My younger daughter turned 11 three on May 3, and received a "special present" from her school on May 6. The school my daughter attends is a public one, which caters Grade 6 students only. There are about 320 students forming four teams (or big classes), with each team containing 80 students. Each year, the school selects one student from each team and hangs their photos in the hall, to set role models for future students. Her school coordinator told her that she has been selected as a top student in her team of 80, and needs to bring an 8"x10" portrait to hang in the school's hall of fame, because of her excellent academic achievements and general behaviors. Everyone has been surprised by this news. Some of her teammates thought this is not fair, as my daughter is younger than all of them and has only been in the team for a short period. Also, as her elder sister was selected as the best student in the team two years ago with photo in the school hall, my younger one did not think she could emulate it. What a birthday present!
Skipping from Grade 5 to Grade 6 later last year, my daughter has been with this team for only 7 months. She started with a teacher in Grade 4 about two years ago. Last year, in Grade 5, she still had the same teacher. Somehow, my daughter noticed that her teacher did not like her much. Although she was the top student in her class, her teacher seldom praised her. Early last year, I said to my daughter that if you do not feel your teacher is fair, I can talk to the school to let you skip the year. My daughter said no in the beginning, because she was afraid of losing her good friends. Later last year, she could not put up with that teacher any longer, and agreed to move to Grade 6. She has since liked her new environment tremendously, and her new teachers also have given her due credits. When I ask my daughter about the transfer, she says it is good to have has done it.
