Congrats to everyone!
At DS8s elementary, they made every kid participate in a maths competition where they have to solve maths problems in teams of three (put together by the teacher, so it was very interesting what teams she'd come up with) and present their solutions to a jury. DS was very stressed by this, particularly as the teacher made no bones about expecting him and his team to compete at the district level - not exactly unbiased, was she? - but since she wasn't on the school jury, I guess who cares....
Even though there was some friction in his team (both of the other kids are his friends but can't stand each other, and one was even more reluctant to compete than he was, while the third was all gung-ho) they managed to work together (I told DS it was his job to integrate the team!) and win at the school level. Now they will compete at district level - during the week they are at sleepaway camp! Apparently the school where the district competition will be held is only 3 miles away so one mom has agreed to drive the half hour to camp, take the to the competition and back while the camp activities will be put on hold.
My usually anxiety ridden DS, so far, is taking it all in stride.
And he's started serving as an altar boy!
I am so very proud of how he is dealing with all these expectations, all the while being the youngest everywhere.

My 2nd son, 9yo and in 4th grade, earned SCAT scores that qualified him for High Honors. He did especially well in math, scoring in the 99th percentile for 6th graders. We went twice to the CTY regional awards ceremony for his elder brother, and he also wanted to be recognized in the ceremony -- and feast on the chocolate chip cookies they provide . In two years, on to the SAT!

That's great, Bostonian! Congrats to him on the excellent performance.

Congratulations to your DS, Bostonian! That is wonderful!

Very nice!

BTW, I never took the SAT - what level of Maths do the questions go up to? Wondering when my DD10 will be ready to try it...

Started a new thread -- Preparing for the new math SAT

Only hope she knows what she plans on doing in the future and is aware that even though her choice seems the most sensible that in some instances it actually isn't... but that all depends on what she plans on doing in the future. I recall a classmate in graduate school was interviewing for positions with a big management consulting firm and was told flat out that while her grades were great and her experience was good, that her undergrad was from Rutgers and that was the reason that they wouldn't be offering her a job... And that was even though she was coming out of a top 3 MBA program.

So remember that in some fields they are actually so shallow that they will look at where you went to school.

Hey DrH,
Since we're about to veer off bragging into another subject, I'm starting a new thread.

The discussion can be continued in the thread Where You Go Is Not Who You'll Be.

So excited today! DS was elected school president!

While we are thrilled that his fellow classmates look up to him, we are still not sure how he became so popular--he doesn't play sports, or participate in any school activities, has no social media accounts, and barely sees his classmates outside of school. The first inkling we had that could win was when elections were announced a month ago and a few kids spontaneously started running in the halls yelling "Vote for DS".