School Year in Review

It's been a really long school year. Tons of phone calls, meetings, evaluations, therapists, etc. it's been pretty exhausting. I'm a little grayer and a little wiser. What have I learned?

I'm "like a dog with a bone" as big kid's tutor put it. I don't give up, heck I CAN'T give up on my boys. I wish I had good news to share about big kids education. At this time we are at a standstill. However, I did create awareness and even motivated people. Last week big kid's tutor reviewed his one month progress report and shared it with me. She said in the one short month of working with big kid (and us) she has made the decision to pursue special education this fall. She said that she wants to dive deep and work with special needs kids in underprivileged neighborhoods. She's heard my plight, seen my "fight" and is inspired to work hard to help kids who are falling through the system. 

While I'm not where I want big kid to be, I am making a difference in this world. It doesn't have to take a village. One person can make a difference. 

 To bring you up to speed, since my last post I called/applied to 8 different Non-Public Schools  (NPS). Nikolas was pretty much rejected from most  (I am still waiting to hear from one) for one reason or another:

  • no seats available 
  • not seats available in the 3rd grade
  • did not accept Nickerson letters 
  • NPS must be specified in his IEP 
  • certain related services listed in his IEP could not be provided/was not provided by the school (i.e. 1-to-1 para, counseling, etc.)
So where are we in this journey? Well on a positive note, he is attending summer school at a District 75 school which has a much smaller class setting.  He's only been there a week, but he's been in a great mood, excited about the things he learned and is having fun. Even his tutor noticed a difference.  

It's still to early to tell but hopefully in the next 5-6 weeks, he will continue to learn and have fun.  Come September he will go back to his community school, entering the 3rd grade in an inclusive class. I hope there aren't more than 25 kids in that class. He will also continue his 1-to-1 para and other services.  I'm hoping he will be a little more focused and a little more mature. If not, then I will do what I do best and put on my boxing gloves.  Time for round 2!  

I think I will just let him enjoy the summer and give myself a break.  Things will work out as they are supposed to.  I need my strength, he needs his.  All I know is that my kid will be OK, so help me God.  

I hope you all are enjoying your summer so far.  I know we are!

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