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pgr

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Posts posted by pgr

  1. 38 minutes ago, mlktwins said:

    My son has started receiving some emails for academic honor societies. We researched one of them and decided it wasn't worth it (NSCS). He went to an info session for Eta Sigma Phi today so we will see. I don't know anything about the particular one you are asking about though. I am new to all of this too. 

    I have told my guy to see what is involved/requirements of the chapter. I added that participation in the honor society is probably as/more important than just having it to note on a resume. I want him to look at clubs and honor societies related to his major and to see what else comes down the road for him as an upperclassman. 

    I also searched on his school's FB parent groups to see what was said about the particular honor societies he received emails from.

    Yes, I've researched this one in similar ways that you've described and it doesn't seem to be worth it. Thank you for your input! 

  2. 6 minutes ago, bolt. said:

    I'm certain there are maybe hundreds (or at least dozens) of mass shootings (depending on the definitions) per year that get little or no discussion on the board. This one came up because it's in the double digits, and the shooter is still at large. Lots of somewhat less serious shootings are so par-for-the-course that there is little to say about them. We care, but we don't always discuss.

    There's also a massive manhunt still underway, with a shooter that is an incredible marksman, a skilled outdoorsman, and by all accounts - a meticulous planner. 

    • Like 9
  3. 6 minutes ago, MEmama said:

    Wow, that's crazy they are searching way up there. It feels like the entire state is collectively holding our breath.

    I know. I'm waiting for my daughter and husband to come home safely at the end of the day. Stay safe ❤️ .

    • Like 4
  4. 1 minute ago, Kanin said:

    If the bad guy had had a less powerful gun, things would have been different, too.

    Amen to this!

    It also would have helped if he hadn't been well trained, but that's obviously not not true in most other cases.
     

    • Like 1
  5. Thank you for the info about flight tracker. It's not like I can "help"... it's so hard to listen to them and feel helpless. They were circling above us when we went to close up our coop last night and started back at 5AM. We're not even in the lockdown area. At the very least, it's reassuring to know there is a huge team out there, searching. 

     

    • Like 2
  6. It seems like this is the perfect storm of a person who is both very capable of killing and hiding, but also possibly actively psychotic. I kind of wish all of Maine would lock down. I'm not too happy about my kid going to class at UMaine Orono tomorrow, especially given the fact that the suspect is UMaine Orono alumnus.

    @MEmama how do I filter for helicopters on the flight tracker? Is that a paid upgrade only or am I missing something? Ugh. Even in this age of information-instantly-at-our-fingertips, the not knowing and the wait are just awful. 

    Stay safe ❤️ .

    • Sad 3
  7. 4 hours ago, MEmama said:

    We've been watching the flight radar and a little while ago 3 helicopters left Lewiston toward Boston. I assume they are transporting more patients to Mass General 😞 

    So glad our Maine boardies are OK, and thankful my UMaine freshman's classes were cancelled today. 

    Where can I find helicopter flight radar? We've been hearing helicopters most of the day (we're in the Bangor area) and it's truly unnerving. He could be anywhere by now.

    • Like 3
    • Sad 6
  8. 15 hours ago, Lori D. said:

    Hmmm... I personally would find car read-alouds (listen to as audio books) harder to use as literature -- i.e., listen in the car and then later on when we got home dig into more deeply... Maybe lean more towards works that are more just for exposure or for fun, and save the deeper digging works for things you can do at home?? Just a thought.

    That's a good point, Lori. Thank you for all the suggestions!

  9. It looks like we'll be spending a fair amount of time in the car this year, and I thought my boys and I could listen to some of the books they'd otherwise read for literature. For some reason, I'm having a hard time coming up with a list of books with themes/scenes that are both appropriate for both a 7th grader and a 10th grader, and that won't be tuned out in the first five minutes. 

    We've listened to a LOT of middle grade fiction with all three (oldest is 18 and now in college), but also really enjoyed works such as The Importance of Being Earnest and, just recently, Pride and Prejudice. We've also gone through the SOTW series.

    I do have a grand plan high school book list, but I don't know if my 12 year old is ready for many of them - e.g. (off the top of my head) The Catcher in the Rye, Their Eyes Were Watching God, Fahrenheit 451, The Grapes of Wrath, 1984, The Great Gatsby, Things Fall Apart, A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, The Hate U Give, etc.

    There are so many good books out there - both traditional classics and ones that really need to be read, but I am just really struggling to come up with a list for both kids. 

    Any ideas would be much appreciated! 

  10. 20 hours ago, ScoutTN said:

    Pepper spray, yes. Anything that goes in someone’s face/eyes will work.

    Dd has had a personal defense course that was well done. A bunch of homeschooled teen girls and their moms took it together. Some gritty, hard things to hear, but real and helpful. Skills and practical how-to were also taught. 

    That’s awesome, thanks. We should find a class like that here.

    • Like 1
  11. On 7/21/2023 at 11:35 AM, ScoutTN said:

    All schools we visited provide campus security to make sure no one walks alone at night. Worth checking on. 
    Also worth asking if any of those things are included in freshman orientation/welcome activities. 
     

    I would take the student on a trip to the big city and practice some of the things - awareness/identifying potential hazards, riding public transportation, etc. 

    International student. So much to learn. Must be overwhelming. I’d try to make sure they have good connections to the school’s support programs, including both adults and students. Other students who are 2+ years here may be the best resource. Connection to a family, a local mom of older teens or young adults would also be good. Lots of churches run these programs.

    All great points, thank you @ScoutTN!

    Has anyone bought their kid a personal alarm (like Birdie or similar)? We know one kid who is considering bringing pepper spray with her when she goes to college, but to me that feels like it could potentially cause more problems than actually help.

    • Like 2
  12. 1 hour ago, freesia said:

    Yes. Only two days a week of an 8:00 class, but his Friday is completely packed which seems odd to me. 
     

    ( I have seen his schedule bc if printed when I printed the tuition bill). He has not seen it. It came nine days ago. He didn’t look and when I asked he said that so only wanted him to look bc I was curious. I am so ready for this child to fly off and be the independent soul he yearns to be. I’m love him but know that he is done being mothered all the time. )

    Yeah... my DD asked for my input because her college advisor asked her if she thought a 13hr day was doable for her. Thankfully, she's naturally a pretty organized and efficient worker and learner.

    • Like 3
  13. Helping kids stay safe on campus has come up in discussions on another group, and it got me thinking.

    Other than discussing situational awareness and general common sense, what are your thoughts - especially for those just starting college?

    How do you help prepare a kid that grew up in a very small, rural town and is now starting school in a major metropolis? Or a kid that will be one of the few commuters and walking solo to parking at night? Or a student from another country that hasn’t had any “active shooter” drills at school (nor discussions at home) and likely comes from a different social culture? 

    • Like 1
  14. This is pgr's daughter, a graduating senior, homeschooled for 12 years. Here's my take, in no particular order or arrangement, written in my mind to any and all high schoolers:

    --Use online classes, but don't overdo it. My personal maximum is 3 live classes and 1 semi-asynchronous one. For specific providers, I agree that WHA has been excellent, particularly for science (I was in the same class as JennaH for AP Bio, and can second her recommendation of Mrs. Chen!). I also had a very positive experience with Schole Academy (for Latin, especially with Mr. Kotynski) and Clover Valley Chemistry (for organic/biochemistry). My only caveats for these would be that WHA and SA are both very distinctly Christian; however, despite having some fairly significant ideological disagreements, I enjoyed my time at both schools. Clover Valley Chemistry was a great source for me, as I plan to major in STEM; however, it might be too much for a non-STEM kid. That said, the class I took was the most advanced one offered at CVC, so that may be a factor.

    --If possible, take Senior Thesis. I took the Rhetoric 2/Senior Thesis class at WHA with Mr. Choi, and can highly recommend it. I spent all year researching a topic, writing a paper on it, and then presenting a speech and defense to a panel. What I particularly enjoy with WHA's approach (that I don't believe SA or WTMA utilize) is that anyone in the school, or anyone you invite, can watch your defense. It was extremely rewarding to share my research and work with my acquaintances from different schools. Also, if you plan to pursue a master's degree or a PhD, you'll already have a very rough understanding of the thesis process.

    --AP classes are great - in moderation. I took only 3 AP classes over all 4 years, and honestly cannot understand how people who take upwards of 10 APs manage it. My impression seems to be that colleges might not care about AP/DE as much as they care about whether you've challenged yourself.

    --If you plan to apply to a college that requires a personal statement (and many don't), start writing it early, maybe the spring of your junior year. I started mine the summer before senior year and had a fairly decent draft done by the fall, but I was still scrambling to fine-tune it in time to submit my ED application.

    --Extracurriculars shouldn't be a grind. I went to an online Latin club, participated in an online newspaper, and danced my freshman year. After COVID hit, the additional "extracurricular" spots on the Common App were filled with things like helping with a small business, distributing political signs, and taking care of the family chickens. I felt woefully under-enrolled, yet received a scholarship that was granted "not only for academic achievement, but also for your involvement in extracurriculars and your community". Go figure. 

    --Don't ditch the middle grade novels and/or picture books. My family and I listen mostly to middle grade novels (i.e. geared for the 8-12yo audience) in the car, and it's been a delight. Characters like Ramona Quimby can provide just the respite you need after finishing essays, AP reading assignments, experiments, and/or tests.

    --Try to find an interest/prospective major, but don't panic if you don't. In some colleges, you declare your major in your application; in others, you don't choose one until sophomore year. Either way, you can always change it. However, it might be practical to dig deeper into the area(s) that interest you. But don't forget the other subjects! Even if you don't plan on applying to a super-selective school, most colleges like to see that you have 4 years of math, 4 of English, etc. And even if you don't want to go to college at all, it's still good to have all your bases covered.

    --Talk about college, but don't stress out over it. Set your expectations well ahead of senior year: will you be applying to selective schools or not? Large or small? State or private? Any particular affiliations or geographical locations? How much are your parents willing or able to pay (and keep in mind that this is something that can change unexpectedly, as it did for my family)? Do you want to attend graduate/medical/law/etc. school? The traditional 4-year college path isn't for everyone, but you should at least discuss your plans and options early, openly, and often.

    --Challenge yourself, but don't feel obligated to stick with something that doesn't work. On the other hand, just because it's annoying doesn't mean you should immediately give it up. For some subjects, we switched textbooks mid-year when a source that had always worked was suddenly no longer making sense at the next level. Conversely, I ended up grinding through a different excruciatingly long and boring work of literature and/or memoir every spring, and there's a sense of triumph on the other side.

    --Not every "course" needs to be neat and tidy. I read literature, discussed it with my mom, and wrote essays. We divided those books into rough categories, and those were the English courses on the transcript. As long as you have the skills and knowledge that's listed, no one cares if you actually read 1984 the same year as Animal Farm or War and Peace.

    --Don't assume that summers have to be free from school; rather, use them to do the projects and lessons that you didn't have time for during the school year. Very often, my (at home) strictly scheduled math was de-emphasized so that I could have time for my online classes during the school year, and I used the summers to catch up. Also, one summer, I compiled an index; another summer, I wrote a 30-page paper on a topic I was extremely interested in. We took those two, combined them with my memoir-reading, and made an elective course out of it on the transcript. In the end, I probably learned more from this independent study than if I had taken a similar, structured course.

    --Don't assume that a "self-paced" course will have less of a time commitment. I took a semi-asynchronous course this year (you had to complete the chapter's work within a 2- or 3-week block, but there were no live classes), and ended up spending more time on it than on one of my live online classes. 

    --Finally, celebrate homeschooled high school! In my area, high schools distribute yard signs to seniors; we're putting together one on Shutterfly, featuring our homeschool's logo. You did it! Even if you don't have prom, a formal graduation, etc., your achievement is no less than that of the public schoolers, and you will do great things wherever you go next.

    Anyway, I hope all of that makes some sense, and hopefully it's at least a bit helpful to those still fighting the good fight! 🤓

     

     

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