Plans are underway for kindergarten next year. The boys remain in need of the support of a special education classroom. In Forest Hills (our rather large school district), there is one "diagnostic kindergarten" (special ed) classroom. It runs only in the AM. I'm rather surprised that there is only one class of 12 kids for the whole district, but I guess it's a sign that kids with special needs are being included more and more into the 'normal' classrooms. Hopefully that will be a choice for Alex and Tanner someday.
Anyhow...back to the dilemma. Last year, the boys were in the same class of 6 kids. It was a center based classroom that served the children of Kent County with the most severe needs. This year, moving from the center based program back to our home district, was a big sign of improvement! Forest Hills wanted to separate the boys into 2 different classrooms. That was fine by me, as I thought they might be treated more as individuals.
As we near the end of this school year, Forest Hills feels the current placement in our home district is appropriate and moving back to a center based classroom is not necessary. Yeah! I know the boys are some of the more energetic and difficult to manage, but the staff has been wonderful.
So - for next year - it appears that the boys will be back in the same classroom by default. Staff has been rather concerned about the dynamic of putting them together in the same room and if the teacher and aide can handle both of them as well as the other special needs kids. I think they have in their mind that if you combine both boys in the same room that there will be some sort of spontaneous combustion of sorts! Honestly, I think they might be easier to manage in the same room because they will gravitate toward each other a bit. Also, Tanner loves to tattle on Alex which can be a big help ;)
Yesterday at school they decided to put the boys in the same room for a trial run for next year and it went really well. The teachers were pleasantly surprised...and I'm kind of excited to have them back in the same room this coming fall.
3 comments:
I work in a school with kids with special severe needs and all of them are wonderful. I am glad for you Alex & Tanner are moving in a more regular school, it means they are doing very well. you might e right . To be in the same class room could be a blessing.
You will only have 1 set of homework to check this way. I am excited for them. Is all day Kindergarten an option?
I hadn't thought of that! You are right - one set of homework!
No - all day K is not an option. I'm kinda glad though. They entered school far earlier than any little kiddo should have needed to. So...one more year of going part-time is ok by me ;)
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