Today I met Maria Chininis, Asst. Principal at Norcross High School.  I really had to, I just didn’t understand what to do to motivate Clayton for HS.  I wanted to be sure I knew exactly what academic path he would be starting  on  next fall and make sure that it was the right path for him.

Sooooo, when I arrive, she has already printed out the sheet with Clayton’s classes for the fall and she has looked up his test scores.  The first things she said to me was “I think he needs to be in AP classes”.  Oh my, he didn’t get a letter inviting him to take any AP classes like some of the other “gifted” kids at PMS.  Come to find out those letters don’t mean squat. Not with his test scores.  He tests so high that she feels he’s not being challenged enough. Ummmmm, I don’t think that’s the case…come on we all know my Clayton stories.  But she is so enthusiastic about his years at NHS you can’t help but get caught up in her enthusiasm.   (was she a pep squad member or cheerleader as a youth ‘cause she’s good)  Reality, though, is another thing. 

We talked about how he can get plugged in, the different clubs and activities out there for him.  I’ve suggested he try chorus (Glee Club) which before the show Glee would have been a big NO the moment the words left my mouth, but he is considering it. I know shocking, but he’s just “considering” it.   Socially, he can join the Blue Crew which sounds like fun.  He could go totally geek and join the Math Club, but  I have a hard time seeing that, don’t you?  Maria thinks he should try out for soccer, but I still don’t think it will happen for him, it’s such a tough team to make with all the “competition”  from other middle schools.

Maria offered to let Clayton come in next week and sit in on an AP Biology class before his middle school starts.  He said he would like to check it out. Well, needless to say, I was shocked he even considered it, much less said he would check it out.  She did tell me if he takes an AP class this fall, and after about 2 weeks hates it, she will move him into a gifted class.  At first she said he could make up his mind by mid June, then she said even July would be ok.

Here is my question, am I pushing him to take classes he really doesn’t want to take?  It’s not like he does his best at at school to please me, but what if he’s considering this just to make me happy?  That’s not the right reason to take it.  He could wait until Sophomore year and take AP classes then.  Gosh, this is worse than picking out wallpaper!

Now the class schedule Clayton has already been given is all Gifted and it’s a  rigorous schedule.  He is on the hardest Math path available.  Looks like he will take 2 years of French (II & III).  His Freshman elective will be a computer class he wanted to take.  We still have to figure out when to take Health and PE.  But I left there feeling that this could be a whole new world opening up for Clayton if he just takes the opportunity.  Maybe he will finally give in to the “smart side” and allow his intelligence to shine.  Maybe not.  Ahhh, the future is wide open.  I’ll let you know how his visit to AP Biology goes!