Venture Day (First Day Back After Break)

Wednesday, it was finally back to school - except it would be a little different for Briana that day. Briana was invited into the school's "Venture" program - the county's program for gifted students.

When I got the letter on Halloween informing me that based on B's Cogat scores that they wanted to further evaluate B for the gifted program, I admit I was a bit surprised. I know Bri is smart, but "gifted" smart? My Briana? They tested her over a few weeks and I got the official letter in December that she got into the program.

I am so happy and very proud (and still a bit shocked)!!!!

I was given a short list of requirements before the holiday break for things she would need for the program...

Venture will occur every Wednesday - for the entire day. I found out from Briana that there are 13 second grade students in her new class.

She was a bit nervous starting the program. And I was nervous for her. I was also nervous that the school decided to go ahead and start the new program on her first day back from Christmas break. I understand that the two days off on Monday and Tuesday were a surprise, but it was a lot for Briana to take in after all that time off. She is a creature of habit - just like her mama. I felt they should have waited a week. Just my opinion.

It was still pretty chilly Wednesday and I bundled Bri up...

I was very eager to hear what she had to say about her day when I picked her up from school. I know my kid though - I prayed she would come out all smiley and full of excitement. But, I had a feeling that might not happen. And as I predicted, she was acting a bit strange when she got into the car.

I asked her how her day went and she got tears in her eyes. She said "It wasn't as fun as I thought it would be. And we didn't get recess because we ran out of time." My kid hates missing recess - even in regular class. Ugh. Doug and I had promised her it would be fun, interesting and challenging. We really don't know much about the program yet, so we assumed it was going to be fun.

Not to Bri. At least not yesterday.

She started explaining about her day. The kids sit on large exercise/balance type of balls in class instead of in chairs - she thought that was cool. She said she met some new kids in class, so that was good. They worked in the computer lab - and for some reason, the computers Bri kept trying to get on didn't work/were broken. I think that frustrated her. She came home with several worksheets completed but one. She showed me the worksheet she didn't complete. She said that the teacher was giving the answers too fast and she couldn't keep up with her. The tears came again. But that is a Briana thing. The teacher informed the kids that this class moves a bit faster than other classes and to just finish the work at home if necessary. Bri doesn't like not keeping up though. It is just a "thing" with her. She is her hardest critic.

I told her that she needed to give the program a chance. In a few weeks, she will be a pro at it and will be much more comfortable. It is only on Wednesdays and she will be with her regular class the rest of the week. She agreed and seemed to be happy with that answer. She's gonna give it a chance.

Of course, I am very happy to have a kid in the gifted program. Doug and I were both in the gifted program when we were kids. But if Bri doesn't like the program after a few weeks, I will take her out of it. It is supposed to be fun and exciting ~ not make her a nervous wreck. I do think (hopefully) it was just first day jitters, but I will closely monitor it.

Honestly, I rather have a happy kid in a regular class than a miserable kid that I can say is "gifted."

I am so very proud of her accomplishment in getting into this program. She is really a great kid. Her creativity really boggles my mind sometimes. But if this program isn't for her, I am totally ok with taking her out of it.

Let's see what happens next week. :)