Non-AAP parents, do other parents talk to you about AAP?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have the opposite issue as the OP. My DD did get into AAP (rising 3rd grader) and we have kept mum about it except for a couple close friends.

The issue we have is with two of the parents whose children were not in pool. They have not left us alone about it. Constantly bringing it up to us and to other people in the neighborhood. Asking others if we were going to send out kids to the center next year or not. Going on and on about how "parents push their kids too hard and those centers are just so competitive, and cause major burn out" and on and on and on. Yet these are also the parents that on a different day say that they are going to have their kids retested and apply next year. I have not talked about it not because I am being snobby (as one parent said) but because to me it is a decision to be made with in our household alone and DH and I were on the fence for awhile. After we did decide to send her, I was just sick of thinking about it. Plus I know that it really upsets some kids and parents. One of the little girls (whose parents are constantly comparing our kids) has been going around at school telling classmates she is going to the center next year even though I know she didn't get in. It is a SAD SAD situation.

I disagree with PP that said AAP isn't that hard. It would be for some kids. It is not for the kids that belong there. And I just don't mean those that test well, I know plenty of kids that would be great there even though they had scored below a 132...I mean the kids that need a little something extra and who are willing to work at it and have positive supportive parents.

yeah, well you're not really disagreeing with me. I was commenting on the rigor of the program; nothing a motivated above-average kid couldn't handle. Just think it's a joke when some parents say "my kid is doing great." Why wouldn't they? How many get booted out or just decide it's too hard? Basically none is my observation.

They don't "boot kids out." I asked because we were insecure when DD went to a center. The principal said a few leave for various reasons, but children are never asked to leave.

Right. It's like the Pope. Once you're in there, you're in there for life (well, until 9th grade anyway :lol.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My child was eligible - we choose not to send him. You have no idea (or maybe you do) how much I want to tell this to the braggarts who go on and on about how their kid is going to miss all their friends next year when they *have* to change schools. I just make a mental note to avoid conversations with these people in the future.

If you want to tell them so much, then why don't you?

[Anonymous]

My daughter is just finishing 3rd grade in AAP. All O's in the last report cart.
It's not challenging for her at all, however, there are many kids in her class that are having difficulties. These are usually the children who are good in only some areas, whereas the AAP requires a broad spectrum of abilities.
It takes not as much of a child "being smart" but the program requires lots of self-work, research, and it requires absorbing/memorizing lots of information each and every week, so kids need to devote lots of their after school time that goes well beyond homework.

Some parents opt out for the following year.
As for parents who talk about it a lot. They are probably proud of their child, but they should be doing the same as non AAP parents if their child is doing great at school.
If I talk about it, is because I am happy that there is an opportunity like this for my child who is just quick thinker, learns easily and herself is being proud to be a part of the program. I would advise any parent to try to get in/appeal if they think that true regular program is not sufficient.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My daughter is just finishing 3rd grade in AAP. All O's in the last report cart.
It's not challenging for her at all, however, there are many kids in her class that are having difficulties. These are usually the children who are good in only some areas, whereas the AAP requires a broad spectrum of abilities.
It takes not as much of a child "being smart" but the program requires lots of self-work, research, and it requires absorbing/memorizing lots of information each and every week, so kids need to devote lots of their after school time that goes well beyond homework.

Some parents opt out for the following year.
As for parents who talk about it a lot. They are probably proud of their child, but they should be doing the same as non AAP parents if their child is doing great at school.
If I talk about it, is because I am happy that there is an opportunity like this for my child who is just quick thinker, learns easily and herself is being proud to be a part of the program. I would advise any parent to try to get in/appeal if they think that true regular program is not sufficient.

how could you possibly know this?
One of those who stresses about other people's kids eh?

[Anonymous]

not 19:17, but have had the same experience. just from talking to other moms and hearing them complain about the grading, the workload, the classwork etc. i have gotten the picture that the program is actually very challenging/difficult for some kids to keep up with.

[Anonymous]

Op - do you mind mentioning where you live? Is it 22102 or 22101, McLean? I just want to know because I am house hunting. Thanks!

[Anonymous]

I agree with 19:17. When you are in AAP you also socialize with the families of the classroom and you hear lots of feedback, plus kids also talk about their work and they are fully aware of who is not keeping up simply by the grades.
I love my child's AAP class and we love the classmates. I have to say that I see much better, positive behavior when the kids have play dates too.
The teacher plays a great role in all that; how he spreads the curriculum and how it's executed. Our teacher makes the kids feel like adults. He is flexible, compromising, understanding and allows negotiation in terms of the kids work and behavior, but holds them responsible, and he is very demanding,
AAP not only requires the "brains", but also a strong, independent, self-motivated personality.
That is why some of the parents are telling me that their child is fit for the program but can not take the overall pressure of it.
I feel like some parents like 19:53 are so ambitious for their child to get and if they don't succeed, they hate the AAP families. That is just silly and if you teach your child that all in life should be as you plan, then just get ready for a deep depression. if you spend time with your child, you will see how successful he/she will be.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I agree with 19:17. When you are in AAP you also socialize with the families of the classroom and you hear lots of feedback, plus kids also talk about their work and they are fully aware of who is not keeping up simply by the grades.
I love my child's AAP class and we love the classmates. I have to say that I see much better, positive behavior when the kids have play dates too.
The teacher plays a great role in all that; how he spreads the curriculum and how it's executed. Our teacher makes the kids feel like adults. He is flexible, compromising, understanding and allows negotiation in terms of the kids work and behavior, but holds them responsible, and he is very demanding,
AAP not only requires the "brains", but also a strong, independent, self-motivated personality.
That is why some of the parents are telling me that their child is fit for the program but can not take the overall pressure of it.
I feel like some parents like 19:53 are so ambitious for their child to get and if they don't succeed, they hate the AAP families. That is just silly and if you teach your child that all in life should be as you plan, then just get ready for a deep depression. if you spend time with your child, you will see how successful he/she will be.

Way off the mark on that one. My kid is in AAP and I've made comments myself like 19:17 about kids not keeping up and got blasted for it. Like mind your own business, worry about your own kid not others, that's why I asked how she could know what's really going on in the classroom - and the answer is you don't. You are listening to gossip from your kids, some of which might be on the mark and some of which might be way off the mark. Our experience has been none of DCs peers are "struggling." But all the AAP schools are different.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I agree with 19:17. When you are in AAP you also socialize with the families of the classroom and you hear lots of feedback, plus kids also talk about their work and they are fully aware of who is not keeping up simply by the grades.I love my child's AAP class and we love the classmates. I have to say that I see much better, positive behavior when the kids have play dates too.
The teacher plays a great role in all that; how he spreads the curriculum and how it's executed. Our teacher makes the kids feel like adults. He is flexible, compromising, understanding and allows negotiation in terms of the kids work and behavior, but holds them responsible, and he is very demanding,
AAP not only requires the "brains", but also a strong, independent, self-motivated personality.
That is why some of the parents are telling me that their child is fit for the program but can not take the overall pressure of it.
I feel like some parents like 19:53 are so ambitious for their child to get and if they don't succeed, they hate the AAP families. That is just silly and if you teach your child that all in life should be as you plan, then just get ready for a deep depression. if you spend time with your child, you will see how successful he/she will be.

Your kids make it thier business to know other kids grades? and then come home and tell you about it? Personally I would not listen to that stuff and would tell them to mind thier own business.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Your kids make it thier business to know other kids grades? and then come home and tell you about it? Personally I would not listen to that stuff and would tell them to mind thier own business.

I have two kids in AAP and each of them have told me that "grades are no one else's business" and this attitude is reinforced by the teachers in the classroom.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Your kids make it thier business to know other kids grades? and then come home and tell you about it? Personally I would not listen to that stuff and would tell them to mind thier own business.

I have two kids in AAP and each of them have told me that "grades are no one else's business" and this attitude is reinforced by the teachers in the classroom.

+1

I still don't understand how a kid can know someone else's grades, or why they would run home and tell thier parents.

[Anonymous]

OP Here:

Someone asked about my whereabouts ... south FFX co.

I think it is hilarious how this post became about the exact thing I was writing about. Several posters have gone on and on about AAP rather than addressing my point.

Just have a little humility people. The posters who talked about how they talk about AAP amongst parents in their child's class or if asked seem to have proper social intelligence. As for the other posters and the neighbors who were the topic of the original post -- do you really think a parent whose child may be just happy "average" wants to hear all about AAP? It's great to be proud of your kids, but please step back, realize your audience and be sensitive to others' perspective and situation.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Your kids make it thier business to know other kids grades? and then come home and tell you about it? Personally I would not listen to that stuff and would tell them to mind thier own business.

I have two kids in AAP and each of them have told me that "grades are no one else's business" and this attitude is reinforced by the teachers in the classroom.

+1

I still don't understand how a kid can know someone else's grades, or why they would run home and tell thier parents.

I think they see when the tests are handed back or his discuss them. My DD has mentioned what other kids get and she's not a competitive type at all. She will sometimes mention that so and so didn't do well and they know their mom will be mad. Or she'll say, I got a B and "everyone else" got an A or I was the only one who got 100 or whatever. I think it's unavoidable that they know to some extent. I think it's weird when parents care what other kids' grades are.

[Anonymous]

In our DD's class, the kids all have "jobs," and one of the jobs is to stuff the folders that go home each week with completed work/tests/quizzes in them. So the kids who have that job see everyone's grades for that week.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP Here:

Someone asked about my whereabouts ... south FFX co.

I think it is hilarious how this post became about the exact thing I was writing about. Several posters have gone on and on about AAP rather than addressing my point.

Just have a little humility people. The posters who talked about how they talk about AAP amongst parents in their child's class or if asked seem to have proper social intelligence. As for the other posters and the neighbors who were the topic of the original post -- do you really think a parent whose child may be just happy "average" wants to hear all about AAP? It's great to be proud of your kids, but please step back, realize your audience and be sensitive to others' perspective and situation.


Thank you OP. It is actually pathetic. Nobody with a life reallly cares about AAP. Lets talk about something important. Does you child really need to know about all this foolish talk? No, it is a detriment to them. Why don't we just try to eduacte our own kids and NOT talk about it?