Our fall continues to go well- I feel truly blessed that Sam finally seems settled in school and is enjoying himself. I'm seeing many changes in him that I never missed before, but it seems good to have him doing some things that maybe other parents take for granted.
For example, he talks about what happens in school a lot more than he ever did. Not all of it is negative, although he does like to talk about what happens when one of the other kids in the class gets in trouble. Yesterday he told me about how there is a field trip planned for after the holidays to the Empire State Plaza. I like how he's made a place for himself in his class, and he talks about interacting with his classmates.
He's also asking about a lot more "normal" kid things. He saw a commercial the other day for a stuffed Rudolph the red nosed reindeer that can be made at "Build-a-Bear Workshop". He wanted to know if there was one around here and could we go sometime! He's been talking about wanting to watch Christmas specials on TV and listen to Christmas music. He's excited for me to get the decorations out. In years past, he enjoyed these things, but he never seemed to actively participate- it was always someone else's idea.
About the only issue we are having currently is concerning "back talk". He lets you know he's displeased with what is being said by talking back in a stern voice. This is a great improvement over throwing things or knocking things over! Still, we will work on diminishing this behavior and replacing it with something more appropriate. We can use Rudolph as an incentive!
I'm really seeing so many positive changes- it's great! Often when things go along tranquily, I get complacent and just ride with it. I'm not naive enough to think we won't hit a rough patch now and then, but the good thing about this school situation he's in is that I have confidence they can handle it and move ahead. I really don't want things to go too well, lest the "powers that be" think he's doing well enough to leave the program next year.
We are looking forward to the holidays and spending time with family and friends. We're having a big family gathering here for the first time in many years, and Sam's got a few little cousins to play with. We are even going to take him to New York City for a day trip! I guess New York City doesn't seem so daunting after Disney World in August!
Thursday, November 29, 2007
Thursday, November 8, 2007
A Fabulous Fall!
Once again, I find myself apologizing for not keeping up with this more regularly, but at least this time it's for a good reason! We have been having a really good fall! Most of this having to do with Sam's success at school. He's settled into his new school quite nicely, and we are seeing improvements daily. The year started out with us being uncertain of everything, and of course expecting things to be rocky due to the newness of the situation, but things began to even out about a month ago, and now Sam seems to be in pretty good shape.
For whatever reason, this fall he seems to be much more aware of his behavior. It seemed like most of the time last year he was not even aware of the things he was doing, or if he was, it didn't affect him at all, let alone enough to want to change what he was doing. This year maybe the difference is the smaller class, the more adult attention, the being able to work at his own pace, etc. We now normally get a good report home each day.
Tom and I had a conference with his teacher and social worker a couple of weeks ago. I can honestly say it was probably the first conference with a teacher that I had ever enjoyed, and not felt like I was either being 1. talked down to, 2. blamed for something, 3. asked what we were going to do about the problem, or 4. dismissed altogether. Both teachers expressed how much they liked Sam and how much he brings to their classroom. He's been tested in math and is able to work at a 3rd grade level. His teacher said she is going to be working with him on the computer. She also said he is going to be integrated into a high-level second grade reading group in January. Tom and I were surprised but happy to hear this, I hope he can deal with it.
The good part about having doubts about his ability to handle a situation is that I am confident they have the resources within this program to help him work through it. It's such a relief to know I can count on them to do their jobs, and help Sam succeed. I know they are not going to be calling us everyday making us aware of some atrocity that Sam has committed. I know they are simply going to deal with whatever comes up, and as a result, we are all feeling better about things.
Some of the things I thought might bother me about not having Sam stay at CES are not bothering me at all. I don't miss all the solicitations from the PTO for either money or involvement, I don't miss the daily exposure to the "cliquey" atmosphere. I enjoy being able to be friends (or not) with people on my own terms. I think Sam accepts being in the new school just fine. I've mentioned visiting the temporary CES and he always says he'd prefer to stay in the car. I know he misses a few of the kids he had in his class last year, and I think by the time they see him again, they will see a few changes. He's making friends in his class, although with all the kids from different towns, and no way of connecting with the other parents, it makes out of school connections pretty much impossible. Thankfully there are still the old playgroup friends, and neighbors down the street.
So much has changed for the better this fall. I'm so thankful for the opportunity to have Sam experience this program. Probably the best thing about it is that he can come back next year, same school and same teacher. The thought of being relatively stress-free where school is concerned for another year and a half is enticing!
For whatever reason, this fall he seems to be much more aware of his behavior. It seemed like most of the time last year he was not even aware of the things he was doing, or if he was, it didn't affect him at all, let alone enough to want to change what he was doing. This year maybe the difference is the smaller class, the more adult attention, the being able to work at his own pace, etc. We now normally get a good report home each day.
Tom and I had a conference with his teacher and social worker a couple of weeks ago. I can honestly say it was probably the first conference with a teacher that I had ever enjoyed, and not felt like I was either being 1. talked down to, 2. blamed for something, 3. asked what we were going to do about the problem, or 4. dismissed altogether. Both teachers expressed how much they liked Sam and how much he brings to their classroom. He's been tested in math and is able to work at a 3rd grade level. His teacher said she is going to be working with him on the computer. She also said he is going to be integrated into a high-level second grade reading group in January. Tom and I were surprised but happy to hear this, I hope he can deal with it.
The good part about having doubts about his ability to handle a situation is that I am confident they have the resources within this program to help him work through it. It's such a relief to know I can count on them to do their jobs, and help Sam succeed. I know they are not going to be calling us everyday making us aware of some atrocity that Sam has committed. I know they are simply going to deal with whatever comes up, and as a result, we are all feeling better about things.
Some of the things I thought might bother me about not having Sam stay at CES are not bothering me at all. I don't miss all the solicitations from the PTO for either money or involvement, I don't miss the daily exposure to the "cliquey" atmosphere. I enjoy being able to be friends (or not) with people on my own terms. I think Sam accepts being in the new school just fine. I've mentioned visiting the temporary CES and he always says he'd prefer to stay in the car. I know he misses a few of the kids he had in his class last year, and I think by the time they see him again, they will see a few changes. He's making friends in his class, although with all the kids from different towns, and no way of connecting with the other parents, it makes out of school connections pretty much impossible. Thankfully there are still the old playgroup friends, and neighbors down the street.
So much has changed for the better this fall. I'm so thankful for the opportunity to have Sam experience this program. Probably the best thing about it is that he can come back next year, same school and same teacher. The thought of being relatively stress-free where school is concerned for another year and a half is enticing!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)