As others have said, 25th percentile means they scored better than 25% of students; below the 25th percentile just means they score in the bottom 1/4th of students.

For US military folks, the issue is that military commissaries in Germany got their beef--including ground hamburger--from the UK during the period in which some UK need was contaminated from mad cow disease.

I'm in a similar boat from having lived in Europe; the concern is mad cow disease as they apparently cannot screen for prions. I'm O+ so would be a good donor, but haven't been able to donate since college (before the new rules).

My parents didn't do lavish Christmases. Dh's parents did. We've chosen to follow in my family's footsteps and keep things simple, my kids have been content with that because it is what they are used to.

Hospice is really the only thing that makes sense. Sigh. Dying is scary. When my grandfather's health was deteriorating rapidly he did make the decision to go with hospice care; he didn't want to extend his life in misery. Even so, when a crisis would hit he would panic and want to be taken to the hospital; his hospice nurse would calmly talk him down and remind him of the decision he has made and he would accept it, but the urge to fight for life was strong even when rationally he had chosen not to.

The Ordinary Princess. The Princess and the Goblins A Little Princess Ella Enchanted

What about other Oz books?

Try Dealing with Dragons.

How are things going Faith?

I think it is very much about undervaluing children and those who care for and work with children.

What is your degree in?

This is my response to any discussion of decor: :huh: :huh: :huh: I'm such a non-visual person I'm completely oblivious to most decor. Y'all would doubtless be horrified by my house.

Thank you for giving me this excuse :D (haven't sent cards in years...)

I've noticed that male teachers seem get picked out for awards at a disproportionate rate--probably because they stand out for being male in a female dominated profession. That too stood out to me--the same wall that held the current faculty and staff photos had a line of teacher-of-the-year photos going back maybe 15 years. at least 1/4th were males--way, way higher than the current 3-4% male representation in the faculty.

I would not hesitate to feed a passion. I don't think most kids even remember most of what they learn in content subjects in the early years--our brains learn best where there is personal motivation. Take that passion and run with it.

Sounds to me like a five year old boy who doesn't want to write. And schools don't accommodate well for that. He could maybe qualify for a dysgraphia diagnosis and receive accommodations, but honestly-- If he has a teacher who can't differentiate between a kid who can't count and a kid who won't write the answer, I don't think that classroom is a good setting for him.

I would be concerned about any government teacher who makes sweeping black/white/absolute assertions about anything. Government and politics are complex, someone who teaches the subject needs to be able to appreciate and help students understand that fact. We've got a whole nation of folks who mostly seem to be incapable of actually listening with an open mind to the thoughts, opinions, and reasoning of someone who disagrees with them--teachers shouldn't be further encouraging such narrow mindedness (which exists in equal measure all along the political spectrum).

College applications typically require transcripts from every high school a student has attended.

Galore Park "So You Really Want To Learn French" comes highly recommended.

Female teachers with a male principal was the situation at all but one of the schools I attended growing up. I think the principal at my 6th grade school was female, but I may just be remembering the vice principal. I remember her because she used to slap kids (apparently entirely acceptable in French schools at the time, and one of the reasons I laugh at the "French child rearing practices are superior" books and article written by francophile North Americans).

Has he seen the LOTR movies? If he likes the movies I would try the books again; they're a bit slow to get into so you could do some judicious editing to shorten the time it takes to get to the more interesting bits.

A written report from the neuropsychologist recommending extended time in tests might help.

I think I've seen that advertised on facebook.

Thank you for sharing, this could be very helpful in the future.

I'm just curious to know if there is anything else out there similar to diy.org? Any sites or programs your kids use to learn new skills?