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Thinking about the Future

Yesterday, I attended an awards ceremony in Ashley's 4th grade class. Although, we haven't received Ashley's report card yet. She did receive an award for Excellent Effort, Outstanding Achievement in Math and Science and she received an award for being the Student with the Most Perseverance. Ashley's teacher almost made me cry while giving out the last award. She talked about how Ashley has overcome medical odds and medical issues; perservered through the struggles and maintained such a positive attitude. Ashley really has overcome so much in just 9 1/2 years; she is truly a remarkable child, I can only image what her future will bring.

As the school year ends, I can't help but think about where Ashley will be in two years. She will be in 5th grade next year; her last year of elementary school. I worry about Ashley's middle school years, I am not sure if keeping Ashley in the public school system is right for her. However, our budget cannot handle a private school education. There are two middle school's in the city we live in; they are both "A' rated schools. Brad is attending a magnet middle school 20 to 30 minutes away from our house. The middle school is a perfect match for Brad. However, I am not sure if it is a perfect match for Ashley. Brad is a gifted student taking Pre-IB courses in an Engineering, Math and Science Magnet School. This school is perfect for him and offers subjects that a traditional public middle school does not. But as I was attending Brad's Honor Roll Breakfast this week, I wondered if this school would benefit Ashley too.

The problem with Ashley going to the same middle school that Brad attends is first, it's so far away from home. Second, I witnessed a fight between two girls and seven boys while I was on campus for the Honor Roll breakfast. Third, Ashley is not gifted and will not be kept isolated from the mainstream students like Brad. The middle school population is much larger than that of an elementary school and I am afraid that Ashley will get lost in the crowd. The teachers in middle school don't seem to communicate well with parents and if we are able to communicate with the teachers they seemed to be annoyed. I have already had several issues with Brad's teachers and the administration at the middle school. Brad is not a problem child, he is a great student and doesn't have health issues so I can't help but worry how the school will adjust to having someone like Ashley attend their school.

I work at St. Luke's Lutheran Church and School, it is 10 minutes from home and it is also the church we attend on Sunday's. The school doesn't have the best reputation but it doesn't have a bad reputation either. As I was walking the halls of the school, I started thinking and feeling that this is where Ashley should be; this is where Ashley should spend her middle school years. But as a part-time employee, I get no tuition break at all and I am positive that Ashley would not qualify for a scholarship because of our income.

Maybe Ashley will be fine in a public middle school, maybe Ashley will blossom at the middle school Brad attends; maybe I am worrying about Ashley's future for nothing.

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