School Time!

Katheryn is all ready for real school now! Grade one!

She started last week (and still enjoys going), which is always a good sign.

 

She gets to sit at a real desk (surrounded by boys), and her favorite parts of the day are recess, gym class,  and the library. She has all of her friends in the class with her and she likes her teacher.

I've been trying to ask how school is going without asking the same questions every day.
What was your favorite thing you did today?
Did you have fun?
What was your favorite thing you learned today?
Who did you play with?

Nick's first day of school was today.
His second (and final) year at Campbell's Children's School for senior Kindergarten

Nick had a great day at school. Some of his friends were still there (including a little girl he talked about all year) and some new friends, including Alejandra that we've known for a couple of years (and who also has spina bifida).

Nick wanted to have a Ninja Turtle picture. So this is Nick with his nun-chucks

Nick is just jumping right back into school-mode. He is in the same class, same teachers, EA's he knows, same bus.

Back to school has been great so far!

School Years

What a great year!

 

Nick in September, 2013

First Day of Kindergarten

 

June 2014

Last day of Kindergarten

 



Katheryn on her first day of Senior Kindergarten

September 2013

Last Day of Kindergarten!

June 2014

Last day of school

Today is Nick’s last day of school.

School has been good this year. I was worried about it, about giving up control and trusting someone else to do it.
I spent 4 years being in charge of everything, spina bifida related especially, and then you send your child off to school and give some of that control over. School involves a lot more than just putting your kid on a bus and waving good-bye.

There were all kinds of considerations and worries that I had in September. The bus was my first challenge to get over. Your child must be able to get up and down the stairs independently to ride the bus without a wheelchair. So Nick took the wheelchair every day (even days I forgot it in my car after a night shift and I have to take him in myself).
In the end his bus driver was amazing and I wasn't worried at all.

Then is the question about mobility in the school. How will your child move around the school? Is the classroom accessible? Is there enough space for a walker or wheelchair to move around? Now the bathroom question. Catheterizing, who and when and how are they trained to do it.
 

Again, Campbell's is built for kids with walkers (and more) and has all the space needed.

There is the social aspect of schooling, including the fact that your child might be the only one with diapers. Can he keep up with his peers? Will his classmates be accepting? Will you child be social or shy? What/who assistants does Nick need to have in the classroom? And therapy. Nick continues to have his 3 therapies (OT, PT, ST).
The social part we had more trouble with, especially around the diaper issues.

In the end Nick had 3 really great friends that he talked about all the time.

And today is the big day.
Graduation Day

 

Because not every child is returning in the next school year. The last day of school is a graduation for all of the kids.

 

And Nick walked all the way up with his canes for his certificate

 

 

 

Nickolas was very proud of himself!

And even though he is returning next year it was great to see him so excited about graduating into SK.

 

 

He said good-bye to all of his teachers and his friends.

 

 

But it was hard that he didn't really get that he might never see his 3 best friends again. But next year will bring new best friends, and grade 1 will brings friends in his home school.

We were teasing Katheryn that since Nick finished on the Thursday, and she finishes tomorrow on the Friday, that they are both SK's now.

She didn't think it was as funny as Kyle and I did.

 

Now it is getting ready for all of our fun and excitement over the summer

First Day of School... For real

We had some big first day of school this year!

Katheryn started SK last Tuesday, and she was nervous at first, we only found out who her teacher was and who were in her class the Friday before.

 

 

And Nick started JK today.

 

 

Oh my! They look so big!

And for being so good and posing for first day of school pictures.

I get to take some funny face ones too!

 

 

We've done lots of talking with Nick about school, and how he was going to have his teacher, and other students. And it would be fun.

So he has started to get excited about going.

 

 

(After the initial pictures I let Nick put his sweater on, it was kinda cool out)

Then it was time to wait for the school bus!

 

 

When we did our tour of the school in June we got to go on the bus, but Nick had been in his walker, so he didn't get to go on the ramp. But Nick will be taking his wheelchair on the bus (and leaving his walker at school for now).

So we got him all buckled on and ready.

He got a little jumpy when it first started moving, just it goes super slow and I even got a wave! 

 

We got him into his seat and then all of the tying up and seat belts and everything came in.

(notice the canes on the back - yeah I got in trouble for that, apparently it isn't safe to have canes on the back of the wheelchair)

 

 

More straps, nice and secure, and closer to leaving...

And then Jennifer (his daycare) and I were going to be going, and he was going to be on his way to his first full day of school!

 

 

And Nick started to get nervous, I could still get a smile out of him.

But this is definitely his nervous face...

We talked about his teacher, and the classroom and that he got to ride a bus. So he knew he was going to be having fun, but he was still nervous about the change.

No tears (Nick or mommy). And then he was ready to go

Got another wave through the window.
And my little boy was off to his first full day of school.

I have a year to prepare for this day, and I did my research and know how important this is for him (besides which I have no desire to homeschool).

But it's that milestone.

Now he is going to school, all day, every day.

This is it!

 

It seems like we have worked hard to get this place, but also that it wasn't that long ago that we were here

 

 

 

 

First Day of school... kind of

Nick's first day of school was  today.

For an hour.

 

We got to go for a parent-teacher interview, and Nick got the chance to explore a bit on his own time

 

 

 Yes Nick I'm still coming.

 



 

They had a time for us, and we were all welcomed!

 

 

Nick got to go and explore and I got to have the interview.

I sat with his teacher, 2 EAs, and then also the PT, OT, and S/L. And we talked for an hour.

We went over where we are, what goals we have, what to expect. Communication plan and also talk about therapy plans and parental involvement.

We covered bathroom and equipment and orthodics.





Nickolas in the meantime had disappeared and was off exploring.
When I tracked him down and asked him if he was excited to start school next week

 He said yes

School Help

Over the last month I have been trying to find resources online to tell me what steps to take to make sure that Nickolas will get everything he needs in the school year. Knowledge is power.

Because we are going to the Catholic School System I started with the school board website. This has had some challenges to begin with. They have a special education section with links. I thought great! This is info available online. Except most of these links don't work, and when I contact the webmaster (because that it was it says and there is no way to contact an actual person online) I am told this email does not exist.

The whole thing has me even more worried now! If their website links don't work for 'exception students' then what does that really say about what the board thinks about these students and the importance of assisting parents.

I did some more digging on the site and came up with a couple of more links a document about exceptional health conditions, as well as Parents Guide to Special Education - which can only be viewed online, not in pdf format. There is information about roles and responsibilities in regards to special education, that says what is expected by everyone involved.

Everything that we have considered in regards to school has been to get the most out of the school experience for Nickolas. And the beliefs about special education in regards to accessibility and diversity makes me think this is the right school of thought.

 We debated both the catholic and the public school board. The Catholic school board was very specific in regards to inclusion of children with exceptional needs. The Public school board said that they will attempt to integrate children (with all the flowering talk) but I just felt that the Catholic school board had the support that we wanted.

 
When I'm stressing out about things I want to collect as much information as I can.

There is a whole bunch of new words and terms that I need to learn about.

• Exceptional student, this is the government etc that is trying not to say disability. I think I like the terminology.
• Special Education
• I.P.R.C. - the Identification, Placement, and Review Committee - this is who determines that a child is exceptional and needs a special education program. It consists of at least 3 people at least is the principal.
• this includes facilities, resources, support people and equipment
• S.E.A.C. - the Special Education Advisory Committee
• I.E.P (individual education plan); meant for every identified student, including students with physical exceptionalities. I take this to mean it is appropriate for kindergarten (regardless of what certain secretaries may think).
• Specialized Health Support Services - nursing, OT, PT, ST, catheterization, toileting are all on the list.

The principal seems to be the go-to person right now for us.

It looks like this is all of the information that I can collect for now.

SBHAO resources (just scroll down to Education) has a number of resource links as well:

• IEP samples, including what resources were used to develop the samples

General Guides (PDF):
the IEP - a resource guide
IEP standards for development, program planning and implementation

I am concentrating that Nickolas will need help because of physical issues. At the moment Nickolas is still age appropriate for other developmental scales and even though I have worries about letters, writing and language I'm reassured this is still within limits for 3 years old.

There are a number of resources concerning learning disabilities and I am just not ready to go there. Spina bifida and Hydrocephalus are associated with learning disabilities. I am aware of this and will keep my mind open to the possibility that this might be something we need to further explore. But not yet.

There are other resources for support for people who are trying to figure out education issues.
Precious Minds is a support for families with children who have barriers to learning (learning, physical, developmental and behavioral disabilities)
Learning Disabilities Association of Ontario, help parents with advocacy.
Holland Bloorview Resource Centre, links to meet education needs

 

I think this is the end of my research for now. I think I have a lot of reading for the next couple of months.

School Daze

It is November, Halloween is done and the costumes are put back away (until our pirate party for Nick's birthday). It is time to think about school.

The idea of sending Nickolas to school has been a bit stressful for me. With all of the excitement with Katheryn starting kindergarten I tried to stifle the little voice that worried about Nick's journey next year. And when we visited the school for the September BBQ I could see how well Katheryn has adjusted, but also how there will be challenges for Nick. Everything from a single fully accessible door into the school (and a back door that has a ramp, but challenges actually fully accessing the ramp), space to move a chair or walker or crutches around the classroom, and that the back indoor play room is down 3 steps. It has me worried about how it will work for Nickolas next year.

Over the last month I have been trying to find resources online to tell  me what steps to take to make sure that Nickolas will get everything he needs in the school year. It started to really bog down this post - so I'm going to post all of the resources as a separate post.

When I'm stressing out about things I want to collect as much information as I can, and make it accessible when I have more questions!

Starting school feels like when I found out that Nickolas had spina bifida! The waiting and the wondering and the stress and the wait and see. I am really hoping, that like when I was pregnant, the waiting was the worse part; and once we actually get started into school I'll find out that all this worry and stress was for nothing (other than try to be super-prepared).

For the last week, since I've been trying to become more proactive getting ready for school I have felt like I am on the edge of tears! I just want it to be easier, and make the right decisions!
I spent last week calling around and sending out emails.
I talked to the secretary at our school which did not help to make me feel better. I was told

1. We do not have to register earlier than January (even thought all of the sites say the Fall prior to school). In fact she said a lot can happen in a year and what is the point of taking his name?! -yes that made me feel very good about sending my kid to this school
2.  Kids in kindergarten don't need an IEP and was told what is the point it's just kindergarten - my head nearly blew off at this
3. What about a school nurse (or someone to help with cathing), that it doesn't need to be set up that much ahead of time.

I did get a chance to talk to the Principal later in the week and plan to have some meetings in January and have been reassured that 9 months is enough time to get things ready for Nickolas. They do have a couple of kids with special needs in the school, including a girl who uses a wheelchair full time. So I imagine they have experience.

 

We have been very, very adamant that we want Nickolas to go to this school with Katheryn. Our local children's centre, Grandview actually has a school attached to it. Campbell Children's School. And every time someone mentions that we are eligible for it we declined.

 

Nick had a reassessment by our developmental pediatrician in October. I wasn't able to be there, but Kyle was and we received a letter outlining the assessment. I think I just read the letter at a time when all I could think of was how are we going to make a smooth transition to school. Because it didn't say anything that I didn't know. But it got me thinking.

 

If Nickolas was able to attend this school he would be able to get physiotherapy, and occupational therapy 2-3 times a week. It finally hit me that maybe we are compromising the potential for Nick to receive more therapy because we want him to be with Katheryn.

I don't want Nick to go to a special school, I want him to be in the same school as Katheryn, make friends in the school he will grow up in. I don't want him to be different, to be segregated. But just because this isn't what I want doesn't mean that isn't what he might need for now.

 

Nick is already going to be facing challenges starting school in September. He will be one of the youngest kids in the class, the only kid in a wheelchair/walker/crutches?, he will have his own special bus (which he is excited about - he tells everyone I'm going to have my own bus when I go to school), we will have to readjust his therapies around his school hours. So now I'm wondering if we are pushing Nick to be in our regular school because of beliefs that we have about kids with a disability, instead of looking at what Nickolas' needs actually are.

 

So Kyle and I are taking a step  back. We are going to go through all of our options. Apply to the Campbell's school, apply to our local school, and if Nick gets accepted (they have a limited number of spots for the kids with the most need) then we will see what the best choice is.

 

I'm not sure if I'm happy about this. What I really wish is that Nick was a January baby and I had another year to think about it. But I know that Nickolas is excited to start school and whatever school he starts in on Sept 3, 2013 it will be the right one.

Ready for school

This is it.
The last week before life changes forever. Well, someone in our house's life changes forever.
The first day of school - next week.

We had a trial of school when Katheryn went away for zoo camp in the beginning of the month. School hours, away from parents, taking her own lunch, being independent and making friends.

She did so well.

I have discussed that in Ontario we are participating in their full-day kindergarten program. So once she enters that school on the first day, that is it. School for the next 14 years (at least - and if she is anything like her mom then just add another 10 years on top of that!)
No more pj days, sleeping in, playing all day, no more going out for lunch just because, scheduling things after school...
This is it.

I think I'm handling it pretty well.
Because Katheryn will have no problems adjusting. We already know she will know 2 other kids in her class. And the program is all about play-based learning. So I'm not worried about her.

Nick is going to be in for a shock. But we've talked about it. And that he will be going to school next year with her. So far Nickolas seems accepting about all of this. And he's excited we'll be walking to the bus stop every day.

I have absolutely no idea what Katheryn is going to need for school. What do you need for kindergarten? Backpack, lunch bag, shoes, labels. Shopping done.

T minus 7 days

Kindergarten Katheryn

Katheryn is going into Kindergarten in September.
She is so excited!
She is so ready!

She is miss-independent

We have a whole list of things we have to get used to through the summer; snack time, labelling, healthy lunches, early bed time, indoor shoes and outdoor shoes...
We just need to get used to some peanut-free products

 Last night Kyle and I went to the Kindergarten-information day
We learned more about the full-day kindergarten program in Ontario
And we really liked what school we are sending Katheryn to - it has the same feel as the school that Kyle and I went to.

They showed alot of pictures about the program and what they do with play based learning
And I just know that Katheryn will have no problems adjusting to this new phase in her life, she is so inquisitive!

I'm reasonably sure that mommy will not have many problems adjusting to the new phase in Katheryn's life. I don't think that I'll have difficulty in September on that first day of school.

Beyond of course, that she's starting school! No longer at home, only March breaks and summer vacations to be at home with us so often. A new stage... No turning back. School!
OK I'm good now.

I'm not worried about the actual curriculum, we didn't get to explore half day kindergarten or different types of curriculum (other than many years ago when Kyle and I were in kindergarten - then all I remember was how big people were).
I'm actually excited about it. It looks fun and alot like what Katheryn currently does in daycare - and a little bit like what Nickolas does in conductive education.



 While we were sitting in the library and learning about everything we need to know about kindergarten and all I could think was - what will it be like for Nickolas next year?!
Of course I feel guilty, this is about Katheryn, not Nick. But Nickolas is going to be following next year, and we are going to start kindergarten registration/information in November to get them lots of time to make everything appropriate for Nickolas and whatever additional supports he would need.

So that's what is giving me a heavy feeling in my stomach as we are getting Katheryn all ready and excited for kindergarten. That Katheryn will transition no problem, but I'm just imagining all the problems we will have next year with our next kindergarten registration information day.
And I'm not even getting into the school bus (potential) issues!
I think that will have to be another post. I've been told and reassured that it is fun riding a school bus. But every time we start talking school bus for Katheryn, I still think about what kind of bus will Nick need to ride in?
Where do I have to get him so he can ride the school bus with Katheryn next year...