Gifted Issues Discussion homepage Forums Parenting and Advocacy when I start to doubt school being a good thing...

I was in an anti-school mood yesterday. Mulling over all the ways dd's school could serve her better. Then, I went to pick her up.

Yesterday was the day we had set aside time after school to deliver jars of homemade blueberry jam to all her teachers and support people. (She made the jam, labels, and even picked the berries.) She literally skipped all over the building, her OEness in full glory, delivering 18 jars of jam, and getting lots of hugs. Everyone stopped whatever they were doing to interact with her. She is clearly beloved. I am humbled. And she got lots, and lots of exercise.

It might not be perfect, but it is a good, good thing.

We had one of those days yesterday.
GS10's grades are suffering because he's not completing his classwork and/or homework, and when he does do it, he forgets to turn it in! His test scores are still in the 95-100 range so it's obvious he really doesn't need to do the classwork/homework, but he's still required to do it. It's apparently causing me more distress than it does him, as I've been considering pulling him out of school rather than let this pattern become an ingrained work habit.
Yesterday I picked him up from his Destination Imagination team meeting after school. He bounced down the hall toward me and said, "This is the best thing EVER! I love DI!" He wouldn't have had this chance if he didn't go to this school. It made my heart sing to see him so happy in this group. He'll start after school lessons in Chinese in a couple weeks, also not possible if I homeschool.
He, too, is known and loved by the teachers, even if he drives them crazy at times!

Sounds lovely and this will be a good post to re-read in early January when the kids return to school. I have my most anti-school moods at the end of breaks.

This is good to read!

This is absolutely beautiful. Your post helps me to remember that, although we have had plenty of frustrations, there have been incredible teachers along the way for my kids. I am grateful.

What a wonderful day!!!! YES!!!

Dazey