Spring Fever?

[Paul_H]

Last Spring I had to go to the High School to deal with some problems that the School was having with one of my kids.This had happened a few times,and I was working with the Vice Principal and the teachers to find a solution.(it's harder to BS Dad when he knows both sides of the story) ;)

The VP is a great guy with the thankless job of trying to keep peace between parents,teachers and students.We have become friends and when I was helping him move his family into a new place,he told me something I found interesting.
 
Over the years,behavior problems have been recorded by the schools in Canada.They include absence,fights,arguements,detentions etc.He said it was all compiled and a graph was made of the months from Sept-June. November was the highest,with March just behind it as the two worst months for ill temper.With a smile he added,"it isn't just the kids that get out of line"  

[Norm]

We have the home schooling option in Iowa, my sons were no angels but the thought of having Dad as their sole teacher was enough to keep em in line.

Nice to see parents like you that care enough to get both sides of the story.

[Frank_Pender]

Welll done Paul.  I can attest to the findings. :-/  I spent 30 years dealing with the same issues.  You could just about set your  clock by the rise and set of the season.   Everyone seems to see some light at the end of a tunnel; be it the holiday season or the Spring of the year.   :'(  It was at these times I would continue to keep parents evn more informed s to what wa happening in their child world.  And you know, some of the parents had the same needs as their kids, so my problems were two-fold (parent and child).  I would then have to pull double duty, trying to help the parent get through the season as will as their child. :'(   If things got too far out of line for the child, I wold not allow the child back into the calssroom until the parent (s) came and spent a day or two with the child throughout all of their clases.  After a day or two of that, they both had a better understand of each other role.

[Paul_H]

My oldest Daughter is in grade 11,and has done well in school when she wants to.Without speaking to me,she changed her courses around and dropped math 10&11.She told me that she will take them next year.I asked her what made her think that she would be more willing to knuckle down next year? :

I told her that I will only say what I think once,then the rest was up to her.  Without the math credits,you will not receive a high school diploma.If you apply for a job,or to a college that requires a diploma and you don't have one,they will not barter and ask what you may have instead.If you don't plan on earning your diploma,you may as well have quit school in grade 4.If you are happy in a job that doesn't require a high school diploma,and you work hard at that job,I will be proud of you no matter what the job is.

She knows that I am serious about what I had said,and that a diploma is needed for her to move in the direction she wants to go.I believe she will do well wherever she goes.

Norm,
Home schooling is becoming more popular in these parts too.I don't think I would be a good teacher for my kids,but some parents thrive on it.They have their kids join Soccer,Cubs,and other groups to keep them interacting with kids their own age.

[Tillaway]

I am just getting into it.  My daughter is a 13 year old 8th grader.  The teen years we've only just begun. :

[Frank_Pender]

Hang on Tillaway, then you still have to, after they are gone.  boys or girls; makes no difference. :-[

[Paul_H]

Kids are great,aren't they?They keep changing and challenging us.It's interesting to watch some of the dumb things they do,and realise,yes indeed,the apple doesn't fall far from the tree. :

All three of the older kids have done far better in school than I had,and I don't mind telling them so.(they knew anyway,my Mum showed them all my old report cards)