the letter

The Bean was accepted into the gifted program at her junior high school!

When we arrived home tonight after a lovely dinner and visit with friends, I noticed that there was a letter from the school board in the mailbox, addressed to me. I opened to read the happy news that The Bean is officially registered in the junior high school of her choice, that she is in the pre-Arts program, and that she was accepted into the gifted program.

As I read the letter out loud to her, The Bean's eyes lit up and she jumped up and down, so happy to hear that she was in. It was funny because in my mind there was no question whether she'd be accepted. This time last year, we got The Bean's "diagnosis" after a battery of tests over the span of more than a month: this kid is gifted. Oh, and she has ADD, but that's another story. To her, though, this was a big question that was weighing on her mind. She was hoping and hoping and hoping some more. And finally the day has come.

The gifted program will be great for The Bean, for more than one reason. The child is bored in math class and has been told by her sixth grade teacher that she could teach it better than the teacher herself. Last year, at the age of 10, she had the reading comprehension of a 12th grader. She makes connections between ideas that demonstrate a unique thought process that sometimes astounds me. So the more challenging learning environment will be good for her. But the smaller class size and the fact that she will be with the same people in the same class, more or less, for the rest of high school is a very good thing for her. She will be less anxious and less distracted by what class she needs to go to next. Routine is what keeps this kid on the rails. Familiarity allows her brain to slow down and focus in. This will be very good.

As The Bean jumped into my arms when she heard the news, I knew that this is what it will feel like in six years when she gets those letters from colleges or universities. Great surprise and relief on her part, a warm I knew you could do this on mine.

Way to go, Beanie. Can't wait to watch you soar some more.