One step closer . . .

[eaccae]

Well - I sent a note to the principal asking for the rest of the school records and to confirm a meeting with Alexander's 4th grade teacher before school starts.

The school just called and his records are ready to be picked up and they scheduled a meeting between the new teacher, the principal and me for next Tuesday.

I am actually very glad the principal will be sitting in on the meeting but I don't know if she is going to like everything I have to say.

I have drawn up a list of all that I want to go over and I am going to be brutally honest about last year. And I have my plan for this year. There are a few things that I refuse to back down on and if the principal says something to me - I am ready with my response - that I am fully ready to go the school board - when is good for her? I AM fully ready to go the school board! (And I am so not a confrontational person!! Just at the end of my rope!)

Don't worry - I am going to be nice but honest and firm - I want this teacher to work out and don't want to get off on the wrong foot. I have a list of things that Alexander responds to - a list of things Alexander doesn't respond to, a list of accomodations that the teachers have been informally making each year - and some added ones in regards to the writing . . . Hopefully it will be a good meeting.

Last year was such a bad year - and in all honesty there was not much that I could do with his teacher because she was as unorganized as Alexander - and I had so many other things going on and was terribly overwhelmed! This year - this ADD (and highly unorganized mom) is hyperfocusing right now so they had better watch out! I am ultraorganized with these school papers and my wonderful lists, I have researched the law, spoken to other professionals in CT education and am ready to go!!!

[Linda]

You go girl!!!something tells me it is going to be a very productive meeting.You are a great advocator for your child...so go get em!!!


just in case...you can borrow my hat and broom!!

[camismom]

Sounds like you've got it all together... here's to a wonderful and productive meeting! Go get 'em!!

edited to say I noticed this post put me at 1100. Wow! Just last week I made 1000 and became "emeritus'. 900 more and I can be a "Motormouth". hehe

[sportsmom]

Sounds like you got all your paperwork and are ready to go!!!
[glow=red,2,300]GOOD LUCK TO YOU[/glow]

Like you said be honest but firm. Only you are your childs best advocate ;D

Lets us know how it goes!!

[rosyred45]

Good Luck with the meeting, and don't worry about looking like a b***h, for Alexander's sake, he needs the accomidations to be able to learn. If you have the lists of do's and don'ts, that's half the battle if not more. You know what is what, now they need to make it happen


YOU GO GIRL!!!!!!!!!

[eaccae]

Thanks, Kaiti!

I needed that! I am starting to get anxious! But I am too tired this year for an bull so I am going to stand my ground! I am dropping the kids off at my in-laws tomorrow a couple of hours before the meeting so I will have time to go throught it a little. I will let you all know how it goes!

[eaccae]

Hooray - the meeting went great!! ;D ;D

His teacher is adorable! She is short, young and cute - Alexander is going to love her!

She showed me the assignment book that they used for writing homework down in 4th. She has it copied exactly on the board - and they do it at lunchtime so there is plenty of time (not first thing in the morning like last year). She also initials EVERY child's book and makes sure that EVERY child's parent initials it when the homework is completed! (I like her already)!

We discussed his math and writing issues as well as his organizational issues, his social issues and his sensitivity to criticism (taking it too personally) - and the principal is going to have a PPT set up for the second week of school so that we can get a 504 set up BEFORE the CMTs (Connecticut Mastery Tests) - suggested that because of his processing speed with math - we may want to have a 504 to get more time and due to his organizational skills - a bubbler (he can write the answer in the book and a separate person will go back and "bubble" the answers in)! I was thrilled. We also are going to try out different "Writer's Workshop" books - right now I have a report cover with the Handwriting Without Tears paper (it makes a huge difference). It was just such a good meeting!

I can relax now - (I think!)! At least my stomach isn't turning anymore!!!

[rosyred45]

CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!!!!!!

Glad to hear it went well. I need to get a hold of Mikey's teacher now that we definately know who it is. Matter of fact, she was my second grade teacher

If she can put up with me and survive, I think she can put up with him

[AnneM]

GREAT NEWS EACCAE ...

Linda was RIGHT ... (as she normally is! ;D ;D) ... This WAS a productcve meeting ... and a MAJOR step forward!

WAY TO GO!!

[adhdtimes4]

You will LOVE the bubbler! We've had it in our 504 for seven years, now. It's just as important now as it was then - because in high school, many regular high school tests have a bubble sheet.

And his grades are definitely better when someone else bubbles.

And extra time makes ALL the world of difference.

I'm so happy to hear of your success. Your son reminds me of my son a good bit.