Well, I work so I have to have some place for the kiddos to go during the day in the summer. The summer school program here is free, and 80% of it will be fun, outdoor rec, field trips, cooking foods, etc. My kids LOVE the program - so I don't feel bad for placing them there - they really want to go. They get to do a whole lot more stuff there than they would at a babysitter, which would be my other option.
Frankly I haven't had any trouble with the school until this one teacher, and after talking to her, I really don't feel it will be an issue of attitude and such. Believe me when I say I will be keeping a very close eye on it - and if it is a problem I will pull him - even if he has to go to a babysitter.
Thanks for your responses. =)
Then keep pushing if it works, I totally GET doing what works for you. I also have to work and am glad we even have options.I work FT too, but there are lots of full day summer camps in town. They cost of course.
You might want to really question your son on his interactions with the teacher so you get as clear a picture as you can on the message, verbal and non-verbal, that she conveys and how he feels about it.
My son went to a gymnastics camp last year. Full day. This one barely-adult counselor kept complaining about the mildest things (in the ADHD world, that is). Like not immediately following his instructions. I gave him my "uh-huh" response and contemplated his ignorance. My son said nothing and he stayed in the camp for the entire summer. Only last month did he tell me that the male counselor in question was very mean to him on a regular basis, and even gave me examples.
These days if someone keeps railing to me about behaviors that just don't rate, I get my kid away from the whining adult. And I always get the "what a relief" response from my child.
Jessica N39611.910474537I'm sooo happy you had a good meeting and I'm totally impressed that the teacher apologized for her behavior! I hope it all continues to go well. It sounds like you have a school/principal that is on top of things and wants to help your son. That is awesome!Summer school started Monday. Here in my district it is free and more of a fun kind of thing than regular school. They still work in academics, but in a more fun way - like teaching math through cooking, etc.
Anyway, it's only been 2 days, and my son has been in trouble for both of them. Day one, he threw a pencil at someone, and he was also defiant with the teacher. Example when they were going to the lunch room, he said he didn't want to go and sat down on the floor and refused to go. The teacher and I talked about it the morning of Day 2, and I talked to him about it, and how the teacher is in charge and he must do what she says etc. She said to me then that she was going to start sending him to the office because it wasn't fair to have to deal with him and the other kids - etc. I got the distinct impression that what she was really saying was that she wasn't going to "deal" with this in her classroom. But, I tried to pass it off as that she didn't know me, or him, and give her the benefit of the doubt.
Yesterday he came home with a note from the principals office. He was twirling his soft side lunch box on his arm, and accidentally hit JB with it. He was sent to the "safe seat" for the infraction and the teacher took the lunchbox from him. He does this weird thing with his arms when you take something from him, like he is trying to get it back - kind of flapping them up and down. This teacher wrote on the paper that he tried to get it back by "slapping at her" - which is ludacris. I know what motion she is talking about and it certainly isn't slapping - and it wasn't directed at her, it is just a weird arm thing that he does. She then sent him to the office, which upset him and he threw a fit. She had another teacher come and physically restrain him, and take him to the office.
When he arrived at the office, they had him calm down by reading a book, then the principal talked to him about safety first, and that the teachers are in charge. He then went back to his classroom and was fine the rest of the day.
I took away his computer time and made him write some sentences last night - I will do what the teacher says, and I will not hurt others.
When I took my ds in this morning, the teachers first words to him were "what kind of day are we going to have today?" We gave her the signed note from yesterdays incident, and the sentences I made him write. She then says to me that she talked to his Kindergarten teacher from last year about him and was told that he was on medication. I said yes, he was. She asked me if he was taking it, because she knew some parents stopped for the summer. I advised her he WAS taking his meds every day. She looked at me - clearly not believing me - and said "I can't believe that child is on any kind of medication" and then asked me if we had reviewed his dosage. I advised her that we just upped his dosage right before the end of the school year. She looked at me like I was lying and said to my son that if he didn't straighten up his behavior he wasn't going to be able to go to summer school.
This is day 3 of summer school. And it is my opinion that this woman clearly does not know how to handle any child that is not a model of perfection. I think she is overreacting, and has labeled my son already. I feel like she is just looking for him to mess up so she can get him out of her classroom.
I have a meeting with the principal at 1:15 today to discuss it all and I am thinking of asking her to move him to a different classroom. Am I over reacting? I just feel like the summer is going to be miserable for my son and for this teacher if he stays in her class. What do you all think?
gatorsmom39610.5909606482
If he was "fine" at the end of the school year and is now (a few days later) a "problem" I think it is most likely the teacher. We had a similar situation this school year. Definitely talk to the principal and get you DS moved if possible. The teacher he has now will only destroy his self-esteem, make it harder for him to have friends and cause other problems for your son. Unfortunately many teahers just don't "get it". Also, since this is summer school and is supposed to be fun, she may have signed up to work wanting to make some "easy" summer money (ie. thinking that she doesn't have to deal with children that need extra "help" the way she has to during the school year.).
Good luck!
I am not sure as this is all new too me but my friend who has a son with adhd and dyslexia says that it is illegal for any teacher to talk to you about the medication dosage or to even suggest that a child be put on meds as that is acting as a Dr and therefore practicing without a license which might have been pointed out to her which is why she was so genuinely sorry so if this is true you might what to point that out to her that you know this and you will be amazed at how much more helpful she might be but I would check it's right first [QUOTE=Jessica N], I'm not sure that an ego pounding year-long with no break is the way to go. Your child will probably get some attitude -- the kind that you don't hear about until the year is over -- the looks, the tone of voice, etc -- the "everyone else is better than you" message will shine through crystal clear. Going to the principal's office for a lecture is not suppose to be a possibility during summer. Summer is suppose to be fun. Fun, Fun, Fun. Field trips, swimming, games, new friends, dancing, cooking, vacations, etc. Being sent to the principal's office is not on the agenda of possibilities. And, don't YOU need a break?? Heck, even with the real principal putting the teacher in line, I'd bail. But why be in the situation where you need a principal to make sure your child is treated fairly and with respect? And how dare she question your parental decisions and honesty after 3 days? I don't know about everyone else, but I look forward to summer!!
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Gotta ditto this! I CAN'T wait until next week and summers here for the kids. Both my girls are doing school programs this summer. My oldest in transferring to her new school and my youngest is doing a program run by the OT and speech language person in our district. My older daughter will have some academics, 90% of the summer curriculum is FUN. Thye are out and about and hardly ever at the school. They do field trips and pool time and picnics and social activites. My youngest's program is also run like an extended social skills group. No worries, all leisurely.
I also NEED that break as do the girls.
A 504 is a list of accommodations. Sitting at the front of the classroom, having an extra set of workbooks, extra time on tests, less homework, etc. Anything but actual services like RSP time or 1:1 reading help, etc. Just write up a list of whatever accommodations you think your son needs.
I guess that you are more patient than I am. Summer is a break for my child and for me from school BS, snippy teacher comments and/or ignorance. Even though the principal is clearly taking control of the situation, I'm not sure that an ego pounding year-long with no break is the way to go. Your child will probably get some attitude -- the kind that you don't hear about until the year is over -- the looks, the tone of voice, etc -- the "everyone else is better than you" message will shine through crystal clear. Going to the principal's office for a lecture is not suppose to be a possibility during summer. Summer is suppose to be fun. Fun, Fun, Fun. Field trips, swimming, games, new friends, dancing, cooking, vacations, etc. Being sent to the principal's office is not on the agenda of possibilities. And, don't YOU need a break?? Heck, even with the real principal putting the teacher in line, I'd bail. But why be in the situation where you need a principal to make sure your child is treated fairly and with respect? And how dare she question your parental decisions and honesty after 3 days? I don't know about everyone else, but I look forward to summer!!
Jessica N39610.884525463UPDATE: I had my meeting with the school. The principal from the previous year, the principal for the summer, and my son's new teacher - which I wasn't expecting.
I actually feel the meeting was very productive. We talked about how my son acts, how he is in general, how he needs to be heard, and came up with a game plan on how to handle him in the classroom. We also came up with a system for the office staff to help handle him this summer so it is productive for everyone. At this point I am going to leave him in the classroom he is in and see how it goes. The teacher did apologize to me for the blunt questions this morning about his meds, and for the curt way she spoke to me. She really seemed genuinely sorry and wanted to work with my son. I appreciated that.
We also talked about next year. The "real" principal wants me to put together a list of qualities I think would make a good teacher for him next year. She said she will try and put him with a teacher next year that would be good at working with him and his learning style.
Also, she talked about a 504 plan for him for next year. Can you all help with that? What goes in a 504 plan and what kinds of things should I consider putting in there? I know many of you have already traveled this road, and any and all inputs would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks so much!