School Days

The beginning of school causes major anxiety in my house, or at least in my stomach. Last year was almost too good to be true. For the first time in 4 years, B had a classroom teacher who truly enjoyed having him in class, not just a teacher who tolerated him. (The previous years were bad dream after bad dream with some nightmares mixed in.) The only other teacher that enjoyed B was his gifted teacher at his former school district. Last year he changed schools and it made a huge difference. He never had to be sent out of the room for melt-downs, he usually finished his work and didn't have to go the principal! It was an AMAZING year!!!

So now it's the beginning of 4th grade. Same school, new teacher. The principal and third grade teacher feel that this teacher is a good fit, but I've heard that before and last time it didn't work out so well. (Not that I'm wanting for things to go wrong, I just don't want to get my hopes up just to have them dashed again.) He came home from school and told me the 1st day was so-so. The teacher talked a lot and he fell asleep. His teacher told him he should go to bed earlier. (Probably not such a bad idea. Then again it could be all the talking. B tends to tune out when there's too much talk and sometimes it puts him to sleep.) He also seems concerned about the new schedule. Something about math being both before and after lunch and then recess. My concern is they have changed the specials to a block schedule, so instead of having PE and music twice a week, they'll have them once a week. (I don't know if they increase the time of specials though.) I believe PE is every "B" day. For most kids this will still work out because they have recess every day, but for B, having a place to expend energy is imperative. Without it, tics become worse, he can't sit still and melt downs can become a regular occurrence. (Third grade teacher worked breaks into her daily schedule which, I think, was probably what really made the year go well for him.)

Last year the school had an information night the first or second week of school. (That's where we find out where B is sitting and get the handbook and how much homework there will be, etc.) Although B has already informed me that there will be a homework packet every week. Woo hoo!! That's what every kid needs when coming home from working all day is more of the exact same kind of work when he/she comes home. (At least when I was teaching, the work I did at home was different!) I understand why teachers give homework and that there is that notorious test near the end of the year that determines if teachers are good at teaching, but for a kid like B, this is a HUGE waste of time and causes arguments and melt-downs almost daily! Then you have the issues of eating supper and getting ready for bed. Let's just say that I have learned a tremendous amount of what it's like for parents with special needs kiddos than I ever knew as a sped teacher. Anyway... time for me to get off my falling apart, neglected, soap box. We put him in public school, we have to deal with it!

On a somewhat separate note, a pet peeve for me is when a person (teacher, doctor, family member) pretends or insinuates knowledge on a subject to not look "dumb" rather than admitting ignorance and willingness to learn. At meet the teacher night, B's new teacher acted as though she knew about Tourette Syndrome and OCD characteristics and such, only for us to find out from last years teacher that she really doesn't know anything. UGHHHH!!!! We won't be upset that you don't know. Ignorance does not equal stupidity. Ignorance has the ability to change through education and leaning, stupidity is knowing and not caring! Please ask questions!!!!! We don't bite, and we want our son to be successful! We want the year to go well for you and him. Here's hoping for an enjoyable and successful school year for B and us. I hope all of you who are starting a new school year, whether public, private, home, or unschooling, have a fantastic time watching your children learn!

Remember, God smiles upon His children even when we don't see it!
Glenda