Parents of the Class of 2019

[wishesuponastar]

Where are your 2019 children volunteering? Trying to get ideas. The pp mentioned 4-h that is a good idea!

 

[Colleen27]

Where are your 2019 children volunteering? Trying to get ideas. The pp mentioned 4-h that is a good idea!

4H is my daughter's biggie. She's involved in a number of project areas and as a teen leader at a community garden as well as in our own club. She just took "ownership" of the garden at her school, which benefits the parish food pantry, which will be the capstone service project that her school requires during junior or senior year. The garden was officially started last year by a teacher without any gardening experience and without sufficient support to maintain it, but with DD's 4H experience she's got a better understanding of what is needed and she's doing a good job of recruiting teens who need service hours and elem schoolers interested in helping out to tend it over the summer. She also does a lot with the parish elem, helping out with fundraisers and events for the younger kids, and gets some hours as part of her school's ecology club. She has to have 15 hours/year for religion class (spread over at least 3 of 6 service categories, so no one project can cover them all) and now she'll need NHS hours as well (the school doesn't allow them to double count), plus her capstone project, and I don't anticipate she'll have any problems meeting the requirements.

 

[PollyannaMom]

Where are your 2019 children volunteering? Trying to get ideas...

My DS also has a 15-hour per year requirement. He usually does some food pantry work in the summer, and a recycling effort at school during the year.

Random one-day things he's also done were an environmental stewardship thing through the aquarium, and helping out at an elementary school event.

His school sometimes posts opportunities on the website, too - childcare for parents' group meetings, that sort of thing - so check there as well.

 

[mjkacmom]

Where are your 2019 children volunteering? Trying to get ideas. The pp mentioned 4-h that is a good idea!

All of my kids start teaching CCD at our church Sunday mornings starting in 10th grade. It also looks good on job applications, and they don't have to worry about adding up hours.

ETA, our HS is always emailing volunteer opportunities for the kids.

 

[Gumbo4x4]

DD did 60 hours of tutoring.

 

[ColoradoDisneyFreaks]

DD has applied at our district's elementary camp as a counselor for her volunteer hours. She'll meet her graduation requirements from a trip that she's signed up for between her Junior and Senior years, but she loved doing this camp when she was in 5th grade and wants to be a counselor for it as well.

 

[soccerdad72]

Where are your 2019 children volunteering? Trying to get ideas. The pp mentioned 4-h that is a good idea!

My son has been volunteering for a couple years now with an Adaptive Sports program (soccer, of course ) for special needs kids. It's a great program where they try to pair up volunteers one-on-one with a kid and they usually stay with the same child the whole 7 weeks. My son has really enjoyed it.

 

[soccerdad72]

Oh, and we're now booked for Denver. Leaving July 13th, we'll be in Denver from Thursday night to Sunday afternoon. Friday morning, we have a Q&A session and tour at DU, plus lunch on campus. Saturday, we're doing a zip line / whitewater rafting trip. Other than that, we're going to hang out around the city and enjoy a mini-vacation.

 

[bjscheel]

This week my DD is volunteering at a Vacation Bible School at a church in our town. We missed the VBS at our church due to vacation, but she has gone to Youth Group at this other church with her friends this spring.

On Friday we had college orientation for DD18 at her community college and we took DD15. As I mentioned upthread, she hadn't wanted to consider a cc, but this is a really nice one and she was impressed with the school, the town, and the housing. So we'll see!

 

[Lynne G]

Volunteering to get community service hours at our local hospital. Now working at the summer camp she used to go to. Thankful the camp hired her last year too, so no more camp fee payments. Cannot believe will be 16 at the end of the summer, and a Junior in high school. Still not sure where she wants to go or do, but has interest in medical field. Oh my pocketbook. LOL

 

[MerissaAndMomLoveDis]

We had a busy weekend here! Friday was my DD Sweet Sixteen Birthday Party. It really turned out great, and the kids danced,danced,danced. It had a masquerade formal/semi-formal theme and all the kids seemed to enjoy getting dressed up and wearing masks. We rented a ballroom at the Municipal Center one town over, had a DJ, a candy buffet, cake and cupcakes, food from ChickFila, props for photos, etc. I was so lucky that my neighbor's son got married recently and I was able to borrow tablecloths, table runners, chair covers,and very cool centerpieces that used floating candles and water marbles. I am so happy that it turned out so well.
On Saturday, we packed like crazy, and on Sunday morning at 5:00am, I took her to the airport to fly to Providence, Rhode Island for the pre-college program she is attending at Brown. I was really proud of her flying by herself, managing all her luggage including dorm room furnishing, making her way to campus, getting checked in, etc. Today is her actual birthday. First time I have not been with her on her birthday. I am proud of her and keep telling myself it's time to let her spread her wings and fly, but I'd be lying if I didn't admit this is a little hard on an ole mama.

 

[danjoan14]

On Saturday, we packed like crazy, and on Sunday morning at 5:00am, I took her to the airport to fly to Providence, Rhode Island for the pre-college program she is attending at Brown.

Brown University is a great school. My niece graduated from there last year and landed a great job right out of college. She also played soccer for them all four years. RI is a nice State. Best of luck to her.

 

[ColoradoDisneyFreaks]

Oh, and we're now booked for Denver. Leaving July 13th, we'll be in Denver from Thursday night to Sunday afternoon. Friday morning, we have a Q&A session and tour at DU, plus lunch on campus. Saturday, we're doing a zip line / whitewater rafting trip. Other than that, we're going to hang out around the city and enjoy a mini-vacation.

That's great! It's been hot here the last couple of weeks, with more to come, so be prepared for a lot of sun and 90 degree weather. Also plan on drinking a LOT of water. We're in the high desert, there's pretty much no humidity, so most people don't realize how dehydrated they get just walking around. You'll see a lot of people walking around with water bottles all the time here, if you find yourself getting a headache, you're dehydrated. Chug a bunch of water and find some shade. Shout if you have any questions or need anything, I'll be around.

We just got back from vacation number 2 for the summer, the big family vacation. We got to spend 2 weeks in the Galapagos diving and seeing the wildlife! It was amazing, and our diving master said that if DD doesn't want to become a scientist she can definitely be a dive master, she ended up coming up with more air than he did several dives, which he said has never happened. I managed to get a severe ankle sprain halfway through the vacation so missed diving with the iguanas, but did get to see lots of hammerhead sharks, some whale sharks, and some awesome time with sea lions, so that is a major plus!

DD has a trip to Boston in a few weeks to visit MIT and meet with a professor there that she interviewed for her biotech class and hopefully get a tour of her lab, then a cruise with the in-laws (joy, yay...) and they'll go back to school. Summer has gone by way too fast!

 

[soccerdad72]

That's great! It's been hot here the last couple of weeks, with more to come, so be prepared for a lot of sun and 90 degree weather. Also plan on drinking a LOT of water. We're in the high desert, there's pretty much no humidity, so most people don't realize how dehydrated they get just walking around. You'll see a lot of people walking around with water bottles all the time here, if you find yourself getting a headache, you're dehydrated. Chug a bunch of water and find some shade. Shout if you have any questions or need anything, I'll be around.

We just got back from vacation number 2 for the summer, the big family vacation. We got to spend 2 weeks in the Galapagos diving and seeing the wildlife! It was amazing, and our diving master said that if DD doesn't want to become a scientist she can definitely be a dive master, she ended up coming up with more air than he did several dives, which he said has never happened. I managed to get a severe ankle sprain halfway through the vacation so missed diving with the iguanas, but did get to see lots of hammerhead sharks, some whale sharks, and some awesome time with sea lions, so that is a major plus!

DD has a trip to Boston in a few weeks to visit MIT and meet with a professor there that she interviewed for her biotech class and hopefully get a tour of her lab, then a cruise with the in-laws (joy, yay...) and they'll go back to school. Summer has gone by way too fast!

Thanks for the advice! We're really looking forward to it and I'll probably have some questions soon.

2 weeks in the Galapagos sounds awesome! We didn't plan any major trips this summer because we have a 12 night European cruise planned for next year, but are trying to squeeze in some long weekend type trips (like to Denver )

 

[bjscheel]

The Galapagos- wow! What a trip! I did a term paper on the islands in middle school...

Our trip to Colorado was good. The best part was a downhill bike tour starting up high on Trail Ridge Road and going into Estes Park. And DD loved seeing a performance of Newsies at the Rocky Mountain Repertory Theater.

We've been working on soliciting donations for the county fair concession stand for her class to raise money for prom. Today she is helping with a camp at a State Park. Tomorrow night she has an overnight Student Council event where they do a lot of the planning for the upcoming school year.

Our principal is talking about eliminating Homecoming Court, because the public comes in to watch coronation in the gym, and then some people stay for the dance that aren't supposed to be there (dates over 20 years old). The kids want a bunch of students and parents to go to the School Board meeting next week to try to keep it. We won't be able to go, but I'm going to write an email to a board member with our thoughts. Coronation is always a fun event and DD18 was so happy to have been chosen for court last year, so we think it should be continued. The gym could be cleared afterwards, and then students and signed-up dates let back in for the dance.

 

[mjkacmom]

The Galapagos- wow! What a trip! I did a term paper on the islands in middle school...

Our trip to Colorado was good. The best part was a downhill bike tour starting up high on Trail Ridge Road and going into Estes Park. And DD loved seeing a performance of Newsies at the Rocky Mountain Repertory Theater.

We've been working on soliciting donations for the county fair concession stand for her class to raise money for prom. Today she is helping with a camp at a State Park. Tomorrow night she has an overnight Student Council event where they do a lot of the planning for the upcoming school year.

Our principal is talking about eliminating Homecoming Court, because the public comes in to watch coronation in the gym, and then some people stay for the dance that aren't supposed to be there (dates over 20 years old). The kids want a bunch of students and parents to go to the School Board meeting next week to try to keep it. We won't be able to go, but I'm going to write an email to a board member with our thoughts. Coronation is always a fun event and DD18 was so happy to have been chosen for court last year, so we think it should be continued. The gym could be cleared afterwards, and then students and signed-up dates let back in for the dance.

How about just eliminating the public? Our prom has over 400 students, no court (has never had one), and if you bring someone from another school, you have to fill out a form, signed by their principal if still in school, and there is an age limit (20?). The school signed a contact with a banquet hall back in my day, it just ended last year, so ds19 and dd20 had their prom where DH and I had ours.

 

[danjoan14]

OK, so we completed Driver's Education class, passed the permit test, and obtained the official permit on Wednesday. Now the fun begins!!!

 

[laughinplace199]

DS volunteers at his karate school. He takes a couple of classes on Saturdays and then spends the rest of the day as an assistant teacher for the younger kids classes. He also just started his summer job this week. He's working at our local zoo (he worked there last summer too) and he loves it. He's the only one I know who loves to go to work everyday!

 

[ColoradoDisneyFreaks]

The Galapagos- wow! What a trip! I did a term paper on the islands in middle school...

Our trip to Colorado was good. The best part was a downhill bike tour starting up high on Trail Ridge Road and going into Estes Park. And DD loved seeing a performance of Newsies at the Rocky Mountain Repertory Theater.

We've been working on soliciting donations for the county fair concession stand for her class to raise money for prom. Today she is helping with a camp at a State Park. Tomorrow night she has an overnight Student Council event where they do a lot of the planning for the upcoming school year.

Our principal is talking about eliminating Homecoming Court, because the public comes in to watch coronation in the gym, and then some people stay for the dance that aren't supposed to be there (dates over 20 years old). The kids want a bunch of students and parents to go to the School Board meeting next week to try to keep it. We won't be able to go, but I'm going to write an email to a board member with our thoughts. Coronation is always a fun event and DD18 was so happy to have been chosen for court last year, so we think it should be continued. The gym could be cleared afterwards, and then students and signed-up dates let back in for the dance.

Why is their first move always to eliminate something? My high schools (I went to 3, so have a wide selection to choose from) crowned the court before the football game, so it was outside, weather provided, that's an option as well for you guys, then there's no public in gym, and the school gets the revenue from the admission to the game!

OK, so we completed Driver's Education class, passed the permit test, and obtained the official permit on Wednesday. Now the fun begins!!!

Good luck! DD had been driving on her own now for 4 months, she's doing OK, and I'm sort of glad that she drives like a little old lady when she's driving by herself!

DS volunteers at his karate school. He takes a couple of classes on Saturdays and then spends the rest of the day as an assistant teacher for the younger kids classes. He also just started his summer job this week. He's working at our local zoo (he worked there last summer too) and he loves it. He's the only one I know who loves to go to work everyday!

DD is going to talk to our local rec center and see if they will accept her as a lifeguard and allow her to work only 1 day a week and 1 day on weekends. She's going to have such a demanding school schedule that she just won't have that much time for any more hours than that.

On a great note, the college boards came out and DD got a 5 on her AP Euro History test! She was certain that she wasn't going to pass this one, but I think she's downplaying herself a bit!

 

[bjscheel]

DD's summer continues to fill up. Yesterday at the county fair the pastor's wife from the youth group she's been going to mentioned the trip they were taking this week. DD hadn't planned on going, so didn't say anything to me, but there she was with an empty week ahead of her and offered a cheap fun trip with friends. So early this morning we shipped her off with them till Thursday evening. They are staying on a college campus so she'll get a look at another school- bonus! Next week she has All-State vocal music camp at a college on Thursday and Friday. Saturday she has her first babysitting gig (will be at our house) and Sunday we leave for church camp for a week.

Wednesday afternoon we worked the concession stand at the county fair for prom funds and with that, my concession stand days are now over. Yay!

Lately she's been considering working at a church camp next summer which would mean living there most of the time. Not sure if I'm ready for that, and I don't know if it will pan out anyway. The closest camp doesn't usually pay staff until they are 17 and she will be 16 all summer. Maybe she can do a volunteer week to get a feel for it, and work for money elsewhere the rest of the summer.

As far as homecoming, it sounds like they plan to move coronation to the auditorium, which will be crowded. The queen/king announcement has always been at the football game, but then the coronation ceremony is the next night. DD is kind of hoping she isn't on Court on this transition year in case it's a mess. But she'd love to get on senior year!

On that note, it's weird she'll be an upperclassman this year! She still seems like my baby