Just thought we could share how school was going for the little ones who have started.

Also share some ideas how to help educate the teachers and personal how how to handle our childrens disability.

Hugs

Hope all your children have a safe fun year in school

Hi!

Caitlin had her 1st day on friday! It went great! I was actually so afraid she would miss the first day since she had a low fever all week. Well, went to the dr on wed and "just a virus" actually fever was gone by the time we went in the PM and she was making her w/c spin around the exam room (I felt like a hypochondriac!). Well, thurs morn, fever was back. Well, got another appt and we got to see her regular ped. I pointed out some "blister" looking things on her tongue that I had noticed that day....she had hand, foot, & mouth virus!! But dr said if fever was gone that she could go to school. And we had gone to the chiro earlier who suggested some apple cider vinegar. I thought what the heck, gave her a teaspoon of it before bedtime. In the morning at breakfast she said "I feel much better today!" -unsolicited! I was just happy, whatever works- time or the vinegar, she went to school!! She was excited to carry her new lunchbox! And just about jumped out of her chair with excitement when her bus came around the corner!! I have pics I will post (when I have time later this week). It was so strange to have her be gone all day...and it was so quiet with just the 2 boys (Brandon 3, Tyler 1). I think Brandon was lonely without her...they play together ALL the time. But hopefully I will find a fun class to sign the boys up for and I can have some friends over for him to play with. Our neighbor whose daughter is in Caitlin's class also has 2 other kids the same ages as my boys. The bus brought her home in the afternoon and she was all perky! The driver said Caitlin was tired but I expected that. My only worry is how I am going to find time to do her speech therapy "homework". I hope to work it into afternoon snack time hopefully, though we will have PM appts 3 days/wk (PT, ST & chiro). We went to visiting day on wednesday and she has 2 friends she already knows sitting at the same table as her so I was happy to see that. Hopefully she can just jump right in where she left off in the spring and have a great year!! Oh I am also excited for school picture day next month...my sister's friend works for the company they are using for pictures so hopefully she will do a better job than previous years pictures (a different company).

Lisa O.

Drew started 7th grade about 3 weeks ago. I've been kinda concerned as this is the first year he has complained of not liking school. I mean usually he has his time of complaints but they are usually much later in the year and closer to summer breaks. hehehe It has me puzzled because this years teachers don't believe in much homework (yehaw) and he appears to understand all the materials thus far. What really has my attention is "new assistant". I'm probably being paranoid but I'm just not comfortable with males in this role of caretaking. Does anyone else feel this way? I mean the money is not great for one thing then there are so many personal things that are involved that it just doesn;t fit with male interests. I've kinda questioned Drew about his not liking school and discreetly asked about the assistant (I don't want to put any thoughts in his head) and I can't come up with any info.

Maybe it's just 7th grade ya think?

Jennifer

What a great thread! I have missed you guys soooo much!

Langan was in school all summer but started the official school year again on 8/14. She LOVES it. At our request, she stayed in the 3 year old class. So she is in her same preschool class with her same teachers and her same wonderful aide. I was sad about losing the daily contact with her friends from last year, but most of them stick their heads in and say hello to her in the mornings. And the two with later birthdays stayed back as well, so she has some familiar little faces there.

The new group of kids seems like a great group. They are the mellowest 3 year olds I have ever seen! I think that's a great thing for Langan- she gets the interaction with typical peers but the atmosphere isn't too overstimulating. The other two delayed kids have pretty mild delays but everyone has welcomed Langan. There is already one sweet little girl who seems to be taking a special interest in my girl. We were so excited to have Langan stay in that classroom. Her teachers know her so well and her aide, Ms. Kim, really should be a teacher- she is amazing! She is also continuing to keep Langan for us after school 3 days a week, so we are thankful for that. She seems to pack learning and therapy into every minute that she is with Langan, while still making it fun. Langan LOVES Ms. Kim!

Technically, we will be looking at kindergarten next year. However, since we have kept Langan in the 3 year old curriculum again this year, I am already formulating my argument that she needs to stay at this school another year so that she can participate in the 4 year old curriculum. That IEP is way down the road but we'll see how it goes!

Increased seizures are our real challenge. Langan is just out of it on the days when she has had a rough night. Luckily, they know her well and take great care of her on the "down" days. But I sure wish she didn't have to deal with that on top of everything else.

Therapies kicked in last week at school and we have all the same therapists except for a new PT. We're hoping for great things again this year! I hope everyone else is having a great school experience as well!

A big surprise came on the first day of school when we got our copy of the parent's handbook for this year. Langan's picture was on the cover! My little cover girl. The handbook isn't online but here is a link to the school brochure they recently printed. It has a quote from me about Langan's experience there- on p. 7 I think. I love that school!!

http://peabody.vanderbilt.edu/sgs/sgs_brochure.pdf


(((hugs)))

Wendy

I love what you said. Don't you wish all the schools were like this. Seems as though Langan has found a wonderful environment to thrive from other children and what is taught by the teachers.

Hugs,
Suzie

This is what all schools should be like. And the thing is
that you can give her a extra year of preschool by keeping
her there in the 4 year next year I would think. Because
she is allowed to stay in till she is 21 almost 22 so it seems
appropriate for her to start kindergarten to me a year later.

Donna

I really can't wait till December 12, then summer break here I come!! In 2007 I'll be in year 11, wooo NCEA..not.

I'm up to HERE in assignments.

English, speeches...I hate speeches soooo much.

Riley started school on 8/25. She has already missed 3 out of 6 days because of seziures. She should have stayed home last Thursday but I sent her on. She ended up sleeping most of the day, but she was there and was counted present.

The other girls are all happy and loving school. Sarah even likes being in middle school. They have so much work to do and it is a very structured environment, more so than in elementary school. I couldn't be happier for her. I was so worried, I am glad the worry was over nothing!