Report Cards

Last year Alexandra took the COGAT (Cognitive Abilities Test).  They determined that she is Gifted and Talented.  So we had long talks with her teacher about what we should do with her.  She could stay at her school and have an ALP (advanced learning plan) there or we could move her to a center school where they have classes full of just GT kiddos.  We decided she would do amazing in a GT class so we put her on the waiting list for a new school.  We found out the last month of summer that they were opening up another 3rd grade GT class and she was accepted.  So we moved her over to the new school for 3rd grade. 

As a mom you always worry about whether you are doing the right thing for your kids and this was even more of a worry for me.  She was going to a school where she wouldn't have her friends and she was going to be a year behind in some things.  (The GT classes study a year ahead in math and language arts.)  So the last 3 months I've watched her struggle (not really, but for her she felt like she was struggling) with making new friends, learning multiplication and division, and catching up to the other kids in class.  And I've wondered if it was the right decision. 

When I went to her parent teacher conference I was so worried, but then I found out she was in the highest reading group and highest spelling group.  All of her testing showed her above where she should be for the end of 3rd grade.  So I felt so much better about the decision.  But then it was about to be report card time.  We got a note from the GT teachers that said

"The Gifted Center teachers met and want to let everyone know that they should expect 2's
& 3's. Parents SHOULD NOT WORRY unless they see a 1. :) Reminder, during the beginning
of the year, kids are working towards a concept and not expected to be at a mastery level.
2- working on concept
3- on grade level (Math & Language Arts they
are graded using 4th grade standards)
4- above grade level"

So I worried again.  She has only ever had 4's and 3's on her report cards and I knew if she saw any 2's she would be so upset.  Plus with a new school and new teachers I wasn't sure how her report card was going to look.  So we had a little preparation talk before we opened her report card. And I shouldn't have even worried!!  Her report card is great! 

 She did so good!  I'm so glad we moved her over to the GT class.  She is getting the challenges that she needs.  I don't think she feels like she's struggling anymore and she's making friends.  It's so good as a mom to feel that the decision you made for your child was the right one.

Riley is still at their old school.  I just couldn't move her for her 6th grade year.  She is doing so much better this year then last.  She struggled with math last year and this year she is doing amazing!  Her report card was the best I've seen from her!

 I'm so proud of my girls and how much they are accomplishing with their education.  I know it's only elementary, but I really hope that they continue to love it and continue to do great!