saw
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Posts posted by saw
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2 minutes ago, Arcadia said:
I would give a small tip to the janitor who has to unlock the venue and lock up after.
Good point! I suspect that there is no janitor and that the person doing that is the person we've been dealing with over the last few months (who I was going to tip anyway) but will confirm.
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35 minutes ago, Katy said:
You’re just renting the venue, there’s no staff? I don’t think you need to tip them at all.
I like this answer. I think the caterers provide staff, and the venue provides set up but no staff who stays or serves plates or anything. I will probably tip the person at the venue who has coordinated the venue stuff but would rather not pay 20% on top of the venue fee.
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DD is getting married in May, and I'm trying to figure out who gets tipped and how much. Several of the vendors have already included their tips in the contracts that I've already, but the contract for the site for the reception does not specify. This is for the use of the space for the reception; we don't have a wedding coordinator there, and all the food, flowers, etc are being brought in. I expect to tip the caterers and will check whether the tip goes to the wait staff. For the venue, I've looked online and can't quite figure out what protocol is. I would be happy to tip the person we've been dealing with a couple hundred, but tipping 20% on top of the fee for the use of space is rather a lot more money. What is usual?
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You may already be doing this, but if not, it would probably be helpful to provide a cv or summary of activities to the recommenders. DS will ask his recommenders this week (that is, if he listens to me and the school counselor lol). He will send a request, along with a summary of his background, ECs and college majors, and likely ask for a call to discuss any questions. It's a small school so the teacher will likely be happy to have a quick chat with him. I know from speaking with the teacher he is asking that the teacher had no idea DS is very much a STEM kid, which made me realize it is important for the recommender to understand how the class s/he teaches fits into the kid's profile.
I don't expect the teacher will write the rec until summer/fall, but this avoids the last minute rush for the teacher. Somewhere on the Common App you will be asked to waive your rights to see the recs, and the general advice is to waive your rights.
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5 hours ago, Malam said:
What was its name?
King's Interhigh, in the UK. The IBO has a list of schools that offer the online IB, and it looks like the number is growing.
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12 hours ago, Anna sun said:
@saw, I looked at it spec for the IB programme because my daughter thinks she wants to study in Europe and it’s just a more straightforward approach then figuring out what to do with a diploma for a homeschooler, AP vs non AP, etc. everyone knows IB. But the price tag is just too high and we won’t qualify for aid. I’d love to hear your experience anyway just in case I change my mind in 2 years when it’s time to make a decision. Thank you
[editing for privacy]
In terms of European universities, if you check the websites for those that are of interest, you'll see what the requirements are for the AP exams. It may be easier to meet those than to find a two-year IB programme and jump through the IB hoops. Having had kids in IB, AP, and A-levels, I personally prefer the A-level system. International A-levels may make it easier to take A-levels outside of the UK.
The IBO is expanding the number of schools that may offer the IB online, though, so in a couple of years you will have more options. I'm not sure whether our disappointment this year is with the IB system or the school itself. Feel free to DM me if you would like more info.
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Not SOHS but in case anyone is considering Dw*ght online school, one of mine is in this. It's supposedly the second-best online high school. I know some of his classmates considered SOHS as well. Happy to share our experience if that would be helpful.
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DS had an issue this week with his online beginning language class, in which he is one of three students. Second term grades came out and he dropped a full grade. One of the others in the class got what he had and the the other one got a full grade higher than DS. I question this, because when I listen in on the class (DS and I work in the same room), it's clear that the other two cannot string sentences together, while DS can speak reasonably well. The teacher does assign written work, and wants the students to use sophisticated, grammar and cultural references that he has not taught them in class. His expectations are somewhat unreasonable, given the textbook and what he does in class.
It's incredibly easy for the kids to have AI write up a paragraph or two, or to write their own paragraph and have AI make it fancy or correct all errors. I now suspect the other two are turning in written work that is well in advance of their ability in the language because they're making use of AI or similar (either that, or they are excellent in writing and reading and poor in speaking, which is a possibility, but seems unlikely as they struggle to understand anything the teacher says). I review DS's work and help him fix it up a bit, by way of teaching, but won't let him include anything that is not representative of his actual level. It's a bit of a gray area though, as the teacher has not stated what is allowed and what not.
The "final" exam for this class will be spring 2025 so it will be interesting to see what happens then, when students are proctored and cannot get any outside help. Our solution to the current problem is to have DS work harder on grammar and vocab, so he can "catch up" to the desired level.
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I noticed this the other day with DS. He was asked by a friend in a language class to send her his language homework because she didn't have time to do the work. He and I discussed this, why it was not okay and how to respond in a kind way. He told his friend quite firmly that he would not do this and that it was cheating. She responded that she didn't think this was cheating! I don't know whether she was just saying that to make it sound better or whether she genuinely did not realize that taking someone else's work and passing it off as her own was not okay.
DS is in an online school, and I am quite sure that many of the kids are using AI for work and using the math checkers to check their homework. I don't mind the mathchecker as long as it's being used to check the work and catch errrors (and it's not forbidden, so I believe the teacher is okay with it, especially since the teachers will often send the answers to the students so they can check their work) that the student can then fix.
The grey area for me is using AI and other sources to correct language homework by, for example, running a paragraph through AI to check for errors. It feels a bit wrong to me, yet at the same time the teacher insists the students use vocabulary and grammar that he has not taught them, and failure to do so results in a low grade, so AI is an effective way to learn the grammar and usage that isn't being taught.
I do mind the AI for essays and so on. The school doesn't have a good handle on it.
For tests they have to install an extension (Honorlock) that turns on the camera so if the AI behind the camera detects unusual movement, a person will come on and watch the student doing the test. DS thinks this is super-creepy. He also talks to himself while doing his work, so we had to go to the school and tell them to put a note on his file so that this would not trigger Honorlock. I'm glad the school takes action to avoid cheating but the solution is an unpleasant invasion of privacy.
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17 hours ago, Beth S said:
But our favorite choice was our niece's favors---she married a wonderful guy whose last name was the name of a popular candy bar!
We all went home with a candy bar. Very fun.
I like this! For fun I googled future SIL's name and food stuff but unfortunately all I found was sausage links and patties lol.
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3 hours ago, Kassia said:
ETA - maybe about the size of these tealight candle holders but they were decorated on the edges and had our names and wedding date in script on them https://www.amazon.com/PINIWON-Tealight-Holders-Wedding-Centerpiece/dp/B0CHB9KY5W/ref=asc_df_B0CHB9KY5W/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=680523312848&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=18016317812781120870&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9015255&hvtargid=pla-2245582204976&mcid=15e8acefa7323cf09bb11f849dbea60b&gad_source=1&th=1
Those are pretty. DD's fiance has mentioned candles as one option he likes, so this might be a good one.
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1 hour ago, mum said:
My dd got married last year. They didn't do favors. The majority of her peers also did not. Personally I am relieved, I have never received a wedding favor that I wanted. I have seen individually wrapped cookies done (bakery or home made) and always thought that was nice. Is your dd attached to giving favors?
DD generally yes but her fiance quite likes the idea. They don't want to do something just randomly for the sake of giving favors though but want to give something thoughtful.
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12 minutes ago, TrulySusan said:
We went to a wedding that gave guest pictures. The bride had a friend doing mini Polaroids right before you were seated for the ceremony. They took one for her guest book and a second one for the guest to keep.
I love the idea of pictures, especially as everyone is dressed up and people will be with people they see infrequently. I think we are doing a thing where we have a QR code so everyone can upload their photos, and then everyone's photos will be available to everyone.
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Just now, Carol in Cal. said:
I personally would find Cadbury eggs exciting, and after all, they are in season.
Just bought my first Cadbury egg of the season yesterday! Only problem would be that, if I were the one responsible for the eggs, I would eat them. I have one idea for a cookie that represents one aspect of the bride's background, and this would represent another (English) side. I like the idea of doing a small gift bag that includes consumables that are connected to their backgrounds.
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DD is getting married this spring, and I'm helping to think of wedding favor ideas. They're thinking personalized bookmarks, small candles, printed cookies or similar. Trying to avoid anything too bulky as almost everyone is travelling from a distance and anything that is just going to end up as clutter. Has anyone seen any really fun not super-pricy useful yet exciting wedding favors that you would be happy to get?
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9 minutes ago, 8filltheheart said:
Congratulations on the acceptances. I recommend asking on the music forum on College Confidential. They have been discussing the various camps and can give you informed opinions based on instrument, too.
Thanks! I have been posting there as well. Best of luck to your dd. I have two older dcs who did music quite seriously, but I didn't do enough for the first one because I didn't quite realize what was necessary/helpful. I got it a bit together for the other one, and am a little bit more together for this one. The whole process is challenging to understand, and DS's teachers are not in the US, so have a more limited view. I'm sure he will have a great summer wherever he goes though.
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Asking here because I know some of you are applying to conservtories/music programs and may have insight into summer programs. DS17 (junior)(piano) has been accepted at Kinhaven, Interlochen and Eastern Music Festival. He attended Brevard last summer but is still waiting on their decision. I'm familiar with Interlochen because DS the elder went there a few years ago, and I have good info on Kinhaven, but know little about EMF. If anyone has any info on any of these would you please share? He's a pretty serious musician but unlikely to apply to conservatories next year, although I think he may ultimately end up doing music. Getting stressed because one deadline is tomorrow and just argh.
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I have not tried any of the following (although I have reviewed and think these may be good), but I asked a similar question to your in a FB group I'm part of, and these were the suggestions:
https://mathacademy.com/?fbclid=IwAR1T0c_1FCHehQxLvKtrzyoaRSAWttdJvUlMulhZ79jIs3_Eq41MCVXxbQ0
I like the look of Math Academy and may have DS try that, depending on what happens with school math.
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DS tried French there last year, but his French was more advanced then the course. CLRC was very good about letting him withdraw from the class late though. He did a history class there that he very much enjoyed. On the whole we found that CLRC was great to deal with. I kind of wish we'd stuck with them for school this year.
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1 hour ago, Innisfree said:
If he’s chewing the harness, could you just take it off between walks? ID tags could be on a collar in case of an emergency like having him slip out the door.
If he’s likely to slip out of the harness while walking, our animal shelter taught us to hook the front loop on the harness and the loop on a martingale type collar both in the leash latch, for an extra layer of security. There, though, we were walking mostly very energetic pit mixes, so I’m not sure if that would apply for a tiny dog. I would think that an active walk, with some obedience work mixed in and lots of praise and rewards, might help distract him from the harness. Maybe he needs something to think about other than the harness itself. All this assumes that the harness does fit him comfortably, which is the first priority.
Normally Max has the harness off between walks, but if he's alone with my parents and they need to be able to take him out (usually just to the back yard) the harness has to stay on because they can't get it on him. Max is adorable but basically untrained (and training isn't going to happen -- I've tried but I only have him every so often).
I will try a few different harnesses to see which is comfortable for him. I don't want him to be uncomfortable.
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Do you want French subtitles with spoken French or English subtitles with spoken French?
Not sure if this language learning extension through use of subtitles would be helpful or if you have to have existing subtitles: https://chromewebstore.google.com/detail/language-learning-with-ne/bekopgepchoeepdmokgkpkfhegkeohbl
It's on my list of things to try but I haven't yet.
I wonder whether using a VPN and using Netflix or YouTube from a third country to get access to French shows would get you subtitles and a better choice of shows? Maybe Belgium?
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We are dogsitting my brother's Maltipoo for a week or so. Max is very used to us and visits often but I've noticed that he has chewed through one of the front straps of the harness we keep for him here, and apparently also the front strap of the harness my brother has for him. We've bought a couple of new ones but this seems to be happening repeatedly. He's quite a small dog and has at least once has backed out of his harness and escaped, so we need to have him in a secure (if tight) harness.
Suggestions for stopping him from doing this or for harnesses that will be better? I'm not sure we have a lot of options for different types of harness because I think most of them have the front strap, but I'm only a dog aunt and not a dog parent so I don't really know.
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Maybe RedBubble or Zazzle? I've ordered from those in the past and had good experiences.
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On 11/5/2023 at 3:51 PM, Garga said:
Purple ink pens. Pens with purple ink are so cool. Everyone should have a dozen of them around the house. If nothing else, they can be stocking stuffers.
https://www.gouletpens.com/products/platinum-preppy-fountain-pen-violet
I like these pens and have half a dozen in all different colors. I'm currently out of ink on the purple one so have switched temporarily to orange.
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URGH I think my son was profiled- ADHD med issues
in The Chat Board
Posted
So weird. DS (17) has been on Vyvanse for ages but we were using our out of US provider for the meds because our insurance didn't cover it. They supposedly do now so he went to a pediatrician (new one because old one went out of network) and she had him do a drug test but gave him the prescription. Insurance refused to cover it anyway so we're back to square one lol. DS presents as a supernerd though so maybe that does make a difference.