is there no justice?
Posted on March 20, 2007
Filed Under marriage, kids, parenting, suburban joys |
By now a judge is hearing the case of Yamira Ramos versus PSJA High school over her status as class valedictorian. Apparently, now parents sue schools over their child’s class rank. All I can say is, this is a stain on the honor of honors students everywhere.
Speaking of gifted children and honors students, it is possible that I might have my own battle to fight? Today, when helping out in O’s class, I learned about an enrichment program at his school offered to the top 5-8 students in each class. I wasn’t learning about this because he was asked to join, I was learning about it as several other students, conspicuously not my son, gathered their belongings to spend an hour with the reading specialist. I asked, rather innocently, “Where are those kids going?” And his teacher replied, “Oh, they get to go and work on poetry and creative writing each day.” And my heart dropped, my knees quaked and all I could think was, “How did my child not qualify for this?”
Now I know that, theoretically, I shouldn’t think this important. I should accept the skill level of my child and realize that the whole accelerated-gifted-enrichment-thing is not the end all be all. But I was an honors student in AP classes and was selected to work on poetry and creative writing, my husband was also in accelerated programs. How could our progeny not be equally superior?
I am more than tempted to question the teacher’s decision to overlook my O for the enrichment program. I’m swallowing the urge to fight for O’s spot in the top tier of his class. I’m stalling, hoping that after a good night’s sleep I’ll be ready to quietly accept that my child is brilliant and creative and advanced in his own way, a way that exceeds academic measure. When I wake, I hope that my affronted self will not be making plans to sue the administration. But really, is there no justice?
Comments
WordPress database error: [Can't open file: 'wp_comments.MYI' (errno: 144)]
SELECT * FROM wp_comments WHERE comment_post_ID = '93' AND comment_approved = '1' ORDER BY comment_date
Leave a Reply
