Hello,
My daughter is 16 and a sophmore. The school she goes to is a small country school. Her teachers are strongly encouraging her to attend a career tech school next year. This school is huge. They have about 2000 students enrolled there. Her whole sophmore class was supposed to go there for a day, but the school levy did not pass. So, the trip was cancelled. Somehow they pulled some strings and my daughter can still go. I think it has something to do with the fact that she is on an IEP and all her paperwork has already been submitted.. Well she is freaking out because she dosen't want to go without her friends. She tends to be shy and I am nervous about sending her there. She does want to attend there next year, but I'm wondering if from her reaction about going this time, if she isn't to immature to go. She is a very good girl,a model student and has not experienced much of the outside world yet. I'm afraid that if she goes to the CTC next year, she will be exposed to more than just a good education. Has anyone sent there child to a Career Tech School in there Junior year of high school? If so, how was your experience. Any advice would be great. Thanks, T.
Sounds like a fantastic opportunity!
Some times not wanting to leave behind good friends is the very thing that holds us down!
Since she is older now and brought up right, it's unlikely she'll be hugely influenced by the 'new exposure', especially if she's shy.
Stay close to her and talk about 'different choices' and her choices and she will stay straight and narrow!
Congrats!
Sometimes you have to step outside your comfort zone... I can't tell you how many times I have not wanted to do something because I was nervous or scared to do it. I made myself do it & had a great outcome. I say tell her to challenge herself & go for it!
Of course she doesn't want to leave her friends and she's freaking a bit..bu I don't think that means she's not mature enough to handle it. I also understand your concern about what she might pick up but you have to trust that how you raised her and what you have taught her is going to help her through all that. This sounds like a good opportunity for her that can help her grow in a lot of ways. I don't have experience of sending my children to a Tech School, but I have experienced going from a 100 student private school to a 1200 student public school half way across the world from where I grew up. I was also shy..and when you grow up on an island..you are also kind of sheltered too! I found out a lot about myself with that and it made me be "less shy". I was exposed to a lot of things but I didn't partake because I knew it was wrong.
Like Hummingbird stated, this is a great opportunity to talk to her again about all those things she'll be exposed to. Let her give it a try...talk to the school and if she isn't happy after a semester or year, then pull her out. I bet a part of the reason she's freaking is because she's excited at the same time too.
Have your daughter go for it! What a wonderful experience that you will NOT want her to pass up! Her nerves will fade. Strongly encourage her to do this!
Most kids are nervous about attending a 'new' school. It's usually about leaving friends and the 'I won't know anyone' issue. Within a day or two they have all sorts of new friends. They adjust.
From an educational point of view here are a few things to consider (no, I'm not a teacher, I just work in a commercial art college)......Kids with IEP's usually function much better in a hands on program.
Traditional settings bore them to death and they do have a tough time grasping concepts. They learn differently and that's what tech schools and career schools give them - the chance to fulfill their potential and people and instructors who teach outside the 'norm'.
Give her the chance to flourish. You might both be pleasantly surprised.
Congrats on such a great kid, you've done a good job!
I think her own fears are your answer though. If she were truly ready she would not be worried about leaving her friends behind.
This would also be a good time to talk to her about things she may be exposed to when she does go next year... it would help to alleviate both of your fears.
I would suggest letting your daughter shadow there for a day. Also start connecting her with some kids that go there. I have a child on an IEP and I know I may have to pull him out one day and take him from his friends, This year was the first time he did not have best friend with him in class but he has done fine. He is 12 and in the 6th grade and is dealing with a little bit of anxiety. The biggest thing with these type of kids is planning ahead. Take her to the school often and get her connected now not later. You need to think about her future after high school too not just now. High school is all about what happens after high school. Good luck to you. Oh, and be involved at the school yourself.
I think she should go for it. Its a great opportunity for her. Of course she will be a bit freaked out because its something new. Maybe she go there for a day or two and see what its like. she will make friends. When an opportunity like this arises, you should go for it. I think its awesome
Sounds to me like it's more a matter of FEAR than immaturity. If she wants to go and the opportunity is STILL clearly there, then she should look at this as an opportunity for growth and an indenpendence. If she is a model student, she should take advantage of the opportunity. ENCOURAGE IT! Don't let her see your hesitation.
Maybe there is a little fear on your part, as well. It seems as though you both need to have a chat about each of your fears and how to handle them. What are the positives, what are the negatives? GO WITH WHAT IS CLEARLY an opportunity set in place for her!! Courage is not the absence of fear, but moving forward DESPITE the fear. Fear will keep you from a multitude of things, opportunities, etc in life if you let it. An opportunity for BOTH of you to grow.........individually and in your relationship w/ each other.
You CANNOT protect her from being exposed to all kinds of things, but you CAN prepare her for handling them. THAT is the key!!
Have 2 seniors graduating from tech schools.So far it's been very encouraging for us as parents and enpowering for them as they enter into adulthood. We also have a sophomore this year and he's torn which option fits now that our school system is taking a different approach in preparing for the future. I'd explore with her what she sees herself doing in the future. If the career center offers her courses that'll aide her in that pursuit, why not let her get a jumpstart? It's rational she's afraid of leaving her friends but it's also an opportunity to meet new people. Most programs are 2 yrs. so only going Sr.yr isn't always the best option. Our daughters both will graduate with HS diplomas, some college credits, along with most of their certifications in their career program field. I hope this is helpful.
