IEP brochure

I was reminded today of the tri-fold brochure I made for my son's IEP meeting this Spring.  I wanted the school to know a bit about my son as a person before we came to them with his educational needs.  I wanted them to see what we know our son, we love him as he is, and that he is a great kid!  My husband was a bit embarrassed by me and my brochure until the IEP team got their hands on it.  The team was really excited about all of the information it contained, they loved the pictures I included and actually made copies of it so that everyone on the team could have one.  It was a total win!  I had forgotten about the brochure until today when I went up to the school to ensure that his equipment was in place and the new principal of the school asked me for a copy so she could see "this fabulous brochure." 

Here is how you can make one for your child:

I simply used MS Publisher, there are templates that work very well for this purpose available under the "Brochures" heading.  Pick the style you like the best and add your child's information.   (If you don't have Publisher, MS Word will work too!)

Front: I added his full name and date of birth on the first page, as well as a beautiful picture of his face.  

Inside:  Bullet points of information about my child.  I included his learning style, how he makes friends, his environmental preferences (no loud noises, please!) and a bit about his personality.
Health history.  I included information on how my son came to be the 5 year old he is medically.  Just the highlights, things that will help the school understand why he is who he is.
Other staff.  Information on how I would like the other staff at the school to be trained in how to care for my child.  Lunch monitors, crossing guards, bus drivers, specials teachers.
Final thought.  In a new font and color I left the teachers with a positive statement about my child and a thank you!

Back of brochure:  More photos and a graphic relating to my child.  I chose one on introversion because my child is a strong introvert and does best when his boundaries are respected. 

Best of luck to everyone in the coming school year!

Not going well.

First let me say, Kat is thriving. She loves her school and her school loves her.

Now on to the bummer part. Drew is not thriving. Drew is bumming. Drew hates his school and we're finding that it just isn't a good fit for him. I desperately want to pull him. Peter wants to wait it out. P plans to go up there this week to observe Drew in action and to see if there is any way we can make this better but I really feel like this is a personality conflict and that Drew is never going to be a Montessori kid. He wants to work with people. He wants to play and run around and be silly. They want calm and quiet and independent work.

It's a rough situation to be in. We love Montessori. Love it. I think I have come to accept that it isn't for Drew but Peter is more willing to stick around and to try to get it to work. I feel like there are strikes against it right now. The price went up and it is hard to afford. Drew isn't happy. Drew would be happy at a play school. *sigh*

First day(s) of school.

Kat and Drew both had their first day of school today. Kat at the GATE school, Drew at the Montessori.
I am happy to report that it was a wonderful day for both. Drew was super disappointed that Kat got to take the bus and he didn't but he recouped well.
Kat declared her teacher to be "the best teacher EVER."
Drew declared his school to be "not as nice as the old one." (SNORT! The new school is not only a nicer facility, it has a better teaching philosophy, better nutrition program, and a better set of special classes throughout the week. Drew just doesn't like change.)

It was a great day! Now to get up and do it again for the next 10 months!

Go West, Young Man.

Drew ran away from home yesterday. Of course, he needed my help in packing but I was glad to oblige. We punished him for putting magnets in his mouth and that was the straw that broke the camels back for him. He said he was going to move in with the family across the street, he was certain they would treat him better.
I pulled out his suitcase and snuck downstairs to call across to their house to ask if they were busy and if Drew could come for a short visit. After filling them in on what was going on and what I wanted them to do, they were happy to help.
I walked Drew across the street, said goodbye and turned around. He skipped up to their door and was let right in.
The neighbors harassed him in the way that only truly good-natured people can. They showed him where he'd be sleeping, not in the youngest daughters bed like he hoped, in the basement where it gets really dark. They made him work in the kitchen. After about 5 minutes of this I walked over to retrieve him and he came running out the door before I even made it to the porch. He was quite a sight running outside in his cowboy boots with his little suitcase bumping behind him.
I've never seen him so happy to be home and in his own bed.

The grass is not greener, Boo Boo!

Playdate with GATE kids!

We hosted a wonderful playdate at our home today for 3 other children entering the GATE school in the fall. It was such a nice opportunity for the children to get to know one another and to build some solid relationships before they are thrust into a new school situation in the fall.
The children played well together. There was no "smart" talk, it was all play and swimming and being silly. It was like they knew they were in the company of kindred spirits and were all able to relax together.
We plan to do it again soon and hope to get some more children in on the playdates!

Montessori Graduation.

I guess it's already been 11 days since Kat graduated Montessori. Her school has a graduation ceremony that rivals the opening ceremony of the Olympics. It's that good.

Kat was asked to be the emcee this year. So. stinking. cute! Kat introduced each of the children and the song or dance they would be performing.

Kat also sang a solo in French and danced the Polish dance. It was darling and sweet and I cried the whole time. It was so touching to see all of those innocent faces ready to face the world and first grade.

We're so thankful we placed her in Montessori. A place where she fit in and was allowed to learn at her own pace.

"Don't I look hot?"

Kat was playing in the pool with her little friend and her brother when I heard her say, "Don't I look hot?"
I flipped on the inside. Seriously? Hot? I managed to ask her if she meant to say that she feels warm. No, she wondered if she looked hot like sexy.

ACK! ACK! ACK!

I immediately start to blame the little clique of girls in her public school kindergarten for being little hussies internally and externally say something about how both she and her little friend are beautiful girls and no one at the pool is "hot."

It's just the times I guess...it probably shouldn't be a big deal to me but it really bothered me.