Open Houses and Open Hearts
August 30, 2006
Last night was Open House Night at Spiff’s school, and we “walked” his class schedule for the evening, spending about 10 minutes in each of his classes (he has 7 of them). I was really looking forward to this, because there were a few teachers I hadn’t met yet and there were some changes made to his schedule, so he had some new classes.
Thanks to my lovely neighbor, the boys were hanging with her and her kids, so this gave me and the Hubby a chance to ask questions and not have to entertain Scamp. Also, because Spiff takes medication that helps him get though his school day; at night the medicine visibly wears off, and I didn’t want him to do something he would be embarrassed about later, since he is becoming more aware and sensitive to that. So off we went to school, holding hands and asking each other if back in the day either of us did naughty things in Middle School.
We were both geeks. So no, we didn’t. I didn’t hit my stride until High School. By then he would have been in the Navy, and the Navy is like Vegas, so…..
Each of Spiff’s teachers took time out to talk to us and let us know how much they enjoy having him in their class. How smart he is, how funny. As a parent of a special needs child, these words are like manna from Heaven, because teaching to children like mine means you have to think outside of the box in many cases. Sometimes teachers don’t like to do that, and we have met a few in our travels. What struck us was that all of his teachers when speaking to the parents expressed their desire to make the class interesting, enjoyable and fun. They want the kids to like coming to school, and enjoy learning. They spoke of responsibility and of organization skills (as in they lack it), and that they would be working with the kids to teach them the right way to navigate school. It was akin to a religious experience.
We left feeling uplifted, and proud of our son. We also felt pretty proud of ourselves too, for fighting so hard to get him in this school, and thankful that the powers that be allowed it to happen. It’s a heady, potent mix when you get a school with teachers who enjoy what they do, and staff that genuinely care about the kids and their job.
Earlier that day I received a call from the ESE Guidance Councelor. Spiff had left his bracelet that he uses as a talisman, and helps calm him down and keep him centered, at home. I offered to bring it to him, and when I got to school the secretary at the front desk thought I was nuts to want to bring it to him, and ask her to call him out of class to get it. (I wanted him to be reassured that I wasn’t mad, he was concerned that I was mad since he thought he lost it.) Once she realized who I was, and who my son was, she brought me down to his class and on the way back apologized for her “rudeness” earlier, but that other parents have gotten their kids out of class for really silly things, and she thought that I was doing the same thing. I reassured her that I was fine with it, and that I was glad that she and the staff cared so much about the kids’ education to not want to disrupt them. I also told her that we’ll get to know each other better as time goes on, and not to worry about it.
I was nice that she apologized though.
August 31st, 2006 at 10:38 pm
It was very nice of her to apologize.
It was very nice of you to give her some slack and end the exchange in a pleasant way too. Good schools and attentive staff make all the difference.
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