I'm Warning You Now....

I just need a vent...a school related vent (surprise, surprise).

**Let me preface by saying that I don't expect teachers to do all the teaching...we work diligently at home on a daily basis.  Everything I'm posting here, I've already voiced to the school...and I just get blank stares.  We live in a "one school" county, meaning the school she is in, is the ONLY public school in the county.  Period.  We simply can't afford private schools or even tutoring until I find a full time job. 

My youngest is dyslexic...well the school can't deem her that because it's considered a medical diagnosis, so her IEP has decoding deficit listed as the learning disability...doesn't matter how they word it to me...it's the same thing.  Anyway,  my child is 10 years old and can't read or write more than her name...and I'm dead serious!!  She's been receiving "special ed" classes for 4 years now...and in my opinion, there should be a little more progression.

This year = new school for her.  I walked in the first day and requested an IEP meeting with all of her teachers, and although they didn't understand why I wanted all her teachers present (don't you have to read in every subject?) they obliged.  I thought we were off on the right foot, and I was being a proactive, concerned parent advocating for her child....instead I feel like I got the old brush off!

It seems that her "special ed" this year consists of the special ed teacher in her regular reading class with the reading teacher assisting WHOEVER needs assistance..."integrated learning."  Now, I'm no educator, but you can't just pick up a 5th grade reading book and expect her to catch on...it doesn't work that way!

Fast forward to last week, when for the 100th time, I receive a letter to sign her up for "optional" after school tutoring.  I declined, as in the past these are usually more of a group-everyone-into-the-cafeteria-and-we'll-do-homework-together sessions, and that doesn't work for her.  Well the principal didn't like my "no thank you" comment I wrote on said 100th letter and quickly picked up the phone to call me.

Gracie failed her math SOL (Standard of Learning) last year, so this year not only does she have her regular 5th grade math class, she also has an additional remedial math class as well.  I understand the remedial math class is mandatory because she failed, I've gotten over it. 

Back to phone call from the principal...  She tells me that the tutoring is also mandatory, even though the sign up sheet clearly states "optional."  I bucked her on that, and requested state/county documents stating the exact policy...still haven't received them!  Ms. Principal then goes into chipper motivational speech mode and says "we just want her to pass this year's SOL!"  Fire lit through me!!  My response was "well that's where we have our problem...see, I just want her to learn to read & write!"

So here it is the first week of October, and the kids have been back in school almost two months, and still no confirmation on getting her in the remedial reading group!!  If their actions don't give someone a clear view of their priorities, I don't know what would!  They could care less about teaching her to read/write...as long as the school is accredited....over my dead body!

I won't even go into how today, the so called special ed teacher called me...after getting Gracie out of class, asking her for my phone number and then using Gracie's cell phone (because she didn't want to take the time to go look it up) to call me about a meeting she said she scheduled but "forgot" to notify me about??

Guess where I'll be bright and early tomorrow morning? :)

Now, because I didn't want this to be a complete b**chfest, here are just a few examples of how dyslexics "see" words/numbers on a page:

Click Here For Interactive Examples

And also two other examples:

Now...how is she EVER going to pass their precious SOL tests without learning to read?  They can put her in every remedial math class but if she can't read the printed material, she can never pass!  Why am I the only one who gets that?

AARRRGGHHH!!  If you've gotten this far...God bless you!!

Sweet As Cupcakes

I've said it before, and I'll say it again; if you've never had the opportunity to participate in a Relay For Life event, you are missing out on an amazing experience!  A sense of community, camaraderie, and most importantly...hope.  Something, that no matter what your personal situation and tribulations (and we all have them), we crave.  Where almost everyone has a story, which in turn, creates a bond amongst all of us involved. 

Today was our local Relay event.  The weather, as predicted, was ominous...rain and storms were headed our way for the duration of the day.  I won't even try to say I wasn't slightly disappointed when the weather was forcasted, because to tell the truth, my heart sank - if just a smidge!  Tents, tables, activities and excitement just aren't as much fun in a downpour, right?  But, this morning while drinking my prerequisite pot of morning coffee, and while the house was quiet and still, I dug a little deeper into my thoughts and reasonings (hey, it happens to me occasionally.)

I rewound my memory back to when my own mother was sick, and came to the conclusion that the weather and cancer went hand in hand.  It was a whirlwind 14 months for all of us, to say the least.  It seemed that a thick black cloud hung over every activity, every holiday, every day...until the very end.  Our family's storm, if you will.  The survivors...well they can't be anything other than the rainbow after the horrendous storms have passed, and the warmth of the sun shining is most definitely organizations such as Relay For Life/The American Cancer Society.  This quickly changed my attitude about the day's events...if we weren't all willing to walk through a little rain, then how in damnation can we ever conquer something as devastating as cancer?  Perfect analogy.  Shoes on!

Luckily, the weather was quite cooperative until 5 p.m.  The luminaria event will be held at a later date, which we will NOT miss.  Come hell or high water, even if I have to drag myself there...I will attend!!  Personally, while the survivors' walk is beyond a hopeful and inspiring jump start to the day(which we all need), the luminaria ceremony is where my heart lies.  After such an upbeat, encouraging day, it's that last lap completed in silence and darkness, with only candlelight to light our way, that speaks to me.  The sheer volume of luminaries is harrowing, and it's a time to remember those storms our loved ones endured...not in vain, and in turn, gives us all the will to fight until there is no longer a need for luminaries or even relays at all!!

Here's a few highlights from today:

What's a Relay without a relay??

Sack race anyone?  These girls have a hard time just walking...Grace is not either of their names...throw in a sack...and well, you have a disaster...wedding video montage material for sure!

The one on her knees?  Yeah, she's mine *face palm*

Who doesn't LOVE cupcakes?  Sweet as sugar... Welcome to the cupcake eating contest (a dozen of them each)!!!!

Ok...these two seemed a little "cocky" before the contest considering the were the only adult females, the youngest and were outweighed by at least 50lbs...we'll see....

On your mark, get set...wait a hinkey....is that apprehension I see?

And they're off...although not glamorously!

The look says "Hey, 'Riah...maybe this wasn't such a great idea!"

And after coming to terms with their defeat...there's nothing like a little friendly cupcake fight between best friends!

Custom Sweet Memories

Wonder if I can interest my girls in a cupcake?

So, if you take nothing else away from this tonight...please do yourself a favor and treat yourself to the experience of Relay For Life....oh, and that cupcake eating contests will immediately crush your love of cupcakes FOREVER!!! ;)