We had parent teacher’s conferences Thursday night. I left that school just about the Happiest Mommy on earth.
The School sends you appointment times so there is no more waiting in line like they used to do. Ex came and our first stop was Ali's classroom. Right away I noticed a certificate sitting on the table with Ali’s name on it. Her Teacher jumped right in to explain that it had been awarded to Ali because at the beginning of the year when they took the state "Iowa Tests", Ali placed in the top 90th percentile in the entire state! The certificate is from the Utah board of Education!
WE were all very proud. We talked more and her teacher stressed again about Ali’s writing skills. She said that Ali is an amazing Author and is very creative. She actually said very seriously “I really hope she does something big with it”. “She can really go some where with her writing!”
Another awesome step for Ali is that she is FINALLY above her grade level in reading. Since Kindergarten she has been below average in reading, and she has gone to special reading groups since the first grade. This year she was on the verge and her teacher had decided to put her in the group. Ali has had a hard time this year feeling like she didn’t need it, and that she was a bit embarrassed, and to be honest with the amount of time she spends reading I myself was surprised she was still in the group. So we discuss talking with her reading teacher about taking her out of the group. That made Ali VERY happy. Through further discussion I did find out that there has been some drama going on with her and her friend Izzy. Apparently it’s an every day occurrence, which they’re either fighting, or talking too much. I’ve wondered about this friend of hers this year as I have heard Ali mention a few things that I didn’t necessarily like hearing (for instance, that this friend was “rubbing” her ‘boyfriends’ back! Okay First a BOYFRIEND??? Second... RUBBING HIS BACK????? Oh, I don’t think so!!!!) She’s been a friend of Ali’s since Kindergarten and I know her parents well in the ward, so it quite surprised me to hear. Besides having many discussions with Ali about age appropriateness, “being eight” and NOT doing things just because her friends are, I have kept a careful ear out for any other red flags. .
Her teacher said that Ali is pretty good about not letting the drama effect her work, but that they needed to work on a way to “leave recess at recess” because “Izzy is “less mature” than Ali and it really has an impact on her (Izzy) (including Izzie sobbing with her head down at her desk)!. Well, okay….. That’s yet another issue I’d like advice on!!!
Her teacher did say something that made me feel really good. She said “Ali is such a great, happy girl. You can tell that she has a wonderful home life and that things you are doing are really working well for her because she always has a positive attitude, and is very confident” I swear I felt warm and fuzzy!
I don’t know if she remembers that we’re a “broken home” but all these years I’ve spent worrying and hearing Ex echoing in my ears telling me that I’ve “ruined the kids lives by leaving him” among other things. I hear this gigantic statement and it finally felt like someone was telling me I’m doing fine.
Okay, Moving on………. So because her school work and grades are so beautiful, her Goal for this last trimester is to cut down the drama with her friend, and to maybe broaden her friendships.
I’m so incredibly proud of her.
On we went to Kindergarten.
Megan was very quiet as we sat down and following her teachers instructions without a single hesitation she brought over her workbook to show us her progress. She’s improved on her own reading skills tremendously since our last meeting. I mentioned to her teacher that it felt like things had clicked about a month ago, and I was seeing some very strong reading skills coming out. She’s doing great and is right on track. We got to look at some of her artwork, and some other stories she’d written about her pictures... This girl of ours is such a riot. She wrote a story about the sea complete with “plankton”! Meg was quiet throughout the meeting snuggling into my side, and listening to our discussion. I’m glad to know that she’s not behind in her reading skills like Ali was, and that she is still a good little girl in class. Megan LOVES School. She loves being with her friends, and she loves doing her work. I’m so glad.
We made a brief stop at the book fair before we left, and Megan picked out a book to bring home. Ali was jipped by the horrendous selection left which only included books beyond her age level, or WAYYYYYY below it.
I am glad I asked her Teacher for a list of age appropriate chapter books. This “tween” age is NOT easy!
.
.
Ali continued with her speech therapy. More eating, swallowing, and keeping her “tongue on the spot” a.k.a. on the roof of her mouth..
When we got home, My mom who had been watching Mattie, had made us a wonderful dinner and had even set the table with my fancy dishes... It was so nice..
Good things…….
Jane, My Hero
1 week ago
