They did not want to take these last pics but I did not care! I had to have a picture that represented the first and last day of this school year. It also symbolizes the last day of elementary school for my daughter and the last day of middle school for MJ! Summer vacation here we come!
#mykidsaregrowingup
#nextchapter
#thetimewentbysofast
#Thankful
Well, today began our journey into another school year! I’m praying that I don’t have to fight as hard this school year to make sure that MJ gets what he needs.
I’m thankful that today both kids had a great first day! However, my daughter complained that she did not play at recess because of the solar eclipse lol.
Wishing everyone a fantastic school year. 😊
I have written before about how important it is to consistently communicate with your child’s teachers. For us it is imperative because otherwise we would never know what is going on during the school day. We always ask, “MJ how was your day today,” or “Can you tell us one activity that you did in school today?” Sometimes we get a response of “good” or “I had a good day today” but that is where it ends.
Today I opened up my work email to see a short email from MJ’s P.E. teacher: “Hi, just letting you know that not only is MJ doing well in basketball, he has become a lot more vocal while we are playing. He is doing Great!” Coach
That email put the biggest smile on my face. It is so comforting to know that he is enjoying other aspects of his school day. He is engaged and communicating more as well. I needed this email today. Thanks Coach!
Well, it took exactly one week since my initial emails for them to “get their act together.” There are now 25 grades for MJ in the gradebook, as opposed to the 1 grade that was there last week! The ESE specialist emailed me with the name of the OT as well as information from the OT. I emailed her directly, and thankfully she said that MJ was doing well, was eager to do activities with her, and was cooperative (if only he was like that at home when we wanted him to do things- sigh). I can only hope and pray that I can now take an “email break.” It’s very frustrating and mentally draining when you have to “make” people do their jobs.
Anyhow, hope you all have a good weekend. I’m gonna go hug my kids now😊
Wouldn’t it be great if I could tell you that Mj’s teacher input all of his grades? It would also be marvelous if I could tell you that I received a progress report. It would make my heart soar if I could tell you that the ESE specialist responded to the email I sent days ago! Well, unfortunately I can’t tell you any of those things! I sent 2 more emails today and also left a voicemail. About one hour ago I received an email from his teacher “apologizing for the inconvenience” and insisting that the online grade book will be updated by tomorrow. Now I plan to have a cup of tea to help relieve my headache and go to bed a little earlier tonight. I need a mental break!
I expected MJ to have more than one grade in the online gradebook after 5 weeks of school.
I expected a return email after emailing the head of the ESE department.
I expected a progress report to be sent home when it was “interim report” day.
I expected MJ to already be receiving the OT that is required on his IEP.
I expected to NOT have to go through this after the research I did to place him in this school.
Silly Me
Well, we officially made it through our first week of school! For months now I have been praying, fighting nausea and stress headaches, and helping to prepare MJ for middle school. All of the preparation has paid off! He was so relaxed and happy on the first day of school. When he realized we were in a bit of traffic on the way, he said, “come on man! I have to get to middle school.😊” That statement was the beginning of my mind relaxing. It made me realize what I already knew. He has always liked school and couldn’t wait to get there. It was still difficult to drop him off at beforecare. I think I gave the poor beforecare counselor a headache will my whole do’s and dont’s speech! When I returned to pick him up he said ” I had a great day mommy!”
I am thrilled to say that he has received a great report every day this week. His behavior and attention has been awesome! I can only pray that this continues. The headache and stress was totally worth it. I would do it all over again.
MJ deserves it.
This past week was a bit of a roller coaster. My emotions were up and down concerning my attempt to have MJ meet his teacher. Without telling a long story, the elementary school “dropped the ball.” MJ’s entire elementary folder was not sent to the middle school and he was not scheduled to be in the right classroom (placement) as well! Had I not been communicating with the school and demanding that he meet his teacher, I would not have found out this information prior to the beginning of the school year!
The day before the orientation I made one last phone call to the ESE specialist requesting that he meet the teacher after the orientation. She agreed (even if she hadn’t, I would have stayed in the front office until I was able to meet with the teacher)!
Orientation day went well! After one hour of listening to the rules of the school (yawn) it was finally time for us to meet his teacher. He shook her hand, looked around the room, and smiled! We all began to chit chat a little then I showed him his room number and building number. He was even able to meet his speech teacher. The weight was completely lifted. He met her, knows her name, knows where his classroom is, and is officially ready to start school! Middle School Here We Come!
MJ in front of his classroom with a genuine smile😊
It was such a pleasure speaking with Rene from Heaven Sent And Bent! I had so much more to tell and not enough time lol! It’s nice to speak with someone who can understand this huge part of my life. The link below will take you to the podcast. Thank You All For Listening!
“Dear Lord, As I prepare MJ for middle school, I ask that you prevent me from having nausea and vomiting every day. Please help me to remember your word. Give me wisdom on how to make this an easy transition for him…and again the vomiting thing…seriously Lord I really need help there. Amen”
Today I decided to take a drive and show my son his new middle school. Whenever MJ is about to go to a new school, I drive by and show him the school, the area, and our driving route. I do this at least 5 times before the actual day of school. It helps him to anticipate what will be happening once the school year begins. We will often get out of the car and walk around the grounds a little bit. I make him read the name of the school and the street that it’s on. He was happy, smiling, and saying “I’m a big boy” several times while we were there today. Meanwhile, I honestly began to feel nauseous and began sweating. My mind always plays terrible scenarios of what could happen to him while he is in school. I replay things that I have personally seen throughout my years of teaching. It is difficult to get those things out of my mind. I always have to remind myself that God is protecting him and that I have done all that I know to do. I pray that the coming weeks will allow me to feel prepared as well.
#mjdeservesit
MJ gazing at his new middle school.
NickysdayWithAutism 