Hi Unoland :) Jr High update

[Jodi]

I've been here... just not posting lately. I thought this was an interesting situation and thought maybe I should post it just in case others might feel stuck like we were.

Ryan went from 4th grade a month ago to 6th! How is this possible you ask? We were not very happy with his placement this year. Ryan was in a 3-5 sdc. It just was not a good fit at all. When I observed other classrooms in the district, they were either too high or too low academically. So I asked, "What about Jr. High?" I think the district was shocked at first, but we found a great teacher in a k-8 setting. There is much that I am leaving out, but the bottom line, Ryan is now in Jr. High. We missed the "promotion" ceremony by doing this, but goodness... that was not as important as being in the right setting.

I haven't seen mb for a while, but all that I have been through made me think of her. The district is well aware that I know my rights. I do not push, they don't push back, and we actually are working very well together (knock on wood). They were open to the idea because they too felt the teacher wasn't a good fit, and the principal was clueless too. The district also was very good about providing support services for transition. We are in week 3 right now.

So I have a kid in Jr. High (he will repeat 6th - that's okay by me) and one that is a Jr. in High School. Oh, and my eldest just got his drivers license today... man oh man I am starting to feel old

Take care all...

Jodi

[Chris too]

Thanks for the great update, Jodi

How is Ryan liking his new setting? Is he switching classes and everything? Is he making new friends? How are your nerves with the new driver in the house?

[Ericsmomma]

Sounds like everyone if on the right track with Ryan. I hope his transition goes smoothly.
Ah, new driver in the house.....if I recall, thats when I really started buying "Nice and Easy" hair dye...haven't stopped since! (its really not so bad). Good Luck!

[Emilysmom]

Thanks for the update, Jodi! You've been missed around here!
I hope this will be a perfect fit for Ryan. Let us know how it works for him.
I can relate to the driver's license thing too.............and really, once you start to feel comfy with them driving, it can be a pretty cool thing since they can run errands for you, help with taking the other kids places, etc. (Of course, I live in a small town with no freeways....not sure how I'd feel about it if I lived in CA!!)

Please post when you can.
Susan

[Googsmom aka Jennifer]

Great update Praying all goes well.

[Jodi]

Okay - I think it is safe to say that it is working out well in the new setting. I attribute the great success to the new teacher. She is just great. Although Ryan is in Jr. High, he is on a campus that is K-8. So when the Jr. High students go to PE, Ryan goes to recess. One very cool part of the program, each and every day an RSP teacher comes in a takes over for the teacher who spends about an hour 1:1 with Ryan and an aide using his communication device. I get daily updates on his behavior - good and bad!

Another good report - 3 years ago we were told there was no hope for Ryan's speech to improve. His new SLP said they were wrong. His progress is SLOW but he will continue to improve yay!! We still use the device for when he is around people who do not get his speech patterns.

So hooray - a good transition!

Jodi

[momofrussell]

LOVE IT JODI!!!!! That's what the I in the IEP is all about! Glad they identified that with Ryan and this placement is working!!!!!

Coincidentally, we are meeting with the sped teacher at the middle school tomorrow!!!! We have one more year of Elementary school then off to middle and we need to see what it expected, see the program and tailor Russell's IEP accordingly for the next year..........

A.

[Pat]

WOW! ;D Great news. Was Ryan excited about being in Jr.high ?
As for your new driver, get all you can from it now while he wants to drive. Run errands.... Have fun. Thanks for the up date.
Pat

[char]

Let me say this about driver's licenses. I have grandchildren, four to be exact, who have driver's licenses. If you think you feel old because your child has a license to drive, please know that it doesn't get any better when the grandson says, "Come on, Grandma, it's time to leave."

Now, ask me if I feel safe with him behind the wheel! The answer is no, but I'm trying.

Char

[Jessie]

That is so awesome!! Who knew what great opportunity was out there just waiting for him?!!

Is he loving it all?



Jessie