School Days

Today is the first day of the 2006-2007 school year in our district. This is the last year that school will be starting this early, beginning next year the Texas Legistlators have decided that school cannot start before the 4th Monday in August. I am not very enthusiastic about this new law, August is the hottest month of the year, it is dangerous to send my boys out to play and keeping them entertained inside is a challenge. My childcare costs will increase dramatically and then there is my concern about retention of what has been learned the previous year. But that is the way it will be.

My three boys are finally all in the same school. I am very happy with the teachers that they have and I am optimistic that we will have a good year.

S., my nine year old (seen getting on the bus in the above picture), has matured quite a bit over the summer and has expanded his areas of interest to include some topics that more kids are interested in, he will be involved in a group at school that is called "STOP" Students Taking care Of their Peers. This group makes welcome packets for new students and shows them around and helps them find their class and the cafeteria and other areas of the school. They also hold a Teddy Bear Drive to donate to the local children's advocacy center. He loves things like this and I think this will give him an avenue to let his peers see him in a different setting than just the classroom where he really struggles. He is actually very happy about school starting and was very excited about meeting his teacher yesterday.

A. has continued to struggle through the summer with depression and anxiety, I am hoping that the routine and structure of school will help him. He asked me last Friday if it was too late to change schools. I told him that I would take him to school for the first week so that he wouldn't have to ride the bus. He seemed relieved and once we met his teacher yesterday he seemed much less anxious. His teacher is new to the school but has taught Special Ed in the past and I think that is a good thing for A. this year. I filled her in on what is going on with him and the counselor is also aware and will start meeting with him next week for support and she is putting together a group of boys for a friendship group, she wants A. to become somewhat of a leader in the group, he has been a leader in the past and she is hoping that this will be a confidence booster for him.

Speaking of A., we spent a good part of yesterday in the local ER. He fell off the monkey bars at day care and split his chin open. Our Family Doc was not available and his partners were not able to get us in either. I am not a fan of going to the ER with something I feel should and could have been handled in the office, but that is where we were sent. Many hours later we left with 4 sutures, a shot of antibiotics and a prescription for more. A. is feeling quite excited to start school this year with a "busted up chin" that he can show off, he was disappointed when I told his teacher that it has to stay covered. The ER doc did a beautiful job suturing it up and I don't think it will leave much of a scar.

J. started Kindergarten today. He was up at 5:30 AM and dressed and eating breakfast shortly after. He didn't want to miss the bus. Of course the bus doesn't come until 7:15 AM so he had quite a wait. I did peek in on him when I dropped A. off and he was sitting at his table with 3 other kids doing his "morning work". He has an aid with him and she was just standing back and watching since he was engaged and chatting with the other kids. I am pleased with the teacher that he has, she was at his ARD meeting in the spring and knows what he can do. She is taking the team approach to his education and I am very happy with that.

Well, now that the before school rush is over, I am hoping for a bit of a lull in the action. I have belt testing next week at TKD and am hoping to get in as many classes as possible before then. I will be testing for recommended black belt. I never dreamt two years ago that I would be testing for this belt or decided first degree black belt in November (if all goes well next week). Taking TKD is one of the best things I have done for myself in a long time. After all, where else can I go and hit and kick, and break things and yell and then be rewarded for it! I think every mother needs an outlet like that.

And we never did any rain on Monday.....