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Post by puzzled on Aug 21, 2007 22:34:18 GMT -5
I went to open house tonight, and I feel so much better about it all, now! I just have to say again how much I love this school....all the teachers were so pleasant and accommodating, and so willing to do all that I asked for Chase, I just am amazed. Only one of them felt the need to mention that Chase needed to "take some responsibility for his homework" to which I responded, "Yes, I know, but he was only diagnosed a little over a year ago and we are still working on it." I told him that I need checks and balances, and after I see that he is doing better, I will pull back a bit. He was also shocked when Chase told him that he was going to pre Algebra instead of regular math....he said.."How did you manage that?" So, maybe I will have to watch that one...but he was open to the weekly email, and the hard copy of notes, etc....
I am telling you ladies that cannot get cooperation with your school system, you just need to move here!
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Post by lostmyshoe on Aug 30, 2007 7:43:51 GMT -5
Wow, a lot of you all start earlier then we do here. Becca starts next Thursday and yes I am pretty nervous. She is less then thrilled to be going back after the year she had last year. Today she is getting her first body wave done to her hair and she's been working diligently on some acne she's had a little trouble with and it's looking much better. I'm hoping that this makes her feel a little better. Hopefully the first day will go smoothly. Crossing my fingers and praying.
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Post by lillian on Aug 31, 2007 0:11:53 GMT -5
I'm always nervous at the beginning of the year, wondering what the teachers are going to be like. Already, I've decided my son's language arts teacher is going to be a pill because I wrote a brief synopsis of my son's IEP, and I received three very short sentences in response, which ended with her saying she would contact me as the year "rolled on." Yeah, sure. I decided to have my advocate handle most of the supervision this year, though. She's going to review his tests and projects monthly to make sure they are properly aligned with his IEP. She's also going to be the one to contact the school and question assignments and grades. What's that old song? "Plop, plop, fizz, fizz, oh, what a relief it is!"
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Post by elizam on Aug 31, 2007 10:15:15 GMT -5
Frankly, I'm terrified. I am afraid he didn't learn things in homeschool he will need and with him going into 7th, it will be a double whammy. At least they have a homework hotline so I can check to see what he has each night. I have a feeling that we are going to have many groundings because he didn't bring the necessary books home and will have to catch up. I just hope the teachers will allow that. I don't know any of them at all this year. There is one who is the son of a great teacher I had but I hear he isn't like his father, so who knows how that will work out.l  I certainly can relate, because we homeschooled and then put our ds in public school for 7th grade. He was so sure he was going to love it and do great! Wel, I had my doubts, but I did know that he had strengths and wekanesses just like anyone else, so I hoped for the best. Our middle school did not have a homework hotline or teacher websites except for the AG teacher's. The dc were harangued about organization and "not caring" about their work constantly. In short, my worst fears came true, excpet taht no one ever said to my face it ws because he was hsed that he was having so much trouble; instead, by 8th grade they were making it known that he needed to be evaluated for attentional issues (they couldn't actually say ADHD but they came as close to it as possible). We survived. Deep breath...we even survived bad teachers and one is now not teaching because of parents like myself that wouldn't let her off easily with her poor teaching and ugly attitude. He is now in 9th grade and on meds and we have had a pretty good week. Actually, i could almost say "very good" except for the fact that he didn't have any homework, so he didn't have to remember much except for me to sign forms. He said he felt better on meds and knew that he was getting along better in class with both teachers and peers. Middle school seemed like living h*ll most days. They did not seem to care about the kids who had issues. But they said taht they cared, and that's why they would not let them go their lockers if they forgot something, borrow pencils if theirs got lost, or go back inside the building after school to get a forgotten assignment. I just keep praying that high school is going to be better!!! |
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Post by puzzled on Aug 31, 2007 11:04:14 GMT -5
Frankly, I'm terrified. I am afraid he didn't learn things in homeschool he will need and with him going into 7th, it will be a double whammy. At least they have a homework hotline so I can check to see what he has each night. I have a feeling that we are going to have many groundings because he didn't bring the necessary books home and will have to catch up. I just hope the teachers will allow that. I don't know any of them at all this year. There is one who is the son of a great teacher I had but I hear he isn't like his father, so who knows how that will work out.l I certainly can relate, because we homeschooled and then put our ds in public school for 7th grade. He was so sure he was going to love it and do great! Wel, I had my doubts, but I did know that he had strengths and wekanesses just like anyone else, so I hoped for the best. Our middle school did not have a homework hotline or teacher websites except for the AG teacher's. The dc were harangued about organization and "not caring" about their work constantly. In short, my worst fears came true, excpet taht no one ever said to my face it ws because he was hsed that he was having so much trouble; instead, by 8th grade they were making it known that he needed to be evaluated for attentional issues (they couldn't actually say ADHD but they came as close to it as possible). We survived. Deep breath...we even survived bad teachers and one is now not teaching because of parents like myself that wouldn't let her off easily with her poor teaching and ugly attitude. He is now in 9th grade and on meds and we have had a pretty good week. Actually, i could almost say "very good" except for the fact that he didn't have any homework, so he didn't have to remember much except for me to sign forms. He said he felt better on meds and knew that he was getting along better in class with both teachers and peers. Middle school seemed like living h*ll most days. They did not seem to care about the kids who had issues. But they said taht they cared, and that's why they would not let them go their lockers if they forgot something, borrow pencils if theirs got lost, or go back inside the building after school to get a forgotten assignment. I just keep praying that high school is going to be better!!! I am fortunate enough to have gotten an extra set of textbooks for home, and permission to go to the locker for forgotten necessary items written into Chase's 504 plan...and we have understanding janitors that are working in the building until at least 6PM that will let you in if necessary. I don't know what I would do if I didn't live in such an understanding school district that is truly there for the children and to help them succeed. Good luck everyone in the new school year! P.S. I had to make a trip to the school today to take Chase his binder.....that's right, he did not bring home his bookbag last night, so this morning, he grabbed everything EXCEPT his binder when he left for school.....yep, it is gonna be a fun year! But at least they let him call me to get the binder! |
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Post by charliegirl on Aug 31, 2007 12:33:07 GMT -5
I have to go re-enroll him in school today and I'm going to ask the principal (who actually knows who Mel Levine is and admires him) if my son can go to her when he is upset. He needs someone he can go to who will help him get things in perspective when he is upset as much as anything. I'm hoping she will also set him up for some resource help in math.
I'll discuss the lack of organization with her and see if she can help me figure something out.
I'm glad he doesn't have the same teacher for every class and that we live a couple of doors from the school. Hopefully he will have a least one teacher who encourages him rather than chastises and we are close enough that I can send him back for any "forgotten" books if I can discover that in time.
I am counting on this sick to my stomache feeling going away after I talk to the principal. I think maybe she was hired to help them upgrade the way they deal with LDs. She is the first one they have had who seems to believe you can teach the kids without making them believe they are lazy and unmotivated.
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Post by puzzled on Sept 1, 2007 8:57:09 GMT -5
I hope so too, charliegirl! I know that I was so relieved after my chat with the principal, where he said that the day he wasn't there to help the children was the day he would get a different job....I am safe till Chase goes to high school...LOL They have had several different principals in the last 10 years.....none seem to stay.
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Post by mary2 on Sept 1, 2007 15:26:44 GMT -5
My son still has two weeks to go, and yes, I am VERY nervous. He is starting in a new school (new building but same family of school). All the boys that were with him in preschool go to this new school and some others who enter new.
I am nervous because I know he won't have the same supervision he was having in preschool. He will start first grade (it equals 2nd grade in the US) and will have to care for all his stuff which is exactly alike to the other kids' stuff. I already labeled about everything. I usually send his stuff to have his name embroidered in sweaters and shorts; there was nothing they could do about the fabric pencil case because the machine couldn't take it; so I am thinking about hanging a little something to its zipper so he can identify it. I did it once with his backpack when he was in preschool but the hanging element disappeared, Lol.
On the other hand, I am thinking about all I have to explain to the new teachers. He will have two of them, one English teacher, and the other Spanish. I am nervous about how they would take my son's case. Here we don't have special programs or special accommodations for adhders. I have thought about giving then a brief introduction and them hand them the very relevant information on a piece of paper. I will meet them on a special day parents have to go to meet teachers and see the school, so, I wouldn't get into detailed explanations with all the parents around. Anyway, I will also ask for an appointment with the school psychologist to talk about my son.
Dd will also start daycare, but I am not worried at all about her; she is too independent and easily adapts to new people. So there I can breathe, Lol. I really think she will have a blast at school!!
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Lori O'Day
New Member
Live for today, love for tomorrow. Give, don't give up!
Posts: 6
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Post by Lori O'Day on Sept 1, 2007 22:03:54 GMT -5
I am mostly nervous because my son has an innate ability to annoy his 'friends' who then turn around and tease the daylights out of him. Academically, he is fine and I have no worries. Straight A's, high IQ, etc... BUT a very low social IQ and very poor social skills. My son's peers are important to him but... Thankfully, he has earned the love and respect from Little League boys. My son is the starting pitcher for his team is strikes out the best of the best and pitches at 70 mi per hour... the little league kids think he is great and never tease him. If only my son's day could be on the ball field!!! The school has been fantastic in helping him - I have none of the complaints some of you have about your child's school. I just can't wrap my head around what the heck to do to teach my son to play well with others!!!  Any suggestions?? |
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Post by katiekat on Sept 2, 2007 9:59:09 GMT -5
I don't have any suggestions but I do know exactly what your going trough. Last year in kindergarten I watched my son go from bully to bullied in a matter of months. He started out the year punching, hitting and being downright mean to the other kids. Eventually they grew tired of it...and fought back. By June not one of his classmates wanted anything to do with him, even the one friend he managed to hang on to for a while. I tried explaining to him that other people have feelings and no one likes to be treated mean, but his empathy is non-existent. He never seemed to get that the reason they were being mean to him was because he treated them so badly. I'm hoping this year starts out better but I'm really very worried. I would appreciate any suggestions as well.
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I was about to conquer the world but then I got distracted by something shiny.
