Walkathon was last week - I was worried about how Hannah would go - last year I'd organised for my MIL to be around so that she could pick the twins up from the picnic point. This year she was busy and unlike last year - this year the sun was shining and the walk went ahead. No one at school had reassured me that they had planned for her. I crossed my fingers I rang the one Mum I know who has 4 kids, is comfortable with Hannah and could fit 2 more kids in her car - but her youngest was sick with an infectious virus - she reassured me that one of the teachers took a car and that if need be they would drive Hannah back to school. It was on my mind at school all day. When I finally got to pick the kids up from school int he afternoon one of my friends who organises the event commented on how well Hannah had gone. The principal had discussed with her a strategy for if Hannah needed a lift back. SHe hadn't. the note from Hannah's class teacher told me that the spec ed teacher had been with her 'the whole day'. Hannah told me that she walked with her best friend Z. SHe was asleep before we got home - and readily agreed to a nana nap with me once I unloaded the car.
We got Hannah's report today. It was as expected - written by the spec ed teacher and goal focussed - she is actually doing very well - but there was no fanfare...only an occasional glimpse of the individual who is my remarkable daughter. These are my first kids - maybe I just don't get the whole primary school grading thing - maybe it is her teacher's style. The spec ed teacher made a reference to her wonderful sense of humour but that was pretty much it ... the general comment was pretty standard.
I am wondering whether we should bother with the follow meeting we are having with the principal. Hannah has wonderful supports int hat school - so I am not happy with the class teacher - Adelaide you said it so well - it isn't only Hannah that flounders - and as a parent - who am I to start bagging out a classroom teacher who seems to be quite adequate and rather popular in some circles - just cos I think she is appalling at differentiating curriculum and seeing my child as an individual - she probably looks at me and sees psychomum extraordinaire - and she may have a point.
I am thinking of asking the principal to at least consider moving Hannah into the other class. I can't possibly be privy to the fall out/implications of such an action but I also think I'd be letting Hannah down if I didn't at least ask the question.
Just this morning at assembly - the sports teacher is looking after the other year 1 class for a short time. Both year 1 teachers are out at assembly - it is this teacher who looks around at the parent huddle and calls me over - she thinks Hannah has had a wee accident -there appears to be a 'puddle' near her bag and she is crouching down with head hanging low - all this is done quite discretely. I chat briefly with her and then get Hannah and take her out to the back of the assembly area. I ask if she has done a wee - 'no' she replies. I check for wetness and then as she clearly hasn't had an accident return her to the line up and let the teacher know that all is ok. Now as she is the sports teacher she asks me about Hannah's atlatioaxial instability (which is described as 'mild'). SHe has been chatting to the gymnastics team that come into the school - to remind them that Hannah can't do somersaults - she must have asked the teacher if Hannah ever would be able to - and was told that no - if she did and fell awkwardly she could break her spine. I chatted with her about our decisions re her physical activity - cos she LOVES being active - adores dance and gym and swimming and running and jumping etc - and so the teacher mentioned with great enthusiasm the special needs category at the interschool competition for swimming - if I was interested and gave permission she'd love to enter Hannah when she was older (and eligible). See what I mean - sure her class teacher was not 'in tune' to Hannah - but so many others are...So while I feel frustrated with the roadblock we have run into this year I know that there is so much going right for Hannah.
In the afternoon, Hannah came out with her older school buddies (they take her in the lift) - unlike all the other kids she was not clutching a white envelope. Her best friend was obviously worried - Did Hannah have her report? he asked. I reassured him that she would get a report - and that it as probably in her bag. I looked but it wasn't there. I was hesitating, thinking I'd have to beard the lioness to ask about it, when Kit arrived - holding two report envelopes.
And those are just a few of the stories of how Hannah is cared for and belongs to that school...so how much do I rock the boat? This principal is on our side - I feel that. I think things have improved for Hannah - but while the teacher sits and tells me that there has been no improvement as far as she is concerned in the past 6 months - I feel the pressure to protect my child from this erroneous attitude. Upon reflection (and let's face it I have been awake in the wee small hours of each night worrying about this for the past week) the only thing I am unhappy with is the classroom teacher - maybe I need to give up on this idea I have that the classroom teacher is pivotal...
Adelaide - Hannah's ST proves a great example of the outside voice you refer to - unfortunately she has been unwell and so has not met the principal yet but she generally emails the teacher, aids and spec ed teacher after each session and the spec ed teacher clearly tries to incorporate her ST goals into Hannah's support program - as I said I sometimes wonder if I am expecting too much...there are LOTS of good things happening...
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