The new school year is in full swing and our household has returned to normal. Well, normal for us.
I am happy to tell you all, that Curran has started Grade Two. Sean and I had a Psycho Educational Assessment performed on Curran at the end of June, he has trouble with reading, spelling, and mathematics. We were very pleased with the outcome. Curran has an extremely below average level of Working Memory, meaning he has a difficult time retaining information and retrieving previously retained information. Luckily, working memory is something that is easy to improve through specified games and activities. The Assessment also gave us a list of things the classroom needed to do to help at school.
The first day of school, was a bit of a Gong Show, the current teacher was not brought up to speed with Curran's needs. In fact, she looked shocked when I mentioned arranging a parent-teacher meeting. Yes, I realize that "Back to School" is a bit chaotic, but this was not a new development. I had also left several messages the previous week, that were not returned. Luckily, she seemed to take it in stride and we had a meeting set up later that week.
I am pleased to tell you, that the school is completely on board with the recommendations from the Assessment. The resource room teacher and the classroom teacher, have already modified some of Curran's curriculum; there is an ELA (teachers aid) in his classroom three days a week, specifically to help him part of each day; he will have one on one help from the resource room teacher four days a week; he may even benefit from some funding towards a trial with electronic text readers. I couldn't be more pleased, quite the contrast from just a few months ago.
Alexandra is now in Grade Four. She has become so grown up over the summer, definitely not my "little" girl anymore. She is responsible, kind, considerate and caring. Of course, none of those characteristics relate directly to her brother; they still fight like cats and dogs. Although, we did not have to rush to minor emergency this summer to patch up the consequences of their sibling love.
Alex has been suffering from undiagnosed joint pain since last November. After numerous x-rays, blood work, trips to see the pediatric rheumatologist and even a bone scan; we are no farther on a diagnosis. She has been quite the little trooper through it all, she has not let is affect her moral too much. I know she is tired of having me push her to do physio therapy, dragging her to doctor after doctor, fighting with her to take medicine, but I know she appreciates it too. That 5 minute cuddle at the end of a rough day, says a lot.
Jade is in Grade Ten, TEN!!! Just think, when Sean and I first started dating she was 4 and now she is 15. Yup, I am getting old. We are being subjected to the trials of the life of a teenager. Boys, snarky girls, after school jobs, homework, boys and more boys. Have I mentioned boys? Luckily our boy crazy girl, does well in school and is busy with dance, babysitting, and her part-time job. For the most part, she stays out of trouble, but watch out on the highways, she gets her learners license soon.
Our afternoons and evenings are once again filled with homework, dance, basketball, and other kids related activities. It doesn't leave me much time for the business opportunity that I have just taken on, but I am sure Sean and I will make it work. We will fit some family bonding time in somewhere as well.
