The Phone Call

A few nights ago I received a phone call from the school district. There’s something about seeing “Gilbert Unified Schools” on our Caller ID that just gives me a sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach. When I answered I realized it was the psychologist at Max’s school calling about this year’s IEP. Because she knows that I am not a big fan of the IEP process it must have taken a lot of courage to tell me that it has been three years since Max’s last “full evaluation” so she was calling to get my permission to test him again. AGAIN?!

She went on to say, “Who knows maybe Max has made progress since the first grade testing we did.” Really? “Maybe” he’s made progress? Is she kidding me? Has she seen Max since first grade? Heck, has she ever seen Max? Why is the entire school system so certain that Max is an academic train wreck? He reads at a Middle School level, knows more geography and history than any child his age, speaks two languages and yet the “experts” in child development are amazed when we tell them to push Max academically. Let’s not forget that last year’s teacher had the nerve to ask me what I would do when Max could no longer handle the work. She wanted to know if I would be willing to accept that. For the first time in my life I was absolutely speechless, this woman was serious!

It is the IEP “dance” that I hate most about the beginning of the new school year. Being the control freak that I am I really dislike having others decide what Max’s education should look like. I have never let the doctor’s dictate his medical treatment without our input, why would I let the school system dictate his education plan?

New Beginnings

And so today another school year begun. For those of you who follow along with us I will proudly let you know that no child was sent off on the wrong school bus.....mostly because Ellie was smart enough to make me stay home.....

As you can see Max was excited to get back to his kingdom where his loyal subjects awaited him. His only problem this year will be learning that it isn't as easy to charm a "boy teacher" as it is a "girl teacher". Especially when this "boy teacher" is married to your first grade "girl teacher" which means he's already been exposed to all of Max's usual tricks. Good luck Max, good luck Mr. Doutrich!

And so it begins.....

Back to School Musings

Tomorrow is the first day of school. What this means for the kids is the excitement of a new backpack, getting the teacher they really, really wanted, and seeing their friends after a long, hot summer. What it means for me is many hours spent school supply shopping yet I have only purchased a fraction of the supplies on the lists received at “Back to School” night. I’m not sure but I think the public school system receives kickbacks from Staples, Office Max, and Target. If they don’t, they should. I have filled out the requisite pages and pages of “new school year” paperwork.

Both of these activities have lead me to one very important suggestion to the School Board – please, please, please DO NOT hold “Back to School Night” the evening before school starts. Do you have any idea what the Target parking lot looks like right after this event? Crazed mothers clutching the supply list they received just moments before makes the day after Thanksgiving shopping rush look like a stroll in the park. These are women on a mission, often with whining children in tow begging for something that isn’t even on “The List”, how utterly dare they?! Furthermore, do these people have any idea how long it takes to fill out page after page of forms (times 2 for two kids – heaven help larger families!)?

So because I’m never shy about offering my opinion up I’m going to pop the following note into the school’s suggestion box:

Dear Mr. School Board Person-

Please allow me to introduce myself. I am the mother of two students in your school district. I would like to make you aware of a few pieces of information you might find valuable when scheduling next year’s back to school events. This last minute practice of yours is killing innocent mothers! Is it actually possible for you to be even less organized than I am?

Please understand that although I love a good fight over the last package of index cards in the school supply aisle as much as the next mom I feel a line must be drawn at the tug-o-war I witnessed over the last Mario-Cart thermos.

Also, I know you think our children should be helping us fill out their own forms but I must ask you, have you ever seen their handwriting? Perhaps this leads to another point, whatever happened to teaching penmanship? Never mind I’ll leave that for another suggestion box entry….

Sincerely,

A Mom on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown


Happy School Year All!

Last Day of Freedom

After summers of casts, open-heart surgeries and more, Max finally swims!!!

Is it really over? Do I have to go to school tomorrow?

Cannonball!!

Cathching those last rays...