It's all about one step at a time for me, but you do make some very good points. Especially with the homesickness thing as I'm one of those people who don't come from a background which makes me very understanding. I think she's a good kid but I think she's got a lot of Stuff (capitalization intentional) going on and she needs to work it out before she can move on. I think she was receptive to the idea of being a catalyst of change when I told her she could air her concerns with you and you would then take them to the rest of the staff and we would change things as needed if they were valid points. I, personally, get very frustrated with her at times. I admitted as much to her today.

I think you'll do her a lot of good and I got the feeling she was willing to put some effort forth which, I think, is the hardest part. No one can be helped if they don't want to be, after all. My hope is that eventually she will not only just not be miserable but also enjoy being here and see it as an opportunity for a variety of reasons. That, however, is a hope and there are a lot of steps to get to before that. If it does her any good at all I'll be happy.

Also, if there ever comes a point where you two have accomplished all you can with her I am willing to renegotiate my terms with her. No reason to reward good behavior with going back to flunking the girl.

I'm glad she showed up, though. I put her on the honor system today and told her if she violated my trust she'd never have it again. I think giving her that inch to make or break herself helped a bit, made it less of a jail and more a place where she would reap what she'd sown, which is what this school ought to be for the kids, I think. It's encouraging that she showed up and talked. I'm a bit more calm about the decision to give her the option now.