5/27/06 "Il pochi il fiero i blabbermouths" We *will* sail again Part 4

[ohiominnie]

Like the Principal that took me in her office when Alicia was in third grade and told me I was a bad mother because I wasn't allowing my daughter to "learn to deal with difficult people"?

Or like the assistant superintendant who told me that if I took KT out of school to homeschool her before the "two week waiting period" it would go on her PERMANENT record!!!

Luckily, I had the Ohio Revised code in my hand and told them he misinterpreted what it said regarding notification to homeschool. It said the school district had TWO weeks to issue me my "excuse from compulsory education" and that I could take her out immediately. The "two weeks" was not how long she had to stay in school before I could take her out. He backed down.

KT's "learn to deal with difficult people" wasn't going to happen in kindergarten with a troubled little boy who threatened to kill her! I can see it now "KT, you're going to get death threats all the time, honey...you need to learn how to deal with them." Learning to deal with difficult people and being placed in emotionally or physically dangerous situations (screaming teachers, homicidal 5 yr olds) are two totally different things.

 

[ohiominnie]

I did it ! I did it for the first time! I experienced my first "crappys pizza" read thru! I could have sworn you typed crappys!!!!!

Oh, this pizza is FAR from Crappy!! The only way it could get better is if they didn't charge for delivery.

What's your take on delivery charges? Does any of that go to the driver? We still usually tip a couple of bucks, but the delivery charge just irritates me.

 

[ohiominnie]

OM, do you have a tent? Might not work so good with only two kids I guess.

Yes. Kids tent and a full sized tent that fills the entire playroom. Kids have been asking to put that up. They love to sleep in there. I could tell them the only way they can sleep in there is if they get their school work done each day. Only problem is, if ONE gets their school work done and the other doesn't that will backfire as they don't like to sleep in there alone.

Hmmm....

 

[WVMD]

Amanda - most of the school systems don't publicize IEPs or 504 plans. It is a burden for them - but it is what is necessary for the students. You will most likely have to have a formal assessment done on your daughter. We took my son to WVU and a clinic they have there. Your pediatrician can refer you to a psychologist.

It was interesting the testing that they did - it showed Jason could listen OR copy things from the blackboard OR write things down from in class discussion - he could not do do them at the same time - sort of had a disconnect there. That was the reason that we could force them to give him copies of in class notes and a list of assignments. The teachers that did this well - Jason could easily excel in their classes - those that fought us - he had a harder time with.

We had to be quite vigilant - but it was worth it......

Virgil
TFD

 

[Dancind]

Yes. Kids tent and a full sized tent that fills the entire playroom. Kids have been asking to put that up. They love to sleep in there. I could tell them the only way they can sleep in there is if they get their school work done each day. Only problem is, if ONE gets their school work done and the other doesn't that will backfire as they don't like to sleep in there alone.

Hmmm....

Hey, sounds like you've got a good Peer Pressure thing going on. Use it to your advantage!

Yeah, that's what I thought. A little 8 year old should learn to deal with a big, scary teacher. Right!

 

[Dancind]

For what it is worth, I was quite impressed with her in May.

Ah, shucks. She can be a doll. We're just going through that mother of teen daughter thing right now.

 

[ohiominnie]

Hey, Sears.com has the Mickey TV on sale for $29.97 according to the web (www.sears.com and search for Mickey TV) The link isn't working to order it, but I called my local sears and they are holding one for me. They said it's $109 in the store but they are required to honor the web price so I'm printing out the page and am taking it in now.

Good thing I don't have to clean my house!

 

[Dancind]

Amanda - most of the school systems don't publicize IEPs or 504 plans. It is a burden for them - but it is what is necessary for the students. You will most likely have to have a formal assessment done on your daughter. We took my son to WVU and a clinic they have there. Your pediatrician can refer you to a psychologist.

It was interesting the testing that they did - it showed Jason could listen OR copy things from the blackboard OR write things down from inclass discussion - he could not do do them at the same time - sort of had a disconnect there. That was the reason that we could force them to give him copies of inclass notes and a list of assisignments. The teachers that did this well - Jason could easily excel in their classes - those that fought us - he had a harder time with.

We had to be quite vigilant - but it was worth it......

Virgil
TFD

A kind of weird thing. Alicia has a writing disability that she's overcome by learning to be a keyboard whiz. But she could never correctly copy things down, still can't. Her fifth grade teacher told me he had NEVER seen a gifted kid who couldn't copy. That was the year WE homeschooled. Threw in the towel, so to speak. She has to go to school now, though. We would kill each other.

 

[Dancind]

Hey, Sears.com has the Mickey TV on sale for $29.97 according to the web (www.sears.com and search for Mickey TV) The link isn't working to order it, but I called my local sears and they are holding one for me. They said it's $109 in the store but they are required to honor the web price so I'm printing out the page and am taking it in now.

Good thing I don't have to clean my house!

Oh, that's super cute! I want one! Not that we need another TV. Hey, maybe I could use it for a bribe!

 

[Dancind]

Hey, Virgil, that all sounds really familiar. So, did Jason finish college before the Air Force? Give me some hope here!

 

[WVMD]

Hey, Virgil, that all sounds really familiar. So, did Jason finish college before the Air Force? Give me some hope here!

No - he didn't - sorry - but the structure of the Air Force is most definitely what he needed. He's still taking classes - and has talked about switching to the AF Reserve for 2 years so that he can finish college at Embry Riddle and return as an officer.

Virgil
TFD

 

[Dancind]

No - he didn't - sorry - but the structure of the Air Force is most definitely what he needed. He's still taking classes - and has talked about switching to the AF Reserve for 2 years so that he can finish college at Embry Riddle and return as an officer.

Virgil
TFD

My theory is that these kids just need more time to mature. So glad that is working out for Jason, I'm sure you are too. A number of kids are graduating early at Alicia's school, no way will we let her do that. In fact, I think she needs to live at home for a bit and gradually start college, a few classes at a time, one of the reasons we want to move to a University town in FL. She might even start at a community college. Of course, she will have her own ideas, but so far she thinks this plan IS her idea.

 

[Dancind]

Hey, everybody else, I think we're done with this line of discussion now. You can come back!

 

[dzneprincess]

yeah come out and play!

 

[justmestace]

Just had to add, that amazing 3rd grade teacher was all about rewards. She had a great system, and Alicia did everything that teacher asked, and then some. One thing I remember, she set up a tent in the middle of the classroom. If the kids met certain criteria, they got to go into the tent and read. Worked like a charm. OM, do you have a tent? Might not work so good with only two kids I guess.

She doesn't have a tent...she has a DOG CAGE! aw: aw:

 

[justmestace]

Stacey
I can already tell ya that I dont like this Treo..it is cutting in WAY to much on your DIS time!

You're right about that. I spent all of yesterday afternoon synchronizing it, and trying to make it do what I want it to do. And I could have been HERE! But the way I see it, once I figure it out, I can be HERE no matter where I am. Hopefully, it will pay off in the long run......

 

[justmestace]

Hey, everybody else, I think we're done with this line of discussion now. You can come back!

Oh sure....just about the time I get to sit down and add my two cents' worth!

Diana and I have talked about this alot. I've seen a difference in Alicia and in Jared in just the last year or so.
I agree that they need some time to mature. We held Jared back this year, he was way on the young end anyway, and it has helped a lot. Still wasn't a miracle cure....but better.
We had a meeting just this week with his teachers, the counselor, the school psychologist and the special ed administrator. We have this kid who is more than capable of getting straight "A"s...if he would turn in all of his assignments. We have all agreed that he isn't ADD, ADHD, Dyslexic.....just L.A.Z.Y. And finding a motivator is tough. I finally hit on it, with the hair that he insists on wearing long, and I hate. And the MP3 player, PSP......take his toys away and he'd die (all of a sudden I realized I could be talking about myself!!)
With Megan, we could (and did) take away everything and she didn't care.
It is a frustrating thing....no one warns you about all this stuff when you're thinking about how badly you want a baby!!
Anyway, with Jared, we're lucky that we have a small school and district...they are willing to go that extra mile to see that he gets his assignments done, without the IEP/504. I think they don't necessarily want to do all the paperwork, and they also don't want Jared there until he's 18.....so they're helping.
We've had some "fun" with his counselor. She just got married this summer, and has no kids. Last year she suggested sending Jared to his room....I about died laughing...I said "You don't have kids, do you?" Their rooms are a Fun Zone! And even if the room were totally bare, at least they don't have to put up with US in there!
I was reading all the responses and thinking about how we all have these incredibly amazing kids...but almost each of us has had one who made us want to tear our hair out...or theirs! And I think it's pretty wonderful that everyone was willing to talk about it when Amanda needed help.

 

[dzneprincess]

And I think it's pretty wonderful that everyone was willing to talk about it when Amanda needed help.

I was thinking the same thing

 

[dzneprincess]

Stacey,
Are you all ready for your upcoming cruise?

 

[justmestace]

Stacey,
Are you all ready for your upcoming cruise?

Three weeks from today, and I still don't believe it. I'm excited to explore a ship other than DCL...and I'm trying to tell myself that it isn't fair to compare!!

Let's see.....I think everything is set up as far as docs and all. I reserved spa stuff, one excursion....

I have clothes set aside that I want to pack.

I have most of the toiletries set aside.

I made a calendar and notes for the kid sitter.

I guess I'm pretty much ready. As far as that stuff goes.

I'm MORE than ready to take a trip with no kids......

I'm just getting a little more anxious as it gets closer. Me and my "issues"...darn it. I don't handle long non-stop flights well. It takes me a while to adjust to a new place, and find my comfort zone. I have this little problem with panic attacks. (And we thought it was just our kids who have troubles!) And the fear of a panic attack is almost worse than the attack itself. But I'm working on it.