Parents of the High School Class of 2017/College 2021

[aprilgail]

Here, at least in our district, there is no driving component in the class offered in school. They do have a driving simulator, but actual driving with an instructor is something you take outside of school.

Keep in mind, too, that a lot of parents of late birthday kids hold them, so that would increase the number of sophomores who are eligible for permits.

I don't know many here at all that hold their kids back- it just isn't the popular thing around here. But drivers ed consists of classroom time and time behind the wheel of an actual car. A local driving school has the drivers ed contract for the district and while a regular school teacher teaches the classroom portion (when I went to school it was the gym teacher) the actual driving part is a driving school but it is part of the regular school schedule.

 

[dreamin_disney]

here's my DD update....
10th grade 1st semester
-Honors Math Algebra E= B
-Avid= A
- Chemistry= C
-P.E. = A
-Spanish =A
-Honors English =A

DD was struggling in Honors Math even with tutoring . She is super hard on herself and was shocked when she got a B. She was upset on a daily basis during her first semester dealing with MATH. We decided to have her change to General ed math to rebuld her confidence. She kicked her self when she realized she raised her grade from a low C to a B. She said she should have stayed in honors but we reminded her that all semester she was stressing out and failing even with tutoring. I just think he over thinks everything and it affects her chemistry class. 1st semester Math affect her biology grade. Anyways 2nd semester we changed her to general ed and she is doing much better in Math and in chemistry. Her confidence is better and she is less stress. We've continued with tutoring just because the teacher doesn't have time to go over question and doesn't break things down. She started practing with the track team but doing PE pacers and track practice she stressed her ankle and has been limping. Hopefully it heals and she continues on the track team.

 

[aprilgail]

here's my DD update....
10th grade 1st semester
-Honors Math Algebra E= B
-Avid= A
- Chemistry= C
-P.E. = A
-Spanish =A
-Honors English =A

DD was struggling in Honors Math even with tutoring . She is super hard on herself and was shocked when she got a B. She was upset on a daily basis during her first semester dealing with MATH. We decided to have her change to General ed math to rebuld her confidence. She kicked her self when she realized she raised her grade from a low C to a B. She said she should have stayed in honors but we reminded her that all semester she was stressing out and failing even with tutoring. I just think he over thinks everything and it affects her chemistry class. 1st semester Math affect her biology grade. Anyways 2nd semester we changed her to general ed and she is doing much better in Math and in chemistry. Her confidence is better and she is less stress. We've continued with tutoring just because the teacher doesn't have time to go over question and doesn't break things down. She started practing with the track team but doing PE pacers and track practice she stressed her ankle and has been limping. Hopefully it heals and she continues on the track team.

My daughter is taking AP chem and chem general is a hard class! My daughter is ahead of common core by one year in most classes, she takes trig this year, algebra was last year for her and she did wonderful in it, but she tried to help a friend that is taking algebra this year and she has no clue how to do it, totally different than what she learned. In Spanish they did a two week "trial" of common core and the kids all chose to do it the way they had been and not the common core way.

 

[bjscheel]

Funny the differences in driving ages. DD took Dr. Ed the summer between 8th and 9th grade. Here you get your permit at 14. She is one of the oldest in her grade with a late September birthday, so she had a permit in 8th grade. Drivers Ed then the next summer, after which she got her school permit and could drive to and from school only by herself. She's had her regular license for several months now. It's been really nice since we live 11 miles from school and there's no bus service for us since they are open enrolled. Normally I drive her since I work nearby but there's always days when other things are going on or she has activities in the evenings.

 

[AnnaFloridaLover]

here's my DD update....
10th grade 1st semester
-Honors Math Algebra E= B
-Avid= A
- Chemistry= C
-P.E. = A
-Spanish =A
-Honors English =A

DD was struggling in Honors Math even with tutoring . She is super hard on herself and was shocked when she got a B. She was upset on a daily basis during her first semester dealing with MATH. We decided to have her change to General ed math to rebuld her confidence. She kicked her self when she realized she raised her grade from a low C to a B. She said she should have stayed in honors but we reminded her that all semester she was stressing out and failing even with tutoring. I just think he over thinks everything and it affects her chemistry class. 1st semester Math affect her biology grade. Anyways 2nd semester we changed her to general ed and she is doing much better in Math and in chemistry. Her confidence is better and she is less stress. We've continued with tutoring just because the teacher doesn't have time to go over question and doesn't break things down. She started practing with the track team but doing PE pacers and track practice she stressed her ankle and has been limping. Hopefully it heals and she continues on the track team.

Your daughter sounds a lot like my son. Although he would disown me if I ever told anyone his marks or published them over the internet, LOL!

 

[aprilgail]

Funny the differences in driving ages. DD took Dr. Ed the summer between 8th and 9th grade. Here you get your permit at 14. She is one of the oldest in her grade with a late September birthday, so she had a permit in 8th grade. Drivers Ed then the next summer, after which she got her school permit and could drive to and from school only by herself. She's had her regular license for several months now. It's been really nice since we live 11 miles from school and there's no bus service for us since they are open enrolled. Normally I drive her since I work nearby but there's always days when other things are going on or she has activities in the evenings.

14?? That is crazy-I think 16 is to young honestly.

 

[mamacatnv]

The rural counties where we live (Central Texas) have hardship licenses for kids to be able to get to school or drive a sick parent etc. its a special application and can be requested at 15 years of age.
The general rules are learners permit at 15 after all classroom hours are satisfied.
Provisional license at 16 after all permit hours are completed.
Regular license at 18
The state of TX requires any new license (never had one in TX or any other state) under the age of 25 to show proof of drivers training.
The kids also have to submit proof of school enrollment to obtain a license under the age of 18
I wish my DD had tried for her permit earlier, the more practice hours the better IMO - at the rate she is going she won't get that permit till she is almost 17

 

[mamacatnv]

Does anyone not know what classes their kids are taking?
DD is entering into the IB program, her IB counselor had the schedule all set with very few elective options. The counselor sat down with the students and worked out their plan for the next two years, I stayed out of it, figure the counselor knows way more than I do. I know she will have all the basic: math, English, science and a foreign language but I have no clear idea what she is actually taking nor did we feel the need to have input.

 

[dreamin_disney]

Your daughter sounds a lot like my son. Although he would disown me if I ever told anyone his marks or published them over the internet, LOL!

She's at the point where she's working so hard and to hear that other kids are having the same issue let her know she's not alone. She tells me about the other kids in her class struggling too and about the kids that don't care . She doesn't mind that I post her grades to people she doesn't know but when it comes to family knowning its a lil harder. Luckily family knows how hard she works and support her.

 

[Mickeyluver37]

Does anyone not know what classes their kids are taking?
DD is entering into the IB program, her IB counselor had the schedule all set with very few elective options. The counselor sat down with the students and worked out their plan for the next two years, I stayed out of it, figure the counselor knows way more than I do. I know she will have all the basic: math, English, science and a foreign language but I have no clear idea what she is actually taking nor did we feel the need to have input.

Well, we have to sign off on our child's course selections after the teacher has made recommendations. However, after we sign, they meet with the counselor to go over course selection before finalizing it, and that's when things can and do change.

 

[roliepolieoliefan]

My son is taking honors english, honors physics, AP biology, pre-,calculus, and honors german. Plus a couple electives.
I know tough schedule.
Hes a bright kid but his schedule worries me.
He said he can do it though

 

[mamacatnv]

Well, we have to sign off on our child's course selections after the teacher has made recommendations. However, after we sign, they meet with the counselor to go over course selection before finalizing it, and that's when things can and do change.

Perhaps this is why my DD's school doesn't even invite parents. We were invited last year to choose for Sophomore year but not for this year. They did their course selections during class with the aid of their counselor.
What parents want and what their student wants are often two very different things
Now, I will say, that I do not know if this was the norm for all the Sophomores, this was how it was done for the IB students - they only get 1 elective choice, the rest is pretty much already chosen. There are a few variations in regards to which math, which science etc but overall, their academic lives are planned out their Jr/Sr year well in advance due to fitting in all the requirements

 

[aprilgail]

Well its stress time, AP exams start on Monday! My daughter has spent the last 4 days in Panera doing Chem study groups with kids in her class. Class ring orders were last month- that was expensive. Next year is senior class photos which I hear I should be saving for NOW LOL.

 

[bjscheel]

We're in the thick of track season here. DD has been doing great despite battling colds, exercise induced asthma, and hurting ankles! If it's not one thing, it's another, or all of the above. The ankles were doing good again until Thursday's meet She LOVES track though, and the girls in it so she sticks with it. I'm really hoping she gets to go the State again. Last year the distance medley just squeaked by to get to State.

Last night was a choir concert and their beloved teacher is resigning, so there were a lot of tears. DD13 is so sad she won't get to do a musical with her. On the plus side, the art teacher is also resigning, so maybe DD16 will have an art teacher that actually teaches next year. She'd like to do graphic design, so she could use a real teacher.

 

[Anesthesia Fine]

Oh hi! Another class of '17 parent here; eldest daughter is finishing up her second year. We're really pleased; she's had a tough time in school in past years but she now has both a 504 accommodation plan and a really good team in her corner. If we can get her through these last five weeks, she's good to go.

She's signed up for the usual regular classes: physics, precalculus, English, Spanish, etc. I'm not sure which electives she's signed up for; I think guitar ensemble and robotics, and she was accepted into honors history for next year. She also plans to continue fencing, even though she thinks she's terrible at it. I'm hoping a week at fencing camp helps her with some self-confidence there.

There have been some tense moments but overall it's been so much easier since the middle-school years. She can be a lot of fun, and I really value the time I can spend with her without her little brothers sapping most of my energy. I'll miss her when she goes to college.

 

[robinb]

Hey everyone! School just ended here in Wisconsin and yesterday was the last day of finals. My DD got all A's and B's both semesters which is more than I can say about Freshman year . She currently has a 3.4 GPA. I wish it were a 3.5 or higher but she still has time to pull it up. She'll be taking Algebra 3, Math Physics, Honors Modern US History (1 semester), AP English, French 4, Lifeguarding (1 semester), Video Production, Challenges & Adventures (1 semester) and Sociology (1 semester).

What does everyone think about taking the PSAT in October? I don't think she's National Merit Scholarship material, but would it be a good practice for the real SAT? Is there any reason why she shouldn't? I plan on having her to the Khan Academy prep this summer and I have to pick PSAT or SAT for her to study.

 

[mom2rtk]

Hey everyone! School just ended here in Wisconsin and yesterday was the last day of finals. My DD got all A's and B's both semesters which is more than I can say about Freshman year . She currently has a 3.4 GPA. I wish it were a 3.5 or higher but she still has time to pull it up. She'll be taking Algebra 3, Math Physics, Honors Modern US History (1 semester), AP English, French 4, Lifeguarding (1 semester), Video Production, Challenges & Adventures (1 semester) and Sociology (1 semester).

What does everyone think about taking the PSAT in October? I don't think she's National Merit Scholarship material, but would it be a good practice for the real SAT? Is there any reason why she shouldn't? I plan on having her to the Khan Academy prep this summer and I have to pick PSAT or SAT for her to study.

Is she looking at a school that requires the SAT? A lot of schools in the Midwest require the ACT.

 

[robinb]

Is she looking at a school that requires the SAT? A lot of schools in the Midwest require the ACT.

She doesn't know where she wants to go except possibly Minnesota. But she also wants to swim in college so she'll have to go where she can make the team and she's not fast enough for a Big Ten school. I assumed that she would take both tests since we live in the midwest.

 

[AustinTink]

Is anyone doing college tours this summer? I just booked a few for DS.

 

[bjscheel]

Is anyone doing college tours this summer? I just booked a few for DS.

My sister is taking her boys to one and said DD and I could tag along as it's the main one DD is interested in, but I haven't made a decision yet. I was not sure if she would have to work- but now I don't think she will. The girl she is sharing the job with wants most of the days (or her mom wants her to have most of them). So I should probably decide if we are going- it's in a month and we'd need a hotel.