Hello Everyone!
Well, Jenna is officially a second grader.  Yes, we finished school today.  I know, it's about time, gotta thank that small (HA) ice storm in Dec. 

Last week, we finalized her IEP.  In order to understand all of this mumbo jumbo, one has to either be a special ed teacher or have an awesome school Laison PhD from Dana Farber with you.  Lucky for us, we had the latter.  We have had tons of budget cuts in our city this spring so I had to take this into consideration when finalizing her IEP. I know my parent rights--very important in this process--so made sure that no matter how much they choose to cut staff/programs/etc. in her school, Jenna will continue to get her paraprofessional in the classroom all day, the Wilson Reading program, speech, inclusion Reading, inclusion math services, and written language services.  What else is there? Well, she will have an OT evaluation in the fall and will also have guidance services to discuss coping strategies--how to cope with frustration in the classroom, being very short, comments other kids may make, etc. etc., etc.   At this point, the only thing she is not receiving is physical therapy.  It is almost comical.  In all, though, I am pleased and hope to see even more growth next year.

As I was leaving meeting, I had a revelation.  The chances of me getting laid off are almost guaranteed.  Jenna's awesome teacher already received her pink slip.  I really believe that I was put into this job this year to write Jenna's IEP.  I think that I had to learn more about elementary schools and about being in the trenches of working with SPED kids--granted I always had tons of them when I taught, but the SPED teacher worked so well with them that I was only an onlooker.  Once my revelation came, I had a huge sense of peace with losing my job. 

Now we're onto summer.  Jenna will get 3 hours a week of tutoring, but that is certainly not getting into our way. This weekend Joe and I head to the NASCAR race and then next week, we head to Old Orchard Beach, ME for a week--cannot wait!  That is only the beginning of many, many camping trips planned--GREAT TIMES!  Oh, yeah, we do also head to NY on July 14 for Jenna's scans--stress. 

I have to end by talking about Jarrod a bit.  Today he finished up with elementary school and will officially enter middle school in the fall.  He has had a really great spring. He played the "Conjunction Junction" guy in the 5th gr. play, "School House Rock" to many, many acolades.  Who knew this kid could sing so well??  Then today, his report card came home. Now, Jarrod always comes home with all or mostly all A's so that was almost expected. What made my day was the comments written by his teacher. Jarrod's teacher has been teaching for at least 25 yrs. in several schools. He said that Jarrod is one of the most caring and kind students he has ever had.  (Super Sib?) and ended by thanking Joe and I for allowing him the experience of being Jarrod's teacher this year.  Awesome, huh?  He is just the best--remind me of that when he is giving me his "hormone bad attitude talkback"!  I think that's all for now. Thanks for checking in!