Brayden's last year of elementary school

Brayden is in his final year of elementary school this year (how did that happen so fast?) and it's been a rough year, to say the least. His school got a new principal and a new math curriculum and those two changes together created a "perfect storm" which has resulted in Brayden not being challenged at all in math and really getting to a point where he just hates going to school every day. Most mornings he begs me to not have to go to school because he "won't learn anything anyways". It's heartbreaking!

Brayden is bright and enjoys a challenge. It's been discouraging that even when he has asked for more challenge in math, his requests have been ignored or brushed off. We have even gone as far as contacting the principal, and she was very dismissive as well. His attitude (and ours to a certain extent) has become "just get through this year". Sad, but that's where we're at.

 

We did find out in early February that Brayden got into the school of our choice for 7-12th grade. It is an option school not to far from our house that is known for its high academic rigor and classical curriculum. We are optimistic that this will be a good environment for Brayden and that he will again love school and thrive in his education. It is a very difficult school to get into, but thankfully, Chris' best friend from his childhood is the principal there and may have had something to do with Brayden getting in. We are very grateful for how God orchestrated whatever events led to Brayden being chosen! And the good news is that now that Brayden has been accepted, all our other kids are guaranteed to get to go there too! Brayden got this shirt and hat at the orientation night at the school and I don't think he's gone a day without wearing the hat since!!

Another thing that has made this year hard for Brayden is that many of the kids in his class are not at all focused on academics and that makes Brayden stand out, for the worse. He has very few people he feels he could call a good friend and on more than one occasion, he has come home saying he sat alone at lunch or played alone at recess. As a mom, that breaks my heart, I hate to see my kids hurting and left out, but it's also been a great opportunity to talk to him about maintaining a positive attitude and really seeking God and His will in all of this. I had one year in elementary school that was like that and I still remember it to this day, it was very traumatic, but also something I think God might have used in my life to help me deal with in Brayden's life. At least I can sympathize and let him know he's not alone, unfortunately kids can be mean, but God is always there.

Brayden does have a few friends that he most days gets along with and hangs out with. They have all really gotten into Greek mythology this year, so they formed a Friday "Greek Geek Club". I am grateful for these like-minded friends that God has given Brayden and I pray daily that the "cool" kids (whoever determines that?!?!) would just let them be.