I'm pleased to say, I have some really good, exciting news! Tristan's teachers at his new school have decided to move Tristan up to the higher academic level class!! This is especially good because, even though things had been going really well, a new concern had recently come up... Only a few days ago, Tristan began complaining about the low standard of work that his peers were doing in his class, (i.e. writing in "print" instead of "cursive", doing what he described as "Kindergarten math", etc). Even though they were giving him extra work at his level and trying to keep him challenged, he was clearly unhappy, frustrated and confused by the fact that his peers were not at his level. He began talking about missing his old school, asking why all the kids at his new school were "dumb", and he even began questioning as to whether he was also dumb, or whether people thought he was dumb.
Of course, I tried to reassure him about these concerns, and was just gearing up to call the teacher today to discuss the matter! I envisaged having to plead and beg to get him moved up to a higher level class, or at least settle for allowing Tristan to mix with the older kids in groups or specials, etc, and be given more challenging academic work, etc. Well, they pre-empted me, and called me first, to tell me that they were thinking the same thing!
Since they are a small school, the way it works is they only have 2 "elementary" classrooms, one for 1st-3rd graders, and one for 3rd-5th graders. Obviously, Tristan was right on the "cusp" between the two, being a 3rd grader.... It seems that they had decided to start him off in the lower level classroom to see how he did, and let him adjust to the school, the new schedule, the new routines, etc... But then they soon realized that his academic level truly was higher than his peers... (What with his math, his cursive writing, his reading level, etc). So they decided in a team meeting not to wait any longer, but to move him up immediately to the higher level classroom, with the 3rd, 4th and 5th graders!!!
This will happen on Monday!! So he will soon be with peers who are at least his academic level or better, and at least his age or older. Infact, I know for certain that there is this one boy who is also a "whiz" at math, who will be in the higher level classroom with Tristan. This was the boy Tristan first met on his visit to the school back in December. The two of them were talking "exponents" and "square roots", etc.
Needless to say, Tristan is thrilled! He came home SO happy and full of pride and confidence this afternoon. I think this is a great move for him. And, I am just SO pleased that the teachers at this school decided this without me having to say or do anything!! They clearly are on the same page as us, they are pro-active and clearly working hard to do what's best for each child!
And they are continuing to be so nice, caring, sweet, understanding and helpful about Tristan's behavioral "challenges". The teacher writes a detailed note every day + the school therapist calls me roughly every other day, just to "check in"... (Each child is assigned to one therapist - they have several in the school - who is the main person in charge of their well-being, and the main liaison with the teachers and the main point of contact with the parents). The teacher and therapist are so patient and chatty on the phone, I never get the feeling that they are trying to hurry the call or cut things short. And they constantly encourage me to call or email them, with any concerns, any time I like! Consequently, I am building up a really nice relationship with them both - I really feel I can trust them and rely on them to help Tristan with what he needs.
Wow - so not like our experience at the district school!!
Of course, I tried to reassure him about these concerns, and was just gearing up to call the teacher today to discuss the matter! I envisaged having to plead and beg to get him moved up to a higher level class, or at least settle for allowing Tristan to mix with the older kids in groups or specials, etc, and be given more challenging academic work, etc. Well, they pre-empted me, and called me first, to tell me that they were thinking the same thing!
Since they are a small school, the way it works is they only have 2 "elementary" classrooms, one for 1st-3rd graders, and one for 3rd-5th graders. Obviously, Tristan was right on the "cusp" between the two, being a 3rd grader.... It seems that they had decided to start him off in the lower level classroom to see how he did, and let him adjust to the school, the new schedule, the new routines, etc... But then they soon realized that his academic level truly was higher than his peers... (What with his math, his cursive writing, his reading level, etc). So they decided in a team meeting not to wait any longer, but to move him up immediately to the higher level classroom, with the 3rd, 4th and 5th graders!!!
This will happen on Monday!! So he will soon be with peers who are at least his academic level or better, and at least his age or older. Infact, I know for certain that there is this one boy who is also a "whiz" at math, who will be in the higher level classroom with Tristan. This was the boy Tristan first met on his visit to the school back in December. The two of them were talking "exponents" and "square roots", etc.
Needless to say, Tristan is thrilled! He came home SO happy and full of pride and confidence this afternoon. I think this is a great move for him. And, I am just SO pleased that the teachers at this school decided this without me having to say or do anything!! They clearly are on the same page as us, they are pro-active and clearly working hard to do what's best for each child!
And they are continuing to be so nice, caring, sweet, understanding and helpful about Tristan's behavioral "challenges". The teacher writes a detailed note every day + the school therapist calls me roughly every other day, just to "check in"... (Each child is assigned to one therapist - they have several in the school - who is the main person in charge of their well-being, and the main liaison with the teachers and the main point of contact with the parents). The teacher and therapist are so patient and chatty on the phone, I never get the feeling that they are trying to hurry the call or cut things short. And they constantly encourage me to call or email them, with any concerns, any time I like! Consequently, I am building up a really nice relationship with them both - I really feel I can trust them and rely on them to help Tristan with what he needs.
Wow - so not like our experience at the district school!!
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