How to Help a Kid Who Really, Truly Hates School

My son was in the 4th grade, he came home from school with a note for me from his teacher. The note was a request for an immediate conference to discuss the fact that my son had turned in no classwork during the 3rd marking period of school.

In that same backpack, on that same day, was another note from the school for me. That note was from his principal, and was effusive in its praise of my son’s kindness, poise, and generous spirit. That note ended with a request for my son to represent th...