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Saturday, November 15, 2008

This week : Eclectic Parenting


I yearn to be Eclectic
in my life~
Most people, when asked their decorating style say they are eclectic, meaning they like a little bit of this, and a little bit of that. Eclectic design however is a bit more meaningful than that, though it is hard to describe. When someone answers with the word 'eclectic' no one actually knows what they mean. After all, there are so many design styles that eclectic design draws from.
Well, it has been a week full of things to do -- and in turn things to post about--
So, hopefully you are just, waiting impatiently to read this post?

  • The 504 Meeting ~These are the questions, that the principal, wanted to answer during the meeting~
  1. What is the disability that Shane might have?
  2. Does the documented disability interfere with his ability to learn?
  3. If so, does an accommodation plan allow him to access general education?
Well, I have a new favorite agency, it's called Direction Service
They are a local independent non-profit corporation, funded through public and private donations-- they are also a United Way Agency!
I met with this wonderful person -- to tell the story about Shane and our trials so far--She listened, took notes and asked -- really important questions. She helped me to find another way to ask for what we/I need without, coming across as a parent on a mission to re-program the whole public school system! She helped me to stay organized and on topic. She was focused and interested, she even had questions prepared that I had yet to think of.
************** What an awesome thing! ******************
Today, I feel like we did create some new, better ideas for Shane and his school experience-- although we have yet to put the 504 plan to paper,
we are working on a detailed IPBS...
(I think that means, Individual Positive Behavior Support~ plan)
From what I understand, the school is willing to create a 504 plan, but that they need Shane in school more often to have more data about his behaviors and what might be the trigger for them. Because Shane is at the top of his class academically-- but far below his class in behavior-- this is a challenge .
Next week he goes to school for a longer day,(yahooo!) he will still miss lunch and music and PE, because going to those things involves standing in line and waiting-- (not Shane's best skills).
I asked that I be in the loop with the behavior team - I really think that my input could help get a plan that works, but I am only... a professional mom, not a professional behavior specialist.
The card that they use to help Shane track his behaviors got some much needed details, they will add pictures and then laminate it so that Shane can really see what is the next task and also the reminder to strive for that ever elusive happy face. (I thought the lamination was a great idea, since he likes to rip and tear up things that he doesn't like-- much to the dismay of his teachers and parents!)
********edited to add-- The principal also said I could find Shane a fidget- it-- something to hold in his hands to keep him focused and busy while he needs to be paying attention to a speaker.-- We are also considering re-visiting the idea of using the weight vest.********
The meeting went over an hour-- but I think... and hope that this will motivate some solid changes for Shane--- (I hate to be negative and borrow trouble, but I still think his teacher is saying one thing and doing another... however I am doing my best to turn the other cheek!)
(I do hope that I get a gold star
for being a ...flexible mommy!)


Okay, moving on--
This morning, my dear hubby and his brother,left to go camping and hunting for BIG ELK.-- He said not to expect him until Tuesday evening, unless he finds his target earlier. I do hope he gets his target, the amount of meat and the fact that ELK tends to be very lean -- is a great thing.
Although, I don't want to see the target until it is nicely wrapped up in freezer paper ready to store in the big freezer.

I also took Shane in to the Dr. to ask about his cough that he seems to have had since the start of school- This was a different Dr. than we usually see-- he happened to have a hearing problem--
So, I really had to describe what type of cough-- geez-- I hope I was clear in my comments!
The Dr. gave us some samples of Singulair -- that Shane will take one at bedtime. Last night I still heard coughing, but I am hoping that with each day there will be less coughing!

At our school the kids get their picture taken by the Lifetouch company --
It is amazing how these pictures turn out-
-[good & bad
]-
As a rule we never buy a big package, but just a small one so that the kids get a classroom photo.
{I asked Jessica, what she was thinkin' when the picture was taken
and she replied, "That's my rabbit look Mom, I want a pet rabbit! "}

We never seem to have a boring moment,
I am really Thankful and proud of my eclectic family ~
((I know I am most likely using that word in the wrong context--but I like it ! ))






2 comments:

www.frogparenting.blogspot.com said...

My dear friend Lynn sent me this email-- it seemed to have the same theme as this post?

. A new teacher was trying to make use of her psychology courses. She started her class by saying, 'Everyone who thinks they're stupid, stand up!' After a few seconds, Little Johnny stood up. The teacher said, 'Do you think you're stupid, Little Johnny?' 'No, ma'am, but I hate to see you standing there all by yourself!'


Little Johnny watched, fascinated, as his mother smoothed cold cream on her face. 'Why do you do that, mommy?' he asked. 'To make myself beautiful,' said his mother, who then began removing the cream with a tissue. 'What's the matter?' asked Little Johnny. 'Giving up? * * *
The math teacher saw that little Johnny wasn't paying attention in class. She called on him and said,

'Johnny! What are 2 and 4 and 28 and 44?' Little Johnny quickly replied, 'NBC, FOX, ESPN and the Cartoon Network!'

Little Johnny's kindergarten class was on a field trip to their local police station where they saw pictures tacked to a bulletin board of the 10 most wanted criminals. One of the youngsters pointed to a picture and asked if it really was the photo of a wanted person. 'Yes,' said the policeman. 'The detectives want very badly to capture him.'Little Johnny asked, 'Why didn't you keep him when you took his picture ?'

Thank God,
Shane is NOT little Johnny-- right?

HennHouse said...

I have been waiting to read how the 504 plan meeting went--so glad you've got a plan now!

Also, my Isaac is on singulair--it works very well. He takes it in the morning with zyrtec.