Savannah's New School, Part Two

Thank God, the school is two miles away from home. It makes it a lot easier to get to. I couldn't have asked for a better school either..... maybe a better lit one (can't we add more windows or lights?), but that is another story.


The Individualized Education Plan (IEP) meeting on Friday was a perfect example of how the laws intended for the meetings to go. At the IEP meeting, the Early Intervention Specialist (ESE Coordinator) presented a draft copy of an IEP with the basics filled in that was discussed at the previous testings and meetings. Then we went through the IEP section by section, discussing the issues and adding or subtracting what we needed to in order to make it the IEP plan that benefit Savannah.


It was interesting being on the other end of an IEP meeting. I had participated in them on the other professional end, as a teacher, through my work at Flagler College and Florida School for the Deaf and Blind while doing my internship. Coming from the teacher side, there is a lot of paperwork and preparation to it, and then the implementation, etc. As a parent though, it has a whole other element to it, which I was forewarned about.... The emotional side to the vision issues, the issues that led everyone to the IEP conference in the first place. Especially in the early years, it is easy to sweep the issues under the rug, pretend they aren't as bad as they really are, etc. But then you come to the IEP meeting and you have to stare the issues in the face, see it in black and white, and look towards the future and all of the future issues.


What was very nice about it is that I had no doubt that the others in the meeting really were looking out for Savannah, interested in her safety and getting her ready for entering elementary school. The Vision teacher actually was the one that suggested we do an orientation and mobility evaluation, especially if the patching is a long term issue (which it will be). She was just concerned that maybe Savannah needs more training on how to move through the environment so that she is not tripping over objects, etc..... (basically that means that they are thinking she may benefit from the use of the blind cane, or pole or whatever it is called..... ugh. If it benefits her, great, but it is another reminder of the 'issues')

I also felt that it was a good placement for her. Savannah's teacher has been teaching for 25 years, loves to get messy with paint, glue, markers, cooking, whatever the kids are into. Right now they are studying Dr. Seuss and on Friday they were making green eggs and ham and as I was walking Savannah around the room I was noticing "One Fish Two Fish Red Fish Blue Fish" projects getting prepped. Since Savannah loves doing all things tactile and artsy, she will absolutely love the class. It will be a big change though, the longer days, napping at school, and just getting to know the kids. The kids are a lot less 'refined' then the class she is coming from.... and it includes children from three to five so she is now one of the youngest in the class, where as she was one of the older kids at her Mother's Morning Out program.


When Savannah left this morning with Dad (yes I made Dad take her to school today), I think she was still confused about going to a new school, being with new friends, etc. It didn't help that we were running later than expected (I hate time changes), and she kept asking if Grandma was picking her up today from school, cause Grandma has been doing pickup on Tuesdays from Mother's Morning Out. Mike said though that she was already having a great time at school by the time he left. We will see how the rest of the day goes. I hope she really likes it..... and I hope Zoe and I figure out a good schedule for our days now too..... I will say it is quite a bit less noisy and messy around here. I mean so far we ate breakfast and then Zoe took a nap.....