<p>Liny, i will be there then either tues or thurs! will get tix last minute and chk weather. also like to go over the holiday weekend, but not sure. what color shirt wil you be wearing? lol</p>
<p>tjdad - first - welcome. I would hesitate to recommend 4 years of marketing. When the conversation turns to continuity and rigor - it is meant in conjunction with the solids - math, science and so forth. For example, many kids want to drop foreign language or math or science and not take one of more of those subjects by senior year - continuing to take all can look impressive. I do not think marketing rises to that level. And her interests may chance over time. I do not think it necessary to have her entire hs schedule mapped out at this point. I would leave it as an open question for now.</p>
<p>tjdad: My first question is does a student have to be in marketing all 4 years to do DECA all 4 years? In our school with those types of organizations a student only needs to have been in one class and then they can continue to compete even if the class isn’t on their schedule. As far as music goes in our school that includes marching band which is a huge committment if you don’t enjoy it. From what I have heard in some college talks is that they like to see a committment to an extracurricular activity rather than a long list of different things. This can be something like band, a sport, a service organization or whatever. Areas that require a large committment are looked upon more favorably. In our school both band and sports do take away class time from the schedule but not to the extent that it results in a weak curriculum. For example my S1 was in band class for 4 years but also took 9 AP classes. The important thing is that your daughter is in something that she enjoys. If for some reason the choice doesn’t work out it isn’t the end of the world. I think that participating in activities that promote growth are more important than creating the perfect resume. What I have heard is that colleges want students who will participate in the campus community and not just go to class. It helps to find a passion but probably isn’t all that helpful to do something for 4 years without it.</p>
<p>Deca in our HS- you have to take a marketing class and then you can be in Deca the following years; however, some of the planning for competitions takes place during class, so S had trouble being a part this year.</p>
<p>tjdad - Welcome! I’m rubber stamping by parroting others:</p>
<p>
You’re right, unless she has a true passion for marketing, in which case she’d flourish in DECA, too. (In my experience, very few kids have a passion at this age.) In our HS, DECA is open to all students, regardless of classes taken, and it is minimally time-consuming. That is, a student could do both DECA and a sport, for example. Music, however, in our HS, whether vocal or instrumental, is highly demanding of a student’s time, both during school and after school. Because schools vary in commitment requirements, call/email your HS (not middle school) Guidance Counselor and ask present 9-10th grade students/parents. And, yes, “rigor” is all about the 5 core subjects, so have her take 4 years of math, science, social studies, English and foreign language, if possible, and the more honors/AP she can handle, the better. When it comes to electives, however, let her explore, but when in doubt, take an honors elective over a regular elective. Bottom line…start 9th grade with 1 semester/1 year of marketing and see how it goes. You may see big changes in a year! As RVM says, no need to map out 4 years of HS now…she’s young, let her probe, grow, discover.</p>
<p>tjdad, welcome! While I agree with the others that your dd does not need to pick a course her freshman year and stick with it, if she loves something that is a great thing to do. Most kids, I have found, try a few things and then one just sticks and the child gets involved in many aspects of that thing. For instance, my dd loved art and is in the four year art program (considered core), but along with that, she does make up for the school productions, teaches makeup and set design at the middle school and does volunteer work at the elementary school art program. All of this came from a love of art, and not all of it happened immediately. So, give your dd time to explore. I feel that if she takes a class and pursues it because it will look good on her school resume, it may not ring true in the end, anyway.</p>
<p>Also, as far as taking as many AP as your child can handle, be wary of doing too much. We are in a school where kids always think they must do what their friends are doing and that they can handle it. But, the kids in their sophmore years end up taking far too many APs and spend many nights freaking out and refusing to go back to honors, because it would look bad. Other kids, that took honors did better, felt better about themselves, and because their grade was better, when weighted against the AP kid’s lesser grade, came out on a weighted average almost at the same place. So, while you want a rigorous schedule for your child’s interest and for schools to be interested in your child, you need to balance what is most important for your child. And, just because you take every AP, get all A’s and have great EC’s does not mean that you will get into your favorite school, or any HYPS, for that matter. (This happened to kids from our school this year with all A’s and APs all over the place–and while I don’t know how they interviewed, etc, it is just a precautionary tale for others.) Finally, all of this is just my opinion, of course!</p>
<p>Not very familiar with this university - but thought the article might be of interest to some:</p>
<p>[Chabad</a> House Evidence of University of North Texas? Expanding Jewish Population - Latest News - Chabad-Lubavitch News](<a href=“http://www.chabad.org/news/article_cdo/aid/1861023/jewish/University-of-North-Texas-Attracts-Jews.htm]Chabad”>http://www.chabad.org/news/article_cdo/aid/1861023/jewish/University-of-North-Texas-Attracts-Jews.htm)</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>Thank you for that RVM. I know several students attending UNT but they are not Jewish. We never really explored this one but My S’s GF will be attending in the fall so I just emailed the information to S2 in the next room so that he can forward it to her.</p>
<p>My son’s high school tries to get kids thinking about “tracks” from the beginning of their freshmen year. I think, in general, that’s pretty ridiculous. My son wanted to go into theatre for the first 2 years of high school before he changed his mind to computer science this year. If he had decided earlier on, he would have been able to take additional computer related classes. But, geez, how many kids REALLY have a clue about what they want to do that early on. If they do, that’s truly great, I think it would show schools that the major they are anticipating is their sincere passion. I just don’t imagine it happens all that often. My son’s high school has nearly as many “tracks”’ as my university has majors and my college students are still changing their minds all the time!!</p>
<p>On another note. S didn’t finish quite as well as I had hoped. However, it was due to his minimal effort all semester (and his complete unawareness that there was going to be a choir final). Still not too shabby and probably better than I did my junior year: 2 A’s, 2 A-'s, 2 B+'s, 1 B. I just hope he will mature eventually and learn to study and take advantage of opportunities to correct tests and do extra credit. Nonetheless, it is slightly better than last semester, he loves his sister, he doesn’t drink or do drugs, he hasn’t had a wreck in his truck during his first year of driving (knock wood), and he still cares what his father and I think. Probably the gin and tonic talking, but I really do love the kid on the couch. Thinking tonight of him entering his senior year and leaving next year is making me a little emotional.</p>
<p>I appreciate knowing there are other hovering (over)involved typical Jewish mothers with whom I can converse as we go through this. I have no one else who fits the bill here.</p>
<p>This has got to be the longest thread I have ever seen on CC.</p>
<p>OMG!! I missed our “anniversary” of the thread…!! </p>
<p>To the most supportive, helpful, benevolent people on CC!!..mazel tov on 2 years and going strong!!</p>
<p>And to our esteemed leader, RVM…“who knew?”…</p>
<p>It’s long, but the Parents of the Class of 2012 is more than a year older.</p>
<p>Aw Momom2, I got teary just reading what you are saying about your son. I was teary over my kiddo yesterday too, while sitting through the Senior awards and realizing in one year that would be my kid as a senior. It is so important in the process for us all to do what you are doing, which is think about and hold close the qualities of our kids that are amazing and wonderful, and that includes the good things they are doing and the BAD things that they ARE NOT doing! </p>
<p>THREE CHEERS FOR THE KID ON THE COUCH!</p>
<p>Pushing the “Like” button Vandy.</p>
<p>Cannot believe I missed that! Here’s to two years of sharing joy, angst and info!</p>
<p>And thanks to you for starting it all, rockvillemom!</p>
<p>Thanks to RVM and everyone who has given such caring and great advice on this thread!</p>
<p>yasher koach!</p>
<p>Mazel tov, you all!</p>
<p>It doesn’t feel like 2 years,Way to go RVM. It is also pretty surreal that my baby is graduating on Saturday!!</p>