Self contained classroom. Do you know what that means? Well, I didn't until the last semester of Luke's very unsuccessful, traditional-classroom, Kindergarten year. The self-contained classroom has been a God sent miracle for Luke, me and our whole family. Self containment is a BLESSING.
All of us want the best for our children. Let's be honest, we want them to have more than we had, have it better than we had. I don't know why because I really didn't have it all that bad. I had two very loving parents who worked hard to feed, clothe and sent me to school. We never lacked for any necessities. Did I want more? Of course....who doesn't? So, at the end of Luke's Kindergarten year, his teacher, the principal, a 3rd grade teacher (not sure why she was there), an occupational therapist, a physical therapist, and me met about Mr. Luke. If you've been reading my blog, you will notice the title "soap box". Yep, I got on it. I have humbly stepped off of that box. When these people first mentioned a self contained classroom, Luke moving up to the 3rd grade (from Kindergarten) I thought I was spinning into the rabbit hole with Alice. Nonstop flight to where the heck am I? I have to give myself a pat on my back. I listened, I researched, I visited this classroom (at a different school than Emy attends). I was impressed with the work this EC teacher was doing. Last year, Luke was in a traditional Kindergarten classroom with 23 other kids. He was 1 of 25 with a teacher and an assistant. That is a 1:12 ratio people. 1. to. 12. That's too much for Luke to take in. Heck, that's too much for me to take in. After I signed the papers to move him into the EC (exceptional children) classroom (10 minutes the other direction from Emy's school, I had so many second thoughts. Then the summer was over and here it was......time for school to start. Luke was enrolled into the 3rd grade in an EC classroom with 9 students to 4 teachers (1 teacher and 3 assistants). Luke is in 3rd grade with 2 other students his age (on. his. level.) He has brought home 2 report cards with HONOR ROLL both times. No, he's not doing 3rd grade level work but he is advancing quickly to catch up. He is spelling. He is reading. He feels confident. He is proud of himself. I haven't heard "I can't do it" once since he started this new adventure. He rides the bus to school every morning. He rides the bus to Emy's school in the afternoons. He loves the bus. He loves his teachers. He loves his school. He loves feeling SMART. I am so thankful. I am so glad that I didn't stay up on that box. I am so very happy that my son has a chance at a somewhat normal educational experience. Does he know he's different? Of course he does. But now he knows that different can be positive. Different can be successful. Different can be accepted. Our long term plan is that Luke will spend three years at this school, in this classroom. Then he will move onto middle school for 3 more years (also in EC classroom settings). Then he will spend 6 years completing his high school certificate. This will allow him to even go to our local community college. Yes, college. I am so proud of my boy. Luke is going to make it. He is going to have all that I can provide for him. I love him so much and I'm so impressed with his work this year. Are we gonna have meltdowns? Yep, I expect so. But I can handle those. They are fewer and farther between than ever. My son is being accepted as a normal kid. That.......is my miracle of this season. Praise the Lord and thank you Jesus. This Thanksgiving, I had so much to list, but I wanted my blogging friends to know what's been going on with my Lukey. We've been busy, but I just had to sit down and share this. If you are having problems with school, step up and say something. I wish I would've pushed harder, faster and got something done BEFORE he ever started Kindergarten. AS a parent, you just know if you need to do something. I knew it and hesitated, wanting him to blend in the traditional classroom. Don't do it, don't hesitate. Meet with the teachers and whomever else you need to talk with. Do it now. That's my only regret. Now it onto Monday--Luke is looking forward to catching that bus. Sorry I rambled, but there it is. Talk to you guys soon. Love, Cindy
Sunday, December 1, 2013
Friday, November 1, 2013
I'm Back
I know I don't have many followers but for those of you who missed me, I'm back! Trying to blog once a week, possibly more, depending on my life.
3 kids! Love them unconditionally. My Emy is almost 11.....in 2 weeks she will be 11. What!?! Luke will be 9 in December. Tessa will be 3 in less than a month. My life just got busy. It started back in September with Cristian's (nephew) birthday. He's 13!! Then came Josh's birthday--he's 17...good Lord! I'm having some mommy guilt. Tessa has had a fever for 2 days and I didn't stay home with her from work. I let her stay with my mom and dad. Guilty much? Yep! So in the last few months, Darrell lost his job, got a new job, and we are financially stressed to say the least. In the grand scheme, my troubles mean very little. But on my planet, this is big. Or small, if you get my drift. I have considered getting another job but then thought, some things just don't matter. If you wanna buy a camper, we can sell ya one. HAHA!! We need to re-roof the house. Here are some pictures for you. I will post again soon. I promise. Just getting back in the groove. Tessa needs me. She is still feverish. Those of you who pray to my God (father of Jesus) in the name of Jesus, please pray for my circumstance, for our finances to get better. We have tried so hard to get out of debt and this job move has caused us some issues. Bottom line, Darrell has set hours. He comes home at a decent hour. He helps me. I'm loving this part of the new job. The rest will fall into place please pray and believe with me. Love you all. Talk to you soon.
Cindy
Thursday, March 7, 2013
School meeting, tears and a soap box
It's been a long school year and it's not over yet. I have alot on my mind. This might be a rambling post so I will apologize for that now.
I long for the good ole days when Luke was in preschool. He had the most AWESOME preschool teacher EVER. I'm not saying the teacher he has now is not good, she is. She is friendly, kind, very beautiful (according to Luke) and she does care about the children. I'm so happy he is in her class. I mean, she's great. I feel like I can talk to her openly and that's a great quality for teachers to have.
Actually, Luke is not doing TERRIBLE in Kindergarten but he's not showing alot of improvement and he's not showing it fast enough. I just got home from the first SST (I call it step on the mama's toes session) meeting and I'm mentally exhausted. I literally left the room once in tears because a teacher was reading what I wrote about my special boy...that Luke is brave and strong, that he has been through so much in his 8 years here on earth. He is fiercely loyal to his family, especially his "girls".
He says that wants to marry his mama, which makes me happy and makes Emy so mad. She tells him that if married Luke, I would be cheatin' on Daddy. Geez, really?
I also wrote that Luke loves puzzles, loves cars and likes to help me cook and wash dishes (knowing good and well that he likes playing in the water best of all).
Although I know the meeting is the best thing for all of us, it really just feels like a 6 to 1 meeting and I was definitely the minority. I felt like the only Wolfpack Fan at a Tarheel game....and I was wearing RED.
They did try to make me feel okay, but I'm just so worried and stressed and so feeling like I could've and should've done more for my little guy.
I do have to say that Luke is fighting an uphill battle. He has so many little things weighing in against him......I feel for him and this fight until he gets his diploma or GED...My biggest want for Luke is that he will be able to live independently one day, but I'm prepared to take care of him for the rest of my days. I couldn't ask for a sweeter, happier, more loving little boy.
I'm really proud of Luke. He goes to school everyday without complaint. He tells me some days that "I couldn't keep up with the boys on the playground today". He almost looks forward to rainy days because they don't go outside. I think other kids may pick and ridicule him some because he moves slower, or at least different in their eyes.
Luke wants to have friends but has such a hard time making friends and keeping them. He is somewhat of a loner.
My biggest WANT is that I will be able to pay off some bills, so I can either work parttime or quit so I can homeschool my children. (yeah, right--if you saw my stack-o-bills, you would literally laugh out loud at that statement). I don't know any other way to avoid the heartbreak that I feel today. I don't want my kids compared to other kids, especially when mine have come from totally different circumstances. (warning: mama on a soap box) Luke was 3 years old when he came home from India. He has been with me for 5 years. He didn't speak English when he came here. He had crossed eyes. He couldn't see, couldn't walk well and just needed a whole lotta loving.
He now speaks fluent English (has for years), he has had eye surgery, he wore orthopedic boots to help him walk better, he wore an eye patch for 2 years. He has endured so very much for an 8-year-old. And that is what I couldn't even bring myself to say in this meeting. I just excused myself, walked into the hallway and had myself a cry fest. Yep, sure did. I eventually went back into the room (all eyes on me) and finished the meeting. They closed the meeting, thank the Lord and we plan to meet again soon. Hopefully, I can be a better spokesperson for my child next time. I may just have to write it in a letter and give them all a copy.
The funny thing about this is.....I told Darrell no way he was going into this meeting because he would get upset and cry.....go figure!
Thanks for letting me vent here blog buddies, I needed it.
Until next posting or until the trumpet calls (I for one am wishing Jesus would come back before the next meeting at school because Luke will not need any special help once he enters the gates of Heaven).
Love,
Cindy
I long for the good ole days when Luke was in preschool. He had the most AWESOME preschool teacher EVER. I'm not saying the teacher he has now is not good, she is. She is friendly, kind, very beautiful (according to Luke) and she does care about the children. I'm so happy he is in her class. I mean, she's great. I feel like I can talk to her openly and that's a great quality for teachers to have.
Actually, Luke is not doing TERRIBLE in Kindergarten but he's not showing alot of improvement and he's not showing it fast enough. I just got home from the first SST (I call it step on the mama's toes session) meeting and I'm mentally exhausted. I literally left the room once in tears because a teacher was reading what I wrote about my special boy...that Luke is brave and strong, that he has been through so much in his 8 years here on earth. He is fiercely loyal to his family, especially his "girls".
He says that wants to marry his mama, which makes me happy and makes Emy so mad. She tells him that if married Luke, I would be cheatin' on Daddy. Geez, really?
I also wrote that Luke loves puzzles, loves cars and likes to help me cook and wash dishes (knowing good and well that he likes playing in the water best of all).
Although I know the meeting is the best thing for all of us, it really just feels like a 6 to 1 meeting and I was definitely the minority. I felt like the only Wolfpack Fan at a Tarheel game....and I was wearing RED.
They did try to make me feel okay, but I'm just so worried and stressed and so feeling like I could've and should've done more for my little guy.
I do have to say that Luke is fighting an uphill battle. He has so many little things weighing in against him......I feel for him and this fight until he gets his diploma or GED...My biggest want for Luke is that he will be able to live independently one day, but I'm prepared to take care of him for the rest of my days. I couldn't ask for a sweeter, happier, more loving little boy.
I'm really proud of Luke. He goes to school everyday without complaint. He tells me some days that "I couldn't keep up with the boys on the playground today". He almost looks forward to rainy days because they don't go outside. I think other kids may pick and ridicule him some because he moves slower, or at least different in their eyes.
Luke wants to have friends but has such a hard time making friends and keeping them. He is somewhat of a loner.
My biggest WANT is that I will be able to pay off some bills, so I can either work parttime or quit so I can homeschool my children. (yeah, right--if you saw my stack-o-bills, you would literally laugh out loud at that statement). I don't know any other way to avoid the heartbreak that I feel today. I don't want my kids compared to other kids, especially when mine have come from totally different circumstances. (warning: mama on a soap box) Luke was 3 years old when he came home from India. He has been with me for 5 years. He didn't speak English when he came here. He had crossed eyes. He couldn't see, couldn't walk well and just needed a whole lotta loving.
He now speaks fluent English (has for years), he has had eye surgery, he wore orthopedic boots to help him walk better, he wore an eye patch for 2 years. He has endured so very much for an 8-year-old. And that is what I couldn't even bring myself to say in this meeting. I just excused myself, walked into the hallway and had myself a cry fest. Yep, sure did. I eventually went back into the room (all eyes on me) and finished the meeting. They closed the meeting, thank the Lord and we plan to meet again soon. Hopefully, I can be a better spokesperson for my child next time. I may just have to write it in a letter and give them all a copy.
The funny thing about this is.....I told Darrell no way he was going into this meeting because he would get upset and cry.....go figure!
Thanks for letting me vent here blog buddies, I needed it.
Until next posting or until the trumpet calls (I for one am wishing Jesus would come back before the next meeting at school because Luke will not need any special help once he enters the gates of Heaven).
Love,
Cindy
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