropriate. Worse, I can't keep up with all the movies out there on cable (even though we only have the "budget basic," no ESPN, HBO, etc.) and what they keep in/edit out for broadcast. On more than one occasion, she's been already well into a movie before I realize it's PG-13/TV-14...she gets sneaky. We watch the R-stuff after she's down for the night...somehow, "Animal House" is NOT exactly what I call a "family film"...LOL
As far as Mack goes, I don't know about the #s of male tri-color kitties, just that today there is one fewer. :-(
I knew when DH came home for lunch today. DH NEVER comes home for lunch.
Mack didn't survive this morning's surgery. We got a call from the vet mid-morning saying that the tumor was much worse than she originally thought and to cut it out would require an amputation. We agreed to it,and I kept thinking, "he isn't going to make it." Sure enough, about 5 minutes after DH told the vet to proceed, he got the call back saying that he had gone into cardiac arrest as they were prepping him for the more invasive surgery. DH is taking this REALLY hard. DD won't know until I get her home from v-ball camp in about an hour and a half.
I need to get going soon. *See* you another day.
-bact I'm so sorry that you lost your dear Mack...I know how hard it is to lose such a dear pet...they really do become part of the family. He was a very pretty cat. I'm sure that you will always treasure your memories of him.
When we buried Maggie, we put some rose petals in her grave, and we each (through tears) said something that we remembered about her. We buried her underneath a tree in the front yard, and I bought a pretty cat statue for her grave. I plan to paint her portrait on a rock, to remember her by. We hung a picture of her on the wall, and I put together a little photo album of all of the pictures that were taken of her over the short two and a half years that she lived.
Our youngest son still cries a lot about the loss of our kitty...he seems quite depressed at times...this worries us a bit, but he went through the same kind of depressive symptoms when my dad passed away in March...I think the two events so close together are compounding on each other.
Becky |
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July 13, 2007, 11:32 am PDT
Just checking in to see how you and your family are doing after the loss of your kitty. You've been in my thoughts...Becky |
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July 15, 2007, 11:45 am PDT
Quote From: mustbecrazy Just checking in to see how you and your family are doing after the loss of your kitty. You've been in my thoughts...Becky Thanx for your concern. DH is still extremely down, whereas DD is already chomping at the bit about a kitten. The compromise worked out is that nothing will happen before the 2-y/o is potty trained.
Unfortunately, something has occurred that makes it necessary for "bactphd95" to take an extended sabbatical from the DrP boards. I would prefer not to divulge any further details in this forum.
:-(
Until I'm not sure when, -bact |
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July 20, 2007, 1:02 pm PDT
Quote From: bactphd95 Thanx for your concern. DH is still extremely down, whereas DD is already chomping at the bit about a kitten. The compromise worked out is that nothing will happen before the 2-y/o is potty trained.
Unfortunately, something has occurred that makes it necessary for "bactphd95" to take an extended sabbatical from the DrP boards. I would prefer not to divulge any further details in this forum.
:-(
Until I'm not sure when, -bact I do check for new messages frequently, so I'll be here when you get back.
Becky |
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August 8, 2007, 6:12 am PDT
Hi, there.
From the posts, you seem to be a veteran, and de facto expert, on things academic in middle school. My daughter will be entering 6th grade in less than 2 weeks, and I could use a basic primer of "what to expect." Her elementary school was pretty demanding (on average > 1 hr of HW/night since 3rd grade, oftentimes closer to 2 hr), and I've already heard the horror tales about middle.
I've also heard that the first impression, right or wrong, carries a LOAD of weight with the teachers. How can I impress upon my daughter the importance of hitting the ground running so she does NOT get "branded"?
Thanks for any wisdom. |
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August 8, 2007, 12:08 pm PDT
Quote From: profmaryann Hi, there.
From the posts, you seem to be a veteran, and de facto expert, on things academic in middle school. My daughter will be entering 6th grade in less than 2 weeks, and I could use a basic primer of "what to expect." Her elementary school was pretty demanding (on average > 1 hr of HW/night since 3rd grade, oftentimes closer to 2 hr), and I've already heard the horror tales about middle.
I've also heard that the first impression, right or wrong, carries a LOAD of weight with the teachers. How can I impress upon my daughter the importance of hitting the ground running so she does NOT get "branded"?
Thanks for any wisdom. In our school district, the kids have one main teacher through 6th grade, and then in 7th grade, the kids get a different teacher for every subject.
It is a huge adjustment for kids to go from one teacher to six...they feel much more anonymous...much like one of the large crowd. It is easy for the teachers to fail to see when a student is struggling. Plus, our expereince has been that every teacher assigns homework as if they are the only teacher the kids have.
Does your daughter have any learning disabilities or ADHD? If so, then she should have a 504 plan, or individual education plan in place.
Your daughter needs to know how to use class time wisely...many teachers give enough time in class to get a good portion of that day's assignment done, with the rest becoming homework. Our middle son does NOT use his class time wisely, and he pays for it in the evenings.
If your daughter has "no homework", be suspicious. Email the teachers and find out what the assignments are for the week. You have the right to communicate with the teachers, whether or not your child has a learning disability. Drop in after school once in awhile and say hello to the teachers. If your daughter is falling behind, set up an appointment for a meeting with the teacher(s) involved.
Communication is the most important thing. Also, does your school district have a website where you can check your daughter's grades on a regular basis? Our district site is updated once a week, so I can check for missing assignments.
Because of our son's ADHD, we have a 504 plan for him with accomodations that the school needs to make for him. The biggest one is that he has to CALL ME if he doesn't turn in an assignment when it is due. I make him do all of the work that I know about, and I will take him back to the school to get his books and homework if he "forgets" it.
Don't pass on the "horror tales" to your daughter...she needs to come into her new school with a good and confident attitude. Kids can adapt to having multiple teachers...it just takes time. Are there any parent volunteer opportunities at your daughter's school? I volunteered in the elementary school for 10 years, while we had kids there. My youngest is now going into the intermediate school, 4th grade. I will be checking to see what volunteer opportunities there are at his new school. Being present as a volunteer lets you observe closer what is going on in your daughter's classes, and gets you more visible to your daughter's teachers in a positive way. Field trips are a good volunteer opportunity, plus making copies, correcting papers, decorating the classroom...etc. Anything that shows that you care about your daughter's education, without being overbearing, or too demanding, is helpful.
Most of all, keep up on your daughter's progress...make sure that she is getting all of her work done. Pay attention to the progress reports that come home from school. See if the teacher posts or prints out what the upcoming assignments are. Middle school is survivable...my middle son is moving on to high school this year...I already know all of the teachers because our oldest son just graduated from high school...it is helpful to know the teachers.
Our school starts September 4th, right after Labor Day.
I don't know if there is any way to impress on kids that they need to do their work...they can't see beyond the "right now". Our middle son wants good grades, but he fails to relate the need for doing his daily work to his overall grade. He aces the tests, but he ended up with a few C's last year because of late and missing daily work. He would have ended up worse if not for my communication with the teachers. Again, if I know about the assignment, I will make sure that it gets done.
I am hoping that our middle son will buckle down and do his work...from 9th grade on, his grades will be on his "permanent record", affecting college applications and scholarships. His older brother messed around in 9th & 10th grades, and then finally turned himself around and ended up graduating high school with honors...but his 9th and 10th grade marks affected his overall grade point average.
Good luck...Becky |
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August 8, 2007, 5:39 pm PDT
Quote From: mustbecrazy In our school district, the kids have one main teacher through 6th grade, and then in 7th grade, the kids get a different teacher for every subject.
It is a huge adjustment for kids to go from one teacher to six...they feel much more anonymous...much like one of the large crowd. It is easy for the teachers to fail to see when a student is struggling. Plus, our expereince has been that every teacher assigns homework as if they are the only teacher the kids have.
Does your daughter have any learning disabilities or ADHD? If so, then she should have a 504 plan, or individual education plan in place.
Your daughter needs to know how to use class time wisely...many teachers give enough time in class to get a good portion of that day's assignment done, with the rest becoming homework. Our middle son does NOT use his class time wisely, and he pays for it in the evenings.
If your daughter has "no homework", be suspicious. Email the teachers and find out what the assignments are for the week. You have the right to communicate with the teachers, whether or not your child has a learning disability. Drop in after school once in awhile and say hello to the teachers. If your daughter is falling behind, set up an appointment for a meeting with the teacher(s) involved.
Communication is the most important thing. Also, does your school district have a website where you can check your daughter's grades on a regular basis? Our district site is updated once a week, so I can check for missing assignments.
Because of our son's ADHD, we have a 504 plan for him with accomodations that the school needs to make for him. The biggest one is that he has to CALL ME if he doesn't turn in an assignment when it is due. I make him do all of the work that I know about, and I will take him back to the school to get his books and homework if he "forgets" it.
Don't pass on the "horror tales" to your daughter...she needs to come into her new school with a good and confident attitude. Kids can adapt to having multiple teachers...it just takes time. Are there any parent volunteer opportunities at your daughter's school? I volunteered in the elementary school for 10 years, while we had kids there. My youngest is now going into the intermediate school, 4th grade. I will be checking to see what volunteer opportunities there are at his new school. Being present as a volunteer lets you observe closer what is going on in your daughter's classes, and gets you more visible to your daughter's teachers in a positive way. Field trips are a good volunteer opportunity, plus making copies, correcting papers, decorating the classroom...etc. Anything that shows that you care about your daughter's education, without being overbearing, or too demanding, is helpful.
Most of all, keep up on your daughter's progress...make sure that she is getting all of her work done. Pay attention to the progress reports that come home from school. See if the teacher posts or prints out what the upcoming assignments are. Middle school is survivable...my middle son is moving on to high school this year...I already know all of the teachers because our oldest son just graduated from high school...it is helpful to know the teachers.
Our school starts September 4th, right after Labor Day.
I don't know if there is any way to impress on kids that they need to do their work...they can't see beyond the "right now". Our middle son wants good grades, but he fails to relate the need for doing his daily work to his overall grade. He aces the tests, but he ended up with a few C's last year because of late and missing daily work. He would have ended up worse if not for my communication with the teachers. Again, if I know about the assignment, I will make sure that it gets done.
I am hoping that our middle son will buckle down and do his work...from 9th grade on, his grades will be on his "permanent record", affecting college applications and scholarships. His older brother messed around in 9th & 10th grades, and then finally turned himself around and ended up graduating high school with honors...but his 9th and 10th grade marks affected his overall grade point average.
Good luck...Becky We start Aug. 20, end a week and a half after Memorial Day. Orientation/Meet the Teacher is Friday a week.
In the elementary school, the students start teacher-swtiching in 4th grade - one for reading/Language arts, another for math, social studies, & science. It will still be a jump, going from 2 teachers to 6, but not as dramatic.
The school has a Website, but the updating seems to be a bit spotty. Individual teachers may or may not have their own sites, in which course curricula, policies, and often assignments are spelled out. However, there is no single site at which to access a student's grades at any particular time.
My daughter has had a "forgetfulness" problem in the past - let's hope that's where it stays!
I'd better buckle myself in and be prepared for a wild ride...LOL
Thanks for the wisdom.
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August 8, 2007, 7:51 pm PDT
Quote From: profmaryann We start Aug. 20, end a week and a half after Memorial Day. Orientation/Meet the Teacher is Friday a week.
In the elementary school, the students start teacher-swtiching in 4th grade - one for reading/Language arts, another for math, social studies, & science. It will still be a jump, going from 2 teachers to 6, but not as dramatic.
The school has a Website, but the updating seems to be a bit spotty. Individual teachers may or may not have their own sites, in which course curricula, policies, and often assignments are spelled out. However, there is no single site at which to access a student's grades at any particular time.
My daughter has had a "forgetfulness" problem in the past - let's hope that's where it stays!
I'd better buckle myself in and be prepared for a wild ride...LOL
Thanks for the wisdom.
Our kids have one main teacher starting in kindergarten, with switches for PE, computers, library, & music...they rotate through the "specials" so that they go to each one once a week. There is no homework in the "specials" classes. There is no separation to another teacher for math or reading. Although, my youngest son's 3rd grade teacher split the class by reading level into 4 different groups, and she had teacher's aids help her with that.
In 4th grade, the rotation is one quarter of music every day, one quarter of PE, one quarter of computer tech, and one quarter of health class. They have a different teacher for this, but the same teacher for math and reading. I wish that they would split them up for reading and math because the kids are at such diverse levels that the ones way ahead and the ones way behind are cheated out of getting the education that they deserve.
Our youngest son, entering 4th grade, may be gifted, according to his 3rd grade teacher...there is no point in testing because our district is too small to support a gifted program. I just hope that the teachers can keep him challenged. I want him in the mainstream classes, but he needs to be allowed to work at his own level in certain areas. I know he will enjoy music class...he is learning a little bit on the clarinet in anticipation of 5th grade band. He wants to go into it knowing how to read music and a little about how to play the clarinet. I am a trumpet player, so we are learning the clarinet together. We are not doing lessons outside of home at this point...just letting him practice as he wants to.
Our middle son has the forgetfulness problem...that's why I keep such close tabs on him. High school will be another big change for him, but it is in the same building as the junior high...just different wings of the building. So he will know his way around...won't be getting lost or anything. I just hope that the high school teachers are willing to communicate with me...I will be doing emails from day one. The meeting to set his 504 plan for the school year won't happen for a few weeks...grrrr!! I wanted it in place before school starts, but the counselor won't be "able to get to it" until after school starts and is "settled down"...we'll have to go off of last year's plan until the meeting happens.
The junior high has six class periods during the day, but the high school only has five...so less homework there...our middle son's elective is band...trumpet player...one of the best players in the band, according to the band teacher...I make him practice every day...if he's going to be in band, he had better be dedicated. He has "band teacher" on his list of career choices...he has some time to decide, but that would be a great choice for him.
On the ADHD thing...I think I've posted before that many kids with ADHD symptoms actually have a sleep disorder causing the problems...our older two boys both have Narcolepsy (newly diagnosed for the middle son), and the middle son has Restless Legs Syndrome on top of the Narcolepsy. Our youngest son has Restless Legs Syndrome, and has the early signs of Narcolepsy...he is having a daytime sleep study done in a couple of weeks to see if he needs treatment for it yet. Frequent daytime sleepiness and sudden falling asleep are not the only symptoms of Narcolepsy. Our son (the youngest) drops things out of his hands when startled, and has the disconcerting experiences of his body falling asleep while his mind stays awake...I have Narcolepsy, and I have these symptoms too. They are both classic symptoms of Narcolepsy. Our youngest son has times when he is just too tired to do anything, and after school, he crashes for a nap before doing homework.
For the forgetfulness factor in our middle son, MOM will show up at school in spandex leopard print pants if there are too many missed assignments...I have them, and I WILL wear them if necessary. (If that doesn't get results, then we'll have to send DAD in with the leopard pants on!!LOL) In the mean time, I'll just show up after school to pick him up,...mainly to check out the posted assignments, and to make sure that he has his books and materials needed...no "I don't have any homework" excuses...I don't believe him when he says that. I hope that the teachers will respond to my emails with the week's assignments in advance...then I am armed with the info needed to make him do the work. I would prefer that he come home on the bus, with all of the materials and books in hand...we'll try it for a few days...but...those missed assignments will add up in a hurry, snowballing into a huge mess.
AND it doesn't stop with high school...our oldest son is scheduled to start culinary school in October, but we're not sure that he is quite ready to be that far away from home...he has spent much of his Summer earnings, which were supposed to be saved up for his rent and food for when he goes to school...we have custody of his checkbook and debit card for now...he's already proven not to be responsible enough to have it...I balanced his checkbook for him, after he received 7 over-draft charges...he hadn't made entries for MOST of what he spent...they were on the bank statement...he's in for a huge talk this weekend...he's away at the local YMCA camp for his summer job...comes home on weekends. We could make him wait another 6 months before starting school...working at a local job, or something...but I'm not sure what that would do to his health insurance coverage through my husband's work...they will let him be on the plan until age 25, as long as he is a full-time student...we'll have to check on that one...he is an expensive medication for the Narcolepsy...would cost him a lot to have to pay for it out-of -pocket.
Well...gotta round up the kids for their showers and getting ready for bed....the rollercoaster never ends...woo hoo!!....Becky |
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August 9, 2007, 6:41 am PDT
Quote From: mustbecrazy Our kids have one main teacher starting in kindergarten, with switches for PE, computers, library, & music...they rotate through the "specials" so that they go to each one once a week. There is no homework in the "specials" classes. There is no separation to another teacher for math or reading. Although, my youngest son's 3rd grade teacher split the class by reading level into 4 different groups, and she had teacher's aids help her with that.
In 4th grade, the rotation is one quarter of music every day, one quarter of PE, one quarter of computer tech, and one quarter of health class. They have a different teacher for this, but the same teacher for math and reading. I wish that they would split them up for reading and math because the kids are at such diverse levels that the ones way ahead and the ones way behind are cheated out of getting the education that they deserve.
Our youngest son, entering 4th grade, may be gifted, according to his 3rd grade teacher...there is no point in testing because our district is too small to support a gifted program. I just hope that the teachers can keep him challenged. I want him in the mainstream classes, but he needs to be allowed to work at his own level in certain areas. I know he will enjoy music class...he is learning a little bit on the clarinet in anticipation of 5th grade band. He wants to go into it knowing how to read music and a little about how to play the clarinet. I am a trumpet player, so we are learning the clarinet together. We are not doing lessons outside of home at this point...just letting him practice as he wants to.
Our middle son has the forgetfulness problem...that's why I keep such close tabs on him. High school will be another big change for him, but it is in the same building as the junior high...just different wings of the building. So he will know his way around...won't be getting lost or anything. I just hope that the high school teachers are willing to communicate with me...I will be doing emails from day one. The meeting to set his 504 plan for the school year won't happen for a few weeks...grrrr!! I wanted it in place before school starts, but the counselor won't be "able to get to it" until after school starts and is "settled down"...we'll have to go off of last year's plan until the meeting happens.
The junior high has six class periods during the day, but the high school only has five...so less homework there...our middle son's elective is band...trumpet player...one of the best players in the band, according to the band teacher...I make him practice every day...if he's going to be in band, he had better be dedicated. He has "band teacher" on his list of career choices...he has some time to decide, but that would be a great choice for him.
On the ADHD thing...I think I've posted before that many kids with ADHD symptoms actually have a sleep disorder causing the problems...our older two boys both have Narcolepsy (newly diagnosed for the middle son), and the middle son has Restless Legs Syndrome on top of the Narcolepsy. Our youngest son has Restless Legs Syndrome, and has the early signs of Narcolepsy...he is having a daytime sleep study done in a couple of weeks to see if he needs treatment for it yet. Frequent daytime sleepiness and sudden falling asleep are not the only symptoms of Narcolepsy. Our son (the youngest) drops things out of his hands when startled, and has the disconcerting experiences of his body falling asleep while his mind stays awake...I have Narcolepsy, and I have these symptoms too. They are both classic symptoms of Narcolepsy. Our youngest son has times when he is just too tired to do anything, and after school, he crashes for a nap before doing homework.
For the forgetfulness factor in our middle son, MOM will show up at school in spandex leopard print pants if there are too many missed assignments...I have them, and I WILL wear them if necessary. (If that doesn't get results, then we'll have to send DAD in with the leopard pants on!!LOL) In the mean time, I'll just show up after school to pick him up,...mainly to check out the posted assignments, and to make sure that he has his books and materials needed...no "I don't have any homework" excuses...I don't believe him when he says that. I hope that the teachers will respond to my emails with the week's assignments in advance...then I am armed with the info needed to make him do the work. I would prefer that he come home on the bus, with all of the materials and books in hand...we'll try it for a few days...but...those missed assignments will add up in a hurry, snowballing into a huge mess.
AND it doesn't stop with high school...our oldest son is scheduled to start culinary school in October, but we're not sure that he is quite ready to be that far away from home...he has spent much of his Summer earnings, which were supposed to be saved up for his rent and food for when he goes to school...we have custody of his checkbook and debit card for now...he's already proven not to be responsible enough to have it...I balanced his checkbook for him, after he received 7 over-draft charges...he hadn't made entries for MOST of what he spent...they were on the bank statement...he's in for a huge talk this weekend...he's away at the local YMCA camp for his summer job...comes home on weekends. We could make him wait another 6 months before starting school...working at a local job, or something...but I'm not sure what that would do to his health insurance coverage through my husband's work...they will let him be on the plan until age 25, as long as he is a full-time student...we'll have to check on that one...he is an expensive medication for the Narcolepsy...would cost him a lot to have to pay for it out-of -pocket.
Well...gotta round up the kids for their showers and getting ready for bed....the rollercoaster never ends...woo hoo!!....Becky I didn't mention the specials du jour, starting in K - thought that went w/o saying.
OMG, spandex leopard pants! Dunno which is the more jarring mental pic - MOM showing up, or Son's reaction!! But RLS & Narcolepsy must be tough to deal with, esp. in the "trying to figure out what's going on" process.
SEVEN overdrafts?? Does he realize he's not making 50K? That's a lot of "oops" in a fairly short time - no wonder the debit card is on ice (perhaps literally? I've heard of people doing that to make them think about whether a purchase is truly worth it). Dunno whether another 6 mo. would make that big a diff in oldest's financial habits - it may be that the only way for him to learn "how" is to "do" - and deal with the consequences of screwing up.
g2g - 2 y/o is SCREAMING over who-knows-what.
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August 9, 2007, 5:32 pm PDT
Quote From: profmaryann I didn't mention the specials du jour, starting in K - thought that went w/o saying.
OMG, spandex leopard pants! Dunno which is the more jarring mental pic - MOM showing up, or Son's reaction!! But RLS & Narcolepsy must be tough to deal with, esp. in the "trying to figure out what's going on" process.
SEVEN overdrafts?? Does he realize he's not making 50K? That's a lot of "oops" in a fairly short time - no wonder the debit card is on ice (perhaps literally? I've heard of people doing that to make them think about whether a purchase is truly worth it). Dunno whether another 6 mo. would make that big a diff in oldest's financial habits - it may be that the only way for him to learn "how" is to "do" - and deal with the consequences of screwing up.
g2g - 2 y/o is SCREAMING over who-knows-what.
Spandex is not a pretty sight on me...LOL
When I went through my son's checking account, I found that he had not recorded most of his debit card transactions!! Hopefully, it was a real eye-opener for him to experience the consequences. The culinary school doesn't have any openings for a later start, so we'll have to go with the October start...you're right...has to make his own mistakes...six months won't really make a difference. We will help him find an apartment in September, plus he needs a job. The school will help with both the apartment search and the job search. We have to co-sign on his apartment, so he had better keep up with the rent!! I may make him put a month's rent into a savings account in case of an emergency...his student loan includes $1500 for relocation...that should take care of the first, last, and deposit, plus a few groceries. There are no furnished apartments available, so he will also have to get some 2nd hand furniture down there...3 hour drive...don't want to be hauling a lot of stuff...maybe one of my brothers might have some furniture to loan...four of my brothers live in the same city as the school. He will get to stay on our medical insurance until age 23, or when he is completely on his own, whether or not he is in school.
MOM has shown up at school before, as a consequence of homework not turned in...just in regular clothes though...embarrassing enough!! Hopefully, the spandex can stay in the drawer!!
Well, dinner is almost ready...gotta go....Becky |
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