I tried, I changed, but still am getting divorced!

[awest1217]

It is good that you have some support when it comes to S being sick. It is a sickness or is it teething? I was just wondering because I know S started getting his molars a little after 1.

With the child, it is so important that you do document everything, which I am sure that you do. Also are you a part of your teacher union? Is there something they could do? This child honestly needs help because otherwise he is going to be "left behind", which is what we are trying to avoid as teachers and as a country. How can the school system not give you any support when he needs the help. Giving him breaks is not going to help him academically. Is he getting any support for the english aspect? I would think he would get some direct support for that as well.

Sorry things are going so poorly. Hopefully you can work with the mom at some point and others in the school will help. I know it is a little sneaky, but at least in IN, if a parent asks for the IEP review, it has to be given...put a bug in the mom's ear?

[newmama]

Hi Awest, don't worry- I am all over it! I do document. Also, I was a SPED teacher for 5 years but this school district is not so good (for SPED) compared to the other 2 where I worked. I do think he will be getting help but we have to do some of this other stuff first. He does get ESL. I will be talking to the mom about it when the translator sets up our meeting. Thanks for your support though! And I know we don't want kids to get left behind--but this country also doesn't value education enough to fund it. We need more people in our schools to have a low enough student-teacher ratio.

Every teacher needs an assistant for at least a couple of hours. I think that would really help us to meet the kids' needs. Also, money is spent on very expensive curriculum that teachers do not necessarily follow because they have other methods that teach the same skills.CURRICULUM DOES NOT TEACH KIDS- PEOPLE TEACH KIDS! OK I really need to chill out. Must have some misplaced anger for some reason...

[awest1217]

I hear you and completely understand where you are coming from

[Mystik]

Hope the translator contacts you soon. Sounds like you're doing the best you can but keep getting roadblocked.

[newmama]

does God think I am Atlantis! wtf- I spent 2 hours typing sub plans (S is still SICK!) and tried to sign up for a sub but forgot my pin number. no one is up at 11:30 p.m. I just hope they get my emails in time. crap!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[newmama]

got it covered. Phew!

THE BOY was suspended yesterday for punching 2 kids in the face because they wouldn't give him the books he wanted. (he is not a tough and violent boy, he is just mentally 2 or 3 years old, I swear.)

I think the administration is getting the picture. The translator was AWESOME because when I met with the mom at the end of the day, she came right out and said if she was expecting him to have a 1:1 (at her old school district, they were going to try to have him go to a first grade classroom with an assistant) then she needs to tell the principal and the special ed department.SHe said it would help her get through the process MUCH faster!!!!! heck yeah! It is true, parents have power, Parents have power.

I did express how much we do care about THE BOY and even though he is highly disruptive, we can see that he doesn't MEAN to do these things- that he seems to not understand. He came from a class of 9 kids with 3 teachers (1 teacher and 2 assts..1:3 ratio) for 3 hours. Then gets to a class of 22 with 1 teacher 1:22 ratio)at a school day for almost 7 hours!

I can't wait to give the translator a hug and a kiss when I can! (lol)

So the other thing was that I had back to school night and only 8 parents showed up! out of 22. And the parents who complained about me to the principal? No show. Of course. There are parents who are all bark and no bite.

Good news is that I have 4 parents who wanted to volunteer.

Now I have to do something fun this weekend...need a break and a life! and need to get back into exercising for the stress relief.

[courageous wife]

Hi NM

Hope S gets better soon! Sounds like all is going to be well at work!

Have a great weekend!

[newmama]

CW---
S had an ear infection-- do you know how many times it seems that I have taken him in and he didn't have one?! He had to have ear wax removed and was screaming and writhing as she did it. I knew then that he had an ear infection but his dr. explained she needed to see his ear drum "to make sure." I know she was doing her job but it made me cry as I had to hold him down while he bucked his body and screamed bloody murder. I asked for a break and got up to wash his face with a cool cloth before she continued. She told me that it was normal for me to feel upset and I said "oh, I know!" (and I don't give a crap if it wasn't)

He has been sleeping now for 2 hours! poor fella. I know he will feel better by Monday because he has some amoxicillin.


as for work- Well, at least the ball is rolling!The reality is that I will be working at least 6 days a week until November, after conferences. I think things will slow down at that time.

My sub called me and said in 35 years of teaching,including at a similar school, she never had a student like THE BOY! She said I had some other 'doozies' as well- but I guess compared to THE BOY I wasn't aware!

How funny because I heard the same thing from 4 or 5 subs the year I was pregnant! No exaggeration. In that class, I had 5 kids on behavior plans.We still managed to learn and have fun (although not as much because they got wild) Again, this class is full of angels in my eyes!


Also, the principal wants THE BOY to have half days starting Monday. Uh huh! Oh yeah! Victory Dance! We also have a SPED meeting set for 9/27.

I replied to her email and thanked her for being proactive as we figure out how to help THE BOY. I added that I have a student who has Autism and his parents are "involved." His mom wants to volunteer and I want to be able to show her that I am consistently following the legal accommodations and modifications outlined in the IEP. I explained to my principal that at this time, most of my energy and focus has been on UZ due to triage, although I am doing my best (truthfully!) Hope that sinks in, a little, like DUH we have OTHER KIDS that need to learn, here! I really do like my principal and she is supportive. I will be very impressed if she gets this case to move along quickly.



ok I promise to post something upbeat and positive before the weekend is over.

[Mystik]

Glad that things with THE BOY are finally starting to be worked on. It is hard when the kids don't understand and the adults (not you, the ones who were roadblocking you) aren't there to see so they don't get it.

[newmama]

ok am going to go to night golfing next friday night! I WILL GO. I WILL GO. And I will have fun! tomorrow night- will go to a movie.