Re: Last day of school

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 5/25/02 1:13:23 AM Central Daylight Time,

writes:

> For all that are still in school, your day is coming

>

> Kathy mom to Sara 10............looking forward to no schedule oooh and

>

> she was good for the 3 days I wished for lol

>

>

I'm not looking forward to 's last day of school. He leaves his

elementary school and heads off to middle school. I'm not afraid of the

middle school stuff since we have worked hard on his transition (starting in

Feb.). I'm just terribly sad that he will be leaving this wonderful school

full of people that love him.

They have been there for him through it all. From moving into our home,

having heart surgery, acting out and adjustments to life with our family.

had/has many issues related to early abuse and neglect. This school has

stood by it through all of it. We approached things as a team. I don't feel

like I need to lead the teachers. I can trust them to do things that work for

. Heck, they can get him to wear socks and I can't. LOL!!

Anyway, How do I thank so many people in individual ways? The principal who

takes time each day to sit down and joke with and spend special time

with him. The gym teacher who never fails to keep him involved in the class.

She has given a love of sports and an opportunity to be involved in

what ever way he can. The music teacher who has kept in his spot on

stage through every school program. She has made sure that every year there

is a song with hand movements so could actively participate. The

strings teacher who introduced to all the string instruments during her

prep time a few times each week just because he was interested. The custodian

who has been kept quite busy by . The school secretary who works with

on doing attendance each day and deciphers ripped and crumpled papers

on a reg. basis. The school nurse who has stayed up on 's many medical

issues and checks his ears reg so we know if he is having troubles. The

school social worker who supported the teachers through much of the behavior.

A whole building of teachers and students that make it possible for to

be in his school without having to have a one on one aide following him

everywhere. Everyone makes sure that doesn't get diverted going from

point A to point B. All the reg. ed. teachers that he has had for the last

six years. They have all done a fabulous job of incorporating him into their

classes. Even the current teacher who is retiring this year has not been

stale and stuck in his ways. He was very confident that should go on

the sixth grade field trip. And most of all the other kids in his school who

have never turned their backs on even at his most difficult times.

went to the district wide sixth grade track meet last week. I stopped

to drop off a camera as dropped his hat over the back of the bleachers.

The kids didn't miss a beat. One of the boys yelled down to another kid

coming up and had him grab 's hat on the way. No one blinked or thought

twice about helping out. ran in the 100 yard dash. A friend ran with

him so he stayed in his lane. He threw shot put and one of the boys in his

class helped him with his form. He also did the long jump and everyone waited

while he did it his way.

Sorry for the long post. Guess I just need to write an open letter to school

and one to our school board so they know what a great school they have.

Karyn

[Guest guest]

Karyn,

too is leaving her very protective elementary school and going on to

middle school. It's very strange - there are 1200 kids at her school and

that # never bothered me. But I did look for a small middle school. The one

we are sending her to has the same inclusion model as her elementary school -

28 kids in the class, 6-8 with special needs and two teachers and one para

per class.

There will be only 4 6th grade classes and only about 200 kids in the whole

mid school. I feel very comfortable about that. We went on a tour and about

2 weeks ago, I took amanda with her friend who will also be going there. She

really liked it and seems very excited about it.

I am nervous and anxious of the unknown - and I will be on a sabbatical next

year so I will be very involved in her transition. They have already called

me and my friend to join the PTA. I am planning on being very involved and

taking a year off from school will allow me to do that.

The kids there are working on a talent show now and they invited amanda to go

to it. I think I will take her to let her see what to expect.

I get teary - eyed just thinking that amanda is graduating from her

elementary school where she has done so well. I bought her dress over the

weekend and she is in the 5th grade play - a look at the 20th century. she

has 2 dance numbers- one is the charleston and the other is Aquarius! I

think this is really keeping her busy and she has less time to focus on the

fact that she's leaving. They also have many " senior " activities planned in

the next month.

Yeah that's right - I said next month - still a month to go in NYC. we go

until the 26th of June.

Everyone, dont brag too much about all your free time without school now!

~ Mom to 11 DS and Diabetes Type 1 and 7 NY

[Guest guest]

Suzanne,

I am sorry that your son had to go through that today.

I know that things can change if their meds aren't

taken, but you know, that's life. People forget. And

how easily the schools will look to the parents or the

child as being at fault. They could have called you. I

don't know what the incident with the water bottle

was, but was it something that warranted causing him

to " lose it " like he did? In other words, was it

something they could have " let go " ?

The last days of school cause such a commotion and a

high anxiety level for my son. I can't speak for

anyone else, but before meds, Whew! he was literally

bouncing off the walls the last few days of school.

Add to it that his birthday sometimes falls on the

last day of school!!!! AAAHHH! It has gotten better

since he's been on meds, but still, I know when the

last days are coming. He is just really hyper!!!!

So, the school should have taken into consideration

that your son was probably feeling the hype of it

being the last day of school as well. And their first

and foremost action should have been to call and see

if anything was " different " in his day or anything.

It was very poor on the principal's part of not

explaining the asperger's. I would let them know in a

hurry about it. That is just inexcusable.

And they wonder why kids are the way they are these

days. What role models they are facing every day in

school?????!!!!

I'm sorry that you had to go through all that and your

son as well. I hope one of these days people will

realize that a lot of the problem starts with their

lack of knowledge and understanding and inability to

follow directions!

Hope your day and your son's gets better! At least

school is out. Enjoy your summer.

Melinda

[Guest guest]

Wow! Out of a bad situation, sounds like you are finding some great

connections! I'm so glad!

Roxanna

Autism Happens

_____

From:

[mailto: ] On Behalf Of Suzanne

Sent: Friday, June 09, 2006 11:55 AM

Subject: ( ) Last day of school

Thank God but in the excitement of the day and the fact we slept in we

forgot to give our son his meds. He did not have a good morning and although

his teacher thought he was a bit off didn't think to call either and he went

off the deep end. All started over a water bottle and then escalated in him

hitting his aide. So the police were called and the principle never once

said he has Asperger's. The teacher took me aside and asked if he had his

meds and I called dad who said " OOOPPPSSSS " . The police woman said is he in

charge of his own meds. What a stupid question, but the kids always remind

us if we do forget. The diversion offocer offered to take him to the

hospital if I wanted to make his doctor look at his meds but since we have

an appointment with the new doctors on Wednesday I didn't want to do that.

So I brought him home gave him his meds and 20 minutes later he was fine. He

s sad that he is home and doesn't seem to recall what happened in school.

The good things that came out of him acting up in the last 2 weeks is the

diversion officer put together an Asperger's support group for our area and

we meet in 2 weeks. I am so excited. We really needed something close and

accessible.

Suzanne

Friends are quiet angels who lift us to our feet when our wings have trouble

remembering how to fly.