A big factor in my college selection was being too far away from home to visit. I only went home my first summer, and one x-mass break.

Three years of public h.s. school environment seems like good college prep given his circumstances.

While following up on the tips provided here, I found this course from Udemy: Complete Python Bootcamp: Go from zero to hero in Python. The price is right $14.99 . Highly rated.

Thanks! I've printed a few off.

As to GW, they call it "poundage" because it goes to a distribution center where it is auctioned off by a giant bin load. A bin of all TVs, fans, appliances, DVDs, books, etc. to the highest bidder. Clothing is sold in unsorted 500 lb bales. The auctions occur daily, with maybe 75-100 bins being sold, cash and carry. A lot of the stuff purchasers are yard sellers, swap meeters, and people who drive the stuff to Mexico. A lot the baled clothing purchasers are exporters to 3rd world countries. Export clothing is big business, but I know a couple of mom and pops who make a good living shipping to relatives in Asia. There are several of these centers in Los Angeles and Orange County. Quite fascinating to watch.

Let the bus driver know this is his first trip alone and where he wants to get off. Sit up front near the bus driver, or keep moving up as space open ups until he is as close to the driver as allowed. Don't have his headphones so loud that he can't hear any announcements. Being able to hear the bus driver, and having the driver watch out for him, might avoid something that has happened to me on more than once on bus and rail--falling asleep and ending up at the end of the route.

The trick to clothing is to buy reverse season-- e.g. winter gear in summer and with 50% color tags. Only buy TOP BRANDS. For my kid, it all Nike and UA at a few dollars each. For adults( well, kids too), you must know the brand names, especially the less common trendy or boutique labels. Each year, I score several $600+ suits from Hickey-Freeman, Armani, Hugo Boss for $20.00. Could easily score many more , if I wore a regular size instead of long. Once, I had to pass on 10 Astor Chang custom shirts ($225 each retail) selling for $3.99 because I just could not stretch out the sleeve length. As to the other stuff, look for the steal of the day, whatever it may be, instead of a particular item. visually unappealing items that can be cleaned up are often the real bargain. Everybody close to me has a Shark Navigator that I got for no more than $20.00. All needed about 20 minutes of disassembly and cleaning. Last tip, shop your expertise. My passion is vinyl/lp and vintage stereo gear. There are some very expensive items out there. My biggest scores have been in vintage stereo speakers pre-80's. Many are worth $1000+, even several $1000. . The thrifts--and yard sellers-- give them away because the speakers can weigh 75-100lbs each. I find at least a couple of pairs a year. correction: Ascot Chang

Where are your extracurrirculars? As I understand it, every college believes a student can get straight "A' if that is all that they do. They rather have a B+ student with extensive outside activities, because that student could have been an "A" student with less distractions.

After graduating college, I hung around the Boston area for a year. I did several interviews. After the blizzard of '78, I returned to So. Cal. A year, or so later, I was taking some out of town friends to Disneyland. I heard someone shout out my name. Turned around, and it was one of the interviewers vacationing with his family. I was more surprised that he remembered my name after an hour interview (only time I ever met him), a couple of years later. Guess I was either really close to a job offer or unforgettably unqualified.

Yesterday, I was in one of those Goodwill distribution centers--The large store with a computer store, and bin auctions. The place was filled with Costco x-mas returns. So many things in new or near new condition. I resisted going overboard. But, I did leave with following: TI-84 plus, a Crate & Barrel butcher block cutting board, a Stiga top of line ping-pong paddle, with case; an unopened pack of Uni-ball gel pens and oxo garlic press. Over $300 of stuff for $11.00. Had a good day.

Last time I was in Jamaica was 1988. Stayed in an all-inclusive resort. When I travel, I usually negotiate with a friendly cab driver for a full day rate. Hired a cabbie with explicit request that I wanted to see Trench Down ( birthplace of reggae/ska). At the end of the day of sightseeing, we still had not visited Trench Town. I started complaining. The cabbie is saying he didn't know I was serious--he didn't bring his gun. I'm going how could you not know, I've been asking all day. Then I got irritated and start renegotiating the price. the cabbie came us with a compromise. He would drive me to Trench Town, and then let me borrow his car. For, a brief moment I felt victorious. Then better judgment kicked in. I said never mind.

Well, if your goal is to accelerate math, 2nd grade is good place to begin because there is so little real HW. Look at an on-line math program. We used EPGY (now Redbird)--very entertaining. no more than 30 minutes at a time , 3 or 4 times a week. You will be surprised that an eager 2nd grader can complete 3rd and fourth grade math in less than a year. By the end of 3rd grade, my kid was doing pre-alg, but it took a 1/ 1/2 years to complete. The pay-off comes around 5-6th grade when school math becomes the time consuming HW. With pre-alg already under his belt, school math was simply review, and he could concentrate on other areas.

Must practice, practice test taking. More important understanding reading test questions, than voracious reading..

For us it was easy. I heard about CTY when the now 7th grader was in 2nd grade, Only way for that to happen was for me to take over his math education. He qualified for baby CTY at the end of 2nd grade. Qualified for CTY intensive studies at 6th grade. Now, we are shooting for CTY SET this June. So far, all practice materials show a weak 700 math (SAT Math Level 1, and SAT), but we have a few months to go. It is something he is aiming for, and we enjoy working together on the target.

The 7th grader had a couple of T&H kits. The last one was physics/.solar energy. Not a fan of product. Plastic junk.

The seventh grader is doing the final push before H.S. After school he is doing Thinkwell pre-calc. At school, algebra doesn'st start until 8th, but then his school will accelerate alg 2, geometry and pre-calc over 2 years (we have not sought advancement. I want him to repeat all at school). As to sports, he is ready for the H.S. varsity golf team, and seems to be on track for a chance at a college scholarship. He shoots very low 80s. Div III, is generally under 80, and Div 1 is low 70's or par. Even w/o a scholarship, he will have a major ec on hand.

I worked in a meat market/deli for a year in high school. Trust the adage. You don't want to know. To this day, I pause before buying anything with ground meat.btw, I do like salamii--buon gusto is my favorite Italian style..

When I was in professional school, I lived on Lakeshore in Oakland. A grand view of Lake Merritt from my apartment and close to a very trendy downtown Lots of apartments on Lakeshore. Easy BART/subway and freeway access. Rent back in the 80s was $1200 for 2 bedroom, 2 baths, wet bar, lakeview. No idea what rent is now.

The 12 y.o had Fiendish Angletron by his side when he was working the trig part of alg 2. It was very helpful. The whole series is a blast.

I would jump on that. Perhaps, you could wait until Spring to pick it up. If not, wouldn't winterizing just be a good set of chains?

I have a 12 y.o. son taking private golf and tennis lessons. I generally hang around every lesson. Occasionally, I'll run a quick errand. I simply tell the coach that I will be right back-- not where I'm going and for how long.

Et tooo, Pluto?

Today's Woot has an affordable attachment for the curious. many favorable reviews. https://www.woot.com/category/tools?ref=w_gh_tg_6

I have no fond childhood memories. My family was poor and Christmas was always disappointing for me. But, my first home purchase closed a couple of days before X-Mas, and the nearby tree lot sold all left over trees for $5.00 on X- Mas Eve. The Living room has 22ft ceiling, and I got a 15 ft tree for the first X-Mas in the new house.

Thanks, MarkT. I have no physics background. I'll check out other options.