Combo PTR & TR w/a side of Scrapbooking: I'm Back! TR link posted!

[Northern Disney Girl]

Hey Kim!

Man, being sick sucks big time -I got so far behind on everybody's PTR's! So glad you were able to get the ressies you wanted! I look forward to seeing your itinerary and seeing if and when we can try for a meet!

 

[danceintherain]

I am so glad you got everything you wanted!

 

[drakes]

Itinerary updates...

The more I chat and hijack others PTR's and hear the encouraging words, I am still running through my mind of starting a PTR.

I went into my ADRS with Plan version 4. I am now on plan version 5 ( only changes are ADRs).

It is nice to share and get feedback!

I am very happy you got the ADRs you wanted. I too was surprised with the Akershus Credit Card requirement, I think this is because the photo is included in the meal price. You will all enjoy it, especially your sweet DD! We've been with my mom, DD, DH and I, the princesses were attentive to us all, flirting with DH, calling my mom "the Queen" and flattering DD in her ballgown!

In 2009, all princesses called DH "The Beast" to our DD. It was so funny, as each one came to the table, it was a similar reference to the beast... these memories are so great! I am so excited for all of us going.

 

[Charlefours]

for getting the ADRs you wanted! I did not realize Akershus requires a CC hold--thanks for the head's up. I will make a note of that. I guess I was totally ignoring the fact that you get the photo. Hope you had a great trip!

 

[Kris74]

Congrats on getting all your ADR's

 

[Monny2AE]

That's great news!!

I am so glad you got everything you wanted!

for getting the ADRs you wanted! I did not realize Akershus requires a CC hold--thanks for the head's up. I will make a note of that. I guess I was totally ignoring the fact that you get the photo. Hope you had a great trip!

Congrats on getting all your ADR's

Thanks! It's a relief knowing that I got them and that it's another thing checked off my TO DO list!

Hey Kim!

Man, being sick sucks big time -I got so far behind on everybody's PTR's! So glad you were able to get the ressies you wanted! I look forward to seeing your itinerary and seeing if and when we can try for a meet!

Aww hugs Kim- I hope you are all feeling better soon. Don't worry- I'll definitely be setting up a meet with you, my Northern Friend!

Itinerary updates...

The more I chat and hijack others PTR's and hear the encouraging words, I am still running through my mind of starting a PTR.

I went into my ADRS with Plan version 4. I am now on plan version 5 ( only changes are ADRs).

It is nice to share and get feedback!

I am very happy you got the ADRs you wanted. I too was surprised with the Akershus Credit Card requirement, I think this is because the photo is included in the meal price. You will all enjoy it, especially your sweet DD! We've been with my mom, DD, DH and I, the princesses were attentive to us all, flirting with DH, calling my mom "the Queen" and flattering DD in her ballgown!

In 2009, all princesses called DH "The Beast" to our DD. It was so funny, as each one came to the table, it was a similar reference to the beast... these memories are so great! I am so excited for all of us going.

I'm glad to hear Akershus is so fun! I'm really looking forward to it.
You should definitely do a PTR- it's done wonders getting me organized

 

[Monny2AE]

Sorry if I haven't been posting much on here or on any of the regular threads I visit. It's just been a rough week here. I'm trying to figure things out with DS and school.

Since the second week or so it's been a struggle. He doesn't like school, cries because he has to go and says he's hungry and bored all day. He's in a class of 29 kids in K. 29 is high in my opinion and I can imagine the chaos that ensues everyday. It's not the typical separation anxiety. He has no problem if I leave him at Sunday school, the library programs, at other people's houses, etc. He loved preschool last year. It's got to be something or someone in that classroom that's bothering him.

Yesterday was very concerning to me. I got a call around 11:50 from his teacher saying that he has something to tell me. DS gets on the phone and is crying so hard I can't understand him. I can hear her prompting him in the background saying *tell her if you misbehave again you will be sent to the office* in a very stern voice. She then gets on the phone and very sternly tells me he's been very silly today and has not been listening when she tells him to stop and that this is a *courtesy call* to let me know. In no way was it courteous. So I ask her to describe this so called silliness. He and another boy were playing a game of chase in the classroom- rainy day so I'm sure they were feeling cooped up. She was surprised because he's usually such a well mannered and behaved child. This was the first time she's had any difficulties with him. So this was his first offense- being silly- and because of it he had to make a very demeaning and shameful phone call home to me and has lunch detention today. Did I mention he's 5 and in K???

I have no problem with holding him accountable for his choices- good or bad. I'm not that mother that thinks her little angel does no wrong. It's just that at my house, I don't use fear or shame as a way to manage behavior. He responds very well with pulling him aside, talking about whether or not he's making good choices and coming up with some choices that would be better. He loses a privilege like his games or toys for making poor choices. I'm sure he was running wild with the other kids and by all means he needs to know that he can't do that. I'm just not sure I agree with how it was handled. Is she so overwhelmed with 29 kids that her temper is short?

Needless to say, I got myself collected after the phone call and emailed yesterday that I want a conference with both his teacher and the principal. I'm worried to death about him today. I had to send him because he's already missed 5 days from being sick this quarter and if he misses more than 5 he fails the first quarter and I have to go to court. Tell me this school system makes sense.

Homeschooling may be in my future.

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

Sorry if I haven't been posting much on here or on any of the regular threads I visit. It's just been a rough week here. I'm trying to figure things out with DS and school.

Since the second week or so it's been a struggle. He doesn't like school, cries because he has to go and says he's hungry and bored all day. He's in a class of 29 kids in K. 29 is high in my opinion and I can imagine the chaos that ensues everyday. It's not the typical separation anxiety. He has no problem if I leave him at Sunday school, the library programs, at other people's houses, etc. He loved preschool last year. It's got to be something or someone in that classroom that's bothering him.

Yesterday was very concerning to me. I got a call around 11:50 from his teacher saying that he has something to tell me. DS gets on the phone and is crying so hard I can't understand him. I can hear her prompting him in the background saying *tell her if you misbehave again you will be sent to the office* in a very stern voice. She then gets on the phone and very sternly tells me he's been very silly today and has not been listening when she tells him to stop and that this is a *courtesy call* to let me know. In no way was it courteous. So I ask her to describe this so called silliness. He and another boy were playing a game of chase in the classroom- rainy day so I'm sure they were feeling cooped up. She was surprised because he's usually such a well mannered and behaved child. This was the first time she's had any difficulties with him. So this was his first offense- being silly- and because of it he had to make a very demeaning and shameful phone call home to me and has lunch detention today. Did I mention he's 5 and in K???

I have no problem with holding him accountable for his choices- good or bad. I'm not that mother that thinks her little angel does no wrong. It's just that at my house, I don't use fear or shame as a way to manage behavior. He responds very well with pulling him aside, talking about whether or not he's making good choices and coming up with some choices that would be better. He loses a privilege like his games or toys for making poor choices. I'm sure he was running wild with the other kids and by all means he needs to know that he can't do that. I'm just not sure I agree with how it was handled. Is she so overwhelmed with 29 kids that her temper is short?

Needless to say, I got myself collected after the phone call and emailed yesterday that I want a conference with both his teacher and the principal. I'm worried to death about him today. I had to send him because he's already missed 5 days from being sick this quarter and if he misses more than 5 he fails the first quarter and I have to go to court. Tell me this school system makes sense.

Homeschooling may be in my future.

OMG. I would say that phone call tells the whole story right there. Why he doesn't want to go to school. The teacher. We went through this with DS10 in K and 1st. Uncaring and unkind teachers. He hated going to school. They put him in "special classes" and often punished him by making him sit with his head down at recess. I thank the good Lord everyday that we moved from that school district (not because of this, but because of DH's job). Ever since we got here he has really thrived. All he needed was a better class of teachers. He is now advanced in most subjects!

I hope you get somewhere with the principal. Don't back down. This is your child. She should have never made him call you and definitely should not have made him cry like that.

Are there other K teachers? Perhaps a classroom switch is needed. . .

And yes, 29 is way too many! I'm sure that's attributing to her actions.

 

[Mndisneygirl]

Oh Kim, I'm so sorry to hear that! Your poor little guy! It sounds like that was a really harsh way to handle it and I agree - definitely too much for a 5 year old!! It's not like he'd ever done anything before. I would investigate too and find out if this is standard protocol, or if the teacher stepped over the line. You are right 29 is too many for K. I believe there may be laws in some states about that. I'm sure with budgets they are having larger classes everywhere.
I truly hope you get some answers!

 

[trixiequilts]

Document, document, document! Write down everything as specifically as you can, starting at the beginning of the year.

You have to be as prepared for that meeting as you can. And as others have already said, don't back down. You are your DS's advocate.

I've been there. It's horrible. I'll be thinking about you.

 

[MelXThree]

OMG 29 Kids in pre-K My son had 12 and I thought the techer looked My DS is in grade 1 and is so scared to go to the office. I bet that alone scared your DS. I would for sure be having a confrence. It's so hard to leave your kids in the care of someone else and not know how they handle things. Well hopefully all goes well and maybe a swich in classrooms would be best

 

[belle8306]

I just caught up on your PTR. You have a lovely family. I also enjoy scrapbooking although I haven't tried digital scrapbooking yet. My favorite thing to scrap are our Disney vacations. My DH and I also got married in 2001 and honeymooned in Disney World. Our next trip in June we will be staying at CBR for the first time. Do you have any tips or hints about the resort? I am looking forward to reading more!

 

[Momto2PrncChrmgs]

Sorry if I haven't been posting much on here or on any of the regular threads I visit. It's just been a rough week here. I'm trying to figure things out with DS and school.

Since the second week or so it's been a struggle. He doesn't like school, cries because he has to go and says he's hungry and bored all day. He's in a class of 29 kids in K. 29 is high in my opinion and I can imagine the chaos that ensues everyday. It's not the typical separation anxiety. He has no problem if I leave him at Sunday school, the library programs, at other people's houses, etc. He loved preschool last year. It's got to be something or someone in that classroom that's bothering him.

Yesterday was very concerning to me. I got a call around 11:50 from his teacher saying that he has something to tell me. DS gets on the phone and is crying so hard I can't understand him. I can hear her prompting him in the background saying *tell her if you misbehave again you will be sent to the office* in a very stern voice. She then gets on the phone and very sternly tells me he's been very silly today and has not been listening when she tells him to stop and that this is a *courtesy call* to let me know. In no way was it courteous. So I ask her to describe this so called silliness. He and another boy were playing a game of chase in the classroom- rainy day so I'm sure they were feeling cooped up. She was surprised because he's usually such a well mannered and behaved child. This was the first time she's had any difficulties with him. So this was his first offense- being silly- and because of it he had to make a very demeaning and shameful phone call home to me and has lunch detention today. Did I mention he's 5 and in K???

I have no problem with holding him accountable for his choices- good or bad. I'm not that mother that thinks her little angel does no wrong. It's just that at my house, I don't use fear or shame as a way to manage behavior. He responds very well with pulling him aside, talking about whether or not he's making good choices and coming up with some choices that would be better. He loses a privilege like his games or toys for making poor choices. I'm sure he was running wild with the other kids and by all means he needs to know that he can't do that. I'm just not sure I agree with how it was handled. Is she so overwhelmed with 29 kids that her temper is short?

Needless to say, I got myself collected after the phone call and emailed yesterday that I want a conference with both his teacher and the principal. I'm worried to death about him today. I had to send him because he's already missed 5 days from being sick this quarter and if he misses more than 5 he fails the first quarter and I have to go to court. Tell me this school system makes sense.

Homeschooling may be in my future.

Awww, Kim I'm so sorry! I can't imagine how you're feeling. And poor Andrew. That poor little baby! I don't know how you kept yourself from driving over and picking him up right then! 29 is WAY too many for Kindergarten. Drew had 19 last year and 15 this year for 1st grade. It's perfect! And specifically the reason we're paying for (and not really able to afford) Catholic school. Our public school has 12-14 classes PER grade, and at least 20 in each class. At Drew's school, there's one or two classes per grade with less than 20 in each class. EVERY single teacher in that school knows my who my child is, and most of them know who we are when we walk in. It's much more a family environment, and I love it. We've been looking at ways to save money, and switching schools is not even an option. We both agreed we'd live in a tent if it meant not being able to pay for school.
I hope your meeting with the teacher and principal goes well, and I hope they are receptive and not defensive! I'll be thinking about you!!

 

[danceintherain]

If this is the first time she has had trouble with him, then why on earth would she make him call you about it?
With 29 kids in her class, she probably spends all her time on the phone! (at least her lunch time)

 

[Monny2AE]

Thanks everyone for all your thoughts! I'm feeling much less stressed now.

Andrew had a great day Friday and is looking forward to tomorrow. We had some talks with him and found out some stuff that was bugging him. We talked about what to do in specific situations and to basically stay away from the kids that are being too silly. He named kids that were good listeners and were nice and we told him to basically hang out with them LOL. I guess now is a good time to talk about what makes a good friend and how to follow the golden rule. I think he felt better getting some things off his chest.

We had a meeting with the teacher and principal on Friday and got some things squared away. DH and I voiced our concerns to the teacher and principal regarding the phone call from him and long story short, it will NOT happen again. If a call needs to be made, it will be made by the teacher to us and if we feel the need to talk to him then we can. Under NO circumstances, he will not be made to call home that upset again. I was very clear about that one and I expect it to be upheld.

As far as the lunch detention, that's the K behavior plan and they'll continue to use it. I think DS was scared straight and won't be having to do it again hopefully. I still disagree with K using lunch detention as a punishment, especially when a kid has one rough day being *silly*. We left that one as a *we'll agree to disagree* topic. She did confirm that his *silly* behavior occurred during a transition time while waiting for the rest of the kids to clean up their centers and he was asked a few times to stop and didn't. I'm still questioning lunch detention for such a small first offense and for someone so young. Rolling on the floor silly and running around being silly on the group carpet apparently equals lunch detention



That conversation led us to the class size discussion because the behavior issues are definitely a result of 29 kids, a few of which are special needs with quite a few behavior problems- hitting, spitting, etc. They will not be getting a 3rd teacher to lessen the numbers but will be getting an additional paraprofessional within the next few weeks. She will float between the 2 K's helping both teachers (one has 29 kids and the other has 28 at this point) as needed. Better than nothing I guess.

We can't afford private school. Of course I'd give up the trip to Disney and other things if we needed to but in the long run it just will strap us a little more than we can afford- especially when DD starts school in a couple years. Then we'd have to pay for two and there's no way we can make that happen. We'll just keep being involved (squeaky wheel gets the oil) and plugging away through the year as long as he still seems to like it. If he's still struggling DH has agreed that homeschooling would be our other alternative. Only 8 more months to go. First grade has 3 classes. At least that's something to look forward to.

I honestly feel bad for his teacher. She said herself that she and the para spend 90% of their day just putting out fires. Ridiculous. This year is just one of those years I think she probably wishes would fly by. I definitely wouldn't want to be her right now. She's been teaching for 25 years so I think she was given some of the more difficult kids because she's a more seasoned teacher. That said, just because this class is an especially difficult one does not mean that my child needs to be treated so harshly for being *silly*, especially when she said herself that she's never had any issues with his behavior in the past 2 months. Wednesday was the first incident. I'm sure she doesn't like us too much right now and that's perfectly fine. As long as my child is happy and safe, I could care less how she feels about me.

Oh and you should have seen the principal's face when she talked to me with some educational jargon trying to talk above my head like I was some dummy and I threw it right back at her. She had NO idea that I used to be a teacher and have a degree in ECED! Boy, she got real quiet real quick. It was such a good moment- even DH was like *you go girl, way to put her in her place!* when we left

 

[Monny2AE]

Alright I've got my head back in the game and am setting some goals for this week-

• Make a finalized Itinerary
• Decide whether or not to do the Pirate's League for the kids
• Start deciding on how to pull off the Christmas surprise
• Post the rest of my MK *Not to Be Missed* list and layouts!

 

[Monny2AE]

MK *Not to Be Missed* Part 3... sorry it took so long!!!!

Our other favorite stops at MK…

LO Credits: Polaroid My Memories Suite Jungle Background

LO Credits: Happiest Kit on Earth by Britt-ish Designs

LO Credits: Disney Parks by My 4 Princesses Designs

LO Credits: Cindergirl Sparkle by Seebee

LO Credits: Polaroid My Memories Suite Magical Memories Kit

LO Credits: Motor Mania by Britt-ish Designs

LO Credits: Toy Sherriff by Britt-ish Designs

Andrew’s most favorite attraction at MK- we spent WAY too much time here!

LO Credits: Space Ranger by Britt-ish Designs

Our very last night at Disney we went back to MK to see Wishes. It was a great way to end our trip. I want to try and do the same thing this time!

LO Credits: My Favourite Castle by Roaming Scrapper


We did lots at Magic Kingdom but we still missed a few things this time around…Here’s what I’m hoping to fit into this trip…

All the above that we loved last time!

PLUS these few things that we missed:

Philharmagic- it was closed for refurbishment last January. I was so bummed. I’m REALLY hoping it’s open this time!
Liberty Square River Boat- DD was doing this every time we were near it

LO Credits: Polaroid My Memories Suite Magical Memories Kit
Tom Sawyer Island- DD was napping again

 

[MomsOf2boys]

I love looking at all your pages. Sometimes I feel like all my pages are so very similar to each other. No one else says that but I see it.

I'm sorry you are having such a hard time at the school. Glad you were able to put them in their place!! Do you have any public charter school alternatives near you? We ended up going that route for ours and it made the so much difference. If that did not work, I was looking at homeschooling... and umm... well, I wasn't a teacher so it might not have been the best decision I ever made.

 

[Northern Disney Girl]

Awww, Kim Gosh that sucks so much that you are having such a rough time with school! I can now understand why their is such a high rate of homeschooling in the states! That many kids in a class? THAT IS ABSOLUTELY NUTS Our school boards AND schools are government funded and mandated so things are a bit different here.

For the primary grades (k-3) class size is capped at 20 children! Intermediate grades (4-8) are capped at 23 and senior (HS) is capped at 30! My girls go to a smaller school in our neighbourhood and it is known around our Board as "The Island" we have 12 classrooms that hold 221 children! That includes our Special needs class! Needless to say - We our school! Great administration and the teachers are all GREAT! Last year and this year we have an ALL female staff!

I really hope that for Andrew and you guys too that things start to get MUCH better! What a great opportunity though to reinforce morals and values in your son! Way to go! You are a great mom!

 

[Momof2Disneyboys]

Glad to hear you got things squared away at the school. Hopefully things will improve each day. It sounds like that teacher really has her hands full with some rowdy kids. They really should give her a full time aide.

Love the MK pictures! I bet you are getting so excited!!