It has been no secret that I have been stressing about sending my boys to public Kindergarten since oh, well before the boys were born. Stressing is a mild description of my state of mind, agonizing, is maybe a better descriptor.
I've considered many, many, options from home schooling to selling my soul, going back to work and taking a second on the house to send the boys to a private school, and everything in between.
I had resigned myself to sending them to the local elementary. The one with 900 kids. (that's as big as my high school) The one with 7, SEVEN kindergarten classes. But as registration grew closer, I grew even more apprehensive. Sick even.
Then I started bantering around the idea of my own private school. Hiring a teacher and recruiting 6 or 8 kids, rotating homes, locations. It was because of this idea that I started thinking about the teachers I knew, I reached out to see if anyone knew of anyone.
Lo and behold, a friend of mine, who taught at a private school with a teaching philosophy I love before having her son, was interested and looking for part time work. We had a discussion the other day, and she mentioned a school where a friend of hers works. A place she is considering for her own son in a year. We talked briefly about the teaching philosophy, and it sounded great. I immediately googled it, and found it is a school with an approach that was one of my favorites when I did my initial research 5 years ago.
One of the things that had been holding me back from many schools, and applying to many charter schools was Scott's insistence that the boys go to school in the neighborhood, so they could hang with their buddies after school, like he did. He was pretty adamant. However, just after the application deadline for one of my favorite schools passed, Scott had a change of heart.
Armed with this new freedom, and knowing that most application deadlines had passed, I took a chance and "swung by" this new school of interest. And while it is not in a new building, I've described it as a bit dingy, and it is far away from home, I filled out applications on the spot. It felt like a weight had lifted off of my shoulders. The weight of the world so to speak. I think I actually slept last night for the first time in well, a long, long time. I now have an option.
We officially tour the school on Thursday, and I hope it is all that I want it to be, all that I need it to be, all that my boys need it to be.
Showing posts with label early education. Show all posts
Showing posts with label early education. Show all posts
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Thursday, June 3, 2010
Last day, of the first year, of a lifetime of learning
Ten months ago, I brought my babies to school. For the first time in their lives, they would not
be with me all day every day. I was terrified.
This is what the boys looked like today, their first year of school under their belts. Confident, happy, ready to tackle anything. (I inadvertently dressed Evan in the same shirt)
Thank you to the wonderful teachers that made this year so special...
be with me all day every day. I was terrified.
This is what the boys looked like today, their first year of school under their belts. Confident, happy, ready to tackle anything. (I inadvertently dressed Evan in the same shirt)
Thank you to the wonderful teachers that made this year so special...
Mrs. Finch
Mrs. Sessions
and Mrs. Camerino
We had such a wonderful experience with our teachers, and our wonderful, wonderful classmates. I honestly do not think we could have had a nicer group of kids and moms. I am going to miss the kids we wont be seeing next year. I am so happy with our preschool choice, what a wonderful year.
We had such a wonderful experience with our teachers, and our wonderful, wonderful classmates. I honestly do not think we could have had a nicer group of kids and moms. I am going to miss the kids we wont be seeing next year. I am so happy with our preschool choice, what a wonderful year.
Thursday, November 5, 2009
Excuse me while I brag a bit
If you don't want to hear how wonderful my kids are, tune out now...
Okay, if you are still here, please excuse me while I crow a bit. We had our first Parent/Teacher Conferences today.
Just the sound of that makes you a little nervous doesn't it.
I went in after yesterday thinking, OH NO. Do I want to hear about what terrors they are in class? What are they going to say? Are we going to get kicked out of preschool?
Seriously, I knew none of those things were going to happen, but with a crazy person like me, all of those thoughts DID run through my head. Several. Times.
Let me tell you. I love a teacher that starts out the conference by saying. "I have no concerns about either of the boys, let me just get that out there right away. I know how stressful these things are!"
Immediately put at ease, and able to focus on the meat of the conference and not the fear of expulsion, I was so happy to hear what she had to say.
Highlights:
The word "Love" or the phrase "I/we love that about..." came up at least 40 times.
Ryan: He's SO sweet. (yeah, I know that about him, he's so squishy) He is more reserved than Evan, but he gets equally excited about school and the things he is doing. He is kind and thoughtful. He cares about his brother and his classmates. He is full of emotions, good, and not so good, but he is learning to manage them in an appropriate manner. He is growing so much socially and in the "school" setting. He has already made improvements in his transitions, and using his words in difficult situations. Developmentally, he is right on track. He is SO observant and is eager to share his observations. He is starting to make meaningful attempts at making letters. He loves the bikes and being outdoors. He is sharing during "meeting time" and he is beginning to play more with his classmates. He loves to read, and FULLY comprehends the stories, he follows along closely and notices every detail.
Evan: He's like a Tasmanian Devil of excitement. He is ALWAYS has a story to share with his teachers. (She cannot wait to hear what he has to say each day) He is extraordinarily verbal, and is starting to understand how to use his words in a social situation. He is learning that he looses his peers if he does not get to the point quickly. He is also learning that he can ask a friend to play with him and they will! He loves to share during "meeting time" and is learning to wait his turn. He loves reading, and is also learning not to interrupt even though he has made a connection and is excited to share it. He is VERY smart and makes those connections VERY quickly, so it is hard for him to contain himself. He is developmentally on track, however his is more cautious with some of the activities that require gross motor skills. They notice that he wont give up, especially if he has seen that Ryan can or has done it. (competitive much? I do not know where he gets that from. *cough, cough*) He does show care and compassion for Ryan. (so, I guess he's going to win, win, win, but love you doing it?)
She ended by telling me how much they love them and how sweet they are. How their behaviors are developmentally appropriate, and this is why we go to preschool. They LOVE their enthusiasm, and their passion.
She also told me that on Tuesday, Evan did indeed sing her the National Anthem. While riding a bike around the playground, for the entire school, in perfect pitch. Apparently all the teachers now know him.
I am so proud of the fact that they are adjusting so well, and that they are not hurting anyone, and that we will not be expelled.
Okay, if you are still here, please excuse me while I crow a bit. We had our first Parent/Teacher Conferences today.
Just the sound of that makes you a little nervous doesn't it.
I went in after yesterday thinking, OH NO. Do I want to hear about what terrors they are in class? What are they going to say? Are we going to get kicked out of preschool?
Seriously, I knew none of those things were going to happen, but with a crazy person like me, all of those thoughts DID run through my head. Several. Times.
Let me tell you. I love a teacher that starts out the conference by saying. "I have no concerns about either of the boys, let me just get that out there right away. I know how stressful these things are!"
Immediately put at ease, and able to focus on the meat of the conference and not the fear of expulsion, I was so happy to hear what she had to say.
Highlights:
The word "Love" or the phrase "I/we love that about..." came up at least 40 times.
Ryan: He's SO sweet. (yeah, I know that about him, he's so squishy) He is more reserved than Evan, but he gets equally excited about school and the things he is doing. He is kind and thoughtful. He cares about his brother and his classmates. He is full of emotions, good, and not so good, but he is learning to manage them in an appropriate manner. He is growing so much socially and in the "school" setting. He has already made improvements in his transitions, and using his words in difficult situations. Developmentally, he is right on track. He is SO observant and is eager to share his observations. He is starting to make meaningful attempts at making letters. He loves the bikes and being outdoors. He is sharing during "meeting time" and he is beginning to play more with his classmates. He loves to read, and FULLY comprehends the stories, he follows along closely and notices every detail.
Evan: He's like a Tasmanian Devil of excitement. He is ALWAYS has a story to share with his teachers. (She cannot wait to hear what he has to say each day) He is extraordinarily verbal, and is starting to understand how to use his words in a social situation. He is learning that he looses his peers if he does not get to the point quickly. He is also learning that he can ask a friend to play with him and they will! He loves to share during "meeting time" and is learning to wait his turn. He loves reading, and is also learning not to interrupt even though he has made a connection and is excited to share it. He is VERY smart and makes those connections VERY quickly, so it is hard for him to contain himself. He is developmentally on track, however his is more cautious with some of the activities that require gross motor skills. They notice that he wont give up, especially if he has seen that Ryan can or has done it. (competitive much? I do not know where he gets that from. *cough, cough*) He does show care and compassion for Ryan. (so, I guess he's going to win, win, win, but love you doing it?)
She ended by telling me how much they love them and how sweet they are. How their behaviors are developmentally appropriate, and this is why we go to preschool. They LOVE their enthusiasm, and their passion.
She also told me that on Tuesday, Evan did indeed sing her the National Anthem. While riding a bike around the playground, for the entire school, in perfect pitch. Apparently all the teachers now know him.
I am so proud of the fact that they are adjusting so well, and that they are not hurting anyone, and that we will not be expelled.
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Our first Teacher
Miss Melinda.
Our First Teacher.
She came into our lives through Watch us Grow, and she spent two and a half years visiting us every week.
She played with us.
She read to us. (of course if you come into this house, you have surely read to us)
She helped us learn to do things like sit and stand, walk and run.
She met us at the park where we played, rode our tricycles and climbed.
She gave us an hour a week with adult interaction in those early days when Mommy really needed adult interaction yet was afraid to take us out in public.
She did messy stuff with us like paints and cooking and food play.
She introduced us to lots of fun things to learn and play with.
She brought friends to see us like an Occupational Therapist, Physical Therapist, Speech Therapist, and Psychologist to help us in our development.
She made sure we got OT services for Evan when he refused to eat. For free.
She made sure we got on the waiting list for pre-schools in the area, and made sure we got in.
She gave Mommy ideas of how to continue to enrich our thirsty minds.
She was a constant in our early years.
and now that we are three, she is gone.
It makes Mommy sad. We don't realize it yet. We may never realize what we are missing every week.
Miss Melinda teaches at the pre-school where we will be going in the fall. Mommy plans on making sure we see her when we are there. She doesn't want us to forget our first teacher.
Mommy never will.
Monday, April 6, 2009
It's that season again.
This time of year is always difficult. I find myself thinking. Thinking a lot. It always sounds like this in my head.
"three years ago..."
"...I was in the hospital."
"...I was on mag."
"...I was missing my baby shower."
"...I was scared to death."
This year, it seems to be less. It could be that we are so busy there's very little time for reflection, or it could be the terrifying memories are fading. It could be that I look at my little boys everyday and see the distance between my fragile 2 pound babies, and my 30+ pound boys grow wider and wider with every moment.
It could be that I've got other things on my mind. There's the fact that my BABIES are going to be THREE! How did that happen?
It could be, that for the last 2.5 years we've had wonderful people in our lives and they are all about to go away. As the boys turn three, we are losing the wonderful services provided to us through the Watch Us Grow program. Our teacher, Melinda? Who has visited us once a week for 2.5 years? GONE. Our OT's Teri and Stacey? Whom we've seen for the last 2 years and 6 months respectively? GONE. Our super busy schedule? GONE. (mostly)
I'm really not sure how the boys are going to handle this absence of these people in their lives. The absence of this routine. Will they miss them? How long will they ask if we are going to see Miss Teri, Miss Stacey, or Miss Melinda? How am I going to fill this void in the boys lives?
It could be that I have friends and relatives going through difficult times in their lives, and it has me thinking about them constantly.
It could be that in our testing with the school district to determine if we qualify for any additional services, the boys blew it out of the water. The panel was blown away. They said that it is rare that they see kids like this, and that they were amazing. They loved testing them. They were engaging, bright and funny. They tested in the normal or above normal range in all areas. There were a couple of areas of note, and it really comes as no surprise to me, or anyone who has spent any time with these boys.
Language.
Both boys tested in the 99.96% for language. That's only .04% of 3 year old children that test higher. WOAH! I knew these kids talk a lot, and have great vocabularies, but dang, really? 99.96% really??? Cool.
The other area that blew my mind was Early Academics. This tests colors, shapes, numbers, letters, words, all of the pre-school readiness areas. The average is 85-115. Evan's score was 131. HOLY COW!
All of this confims my belief that I am soon to be in very big trouble. These kids are going to be out smarting me before their 4th birthday!
So this time of year, when I find myself reflecting on their difficult beginning, it's nice to have something to smile about.
"three years ago..."
"...I was in the hospital."
"...I was on mag."
"...I was missing my baby shower."
"...I was scared to death."
This year, it seems to be less. It could be that we are so busy there's very little time for reflection, or it could be the terrifying memories are fading. It could be that I look at my little boys everyday and see the distance between my fragile 2 pound babies, and my 30+ pound boys grow wider and wider with every moment.
It could be that I've got other things on my mind. There's the fact that my BABIES are going to be THREE! How did that happen?
It could be, that for the last 2.5 years we've had wonderful people in our lives and they are all about to go away. As the boys turn three, we are losing the wonderful services provided to us through the Watch Us Grow program. Our teacher, Melinda? Who has visited us once a week for 2.5 years? GONE. Our OT's Teri and Stacey? Whom we've seen for the last 2 years and 6 months respectively? GONE. Our super busy schedule? GONE. (mostly)
I'm really not sure how the boys are going to handle this absence of these people in their lives. The absence of this routine. Will they miss them? How long will they ask if we are going to see Miss Teri, Miss Stacey, or Miss Melinda? How am I going to fill this void in the boys lives?
It could be that I have friends and relatives going through difficult times in their lives, and it has me thinking about them constantly.
It could be that in our testing with the school district to determine if we qualify for any additional services, the boys blew it out of the water. The panel was blown away. They said that it is rare that they see kids like this, and that they were amazing. They loved testing them. They were engaging, bright and funny. They tested in the normal or above normal range in all areas. There were a couple of areas of note, and it really comes as no surprise to me, or anyone who has spent any time with these boys.
Language.
Both boys tested in the 99.96% for language. That's only .04% of 3 year old children that test higher. WOAH! I knew these kids talk a lot, and have great vocabularies, but dang, really? 99.96% really??? Cool.
The other area that blew my mind was Early Academics. This tests colors, shapes, numbers, letters, words, all of the pre-school readiness areas. The average is 85-115. Evan's score was 131. HOLY COW!
All of this confims my belief that I am soon to be in very big trouble. These kids are going to be out smarting me before their 4th birthday!
So this time of year, when I find myself reflecting on their difficult beginning, it's nice to have something to smile about.
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
I swear I just went to take a shower
...and I came back to find...
two of our caterpillars are now pupa! There are three more that by this evening should look just like these two. Wow I had no idea it happened so fast. This is educational for me too!
two of our caterpillars are now pupa! There are three more that by this evening should look just like these two. Wow I had no idea it happened so fast. This is educational for me too!
Monday, October 6, 2008
Lepidoptera 101
Scott got a burr under his saddle one day and decided to plant a butterfly and hummingbird garden in hopes of attracting Monarchs. Last year we had caterpillars, however they were there there one day, and gone the next. Darn birds.
This year, we bought an aquarium, and brought our little friends inside before any harm could come to them.
So now this is what is sitting on my kitchen table.
There are about six of them and a couple are starting to show signs of forming their chrysalis'. The boys are absolutely fascinated by the "cat-er-pill-lars" . They love to watch them crawl around and eat. I think they are going to really enjoy watching each stage. They already know that these caterpillars are going to turn into butterflies, but once they actually see it happen, well I think there will be a good deal of excitement.
********************
On another note, we went to the Wild Animal Park again. Since reading "If You Give a Cat a Cupcake" we have been very interested in riding the carousel "by our self". This is not our first carousel ride, but the first on "amils" with out any tears. Yea big boys!
Oh, and what kind of mom lets her kids out in public like this?
A mom that thinks that the water feature would be turned off and therefore doesn't bring a change of clothes for her kids, and one who's kids absolutely MUST play with the
"croc-ka-di-eal".
This year, we bought an aquarium, and brought our little friends inside before any harm could come to them.
So now this is what is sitting on my kitchen table.
There are about six of them and a couple are starting to show signs of forming their chrysalis'. The boys are absolutely fascinated by the "cat-er-pill-lars" . They love to watch them crawl around and eat. I think they are going to really enjoy watching each stage. They already know that these caterpillars are going to turn into butterflies, but once they actually see it happen, well I think there will be a good deal of excitement.********************
On another note, we went to the Wild Animal Park again. Since reading "If You Give a Cat a Cupcake" we have been very interested in riding the carousel "by our self". This is not our first carousel ride, but the first on "amils" with out any tears. Yea big boys!
Oh, and what kind of mom lets her kids out in public like this?
A mom that thinks that the water feature would be turned off and therefore doesn't bring a change of clothes for her kids, and one who's kids absolutely MUST play with the"croc-ka-di-eal".
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