Stuff
We have a snow day today.
I'm looking for new schools for my two older kids, Loud Girl is 10 (11 in April) and Green Bean is 9, so she's in 5th he's in 3rd. The current situation and the one we are looking at for next year in the same school system is not looking promising.
They go to the local public school. LG takes some special ed courses, gets reading help and small group for math, and has some accomodations made. She gets speech, PT and OT, but they are trying to get her out of the last two now and not have them next year, I think she'll be fine with that too so not upset about it. Speech we can work on, and it helps her. The small groups are the ideal thing for her, she has ADD and a large group she just gets lost in the shuffle, she's getting much stronger in reading, but she's not fast in reading or writing or calculating, when she has time she does very very well...it's the time factor and group size that are her biggest issues. Our docs say that her 2 1/2 years of chemo just sort of stopped things at a critical developmental time, it's going to take her longer to catch up, she didn't have a cold...this stuff takes years, and there's still so little research on children 2 and under who've had chemo...so it goes. Much of what most would consider her delay is her quickness to finish tasks, her difficulty organizing and socially she's a young 10, but a magnificent 10 as far as I'm concerned. She's had some recent bully problems, one girl imparticular is such a bitch I can't stand her or the parents and the school has done little in my eyes to fix it. The bare minimum. Also, we just learned that next year the reading specialist at the Middle school she should attend is being let go, and 2 of the Spec. Ed positions she'd fall under also being eliminated, cut backs you see. They'll "do their best to accomodate"...i.e., the bare minimum.
Green Bean is an advanced learner, fast learner, finishes quickly and usually with a high level of accuracy, he's ahead in reading, about 4 grade levels and same in math...he's bored beyond belief and he takes the "gifted" program that they have, which is an extra class 2 days a week and he's bored. He needs to be challenged more and can't be, they say when he gets to Middle school there is more offered, but right now he'll have to be a little bored or do more paperwork, read here "busy work" to keep himself occupied.
This whole thing just makes me sad, more sad even than mad. I'm looking at several options but I worry about affording it...I'll use my retirement funds if I have to and pay the penalty, if I prepare them now for college they will do fine, if I wait they won't be ready for college that's how I feel.
I was to visit one of the Montessori options here today but the snow day has pushed it to next week. I hope we like it, I hope it can fit our kids, I hope I can afford it.
I will pray about this, for wisdom and guidance and understanding. I want to make the right decision, not a rash one. I will inform myself, but the worry...I know I have to give it to God, not let it eat me up but some moments it's just overwhelming.
Kids (all 3) and hubby are all getting over colds, but this weekend my oldest said to me when I was tucking her in, "Mom, you know I don't feel good, haven't all day, but I was so happy today, I had so much fun with you guys, that's funny and weird to me that I can be happy but not feel good." I just smiled. I'm happy but don't feel good too sometimes. I'm grateful for the happy.
Good wishes being sent out to my sisters today as well. One just had hand surgery, she's doing well but overburdened with work and masters' program stuff, very proud of all she's doing. The other has had sick little man for what seems like weeks now, hang in there BG and don't you get sick again too!!! P.S. Happy Ice day off to you as well!
Lots of love,
lil'sis
I'm looking for new schools for my two older kids, Loud Girl is 10 (11 in April) and Green Bean is 9, so she's in 5th he's in 3rd. The current situation and the one we are looking at for next year in the same school system is not looking promising.
They go to the local public school. LG takes some special ed courses, gets reading help and small group for math, and has some accomodations made. She gets speech, PT and OT, but they are trying to get her out of the last two now and not have them next year, I think she'll be fine with that too so not upset about it. Speech we can work on, and it helps her. The small groups are the ideal thing for her, she has ADD and a large group she just gets lost in the shuffle, she's getting much stronger in reading, but she's not fast in reading or writing or calculating, when she has time she does very very well...it's the time factor and group size that are her biggest issues. Our docs say that her 2 1/2 years of chemo just sort of stopped things at a critical developmental time, it's going to take her longer to catch up, she didn't have a cold...this stuff takes years, and there's still so little research on children 2 and under who've had chemo...so it goes. Much of what most would consider her delay is her quickness to finish tasks, her difficulty organizing and socially she's a young 10, but a magnificent 10 as far as I'm concerned. She's had some recent bully problems, one girl imparticular is such a bitch I can't stand her or the parents and the school has done little in my eyes to fix it. The bare minimum. Also, we just learned that next year the reading specialist at the Middle school she should attend is being let go, and 2 of the Spec. Ed positions she'd fall under also being eliminated, cut backs you see. They'll "do their best to accomodate"...i.e., the bare minimum.
Green Bean is an advanced learner, fast learner, finishes quickly and usually with a high level of accuracy, he's ahead in reading, about 4 grade levels and same in math...he's bored beyond belief and he takes the "gifted" program that they have, which is an extra class 2 days a week and he's bored. He needs to be challenged more and can't be, they say when he gets to Middle school there is more offered, but right now he'll have to be a little bored or do more paperwork, read here "busy work" to keep himself occupied.
This whole thing just makes me sad, more sad even than mad. I'm looking at several options but I worry about affording it...I'll use my retirement funds if I have to and pay the penalty, if I prepare them now for college they will do fine, if I wait they won't be ready for college that's how I feel.
I was to visit one of the Montessori options here today but the snow day has pushed it to next week. I hope we like it, I hope it can fit our kids, I hope I can afford it.
I will pray about this, for wisdom and guidance and understanding. I want to make the right decision, not a rash one. I will inform myself, but the worry...I know I have to give it to God, not let it eat me up but some moments it's just overwhelming.
Kids (all 3) and hubby are all getting over colds, but this weekend my oldest said to me when I was tucking her in, "Mom, you know I don't feel good, haven't all day, but I was so happy today, I had so much fun with you guys, that's funny and weird to me that I can be happy but not feel good." I just smiled. I'm happy but don't feel good too sometimes. I'm grateful for the happy.
Good wishes being sent out to my sisters today as well. One just had hand surgery, she's doing well but overburdened with work and masters' program stuff, very proud of all she's doing. The other has had sick little man for what seems like weeks now, hang in there BG and don't you get sick again too!!! P.S. Happy Ice day off to you as well!
Lots of love,
lil'sis
Good luck with the school stuff. It's so hard when kids to fit in with "teach to the middle," at either end of the spectrum.
I'm thinking a lot of your whole family--BG has taken a hit this winter, hasn't she?! I hope everyone feels better soon, at her house and yours. Being sick is no fun.
I say stick to your guns with where GB and LG both need to be. I researched some options here last night after we talked. I'm going to contact the one I felt most akin to and will see what they can do for me in regards to tuition.
I feel as though I'm stabbing my own district in the back by going private, but I know what happens when you have a kid who has specific needs. Mine will get lost in the shuffle even though the teachers would know I am one of "them." You would NOT believe the budgetary cuts coming down here. They would make you cry. I'm attending the school board meeting on Tuesday and will attend another public meeting Thursday night at my school. I've had fellow teachers and parents coming to me for counsel. I have continued to tell them that they MUST make an appearance at one or more of the meetings.
If the attendance is spares, decisions will be made based on the voices of a few. Even if I have to bring Buddha, I will be there. Perhaps, I SHOULD bring him!