High School Seniors Can Have A Perfect Final Semester

Everyone has probably heard about "senioritis" by now, which refers to the tendency that high school seniors have to slack off and lose interest during their final semester of high school. It's a pretty unsurprising phenomenon. After all, by the time seniors get to the final stretch of their high school career, chances are that they're worn out, tired, and ready to just get the heck out of there.

While some seniors might succumb to senioritis, not every high school senior needs to give a lackluster performance during their final semester. In fact, it's very important not to succumb and to finish high school strong.

Here are a few things to remember during that final high school semester: (and all throughout high school, for that matter)

• Remember That Colleges Check
  A lot of high school seniors have already been accepted into college by the time they have entered their final semester. For this reason, it becomes tempting to want to stop putting in a full effort and start slacking off. However, it's important for seniors to remember that colleges have the ability to, and often will check final semester grades. Many poor high school students have lost their spots at great colleges because they had an extremely disappointing final high school semester. For this reason, it's important to remember to keep making an effort all the way to the finish line.
• Focus On Personal Enrichment
  High school seniors, such as those who attend Landon School, would be wise to remember that their academic career isn't just about making great grades to show a college. Rather, it's about developing the skills and accumulating the knowledge that will help them in adulthood, both as employees and as citizens. Whether you're a Landon School student or attend another school, try to find personal enrichment in your final semester's curriculum.
• Make Memories
  Many high school seniors feel stifled and ready to get out by the time they reach their final semester. However, it's important to remember that once high school is over, it's over forever. This is why students should focus on enjoying every moment and making great memories that will last them for the rest of their lives. Whether this means trying a new sport or joining a new club, focus on cherishing the small amount of time you have left as a high school student. Once it's gone, there's no getting it back.
• Focus On The Finish Line
  High school seniors should treat the final semester like a marathon, not a sprint. They should focus on the finish line, sure, but they should also savor every moment. On the days that they feel discouraged or sick of their schoolwork, there's nothing wrong with taking a moment to dream about graduation or their first day of college. However, after taking a moment to dream, it's important that they get back to work and focus on their studies. That finish line is so close; don't stop now!

You're only a high school student once. This is why it's so important to make the most of it, even if you're chomping at the bit to graduate and head off to college. Don't become one of the countless kids who succumbs to senioritis. Instead, work hard, make memories with your friends and keep going until you reach the finish line.

Watch Finding Kind on IndieFlix through May 31 (Giveaway)

In February 2009, two young women, Lauren Parsekian and Molly Thompson joined forces.  Having both been affected by female bullying throughout their youth, they decided to create change by giving females a platform to speak out about this universal experience. What began as an idea for a documentary about girl-against-girl bullying, ultimately became Kind Campaign, an internationally recognized movement, documentary, and school assembly program based on the powerful belief in KINDness that brings awareness and healing to the negative and lasting effects of girl-against-girl “crime.”

photo from findingkind.com

If you've got daughters in middle school or high school, you will want to sit down and watch this with them.  I apologize for the short notice.  I've been procrastinating again.  You, however, will need to get right on this.  You have until May 31st to watch Finding Kind, a peer to peer documentary about girl bullying on Indieflix. 

Don't have a subscription to Indieflix?  That's OK.  They gave me a trial subscription to check it out, and they will give 10 readers a two-month trial subscription too!  (no credit card info required)

About IndieFlix

• IndieFlix is a community of independent filmmakers and fans. Through its membership-based streaming service, IndieFlix helps filmmakers translate artistic vision into commercial success, and gives film lovers access to high quality independent films not otherwise available. IndieFlix’s mission is to champion filmmakers, rethink traditional approaches to distribution, and celebrate the artistry and impact of independent film.
• Co-founded by filmmaker Scilla Andreen, CEO of IndieFlix

Entering is easy - tell me why you want to watch this movie and/or visit Indieflix, browse through the movies and let me know which movie you're most interested in watching.  Be sure I have your email so I can send your code.  Giveaway ends May 31, so be sure to enter soon - and that is the last day to watch Finding Kind.  First 10 comments win!

Then, once you've watched the movie, be sure to come back and let me know what you thought of it.

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Tuesday Tidbits

It's Tuesday again -

---

First - I have some friends who lost their only daughter in June.  Now they're oldest son is in the hospital with bacterial meningitis.  The infection has spread to his heart, and he will need surgery to repair or replace a couple valves in his heart - which is very risky combined with the meningitis.  He could really use a miracle!  So, if you believe in prayer, please say some for this family.  

---

We went to the high school this weekend to see the musical - they did The King and I.  This was the first year Jeffrey didn't run sound in years.  He did it all the time Cory was in the high school plays, and he even did it last year after Cory wasn't in it any more.  This year he just didn't have time.  It's a shame really, because even though there was supposedly some kind of sound system and mics set up, it was still really hard to hear what they were saying.

It also just isn't the same to see a play without Cory in it.  The kids who were in it did an OK job, they knew their lines and such, but they're not actors.  It's a high school production in a school without a real drama department.  They do the best they can with what they have.  Actually, that's not true - they could do a lot better if they'd involve more parents and families instead of relying on the same few to do everything every time - which is partly why they didn't have a decent sound system or anybody to run it.  The boy who played the King has an uncle who could have run the sound - he's done it for several schools and would probably have been happy to do it for his nephew's play - but they didn't know he was needed.  Oh well...

---

I got my hair cut today.  It was just getting a bit unruly and needed trimmed back up. I'm really liking these layers and still trying to figure out where the curls came from.  Oh well, I guess it doesn't really matter.

---

I put the flannel sheets on the bed yesterday - just in time, it sounds like.  It's been fairly mild, so much that I wore a sweatshirt today and didn't even need a jacket.  But things are gonna change.  They're talking cold and wind chill starting tomorrow, and a high of 36° on Thursday.  I guess it is that time of year...

---

I heard somewhere the other day that if you're not hungry enough to eat an apple, then you're not really hungry.  It really didn't make sense to me.  Anybody?  Speaking of apples, I bought some really good ones today - crisp and tart.  Apples make really good snacks!

---

There's this whole 'Recall the Governor' thing happening in Wisconsin right now.  I really don't understand it.  It just seems like all people want to do is complain these days.  They don't like the governor?  When his term is up, they have the opportunity to vote someone else in.  But no, they can't wait, and it just seems ridiculous and a huge waste of time and money.  Seems like there are a lot of childish people in this state.

---

Tune in next week. There are probably things I will remember as soon as I hit 'Publish' but I can't think of them now.

Shirts in School

Cory called me yesterday all excited because he got a free t-shirt and $10 in the mail.  That boy does love his t-shirts!

I sent him a link to this press release a few weeks ago - "Get Paid to Wear T-Shirts to School"  because it sounded like the perfect thing for Cory - getting paid to wear free t-shirts.  ShirtsInSchool is a way for companies to advertise to young adults. The advertiser provides T shirts to the ShirtsInSchool student ambassadors, young adults in high school or college, and the student ambassadors are paid to simply wear the provided shirt all day, and advertise on their social network about the company.

Since Cory has a hard time saying No to a new t-shirt, and he's always sharing pictures of himself in his new shirts on DailyBooth or Facebook, I thought he'd be a perfect candidate for the program - and he signed up right away.

Today he's wearing his new shirt and advertising the ShirtsInSchool program on facebook:

Shirts In Schools is currently accepting online registrations for student ambassadors across the country.  If your are (or know) a high school or college student between the ages of 14 and 22 and would like to make some money for pretty much doing the things you already do - wearing t-shirts and social networking, then check it out.

Related articles

• Shirts In School "Get Paid To Wear T-Shirts To School" (prweb.com)

Looking at the Sky on Friday - 75

I’m so glad there’s a meme like Looking at the Sky on Friday, because it means all the time I spend looking at the sky, and taking pictures of it, has a purpose! Click the badge for more info.

I usually post my Looking at the Sky post on Thursday evenings, but I just ran out of time last night.  Our local high school is performing their Fall musical, Cinderella, this weekend, and Jeffrey is helping out with the sound again – even though our son is no longer a student and a star.  But they asked, and he said yes.  It’s just a shame for the students to put so much effort into the production and then have the audience not be able to hear them.

Ideally, the school would have their own sound equipment and someone to run it, but they don’t.  So Jeffrey helps out when he can.  So, last night we were at the school for the dress rehearsal night – performed in front of a small audience – and didn’t get home until almost 10pm.  And then my computer wouldn’t behave, so I had to restart and then it was time for bed – unless I wanted to stay up way past my bedtime and just rely on wrinkle eye cream to keep me looking good OK.

Anyway, it’s still Friday, so it’s not too late.  I had the picture picked out last night – just didn’t have the time to get it posted.

If you enjoy skies as much as I do, be sure to check out Looking at the Sky on Friday.

Last Progress Report

We got the last progress report of Cory's high school career yesterday.  I've been doing that - last play, last concert, last whatever, as we count down to the end of school.  It's an exciting time, but sad all at the same time.  With Beth, it all just kind of sneaked up on us, mainly because she was finished with school after first semester, and she only went half days while she was in school.

With Cory, he's going the whole time and involved with everything.  Well, maybe not everything, but plenty.  With so much going on and all the things coming home about graduation and activities, it's a lot easier to see how this whole high school thing is coming to an end.  All those years of pencils and notebooks, lockers and school furniture, bells, hallways, teachers and friends are coming to an end.

I'm excited to see what life holds in store for him, but I also know it means he'll be moving on and moving out when he starts college in the fall, and I'm gonna miss him.

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State State Play Prom Prom

... with a few concerts and awards nights thrown in for good measure!

Cory's been pretty busy recently.  It seems every weekend there's something, starting with State Forensics a few weeks ago.  Then he had State for Solo & Ensemble the following weekend, and the weekend after that was the Spring play.  Now, this coming weekend he's going to his school's prom.  He's going with a young lady from another school, so he had to get permission slips signed - and have dinner with her family since they hadn't met him yet.  I guess they liked him OK, because they agreed to let her go to prom with him.  Then, the following weekend, he's going to her prom with her.

In between all the busy weekends, he's busy finishing up his last semester of high school.  Last night was the National Honor Society banquet where they inducted new members and honored current members and outgoing seniors.  It was good we got to go, because we missed his first two - because he was busy preparing for plays.  Thankfully this year it was after the play was over.  Next week there's a Jazz Band and Choir concert, and then the week after that a Symphonic Band Awards concert and Senior Honors Night and a trip to Six Flags for choir and band performances and a little fun.  He's hoping the weather is nice and warm so he can spend the day at the water park, since he doesn't want to ride any roller coasters.  I still can't believe our kids don't like roller coasters!

I'm sure there are other things in there that I forgot or don't even know about yet - or there will be in the next couple of weeks, the last two weeks of school.  And then, graduation!

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They Make a Good Team

I took some video of Cory and Jenna performing their piece at the Family Night we went to last week.  I thought you might enjoy watching them.  I still get a kick out of it every time I watch.




Romeo Revised from bcmom on Vimeo.


I think they make a great team.  Sadly, this is their last year of high school and last year to team up for Forensics.  Luckily, we'll still get to see them work together a few more times, when they star in the Spring Play - Night of the Living Beauty Pageant - coming up here in a couple weeks.  So we'll get to see them another 4 times!

Somebody Slow This Thing Down

Cory brought home his cap and gown today.  Tomorrow is the last day of the 3rd quarter, of his last year of high school.  That means he has one more quarter of high school.  And then he graduates.  My baby is going to graduate from high school, and it's not very far off at all.

He gave me the cap and gown and said to put them somewhere safe, so he wouldn't lose them.  Do you think if I put them somewhere so safe that I can't find them again, his graduation day will never come?

Budget Cuts

Cory brought home a letter from the school superintendent today asking for input on upcoming budget cuts in the district.  It seems the budget is always being cut.  It's kind of surprising that they are able to have school at all!  And now, due to cutbacks in state aid coupled with a two year decrease in the state imposed revenue limits, the district is looking at having to trim $325,000 to $500,000 from next year's operating budget.  Pretty hard considering the district is already operating on a very tight budget. 

So, they're asking for input from district residents - things we value in our schools, and what things should be considered for reduction.  Now this won't really affect Cory, since he'll be graduating at the end of this year, but he's still worried that they'll decide to cut out the arts programs and no longer offer classes like art and choir and band.  That wouldn't be surprising, because that does seem to be what a lot of districts choose to cut.  After all, kids can live without music and art, right?  (Here's a whole list of resources that says otherwise - The Arts Improve Education) 

There's even talk around school that the foreign language classes will be cut.  I don't see how they can do that, considering that foreign language is required by many colleges.  Not offering a foreign language could make it extremely hard for students to go on to college.  They might be able to consider choosing just one language instead of the two currently offered.  French or Spanish?  How do you choose?

Instead of cutting Arts, maybe they should think about cutting the sports program down.  It's not like our teams are really any good, anyway.  And they could cut out classes like Automobile Ownership (seriously, do we really need a class to tell kids how to take care of a car?) and some of the agriculture, animal care, and shop classes.  Maybe if kids want to learn a skill like that, the district could partner with some local farmers, woodworkers, or garage owners and set up some kind of internship program.  That is if these kids are really looking to learn this stuff and not just looking for an easy class.

The same goes for the computer classes in our district.  In this day and age, computer skills are really important, so it's good that our school offers classes in web page design and computer programming.  However, the computer classes my kids have taken have been a total waste of time - basically a study hall with a credit.  So, the school either needs to get a decent teacher who will actually teach our students something, or they might as well cut the computer classes.  Boy, wouldn't that make our school district seem backward?  No computer classes.

The more I think about it, the more I realize what tough decisions the school district - not only ours but probably every one in the state and the country - has to make.  No matter what they do, they won't be able to make everyone happy and will probably make a lot of people very unhappy.  I'm sure the goal is to give the students the best education possible, and I think that means accepting that this is a small district and students are not necessarily entitled to a whole lot of choices and non-essential classes.  If they get a basic education of core classes, they can go on to college or technical school to learn the rest later.

But, like I said, my kid is graduating, so this won't really affect him.  I'll still have to send back the letter with my thoughts and suggestions, though.  If you've got kids in school, what do you think?  What classes are important?  Which ones less so?  How many times can a school district cut the budget and still educate students?

Is It Spring Already?

It was sunny and warm today, so I just had to get outside for a while.  Gotta enjoy it while I can, because it's supposed to get cool and rainy, and maybe even snow a little this weekend.  I'm not the only one, because there were people out everywhere - taking walks, visiting with their neighbors while the kids played in the yard, grilling something for dinner.  Everyone is coming out of their caves, blinking in the sunlight.  People like to complain about winter, but I think it just makes us appreciate it more when spring finally comes around.  But maybe that's just me. 

I do have slightly mixed feelings about spring this year.  Sure, I love the sunshine and the warm temperatures, being able to get outside and open the windows, but spring means we're getting closer and closer to Cory's graduation.  When he was a little bitty cutie pie, I told him to stay little; I liked him just the way he was.  He did not listen.  Now he's all grown up, going to be graduating from high school and then going off to college, where he'll have to find a job to pay for it, and where he'll be away from home and on his own.  How in the world did that happen?

I wonder if there's a way I can slow down these next few months?

Delusions of Greatness

I've been cleaning and baking all day, and had plenty of things to say - until I sat down, that is. Why is it? All these great posts composed in my head and then nothing when I get to the computer? Probably so I'll never have to admit that they weren't really that great after all.

Cory just walked in the door from school, and I remembered one thing I was going to say - my baby is going to graduate this year! How can that be? We just had to order his cap and gown today - along with a Senior t-shirt and sweat pants, which he got today. $18.99 for a t-shirt and $24.99 for sweat pants isn't exactly cheap, but they're really nice. And we bought Beth the t-shirt and sweatshirt because she wanted them, and she didn't even like school, and was practically out of school by the time she got them. Cory at least likes school, and he has the rest of the school year to wear the Senior clothes.

I'm thinking there may have been something else about a dip bar, but that post probably wasn't all that great...

Cory is Officially the Bad Guy

Image via Wikipedia

Cory will be playing Captain Hook in the school musical Peter Pan this year. He expected to get the role, but he still had to try out. Last Friday he told me that he is officially the bad guy. They've had one cast meeting and officially start practice this week. It sounds like there are quite a few people involved this year, and I look forward to seeing how it all comes together.

Cory says he needs to practice sword fighting with his left hand because the hook is supposed to be on his right, but this picture shows the hook on the left. Does anybody know which is right (or left)? I've never seen this musical before and never paid attention in the movies either. I never actually saw any musicals until Jeffrey started running sound and Cory started getting involved in the school musicals. I thought I saw Pirates of Penzance when I was in college, but I only recently found out that it was only excerpts from the musical for some reason. But I didn't know the difference back then, and I enjoyed it anyway.

The musicals and plays are a lot of fun, and I'm always amazed at what they can pull together with so little and in such a short time. I'm sure this one will be no different.

Heads or Tails - Yellow

The theme/prompt for THIS week, September 1, is:

HEADS - "Yellow"

Make any kind of post about anything that is "Yellow."

Since this Tuesday, September 1st, is the first day of school, the first thing that popped into my head is a big yellow school bus. Cory will be getting on one in the morning and starting his last year of high school. Somehow my baby grew up, and now he's a SENIOR.

The school bus got me to thinking about this email I once got:

“In which direction is the bus pictured below traveling?”


Look carefully at the picture.
Do you know the answer?
(The only possible answers are “left” or “right.”)
Think about it

Still don’t know?

Okay, I’ll tell you.

The pre-schoolers all answered “left.”
When asked, “Why do you think the bus is traveling in the left direction?”
they answered:

“Because you can’t see the door.”

School buses
Originally uploaded by bitrot.

Real simple when you think about it, huh?

Heads or Tails is a fun weekly meme created and hosted by Barb (aka Skittles) – feel free to join in!

Finally, This Last Time

I just finished registering Cory for school - his last year of high school. He's a SENIOR this year! How in the world did that happen? Where'd my little boy go?

Since I only had one student to register this year, my registration costs decreased significantly. Last year it was over $300, this year only $170. This year, for the first time, they actually sent out a cost sheet ahead of time so we the parents could have an idea how much the registration costs were going to be. Finally! I've been wishing for something like this for years. I always hated having to go into school registration with no real clue how much it was going to cost me. Not that it would make a big difference, it costs what it costs, but it's still nice to have an idea. As I was writing my check, I mentioned to the secretary who was adding everything up that I really appreciated having that. Even if it is the last year for us.

Now I wonder if they could get me a list of all the other costs that are going to come up throughout the school year?

Band Camp and Cookout

Cory had band camp this morning. It's a really abbreviated version of band camp - when he first started marching band in 8th grade they had a week of all day band, 10am-5pm, and then a second week from 10am-2pm. They took a day off and went to Noah's Ark at the end of the first week and had a pizza party or something fun the 2nd week, but there was also a lot of playing and marching practice. This year it's more of a get to know the new band teacher, see what the coming year is going to look like kind of band camp, and it only lasts 2 days, 9am-noon.

This is the 2nd year in a row they are starting out with a new band teacher. Hopefully this one can stick around for a while, though since Cory is going to graduate, it won't really affect him. It would be nice to get a little continuity and support in the band program, though. We had a get together cook-out this evening for all the band students and their parents, both middle school and high school, so everyone could meet the new teacher and to let the parents know how important their involvement is. It sounds like we will get at least a few more involved with the Band Boosters and helping out, so that's great. The new teacher seems really nice. It's her first full-time teaching job, and she's full of enthusiasm and ideas and hopefully will be really good for our band.

Heads or Tails - Tune

The theme/prompt for this week is:
HEADS - "Tune"

This weekend, Beth marched to a little tune called “Pomp and Circumstance” – she graduated from high school!

Here she is right after she received her diploma:

and smiling for the camera after graduation was over:

Even though she’s actually been out of school since the end of first semester, this was the actual, official end to her high school career.  *Sniff*  (Isn’t she gorgeous?)

Heads or Tails is a fun weekly meme created and hosted by Barb (aka Skittles) – feel free to join in!

Beth Graduates this Weekend

Beth is graduating from high school on Sunday. Yes, she's actually been out of school for a whole semester, but this weekend is the actual graduation ceremony, and she's graduating with her class. We didn't send out any party invitations but we are having a few people over tomorrow, grilling some chicken, etc. to celebrate. Her grandparents are even here from Kentucky.

I am having a hard time believing that one of my kids can possibly be old enough to graduate from high school. Where does the time go?

Beth just got home from graduation practice and brought home an envelope from her 4th grade teacher. There were some pictures from 4th grade, something Beth had written about what she liked, who her friends were, what she wanted to do in the future, etc. It was interesting to read and see how things had changed. It was really a neat thing to get - and she was so little back then!

I wonder what the next 8 years will bring...

(Why am I ready to cry as I post this?)

Charlie Brown Pics

I finally got the pictures uploaded from last weekend's performance of You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown, if anyone's interested.

Just follow the links:

• Act 1
• Act 2

Since we were there for every performance, I took pictures each time. The pictures are pretty much in order of the performance, but not necessarily all taken at the same performance. It was a really fun play, the kids did a good job, and we enjoyed it!

It's Almost Charlie Brown Time

The play is next weekend - Friday night, Saturday night, Sunday afternoon. And let's not forget the dress rehearsal Thursday night. That means this is going to be a very busy week, and it's started already. Not so much for me, but Cory and Jeffrey went to school yesterday to start getting things set up. The cast was all supposed to be there to get the lights put up, so Jeffrey took all the sound equipment over, too. They hung lights and set up chairs, and he got some of the sound equipment set up, though he couldn't do everything until the lights were focused and all the chairs set up, which can't be done until the lights are focused.

Then, after all that he took Cory and Erich to Home Depot to get stuff to make a tree. The boys spent several hours at Erich's house after that building their tree. Then today they took it to school and stayed after to work on it some more. Play practice was from 6-8 - so Cory walked out of the house at 7:10 this morning and just walked in the door at 8:20 tonight. Jeffrey came home from work, ate a quick dinner, and ran over to the school to hopefully get most of his stuff set up - so I didn't see much of him either. Me, I just stayed home, finished up the laundry, made some sandwiches for lunches tomorrow, and watched Dancing with the Stars. That Ty is so darn cute!

Sorry, I got distracted.

I'm not sure how much more Jeffrey has to do to get the sound system ready to go, but I do know that Cory has play practice the next couple nights and then dress rehearsal and performances. After asking him, it sounds like Jeffrey has everything done as much as he can, so we'll just have to get there early Thursday night for the dress rehearsal to do last minute stuff. And then we'll be there every night... I also have to get something baked for concessions. I'm thinking cupcakes, but it all depends on what I feel like when I actually get to the baking part.

OK, I have to go vote for Ty now.