Edwards' Family Field Trip
Tags:We were up and out early this morning for a tour of Simon's kindergarten.
WOW.Kindergarten. Can hardly believe that is coming up next.
Simon will be in a full-day kindergarten program at one of the local elementary schools (full day kindergarten is not the norm in Oregon - there are maybe three schools in our area that offer full day programs).
He will participate in the "regular" room with kids in the morning
(including the bulk of academics, lunch, recess, etc ) and then spend a
couple hours in the afternoon in a classroom focused on language,
social skills, etc. Full day around here is basically 8am to 1:30pm.
Simon was a superstar. He was excited once we got in the door - I think he could sense this was going to be an ok place (as soon as we clarified more than a couple times that he did not have to say "goodbye" to mommy and daddy at this school today). We met his special ed teacher and she showed us all around the school and told us more about the program: the schedule, the teachers, the classrooms, etc. We visited the kindergarten room, said hi to his teacher & the kids, checked out the cubbies, the tables, the globes ("earths"), the "storybooks,"etc. Much of it was set up just like his current classroom which will definitely help with the transition.
Simon was super chatty throughout the tour. He especially loved the blocks of color on the tile floor ("just like a rainbow"), the library, and a big fish tank in the lobby. When the teacher asked him if he wanted to see the lunch room he responded with a very enthusiastic "yeah."
My first impression of this school: it is ALIVE.
It has been years and years since I have been in an elementary school, but man, this place was full of color and kids and numbers and books and windows (and light) and LIFE. There were kids and teachers all over the place but it was not chaotic, nor was it closed off and sterile.
It felt progressive and open and inclusive and happy. And I like that.
As I walked through I was thinking to myself how very thankful I am for the early intervention services that Simon has received over the last few years. They have been instrumental in getting him ready to head to kindergarten. He understands the basics of a classroom and picture schedules and snack/lunch time and play time. And he is working hard everyday on interacting with the other kids (the social and the language are probably his two biggest issues).
I am so excited for him - especially after visiting the school today and seeing his response. I know it will be a big transition, but man, what a ride.
A couple other things on this Monday morning:
1. Have you seen Meet The Robinson's yet? When Paolo was here we took Simon and it was AWESOME. Great movie, great message. All about "keep moving forward." Totally an underrated, delightful gem for adults as well as kids.
2. Daily schedule update. After my post yesterday I worked on making one up for myself on a spreadsheet - talk about a TASK. Have you ever sat down and really written out everything you do every day (or things that come up each week) and tried to organize it into some sort of structured system? I realized just how long it has been since I wrote all my personal tasks (both life & work together on one document) - seeing it on my computer screen was a quite an awakening. I feel a bit more confident as I move forward today that I am setting myself up for success.
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52 comments
Kindergarten. Wow. Thank goodness for special services! Caleb went to full day pre-K the year before K and would have never made it without. My son loves school, I think it is the structure and routine. Loves routine. Sounds like you picked a great place for Simon, that is the most important thing... finding a wonderful, lively, caring place where they will massage all of the wonderful things inside children to the top. I feel the same way about our school... great teachers, ST, spec. ed. and OT.
I am happy you have found all that for Simon. Another battle won!
:) JE
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hey you! sounds like a fabulous school for Simon! I am excited for him....
Be Good
M
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yay for simon!
and yes, i've done the spreadsheet thing. very eye-opening in what we accomplish during a day.
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It is amazing what we can accomplish in our day to day life if we just put one foot in front of the other and keep moving forward.
The list thing really helps put things in prospective! It was good to see you in Detroit, you helped make it very REAL for all of us!
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Ali, I am soooooooo excited for your family!!! I work in the field of early intervention and "success" stories always make you feel like you changed someone's life. I am sure there will be bumps in the road, but the fact that the visit went so well must be super encouraging. I also liked your description of the school. NOT all schools are like that, but they should be!!
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It sounds like Simon is really getting ready for this next big step in life. He seems like such a wonderful boy. You bring him to life for those of us who only know you through this medium. You and your family have brought me a greater understanding of what life really is. Thank you so much.
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Very cool that you liked the school. And I like your idea of writing everything you do in a day on a spreadsheet. I may try that myself!
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So cool on the new school for Simon. It sounds awesome.
I took my 11 year old daughter to see Meet the Robinsons a couple of weeks ago and we were floored. We loved it...loved the movie, loved the message. It was a really great movie for anyone and everyone.
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I have no doubt he will do great. It helps that you have already seen his classroom and where he will go...Simon seeing your excitement and happiness, will help him be excited and happy about going to his new school. I have also seen the power of early intervention and it IS a wonderful thing.. My AS son is just finishing up 2nd grade and he has made so much progress since those early years.. He is in a regular room with a shared parapro that he shares with 2 other kids.. There may be bad days at school from time to time, (even kids not on the spectrum have them) but the good days will far outweigh the bad.. It sounds like a great school!
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Ali, what are the chances you'd share a screenshot or example of your spreadsheet daily schedule? I really, really need help in this department, and I can't begin to wrap my mind around how to begin this task!
Simon rocks. I love that his new school will be so awake and alive. What a lucky kid.
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We took our 5yo son to "Meet the Robinsons" a couple weeks ago. Good movie, but I thought a few parts were a bit intense. Sure enough when we got home he said, "That movie was a little too scary for me." And yet the next day he wanted to go see it again!
We just went through "kindergarten roundup" with Rafe, too, and even though this is the 3rd one I'm sending off it's every bit as exciting and bittersweet as the 1st and 2nd. Here all-day kindergarten is 8:30 to 3:00, just like the big kids, and because we live in the country he'll ride the bus to and from school with his sisters (which is probably the part he's most excited about!).
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I'm so glad Simon's first impression of Kindergarden was a good one. He really will love it and thrive once scool starts. I agree with you about the energy at an elementary scool. There is a special feeling there and I love it! http://jolenegeorge.blogspot.com/
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Ali, please know every first time parent worries about that first day of kindergarten! Teachers are much more aware of things than they used to be. For example, my husband mainstreams lots of kids and was getting a girl with autism in his 6th grade class. They had an "interview" before school began -- DH, new student, students parents, school counselor, special ed teacher -- new student's favorite color is purple. DH wore a purple shirt to his interview -- small thing (relatively) to him (except of course he's the most thoughtful, wonderful man in the world), but HUGE thing to his new student who felt comfortable right away, and to her parents who realized the new teacher would be responsive.
So now you are organizing your time and tasks just like Simon's new class! Cool!
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Sounds like a fabulous school!!
My Evan is starting Kdg this fall as well and it is also full day. Most schools here have full day kdg.
I wasn't sure I liked the idea of kdg all day but it is growing on me :0)
And I agree about early intervention!!!
Evan was diagnosed with Sensory Integration Dysfunction at 3 1/2 and I am definitely feeling more confident and comfortable about school now.
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i had ethans kindergarten registration last week . . . his school is "alive" too . . . it's only a half day here though many other schools have gone to full day . . .he's ready for full day . . .but i'm glad to have him home with a little more yet next year. he came out of his classroom with the other kids and was so excited . . .i think he exact words were " this is awesome . .this school rocks!"
so excited for simon. i'm sure the transition will go well.
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Very good for you all that you seem to have these services readily available for your family. It really is a service to your whole family. Illinois is not exactly the same where I worked in Early Childhood and not the same for my cousin's son in Chicago Public Schools. Do you have to travel far to this school or is it you local school w/ kids from your neighborhood? Social relationships are so important. I struggle w/ the notion of 1/2 or whole day K. I am more "traditional"(I enjoy my time @ home w/ a preschooler) so go 1/2 but like the fact that 1/2 day is the "traditional" and the rest of day needed services. SUper love ya and have followed blog since heard ya @ CKU CHGO. SUe
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That's so awesome that you guys are excited about his new school. What a big boy! I bet it made you proud that he seems ready. I think we will be faced in the next couple of weeks with the decision of whether or not to put Camden in Pre-K. Honestly, I could CRY right now just thinking about it. I keep getting mixed advice/opinions, which seems to make it more difficult.
About writing down everything we do in a day, oh my gosh! LOL I can't even imagine adding in work tasks with all I do at home with the kids. And the fact that I feed my five-month-old on demand makes it difficult to exactly schedule the time, it's more of a routine. It feels like a fresh start when I attempt it though. And I love fresh starts. :)
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It sounds like Simon is in the "right" place and that can make a difference! I feel blessed that my son has been in the "right" place too. He is heading to High School next year! It seems like just yesterday I was sending him to kindergarten. I am just so happy that you and your family have such great people and services to support Simon. Kudos go to all the great people who make such a difference in our kid's lives. Go, Simon, go!
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So happy for you all. I have experience of spec ed here in the UK both personally and professionally and I know when it's right it really does make a difference in fact it changes lives. I know it did ours. My son was given a 30% chance he would never talk but being in the right school helped immensely and now he NEVER shuts up!!He had lots of other little niggles most of which have been resolved through the hard work and dedication of everyone involved.
Once again, so happy for you. I know how you feel.
Sharon x
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Terrific news about kindergarten! Wow, what a step :) I just went through the EC Cares website - and double wow. If every state/county doesn't have something like this,they SHOULD. It sounds terrific and had my 2 cousins had this type of program, they might be in a different place in dealing with their autism. It is remarkable and a blessing that the program exits and was able to assist your family.
And #2 - you are a brave girl for looking at all you do in one week. Should I ever decide to do that, I think I'd be really shocked about what I do and where the time goes. Since courage was my word for the year, perhaps I should buck up and try... Thanks for the fresh perspective, Ally :)
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