Guest guest Posted February 6, 2004 Report Share Posted February 6, 2004 What an incredible job you have done on educating your child's classroom! I am a teacher and I wish all parents were like you. I have quite a few kids with social, emotional, physical, etc problems. If the parents are not willing to discuss with the class what the issues are the kids draw their own conclusions. Because of privacy issues I can't say anything. It makes the situation a lot harder on everyone than it has to be. You are a wonderful example of how to handle your child's disabilities in the classroom. You should think about speaking at a district wide PTA meeting. A lot of parents could learn from you. Geri-Anne and Wyatt, Complex I > I can't help but respond to this one - kindergarten is near and dear > to my heart. > > Sam is 6. When he turned 6 he made a wish on his birthday candles > that h would go to kindergarten. I told his doctor and his doctor > wrote it on the front page of his medical summary... " our goal is to > keep sam alive so that he can go to kindergartne. " . From May to Sept > that became our whole focus - getting Sam to kindergarten. > > The school system was very supportive from the get go. They already > knew the disease because of my older children. They heard in my > words and the doctors words how important this was to Sam. And they > said that they would do anything to make it work. > > We knew Sam could never tolerate a whole day of Kg. Nor could he > tolerate it every day. Not would there ever be consistency since we > all know how unpredictable his diease is. We went through this with > the school so that they understood that we would have to take each > day as it comes. > > Knowing that we had him approved for home bound services. No matter > how much or how little he goesto school, the district hired a Kg > teacher to come to our home 3 days a week for an hour to 75 min each > time to work with Sam. (that is the limit that he can handle and > probably all that anyone his age can handle sitting in one spot). > > I too was worried about how the kids would handle this.....most of > them have never even been in ahospital, did not know what an IV was > or splints, etc. I did not want them to baby him. Sam looks normal > enough albeit pretty tiny (age 6 1/2 and he is only 35 pounds) but he > has 9 IV pumps running at all times, has a G and a J tube, splints on > his legs, hearing aids....things that make any curious 5 yr old stop > to ask what is going on. > > We did not sned him the 1st day of school, knowing how hectic the > first day of school is. WE sent him the 2nd day and the kids had a > lot of questions. > > I went home and that weekend made a book for the class about Sam > using my digital camera and his drawings to illustrate it. Then we > came back and read it to the kids. We explained in 5 yr old terms all > the ways that he was just like them...(sam loves to come to school > just like you and he will come whenever he can. Sometimes he can not > stay all day because he gets tired ....sam can walk just like you and > will walk and play with you when he comes to school. SDometimes his > legs get tired and he will have a wheelchair and youc an help push > him if you like, etc etc.) > > I left the book in the school and the kids " read " it constantly. I > also made them mini books to take home with a letetr to their > parents. > > All I can say is that Kg children are who we should all model > ourseves after. They are incredibly accepting. They adore Sam and > fight to be hispartner or siot next to him. When he gopt his hearing > aids they said " what are those? " - they just are very direct and ask. > I give them simple answers and they go " Okay " and then go back to > playing. They treat him pretty normally but also are very protective > of his IV lines. for example they'll yell at each other " hey, don't > ealk on top of sam's lines. " > > I go to school with sam because he needs a registered nurse with him > at all times and I don't have one to go to school with him. he only > goes 3 days a week for about 2 hours each time - sometimes longer and > sometimes shorter. When he leaves the kids hug him. I can not tell > you the difference Kg has made to his life. He is proud of every > aspect about it. He lights up when he goes. The chidlren light up > when they see us come. I encourage you to send your son however it > works - 1/2 days, full days, 1/3 days it does not matter. > > My other son is almost 12. WE did the same with him and what i can > tell you is that the fact theyhave all grown up togetehr really > helps. Even in 5th grade the kids still see Zach as just one of > them. They volunteer to catch him up since he is gone so much and > they take turns statying in for recess with him since he can not go > outside. Never once have I heard that they think he is odd. He is > just one of them. > > Anne Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 6, 2004 Report Share Posted February 6, 2004 What an incredible job you have done on educating your child's classroom! I am a teacher and I wish all parents were like you. I have quite a few kids with social, emotional, physical, etc problems. If the parents are not willing to discuss with the class what the issues are the kids draw their own conclusions. Because of privacy issues I can't say anything. It makes the situation a lot harder on everyone than it has to be. You are a wonderful example of how to handle your child's disabilities in the classroom. You should think about speaking at a district wide PTA meeting. A lot of parents could learn from you. Geri-Anne and Wyatt, Complex I > I can't help but respond to this one - kindergarten is near and dear > to my heart. > > Sam is 6. When he turned 6 he made a wish on his birthday candles > that h would go to kindergarten. I told his doctor and his doctor > wrote it on the front page of his medical summary... " our goal is to > keep sam alive so that he can go to kindergartne. " . From May to Sept > that became our whole focus - getting Sam to kindergarten. > > The school system was very supportive from the get go. They already > knew the disease because of my older children. They heard in my > words and the doctors words how important this was to Sam. And they > said that they would do anything to make it work. > > We knew Sam could never tolerate a whole day of Kg. Nor could he > tolerate it every day. Not would there ever be consistency since we > all know how unpredictable his diease is. We went through this with > the school so that they understood that we would have to take each > day as it comes. > > Knowing that we had him approved for home bound services. No matter > how much or how little he goesto school, the district hired a Kg > teacher to come to our home 3 days a week for an hour to 75 min each > time to work with Sam. (that is the limit that he can handle and > probably all that anyone his age can handle sitting in one spot). > > I too was worried about how the kids would handle this.....most of > them have never even been in ahospital, did not know what an IV was > or splints, etc. I did not want them to baby him. Sam looks normal > enough albeit pretty tiny (age 6 1/2 and he is only 35 pounds) but he > has 9 IV pumps running at all times, has a G and a J tube, splints on > his legs, hearing aids....things that make any curious 5 yr old stop > to ask what is going on. > > We did not sned him the 1st day of school, knowing how hectic the > first day of school is. WE sent him the 2nd day and the kids had a > lot of questions. > > I went home and that weekend made a book for the class about Sam > using my digital camera and his drawings to illustrate it. Then we > came back and read it to the kids. We explained in 5 yr old terms all > the ways that he was just like them...(sam loves to come to school > just like you and he will come whenever he can. Sometimes he can not > stay all day because he gets tired ....sam can walk just like you and > will walk and play with you when he comes to school. SDometimes his > legs get tired and he will have a wheelchair and youc an help push > him if you like, etc etc.) > > I left the book in the school and the kids " read " it constantly. I > also made them mini books to take home with a letetr to their > parents. > > All I can say is that Kg children are who we should all model > ourseves after. They are incredibly accepting. They adore Sam and > fight to be hispartner or siot next to him. When he gopt his hearing > aids they said " what are those? " - they just are very direct and ask. > I give them simple answers and they go " Okay " and then go back to > playing. They treat him pretty normally but also are very protective > of his IV lines. for example they'll yell at each other " hey, don't > ealk on top of sam's lines. " > > I go to school with sam because he needs a registered nurse with him > at all times and I don't have one to go to school with him. he only > goes 3 days a week for about 2 hours each time - sometimes longer and > sometimes shorter. When he leaves the kids hug him. I can not tell > you the difference Kg has made to his life. He is proud of every > aspect about it. He lights up when he goes. The chidlren light up > when they see us come. I encourage you to send your son however it > works - 1/2 days, full days, 1/3 days it does not matter. > > My other son is almost 12. WE did the same with him and what i can > tell you is that the fact theyhave all grown up togetehr really > helps. Even in 5th grade the kids still see Zach as just one of > them. They volunteer to catch him up since he is gone so much and > they take turns statying in for recess with him since he can not go > outside. Never once have I heard that they think he is odd. He is > just one of them. > > Anne Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 6, 2004 Report Share Posted February 6, 2004 What an incredible job you have done on educating your child's classroom! I am a teacher and I wish all parents were like you. I have quite a few kids with social, emotional, physical, etc problems. If the parents are not willing to discuss with the class what the issues are the kids draw their own conclusions. Because of privacy issues I can't say anything. It makes the situation a lot harder on everyone than it has to be. You are a wonderful example of how to handle your child's disabilities in the classroom. You should think about speaking at a district wide PTA meeting. A lot of parents could learn from you. Geri-Anne and Wyatt, Complex I > I can't help but respond to this one - kindergarten is near and dear > to my heart. > > Sam is 6. When he turned 6 he made a wish on his birthday candles > that h would go to kindergarten. I told his doctor and his doctor > wrote it on the front page of his medical summary... " our goal is to > keep sam alive so that he can go to kindergartne. " . From May to Sept > that became our whole focus - getting Sam to kindergarten. > > The school system was very supportive from the get go. They already > knew the disease because of my older children. They heard in my > words and the doctors words how important this was to Sam. And they > said that they would do anything to make it work. > > We knew Sam could never tolerate a whole day of Kg. Nor could he > tolerate it every day. Not would there ever be consistency since we > all know how unpredictable his diease is. We went through this with > the school so that they understood that we would have to take each > day as it comes. > > Knowing that we had him approved for home bound services. No matter > how much or how little he goesto school, the district hired a Kg > teacher to come to our home 3 days a week for an hour to 75 min each > time to work with Sam. (that is the limit that he can handle and > probably all that anyone his age can handle sitting in one spot). > > I too was worried about how the kids would handle this.....most of > them have never even been in ahospital, did not know what an IV was > or splints, etc. I did not want them to baby him. Sam looks normal > enough albeit pretty tiny (age 6 1/2 and he is only 35 pounds) but he > has 9 IV pumps running at all times, has a G and a J tube, splints on > his legs, hearing aids....things that make any curious 5 yr old stop > to ask what is going on. > > We did not sned him the 1st day of school, knowing how hectic the > first day of school is. WE sent him the 2nd day and the kids had a > lot of questions. > > I went home and that weekend made a book for the class about Sam > using my digital camera and his drawings to illustrate it. Then we > came back and read it to the kids. We explained in 5 yr old terms all > the ways that he was just like them...(sam loves to come to school > just like you and he will come whenever he can. Sometimes he can not > stay all day because he gets tired ....sam can walk just like you and > will walk and play with you when he comes to school. SDometimes his > legs get tired and he will have a wheelchair and youc an help push > him if you like, etc etc.) > > I left the book in the school and the kids " read " it constantly. I > also made them mini books to take home with a letetr to their > parents. > > All I can say is that Kg children are who we should all model > ourseves after. They are incredibly accepting. They adore Sam and > fight to be hispartner or siot next to him. When he gopt his hearing > aids they said " what are those? " - they just are very direct and ask. > I give them simple answers and they go " Okay " and then go back to > playing. They treat him pretty normally but also are very protective > of his IV lines. for example they'll yell at each other " hey, don't > ealk on top of sam's lines. " > > I go to school with sam because he needs a registered nurse with him > at all times and I don't have one to go to school with him. he only > goes 3 days a week for about 2 hours each time - sometimes longer and > sometimes shorter. When he leaves the kids hug him. I can not tell > you the difference Kg has made to his life. He is proud of every > aspect about it. He lights up when he goes. The chidlren light up > when they see us come. I encourage you to send your son however it > works - 1/2 days, full days, 1/3 days it does not matter. > > My other son is almost 12. WE did the same with him and what i can > tell you is that the fact theyhave all grown up togetehr really > helps. Even in 5th grade the kids still see Zach as just one of > them. They volunteer to catch him up since he is gone so much and > they take turns statying in for recess with him since he can not go > outside. Never once have I heard that they think he is odd. He is > just one of them. > > Anne Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted February 10, 2004 Report Share Posted February 10, 2004 - Geri-Anne, Thank you so much for the kind words! Really -it just made my day. Like you, I just don't know any other way to be with children than honest and open . they are so accepting at any age (in my experience) if they feel respected enough that we take the time to talk to them honestly in terms they can understand. Today another lesson in Kindergarten about finding joy in each day however we can: Sam has been absent for 2 weeks due to illness/hospitalization. Went back today and find out it is 100 day! As a teacher I'm sure you know that this is a huge big deal in the younger grades. It was just a gift for me to watch and feel the joy that these children had to count 100 things, make their 100 day crowns, read 100 day books, etc.... It truly felt like a holiday and one that was unexpected in the midst of winter blues and not associated with gifts or materialism or commercialism. We were only there 2 hours but I have smiled the whole day through. As for you - my hat is off to you. I have learned a lot about education and what good teachers do night and day for children ever since I started spending time in my children's classrooms. Good teachers are amazing gifts! Anne www.caringbridge.org/wi/zachsam -- In Mito , " gazubich " wrote: > What an incredible job you have done on educating your child's > classroom! I am a teacher and I wish all parents were like you. I > have quite a few kids with social, emotional, physical, etc > problems. If the parents are not willing to discuss with the class > what the issues are the kids draw their own conclusions. Because of > privacy issues I can't say anything. It makes the situation a lot > harder on everyone than it has to be. You are a wonderful example > of how to handle your child's disabilities in the classroom. You > should think about speaking at a district wide PTA meeting. A lot > of parents could learn from you. > > Geri-Anne and Wyatt, Complex I > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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