Parents of the High School Class of 2017/College 2021

[aprilgail]

So how about this for a doozy? The school held it's annual athletic awards ceremony yesterday during school hours. My son was expecting to be recognized for qualifying for State as well as earning academic all-district/ all-state. Due to a "data entry mistake" his name was not called once during the ceremony. He was left out completely. I was so incensed yesterday that I couldn't sleep and sent a 2am email to the principal.

We are a small school and there is no excuse for an oversight like this. There aren't that many recipients of this kind of award to leave one of them out. The student body was literally chanting his name when he wasn't called up. The athletic directors had to have known. So far I have only gotten a half-hearted apology from the principal and silence from the AD's. I am so done with this school.

Omg that is terrible. I feel so bad for your son.

 

[aprilgail]

I am so happy! Another letter in the mail today- my daughter won another Masonic scholarship! Don't know how much this one is either till she goes to that ceremony!

 

[v.t.]

I just did the most petty thing I have ever done and I'm only slightly ashamed to say it felt good.

DD is an Athletic Trainer and has been her entire high school career. I have had more than one go-around with the coaches of the program over ridiculous scheduling etc. over the 4 years but have always bit my tongue for DD's sake. The two persons who run the program are petty and work these kids way too much. When DD started the program her Freshman year, it was made clear that this program was a 4 year commitment. She took two classes a semester (double blocked) that were "AT" as well as worked practices, games and the training room rehab all year long, including summers and all school breaks. Unlike some of the athletes who when a sport is over have down time, the AT's are at it all year. This was a huge time commitment but DD really enjoyed it. Not being athletic and being able to be part of a team was a big draw.

When DD started her Freshman year, there were 55 Freshman in the program.
Here we are down to the wire, there are 2, yes 2, Seniors who made it all 4 years. There is also one other AT who joined her sophomore year, she is a 3 year senior. So, a total of 3 made it to their Senior year.
These kids don't get a true "senior" night like most other groups so the end of the year picnic is their "night".
I ordered a cake with the 3 Seniors pictures on it as well as was planning to stop and pick up bouquets of flowers with a balloon for each of them.

Two days ago DD says "we have a problem" Turns out, when coach was planning the end of the year picnic he cleared Wednesday the 24th with the kids however, he told all the parents the picnic was Thursday the 25, reserved the pavilion etc for the 25th and never told the kids of the change to the date. DD and the other Seniors realized on Tuesday (two days ago) that there was a problem. My DD and the other two seniors have a major conflict. DD is in charge of the IB banquet tonight, she arranged all the catering etc. and the other AT's have their final choir performances tonight.
The girls were all trying to figure out how to juggle the schedules so they could be at both events, this was proving to be stressful and forcing them to pick between two activities that were their Senior Nights.

Then, yesterday during the Senior Class award ceremony, the AT Coach awarded the annual recognition for AT to the 3 year Senior. My DD didn't care that it did not go to her BUT she was furious that it did not go to her fellow 4 year senior. Even the 3 year Senior who received the award was mad that it went to her.

This morning, all 3 seniors decided that trying to juggle the two events was not going to work out so they have decided to not attend their AT event AND my DD asked me to not take the cake (with their pictures on it) to the picnic but instead to bring it home where the 3 of them will meet up tonight after the IB dinner and Choir event and will dig into their cake.

Soooooo, with DD and the other AT's and their parents blessing, I sent an email to the coach telling him I couldn't carpool extra kids and that I was no longer bringing the cake AND that the seniors would not be in attendance.
Petty, I know but dang,,,,,,,after 4 years of those coaches ticking me off, it felt good.

Good for you! I am glad the seniors stuck together.

So how about this for a doozy? The school held it's annual athletic awards ceremony yesterday during school hours. My son was expecting to be recognized for qualifying for State as well as earning academic all-district/ all-state. Due to a "data entry mistake" his name was not called once during the ceremony. He was left out completely. I was so incensed yesterday that I couldn't sleep and sent a 2am email to the principal.

We are a small school and there is no excuse for an oversight like this. There aren't that many recipients of this kind of award to leave one of them out. The student body was literally chanting his name when he wasn't called up. The athletic directors had to have known. So far I have only gotten a half-hearted apology from the principal and silence from the AD's. I am so done with this school.

You have every right to be furious. Same situation at our school, if it is not football or a sport tied to it, it doesn't matter.

The baseball coach sat 3 of the 6 seniors in the final baseball game of the season. We played the worst team in the district, and we lost, which meant no playoffs. DS was devastated. I had finally gotten over it, till the baseball banquet. I think the coach said "bright future" over ten times, never once talked about the seniors and forgot about academic awards.
While athletics has been great teaching teamwork and perseverance, it has also taught how to deal with difficult co-workers and very difficult bosses.

 

[aprilgail]

Good for you! I am glad the seniors stuck together.



You have every right to be furious. Same situation at our school, if it is not football or a sport tied to it, it doesn't matter.

.

When they were doing budget cuts at our school in order to appease the music and arts parents (they ALWAYS cut those first so there was screaming about cutting equally arts music and sports for once)-they announced that they would be cutting golf, bowling and swimming- all of the "not cool" sports- one of the BOE members was overheard saying that "the swim teams greatest accomplishment is that no one has ever drowned"- as sad as I am for her to be moving on. She purposely picked a university where sports were not a HUGH deal- no "everyone to the football game Friday night" type thing!

 

[mom2rtk]

When they were doing budget cuts at our school in order to appease the music and arts parents (they ALWAYS cut those first so there was screaming about cutting equally arts music and sports for once)-they announced that they would be cutting golf, bowling and swimming- all of the "not cool" sports- one of the BOE members was overheard saying that "the swim teams greatest accomplishment is that no one has ever drowned"- as sad as I am for her to be moving on. She purposely picked a university where sports were not a HUGH deal- no "everyone to the football game Friday night" type thing!

I did the same thing when I was deciding where to go to college. The fact that it wasn't a "rah rah football" school was very appealing to me.

 

[piglet too]

I am so happy! Another letter in the mail today- my daughter won another Masonic scholarship! Don't know how much this one is either till she goes to that ceremony!

Congratulations to her! I must have missed it, but does she have a Masonic affiliation?

 

[aprilgail]

Congratulations to her! I must have missed it, but does she have a Masonic affiliation?

My brother- he is a member of almost any fraternal organization you can imagine. He was the "grand master" of the masons at least 3 times in 2 different lodges and the eastern star. A lot she couldn't apply for because you needed to be son/daughter of person in the lodge but some were available to any relative.

 

[piglet too]

Aprilgal - That's great! My daughter (class of 2020) is in one of the Masonic youth groups, and we know that there will be so many scholarship opportunities for her. My husband will be becoming a Mason soon, and wants to become a Shriner too. I am inactive with Eastern Star, and will become active again if just for those scholarships.

 

[robinb]

I did the same thing when I was deciding where to go to college. The fact that it wasn't a "rah rah football" school was very appealing to me.

It was exactly the opposite for my DD. A football team with a big fan base was critical for her. She scratched IUPUI off her list because it didn't have a football team.

 

[AustinTink]

You have every right to be furious. Same situation at our school, if it is not football or a sport tied to it, it doesn't matter.

The baseball coach sat 3 of the 6 seniors in the final baseball game of the season. We played the worst team in the district, and we lost, which meant no playoffs. DS was devastated. I had finally gotten over it, till the baseball banquet. I think the coach said "bright future" over ten times, never once talked about the seniors and forgot about academic awards.
While athletics has been great teaching teamwork and perseverance, it has also taught how to deal with difficult co-workers and very difficult bosses.

What is wrong with these coaches? They are overgrown bullies who never grew up. And to use these ceremonies and banquets as a means to bully even further is truly disgusting.

 

[Xcited4Disney]

I'm so upset reading about the injustices toward your children. It's not right and what's worse is the lackadaisical attitude of the administration.

 

[Xcited4Disney]

It's prom- it's held in same venue as weddings. Comes with dinner, dessert, DJ - limos are not included. My daughter went in with a group for a 13 person limo. It's costing each kid around 150.00 each for the limo. After the prom they are taking their limo into NYC then back home to one of the kids house to spend the rest of the morning.

I never knew that some proms did not include dinner! Guess it's a regional thing. My nephew (c/o 2015) went to after prom at the Copa. He had a great time.

Prom for us was $150/pp held at a catering hall so the same as you, full dinner, dessert, DJ, etc. My dd's prom was this past Thursday from 8p-12a. She had a fabulous time!!! Limo picked them up, she had friends and family see her off, take pics etc, limo took them to an outdoor location where she had pics taken, and then off to the prom venue. She said she had a lot of fun but it went by too fast. Afterwards, she and her friends went to a hotel to change and then their after prom party was held on a yacht with a few other schools that had prom that night. Then off to breakfast at a diner and I picked her up from the hotel around 8am. Glad it's OVER. I was exhausted with all of the running around but overjoyed that it all went well.

A few more events this week then graduation on Saturday.

 

[LilTinkFan]

Last prom dress fitting tonight.

Dd college roommate (planned for 9 months) graduated from her school Saturday. Our dd saw a snap post from a girl at that school that she couldn't wait to be her roommate at xyz school. Dd sent roommate girl a text, she said oh my mom was going to call your parents later. Yeah, she switched schools. Dd is now at mercy of "wait list" as she isn't confirmed since other girl drop out. We won't even know if she got in the towers until July 1! Stress!!!!
We know tons of kids just show up and whatever. But having plans since last August, coordinating purchases for items, and all that ripped out from under you is hard when you are headed out of state. Plus not having an assignment when they overbook the halls and at least two dozen kids get stuck in the lounges until they see who doesn't show up is just a little more than dd wants to face right now.

 

[Poohforyou]

@LilTinkFan, that's horrible. When was this girl planning on telling your daughter this? What nonsense about my mom was going to call your mom. I hope it all works out for your daughter.

My daughter went with the random roommate assignment rather than finding her own. She'll hear this week. I hope it's a good match in a good dorm but she'll have to manage with what she gets.

 

[sksjasams]

Last prom dress fitting tonight.

Dd college roommate (planned for 9 months) graduated from her school Saturday. Our dd saw a snap post from a girl at that school that she couldn't wait to be her roommate at xyz school. Dd sent roommate girl a text, she said oh my mom was going to call your parents later. Yeah, she switched schools. Dd is now at mercy of "wait list" as she isn't confirmed since other girl drop out. We won't even know if she got in the towers until July 1! Stress!!!!
We know tons of kids just show up and whatever. But having plans since last August, coordinating purchases for items, and all that ripped out from under you is hard when you are headed out of state. Plus not having an assignment when they overbook the halls and at least two dozen kids get stuck in the lounges until they see who doesn't show up is just a little more than dd wants to face right now.

How awful! I just can't believe they felt no obligation at all to let you guys know. Hugs to your DD!

 

[mom2rtk]

Last prom dress fitting tonight.

Dd college roommate (planned for 9 months) graduated from her school Saturday. Our dd saw a snap post from a girl at that school that she couldn't wait to be her roommate at xyz school. Dd sent roommate girl a text, she said oh my mom was going to call your parents later. Yeah, she switched schools. Dd is now at mercy of "wait list" as she isn't confirmed since other girl drop out. We won't even know if she got in the towers until July 1! Stress!!!!
We know tons of kids just show up and whatever. But having plans since last August, coordinating purchases for items, and all that ripped out from under you is hard when you are headed out of state. Plus not having an assignment when they overbook the halls and at least two dozen kids get stuck in the lounges until they see who doesn't show up is just a little more than dd wants to face right now.

That's awful! I feel for you and your DD. My son was wait listed for housing his freshman year too. It really is stressful heading into such a big unknown and not have a room, let alone a roommate. But to have the rug pulled out in the way it was just sucks!

Thankfully my son did get a room assigned (just a few weeks before school started). The roomie turned out to be fine, but then withdrew at semester. It seemed back then like things would never settle down. Thankfully they finally did. I hope your DD gets a great room and finds a compatible roommate.

 

[robinb]

Dd college roommate (planned for 9 months) graduated from her school Saturday. Our dd saw a snap post from a girl at that school that she couldn't wait to be her roommate at xyz school. Dd sent roommate girl a text, she said oh my mom was going to call your parents later. Yeah, she switched schools. Dd is now at mercy of "wait list" as she isn't confirmed since other girl drop out. We won't even know if she got in the towers until July 1! Stress!!!!
We know tons of kids just show up and whatever. But having plans since last August, coordinating purchases for items, and all that ripped out from under you is hard when you are headed out of state. Plus not having an assignment when they overbook the halls and at least two dozen kids get stuck in the lounges until they see who doesn't show up is just a little more than dd wants to face right now.

That is TERRIBLE! What the heck is wrong with that family?!? You have something planned for NINE MONTHS and then change your mind and don't mention it? What a bunch of selfish so-and-so's.

Is she now waitlisted for a dorm? Or just a roommate?

 

[aprilgail]

Last prom dress fitting tonight.

Dd college roommate (planned for 9 months) graduated from her school Saturday. Our dd saw a snap post from a girl at that school that she couldn't wait to be her roommate at xyz school. Dd sent roommate girl a text, she said oh my mom was going to call your parents later. Yeah, she switched schools. Dd is now at mercy of "wait list" as she isn't confirmed since other girl drop out. We won't even know if she got in the towers until July 1! Stress!!!!
We know tons of kids just show up and whatever. But having plans since last August, coordinating purchases for items, and all that ripped out from under you is hard when you are headed out of state. Plus not having an assignment when they overbook the halls and at least two dozen kids get stuck in the lounges until they see who doesn't show up is just a little more than dd wants to face right now.

OMG that is horrible!!!

 

[mamacatnv]

When they were doing budget cuts at our school in order to appease the music and arts parents (they ALWAYS cut those first so there was screaming about cutting equally arts music and sports for once)-they announced that they would be cutting golf, bowling and swimming- all of the "not cool" sports- one of the BOE members was overheard saying that "the swim teams greatest accomplishment is that no one has ever drowned"- as sad as I am for her to be moving on. She purposely picked a university where sports were not a HUGH deal- no "everyone to the football game Friday night" type thing!

When we lived in Nevada, arts and music were always the first thing on the chopping block, then the "lessor sports". One thing I do like about where we live in Central Texas is that due to high property taxes designated towards the schools, the arts, music and sports are well protected. In our 5 years here, we have never ever heard any rumbling about cuts to anything.

Aprilgal - That's great! My daughter (class of 2020) is in one of the Masonic youth groups, and we know that there will be so many scholarship opportunities for her. My husband will be becoming a Mason soon, and wants to become a Shriner too. I am inactive with Eastern Star, and will become active again if just for those scholarships.

My FIL is a Shriner - he has a fancy title, I can't remember what it is. I need to do some more scholarship research as I only looked at his local chapter.

Last prom dress fitting tonight.

Dd college roommate (planned for 9 months) graduated from her school Saturday. Our dd saw a snap post from a girl at that school that she couldn't wait to be her roommate at xyz school. Dd sent roommate girl a text, she said oh my mom was going to call your parents later. Yeah, she switched schools. Dd is now at mercy of "wait list" as she isn't confirmed since other girl drop out. We won't even know if she got in the towers until July 1! Stress!!!!
We know tons of kids just show up and whatever. But having plans since last August, coordinating purchases for items, and all that ripped out from under you is hard when you are headed out of state. Plus not having an assignment when they overbook the halls and at least two dozen kids get stuck in the lounges until they see who doesn't show up is just a little more than dd wants to face right now.

Oh my, shame on that family for not letting y'all know. I'm sorry your DD is dealing with the stress of unknown housing and will keep my fingers crossed that she get the roommate whom will end up being a life long BFF.

 

[robinb]

I'm very happy that my DD will be a Badger like her mom and dad (and great uncle) but I was worried about the size of the University of Wisconsin. It's freaking huge. The UW keeps all kinds of statistics that they make public and one of the reports I found today was enrollment in the different colleges/schools within the University. The School of Education admitted only 222 freshmen last year. I am very pleased with that! First of all, that she's in a surprisingly small group (I guess the 5 month wait list drama was worth it) and secondly that with so few freshmen they may be able to become connected easier for study groups, etc.

Another interesting thing is that the UW accepts a LOT of transfer students. Total freshman enrollment was 4828 last year but there were 10,483 seniors enrolled.