Parent-Teacher Conferences

I've had IFSP meetings, IEP meetings, special group parent meetings, home visits, evaluation results meetings, but never been on the 'teacher' side of a parent-teacher conference in the school setting. I had to prepare myself by being still and thinking about the process from the parent's point of view. I reflected on past experiences with parents who have to deal with their children with special needs. Then I dug way into my past, as a parent of a preschool-aged child myself, and tried to remember all those hopes and dreams I had way back then for the precious little live energy 'balls' rolling, bouncing and flying around me 24/7.

Then I met with parents of my students. All but two attended their meetings. I felt positive about all of them at the end, but wondered what the parents left with. One mother entered and looked very tired; she quietly cried while we talked, but never really revealed any immediate distress point to me and was smiling and laughing at stories she told about her child. I decided not to pry at this point. If her tears are related to her child, it will come out over the year. Her child is new in my class, but actually settling in well.

I have 3 new kids entering my classes next week. They are all quite hyperactive, impulsive, distractable. You know the type. I have very few girls, but they have interesting little quirks.

I've come to love each and every child, even though some have tried my patience within millimeters of my highest toleration/frustration levels!

I had time between/after visits, to actually organize paperwork, finish some bulletin boards, make more Boardmaker schedules and set up a calendar for circle time. My curriculum for the next couple of weeks is pretty well set except for getting with my assistants to get art projects ready and figure out what concept materials to put out.

I brought home student info to set up data sheets...........Can you believe it? I'm actually making hard copy data sheets!!!! No more sticky notes.....Well, we'll see if the data sheets work. I showed them to my assistants and they seemed to think they were okay.

I am also getting the final nursing protocols in place and an emergency book finalized. It is interesting that there is no Health/ER form like we had at the ESD. What we have is a 'Transportation Form' that includes ER information, but I don't think it has as much good info on it.

I had considered coming to River City this weekend but decided not to, as I will finally have time to work on putting more boxes away at home and I am fighting a cold. My classroom is finally in working order and I have flushed through all the piles of paper that had piled up there since I arrived. Now I have big piles at home to go through! The bills have arrived!

If you have sunshine, take a walk and enjoy the fall weather before the gray skies and rain settle in for the winter!