School Is In Session...

As some of you know, we've had many problems with the princess's school this year. Yes, I know it's ony been four months. Four months too long if you ask us. She has special needs and IEP; something some of you are familiar with in your own families. In the princess's case, she's what we call our "Hat Trick" and yes, that's said with love given her father's passion for hockey.
The princess you see has what is called,but not always known as a Non-Verbal Learning Disability/Disorder, Bipolar Disorder and she is Hearing Impaired due to a condition called Otosclerosis. Now one or perhaps even two of these "special needs" may be understood and dealt with appropriately by some teachers and school staff. Not here, not now and who knows when. Folks, this school that the princess has been attending for 7th grade "claims" that they've never had a student like her, that they don't understand her disabilities, they she is in G/T classes so she should just know things and deal with things like all the other kids her classes. Sorry, no-go, doesn't work that way. I could sit here until November 2008 trying to explain all the frustrations and humiliations that we and she has experienced these last four months,but I won't. Suffice to say, that after numerous calls (often more an once a week) and meetings with her teachers, principals and school psychologist, we have decided to take the princess out of school and I will teach her at home. Ohhhhhhh how they scoffed at THAT idea when I told them!! Suddenly, they could do SO much more for her, SO much better for her than I can. As I told the staff at the last meeting, I may not have an education beyond my high school diploma,but I have raised my daughter for nearly 13yrs. I have been a mom to her older sister for 15yrs and I'm about to have my 6th child. I don't need a college degree to tell me how to raise my children and teach them in the ways that they need to learn. I have more knowledge of my daughter and her disabilities than that whole room full of college educated staff will ever have and THAT is what she needs right now. I was very polite as is my way,but also to the point. My statement was not met with acceptance I assure you. Instead they talked me into signging a 30 day trial period after which we would review and modify her IEP as necessary. I signed, knowing in my heart that we would not last the 30 days. Kudos to the school psychologist who spoke with me privately after the meeting and told me that she sees what I see and agrees 100% that their school is NOT the best place for my daughter. And she and I agreed that the 30 day trial was bull and would not work. It lasted a week.
As of a week ago last Friday (just before Thanksgiving) we submitted our letter to the district informing them that I will be homeschooling from this point forward. Because of Thanksgiving break, her school has no doubt not been given formal notice as yet so it won't surprise me to hear from them tomorrow. Besides which, we have to go back to return text books and clear out her locker.
Given that it's been Thanksgiving break and my oldest son is out of school for that, I did not begin school yet,but we will start fresh tomorrow and the princess is so excited! She may have difficulties, but she is incredibly bright and loves to learn! It will be a big change for both of us and for her toddler brothers who aren't used to having her here all day. She and I are like oil and water most of the time so we'll be working on that, like it or not. Some days will be smoother sailing than others, I know. Despite my anger towards her some days over her haughty pre-teen attitude (and just barely pre- at that), I know in my heart that I'm doing the right thing for her. I don't plan to homeschool her forever, I don't know that I can challenge her enough,but we'll take it a day at a time and see how things go. Her dad is more than willing to teach where I find my weaknesses and he's got a brilliant mind that she fairly inherited. He assures me that we will succeed in bringing out the best in her, challenging her and showing her the heights she can truly achieve if given the right tools and encouragement. And isn't that what we all want for our children?
Tomorrow morning, the princess will begin school. Unfortunately, I will not be with her due to a medical appointment,but she will go to work with her dad and have plenty of worksheets and review sheets to bring along and keep her busy. I'm looking forward to tomorrow afternoon when they come home and I can read more about her interests, what she's already learned and what she wants to learn together. Looks like it will be school for BOTH of us.
Let the school bells ring!