Thursday, November 23, 2006

 

high school dilemma solved?

Sheesh, I feel like I have a senior in high school deciding on colleges instead of an 8th grader.

I had been thinking that Carver, a magnet school near here, might be the better choice for Eli. It attracts artsy kids and motivated kids. (well for the academic primes, not the vo tech primes which is part of this story.) Eli is a very old soul. He doesn't take a lot of crap from people and since his people, those in their early teens, are pretty crap-filled, he doesn't have many friends. It has been an on-going worry for me. When we had him seeing a psychiatrist about 4 years ago after he ran away from Missy's and stated some suicide ideation, the psychiatrist was also dumbfounded because he was such a nice, engaging child.

So in my infinite wisdom, I had been thinking this school will offer up more sophisticated kids with whom he can become friends.

When I checked out the curricula, the one prime that seemed to fit him was design and production. Since there is a drama prime, these people build the sets, doing the lighting, etc. Eli is very engineering-minded. He likes to put things together and also like to know how things work.

Well when I approached him about it, he went ballistic. Said he hates theatre. He doesn't really know anything about theatre but he has this idea it is about people standing on stage acting all dramatic. Well, that is not what he would be doing but seeing plays and writing criticism is part of the audition so that was that.

Then he wanted to do carpentry. I talked to the admissions director and she confirmed that this was not an academic prime and since Eli is in GT classes and academically good (wouldn't say gifted), that would nto be the right program for him.

Then he found they have a digital media prime. This interested him but it is a TON of work to put together a portfolio. I had Michael look over the info and he felt that this was not Eli's strong suit. I figured I would leave it up to Eli. If he did the work for the portfolio, then he could try.

Well, providence prevailed and he found out that Carver does not have a music program. He loves playing the Trombone, has joined the brass ensemble which meets afterschool on Tuesdays. He has also joined the bag pipe club on Thursdays. He likes music. (I love my nerd.)

I think this and what happended yesterday has convinced him he wants to go to my district high school, Towson. They have a marching band (did I say nerd?). They came to the middle school and Eli is really psyched about joining this.

Now another issue is that Missy's district school is different. Originally I was pushing for Towson. Then my friend Carolyn told me that Missy's school, Dulaney, has a phenomenal tech ed program. This is what Eli really enjoys too. Ack. And they are a national Blue Ribbon School. Then I was thinking that maybe it would be better for Eli to go to Dulaney because the bus would pick him up and drop him off there.

At this point I have much more flexibility so I could pick up Eli at Missy's. But Eli now wants Towson so we will just have to make it work. I am hoping this will help facilitiate what I want ... them being here mostly during the week.

As we discussed all this at dinner last night, I told the kids that I really want them to be here more. It makes sense, I do all of the afterschool activity schlepping, Missy works at least one night when they are with her. The kids both reacted with ... that is not fair! They are indoctrinated that the time has to be split 50/50.

I need to think more about how they complain about her, the house, Camille but don't want to make any changes. I know in my heart part of it is that they see her love as somewhat conditional and don't want to upset her.

Oh well, at least one decision has been made. I think. It could change tomorrow.

And so it goes ...

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