We had the meeting this afternoon with the new school for Syd and the meeting went absolutely beautifully. They were all sooo supportive. The resource teacher actually made Syd a 5 page little booklet that says “Sydney’s going to Grade 1”. Inside it has a page with her teacher’s picture, a picture of the school and a bunch of other stuff. They gave us a video called a “Transitional video” that will  help with the transition into the school. They wanted to know what works best for Syd and stuff. For me the thing that impressed me the most was shortly after we got in there the principle said, “okay so we’ve read her file and see on paper what  Syd is all about but tell us about her!” WHAT …YOU CARE ABOUT HER…THE STUDENT…THE ONE WHO IS GOING TO BE ATTENDING THE SCHOOL.. It was unbelievable. Plus they wanted us to be aware that because of her anxiety it may be an impediment in determining scores for report card purposes and said that around October we’ll have to discuss with her teacher how we best accommodate that in order to find her true potential. As well, the Psychologist that is involved in the Halton version of George Hull (it’s called ROCK), she specializes in children with anxiety. We have already today signed a consent form for the schools therapist so that if we need any additional resources she’s already assigned to us and can get the ball rolling.

It was unreal. We were heard, we were speaking together not talked down to. We initiated ideas, they accepted them. THEY suggested that we come and visit the school multiple times after August 18^th (as that’s when the school is open to the teachers) and suggested that we visit the classroom a number of times. I asked her present school to do that in her JK year and I was blown off faster than you’d swat a fly). We felt so welcome.  Even our counsellor (from George Hull ) was just overjoyed.

They suggested if you can believe it that we have a communication book where we can keep ahead of ideas and strategies so that Sydney isn’t around to hear anything that would make her feel uncomfortable. You mean we shouldn’t tell her what a poor job she’s doing in front of her? The mindset is just so different.

One of the resource teachers even suggested that with her delayed speech everything for her would be a little further behind but that’s okay. AND…yes there is an AND…in the Halton board there are certain schools that are called members of “TRIBE” . It specifically states that if a student does not want to answer the teacher when being called on they have the “right” (imagine that a child has rights), they have a right to say, “Pass” and it is not considered bad or in poor behaviour or stupidity it’s just their right if they feel uncomfortable to pass. They say it’s worked wonderfully and the kids that are a little intimidated eventually come around…….what….are you serious….yay us…yay Sydney.

So all in all it went really well and although I will miss a number of people here so much boy oh boy does it make me feel invited and welcome. What a lovely change!