We have survived

The title says it all really. It has not been a great year of inclusion for Hannah. Enough said. Maybe this is what to expect every year. God I hope not. In her 'Maths' book - there are 3 worksheets - incomplete at that. That's it. A whole year of work...it is better than her spelling book. It is blank - except for a /5 written in red on the first page which never ever got used. I know that Hannah has done a lot of work. I am actually pleasantly surprised by how well her maths is coming along - but all those measures are in the Resource room they are not in the class room. You know who next years great hope is? I already had a meeting with her earlier in the year when she was acting principal - and I was so very stressed and frustrated at what was not happening in the classroom - and I just went blllllllllllllllllluuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuueeeeeeeehhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh! Barely drawing breath with strategies that I would love to have seen tried but that never were. Anyway we have her next year At least she knows what to expect from me. She is a lovely calm and organised person. Understated but definitely not to be underestimated. She also LISTENS. Fingers crossed. What has been happening well is the continued acceptance of Hannah as Hannah by the other children in the class. She recently did the school swimming program which she loved. Her reading is progressing - slowly but surely. Her communication and confidence are improving also. I am hoping to do a few bits of work with her over the holiday to keep her reading level from falling. In an unusual decision I asked that the twins be kept in the same class next year. I had many reasons for this. Mostly I remember how hard it was earleir in the year when Kit could tell how unhappy and worried we were but was unable to help at all because he wasn't in the room - that is one of the key things having a child with communication difficulties. Her communication book is still the first thing I go to each afternoon even though her class teacher barely writes in it. There are other benefits though. I am hoping that it might encourage a bit more ongoing play between them at home - keeping some common experiences for them that might be good in developing their relationship at home. They have a lovely relationship but there are increasing differences due to gender and developmental levels. Not a problem but I think it would be nice to foster some common interests between them where I can. I definitely do not want Kit feeling responsible for her - even though he is!! I am vowing that I will not ask him directly how Hannah is for at least the first 5 weeks of term. Unfortunaltely just yesterday when they found out who their teacher and classmates would be one wonderful boy came racing up to me on the playground and said "You won't have to worry about Hannah next year because Kit is in the same class". Her best friend (a lovely young boy - Z) is in a different class - so apparently on the way home this first young boy was telling his mum that Zs turn was over and it was his turn to help look after Hannah next year. So yes we survived but it wasn't alone. There was an enormous amount of work put in by the support staff, the principal, Hannah's buddies, the other kids in the class and even the class teacher (I hope! and think) tried her best. Still I really would like to set up an INCLUSIVE class experience for Hannah next year...Here's hoping...and preparing...