Posts tagged 11's placement

So I am trying to keep positive thoughts about 11’s school…we also have a call into the teacher.

11 has difficulties, that is no secret.  He didn’t get into the program we wanted him in because he was doing so well last year with all his supports.  Great he was doing so well, we were really pleased at his progress and very proud of his hard work.

We were concerned about his placement because he wouldn’t have the supports he was used too but we toured the school, met with and had a discussion with the Principal.  We were feeling more comfortable and the first few days have been positive.

Concerns started…

Suddenly there is a new Principal.

I asked 11 a few times about the technology he is supposed to be getting and using as we haven’t had any communications about it.  Still no information.  Corvidae30 called the school today so hopefully we will get an update.

I looked at the website of the school and they have no listing of the program they said that 11 would be in.  I am hoping it is just because they are very behind in updating, although it has been about 6 months since we got the news the program was going to be in the school, so they must have known before that.

11 was given homework last night.  52 short answer questions.  He is on such a positive that was a bit of a slap in the face.  He uses technology to help him with his reading and writing.  We helped him last night and will again (that isn’t a problem)…but it is more frustrating for him and starts a negative cycle.  One we just got him out of last year.

Trying to keep the positive thoughts.

I am so unbelievably stressed.

I sat here assessing how I was feeling.

Headache which is a constant companion these days.  Tight neck, shoulders, jawline.  Worry line very pronounced on the brow.

It isn’t because of work believe it or not.  Although I am sure that isn’t helping.

It is 11 and his next school year. 

Tears, worry, anger all hovering under the surface and I am working very hard to keep them there under control.

‘nuff said.

Yesterday was quite a day.

Found out I am moderately depressed, but the most interesting thing is I also have ADD.  Corvidae30 is not surprised, and neither am I…11 had to get it somewhere and the signs were all pointing to me.  :)  We actually had a good chuckle that it was confirmed.  11 thinks it is pretty neat, and 16 got a big grin on his face, “Didn’t we already know that?”.

Work was the usual garbage.  Got a message from Corvidae30 after he had waited a long time for me to show up at the van - “Did some yahoo catch you again? Punch them in the face and run away!” - we had 11’s school meeting and of course I was taking way to long to get away from work. It was hilarious because there was a bit of a shock value.  Corvidae30 is the most anti-violence person I know.

11’s school meeting wasn’t very encouraging.  They used a lot of terms like “teach us what you need”, “we are learning and we want to know what works”.  If you are teaching kids with difficulties and orientating parents to a new school/program, this is not the approach to take.  They are supposed to KNOW how to help my child who has special needs. 

They downplayed his need for technology, we are already pretty certain he is going to either have difficulty with being able to use the technology or singled out because of his use of it. 

“NO ELECTRONICS ALLOWED DURING TESTS” is the huge sign in the Science class. 

Classrooms of 30 students.

Then the crowning jewel.  Transportation.  The school system has made the decision that because these kids are in “High School” the system doesn’t provide any transportation.  They also moved the program from the school it has been at (major transportation route) to a school that is off the major bus routes.  This is one of the only programs for these kids in the city. 

We are fairly close and it would take 11 at least 2 buses and more than an hour to get to school.  He would have 5 route choices 3 of which would route him downtown where he would have to get off and transfer to a new bus.  We are lucky enough to be able to have the option of looking at either Corvidae30 or I dropping him off and picking him up.  Some other families don’t have this option. 

These are 11 - 12 year old kids with difficulties, most of them have issues with crowds and anxiety, some have physical issues.  11 is really worried about having to take city transit, he was also making comments about getting trampled in the hall with all the kids that are going to be there.

During the tour I watched the faces of all the parents and none of them seemed very confident. 

Wasn’t very confidence inspiring.