Parents of the HS Class of 2013

Parents of HS Class of 20xx
6901

<p>recommendation letter question:
My D who is finishing her junior year overall GPA of 4.0/4.0
But if only looking at the 5 cores she has 3.6/4.0
Her B’s are high B’s in freshman Bio H and Eng H, Sophomore Chem H and World Cult H,
Junior Physics H. (i.e., 5 B’s all together in freshman, sophomore and junior years).</p>

<p>She has A’s in all the other 10 classes in freshman, sophomore and junior years including AB biol, AP cal BC and AP eng lang & comp. Expecting 5’s in all.</p>

<p>She also has 2 nationally recognized internships this summer, one at NIH summer internship program and one at a local university which involved a national competition that she won. Did summer internship in freshman year and sophomore year at local university and the mentor wrote stellar letters for her that helped her land the NIH SIP. The local prof and the NIH SIP mentor will certainly write strong letters for D. She also has won as a middle schooler a national essay contest from NASA and numerous science fair contests. She will apply for Intel STS as a senior.</p>

<p>Now the question is
She thinks her science department head, who was also her chemistry teacher in 10th grade to be a terrorist and is quite scared of her. D’s obvious strengths are in science. Does she still ask for a letter from this “terrorist”? As I stated in a previous post. I personally think this teacher is just old school and quite strict, but not the terrorist. I have rather pleasant interactions with this teacher and to me she seems reasonable. </p>

<p>Anyone relate to this situation?, any advice for D?</p>

<p>She does have other teachers she likes and I am pretty sure they like her as well. </p>

<p>But for college applications, if the resume shows numerous science awards, national science internships, science talent prizes, etc.
But her school transcript shows B’s in Biol H, Chem H. Are these major holes in her transcript (i.e. having high B’s in Biol and Chem)?</p>

<p>All these are only relevant to getting into a highly selective college like an Ivy league school, which she desp wants to attend. </p>

<p>I am confident and she is too that she will make it into a rather well regarded middle tier university that is local.</p>

6902

<p>Fineartsmajormom: Gasp! The Ramones are on an oldies station?! They’re one of my favorite bands and we wanted to dedicate “I Wanna Be Sedated” to my MIL at our wedding. The kids have grown up listening to the Ramones, Clash, etc. but I will say it warmed my heart when D2 asked if she could plug in her iPod, started playing “My Brain is Hanging Upside Down” by the Ramones & told me it was one of her favorite songs. I’d claim credit, but that’s due to Jack Black & School of Rock :wink: But I like some Kanye & Jay Z as well. The only embarrassing musical moments in my house come from D1; 90% of the artists she likes are fine but she has a horrible attraction to boy bands. Especially if they’re British. </p>

<p>MDMom: Love the hot sauce story! </p>

<p>mummy24: Welcome! Some of us are on go round #2 or more which is why it seems like we’ve been planning for years. D1 was 17 when she moved in her dorm (she has a September birthday) and we know a local boy who was 16 when he went thousands of miles away to college (but it was BYU in Utah, so a lot of the stuff you’d worry about on a college campus isn’t a huge issue there.) If your son is that far ahead in math & I’m “hearing” in your post that he hasn’t had the best MS & HS experience, then I agree that he probably has to expand his world. One thing I’d suggest is maybe to limit to schools that have direct flights? Depending on where you live this might not be feasible. And depending on his intended major, it might not be as big of a deal. D1 has a lot of friends who are engineering major boys. Their idea of a wild night is Nerf gun battles :wink: What schools are you thinking about?</p>

<p>mommydearest: I looked at my D last night & said “you know the SAT II’s are on Saturday, right?” “Yeah, but I won’t have to study for literature.” “Could you at least look at the test format in the book?” Since she can’t have her phone: if she’s taking two tests, the email says they should be done by 11:15. Does that sound right to those who’ve done this before?</p>

<p>89Wahoo: I am loving that condom story! S17 & buddies are gonna have a field day with that ;)</p>

6903

<p>Good morning all! My D woke up early to study…then promptly fell back to sleep. An hour later, she took a shower, ate breakfast…I don’t think any studying got done…i am holding that tongue…I am just too tired myself!</p>

<p>tsubram: Your D sounds terrific. Would she feel comfortable approaching the teacher and ask if she felt she could write “a positive” rec? The other possibility is to have the Math write a rec and get an outside person who worked with her on all those great EC’s in Science to write a letter. I think a lot of the selective schools, unless they’re engineering, like LOC’s in a science/math an one in a humanities/engl/social studies…and a GC…</p>

<p>I love that we can go from anxious crazy moments to Hot sauce and Condoms…</p>

6904

<p>Today will be a sad day for us. One of our cats, who I’ve had since the Northridge Earthquake, needs to be put down. She’s almost 19 so she has had a long life but it’s still sad. She can’t see very well and has beginning stages of diabetes. She’s lived a long life so I don’t want her to suffer anymore. My son is sad since she’s been with us since before he was born. I worry how our other cat will handle it…he’s 6 and used to torture her her…I told my DS he has to give him extra special attention.</p>

<p>Then I have to go to DS’s school and pay his curriculum fees :frowning: Then I have to pay his car payment :frowning: The good thing is, after that I get to go shopping for a new couch :)</p>

<p>Tomorrow is our trip to the Unviersity of Utah. Last night I told DS to think of some releveant questions he wanted to ask…he told me that I should ask the questions :0. He will get a tour of campus and dorms and then meet with a Mechanical Engineering advisor. This college is #2 on his list but #1 on mine…I will be pushing hard for this one!</p>

6905

<p>terinzak: I am so sorry. I am never as emotional as when I have to take one of my furry babies for their last ride. You are doing the most compassionate thing for her, but it’s so hard. When we took our 19 year old girl (she’d been on thyroid meds for years, gone blind and could barely stand up) we were all a mess even though we knew it was time. Hugs, hugs, hugs.</p>

6906

<p>Sex talks: Very interesting. We’ve always been very open with our kids. Teenage pregnancy rate is pretty high in TX, so they’ve had quite a few kids (even relatives) pregnant at their high school. D went on the pill when she turned 18, has had the HPV shots and still knows to use condoms. She’s the responsible one in the family.</p>

<p>S’13 was a little trickier, as he’s known he was gay since he was 12 or so. Luckily we have many friends who are gay and they were great resources. When S turned 15, our closest friends (a married gay couple that S has known all his life) took him out to dinner and had “the talk.” He is also getting the HPV shots since I hear that they help prevent male cancers as well.</p>

6907

<p>tsubram: Your D sounds amazing. Regarding the LOR, I would ask the GC and go from there. Often times GC knows which teachers will write good recomendation letters etc. I am thinking that while the LOR from other sources explain a child well, the colleges might like to see at least one recomendation from a teacher who taught her in school. I am sure GC will be able to guide you through this.
turizak: sorry to hear about your cat. It is a hard time for you all. keeping you in my thoughts today</p>

6908

<p>Tsubram – one quick comment about LOR, and it may just be our D’s hs, but the GC said they should ask a teacher from their junior year. I guess since it’s a more recent teacher. But I’m of the mind that a more relevant course(s) would be better. Luckily our D’s preferred LOR teacher was her teacher in 9th and 11th grade.</p>

<p>89 wahoo – omg – poor guy! His siblings will never let him forget that…and he didn’t even do anything wrong!</p>

<p>Terinzak – so sorry about your cat…that’s never easy, even when you know it’s the right time :(</p>

6909

<p>Megpmom, Good for you on feeling so comfortable talking about sex with your kids and finding role models for them. We currently have four teenagers and two younger ones and DH reports that he has only talked to the 19 yo boy in the last year or so. I could use a little more support in this area but my dh is so reserved and conservative that oldest son didn’t even know how to urinate standing up until he went to school since Dad refused to demonstrate! I have had conversations with the 18 yo girl and 16 yo son since they were 16 or so but I find it challenging. One is in the “indecisive category” so that makes it even more complicated. You want to be supportive but you really don’t know what to say other than, “be careful; I love you; I don’t want you to get hurt.”</p>

6910

<p>All this sex talk making me nervous. I am worried too. We have not had a direct talk with my S yet. He turned 16 in january, I asked my H to talk to him. He is shy off talking this to S and has not talked about it yet. I keep bringing the issue when appropriate. Recently, a junior girl in my school had a baby- she was in school till last month and then from school went to delivary room-- scary!!! So i brought it up one day at dinner and talked about how this is going to change her life forever. Your posts reminds me of “IT IS TIME TO TALK NOW”</p>

6911

<p>Terinzak, I’m so very sorry. That is the absolute worst. After the first time I had to make the decision, I declared no more pets… that lasted about 8 months. We have a houseful now, happily all pretty young. Plus, a Russian tortoise which apparently is expected to outlive me. She belongs to my son, but she’ll be mine for about 40 years. I kid him I’m leaving her to him in my will. In all seriousness though, a vet once told my mom words I’ve ever forgotten. He said, “For the animal, better a day too early than a day too late.” So sad, but humanely very true. Its just still so hard even when its right.
Giant hugs, and a big box of tissues to you.</p>

6912

<p>terinzak- I will be thinking of you today! I was a mess when I had to put my kitty down. Kind of my first child in my marriage. ):</p>

<p>89wahoo-Giggling about your awesome story! </p>

<p>mommyd and annie- Last night we were having dinner conversation sparked by this thread. Both stories were passed on. Of course my H and D got a kick out of “using” condoms in the laundry room and common room and they went off on condom dispensers all over campus and people “using” them on the spot…makes for an involved college life(: D’s roommate in Oxford last summer was very active so our kids and us got lots of stories. Humor helps!</p>

<p>tsubram- the suggestion to ask GC if the terrorist writes nice LORs is a good one! Your D is doing great and will have lots of strong choices!</p>

<p>No studying for SAT subject tests here, too much work in school.</p>

6913

<p>I haven’t been on in a week and tried to catch up on everything, but after reading for an hour gave up! I know I missed a lot of good humor out there and welcome to the new names. As a newbie myself, I must say this thread is amazing and has made me think of so many things I never would have had a clue about. So thanks everyone!!! :)</p>

<p>S’13 has been furiously catching up on Spanish III online class that was supposed to end June 20, but his hs wanted done today, as it is the last day of school. And I am happy to say he is done!!! Also got brag letter done and asked 3 teachers for LORs! DS actually scheduled our 1st college visit for July 13!!! And scheduled outdoor senior pictures for Tuesday! Yeah!!!</p>

<p>S’16 graduated last night from parochial school he has attended since 1st grade. He gave the speech because he was Student Gov’t president. I didn’t cry, but I was very close! </p>

<p>One more day and D’18 and S’23 are done for summer! I was looking forward to sleeping in next week until I saw that S’13 & S’16 have bball camp and I can’t even give them my car to use because D’26 has art classes! Oh well, maybe the next week!</p>

6914

<p>Sex talks with kids - I remember a friend who has a teaching degree saying that having conversations in the car, especially if it’s longer than a short trip, is a good place to discuss sex. You have a captive audience, and no one needs to look another person in the eye the entire time. We’ve also always told our kids they can ask us anything at all, at any time, and tell us anything at all, at any time. Thus far we’ve been asked and told a number of things that may not have been discussed, so it’s worked for us thus far.</p>

<p>I’ve found a good issue for discussion is talking about STDs - the physical part of that really makes my kids think that it’s not a good idea…too much gambling with their health. And I share that if one is sexually active with more than one partner, his/her partners are sharing each other, so to speak. I think that may help them decide “no” at least until they’re more mature and can hopefully determine if it’s worth it. Also, telling them it’s hard to go back to holding hands after progressing beyond that.</p>

<p>Haha - after one of our conversations a couple of years ago I received a prescription in the mail, send “standard” mail. In all upper case, bold letters it was shipped STD. Our older daughter saw it and was horrified, thinking I had an STD, due to the packaging sent to me. Pretty funny!</p>

6915

<p>OK…where do I start!!!</p>

<p>Terin: Will be thinking about you today. Lots of hugs from the OC.</p>

<p>89Wahoo: Could that story BE any better??? LOVED IT!!!</p>

<p>Sex: So both kids did a “Birds and Bee’s” type class in MS. So they got the basics down. (I still remember my D14 looking at the tampon…then looking at me…then back at the tampon and saying, “You want me to put that there WHERE??”)
Jr is more focused on school and “acquiring currency” then girls at this point in his life, but we did have one episode during Winter Formal.
The kids had their pre and post-party at a beautiful home on the water with a 40+ boat in the dock. So…around 1:30am, I wake my H up to inform him that Jr is not home yet. He then proceeds to tell me that he told Jr that he had NO curfew and to have fun. BUT…to remember one simple thing, “If the boats a rockin’ don’t come a knockin’”</p>

<p>O
M
G</p>

<p>Ya…from there it turned a bit ugly…chaos ensued as I yelled at H…tried to call Jr…yelled at H some more. Finally, Jr comes in about 3am and I am BESIDE myself at this point. Turns out the party bus broke down so they were stuck waiting for AAA to come save them. No post-party, no “rockin’” boats, nadda.</p>

<p>And yes, I verified the story from the host parents and 4 other kids ;)</p>

6916

<p>MDMOm - I made my first cake from scratch last year for a Thanksgiving dinner I was going to. The recipe said “cream butter and sugar”. I called my mom and asked if they meant whipped cream or the kind of cream you put in coffee.</p>

<p>Condoms - Last summer my son was certain he had syphilis. The crazy thing was that he had done an article on the rise of syphillis among teens for a website. So he was very aware of how one contracts it. But I guess he saw one too many graphic pictures and thought the mosquito bites on his arm were chancres. He said he didn’t remember being bitten by a mosquito so why would he assume they were mosquito bites. I said “Oh and you remember having sex?”</p>

6917

<p>reeinaz - very funny story about your son and syphilis…my D is kind of a hypochondriac and sounds like something she’d come up with! You made me LOL a bunch!</p>

<p>MDMom - your D and a tampon…when our D was really little she asked why we had cheese sticks in the bathroom. "What??? I guess they somewhat resemble each other when packaged. I don’t get to tell that story very often, but what else was she to think at that age! Still cracks me up!</p>

6918

<p>Ree: LOL…loving the cake story. I wouldn’t even know where to BEGIN to make a cake from scratch!</p>

6919

<p>I’m working on the program for the county wide production of Hairspray (three high schools). I always have to edit student’s bios which is a scary task. I am aghast at this particular cast and what they have submitted. I have three different formats for the kids to just plug in their info in a futile effort to make the process easier. This is what I get:</p>

<p>(Name/role omitted) A senior, John has previously performed in the OCHS productions of How To Succede In Buissness Without Really Trying. When asked about his involvement with theatre he says, “I love it, because I get to show my love for the stage, and my castmates” John has also been on the Football,Baseball,soccer,track and choir team. He is planning on attending EKU or Michigan st in the future to study Teaching.</p>

<p>O.M.G… please do not consider anything in the field of education.</p>

6920

<p>Good Morning everyone :slight_smile: :slight_smile: :)</p>

<p>I’m working like a maniac but want to let you know I’m Laughing at the way too funny anecdotes and cheering you all on …
I don’t know if the sex or the hot sauce is funnier…</p>

<p>Welcome new ones…this is a GREAT group from all over the country…sharing our trials and tribulations…aiding and assisting each other where possible :)</p>

<p>I just read this and had to pass this on Quickly…
ready…
College Board is offering the first Summer SAT… at a 3 week program that costs $4500 at Amherst College…
Well if that isn’t elitist I don’t know what is…</p>

<p>Here our kids who are running and working so hard to get great grades, do sports and ec’s, take AP tests etc etc etc…could actually have the stress of that time released…just by having a summer option to test…and what about the parents…some of us out here…who don’t have that kind of extra cash sitting around with the costs of college apps and colleges hitting us in the face…seems Way Unfair to me :(:(:(</p>

<p>It’s bad enough that the International kids at the elite schools is at an all time high of 30% and more…and I don’t mean Canada Fred…
Isn’t it time we concentrate on educating OUR Kids at the elites so that They can be our Leaders and CEO and COO of Our Companies…
At the boarding schools the “foreign” kids take all the class overseas before they take them here so that they get straight A’s and all 5’s on the AP’s…I think there should be a 10% cap on all international students…
We Need and Must highly educate Our Future Leaders !!!
From what I’m reading here…we have kids that Deserve a spot at the Iveys and A list schools…</p>

<p>I’m sorry for RANTING…but I’m so distressed that our kids work so hard and get left behind by those that work the system…</p>