I guess I feel a little better about the school situation for now. His teacher replied and seems to be nice enough regarding my concerns. Basically the first month or so of school is for them to get use to the new settings, learn the new rules and expectations, and make sure everyone understands what is expected with their routine. Now that that's been done, she said they are getting into more of the "learning" part of things. October they will starting the Handwriting Without Tears program for kid writing time. Since I've explained to her again about Kristopher's reading level, they are going to work with him one on one during some free time, and see how he does, and make sure he's comprehending the story instead of just reading the words. After that, I guess they will determine what is next for reading wise.
She said that he listens great, never any behavior or boredom issues at all and he volunteers in class consistently. It sounds like he is the perfect little student so I feel somewhat better about it. It sounds like he just saves all the negativity for at home, which as long as he is listening there, I should not complain. Last night he came home talking about title pages in books so that's something new.
I told her that if there is ever a point that he does start the behavior issues or attitude because he is bored with what they are doing, then we need to talk asap so we can get on the same page with the behavior plan and redirecting him. I explained about the therapy and early diagnosis of ODD/ADD. Which to that, I still think it was the living arrangement and just the age, but time will tell on that I guess.
I found a nice way to write back about the whole imagination trip comment and just simply said that due to his boredom we stay very busy on the weekends and he will probably start coming in talking lots about our weekend trips soon. If it's brought up again though, I will say something more.
Yesterday I had to go to the store for a few things mid day, and I timed it just right that I passed the school during his recess. He never saw me, and appeared to be playing and getting along great.
In other news, I have somewhat joined the PTO. I put down on his first day paperwork that I'd be willing to be a classroom parent, and help with PTO projects from home or during special times, and they called me yesterday. I figured it would be a good way to get on the good side of everyone since school seems to be all about who you know. They asked if I could help with a giant project and I figured since I have the computer skills and extra time now, that's how I'll help. Sorta scary though. Me, part of that. Funny how we change as we get older..... I'm now on the PTO and I'm also the parent who spies on her kid at school. ha.
I'm glad that it sounds like things will get better. Your post gives a pretty good overall impression of the teacher, and that's encouraging.
ReplyDeleteSchools scare me because it used to be that you just sent your kid to school and signed permission slips and helped with homework. And being in the PTO wasn't a big commitment. Now, every school has fund raisers out the wazoo and you're expected to sell, sell, sell! I hate that kind of pressure and obligation. It's just so much more work than it used to be, so it seems. And I've basically pre-committed myself to the worst of it because when we bought that land it basically meant that we would be sending M to parochial school. I'm already accepting pre-orders for raffle tickets.