Freshmen Conference

The class of 2015. My son will graduate in a few short years. I've received pamphlets, papers, phone calls, e-mails and other pieces of information on preparing for graduation.

Wait . . .

We just started ninth grade. I'm adjusting to a new school, new set of friends and new schedule. We're only four weeks in, we've not completed a nine weeks. I can't wrap my head around the current nine weeks homework, project and test schedule. And, now, I'm to be thinking about the next three years in preparation for 2015. As my mom always says, "Jesus might come first."

God knows I need Jesus everyday. We conference frequently . . .with my son, too. We conference as parents, as children, as students, as football players, as booster club members and as a coach. Oh, yeah, and we conference as freshmen.

The tri-fold green pamphlet my son brought home this weekend outlines it all. The counselors prepared the class of 2015 for graduation. There is a section on graduation plans with the required credits. Loads of freshmen facts are included as well as tips on being successful.

Attendance, attitude, organization, time management, study habits and communication are those traits the school recommends to excel at to garner success.

Those six also will help me be successful, I suppose.

I need to be there -- attend my son's events, know the teachers, know the parents.

I need to believe in myself -- dust myself off, rather than beat myself up when I hit those spots of unknown.

I need to get it together -- calendars, lists, to dos

I need to do it and not wait -- follow through on the lists and to dos, remembering to make time for my son.

I need to have a routine and stick with it -- no, I don't have to study, but I need to have that breakfast and dinner schedule down.

I need to talk to teachers, parents and others -- I need to know what is going on.

I'm grateful to the counselors for having the freshmen conference, but, yeah, could we have a parent conference for those of us not ready to have freshmen because that means we need to be planning for them as seniors?

He's a Volunteer

My son is a freshman at Lee High School.

The year started August 22. He made it to all his classes and ate lunch. Only a couple of nights of homework and then it was football Thursday.

His first football game against Marshall resulted in a loss, 8-0, but he had a great game. He caught three passes for about 40 yards total. He's number 4 and starts on both defense and offense.

Friday night football had the Varsity away at Ferris Stadium against Marshall. We won in overtime 24-21 which was thrilling and exciting. There were so many students there -- a great crowd.

Overall, week one went well. Chris said the halls were crowded. He knows he'll have three As for sure -- Healthy Lifestyles, Athletics and Geography. I did ask him to shoot for seven As. We'll see.

His geometry teacher did tell the class if they try at their homework that is just as good as finishing it. Those are probably not the right words to give to my son.

On to week number two.