update on meeting

[alexsma]

Todays meeting went pretty much as a i would have expected it to go. They brought up all the points that I expected. That sending Alex to suspension was to keep him from preventing the other children from learning. The good points are that the guidance consoler and psychologist both agreed with me that the entire day is way too much.

They also feel that his teacher gives him too many chances, so we now agreed to post a copy of the classroom rules on his desk and one warning about behavior and then it's to the office and the dreaded room. Only until he writes a paragraph as to why he is there and which rule he broke. Sounds simple if he is on task. If the teacher becomes consistent with this approach I feel we should be able to handle him. Although now after this meeting I am not to fond of our principal. All that she kept repeating is that he is a smart little boy and she feels he is choosing when to behave and when not to, also that these are the same problems he has had since preschool. Well Duh! I have been asking for help!

Thanks for your support.

[d]

alexsma said:

All that she kept repeating is that he is a smart little boy and she feels he is choosing when to behave and when not to, also that these are the same problems he has had since preschool. Well Duh! I have been asking for help!

Does not sound like teacher (or principal) "gets it" at all.

Maybe a concise follow-up letter may be beneficial?

[Mayleng]

and send some info about ADHD to both principal and teacher too.

[VaMom]

alexsma,

Do you have a doctor/therapist who deals with your ds' ADHD? I would have THAT person write to the school. You have some clueless and stubborn folks over there and I think that a letter from a professional would carry more weight with them. It shouldn't because no one knows your child better than you, but I'm thinking in terms of whom they would be most willing to listen to.

Good luck... I really feel for your little guy being in detention.

[Gillian]

Yes, VaMom has an excellent idea there. Ask your doc/therapist to send a letter. I think I would go with the therapist as she/he may have some good therapeutic ideas to pass on. Good going alexma.

[alexsma]

Actually we have one better, there is a children's center in our town that sends therapists into the schools to work with the kids. The help that they receive in the schools is free, covered under some kind of grant. Alex is working with a guy who was actually recommended by his first psychologist who was leaving the center a couple of years ago. We are in the process of getting on his case load at the center also I feel he does need more work, but I feel a lot of it is school based. He attends a childcare center that is ran by the school district in the summer and for latchkey after school. He doesn't have many problems with social skills or listening there! It is a very loose program though, the kids get plenty of run around time. During winter break they play kick ball the the middle schools gym. Since the weather is usually bad here. When I say not many problems he doesn't get into any more than typically of children his age.

So I am hoping that this gentleman has some great ideas for following though at school for Alex. Also since this meeting and getting the teacher to give one warning and then down to the office until he can write out what he did. He has had a great two days!! Yeah I think I may need to come up with a reward if he brings home a good interim report for behavior from school.
Thanks for your support as always
It seems like those dark days are behind us now

[Gillian]

Yeah!