North Texas Metroplex Children's Chior

Video Link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s0YYQ7L51aY&feature=youtu.be

http://youtu.be/s0YYQ7L51aY 

Community Service - Humane Society of North Texas

Community service time spent at the Humane Society.  Feeding the animals, bathing them, and playing with them proved to be a very FUN and exciting afternoon!!  

Career - Lawyer?

Haley was invited to spend an afternoon at the law offices of Theresa Lyons to get a gist of what a community private practice lawyer does.  Dressed the part, she is ready for her "pre-internship!"  

Haley's 2014 - 2015 Schedule

Since it's not entirely clear:

Yellow = Algebra time (outside of class)
Lavender = Piano time
bluish purple = Harp time
Very light blue = Choir
Darker blue = Fencing time
Very dark blue = Physical Science (outside of class)
Green = Cotillion
Red = Debate Club
Orange = Math Club
Peach = time in hybrid school (and subjects therein)
Dark red = Language Arts (outside of class)
White = Church


Notes:  Many times algebra study will take 3 hours each homeschool day (we have an in-home "enrichment tutor" twice a week, she's in school with the teacher twice a week, and she spends time alone working online, or in text books, etc.  Physical science will only take about 30 minutes.  When there are piano (or music theory) performances/exams upcoming, some harp time will be sacrificed, and vice-versa.  Cotillion is not every week, and actually ends soon the grand ball (where the culmination of skills are demonstrated).

Haley starts Math Club

Haley is LOVING her new Math Club.  Being able to "talk math" and learn to "think math" is especially exciting when your brain is a young sponge!!

The director of the club is Dr. Titu Andreescu (professor at UT Dallas) who conducts a premier math academy locally that challenges the children and stretches them beyond "classroom math."  Clubs such as this one prepare students for the Math Olympiad and ranking high in this international competition results in the student writing their own ticket into any science/tech school in the country.
A great place to be.

Glasses time

After squinting in orchestra, and at Math Club, we had her eyes checked.  Sure enough (just like her parents) Haley needs glasses!!

Music (harp) classes at TCU begin

Oklahoma and Missouri

Road trip to St. Louis, Missouri.  We were able to explore a new city, and stop for a quick "college-visit" at the University of Oklahoma.  

The Artemis Medical Society women at Sweetie Pie's Upper Crust restaurant!!  And us with the owner, Ms. Robbie.

Social Media and College

Did you know that universities have social media presence and if the student appropriately interacts with them, it is to the student's advantage?  I'm sure you know that "defamatory images" of the student can prevent her from being accepted (or even once accepted, be subsequently rejected) from an institution.  But did you know that admissions committees take inventory of a students online presence.  Nothing there?  No drawback, but no gain.  Positive "showcasing" of talent and activity in the world?  HUGE benefit.  A benefit that could make the difference between your student, and another student with no positive online profile.

As children "develop" it is somewhat "unfair" to showcase them through their struggle (and we all struggle as we develop).  Switching from thing to thing....every bad decision, or lapse in judgement online for the world to witness, permanently, is hardly fair.

But as the student comes of age, and the activities she engages in represent her passion and play to her natural skill-set, it can ONLY be to her advantage for everyone playing a role in helping her shape her future (such as college admissions committee members) see her light shine.

This is what we should use social media for.  Having your child create a Facebook profile, have a Twitter voice, LinkedIn, and even a blog could increase her exposure logarithmically!!  And its SO easy to do.  Family and friends will think she's "bragging" and that (as her family/parent you're just showing off for accolades from friends).  What they don't understand is the "show" isn't for them at all!!

So Haley has Twitter, Facebook, and a budding blog.  On these accounts we "feature" her.  Her activities.  Her training.  Her speeches.  Her performances.  And her accomplishments.  As her parents we ALSO share these achievements with our circle of connections.  When the time "comes" for others to vouch for Haley, it won't be a difficult "sell."  They will have "known" her to be an accomplished young lady from "way back."  And that....can only serve as an advantage.

The only caveat is, the child has to understand, and be on-board, with the campaign - or a "negative" social media 'mistake, could sabotage the entire effort.  Also, always be smart in what you/she posts - do not reveal too much information as to compromise privacy or jeopardize safety.  And for the smallest children, maintain their privacy until they have note-worthy accomplishments.  The risk isn't worth the small potential benefit until...they have "stuff" to show-case.

***

Update:  2.18.16 - we opted to deactivate the FB account temporarily due to new social considerations.  See here.

Keller ISD and TCC dual-credit

http://campus.kellerisd.net/schools/chs-004/counselorscorner/Documents/KISD%20Dual%20Credit%20Presentation.pdf

There are a few college credit while in high-school programs.  This is one of them.

One consideration regarding community college is:
Haley could graduate at age 16.  Do 2 years at community college and finish an AA, while using the first 2 years to get the basic requirement under her belt on the cheap, and "wasting no time" still graduating with a bachelors degree at age 20.

Pros:  No standarized tests necessary.
Inexpensive.
She'll probably do well with the support from home.
Can still transfer to 4-year university and graduate 'on time' and continue on and do anything.

Cons:  Will she WANT to go to community college?
Why decide on this NOW and *limit* her to only this option?
This option would still cost more than a "full ride" scholarship at a 4-year university (which would only cost "living" expenses).
The "peers" at community college will differ from peers acquired at a 4-year university.