nprmommy's Diaryland Diary ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Parenting Olympics
First the teachers identified who would be tested for the class. There was some competition and disagreement about that between parents whose kids were tested and those whose kids weren't tested. Then following the testing there were three weeks or so of debate about who would make it into the class. Parents declared whether or not they would choose to put their child into the class if they were chosen. Now that the kids who made it into the class have been identified, the gossip and debate has reached a fevered pitch. People are questioning how Johnny could possibly have qualified for the class when Janie didn't. And parents whose kids were tested but didn't make it are swearing that they wouldn't have put their kid in the class even if they were invited. All of it makes me a bit uncomfortable. My husband and I debated back and forth about whether or not this class was right for Max, both academically and socially. But we also both felt like it was no big deal if he didn't get in. We like all of the second grade teachers, and we had confidence that Max would end up where he was supposed to be. After consulting his current teacher (who I have the utmost respect for) and people whose kids have gone through the G/T program in past years, we decided to give the class a try. Today alone, I had two parents tell me they would "NEVER!!" put their kid in the class. One (whose child was tested but didn't make it) because of the homework load, and the other (whose child wasn't chosen to be tested) because "the kids in that class are weird." Both of these parents knew that we had decided to put Max in the class, and offered their negative opinions anyway. I find that really annoying. I know that sometimes I fall into the trap of comparing Max and Zoe to other kids. I think most of us do at one time or another. But I don't understand adults who make it a competition between parents. 4:16 p.m. - 2006-05-08 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Max's Pants - 2007-06-20 |
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