Thursday, June 5, 2008

Kaitlyn Graduates 5th Grade

It is a bitter sweet day. I want Kaitlyn to grow up with her peers and do everything she can but this Mama bird wants to hold her from all the natural pains of growing up..... not fair, I know.
Kaitlyn will tell you she is done with Elementary school and she is going to Middle school. She has no desire to look back only forward.

The day has been so busy as we head out of town early am and so many new changes have been happening we will share later this week.

We are off to Gainesville for Clinic and then over to Orlando for Family CAFE. If any of you will be there please ring our room. I am in the mood to go on idle for a few days and enjoy my children, the Florida sunshine and some awsome roller coaster. We will be visiting Give Kids the World and three days in Disney parks.

We will share as we can although blogging hasn't become my friend yet , I am trying.

Monday, June 2, 2008

It was a productive day. Up for an early morning of conference calls once the kids were on the bus.. not even time for coffee. You know the day that takes off and you just can't keep your feet one in front of the other. I want to vaccum and scrub the seats and carpet in the van before our trip Friday. I grab a twenty and head to the car wash... the change machine will not accept the bill so I figure I can move toward the school and go by the bank to get a fresh bill and to the car wash. Seems the littlest thing is frustrating me... I get to the next car wash and it sucked the twenty right in and bang... it is tokens only. The humidy is soaking and I have a meeting at the school in an hour.

I arrive at the school soaking in sweat although didn't really care.... just moving through my day. The makeup I grabbed as I was racing out the door seems pointless. SO I ring for the meeting room, have some social catch up with the front office staff and move into the meeting room. I think I am on vacation mentally.

Kaitlyn's team has be WONDERFUL we tweaked the IEP so the next school has a clear picture of who she is and what works. I made sure inclusion was strong in Science, social studies and her specials. I am emailing to get her into band. I believe we are set the best we can to move her into MIDDLE SCHOOL...

Jordan's team enters the room, additional people come in. I am impressed at their willingness to hear me out on WHY it means the world to me for my kids to be included with peers. As I hear all the explanation I wonder where in the world our community is with education. We are again placing kids in reading levels as their class placement so all the kids who are lower readers are all together. I read so many stats that say this is not the best practice. How does SW Florida justify..so I heard today Mrs. Pringle you are asking for systematic change... the county does it and requests it, Florida DOES IT THIS WAY... lets look at the records... "A" schools under law suits for no AYP progress... Not sure what an "A " means any more, ok I am venting.

Why is it that everything I am asking for we did for years with Kailtyn and now it is said...that won't work... HELLLLOOOOO it just did. Kailtyn isn't on 5th grade work but each year she improved in reading.. she knows how to keep a planner, she knows her planner is IMPORTANT, she has friends all over town. Everyone knows Katie.

SO home with Jordan in toe as he threw up at the end of the school day so I grab and run to meet the bus at my house...............oooops I get home and am greeted by my son Steven 11 with Down syndrome, "Hi Mom" yikes! He did a good job, sat on the couch and waited for me to get home.

Snack and dinner going, Vickie comes for speech tonight for the four kids and we need to work on their new work books. We have some great new materials to have at home.

I check emails and am floored.... Lucas is struggling emotionally so he is in crisis going for an evaluation and things are turning for the worst. Pray pray and pray some more this little boy needs the gates of life opened for him to see the sunshine of life.

Laundry, dishes, bathes, bedtime routine, meds and bed...clothes out for morning and BLOGGING. The temp repair to the AC unit is holding up. We have plans for the full repair on Saturday while we are gone. 92 degrees inside here on Sunday was a bit more than we care for.

Is Friday here yet.....

Sunday, June 1, 2008

Blasted thru the month of May

It seems impossible to be June 1st. I have realized I have not gotten the hang of blogging and need to focus on one spot so everyone can be included with this time saving technique.

The Pringle's May 2008

Jordan's IEP is still not completed. The whole inclusion process seems to be a concept not well taken by some. In my time viewing Jordan in his classroom setting and school life it is clear he is two different little boys...he is one way at home and quite another in the school setting. I have found a new link to check on school staff certificates to verify who has the background (education) to give quality help with our kids.

The state of Florida has a link to check to be sure their certifications are current and no complaints have been lodged against them and then the Department of Education gives people titles that don't appear to equal to the state qualifications...meaning a person who did my child's testing and gave an IQ which seems to drive opinion to what the child is capable of might be qualified under the FLDOE although does not hold a degree nor certificate NOT LICENSED in the state of Florida. I have been checking on Principals because when you meet them and listen to their view...some come from old time ESE backgrounds and are hard pressed to see the bigger picture IN MY EXPERIENCES.

Kaitlyn's IEP going in to middle school, creating a whole new team for her I felt was a bit weak in documentation so we meet tomorrow to polish that. After we will once again try to finish Jordan's placement portion.

The kids will be going to camp for a week this summer (July) AWAY FROM HOME, the first for my four. I am excited for this new experience.

A couple trips to Sunsplash water park already this season, a very fun place here in Cape Coral.

PUMP IT UP PARTY in May was a family fun night. The older kids and younger all met for a fun couple of hours playing in air conditioning.

End of year party's ceremonies, fairs and plays have kept us hopping. Kaitlyn made a WONDERFUL display of MA on the Capital - BOSTON. She then had a night of songs about States and Capitals. Very cute.

We then went to see the entire 5th grade put on a play. Kaitlyn loves to be on stage.

Steven went to Iguana Mia for lunch with his class, bowling and many field trips for having a great year.

Tressa has been the student of the week, received a button and was ON TV at school. She is so excited to tell everyone about all she does in school.

Jordan is working on all the new activities to learn to read. He is starting to show interest in reading.

Keirsten has hit the teen summer, I think we remember that summer where we struggled with child/teen/women who am I today and how miserable can I make myself... we made a trip out to RCC for some direction and support.


I got the final notice all that was ordered for the kids was approved from APD. I am excited as I am about our summer support for services in the home. We will have education taught in home for summer two hours a day. NO long bus rides for ESY in the early summer am. Behavioral specialist will be in home.

I will try to post daily so everyone can follow for their own families for supports. It is a process of knowing where to go, how to request... kinda like the know when to hold em, know when to fold em song goes.. I want this blog to be my role modeling for supports.

DISNEY THE PRINGLE'S ARE COMING THE PRINGLE'S ARE COMING

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