Who was more involved preparing your kid's AAP file?

[Anonymous]

Mom-me. Dad knew what was going on. But yeah !

[Anonymous]

Both of us - He drafted one part, I drafted another - we both edited/added. It didn't take very long. First, each parent took one question to draft, next the other edited, lastly, both re-read final.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Dad (me). I was in Ffx County GT as a kid and mom's not from the US and doesn't know the system.

You sure she doesn't know the system?? Many people born outside this country know better that many US born fellows.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Involvement in AAP file? File? I took 10-15 minutes to fill out a form and that was it. Spending time putting together a file seems a bit over the top.

I can't give half ass in anything. So if I'm filling a questionnaire, I'm going to think of the best examples for each and make sure I am happy with the content. I can rewrite a section 3 times if I think of something better. I also had to wait for a recommendation letter to be written and had to look through DC's writing samples. Total time spent: an hour. But I was happy with what I submitted.

So many try-too-hards on this forum...and so touchy. I stand by my original comment. I spent 15 minutes on it because the examples for my kid were obvious. I also didn't wait for recommendation letters or writing samples, because when your kid is truly a fit for the program they are unnecessary.

The reason I'm on this forum is not because I'm overly involved in my kids education, btw. I'm fairly hands off as I believe parents should be unless a child has special issues. But I do hate the arms race that even something as silly as getting into the AAP program has become and will offer my opinion on that whenever I feel it is appropriate. Too many people worry too much about where their kids are placed in elementary school, something that matters little for most kids (yes, even your special brilliant ones). Talent will out eventually, if only parents would step back.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Involvement in AAP file? File? I took 10-15 minutes to fill out a form and that was it. Spending time putting together a file seems a bit over the top.

I can't give half ass in anything. So if I'm filling a questionnaire, I'm going to think of the best examples for each and make sure I am happy with the content. I can rewrite a section 3 times if I think of something better. I also had to wait for a recommendation letter to be written and had to look through DC's writing samples. Total time spent: an hour. But I was happy with what I submitted.

So many try-too-hards on this forum...and so touchy. I stand by my original comment. I spent 15 minutes on it because the examples for my kid were obvious. I also didn't wait for recommendation letters or writing samples, because when your kid is truly a fit for the program they are unnecessary.

The reason I'm on this forum is not because I'm overly involved in my kids education, btw. I'm fairly hands off as I believe parents should be unless a child has special issues. But I do hate the arms race that even something as silly as getting into the AAP program has become and will offer my opinion on that whenever I feel it is appropriate. Too many people worry too much about where their kids are placed in elementary school, something that matters little for most kids (yes, even your special brilliant ones). Talent will out eventually, if only parents would step back.

Others are touchy? You went out of your way to "stand by" your original comment and added a mini-manifesto. You're practically jumpy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Involvement in AAP file? File? I took 10-15 minutes to fill out a form and that was it. Spending time putting together a file seems a bit over the top.

I can't give half ass in anything. So if I'm filling a questionnaire, I'm going to think of the best examples for each and make sure I am happy with the content. I can rewrite a section 3 times if I think of something better. I also had to wait for a recommendation letter to be written and had to look through DC's writing samples. Total time spent: an hour. But I was happy with what I submitted.

So many try-too-hards on this forum...and so touchy. I stand by my original comment. I spent 15 minutes on it because the examples for my kid were obvious. I also didn't wait for recommendation letters or writing samples, because when your kid is truly a fit for the program they are unnecessary.

The reason I'm on this forum is not because I'm overly involved in my kids education, btw. I'm fairly hands off as I believe parents should be unless a child has special issues. But I do hate the arms race that even something as silly as getting into the AAP program has become and will offer my opinion on that whenever I feel it is appropriate. Too many people worry too much about where their kids are placed in elementary school, something that matters little for most kids (yes, even your special brilliant ones). Talent will out eventually, if only parents would step back.

If you were really that laid back, you'd have your kid in the DC public schools, because yeah, true talent will make it no matter where you're placed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Involvement in AAP file? File? I took 10-15 minutes to fill out a form and that was it. Spending time putting together a file seems a bit over the top.

I can't give half ass in anything. So if I'm filling a questionnaire, I'm going to think of the best examples for each and make sure I am happy with the content. I can rewrite a section 3 times if I think of something better. I also had to wait for a recommendation letter to be written and had to look through DC's writing samples. Total time spent: an hour. But I was happy with what I submitted.

So many try-too-hards on this forum...and so touchy. I stand by my original comment. I spent 15 minutes on it because the examples for my kid were obvious. I also didn't wait for recommendation letters or writing samples, because when your kid is truly a fit for the program they are unnecessary.

The reason I'm on this forum is not because I'm overly involved in my kids education, btw. I'm fairly hands off as I believe parents should be unless a child has special issues. But I do hate the arms race that even something as silly as getting into the AAP program has become and will offer my opinion on that whenever I feel it is appropriate. Too many people worry too much about where their kids are placed in elementary school, something that matters little for most kids (yes, even your special brilliant ones). Talent will out eventually, if only parents would step back.

If you were really that laid back, you'd have your kid in the DC public schools, because yeah, true talent will make it no matter where you're placed.

And 15 minutes would have been way too much time fir you to spend advocating for your obviously brilliant kid.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Dad (me). I was in Ffx County GT as a kid and mom's not from the US and doesn't know the system.

You sure she doesn't know the system?? Many people born outside this country know better that many US born fellows.

Do you always second guess the personal experience of others, or just that of "US born fellows"?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Involvement in AAP file? File? I took 10-15 minutes to fill out a form and that was it. Spending time putting together a file seems a bit over the top.

I can't give half ass in anything. So if I'm filling a questionnaire, I'm going to think of the best examples for each and make sure I am happy with the content. I can rewrite a section 3 times if I think of something better. I also had to wait for a recommendation letter to be written and had to look through DC's writing samples. Total time spent: an hour. But I was happy with what I submitted.

So many try-too-hards on this forum...and so touchy. I stand by my original comment. I spent 15 minutes on it because the examples for my kid were obvious. I also didn't wait for recommendation letters or writing samples, because when your kid is truly a fit for the program they are unnecessary.

The reason I'm on this forum is not because I'm overly involved in my kids education, btw. I'm fairly hands off as I believe parents should be unless a child has special issues. But I do hate the arms race that even something as silly as getting into the AAP program has become and will offer my opinion on that whenever I feel it is appropriate. Too many people worry too much about where their kids are placed in elementary school, something that matters little for most kids (yes, even your special brilliant ones). Talent will out eventually, if only parents would step back.

If you were really that laid back, you'd have your kid in the DC public schools, because yeah, true talent will make it no matter where you're placed.

And 15 minutes would have been way too much time fir you to spend advocating for your obviously brilliant kid.

+1,000,000 If your kid was in the pool, you'd have spent zero time on it as absolutely nothing was required of you, if you truly were hands off and not trying too hard. Instead, you got the form, ascertained the deadline for dropping it off, filled it out, and dropped it off on time. Additionally, your defensiveness as to why you're on this board is ridiculous. You're on this board because you want your kid in and you filled out the paperwork because you want to ENSURE your kid gets in. Don't distance yourself from the fray that you're in. At least the rest of us aren't in denial about it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Involvement in AAP file? File? I took 10-15 minutes to fill out a form and that was it. Spending time putting together a file seems a bit over the top.

I can't give half ass in anything. So if I'm filling a questionnaire, I'm going to think of the best examples for each and make sure I am happy with the content. I can rewrite a section 3 times if I think of something better. I also had to wait for a recommendation letter to be written and had to look through DC's writing samples. Total time spent: an hour. But I was happy with what I submitted.

So many try-too-hards on this forum...and so touchy. I stand by my original comment. I spent 15 minutes on it because the examples for my kid were obvious. I also didn't wait for recommendation letters or writing samples, because when your kid is truly a fit for the program they are unnecessary.

The reason I'm on this forum is not because I'm overly involved in my kids education, btw. I'm fairly hands off as I believe parents should be unless a child has special issues. But I do hate the arms race that even something as silly as getting into the AAP program has become and will offer my opinion on that whenever I feel it is appropriate. Too many people worry too much about where their kids are placed in elementary school, something that matters little for most kids (yes, even your special brilliant ones). Talent will out eventually, if only parents would step back.

If you were really that laid back, you'd have your kid in the DC public schools, because yeah, true talent will make it no matter where you're placed.

And 15 minutes would have been way too much time fir you to spend advocating for your obviously brilliant kid.

+1,000,000 If your kid was in the pool, you'd have spent zero time on it as absolutely nothing was required of you, if you truly were hands off and not trying too hard. Instead, you got the form, ascertained the deadline for dropping it off, filled it out, and dropped it off on time. Additionally, your defensiveness as to why you're on this board is ridiculous. You're on this board because you want your kid in and you filled out the paperwork because you want to ENSURE your kid gets in. Don't distance yourself from the fray that you're in. At least the rest of us aren't in denial about it.

Nice try, but wrong. My kid was easily in the pool with all his scores. The AART actually called me at home to tell me and said I should fill out the form. I didn't know a form even existed until that point as we had relocated from overseas at the beginning of the school year. I was simply doing my best to comply with what I thought were the procedures. I had nothing vested in the outcome as I believed then and still do that my kid would have ultimately have been fine anywhere. I never pushed my son or even encouraged him to enter the program, which would mean another change in schools. He chose it.

And when it came time for my other kids who had good, but not pool scores, to apply for AAP, I did nothing. No referrals. No scrambling around to get recommendations from soccer coaches and orchestra leaders. No digging out samples of the creative writing they'd done at home (which is never edited by parents) or pictures of their brilliant lego constructions or awards certificates from faux competitions. In all but very rare instances, I think this is a silly exercise for parents who want to think their kid is more special than he/she is. The majority of kids would be fine if left at their own local schools.

If you're at all familiar with these AAP boards, my explaining why I'm on here without a kid currently applying or going to AAP, should not appear as defensive or unusual as posters are often attacked if their kids aren't in the program. I was only trying to provide context for my opinion.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Involvement in AAP file? File? I took 10-15 minutes to fill out a form and that was it. Spending time putting together a file seems a bit over the top.

I can't give half ass in anything. So if I'm filling a questionnaire, I'm going to think of the best examples for each and make sure I am happy with the content. I can rewrite a section 3 times if I think of something better. I also had to wait for a recommendation letter to be written and had to look through DC's writing samples. Total time spent: an hour. But I was happy with what I submitted.

So many try-too-hards on this forum...and so touchy. I stand by my original comment. I spent 15 minutes on it because the examples for my kid were obvious. I also didn't wait for recommendation letters or writing samples, because when your kid is truly a fit for the program they are unnecessary.

The reason I'm on this forum is not because I'm overly involved in my kids education, btw. I'm fairly hands off as I believe parents should be unless a child has special issues. But I do hate the arms race that even something as silly as getting into the AAP program has become and will offer my opinion on that whenever I feel it is appropriate. Too many people worry too much about where their kids are placed in elementary school, something that matters little for most kids (yes, even your special brilliant ones). Talent will out eventually, if only parents would step back.

If you were really that laid back, you'd have your kid in the DC public schools, because yeah, true talent will make it no matter where you're placed.

And 15 minutes would have been way too much time fir you to spend advocating for your obviously brilliant kid.

+1,000,000 If your kid was in the pool, you'd have spent zero time on it as absolutely nothing was required of you, if you truly were hands off and not trying too hard. Instead, you got the form, ascertained the deadline for dropping it off, filled it out, and dropped it off on time. Additionally, your defensiveness as to why you're on this board is ridiculous. You're on this board because you want your kid in and you filled out the paperwork because you want to ENSURE your kid gets in. Don't distance yourself from the fray that you're in. At least the rest of us aren't in denial about it.

Nice try, but wrong. My kid was easily in the pool with all his scores. The AART actually called me at home to tell me and said I should fill out the form. I didn't know a form even existed until that point as we had relocated from overseas at the beginning of the school year. I was simply doing my best to comply with what I thought were the procedures. I had nothing vested in the outcome as I believed then and still do that my kid would have ultimately have been fine anywhere. I never pushed my son or even encouraged him to enter the program, which would mean another change in schools. He chose it.

And when it came time for my other kids who had good, but not pool scores, to apply for AAP, I did nothing. No referrals. No scrambling around to get recommendations from soccer coaches and orchestra leaders. No digging out samples of the creative writing they'd done at home (which is never edited by parents) or pictures of their brilliant lego constructions or awards certificates from faux competitions. In all but very rare instances, I think this is a silly exercise for parents who want to think their kid is more special than he/she is. The majority of kids would be fine if left at their own local schools.

If you're at all familiar with these AAP boards, my explaining why I'm on here without a kid currently applying or going to AAP, should not appear as defensive or unusual as posters are often attacked if their kids aren't in the program. I was only trying to provide context for my opinion.

Um, OK, thanks for spending more time telling us what you didn't do than you did actually filling out the form. It's clear at least that you consider some things worth obsessing over.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Involvement in AAP file? File? I took 10-15 minutes to fill out a form and that was it. Spending time putting together a file seems a bit over the top.

I can't give half ass in anything. So if I'm filling a questionnaire, I'm going to think of the best examples for each and make sure I am happy with the content. I can rewrite a section 3 times if I think of something better. I also had to wait for a recommendation letter to be written and had to look through DC's writing samples. Total time spent: an hour. But I was happy with what I submitted.

So many try-too-hards on this forum...and so touchy. I stand by my original comment. I spent 15 minutes on it because the examples for my kid were obvious. I also didn't wait for recommendation letters or writing samples, because when your kid is truly a fit for the program they are unnecessary.

The reason I'm on this forum is not because I'm overly involved in my kids education, btw. I'm fairly hands off as I believe parents should be unless a child has special issues. But I do hate the arms race that even something as silly as getting into the AAP program has become and will offer my opinion on that whenever I feel it is appropriate. Too many people worry too much about where their kids are placed in elementary school, something that matters little for most kids (yes, even your special brilliant ones). Talent will out eventually, if only parents would step back.

If you were really that laid back, you'd have your kid in the DC public schools, because yeah, true talent will make it no matter where you're placed.

And 15 minutes would have been way too much time fir you to spend advocating for your obviously brilliant kid.

+1,000,000 If your kid was in the pool, you'd have spent zero time on it as absolutely nothing was required of you, if you truly were hands off and not trying too hard. Instead, you got the form, ascertained the deadline for dropping it off, filled it out, and dropped it off on time. Additionally, your defensiveness as to why you're on this board is ridiculous. You're on this board because you want your kid in and you filled out the paperwork because you want to ENSURE your kid gets in. Don't distance yourself from the fray that you're in. At least the rest of us aren't in denial about it.

Nice try, but wrong. My kid was easily in the pool with all his scores. The AART actually called me at home to tell me and said I should fill out the form. I didn't know a form even existed until that point as we had relocated from overseas at the beginning of the school year. I was simply doing my best to comply with what I thought were the procedures. I had nothing vested in the outcome as I believed then and still do that my kid would have ultimately have been fine anywhere. I never pushed my son or even encouraged him to enter the program, which would mean another change in schools. He chose it.

And when it came time for my other kids who had good, but not pool scores, to apply for AAP, I did nothing. No referrals. No scrambling around to get recommendations from soccer coaches and orchestra leaders. No digging out samples of the creative writing they'd done at home (which is never edited by parents) or pictures of their brilliant lego constructions or awards certificates from faux competitions. In all but very rare instances, I think this is a silly exercise for parents who want to think their kid is more special than he/she is. The majority of kids would be fine if left at their own local schools.

If you're at all familiar with these AAP boards, my explaining why I'm on here without a kid currently applying or going to AAP, should not appear as defensive or unusual as posters are often attacked if their kids aren't in the program. I was only trying to provide context for my opinion.

It's okay to do nothing but you really don't have to be so proud of it. I'm sure your kids will thank you for doing nothing.

... actually, on this forum, there are more non-AAP parents that are attacking the AAP parents. The topics that have much potential for being helpful to AAP parents get derailed by the "this is not fair" party.
I have kids in both gen ed and AAP and I don't post any AAP stuff on the regular VA education discussion. It'll be easy to derail those discussions too.

[Anonymous]

Please name the school and the AART's name who called you personally to tell you to fill the form out. I could see her calling you to tell you to SIGN your form. I don't see her calling anyone to tell someone to fill an optional form out. If true, please do tell: school name and AART name.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Please name the school and the AART's name who called you personally to tell you to fill the form out. I could see her calling you to tell you to SIGN your form. I don't see her calling anyone to tell someone to fill an optional form out. If true, please do tell: school name and AART name.

Now I'm no fan of PP's smugly contemptuous ways, but the practice of demanding proof/names to avoid being considered a liar isn't much better, especially with when it involves nitpicky details. If you assume everyone embellishes details and focus on overall points of view you're free to consider PP a lousy person regardless of why she filled out the form. Everyone wins!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Please name the school and the AART's name who called you personally to tell you to fill the form out. I could see her calling you to tell you to SIGN your form. I don't see her calling anyone to tell someone to fill an optional form out. If true, please do tell: school name and AART name.

Now I'm no fan of PP's smugly contemptuous ways, but the practice of demanding proof/names to avoid being considered a liar isn't much better, especially with when it involves nitpicky details. If you assume everyone embellishes details and focus on overall points of view you're free to consider PP a lousy person regardless of why she filled out the form. Everyone wins!

Files are submitte. Who cares if she's telling the truth if she says, the call was from Sangster's AART?