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Archive through May 09, 2008

Reality TVClubHouse Discussions: General Discussions ARCHIVES: Apr. 2008 ~ June 2008: Free Expressions: Advice please....: Archive through May 09, 2008 users admin

Author Message
Julieboo
Member

02-05-2002

Friday, May 02, 2008 - 8:23 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Julieboo a private message Print Post    
How does this sound:

Dear Principal,

I know I have told you this before, but we are just so totally happy with everything about our school.

We loved Ms. Smithson last year (when Ryan was in 2nd grade) and asked that you try to give us as good of a match for his third grade year. Well, all I can say is Mrs. Johnson has totally fit that bill. She has had so much patience with him and she has been fantastic with communicating with us.

Our request is that Ryan gets matched with a teacher that has patience and good communication. And who has knowledge of Aspergers and ADHD. Consistency and flexibility are, in my opinion, some of the most important qualities when thinking of a teacher for him.


Karuuna
Board Administrator

08-31-2000

Friday, May 02, 2008 - 8:48 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Karuuna a private message Print Post    
Julie, schools are usually interested in two things - educational progress, and less disruption. If you can work that into your note it might be helpful.

So, perhaps you might write about how Ryan achieved more academically under her instruction or understanding; and/or how he got along better with his peers or focused better etc.

When my son was having so much trouble, I rather hinted that if he didn't have a great teacher who could work with him, that I would be looking to the school to provide additional counseling support to help him through, and that a teacher who couldn't work with his anxiety issues would probably be distracted from teaching because of his stress, and have to deal with the other kids being distracted by his anxiety.

It made a big difference!

Prisonerno6
Member

08-31-2002

Friday, May 02, 2008 - 8:49 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Prisonerno6 a private message Print Post    
Just a pet peeve, but you might want to change the "starting a sentence with a conjunction" thing.

...has patience and good communication. He also learns best from someone who has knowledge of Aspergers...

Julieboo
Member

02-05-2002

Friday, May 02, 2008 - 8:50 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Julieboo a private message Print Post    
Kar, you TOTALLY rock!! And you totally hit a good point about the anxiety!!

Pris--thanks. I can't believe I sarted a sentence with "And"!!

Karuuna
Board Administrator

08-31-2000

Friday, May 02, 2008 - 9:00 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Karuuna a private message Print Post    
I hope it helps, Julie. I know my stepping up and pressuring the school made a huge difference for my kiddo. His second grade year was a nightmare, and the teacher's inability to deal with him made his anxiety a dozen times worse. By the time he was entering third grade, I wasn't sure if he would go at all.

I did meet privately with the principal to discuss some of this, because I didn't want it in writing, esp my complaints about the 2nd grade teacher. However, I really wanted the school to understand why my son had declined so much between first and second grade.

A great teacher at the right time makes such a difference. My DS is now a straight A student finishing 8th grade; and it's his *preference* to go to school, rather than miss it. Big difference!

Texannie
Member

07-16-2001

Friday, May 02, 2008 - 9:01 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Texannie a private message Print Post    
Julie, I would go along the lines of saying how perfect a match his teacher is and why (in great specifics). then say, "i have heard she is moving to the 3rd grade. i respectfully request that Ryan be placed in her class for the reasons stated above.

Dipo
Member

04-23-2002

Friday, May 02, 2008 - 9:06 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Dipo a private message Print Post    
MODS, could you shrink the width of this thread. Thanks.

Juju2bigdog
Member

10-27-2000

Friday, May 02, 2008 - 9:11 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Juju2bigdog a private message Print Post    
Texannie, I think Julieboo said they were asked not to request specific teachers, so Julieboo is having to lay it between the lines.

<anxiously checks sentences for inappropriate conjunctivitis, pendulous participles and post partum prepositions>



Julieboo
Member

02-05-2002

Friday, May 02, 2008 - 9:11 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Julieboo a private message Print Post    
Dear Principal,

I know I have told you this before, but we are just so totally happy with everything about our school.

We loved Ms. Smithson last year (when Ryan was in 2nd grade) and asked that you try to give us as good of a match for his third grade year. Well, all I can say is Mrs. Johnson has totally fit that bill. She has had so much patience with him and she has been fantastic with communicating with us.

There has also been somewhat of an anxiety problem with Ryan and she has used very effective techniques with him.

Our request is that Ryan gets matched with a teacher that has patience and good communication. He also responds and learns best from someone who has knowledge of Aspergers and ADHD. Consistency and flexibility are, in my opinion, some of the most important qualities when thinking of a teacher for him.

I really feel that matching him with the right teacher at this point is so crucial. For not only his sake, but also for the sake of his classmates.

Julieboo
Member

02-05-2002

Friday, May 02, 2008 - 9:12 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Julieboo a private message Print Post    
The green areas are what I just added. Do they flow okay? Any suggestions???

Julieboo
Member

02-05-2002

Friday, May 02, 2008 - 9:14 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Julieboo a private message Print Post    
Juju is correct. And that is what makes it so tricky. I don't want to tick the principal off by going against her request. But I want to do what I can to get this same teacher... (clipart of tightrope walker)

Mameblanche
Member

08-24-2002

Friday, May 02, 2008 - 9:23 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Mameblanche a private message Print Post    
Jooj said:<anxiously checks sentences for inappropriate conjunctivitis, pendulous participles and post partum prepositions>


Texannie
Member

07-16-2001

Friday, May 02, 2008 - 9:37 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Texannie a private message Print Post    
ok...

how about...

Dear Principal,
I know I have said it previously, but we are so pleased with the school. This is has been such a wonderful and successful school year for Ryan. As you know, Ryan (and then explain his issues in detail). Mrs. Smithson has been able to meet all his needs and has contributed greatly to his successes this year.
When you are assigning teachers next year, please keep Ryan's special needs in mind. I know everyone wants Ryan's educational path to be as successful as this year's was.
Thank you again for creating such a wonderful school enviroment.

julie

Julieboo
Member

02-05-2002

Friday, May 02, 2008 - 10:12 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Julieboo a private message Print Post    
Ohhh thanks Annie!!! That is really good. I want to keep it as brief as possible yet hit as many marks as I can. I hope to work on it this weekend and send it off Monday.

This weekend we are having a combination gotcha day 1 year anniversary/2 year birthday party for Abby. So that'll take most of my time. (Last party here til maybe HS graduations!!)

Thanks again. I'll probably be back here monday before i send off the final version. Any other thoughts are welcomed til then...

Texannie
Member

07-16-2001

Friday, May 02, 2008 - 10:39 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Texannie a private message Print Post    
wow!! has it been a year??? time flies!

you're welcome. i also think you should use this line from Kar's suggestion.
So, perhaps you might write about how Ryan achieved more academically under her instruction or understanding; and/or how he got along better with his peers or focused better etc.


Julieboo
Member

02-05-2002

Friday, May 09, 2008 - 11:28 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Julieboo a private message Print Post    
New question:

I am such an idiot!

Okay, now that that has been established, I am looking for advice for my next step in this situation.

Today I went in for a pizza party lunch that we had in my son's third grade class. We had a little game that I kind of MC-ed. One of the questions I kept changing my mind about as I was asking it. So the teacher said something like "I'm starting to understand some things now." (Meaning that she now knows where Ryan gets some of his indecisiveness.) It was a little joke thing. Well, I don't know why or how I said it but somehow I ended up saying "Oh shit!" (like oops I let the cat out of the bag.) Then I froze. May have laughed or something (I don't really remember.)

Well of course a third grade class in front of all the kids and another mom and two teachers is not the place to swear. One of the kids even said "Hey this is an elementary school."

Anyways, the teacher said something like "Moving on..." and we continued the game.

So now (after thinking about it) I am even more mortified than I was when it happened.

So the question:

Do I email or call in an apology? Do I do nothing? Or what?

Any advice or insight (Other than never volunteer at his school again) would be welcomed!

Mocha
Member

08-12-2001

Friday, May 09, 2008 - 11:59 am   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Mocha a private message Print Post    
Lol my advice would've been what you said in your last sentence.

Wargod
Moderator

07-16-2001

Friday, May 09, 2008 - 12:00 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Wargod a private message Print Post    
Apologize in person, we all make mistakes. I'd even go in class and apologize to them, kids love to see us admit we aren't perfect, and then say something like how you had to pay a dollar to the swear jar or something.

Serate
Member

08-21-2001

Friday, May 09, 2008 - 12:05 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Serate a private message Print Post    
I'd apologize in person and ask the teachers if they thought it would be appropriate for you to apologize to the students.

ETA just saw War's suggestion telling them you paid a buck to the swear jar. Good idea.

Plus, don't beat yourself up about it. It happened, the teacher transitioned the moment, it's over. I'm sure it was quite obvious tht it was an accident. To the teachers at least. Who knows, Ryan might be known as the kid with the cool mom who swears. *L*

Mocha
Member

08-12-2001

Friday, May 09, 2008 - 12:06 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Mocha a private message Print Post    
I'm guessing Jb that you apologized right after the incident??

Julieboo
Member

02-05-2002

Friday, May 09, 2008 - 12:10 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Julieboo a private message Print Post    
I really don't think I could apologize in person. Feel too stupid. I already think I freaked the teacher out by overdoing Teacher Appreciation Week (plus made that book back a few weeks ago before I even knew about Teacher App. Week.) So I am thinking a less is more kind of thing right now... WHY am I such a nut?! Why isn't my mouth wired to my brain all the way??

Julieboo
Member

02-05-2002

Friday, May 09, 2008 - 12:13 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Julieboo a private message Print Post    
Oh, I don't even remember Mocha. I think I might have, but I tried to get back on track right then... (I'm sure I was a fool and laughed or put my head on the desk, and may have said sorry...) All I know is I feel like such a dope. Guess I totally BLEW any chance of Ryan getting this same teacher next year...

Mocha
Member

08-12-2001

Friday, May 09, 2008 - 12:13 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Mocha a private message Print Post    
Are those rhetorical questions?? :-)

Jimmer
Moderator

08-30-2000

Friday, May 09, 2008 - 12:53 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Jimmer a private message Print Post    
I wouldn't over think it. I don't think it is a make or break kind of thing.

Texannie
Member

07-16-2001

Friday, May 09, 2008 - 12:55 pm   Edit Post Move Post Delete Post View Post Send Texannie a private message Print Post    
Julie, quit beating yourself up. You made a slip. Shit happens! LOL
sorry, had to.
anyway, email the teacher if you don't feel you can face the class and simply say 'i am just mortified and so sorry about my slip of the tongue today. thank you for handling it so smoothly with the class. please accept my sincerest apologies'
BUT,
i think asking her in the email if you should apologize to the class would be a good thing. and i think simply telling the kids 'i said a word i should not have, and i am so very sorry' is enough.
and once you apologize, forget and move on.