Guest guest Posted August 20, 2004 Report Share Posted August 20, 2004 My daughter started first grade 2 weeks ago at a new school. She went to another school for kindergarten, but we moved and she is now in a different setting. Prior to the school year, my wife went and spoke with the new principal and explained our daughter has mild ocd and we wanted him to help place her with the teacher he felt would be more qualified and nurturing. Well, when we went to open house we were told that the teacher of the class she had been placed in would be out on medical leave a " couple of weeks. " We were concerned but decided not to say anything. It turns out the teacher will be out at least 6 weeks, and there have already been 3 substitute teachers in the classroom. My wife is furious and is going to talk with the principal today. Our dilemma: Our daughter was very nervous at the beginning of the school year and developed some nervous tics, which she is starting to get over somewhat. She likes the school and has made some new friends. We're concerned about the quality of education she is receiving, seeing as how the first of the school year is when rules are established, a bond with the teacher is established, testing is done to evaluate students. My wife thinks a new classroom may be best. But my daughter is already way ahead for her age -- reads at a second or third grade level. I think switching classes will make her feel like starting a new school again and make her feel out of place. She'll wonder why she is being put in another class when no one else is. She'll have to make new friends all over again, and she's very shy when meeting new people. Needless to say, we're really mad at the principal right now. My wife put a note on the registration papers to take my daughter's file to the principal due to their prior conference. We're not sure if he received it or not. We need some input. What are your thoughts on what we should do? Thanks in advance for your help. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 20, 2004 Report Share Posted August 20, 2004 I agree with Kathy. If your little girl was placed with that teacher because the principal felt that she would be the one that is the most understanding and nurturing person for your daughter, then I think you will find out that it was worth the wait. If she is liking her classmates and is enjoying school in general, I think I would ride it out. The little groups of friends are already established in the other classes, too, and for her to have to come in late would make it harder for her to feel a part of any group. As long as your concerns for academics are being met (and her being a great reader is a definate plus!) I would not pull her out and make her start over socially. Kim in IA Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 20, 2004 Report Share Posted August 20, 2004 I agree with Kathy. If your little girl was placed with that teacher because the principal felt that she would be the one that is the most understanding and nurturing person for your daughter, then I think you will find out that it was worth the wait. If she is liking her classmates and is enjoying school in general, I think I would ride it out. The little groups of friends are already established in the other classes, too, and for her to have to come in late would make it harder for her to feel a part of any group. As long as your concerns for academics are being met (and her being a great reader is a definate plus!) I would not pull her out and make her start over socially. Kim in IA Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted August 20, 2004 Report Share Posted August 20, 2004 Even with all the best planning in the world, unexpected things can happen and can throw everyone for a loop. The teacher may have suddenly become ill, and there's not much a principal can do about that. I know how upsetting it is to have your child's world turned upside down, but I think that in general they cope better than we give them credit for. We changed our plans to put our son in a private kindergarten because the best teacher in the world was suddenly hired to teach kindergarten in our neighborhood school (she had taught my daughter a year earlier). He had the best six weeks of his young life and then - boom. She was transferred to a first grade class and he got a lousy, inexperienced teacher and the rest of the year was chaos. But it was the parents who really couldn't handle it. The kids all adjusted pretty quickly, although they certainly didn't learn anything the rest of the year! When my daughter was at her sickest (second grade) she fell apart whenever there was a substitute. Her teacher would try hard to prepare her ahead of time, but couldn't always. There was a teacher next door though, who took Annie under her wing and always paid special attention to her whenever her usual teacher was out. Could you find someone to play that role for your daughter? Maybe the school nurse, or a nearby teacher - anyone she has hit it off with so far? That way she has one person she feels close to who will be there for her. In my experience, there are plenty of people in every school who would be willing to " adopt " a worried first grader. A sixth grade girl might work too - my daughter had a whole crew of little kids that trailed behind her all last year when she was in sixth grade. She hugged them whenever she saw them, checked on them at lunch, at recess, etc. There are lots of older girls who love that role. Best wishes, and good luck on this. First grade is such a milestone for everyone involved! in NV Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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