To make a long story short, my son is almost 6, diagnosed ADHD about 4-6 weeks ago. He started Kindergarten back in August and it has been a nightmare. He is in a small private school and he does not fit their mold. I have not received anything from his teacher but negativity, negativity, negativity. I can go on and on about her but really there is no point. I have an intense disdain for the woman. I have gone to the principal a couple times but basically he thinks I need to handle the issues with the teacher.
We have decided that at semester we are switching our son to the public school by our house. It seems like it will be a lot better fit for our son. This is a pretty generic question but does anyone have any advice on how to get a better start at this school and with the teacher. Should I try to set up a meeting with the teacher in advance? Or should I just see what plays out?
Thanks.
I switched my daughter from an intensely-academic charter school to our local public school midway through kindergarten (actually, it was more like 2/3rds of the way through the year). It was definitely the right decision. The public school kindergarten was a much better fit.I agree, as it gets closer I will set up a meeting. I am hoping for a different type of teacher this type. The current one has been awful. And so does not get it! Basically she thinks (no matter what is told to her) that my son has bad behavior because of bad parenting. She has questioned his diet, TV watching, told me books to read, it is ridiculous. I am not sure how I have kept my head in all this.
Thanks!
The odds are low that you will get a teacher at that same level of ignorance, compounded with the tendency to be condescending. A bit of bad luck is what you've got. You don't need to wait until the semester; the public school will take you anytime. I say bail tomorrow.Hi! My 5yr old son was diagnosed with adhd this summer. I was extremely nervous about him starting kindergarten in September, especially after the numerous problems we had in preschool with behavior, impulsivity etc. On the first day when we went in to the meet the teacher and see the class I mentioned to her that I would like to set a private meeting with her to discuss my son's recent diagnosis of adhd. At the meeting his teacher asked what works for us at home and she also told me of some suggestions she had been thinking of to try in the class room since I first spoke with her. We have very consistant and open communication with the teacher and we email, phone call or write notes to each other regarding any feedback, problems or successes. We have recently started meds as well and while everything is not perfect, it is going well. I am definately glad I chose to speak to the teacher before he started. We are lucky to have an involved, caring teacher and hope you will find the same at your new school. Best of luck to you.I have come thisclose to taking him out a few times but his psychologist thinks we should wait until semester. Things are more bearable then previously so I am okay with that. My son also has a broken arm right now so she can't say anything about his handwriting so one less stress. LOL. I am just really hoping things will be better at the new school - I think you are right though, they have to be.
I don't get the need to wait either. A kindergartner doesn't know the difference of the timing of the semester. I don't know how your school year runs, but I wouldn't wait if you know the deicison that you have made. The negative impact of a horrible kindergarten teacher is long lasting. I worked through the year with the #$%! that my daughter had and it is a huge regret. The impact on her self esteem was horrific. For the first time in 3 years, she told me that she liked school the other day. It was nothing short of a miracle. When you meet with the new teacher, try to set up a private conference. Emphasize that you and he/she are a team. Tell her that your son wants to please her (typical K behavior) Communication is key. Try to minimize your negative experiences, focus on the positive changes ahead. I hope that your son gets an experienced teacher, that really makes a difference. Can he visit the new school before he begins classes, to familiarize himself? My now 11 yr old was just not a good fit at his first private very small school. They could not handle his challenges. He is thriving at a much larger school, with an IEP. Please consider a morning care program if available. My son gets to run around the gym for 30 minutes before school begins to burn off steam. It is not free but we also avoid the problematic standing in line conflicts and the morning rush. Good luck.
I think the psychologist thinks it will give us some time to get everything figured out and Blake wll have a small break (a couple weeks) between schools. I am planning on taking Blake up there to meet the teacher and tour the school. After hearing your advice, I will definitely meet with the teacher. I agree too I don't think the current school can meet the challenges with Blake and I kind of think that is why they blame me. Oh well, I can take it. LOL.
Good luck to you and Blake. The break makes sense and you are living with the situation. Tune the teacher out. Who cares what she thinks.
I love the name Blake.
I would meet with the principal prior to switching schools and explain why you are changing schools and what type of teacher best suits your child. This'll help place him in a room where he's most likely to succeed. Try to keep your comments positive. Every year I write a letter including factors to consider when determining my child's next teacher. I write about his benefitting from a teacher who is more structured and organized because it'll help keep him on task. I also include that he's best matched with a teacher who likes to communicate a lot with parents, for it'll benefit everyone if we work together as a team. Whatever his issues are, don't hesitate to put them out there. If he calls out a lot, mention that he needs to have a teacher who will be patient and work with him on that issue. I'd also talk about wanting a teacher who has experience with ADHD students because it'll help the teacher understand his behavior and he/she will have strategies to help overcome those issues.
You said that your son got an ADHD diagnosis just a few weeks ago. Have you decided to use ADHD medication, or are you not using meds? If your son is starting meds, I'd definitely let the school know that. Their feedback will be pivotal to evaluating how well it's working. My child started meds the summer between kindergarten and first grade. In a letter she received prior to the start of school, I told his new teacher that he recently started ADHD medication and we've seen his old ADHD behaviors disappear. However, this is what he used to do, these were strategies that helped with it, and please let the parents know if she sees any of these symptoms return or if she notices anything else. We ended up needing to adjust his medication mid-year because symptoms came back, so it's good that she knew for what to watch.