If you read my follow-up post from the IEP meeting on Tues you'll know that I left feeling bewildered upon hearing the news that the inclusion K class wasn't going to be in her school next year; I was given the impression that she would have to attend another school if she were to repeat K.
I wasn't able to talk to the principle after the IEP meeting so I had a lot of questions that weren't answered.
Today we were at the school for the K classes end-of-year celebration party. After they finished the program we went back to their classrooms. The assistant principle came to get me to tell me the principle had some time to talk to me.
From what I understand the district is doing away with the regional K inclusion program they had and they are replacing it with some other program. So when the retention team at her school met they didn't have all the information about this other program yet - another team met to determine eligibility for this regional program. They said Kayla's adaptive skills were high enough so she didn't qualify for that program (and even if she did I wouldn't have sent her anyway, because of the whole changing schools thing.)
So the bottom line is that since this is Kayla's home school, she will go to that school whether she goes to 1st grade or repeats K.
Pretty much everyone at the school from the principle to the therapists and teachers agree that Kayla would greatly benefit from another year of K. The principle also pointed out that as she goes through school the goals will be to 'wean' her from certain supports and services so she won't rely on them so much (which I agree makes sense) so going from a classroom with 4 adults (the inclusion K class) to a 1st grade class with only 1 adult (and occasionally the spec. ed teacher) would be a big transition. This way she'll repeat K with 2 adults in the room and that will help with the transition of going to 1st grade next year.
Hopefully she'll be with the same teacher next year; the principle can't guarantee which classroom she'll be in (which I understand - you can't honor every parents' teacher request) but I can certainly request her and it will be considered when making the placements. Her teacher was really happy to hear that she'll be back at that school next year and is hoping to have her in her class again too.
I'm so glad this has been settled, and that I didn't have to fight about it - the principle was on board the moment I stepped in to her office. I just wish all the information was known at her IEP meeting so I didn't have to go through this to begin with.
27 comments:
Glad it is all worked out but sorry for all the hassle!!!
Well that settled my ruffled feathers! That sounds great!
Well - that sounds like great news then, Michelle! :)
Excellent news!!
Glad it all worked out.
I'm so sorry about all of the stress. You sound better about it today. Thank goodness!
Thank goodness it all worked out - sorry you had to go through that!
Yay, so glad it all worked out!
So glad you guys came up with a solution you feel good about. Great news!
That sounds very, very good. I'm happy for you that it's settled in the best possible outcome. I know she'll do great.
IEP meetings....it's just easier to read the info plus they are always adding stuff after!
I am glad you figured out what to do - it is such an important decision but what a weight lifted!
That is so fabulous!!! I am so glad it all worked out for the best!
Great news! So glad it all worked out. IEP meetings can be very stressful, can't they?
Good news! My gut was saying K would be a good placement, but of course that is not based on anything other than what I imagine I would do with G in your situation. But...of course...I still have a lot to learn.
Glad it's all working out!
i am so glad its all working out for her!!!!
I'm sure it is a huge relief to finally have a decision made.
I think its a great idea to keep her in kindergarten. IEP's can be so taxing sometimes.
I know a lady that always says: "Don't tell me worry doesn't work - half the things I worry about never happen!" LOL
I'm glad that things are working out for you and Kayla.
sorry you had to go through all of the stress and emotions about the kindergarten or 1st grade decision, but i am so happy to hear that it sounds like all is working out very well for Kayla for next year!!!
I'm so glad you have a good plan now. It so helps with the decision making to have all the info. :) And now you can feel good about the decision you made.
OMG, the stress that caused you. I am so sorry it had to be so hard and so glad that Kayla has someone to fight for her. Your a good mom. Do you have any idea of where y'all will go when your hubby returns? Have a great summer!
Amanda
Michelle, I am so relieved that you have some resolution over this. The stress of introducing our children into the school system seems overwhelming at best, so to have things so uncertain would really drive me over the wall. Anyway, I hope you feel some peace now and that you can enjoy Joe's upcoming home visit and this summer holiday.
Oh I'm so glad to hear there's a better plan. That's great news!
So sorry I have been MIA here. I am glad to see that things will work out for next year at the same school. sorry for all your stress. hugs!
have a great week.
Don't you just love it when things work themselves out in the end!
I'm thrilled for you that she'll repeat and stay at the same school. I ended up in gifted programs and with a college scholarship, but I repeated kindergarten. I was not emotionally mature enough, nor physically coordinated enough, for first grade. There were two others who needed to repeat as well.
The teacher sat us all down and instead of telling us we were "repeating", she asked for volunteers to help with the new kindegarteners next year. Of course we all volunteered, and she chose the three of us being held back! Ha ha! We thought we were SO special!
So happy to hear that all ended up working out for Kayla. My girlfriend's daughter (who also has DS) has been to 3 schools this year alone in Montgomery county and has had a heck of a time with the administration.
Post a Comment