12/09/06 Cruise Continued ~ Pirating Bananas DIS Geekorama Part 2 Part 8

[BuzzBoyMom]

OK - ONE more post before I go to bed - the phone just rang, and I have to share my own good news (usually when the phone rings at midnight it is not always good news . . .)

Alex just called, and he got his MCAT results (Medical School Entrance Exam). He had to pass this test (they get three tries) in order to keep his seat for the medical school and enter the medical school. And, BTW, it costs over $200 each time to take it.

This was his first try.

You have to score at least average on the MCAT to be admitted to the medical school - which is a score of 24 - at least 8 on each of three sections. 45 is perfect.

Alex got a 35!

Woohooo!

Now he can relax through the rest of the year, and get decent grades without worrying about getting in to the med school next year. All this at just a little over 19 years old (most take it their junior year of college - at about age 21) - he is an amazing kid, and we are very proud of him.

Had to share with my closest friends!

John1

Congrats John. That is awesome and wonderful news!!! Thanks for sharing!

 

[lillygator]

from all the work posts it seems as if many are having rough days lately....hugs to everyone. Work is crazy right now with year end and heading into audit...top that off with losing three people! Yuck! I try not to think about it. They simply rent my brain for xx hours each day.

I would really like a job that I could actually be contributing something or helping people. I don't hate my job, but it just doesn't thrill me to come in here each day.

Not sure about tomorrow. I think we may end up staying home....
bummer for me!

 

[goofyforlife]

Now isn' t that a sweet smiley!!!!!!

Brandi that's all i got at lunch yesterday......

 

[BuzzBoyMom]

It is DATE NIGHT!!!! I have been waiting for 2 weeks for a night out without the kids!!!

Hope you have a wonderful date!!! Good think any pricing...won't affect your ability to cruise with us!

 

[BuzzBoyMom]

hmmm...not working...

like this one??? seemed good for date nights

 

[MMcCarthy]

Tell me about it! From the great state of Ohio . . .

And we have a NASTY governors race, with the Republicans spending money like water, on a guy that Bob Woodward said Bush called a "Nut".

He is an ultra-conservative African American Republican who is secretary of state, and wants to sell the turnpike to pay for education!

We are in full swing of "silly season" here in Ohio.

There are as many signs in yards as leaves these days (I can't comment on them though , because I had to do them too for school board)

John1

I couldn't realize why the ads started so early but this is the 1st year for no reason absentee ballots. a lot of people are voting absentee in order to avoid the lines in Nov. maybe the ads will start dying down now that all those people are done voting.

 

[BuzzBoyMom]

Lawyer...
Doctor...
Indian Chief...

This smilie is dedicated to John, Todd, and all the rest of us parents trying to figure out what our kids will grow up to be...

 

[BuzzBoyMom]

 

[BuzzBoyMom]

who's out there?

 

[lillygator]

checking in periodically!

 

[lillygator]

Can you believe 56 days? Really less if you are coming in earlier??!!! Yippee!!

 

[BuzzBoyMom]

56 days!!!! Wooo Hoo!!!

 

[GoofyforGoofy]

 

[lillygator]

who's got the packing going?

I have the girls stuff out all over the dining room table. And the toiletry bag going.

 

[BuzzBoyMom]

By the way Charlotte - love your picture. BEAUTIFUL!

 

[goofyforlife]

Believe me Lisa, the challenges will come. Ask the parents of the 8th graders who were chosen to take HS Alg this year who are complaining it is too hard!!

i had DD in the normal math in 6th grade and honors everything else. She ended up bored and had A's even with extra work. We switched her to honors math for 7th but then had to teach her a boatload of catch-up stuff that summer that the 6th grade honors class had learned.

She has algebra this year. Along with her 2nd year of Spanish (which she's getting HS credit for.) Haven't met the teachers yet but DD acts like she's doing ok.

 

[BuzzBoyMom]

Has anyone else checked out her picture on the site?

 

[BuzzBoyMom]

I'd better go...I have some contractors coming to demo something on my machine...those techies wouldn't understand the Dis fascination.

 

[lillygator]

Has anyone else checked out her picture on the site?

very hot!

 

[MMcCarthy]

I have been on both sides of school problems as far as the student goes. My DD has a hearing impairment and was developmental delayed because of it. she has been on an IEP since 1st grade. IEP meetings have got to be the most frustrating meetings around. Our worst meeting occurred in 6th grade. DD's IEP plan came home and on the 1st page it listed that she had 3 Fs. I had communicated with the teachers on a regular basis and they sent home periodic grade reports. never was anything mentioned about her having any Fs. at the meeting I let everyone know that I was frustrated and upset because no one had even bothered to email me that DD was having a problem. well her teacher looked at me and said "Well HUN what do you expect us to do?" I reamed him up one side and down the other. I told him "I am definitely not you HUN!!" My DH and Dfather were both at the meeting. It was very short and professional after that outburst. I got weekly updates and DD's grades were much better. she is now a sophmore in HS and getting As & Bs. She is still on an IEP but it is only because by law she has to be because of her hearing impairment.

DS on the other hand is in the gifted program. the 1st grade teacher had a problem with him because he finished his class work too quickly. the 2nd grade teacher decided to allow him to help other students in the class when he was done with his work. the 3rd grade teacher wanted to test him to see if he could be placed in the gifted program. she called & told me he could not be placed in the gifted program because he did not finish the test. when I asked him why he didn't finish, he looked at me and said "I already knew all the answers. why should I write them down?". he finally finished the tests in 4th grade and was placed in advanced math, reading, and citizenship (social studies). it was hard at first for him to do all the work they give but is doing great now.

I have fought battles for both of my children so that they can get the best education. I know the schools are sometimes handcuffed with what they can do but I also know from experience that many times the administration does not oversee the teachers and principals very well. sometimes it takes an irrate parent to get the ball rolling. I always try to go into meetings tell everyone how good of a job they are doing. I have found that by praising the team at the beginning of the meeting and then bringing up the problems we are having works very well.

Okay, I will get off my soap box now. I told you guys I can't write in single sentences. I have to write a book every time I post.

Missy

ps TGIF finally