"Having a GRAND time - The Official GF Chat Thread"

[Tinker*Shell*Bell]

This happened to us one time when we were in Orlando several years ago. With no warning, Kiwi airlines folded, and we had to be rebooked. I've never heard of Skybus. Is it a regional airline?

Skybus was a super cheap fly-by-night operation to begin with. Their business model was "every plane will have $10 seats" Now, not all seats were $10, luck of being first to book could get you $10 seats. Then the prices went to $50, $70 $90 and maybe higher. Their filghts were often at inconvienent times and to out of the way airports...but that is no reason to strand people.
They flew on a shoestring budget and charged for every little thing they could think of...but that is still no excuse.

Allegiant switches airports and they give a few months notice, they refund people or rebook them to another allegiant airport...but they do not just close up and head home. And that does not make me like Allegiant, just...if one crappy airline can do right, why can't others?

 

[Lives4Disney]

Good morning ladies.....

Dawn a friend of mine chose to go to Chicago overnight for a mini museum vacation trip over spring break and she said the crowds were horrendous. She stayed down in Embassy Suites and said there were over 1200 people having bfast there and a girl passed out while waiting in line, lol, from hunger!!!! It was a zoo and she wouldn't do it again....the museum shows were sold out and the line was like Ohare's security lines.

I haven't heard about Skybus either. Honestly haven't heard a peep about ATA until that bad news about them just shutting down. That is horrible for the employees and the travelers. I think we flew them once.

It's soccer season. Just sent DH to Jojo's practice. Ahhh quiet time.

I am realy miffed about something so sorry for the vent.... ....
This happened Wednesday, but it's developed... Lucy is a STRAIGHT A to A+ student ALWAYS has been....until this ONE teacher she has for LA and SS (which are actually Lucy's strongest subjects) decided to give her a C and C+ (she got A and A+ last semester from this same teacher).....well I was mad at Lucy thinking she slacked etc. and how it's so unlike her, and I am disappointed in her......I have 3 kids and they are all so different, but I expect a certain level out of each one. So, I told Lucy to talk to this teacher and find out WHY her grade dropped 2 grades with no comment on the report card or notice during the grading period or anything. Here she (and we) thuoght she was doing fine only to be surprised by this report card.

So Thursday, Lucy goes to class prepared to ask the teacher what happened with her grade. Before she even gets the chance, the teacher says to the whole class, "I don't want parents emailing me or calling me. Cs are passing grades"...yada yada. So that kind of took the wind out of Lucy's sails & she ddin't talk to her...Well she told me this and I am MAD. Any teacher that's going to dump a kid's grade down 2 levels without explanantion is full of it. So I told her YOU better talk to her in private about this Friday or Mon morning I will be calilng the principal because if SHE doesn't want to be bothered by parents, HE sure will be.

Friday, she talked to the teacher after school. Well, she said, "I sent home a sheet with everybody about missing assignments".....Lucy said she was only missing 1 on that "sheet". And that made her nervous but she had no idea what/where it was. BUT this teacher said her grade dropped due to 4 missing. THAT is SO not Lucy. She is organized and neurotic about her work. (I could believe it of my other two, haha...but Lucy is an overachiever kid) Of course the teacher can't tell her what she's missing only that in her book it's marked missing. Great. She told Lucy what's done is done and it can't be changed. OK so that's that. Something about this thing just bugs me. I think it's garbage. Suppose the TEACHER misplaced the work. Or she mismarked her book. This is a class of accelerated kids and she gave them all Cs seemingly because she felt like it. So, Lucy is no longer eligable for a "High Honor Roll" award because these Cs brought her down to reg honor roll....oh get this - on her report card it was printed HIGH HONOR ROLL....and "HIGH" was crossed out in purple marker and her grade avge was refigured in pen. How professional. The teacher doesn't EVER send home homework, either. It's all in class stuff and Lucy said she doesn't even clearly state what's to be turned in for credit or to be saved in their binders for reference. THAT is something I told her to definitely talk to w/this lady on Monday about. Obviously for the teacher to make that statement about not wanting to deal w/parents means Lucy's not the only one in this situation. The whole class got Cs dumped on them.

Unfortunately I have a very low opinion of teachers these days. Sorry if somebody here is a teacher but we have had some doosies. We live in what's supposed to be a super school district, but I am not seeing it a majority of the time. This is just the latest.... Mostly my son has had the trouble with them. Lucy has never had any because she's miss perfect but this just seems so odd. AND this lady is working toward becoming a "Master Teacher" whatever that means. ugh.

Oh...actually the LATEST is that I found out Wednesday morning after me questionning & emailing the teachers for 2 years about my concerns with Jojo's reading progress that Jojo has a form of dyslexia and some working memory issues. I am fine with it because I KNEW IT & at last she'll get the help she needs. (We have been paying for outside tutoring twice a week all year) Everything the lady told me was spot on with what I have been thinking for about 3 yrs. THEY FINALLY CAME AROUND to testing her and found a lot of issues. Well, no duh. Now Jojo is almost in 3rd grade and she reads like a preschooler and cannot write her way out of a paper bag. I am so torked at our school system....and then I find out her teacher is a "reading coach" and she didn't catch this, even with me breathing down her neck with worries. I had to take it to the principal because the teachers just weren't "seeing it" (despite having to read her math homework to her and her tests to her and Jojo is almost 8.5 yrs old and very bright otherwise) - just wish I did sooner.

Sorry for the long vent and I am sure I left out details too.

 

[Lives4Disney]

OK. After that lovely grump I need to lighten things up a bit.....

Jose around the World.....


Jose is a "Pig"....he was born in 2007. The little description said he makes a "splendid companion" and we got a kick out of that.

He LOVED the wine in Italy and didn't want to leave.....

On to the American Pavillion.....we didn't watch the show because Jose really thinks it's boring and we didn't want to listen to him griping during it....

Japan had some beautiful bonsai trees and gardens esp for this Flower & Garden fest.....

Here is is in Morroco...I think he really enjoyed Morroco. Lots of fun for a little guy. (insert JD joke here )

After all that sitting/drinking etc. Jojo made him get a little excersise and forced him to climb around a bit.......He wasn't happy, but he did it....

 

[Tinkaroo]

Good morning ladies.....

Dawn a friend of mine chose to go to Chicago overnight for a mini museum vacation trip over spring break and she said the crowds were horrendous. She stayed down in Embassy Suites and said there were over 1200 people having bfast there and a girl passed out while waiting in line, lol, from hunger!!!! It was a zoo and she wouldn't do it again....the museum shows were sold out and the line was like Ohare's security lines.

I haven't heard about Skybus either. Honestly haven't heard a peep about ATA until that bad news about them just shutting down. That is horrible for the employees and the travelers. I think we flew them once.

It's soccer season. Just sent DH to Jojo's practice. Ahhh quiet time.

I am realy miffed about something so sorry for the vent.... ....
This happened Wednesday, but it's developed... Lucy is a STRAIGHT A to A+ student ALWAYS has been....until this ONE teacher she has for LA and SS (which are actually Lucy's strongest subjects) decided to give her a C and C+ (she got A and A+ last semester from this same teacher).....well I was mad at Lucy thinking she slacked etc. and how it's so unlike her, and I am disappointed in her......I have 3 kids and they are all so different, but I expect a certain level out of each one. So, I told Lucy to talk to this teacher and find out WHY her grade dropped 2 grades with no comment on the report card or notice during the grading period or anything. Here she (and we) thuoght she was doing fine only to be surprised by this report card.

So Thursday, Lucy goes to class prepared to ask the teacher what happened with her grade. Before she even gets the chance, the teacher says to the whole class, "I don't want parents emailing me or calling me. Cs are passing grades"...yada yada. So that kind of took the wind out of Lucy's sails & she ddin't talk to her...Well she told me this and I am MAD. Any teacher that's going to dump a kid's grade down 2 levels without explanantion is full of it. So I told her YOU better talk to her in private about this Friday or Mon morning I will be calilng the principal because if SHE doesn't want to be bothered by parents, HE sure will be.

Friday, she talked to the teacher after school. Well, she said, "I sent home a sheet with everybody about missing assignments".....Lucy said she was only missing 1 on that "sheet". And that made her nervous but she had no idea what/where it was. BUT this teacher said her grade dropped due to 4 missing. THAT is SO not Lucy. She is organized and neurotic about her work. (I could believe it of my other two, haha...but Lucy is an overachiever kid) Of course the teacher can't tell her what she's missing only that in her book it's marked missing. Great. She told Lucy what's done is done and it can't be changed. OK so that's that. Something about this thing just bugs me. I think it's garbage. Suppose the TEACHER misplaced the work. Or she mismarked her book. This is a class of accelerated kids and she gave them all Cs seemingly because she felt like it. So, Lucy is no longer eligable for a "High Honor Roll" award because these Cs brought her down to reg honor roll....oh get this - on her report card it was printed HIGH HONOR ROLL....and "HIGH" was crossed out in purple marker and her grade avge was refigured in pen. How professional. The teacher doesn't EVER send home homework, either. It's all in class stuff and Lucy said she doesn't even clearly state what's to be turned in for credit or to be saved in their binders for reference. THAT is something I told her to definitely talk to w/this lady on Monday about. Obviously for the teacher to make that statement about not wanting to deal w/parents means Lucy's not the only one in this situation. The whole class got Cs dumped on them.

Unfortunately I have a very low opinion of teachers these days. Sorry if somebody here is a teacher but we have had some doosies. We live in what's supposed to be a super school district, but I am not seeing it a majority of the time. This is just the latest.... Mostly my son has had the trouble with them. Lucy has never had any because she's miss perfect but this just seems so odd. AND this lady is working toward becoming a "Master Teacher" whatever that means. ugh.

Oh...actually the LATEST is that I found out Wednesday morning after me questionning & emailing the teachers for 2 years about my concerns with Jojo's reading progress that Jojo has a form of dyslexia and some working memory issues. I am fine with it because I KNEW IT & at last she'll get the help she needs. (We have been paying for outside tutoring twice a week all year) Everything the lady told me was spot on with what I have been thinking for about 3 yrs. THEY FINALLY CAME AROUND to testing her and found a lot of issues. Well, no duh. Now Jojo is almost in 3rd grade and she reads like a preschooler and cannot write her way out of a paper bag. I am so torked at our school system....and then I find out her teacher is a "reading coach" and she didn't catch this, even with me breathing down her neck with worries. I had to take it to the principal because the teachers just weren't "seeing it" (despite having to read her math homework to her and her tests to her and Jojo is almost 8.5 yrs old and very bright otherwise) - just wish I did sooner.

Sorry for the long vent and I am sure I left out details too.

Channing - so sorry to hear about all this!

It certainly sounds like Lucy's teacher almost woke up one morning in a bad mood, and decided to make her student's lives miserable! From her comment, it certainly sounds like Lucy is not the only one in this situation. What grade is she in? Whatever grade it is, though - this isn't college - teachers shouldn't be grading on a curve!

If I were you, I'd probably ask for either a meeting with the teacher, and then if she won't comply, go to the principal. If nothing else, it sounds like her communication skills/setting expectations of her student is lacking, and the students shouldn't have to bare the burden of those deficiencies on her part. She needs to clearly define what is expected of them to achieve certain grades, what is being counted, etc. That doesn't seem unreasonable to me.

I would probably approach it more as "we want to make sure this doesn't happen again" to just sheer anger over the grades this marking period. If the principal has to get involved, maybe he will see all this erratic behavior on her part, and it can be HIS decision to tell her she needs to readjust.

I had a psycho algebra teacher in the 7th grade, that pulled similar stunts. It basically boiled down to that she was old, didn't like teaching any more, and just decided to make everyone else miserable around her. Her teaching skills were nonexistent, she yelled at the class, her grading was erratic, tests were out of left-field, etc. In the end, the parents all got involved, had the principal get involved, too, and she was "supervised" the rest of the year, and then was forced to retire.

Good luck! I'm sorry to hear about JoJo, too - that does seem a bit inexcusable that they didn't find her issues earlier, too. Hang in there, mom!

 

[Lives4Disney]

Here he is in France......

Jojo made a mask but Jose wanted it.....

On to Merry Old England......

Oh boy....Jose LOVES to talk on the phone, so when he spotted these he really wanted to call his friends......we can't give him his own cell phone or we'd have the same trouble that we do with DS17 and the high bills......

He could talk for HOURS.....

He had some trouble with the door.....

Last stop, Canada.....We didn't even stop to shop or anything....we were all tired and it got super crowded. I had to force the kids to let me take this one pic. Jose had a temper tantrum and didn't care who was looking - and everybody was, haha....but we bribed him with a ride on Spaceship Earth if he'd pull it together and take one more pic. Took this pic and moved on.

 

[irisbud]

Channing, I don't have any children yet, obviously, but as a student myself I have encountered similar situations as what you described.

I think it is inexcusable for the teacher to behave in this manner. My mother is a teacher, and I know that she keeps a log in her gradebook that shows what assignments are missing from each student. If this teacher dosen't know what assignments are missing even, how can she possibly do accurate grading, since each assignment is usually worth a different amount of points?!?

I actually just had this happen to me last semester. I had all "A" work (aside from one assignment) and when I figured my grade it was a 95% (90 or above for an A in this class). Imagine my shock when I had a "B" on my grade report! I had had problems with this teacher all semester. for one assignment, he pointed out my answer and told the class that this was a model answer and they should all complete their work in this manner, blah, blah, blah. When I got the grade, it was a C! I approached him as "I want to understand what happened here so that it dosen't happen again" so he wouldn't get defensive. He never answered me directly, but it never happened again. I guess he knew I was paying attenition then, I don't know?

When I recieved the incorrect semester grade he ignored my concern again so I went to the Dean with evidence of my actual grades (a printed sheet showing all my grades, copies of assignments, etc. I din't have them all (bad me), but it was enough for him to see the quality of my work and take my past record into account. Within two days my grade was an A as it should have been. Again, when I approached the Dean I made it very clear that I was not looking for a handout of a grade that I did not deserve. I simply wished that my grade report be an accurate reflection of the grade that I earned. It sounds as though this is similar to Lucy's situation.

The point that this long story has been leading too (sorry for rambling) is that I would approach this in the same manner, forst with Lucy's teacher and then with the principal if necessary. I would tell the teacher that if Lucy truly earned a C then you want to prevent it from happening again. However, if Lucy earned a superior grade then you expect as much to be reflected in her grade report, as any less is unfair. Ask to see the gradebook. If she saya there are four missing assignments, ask to be shown which ones they are. If she cannot produce this information politely ask how she can expect to create an accurate grade report. Tell the principal your concerns and the exact happenings if it comes to that. If it all is done in a calm and rational manner you will hopefully see a poitive outcome!

As for them missing JoJos problem, that is really inexcusable. A competent teacher should be able to tell when there is a fairly obvious problem and should have ordered tests accordingly. This would have saved her a lot of struggling and would have put her ahead.

I think I might homeschool my children when I have them, lol.

Good luck!

ETA: I wanted to add that, I know this sounds paranoid, but you may want to consider keeping copies of all work (with grades) at least through the end of each final grading period (ie a semester) before discarding it. You can use it as hard evidence should you ever have another dispute. I know I will be doing this from now on!

 

[Alicnwondrln]

Chan I would demanding a conference with the teacher who gave her a C.
As for JOJO my son ANty has a speech delay and he gets speech therapy now and I expect him to get more help and get into the preschool soon. I have been chasing them around to get stuff done. WE have an other evaluation coming up in may.

 

[grannyminnie]

Channing, I know you didn't ask for advice re:Lucy's grades, but something is not right and I agree with a couple of others who've mentioned that you should request a conference. For sure with the teacher, and maybe with the principal too! I don't like it when kids get jerked around by teachers who all of a sudden decide to "punish" the whole class. Just my 2 cents...

Oh, and these Jose pix just crack me up!!! Such a cute narrative!

 

[WishesQueen]

First of all Jose is adorable, but most of all I Jojo climbing with that beautiful skirt on (you go girl). Nothing not even a skirt is going to stop her from a good time!!

Secondly, Like Grannieminnie said you didn't ask for advice but honestly that teacher needs to specifically tell Lucy whats she missing and if she doesn't keep a specific account of work on a log then the teacher is the one thats going to figure out the grades with what she can PROVE. Just because she's a teacher it doesn't make her right!! IMO, I have learned to start out really sweet and nice, let them let you in, then after you heard everything, let her have it and make sure that the principal is there. Nothing could be misinterpreted or mistaken, besides wouldn't you like to hear what the principals thinks?

Last but not least, this will help it from not happening again. I find that teachers like this think have a power struggle attitude and continue to dictate. You are right anyone who has the power to drop a childs grade by 2 levels needs to explain or should want to explain why????? She also has some nerve that she doesn't want to talk to parents, I thought that as parents we should be involved in our childrens education and life.

You got me so upset!!! I am going to visit the GF photo thread to relax!!!

 

[vbarry]

GOOD AFTERNOON EVERYONE! It is a beaufitul day in Central Illinois! FINALLY!

Channing- I have had several of my friends lately who have commented that they are having problems with their children's teacher. The main thing I have heard over and over is that the teacher is getting their Master's Degree and does not have enough time to prepare her class. We just went on a cruise with some friends who took their daughter out of school for a few days. My friend asked the teacher to get her homework before so she could have it done and turned in. The teacher said No...without any excuses. A few days later we were talking to the Special Ed teacher at the school and just mentioned this. She said the reason that she said "No" was not to punish the child...it was because she was getting her Master's Degree and had not planned the next week. Now come on!

I would definately ask to speak to the teacher. They are not there to make sure they suceed...they are there to make sure our children do!! It sounds like you know for certain that she got these assignments turned in. I think we as parents know the personality of our children. My oldest would not think of not turning in her homework. I would definately complain. If she went from an A to a B that is one thing but to drop two letter grades seems pretty drastic!

Good luck!

 

[smcinerney]

Hi Channing

Sorry to hear what you are going thru and especially Lucy! She sounds like a child who probably has loved school up to now - I do hope this doesn't change her outlook!!

I am a teacher and feel this teacher owes you and Lucy a complete explanation. I feel very strongly about what I do and NEVER take for granted how what I do and say each day effects every child I come in contact with. Sadly, like in every part of our lives, we come across people who make good and bad choices.

As many here have said, I strongly suggest scheduling a meeting with the teacher. If Lucy is up for it, she should join you. (Getting her side with the teacher right there would be helpful.) If they teacher fails to do this, or even if you meet and don't feel satisfied - take the next step and meet with her guidance counselor or principal. (Not sure of your school's procedures - here Guidance is the next step after teacher at the middle school.)

Obviously the teacher knew she had goofed by making the statement of "parents not calling". If she didn't want (couldn't) justify the grade - she shouldn't have put it on the report card!

I have to jump in about teachers giving work for vacations. I hear about many teachers who give students a hard time. I give very little work (if any) - but send them off with a smile - enjoy!! I think the experience they get (and who better to teach energy than Ellen D at EPCOT!!) is immeasurable. In fact my last trip overlapped with one of my students. As her mom explained to me how sorry she was to take her out of school, I was reassuring her it was no problem and had a big smile on my face. I told her I COMPLETELY understood. Little did she know - we were maybe going to cross paths!! I really couldn't say I was going as my district frowns on teachers taking days other than sick days. Hey - I don't want to fight the crowds either!! I chose my sub well, prepared lessons and left my students in good hands!

So - I do hope this works out - but I REALLY hope Lucy is able to realize this is one teacher who made a mistake. I feel blessed to go to work each day and do something I love. Please remind Lucy she has many years ahead. There will be good and bad(sorry). Hey - maybe Lucy will want to be a teacher one day knowing what a difference she can make!

Hope this helps!

 

[tinklvr64]

Ok Channing here is my 2 cents for what its worth...I have worked in a school for the last 10years as the principal's secretary and for the last 5 1/2 have been working on getting my teaching degree. So I guess I know a little bit-plus my oldest has had a speech/lang, reading, learning disablility since he was 2 (now 16) so I also know ALOT about sped. Here goes...

First off, that teacher was completely WRONG in how she handled any questions about grades. If there was a concern a student and parent have the right to question what and why there was a drop in a grade (especially 2 full grades) As far as what assignments were missing, doesn't she keep records?? Something is fishy! Our district has an online system for checking in on grades all through the quarter...so when my guys are missing assignments we check on it right away. This is a really good system they just put in place last school year. Next year we will not even be getting hard copy report cards!------Does your school system have progress reports? If so, how was Lucy's grades then? Maybe you could pinpoint the timeframe. If it was me I would take Lucy out of the equation (really schooly ) and call that teacher immediately and ask to see a break down of all the grades and how it was computed. If you do not hear from her within 24 hrs, go immediately to the Principal and ask to have a meeting. Believe me sometimes you just need to go up the chain of command. Teachers do make mistakes and misplace assignments, so they also need to be accountable. I have had this same thing happen to my son in a health class in 7th grade...she couldnt find where his assignment went and dropped from a B to a D. Unacceptable since he also gets modifications due to his disability. She did change the grade back to a B since his support teacher was the that misplaced the assignment (at that point I didn't care, just figure it out 'cause he did the work). You know as in anything, one bad apple spoils it. And this is the case with that teacher. Many of my friends are teachers and they really go out of their way to do everything they can for the kids, because that's what it is all about in teaching!

Second about JoJo, I would demand she is tested by the school administration (special education department) That is your legal right as a parent in a public school. Also, you should never have to pay for tutoring, especially if you suspect there is a concern. Have you had a formal meeting yet with all of the specialists? I will PM you about other things to do since some of it gets a little private, plus I get crazy about special education. I have had to make sure I am up on every single thing with my son for the last 13 years. In reality I am his only advocate...just remember that about JoJo.

I also agree with Amy about saving all assignments...I do with all of my college papers and make my sons save theirs until we all get our grades just in case something is not right.

Okay sorry to be so long. Let me know if you want me to PM you later if you want more info on SpEd.
Dawn
(if i think of more i will let you know)

 

[tinklvr64]

Hi Channing

Sorry to hear what you are going thru and especially Lucy! She sounds like a child who probably has loved school up to now - I do hope this doesn't change her outlook!!

I am a teacher and feel this teacher owes you and Lucy a complete explanation. I feel very strongly about what I do and NEVER take for granted how what I do and say each day effects every child I come in contact with. Sadly, like in every part of our lives, we come across people who make good and bad choices.

As many here have said, I strongly suggest scheduling a meeting with the teacher. If Lucy is up for it, she should join you. (Getting her side with the teacher right there would be helpful.) If they teacher fails to do this, or even if you meet and don't feel satisfied - take the next step and meet with her guidance counselor or principal. (Not sure of your school's procedures - here Guidance is the next step after teacher at the middle school.)

Obviously the teacher knew she had goofed by making the statement of "parents not calling". If she didn't want (couldn't) justify the grade - she shouldn't have put it on the report card!

I have to jump in about teachers giving work for vacations. I hear about many teachers who give students a hard time. I give very little work (if any) - but send them off with a smile - enjoy!! I think the experience they get (and who better to teach energy than Ellen D at EPCOT!!) is immeasurable. In fact my last trip overlapped with one of my students. As her mom explained to me how sorry she was to take her out of school, I was reassuring her it was no problem and had a big smile on my face. I told her I COMPLETELY understood. Little did she know - we were maybe going to cross paths!! I really couldn't say I was going as my district frowns on teachers taking days other than sick days. Hey - I don't want to fight the crowds either!! I chose my sub well, prepared lessons and left my students in good hands!

So - I do hope this works out - but I REALLY hope Lucy is able to realize this is one teacher who made a mistake. I feel blessed to go to work each day and do something I love. Please remind Lucy she has many years ahead. There will be good and bad(sorry). Hey - maybe Lucy will want to be a teacher one day knowing what a difference she can make!

Hope this helps!

I was in the processing of posting and didn't read yours before posting...You are correct about homework and vacation. Although around here the parents are p.o.ed if you dont give them 2 tons to do while on vacation. When are they really going to be able to do it???? Or is it so they dont feel guilty and think they are going to look bad?? I realize when you get to HS things are a little different, but really what cant be made up in elementary??

PS I cant wait to get my own classroom I will student teach in the fall, and hopefully I can get something by the next school year! ( grades k-5) I am thinking of getting a masters in SPED, because of what I have encountered with my son and situations just like Channing is experiencing.
Dawn

 

[Lives4Disney]

Thank you guys so much for the posts. You really just confirmed what I was feeling. Something is just not right here. If it were my son or even Jojo, no big deal & yep they probably dropped the ball and lost the work/didn't turn it in.. ...but Lucy is not one to miss assignments or let things go. She has NEVER missed any work before. She is a teacher's dream student. I forgot about the midterms....I am going to see what I can discover about that!!! It just might be online...the HS has that stuff on line, not sure about the MS.

I think I will email the teacher. I feel more comfortable approaching it that way - I don't like to be confrontational AT ALL....how you guys said it - bring it up as "How can I keep this from happening again?" is exactly how I wanted Lucy to ask her and I thought maybe the teacher would get the picture that Lucy herself IS concerned and clueless about what happened. Dropping TWO grades is a big deal and to not know how/why is,too..... The teacher really didn't show anything solid regarding any of this and she told Lucy it's a done deal which makes me think she just might have made errors and doesn't want to deal with fixing it.....another thing - Lucy is legally blind and she gets special services (FABULOUS services actually from WONDERFUL ladies that reallyt take care of her needs - so I have this blind girl learning Braille before school 4X/week, having mobility training, and in accellerated classes & trying soooo hard.....she is awesome) but Lucy has to learn to advocate for herself it seems - so we are also learning a lesson from this situation that way......a lot of the SS unit was maps and marking maps. Well, as you can imagine, that's kind of tough for a blind kid, lol....Not sure where the ball got dropped on this or if Lucy didn't speak up but she had a lot of difficulty with that unit. Usually the sp ed itinerant has larger maps or such for her, but that didn't happen this time around. I don't know if there was a lack of comm betwn the teacher and the itinerant, too.....maybe the teacher is too busy to coordinate that, too....I agree - TOO BUSY is what I thought about the whole thing - too busy to accurately assess and grade and make corrections. It seems to be not a big deal to her, but she doesn't get it - it's a big deal to these hardworking kids.

Oh.....Dawn...I have had so many years of issues with sped. My DS17 has ADHD and we actually filed a complaint last year against his HS re his IEP with ISBE and the HS had 7 violations. They are better this year but still pretty lame-o. They have no understanding of executive functioning issues and accomodations that are appropriate for that. The countdown to getting him outa there is on.

Actually with Jojo I have mentioned reading concerns since the beginning of 1st grade. The teacher marked her 'at" and "above" level on her report card last yr!!!!! So I felt like maybe I was wrong & being overly worried.... Things didn't improve over summer, I spoke up day 1 re my concerns this year on the "Let me get to know your student" questionnaire - never heard any follow up comment from the teacher......at Nov conferences, per my request, they were going to put her in a special recovery reading group - guess what!?!?!?! There was only room for 4 and she was the 5th worst so she didn't get in!!!!! THAT BLEW MY MIND....so I emailed the teacher that IMO that is unacceptable, she got huffy with me and said she'd share my concerns with the p pal (like she'd show me)....GREAT because I KNOW that principal would move things along and boom - that afternoon I got a call and the procedures were moving along to get Jojo tested.....turns out she has the problems I feared. I have the meeting Wed 4/8 to determine IEP etc. for next fall. I am glad but a bit put out that the teachers didn't agree that there were problems. MOMS KNOW. I have found that out big time - starting with DS and then with Lucy that I had to take to 3 Docs before they found her retinal problem!!!!!

Thanks for all the advice!!!! You guys are great!

Channing

 

[smcinerney]

Dawn

How exciting for you!! I can't tell you how rewarding teaching is. I had taught before kids and then was lucky enough to stay at home after I started making the babies!! I went back to teaching after a ten year gap and was so worried how I would do since so much time had passed (also going thru divorce at the time didn't help) - but now looking back I think the "mommy" thing had made me more understanding of the parents perspective. I love the kids (I teach 4th grade inclusion - I am the regular ed teacher and I team teach with a special ed teacher) Together we have a class of 29 - kinda high - we usually have numbers closer to 27 - but we have two classrooms connected by a door so we can easily flow back and forth. We do function as one class for as much of the day as we can - breaking into smaller groups when stronger support is needed.

This is a great age - they are still young enough to love their teachers and think we are "cool" yet old enough to develop a great sense of humor. We laugh a lot and have a good time. (AND sneak in learning when they aren't looking )

Best of luck - follow your heart as to what area you pursue.
Suzy

 

[irisbud]

Dawn,

Good for you to go back and finish school. My mom has been teaching for 30 years now, and says that the schools need good quality teachers more than ever, ESPECIALLY in special ed., as there is more need than ever for these services. It sounds like you have a unique persepective, especially in that area, and will make a wonderful teacher.

Channing,
Lucy sounds like a very special girl, and I mean that in a very positive way. : What you have said about her and her achievements is very moving and inspiring.

 

[tinklvr64]

Oh.....Dawn...I have had so many years of issues with sped. My DS17 has ADHD and we actually filed a complaint last year against his HS re his IEP with ISBE and the HS had 7 violations. They are better this year but still pretty lame-o. They have no understanding of executive functioning issues and accomodations that are appropriate for that. The countdown to getting him outa there is on.

Channing good!!! I am glad you already know all the IEP stuff!! then you totally know what I am saying! Isn't it crazy that we have to fight for every single thing for our kids who are entitled? My son last yr was up for 3yr reeval and they were not going to reissue services...so I said nope Im not signing I will go to due process with the district. Well, when they saw I wasnt backing off they decided to give in a little, then I said I wanted him tested in reading (which he was in a remedial reading group all ms & 9th gr), psych specialist got mad but they had to test because I requested it and guess what he totally qualified for services! You know its not like I am asking for anything special for him, but just help him where he needs it most. We do alot here too for him.

Also, my nephew is legally blind since birth (25yrs old now) retinitis pigmentosa He made it all through hs and college and now is studying to be a lawyer! He is really self sufficient since going to college and does so many things I am amazed. Like getting on a train to downtown Chicago all by himself! I hate doing that! He doesn't have a seeing eye dog yet (he doesn't want to get too attached) but does use a cane. Lucy sounds like she is amazing too!


Thanks to all of you with the kind words on getting my teaching degree! One last night with my cohort on Weds and then 1 class this summer and I am DONE writing papers for awhile. Whew I am burned out!
This is a nice group of supportive GF friends!

 

[tinklvr64]

Dawn

How exciting for you!! I can't tell you how rewarding teaching is. I had taught before kids and then was lucky enough to stay at home after I started making the babies!! I went back to teaching after a ten year gap and was so worried how I would do since so much time had passed (also going thru divorce at the time didn't help) - but now looking back I think the "mommy" thing had made me more understanding of the parents perspective. I love the kids (I teach 4th grade inclusion - I am the regular ed teacher and I team teach with a special ed teacher) Together we have a class of 29 - kinda high - we usually have numbers closer to 27 - but we have two classrooms connected by a door so we can easily flow back and forth. We do function as one class for as much of the day as we can - breaking into smaller groups when stronger support is needed.

This is a great age - they are still young enough to love their teachers and think we are "cool" yet old enough to develop a great sense of humor. We laugh a lot and have a good time. (AND sneak in learning when they aren't looking )

Best of luck - follow your heart as to what area you pursue.
Suzy

Suzy you are right about when you have a mom perspective when teaching! Some of our younger, no baby teachers really dont have the compassion, and softness you need at times with kids. We have a few moms who also like you stayed home for awhile with their kids then came back, and said they also had a different perspective!

I am going to be student teaching in 5th grade this fall...ooh when I think of it I get scared and excited at the same time!

 

[Lives4Disney]

Channing good!!! I am glad you already know all the IEP stuff!! then you totally know what I am saying! Isn't it crazy that we have to fight for every single thing for our kids who are entitled? My son last yr was up for 3yr reeval and they were not going to reissue services...so I said nope Im not signing I will go to due process with the district. Well, when they saw I wasnt backing off they decided to give in a little, then I said I wanted him tested in reading (which he was in a remedial reading group all ms & 9th gr), psych specialist got mad but they had to test because I requested it and guess what he totally qualified for services! You know its not like I am asking for anything special for him, but just help him where he needs it most. We do alot here too for him.

Also, my nephew is legally blind since birth (25yrs old now) retinitis pigmentosa He made it all through hs and college and now is studying to be a lawyer! He is really self sufficient since going to college and does so many things I am amazed. Like getting on a train to downtown Chicago all by himself! I hate doing that! He doesn't have a seeing eye dog yet (he doesn't want to get too attached) but does use a cane. Lucy sounds like she is amazing too!


Thanks to all of you with the kind words on getting my teaching degree! One last night with my cohort on Weds and then 1 class this summer and I am DONE writing papers for awhile. Whew I am burned out!
This is a nice group of supportive GF friends!

DAWN!!! OMG>....Lucy has RP!!! I couldn't believe it when I read this in your post!!!!!!! She was diagnosed at age 6, but I had feelings that something was just not quite right since she was 2 yrs old. We see a wonderful dr at UIC!!!! I love hearing positive stories about people with RP. This was devastating to us. We don't know anybody else with any visual disabilities so it seemed like the end of our world to get this diagnosis. Lucy is undescribably awesome.

Oh...it gets so hard having to constantly battle. The battle wears ya down. With Lucy it has been easy - low to no battles - because she is a super kid, but with DS17 and the ADHD, which is so abstract to people it's been a long rough ride. He is super smart, not hyper, but very spacey and easily bored/distracted/disorganized and it appears as laziness. (at this point it is partly lazy and attitude because he has been so let down by the school system) Now with Jojo entering this Sp ed world, I think I will just have to really stay ontop of things....she is sooo cute and sooo sweet I think teachers really like her and that should work for her, too. BUT I know I need to be a watchdog.

I wish you all the best with your teaching. We need more great teachers out there.

Channing

 

[Alicnwondrln]

evening ladies
I have to say its tough sometimes with the school. Last year Shawn has this awesome teacher who emailed me all the time. This year my emails take much to long to be answered. As for Anty he needs more speech therapy but where I live its based on needs and income. We make to much money to be in the program and now its a lottery. I FINALLY have them coming in May to do a new evaluation. I am sure Anty will qualify for the help and then they will have to let him in. the whole process is annoying.