My son was born too late to be considered premature, but yet still early. Weighing in at a very healthy 8 lbs. 11 oz., and passing all his tests, the doctor felt certain his decision for an early induction was a good one.

He hit some milestones on time, but as time progressed, he was always just on the brink of being too late. The pediatrician chalked it up to being a third child.

In preschool, his teacher was concerned about his fine motor skills and academic ability. She thought that perhaps holding back from Kindergarden could be a good idea; he could take an extra year to mature. As an April baby, he is younger than a good portion of his peers. The only problem was that he was taller than everyone. He just looked older. Another year could be devastating for him socially.

He started Kindergarten and his teacher felt that he was fine, just immature. She thought some extra work at home may make the difference. We did it.

By the middle of first grade, I was concerned. He was well behind his peers. His handwriting was unintelligable. He couldn’t master simple math facts. This teacher wasn’t concerned. However, his speech was not developing, so he was placed into Speech Therapy for second grade.

Now in second grade, academics were becoming an obvious struggle. Math was frustrating. Reading was next to impossible. I inquired about testing; I was denied. I pushed further, and finally late in the year, he was tested and all the results came back “normal.”

Having a background in Elementary Education, I know about those tests. Some of them work, some of them don’t. For the most part, unless a child has a profound disability, the results don’t always show that he or she is in need of special education services. The classroom teacher is the key to the puzzle. But I am getting ahead of myself.

To be continued….

[About the author:]

Heather spends her days (and many nights) trying to meet the demands that go with being a wife, mother, and freelancer. She has gained no notoriety from her blog, Cool and Hip, I Am Not, but continues to write with high hopes. Topics range from parenting to social disgraces.  She and her husband live with their sons in Tennessee. 

Danimals Rally for Recess asks you to “play for your school”.

• Purchase specially marked Danimals products and collect the codes (or you can get a free code by mail).
• Sign up on the site to enter your codes for your school.
• Share the information with your school, family and friends.

Schools are divided into five leagues to keep things fair. One school from each league with the highest number of points is the winner. Besides winning the Playground Makeover, each school will receive an Ultimate Recess Day. That’s a full day of recess with all kinds of games and activities provided by Danimals. There’s also daily instant wins for individuals who enter codes. You can win a recess-related prize, like a soccer ball. Please read the Official Rules before entering.

Of course, we had to enter our code for my daughter’s school. Sammi loves Danimals Smoothies. Her favorite flavors are Swingin’ Strawberry-Banana and Strawberry Explosion. These make a great snack on their own, or with some crackers or fruit. And since we buy them already, entering the Danimals Rally for Recess play to win game is an easy way to help give back to her school.

I wrote this review while participating in a campaign by Mom Central Consulting on behalf of Danimals and received a gift card to facilitate my review and a promotional item to thank me for taking the time to participate.

Here’s a list of school supplies to keep your child organized in school:

Binders – A binder is one of the best organization methods for school.  Some students like to have a small binder for each subject, others go with one for all subjects. That is a personal or sometimes a school’s choice, but these main tips are helpful either way. Binders are usually used in grades 4 and up.

• You are better off spending more for the well made binder than spending less for a binder that won’t make it through the year.
• Be sure to find one that fits into your child’s backpack or school bag and isn’t too heavy to carry.
• Binders that provide a place for everything work wonders! If it can fit folders, paper, dividers, pens, pencils, an organizer, USB Drive, etc. that is the one to buy.
• Expandable binders are very helpful.
• Binders that can be closed in some way, by zipper or velcro, for example help keep the items inside the binder where they belong.
• There are binders that are large enough to be used as the main item in place of a book bag. They are closed and have a handle. Just add a smaller bag for personal items. For example this binder – Case-It 2-Inch O-Ring Zipper Binder with Removable Tab File, Purple Print (D-900-PPL-P) (D-900-PPL-P)

Folders – How many folders do we buy during back to school time each year? Do you notice that most, if not all are used though? That’s because folders can be helpful in organizing each subject, projects, notes that come home to parents, homework and extra curricular activities. Get them when they’re on sale. Be sure to purchase both regular folders and ones with holes for your binder (this is for grades 5 and up).

Labels of All Kinds

• Dividers for binders
• Labels for your child’s items – you can buy personalized labels or plain labels and write your child’s name. (for Kindergarten and up depending on how many things your child loses)
• Post It Notes – I can’t even list the number of ways these can be used. Parents can write a note and stick it on a test or homework sheet with a question. Students can place one on a text book where they need clarification from their teacher. Use the Post It flags to remember a paper that needs to be handed in.
• Label notebooks and folders with the subject name.

Dry Erase Board – Keep a dry erase board at home for homework, study or daily task reminders. This is so much easier than a calendar for younger children or with special needs who can see what needs to be done clearly and can be changed as needed.

Pencil Holder – These come in many variations, such as a pencil box that can be left in school (for Kindergarten to about 4th grade), to fabric, plastic or mesh bags. Some are made for binders. Besides pencils keep erasers, glue sticks, and other small items in one place.

Calendar – Some schools provide students with a planner that contains a calendar, a place for teachers and parents to write notes, information on days off, etc. If not, a calendar that is large enough for your child to write in and keep track of homework, tests, projects, and other school events will keep you both organized. (Grades 6 and up)

Besides supplies, maintain an area in your home for homework that is clean and quiet. Keep to a schedule for homework and studying. Go through your child’s backpack and binder until your child shows you that he is staying on top of his schoolwork. When a project or test is due, help your child begin preparing for it early and organize all schoolwork and clothing the night before the school day.

There are supplies available to help your child stay organized for school. Make use of them and be ready to assist your child throughout the school year.

What are some other supplies or methods that you use to keep your child organized during school?

Book Resource: The Organized Student: Teaching Children the Skills for Success in School and Beyond

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Preparation is Key

Instead of getting supplies and paperwork completed after our daughter starts school, this year we will have as much done before hand as possible. We need to be sure that Sammi is safe at school, so her medical information will be ready on the first day of school. We want to alleviate stress, so we’re getting some school supplies for her to take to school. We’re planning her first day’s outfit now and deciding on the best time to drop her off on the first day. Her bedtime schedule has basically stayed the same over the summer, but we’ve been enforcing it more diligently these last few weeks. And we’ve been talking about what she likes about school and how to cope with what she doesn’t.

Medical Information

Our school district requires Medical Care Plans if a student has a serious medical condition. This way the staff is aware of emergency needs and other issues that may occur while the student is in school, on the bus, etc. These have been completed by all of the specialists my daughter sees. My daughter was on full Homebound status before school ended last year, so she will return as partial Homebound. Her doctor feels that starting with two classes per day is the best route to take. The Hospital Homebound form is done and was faxed to the school.

There was no need for a medical check up, but her therapist has been preparing Sammi for going back to school. She’s been teaching her more behavior modification techniques to help her handle any anxiety that may come up and she’ll be seeing her every week once school starts.

Feeling Better About School

Just as Sammi’s therapist has been working with her about feeling better about going back to school, so have my husband and I. We talk about her friends and the funny things that happened last year. We also honor her feelings of fear about returning to school by letting her talk about it, by not telling her “it will be fine”, and by acknowledging her feelings. Although she really doesn’t need new clothes, we are getting her some new outfits and some extra school supplies as a treat.

Her Homebound teacher has been teaching Sammi over the summer and has been a tremendous help with preparing Sammi for going back to school. She understands Sammi’s fears and has been working with her on them by incorporating them into her lessons. She’s also provided the school with the modifications and accommodations that help Sammi learn and retain what she has learned.

Open House

We will definitely attend open house! This gives Sammi an opportunity to see her friends, meet her teachers and see her school again. It’s like an ice-breaker before the first day of school. My husband and I will have the time to check in with the new guidance counselor and teachers, and to make sure everything is in place for our daughter’s return to school. We’ll both join the PTA again and sign up as volunteers. Being active in our daughter’s school makes us feel like we’re giving back and we’re able to stay better informed about the school in general.

If you have a child with special needs, what do you do to prepare for back to school?

Book Resource for young children: First Day Jitters

At Winn Dixie only, starting August 3rd, there will be even more bonus Box Top offers, so be sure to check the Winn Dixie site, ads and the Box Tops for Education Facebook page. If you’re like me, saving Box Tops are commonplace. I just cut them off the products and send them into my daughter’s school. They are collected and used to purchase much needed items for the school.

To help you raise money for your child’s school with Box Tops, follow Box Tops for Education on Twitter, sign up for their website, and get in touch with the Box Tops Coordinator at your child’s school. You can even ask others to save them for you and bring them into your child’s school.

Giveaway – A #$25 Winn Dixie Gift Card

Rules

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3. One submission per household (not entry).
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5. Winner has 2 days to claim prize via email.

How To Enter

For One Entry For Each Below: (please leave a separate comment for each entry)

1. Leave a comment about one of your favorite General Mills product.
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#Win A Winn Dixie Gift Card and help Box Tops For Education @ConnieFoggles  http://bit.ly/rrQ4Da #myblogspark

The Winn-Dixie gift card, information, and giveaway have been provided by General Mills through MyBlogSpark.

Giveaway Ended

The School District Made Mistakes

When I did request an evaluation, it was unknown what my daughter’s problems were. At first, I didn’t get an reply to my request. After making phone calls, sending emails and writing letters, especially one that was a complaint to the state, a meeting was finally scheduled. I was told all of my daughter’s problems with school were due her being absent too many days. Yes, she was absent a great deal because of her health issues, so why didn’t anyone catch that much earlier and offer the services she needed? But, her doctor agreed that being taught from home would be the best thing for her, so the process began. It felt like I had been through a maze and was about to find my way out.

Homebound Teacher to the Rescue

When her Homebound teacher began working with Sammi, she noticed a number of problems that were either a form of dyslexia or a processing disorder. We spoke to the psychiatrist about this. He thought that since Sammi is intelligent, she was able to compensate for whatever the issue was, but now with the diagnosis of Narcolepsy, her excessive sleepiness, her difficulty focusing and concentrating wasn’t allowing her to compensate any longer.

Mom, the Advocate

The Homebound teacher attended the recent IEP meeting to determine if Sammi could get compensatory services over the summer. She voiced her concerns about Sammi’s problems with learning. The psychiatrist wrote a note about the need for testing. I had written my concerns down and spoke about them too. My role as advocate for daughter in the past had empowered me. I was determined to get the help my daughter needs.

Success

Finally, with one phone call, the psycho-educational evaluation was granted! We also spoke about various methods to help Sammi get ready for the next school year. Depending on how she’s is doing with the sleepiness, she can have partial Homebound services. Things are set in place. And I have much better communication with her school too.

Resource: You, Your Child, and “Special” Education: A Guide to Dealing with the System

Since she is teaching Sammi one on one, she has the time to evaluate her. After doing some reading tests, watching Sammi write and doing math problems in front of her, the teacher saw that Sammi is *writing her letters and numbers backwards, getting some common letters such as “o” and “u” mixed up, hesitating when reading aloud and is on a third grade level in math. The teacher isn’t sure if it’s some dyslexia or some type of processing disorder. *meaning her penmanship, i.e. she starts to write a letter or number at the wrong point

More testing, including psychoeducational testing, will need to be done. We have made an appointment with a pediatric neurologist for a second opinion on the diagnosis of narcolepsy and will bring up this concern as well.

We’ll be having another IEP meeting in order for Sammi to continue the Homebound program over the summer. Her teacher will attend. I will be bringing up these issues at that meeting, reiterating the need for my daughter to be evaluated for Exceptional Education. I truly feel that the ball has been dropped for her this entire year of 6th grade. And it is sad.

But, I will do all I can and advocate for my daughter to be evaluated for any type of learning disability, be it dyslexia or some type of processing disorder. You can count on that.

The individualized instruction will also assist Sammi with the problem of concentration due to excessive sleepiness. The teacher can only come to our home in the evening because she teaches full time, so we are going to work on either a nap during the day or a later wake up time. We want Sammi to be alert during her instruction time through the Hospital Homebound program.

Since Sammi now has an IEP, she is in the Special Education program, even though she has not been evaluated and found to have a disability. Her grades and FCAT scores will be monitored though. If there are continued low grades (especially on the FCAT), she will be evaluated for an IEP.

This has been a big step for us, as we’ve been seeking an evaluation for months now. I’ve learned that being an advocate for your child can work! Even though it’s not the exact answer that we wanted, it’s a first step and a good one.

I’ve spoken to the teacher assigned to Sammi by phone. She will come to meet us tomorrow evening, work out a schedule and let us know what work is to be done. Sammi has mixed feelings about being in the Homebound program. She does want to improve her grades, but she is sad about not seeing her friends at school and being there for the end of sixth grade.

I am hoping that Sammi will get her confidence back when she sees that she is able to get the grades she is capable of getting. Also, we are still working on a medication that will help with her sleepiness. Our goal is that Sammi will return to school again for seventh grade.

If you have a child that has an illness that causes excessive absences, or your child is hospitalized for a period of time, check with your public school about the Hospital Homebound program. This can be done on an intermittent basis as well.

Have you had any experience with the Hospital Homebound program?

Resource for parents: 50 Ways to Support Your Child’s Special Education: From IEPs to Assorted Therapies, an Empowering Guide to Taking Action, Every Day

And the documentation I had with me made the meeting gave me the confidence I needed. It also helped provide answers to some of the lingering questions that the district had – one that is not very organized. My paperwork actually gave the district information that they needed!

How I Document

I use emails or letters to correspond with the school, district, etc. If I receive or make a phone call, I request something in writing. I still write down in a special note pad, the date and time of the call, who I spoke to and what was said.

I request a “notice in writing” for all meetings, which includes an invitation (what the meeting is for, who is attending, the date and time) and followup notes from the actual meeting. I also write down any questions during meetings so I don’t forget to ask them.

What I Document

I document everything. Every phone call, spoken word from someone at the school, district, state, etc. If I’m on the go, I use my phone to record notes to write down later.

The Reason For Documentation

Not only do things get confusing as you go through the maze of special education for your child, if you have a dispute or have any type of concern, your documentation will assist you to be the best advocate for your child. You’ll have the knowledge at hand which supports your child’s case.

Recommending Reading – You, Your Child, and “Special” Education: A Guide to Dealing With the System

Do you document for your child’s special education program?

It’s been a tough eight months or so for my family. There’s been trouble at school for Sammi, health scares and some new diagnoses. I’m doing what I’ve done for myself – being a patient advocate – for my daughter now. There’s second opinion appointments, research, learning about medication side effects. Then there’s school advocacy. With the help of our Parent Center, I’m learning how to get the best education for my daughter. So I write. That’s what I do. And it ends up on my blog. With less giveaways and more personal and informational posts, am I letting my readers down?

My goal isn’t to find some relief in this type of writing, although it is therapeutic. My goal and my hope is to help just one person. Maybe one of my posts about narcolepsy in children will provide an answer for a mother. The recent post I wrote about Parent Centers gave the link to find one in your area to help get information on special education. Can that help you or someone you know?

Yes, my blog is evolving. I’ll still have the occasional giveaway and product review. I haven’t lost my sense of humor, or my love of family. The issues my family is facing though, are much too important to leave open a small space on my main blog. They are the same issues that many others face, my dear readers.  If my words can make a difference, I’m going to take that chance.

image source – http://www.flickr.com/photos/smemon/4518528819/