Even if she works towards improving her skills she still would need a degree to actually get a job. We have an entire department of Graphic Artists in my company and all of them have at least a BA. If they didn't they would not have been considered for employment. An associates degree is also an option but it could limit employment options after graduation.

I was one in High School in the 80's. What a bizarre experience. Sometimes I helped with filing and looking back I am surprised that a 14 yo girl had access to people's medical records. Other times I would push around the gift shop cart with another candy striper selling magazines and candy bars. We went everywhere including the psych ward and we saw a lot of interesting things. Often patients would think we were nurses and ask us questions or ask us to do things for them. Sometimes the girl that was supposed to be working with me would "disappear" for a few hours with one of the hospital janitors and I had to carry on on my own. It was fun but odd.

My DD was a Girl Scout from kindergarten through 6th grade (she's in 7th now) and I was the cookie mom for 4 years. I voted Samoas. I would like to vote Savannah Smiles as those really are my favorite but I found a hair baked into one once and haven't been able to eat them since. Blech.

Not necessarily (and I know you are being somewhat sarcastic). I have a friend that teaches in an urban elementary school where a majority of his students each year have parents that are recent immigrants and work as day laborers. In the late fall as work opportunities decrease the fathers head back to South America (mainly Brazil but other countries too) and often take their children with them. Then they return in March and re-enroll the students at the school. They often return right before standardized state testing completely unprepared and many of the students are so behind that they need to repeat grades. It is a never ending cycle that he has witnessed for the past 15 years. I have heard similar stories from other teachers that I know.

Schools here have that as well - it's a 40 minute period but it is considered their "specials," it's not really recess.

Here in early elementary you get 10-15 minutes in the morning, 1/2 hour either before or after lunch (depending on your class' schedule) and 10-15 minutes in the afternoon. Sometimes then get a third 10 minute period depending on the day and the teacher. Kindergarten is only half day. Upper elementary (3-5 grade) gets 10 minutes in the morning then there is a 45 minute block for lunch and recess. After the first 15 minutes students can decide if they want to stay in the lunchroom and eat and chat or go out for their recess. after half an hour they have no choice and must go to recess for the last 15 minutes. There is then usually a 10 minute recess in the afternoon. Many teachers will use that afternoon recess for a class "hike" rather than free play. Lunchrooms are definitely not silent, especially in the early elementary where they have dancing at least once a week (Cotton Eyed Joe, Chicken Dance etc). It can get a little loud. Kids with IEPs can have additional pull-outs during the day where they go and jump rope or other OT related activities.

Ariana Grande!

I'm discouraged reading this thread to see that AP classes have changed since I was in school. the AP classes I had were very much like college classes in that your grades were based on just a few tests and/or papers. There were no projects or busywork, that was for the lower level classes. Time in class was spent taking notes from lectures, doing labs, or in deep discussions regarding the material (depending on the class). It was eye opening for many students that a single exam could make or break your grade for that class.

I got the chicken pox when I was 24 from someone I worked with. He was a man in his early 20's who contracted it from his younger brother (5yo). His parents did not vaccinate. Three others in the office contracted it as well, as the vaccine did not exist when were were young and we never had the disease it as kids. The young man as well as another man were able to get a shot which lessened the symptoms. They ended up with fairly mild cases. Another woman and myself could not get the shot. I had medical issues preventing me and the other woman was pregnant. My symptoms were severe and for three weeks I was quite sick. The other woman ended up being hospitalized and subsequently lost the baby. It was horrible. I quite sensitive to people downplaying the chicken pox.

I would first evaluate if your child has a good chance of making the school team in their sport of choice, before making any changes that would affect their education. Where I live It is quite competitive to make the team in some (if not all) sports. I know you say your area is small but the competition to play may be more than you realize. Perhaps the High School coach could be used as a resource to help evaluate their skills and aid in your decision.

Most of the public libraries in my state offer offer free passes (or extremely discounted rates) to many museums and other local attractions. For that reason I would rather pay for a trip like the apple orchard rather than to a museum I could visit for free with the library pass.

Yes I graduated in Connecticut 1987 and my school offered quite a few AP classes. Some kids (about 5 or 6 out of a class of 275) were able to take a few of the AP exams their Sophomore year saving what they felt were the more difficult exams for their senior year after actually taking AP classes. I did know one student who took all of his AP exams Freshman year but he was also 11 years old. I wonder where he is today...

I know some students use a squishy cushion to sit on during class similar to this: https://funandfunction.com/15-wiggle-cushion.html Normally they are used for IEPs but often the school has a few extra floating around and teachers can suggest them at their discretion for other students they think will benefit. I have a friend whose son's second grade teacher did this and it worked wonders. If the school doesn't have one to spare perhaps you can purchase one and send it in. I would also have the teacher keep an eye on who your daughter gravitates towards during circle time or when standing in line. Simply separating her from a particular student or two during that time can also make a difference.

Regular suburban PS in CT in the 80's I was in the G&T program in elementary. In HS that that meant students in the program could decide which AP exams they would take Sophomore year and which they wanted to wait until Senior year to take after actually taking AP classes. Sophmore year I took the AP American History, Biology and English exams. I scored 5s on all as my Middle School and Freshman year AP track classes had prepared me well. (They weren't AP classes in this grade but AP track as opposed to Honors Track or College Track) I took Latin and Spanish throughout - Taking the National Latin Exam each year and gold medaling once. By Senior year I took all AP classes (plus electives) and took the AP Calc exam. AP Clac I and II classes were taught Senior year in our school but they were also associated with the local state college so I received college credit for them as well as was able to take the AP exam at the end. (unfortunately the University I attended did not accept the credit from our local state college). I regret not taking the Physics or Chemistry Exams but most people in our school did not at that time. Sprinkled throughout were electives like Economics and Gym that we had to take for graduation. School went from 7:05 to 1:00 each day and there was no lunch. I opted out of a study hall to take extra electives (languages) instead.

I had a similiar experience. I would get to a doctor asap. Edited to say I'm not sure why the quote function isn't actually printing the quote

I have a clotting disorder that was discovered after years on bc pills. I had to immediately stop the bc pills but Mirena was a viable option. I'm now on my second Mirena and I love it. With each one I spotted for about 3 months, then nothing at all. Insertion was not pleasant but fairly quick.

I only have one friend around my age that is married and never had kids. She is very happy and boy are her dogs spoiled.

Waiting on snowpocalypse here too and the flakes have already started to fall. My 12yo dd just asked if I could drive her over to a freind's house. Um, no.

I'm glad you had a good time!!

I'm all about the name Carson lately but I think I've been watching too much Downton Abbey. Carson Matthew sounds good to me.

Our dog is a Scottish breed so we found Maisy on a list of Scottish baby names and it was perfect. If she were male I was pulling for Haggis but there was strong opposition.

In third grade I remember having to do book reports. We started learning the 5 paragraph essay format in 4th grade. I remember three large papers I had to write in 4th including footnotes and a bibliography. One was about Jesse Owens, one was about French Guiana and one was our choice, which had to be an answer to a question we posed. I wrote about genetics in response to "Why are my eyes hazel?" From 5th on the writing just got more intense and moved away from book and subject reports and more towards thesis papers. We started writing lab reports in 6th grade. I remember my first larger scale creative writing assignment in 6th. My kids (5th and 7th)have had similiar writing experiences but also touced more on persuasive and creative writing in early elementary. I actually wish I had done more creative writing early on and do not recall learning persuasive writing at all. Edited to add I graduated High School in 1987.

Bradley is not anywhere near where you could take a train into the city. I live in CT and drive about 45 minutes South/Southwest to take a train that takes about an hour and a half to get into Grand Central. Bradley is another hour and a half Northeast of me. If you are only visiting NY you are better flying into JFK or Laguardia.

I was a free range/latch key kid and I guess it was all right. My good freinds were my freinds from school because, well, they were like me. They were friends I chose and we had similar interests and ideals. I basically hung out with the nerdy smart kids and I have fond memories. The neighborhood kids were different. We were sort of thrown together due to proximity and many just really weren't for me. I don't remember any bullying but I did have exposure to drugs and alcohol (things I never even encountered in High School with my school friends). When we were younger we did run around and play I guess (I remember running around the neighborhood playing Charlie's Angels). I also remember lots of broken bones from people doing carzy unsupervised things. I don't see nearly as many kids today with broken bones even with all of the sports that they play!

I've used TKTS in Times Square - You do have to wait on line and you are limited as to what they have available at that time. If you have your heart set on a specific show I would get the tickets beforehand.