How
do they do this?????
How does a high school take tweens who are often lazy,
not passionate, don’t really love going to school…and make them CRAVE going to
their school the following year?? In huge amounts….literally every tween in
Montreal has this craving. And this..is big.
I don’t really get it???
Last night a very shy friend of Chase was over last and I
told him that Beauty was writing the exam the next morning. Completely out of character
he ran down the stairs and wished her good luck….so excitedly for an almost 16 yr.
old boy. He said he remembered the exam day (and his acceptance) as one of the
best days of his life and he felt so excited for Chase’s little sister..Awww,,,
Today is HER day. All hers. She has been working up to it
since Spring-so four months to be exact. An average of about and hour extra a
day of studying on top of her regular studies at least 5 times a week. Even all
summer vacation and everything. She is ready.
It is the evaluation combined with the report card . Hers
is great but anything under 87% average
is considered borderline and she is lower than that but still very good average.
It is not a sure in…but not a sure out either. She has a good chance but not guaranteed
at all. Never is.
But is it a combination of the grade 4/5 reports cards, a
3 hr. exam on general culture, logic and French and a personal essay question
in French. Based also on creativity and innovation. Probably about 1800 write . 1 in 5 will get in.
So there it is! I know people have varying perspectives
on this….having kids compete for spots in high school and programs. I know from
varying comments I have had on the blog about my sons there are different
perspectives on it (and I love this healthy debating keeps the brain juice
flowing and challenges some of my own beliefs so keep the emails coming pls
those of you who agree and not agree all welcome in equal measures!!) It
reminds me a bit of religion the whole education bit…..very and deeply
personal. I have even doubted it myself sometimes. “Why do we do this
exactly???”
But
I know why. Beauty told me yesterday in no uncertain way
on a per walk we tool together. She articulated everything that pushes us to do
this, and go through this.
“I
want to go to this school more than anything I have ever wanted to do in my
life. I have dreamed of it, thought about it and fantasized about it. If I get
in (which I know I will)…I will be grateful and know that the 5 yrs. are a gift”
And that is why we do this. This particular education at
the particular school is the reward of all rewards for some odd reason. It makes education exciting and coveted and
wanted. Could you ever ask for more than your child????? For their lives???
If there is a Heaven and my Dad is in it-he is so smiling
right now. Education was everything to him. And it’s to me too. And it is too his
three grandchildren apparently too! I may not have been able to turn them into
readers Dad….but they know the importance of education that is certain.
She wants it more than chocolate…more than candy…more
than a sleepover..more than any boy. I might even go as far to say as a kiss
from Justin Bieber (I will confirm that assumption this evening)
She told me on our walk that she doesn’t care of one
single friend gets into the school-she only just wants to go there. And be
accepted to their prestigious 5 yr dance program (audition in a few weeks upon
acceptance)
So it is a roller coaster ride I tell you. And our last
one. We are literally going to burn all the books when this is over. We are so
done. So are they.
I don’t think I ever realized until last night how much
this school means to her. I thought the other three she was applying to would also
be good enough but apparently not so. She is just like her two older brothers.
It is this place or nothing in her head. And this is scary. Very very very
scary. To want something so much.. I saw deep inside of my daughter last night.
She totally let me into her heart.
We went out Friday night for the traditional dinner just
the student and the two parents. Then the card (that contains a shocking 100
dollars which is a kept hidden and secret from the older kids for years). The
look on the face!!!!! The shock and surprise!!! Very symbolic that it is not
the results on the exam that we find out in a week-but the hard work and diligence
that went into the preparation. We want her to get in of course,..but that is
not what is important to us. Friday is the celebration and not when the verdict
is in.
Then the massage at the spa especially for her before she
sleeps before the big exams. A tradition we did for each kid. And will joyfully
never have to do again.
So I am posting this blog as she is writing the exam.
Timed to perfection.
Wishing you my love the very best of luck on this very
important day for you. I know that you will be awesome and I know that you will
end up at the right place for you. This school would be lucky to have our tiny
little dancer.
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| The first time she has ever held a 100$ bill in her hands.......what excitement and shock! |
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| My baby girl Crumpet going to highschool?????? |
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| Chase, Bear and Chase friend left sleeping beauty (bed at 9pm) love notes and notes of good luck on the kitchen counter. Will wake up to these and lots of phone msgs and texts that I were sent for her tonight to lift her spirits before the big exam:)))))) Life is good with notes and kids like this around. |
