Congratulations to students who got accepted into the magnet programs

[Anonymous]

Congratulations.

We know this was a long process of getting good grades for two years, keeping up with extracurricular activities, service projects, as well as the application essays, the exam and the agonizing wait. So, good job!

Now - could these parents share some practical tips about what they believe worked for their children, so that they attained success.

[Anonymous]

My children continue to do their school homework and when there was none, or not enough challenging work, they read and did reading, writing, and math "worksheets." They ignored the runny bowel movements regarding learning and practice as a form of child torture. They used the same time honored constipating strategies that have garnered them success in athletics, music and drama.

[Anonymous]

And here I thought this was just a refreshing, positive, no strings attached "congratulations".

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My children continue to do their school homework and when there was none, or not enough challenging work, they read and did reading, writing, and math "worksheets." They ignored the runny bowel movements regarding learning and practice as a form of child torture. They used the same time honored constipating strategies that have garnered them success in athletics, music and drama.

Very funny. But seriously, where do you get the worksheets (if that is not snark)?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:And here I thought this was just a refreshing, positive, no strings attached "congratulations".

It is a positive, no strings attached "congratulations". You have the choice to accept it or not. You also have the choice to share some parenting wisdom or not.

Kindly keep your negativity to yourself.

[Anonymous]

I must admit we also created work for our son who literally came home with nothing. He wanted to do the work as he enjoys it and I think that is a big part of the process. We just bought a couple workbooks at Barnes and Noble which he did 30 minutes 3 or 4 times a week.

[Anonymous]

Never did a thing. My child took on her own challenges at times, was bored at times, and was happy to be lazy at times.

[Anonymous]

Nothing. We read a lot to them as young children; take them to museums; enjoy conversation at family dinner; prioritize schoolwork and achievement; help them get math facts down pat (flashmaster.com); ban screen-time from Monday-Thursday.

Our kids (both in magnets) score high on intelligence tests (we've had them tested for learning issues), so that helps as well.

All that said, many many qualified applicants are turned down every year. To some degree it is the luck of the draw, because one "off" day that happens to fall on testing day will sink a highly-qualified candidate.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
All that said, many many qualified applicants are turned down every year. To some degree it is the luck of the draw, because one "off" day that happens to fall on testing day will sink a highly-qualified candidate.

Thank you. I really appreciate that humble acknowledgment. My child was wait listed for Humanities at Clemente, didn't get in for math. She's in an HGC, had all A's in 4th grade, writes exceptionally well, and is driven to write on her own for pleasure. She loves history and science and math - very well rounded.

But not an expedient tester. She takes things very literally and needs to thoroughly read a question and process it before answering. She would benefit from the magnet program immensely, needs the peer group, etc. But she didn't finish two of the sections (and still got wait listed - yay!). I'm am beyond thrilled she finished the essay portion, never mind what she got on it - that was my biggest anxiety.

As far as the "why couldn't this just be a congratulations" - I posted that. I thought a congratulations and the follow up question would be better served as two separate posts. I worried a congratulations would devolve into snakiness and argument, and I am pleasantly surprised that the thread that followed did not.

[Anonymous]

Tough to say because every child is different. For my dc I never did anything extra because he doesn't love school. I also had him tested because we thought there was a learning issue and that is how we learned (or confirmed) his intellectual strengths. He is a great test taker, he is very smart. He just soaks in everything. My younger ds who is amazing and solid but not at a magnet is different. I don't think any amount of extra support or test prep would have mattered. I can't help comparing my two kids. I guess I could have worked with my younger child with math drills and test prep, but despite the fact that he works harder and is a better student he could not have handled pace at the magnets. It would have not been fair to push him. I guess what I am saying is that there are a handle of kids who are very smart and it doesn't matter what you do - they are going to learn and are way, way ahead (like 5+years in many assessments) Some of these very smart kids get into the programs and some don't and that is a real bummer. Then there are kids like my younger child, he does very well in school, but doesn't need to be pushed to a magnet he is doing very well where he is. There is no magic formula - get your child all the enrichment you want if they can handle it and they don't resent you for it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
All that said, many many qualified applicants are turned down every year. To some degree it is the luck of the draw, because one "off" day that happens to fall on testing day will sink a highly-qualified candidate.

Thank you. I really appreciate that humble acknowledgment. My child was wait listed for Humanities at Clemente, didn't get in for math. She's in an HGC, had all A's in 4th grade, writes exceptionally well, and is driven to write on her own for pleasure. She loves history and science and math - very well rounded.

But not an expedient tester. She takes things very literally and needs to thoroughly read a question and process it before answering. She would benefit from the magnet program immensely, needs the peer group, etc. But she didn't finish two of the sections (and still got wait listed - yay!). I'm am beyond thrilled she finished the essay portion, never mind what she got on it - that was my biggest anxiety.

As far as the "why couldn't this just be a congratulations" - I posted that. I thought a congratulations and the follow up question would be better served as two separate posts. I worried a congratulations would devolve into snakiness and argument, and I am pleasantly surprised that the thread that followed did not.

PP here. That's a shame she was not admitted as she sounds like a great candidate for a magnet program.

If it's any consolation, she is well-positioned to succeed no matter where she attends school - what really matters is what she has inside/what she is made of.

[Anonymous]

The best thing I did for my child was to marry a crazy smart woman. The rest came along naturally.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The best thing I did for my child was to marry a crazy smart woman. The rest came along naturally.

Good Genes!

[Anonymous]

DC got in. He is curious and always asking questions, but he couldn't write and was not the best student in math. However, his third grade teacher loved him and probably wrote a nice recommendation letter for him . He was lucky to get into the HGC and now the MS magnet. One of his best friends, a terrific writer and very good in math, wasn't as lucky as him. Not getting into the MS magnet is not the end of world. I knew kids who gave up the MS magnet seat but entered the IB in HS and excelled. I also knew kids who gave up seats in both MS and HS magnet and went to Ivy league from local HS. Keep your child stimulated and excited about learning. She will do well in any school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DC got in. He is curious and always asking questions, but he couldn't write and was not the best student in math. However, his third grade teacher loved him and probably wrote a nice recommendation letter for him . He was lucky to get into the HGC and now the MS magnet. One of his best friends, a terrific writer and very good in math, wasn't as lucky as him. Not getting into the MS magnet is not the end of world. I knew kids who gave up the MS magnet seat but entered the IB in HS and excelled. I also knew kids who gave up seats in both MS and HS magnet and went to Ivy league from local HS. Keep your child stimulated and excited about learning. She will do well in any school.

excellent advice!