Re: New Subway commercials/Tory

[Guest guest]

Tory,

Thanks for the advice. Neither of my children have tv or phones in

their room, nor a stereo (a portable radio, yes) as I too feel way

too much is just handed to children these days. He was very good at

school untill we moved two years ago. He loved learning, loved going

to school, always did his work plus extra. I don't really think it

was the move per se, as I was in the military and moving was the

norm. It could be the junior high thing - I am hearing similar

stories from other parents. But honestly, I think it's his new

school. For the first time in his life he goes to private school. I

had always felt that given his intelligence, private school would be

a much better place for him (TAG was limited to two days a week in

Oregon). Yes the school has very nice facilities, and the rooms are

no where near overcrowded. The teachers are tops in their field, and

the books/equipment are way ahead of local public schools. The

problem seems to be with the population that goes there - most have

the biggest sense of entitlement I have ever seen. And when I have

gone in and talked to his teachers, they seem quite startled that I

say " if he's not doing his work, give him the appropriate grade "

or " if his grade falls below a certain level isn't he required to

attend the after school tutoring session? Maybe that is what he

needs " . These teachers are used the parents coming in and having the

attitude that they pay high dollar for this school and their ny

is going to pass.

I am trying to find him a new school, but as this year has already

been paid for (by the generousity of my parents) he needs to finish

this school year. The only light at the end of the tunnel that I see

is that he wants to apply to the local performing art magnet school

(he plays trumpet and guitar) and for the first time since we have

moved he actually seems excited about going to (that) school. My

daughter started there last year, and the change in her has been

tremendous - she has always struggled with school with near failing

grades, but this year is getting A's in pre AP classes. She feels

like she fits in there. My son would fit well there too. The whole

family marches to a different drummer, and the whole school is a

bunch of " freaks and geeks " as my daughter puts it (just like us.

LOL). Since he has to audition for this school, it is not a sure

thing, but we would know before this school year is out.

Anyway, even though there is some light on the horizon, I don't want

him to lessen his chances of getting accepted into the school

because of his homework grades. I liked very much your analogy of

the kid at Mcs half-assing his way through an order. I will

use this with my son when he gets home. It is something he can

relate to, because he gets very upset if a fast food place messes up

his order. LOL.

Thanks once again for the advice!

(the other) Beth

> > > > >

> > > > > >I saw flyers for feeding kids Subway the other day when I

was

> >in there.

> > > > I

> > > > > >was not thrilled with it either. Most kids (9yrs-13yrs)

I

> >know who get

> > > > > >Subway order the meatball or the BMT (footlongs with chips

> >and soda).

> > > > Not

> > > > > >real healthy.

> > > > > >

> > > > > >Moe

> > > > > >

> > > > > >

> > > > > >

> > > > > >

> > > > > >

> > > > > >

[Guest guest]

This totally describes what my nephew did. He is extremely bright and gifted

with computers and did a half-a** job in school and when he got to his

junior year he decided it was all a bunch of BS and dropped out. He is older

brother is in the Navy and he thought he could just hang out and get a job

till his was 18 and then get a GED and join the Navy. Wouldn't believe his

brother or his grandfather when they both told him the navy will no longer

except a GED that he has to have a diploma. So he works until he is 18 and

goes into the Navy recruiters office and low and behold they tell him

" Sorry, you can't join. " He screwed up and wasted two years working

meaningless jobs and it got him no where. If you are wondering about his

parents, well his mom dropped out at 17 when she got pregnant and she knows

that there is no talking to teenagers, you just can't get through to them,

so why bother, they will figure it out eventually! Out of five kids they

raised the oldest that went to live with his grandparents for the last two

years of high school and then joined the Navy is the only one to turn out

decent so far.

Kris

_____

From: Tory Klementsen

His plan was to join Job Corp and become a chef (he'd never cooked so much

as an egg in his life) and then the Navy (and wouldn't believe me when I

told him that the Navy required a diploma or GED). I had a LONG talk with

his Mom and she too had decided it was his responsibility, but I can't help

but wonder what would be different if in the sixth grade she had put her

foot down hard and said, " Nope. I love you too much to let you do this. " Of

course your son isn't failing and I don't want you to think I'm judging you

in the same light. It gets harder and harder every year to take those

reigns back, however, and she never did regain control.

[Guest guest]

Oh Beth I so LOVE the " Freaks and Geeks " thing because I teach kids

like that (although they're computer geeks). Yes! Kids need to find a

niche where they feel a part of things. Yes yes! I bet he'll do so

much better there because he'll be with people he relates to,

including teachers. (Hey, we tend to perform better for people we

like!) I'm excited for your daughter. It's just so cool once you find

a place that is " home " (outside of home, of course).