Sheath of feeling. Words groping to touch air.
Wednesday, March 01, 2006
Some good news...
My very good news is that my daughter made the honour role. It's official- the report card came. This may not seem a big deal, but it is. The last grade she actually completed was Grade 7. In Vancouver she dropped out of 3 schools, a traditional one, a tiny alternative school, and distance ed. It was a most difficult time, and I ended up homeschooling (I made her read books in my library and do internet research on them: we didn't get far, but she did start exploring the rise of the novel through women novelists, Shelley, Austen, Bronte, and read Sophie's World on the history of philosophy, and a fair bit of art history, etc.). Here in Toronto I managed to get her back into her grade level, Grade 10, and, while it was touch and go more than a few times, and I was very worried, her diligence with homework, completing all assignments and essays, and getting to school has paid off. Congratulations, honey! Now onto the 2nd semester...
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I'm sure you must be very proud of her for the hard work that has paid off. Congratulations, Kyra!
ReplyDelete...once again supporting my observation that success in school does not necessarily correlate to intelligence and gifts alone.
That is wonderful!!! Tell her I said way to go. I started making honor roll in 10th grade, too, and I had lots of trouble until then. Then, almost like magic, I started getting straight As.
ReplyDeleteBTW, what is your email? Can you email me? I have a question toa sk you, regarding a blog thing I want to do but don't know how... thanks!
poet.s.m@gmail.com
If I had blogged the entire journey then you would have been celebrating with us... but Kyra wouldn't have wanted that, so I didn't. I don't even know if she'd like the post I put up, the sensitivities of being 15. But I had to announce her achievement. It's a big one, remarkable, and she's gained a new confidence that I am enjoying immensely. Her problem with the school system, unlike her brother, who didn't see the point in much of what is taught, but that's another story, was an ethical one. The ways young girls hurt each other; the ways people are two-faced; the ways everybody has to copy everybody else. That sort of thing. It wounds her to see people wounding each other. She wanted to leave society altogether and live on a deserted island with animals! But I suggested she hang out with really bright kids this time, and she has, and she's discovered there is a way to 'make it' in the system, how to 'get good marks,' and so she's learning survival strategies that will, I hope, help her throughout her life. It continues to be a journey of discovery for us...
ReplyDeleteCongratulations to your daughter--and to you. One of my sons took a similarly circuitous route, but in the end, he found his way beyond my expectations.
ReplyDeleteThis is such a good story to hear. So many kids not gently guided with acceptance and suggestion, but pushed to be other than themselves. Love and congratulations to both of you!
ReplyDeletepatry francis, in my darkest hours stories like those were gold to me, kept me going... thank you. Of course, I'd like to hear more.
ReplyDeleteMy son started skipping school in Grade 9, instead spending entire days in a large bookstore, Chapters/Indigo, mostly reading fantasy sci-fi, but across every area. Once I went with him and said I wanted to see theoretical physics, he took me straight to that section, then I said Tibetan Buddhism, I was taken to Eastern religions, then Vancouver, and he took me downstairs to the travel section. There wasn't an area he hadn't thoroughly browsed. He was kicked out of Chapters in Vancouver for coming in to read every day and not buying anything, and thus ended his days of self-education. I taught him to read in kindergarten, and he was grades ahead of the many of the other kids, a mistake I did not make with my daughter. When he attended school, Grade 11 I think was the last time he was there, and I talked to his teachers, on anything he bothered to hand in he got 85-95% on, except math, we're all dismal at math. He can't spell worth a damn, and that may be a learning disability, disgraphia, I'm not sure, but he's as bright as they come and I hope he pulls himself together and does something with that terrific mind of his.
Jean, oh, it's not over yet; but your words are full of understanding and love and are like music to my ears.... :)
Congrats to your daughter and you! It's so nice to see traditional success as well as non-traditional.
ReplyDeleteAdriana Bliss, what a unique and wonderful way to put it - that helps me, really it does. Thank you.
ReplyDeletetamar, ah, yes, and I welcome hugs, especially from other mamas, we're all in the process of...