Evan also has always been ahead in math. So, I was so happy in Indiana when the school tested both boys in Kindergarten/1st grade and had them in a math class that could work a grade ahead. I loved that they were being challenged in a subject that was strong for them.
When we moved to VA, I thought for sure Loudoun County that is supposed to be a good school system would also have this option. So, you can imagine that we were beyond frustrated to find out that they don't. Colin and Evan, who have been ahead working ahead in Math since Kindergarten are now repeating 4th and 2nd grade math, because they don't do advanced math here. The teachers tell me they are required to teach that grades math. I think this is because of SOL's and wanting to be sure they know the concepts on that. I have been very stressed about this since the start of the school year. I have tried discussing this with the principal, the gifted teacher and their teachers and didn't get anywhere. They just can't do it.
I have always been very comfortable with the amount of money we have, but for the first time in my life, I have to say that I wish we were wealthier. The reason being is that I wish I could afford to send my kids to private school here. There are some pretty impressive ones around and so far I am just not impressed with Loudoun schools. I really hope my opinion changes, as we have many, many more years to go in this school system.
Evan has been writing up difficult problems and trying to solve them, for fun. He has spent hours doing this. He now even knows how to do square roots and is teaching himself multiplying decimals (he isn't even supposed to know multiplication yet). His class meanwhile is adding double digits! He, for fun, is adding numbers in the millions. His teacher told him to pick smaller numbers because she has to mark him down as not knowing the skill if he gets it wrong. She pretty much told me she doesn't know what to do with him because he already knows everything. A few days ago he was in tears not wanting to go to school because he wasn't going to learn anything new! I am so glad that he is finding ways to challenge himself since he isn't getting it at school, but I am just hoping his interest in school and math stays strong and he doesn't start loosing it because of boredom.
I worry the same for Colin, but he isn't as vocal about it as Evan. I think he is more than happy to just sit back and have it be easy…
I am praying hard that things start to get better or that I hit the lottery and can send them to Virginia Academy or one of the other private schools:-)
Also…We got their 1st quarter report cards. Colin was so excited to get on the honor roll since it was the first time he is getting letter grades. Evan also did fantastic (though he doesn't get A's and B's yet). So proud of both my boys!!!
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