Connor also had a great (in his own way) year! He was a 5th grader, big man on campus and loved his status as such. As is his usual, he excelled academically, and made us more proud than we thought was possible. He never ceases to amaze us with his capacity for learning and growing. And along with all that "giftedness" comes all the personality traits that tend to be a bit taxing for us mere mortals to deal with. We're assured by the pros that he exhibits nothing but normal behavior for a gifted child, but I'd be lying if I didn't tell you that we some times wish Connor was a bit more average...hahaha. Because he skipped a grade earlier in his school career, and hasn't really caught up socially, physically or emotionally, we decided as a family that he would repeat the 5th grade next year. We all realize that this is going to have many challenges for Connor, for us, and for the school (they're not happy about it!), but we feel very strongly that this is the right choice for Connor in the long run. Connor's not completely thrilled, but he totally understands our reasoning and is on board and prepared to have a great 5th grade year (again!).
We're looking forward (and are actually halfway through) to the summer. We have a lot of fun plans that include: baseball camp, swimming lessons, music lessons, soccer, the beach, a trip to Vegas and just hanging out with friends and having fun! Here's a couple pics of their last day of school:
Every year on the last day of school, we go eat lunch (or dinner) at Ruby's on the pier. Our kids LOVE Ruby's milkshakes more than breathing.
The cutie-patootie in her graduation procession out of the classroom..JPG)
Lily sitting with all of the other kindergarten graduates. What a precious little lady!
Connor completely bored and ready to go home at the 5th grade advancement ceremonies. Darrin and I affectionately refer to all the school award ceremonies as "the mediocrity awards". In their effort to be PC and not make anybody feel bad, they basically give out awards to anybody who's achieved "at grade level" standards. It's ridiculous. They have different levels of awards, but won't actually give out an award for straight A's. I feel like it devalues the kids who are truly exceptional, not to mention making a HUGE deal out of "achievements" that aren't actually achievements at all. Do I sound like a total elitist snob? Oh well.
4 comments:
I love that picture of the kids on the Pier. So adorable. They are too big it's crazy. I also think that's insane they don't recongmize kids with outstanding academic achievement. Must be a Cali thing. I know for sure we did where I taught. That's really sad.
recognize. I can spell I promise. I just don't proof-read sometimes:)
White people love “gifted” children, do you know why? Because an astounding 100% of their kids are gifted! Isn’t that amazing?
I’m pretty sure the last non-gifted white child was born in 1962 in Reseda, CA. Since then, it’s been a pretty sweet run.
The way it works is that white kids that are actually smart are quickly identified as “gifted” and take special classes and eventually end up in college and then law school or med school.
But wait, aren’t there white people who aren’t doctors or lawyers, or even all that smart?
Well, here is another one of those awesome white person win-win situations.
Because if a white kid gets crappy grades and can’t seem to ever do anything right in school, they are still gifted! How you ask? They are just TOO smart for school. They are too creative, too advanced to care about the trivial minutiae of the day to day operations of school.
Eventually they will show their creativity in their elaborate constructions of bongs and intimate knowledge different kinds of mushrooms and hash.
This is important if you ever find yourself needing to gain white person acceptance. If you see their kid playing peacefully, you say “oh, he/she seems very focused, are they in a gifted program?” at which point the parent will say “yes.” Or if the kid is lighting a dog on fire while screaming at their mother, you say “my he/she is a creative one. Is he/she gifted?” To which the parent will reply “oh, yes, he’s too creative and smart for school. We just don’t know what to do.” Either situation will put a white person in a better mood and make them like you more.
But NEVER under any circumstance imply that their child is less than a genius. The idea that something could come from them and be less than greatness is too much for them to bear.
Your kids are both adorable, loving and bright, DeEtte...you have many reasons to be proud of them :) I think it's a shame that academic excellence isn't recognized and rewarded....signs of the times, sadly.
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