Credit

Middle Child's Science teacher sent home an unusual assignment. It is not an official assignment per se, but it is an opportunity. The students have been given the chance to write a letter of encouragement and gratitude to the Science teacher's cousin who is currently stationed with the U.S. military in Afghanistan. Their lowest daily grade will be replaced with a "100". This is a rare extra credit offer, but it gets better. Each student may receive a second replacement daily grade of 100 if their parent writes a letter, too.
Typically, I am not a fan of extra credit assignments. The expectation in our household is that assignments will be done to the best of one's ability. If an "A" is within one's capability, then an "A" is expected. If a "C" requires hard work and every effort, then we celebrate a "C". Whatever the end result, work is to be done on time, and well.
In this instance, it was a pleasure to see Katie hunched over the desk in the kitchen working on her letter to Ryan-in-Afghanistan. This morning, I wrote out my own letter. The page ran out before my words. Katie's overall grade is fine, and she may not need the extra credit. We both needed the chance to stop and be thankful for the men and women fulfilling their assignments and commitments as servants in the U.S. military.