The Highschool Decision
Thursday, February 11th, 2010How did this happen? How am I old enough to be the mother of a child going into high school?
This past week it has been High School Open House in our district. The grade 8 students are all invited into the area high schools each evening of the week where they showcase the benefits of attending each school.
Mackenzie has had her choice narrowed down between 2 schools that are within close walking distance (yay no more driving for me!) one of these school’s being her father’s high school and the other be my old stomping ground!
Tuesday evening was the night we toured her father’s old school. To be fair I wasn’t feeling the best so I know my outlook on the school could have been a little more positive that evening. As well one the kids doing our tour was being really negative and complaining there were too many people on “his tour”. After we broke away from the tour things started looking up when we found the Art dept and Mackenzie found the Life Skills room handing out red and white cupcakes and little cartons chocolate milk. Since the school hallways are very narrow, I felt a little claustrophobic with the large crowds that attended that evening. All in all it was a positive experience for Mackenzie and she liked the school and that’s what matters most.
Last night we headed down to my old high school. Her dad wasn’t able to go as he needed to stay home with the boys. Once we walked in the doors so many good memories came back to me. I tried to share a few with Mackenzie, but she seemed really annoyed with me so I tried to contain my excitement. The first part of the open house Mackenzie did not enjoy. The kids on the stage and their screaming and yelling and displays of “school spirit” were too much for her. She does not do well with noise. Once the principal spoke and introduced some of the teachers we were given the option of doing a tour and going off on our own. We decided since I knew the school quite well we’d just do our own tour. We met up with one of Mackenzie’s classmates and went on our way.
I guess one of the benefits of having a child in your early twenties is that they have the opportunity to have the same teachers you had in school. In Kindergarten Mackenzie had a teacher I had in 4th grade, and I was surprised to see so many teachers at my old high school that were there when I was- who, I should mention still look exactly the same! I was also impressed by the resources that were now available at the school. A whole Math Help Dept and resource teachers that are accessible anytime and the International Baccalaureate Program including Art. The other school does not offer IB but may also have these resource opportunities but I didn’t see them showcased when we were there on Tuesday evening.
In the end I know it’s her decision, and I really hope that it’s her that makes the decision and not a group of friends. I guess secretly deep down inside I always just assumed she would have chosen the school I went to. I’m thinking she’s going to choose the other school and I hope she’s happy with her decision.
Here’s a photo I snapped last night in the Physics Lab, of Mackenzie with Mr Turner who happened to teach there when I attended.

There’s also a High School Q&A new at CPO this month, for other parents trying to help their kids make this important decision- be sure to check it out!





From the time she was very young I knew she had a talent. This is one of her drawings that she drew for me at age three. Most kids at three years of age are still content to scribble on blank pages, but not Mackenzie she wanted to create art. Over the years she has continued and amazes us daily with her creations. She’s always very modest and self critical, I think this may be the sign of a true artist?


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