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Thursday, August 22, 2013

Throw Back Thursday : High School

Hey All...

Once again I wasn't going to post today, but Bon drew me in. Especially considering what's going on in my world with Boomer it is an especially timely prompt.

To preface all this let me tell you something. Columbus public schools are crappy. That's no dig to teachers, because I KNOW they are trying their hardest in severely over crowded class rooms where all they can really do is teach to a test. It's a recipe for disaster. Add to that the fact that Boomer is very smart, and very active...and well. You get a lot of notes sent home.

When we moved, we moved into a slightly better district performance wise, but I knew Boomer would still be in large classes, and still be expected to perform to the tests. I wanted other options.

You guys have seen me write on several occasions about my high school experience. How I graduated with 19 other kids, and how most of us are still pretty close all these years later. See my high school was part of a system of several schools here in town. I started at one of the sister schools when I was in 3rd grade. When I reached middle school, (6th grade), I transitioned to the school I eventually graduated from.

And now Boomer will graduate from there one day too!

I'm so beyond happy/pleased/grateful that I know have the opportunity to send Boomer there. She is the schools first ever legacy or 2nd generation student. When I saw her in the same uniform plaid that I wore all those years ago yesterday morning I was so overcome. I know that she will now have access to the amazing teachers and opportunities that I did. I know that she is in an environment that will allow her to grow and learn and reach her fullest potential. She's in a place where I felt safe and nurtured for 10 years.

I can't tell you what it felt like to walk through the halls of my high school as a parent. There were even some other parents there whose older children were in elementary when I was in high school, and whose youngest are still in attendance. They recognized me, and said it spoke to the uniqueness of the school that I was sending my child there now. My former teachers all joked with me about not being able to get rid of me, and my former principle (or head of schools) warmly said welcome home as we walked in the front door.

When I picked Boomer up from school, she gushed the whole ride home about how much she loved the school, her teachers, and her new friends. Again I was overcome. To go from her not wanting to go to school, to her now telling me she never wants to leave is such a blessing.

So not to be entirely serious I'll leave you with a conversation that took place between one of my former middle and high school teachers when I stopped in to say hi.

So this happened this morning when I poked my head in to say Hi to Mr. Mike and a classroom full of 8th graders... 

Mike: Whitney used to be a student here. Can you guess what she's doing here today? 
Student: Teaching? 
Mike: Nope. She's a parent now.
Students: OMG, wow, ect.... 
Mike: I had Whitney for 8th grade...it was a reeeeally long time ago. 
Me: It wasn't that long ago....what...1999? 
Students: OMG, WOW!!!
Me: wait....when were you guys born...? 
Students: 2000 
Mike: *chuckles* 

Please excuse me while I go cry in my coffee.

*Sorry no pics, Cbus is a big city, but I'd rather not have random Internet strangers be able to Google Boomer's school plaid and figure out where she spends her days.*

6 comments:

Helene in Between said...

that is such a neat experience and in a way, you get to relive your days there too. I miss highschool, it was a wonderful experience for me. ohhh to go back!

Misty, Handbags + Handguns said...

I graduated in 1997. It feels so long ago. Ha!

Gwen said...

That's so cool that she's going to the same place! I hate it that Columbus schools are so ... not good. Our neighbors have a 3-year-old and I'm afraid that when he gets to be school age, they'll have to move.

Last fall I was back at my high school for the first time in a looooong time. It was a great trip down memory lane. But I didn't ask any of the kids what year they were born. Too depressing. LOL

Unknown said...

My mother's crowning success is that all 4 of her kids graduated from the same high school. To this day, everyone knows who the David kids are...in the best of ways!

Vicki said...

I know how you feel! My son is going to Elementary where I went but I feel so strange when I see my old teachers. I feel like they feel really old! lol In fact, this year, he has my old 5th grade teacher for reading and social studies.

The Queen said...

So proud of you for making the sacrifice to send Boomer to your old school. You are good mommakins. I can't wait to discuss poetry and literature with Miss Boomer. Oh, and history and science... Just everything!