XOXO

How can they have no specials? Did your budget fail? If anyone needs those sort of things it's 5 year olds!

Unfortunatly, some districts wait to do testing until 3RD GRADE in some cases. It's frustrating.

No specials? I thought gym was a state mandated class for kids?


ETA: What do the kids do during the teachers preps?

As far as the teacher being on maternity leave and coming back in January - kids adjust better than adults do....I filled in for a maternity leave and the kids adjusted alot quicker than I did

As a special ed teacher, I certainly understand your reluctance to have your son given a label. The positive thing about a full evaluation at this age is that younger kids tend to get a lot of related services at no expense to the parent. This can be helpful in the long run.

I am almost positive that phys. ed is mandated by the state. Young children usually get it more frequently. They need outlets for gross motor skills. Hopefully, Gabe's teacher will be able to accommodate for these necessary outlets of physical activity within the structure of her classroom.

Good luck!

I wouldnt be worried that the teacher is new - she will probably be very enthusiastic and having the kids doing a lot of projects, creative things.

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Posted by N.Y.bride

Im a phys ed teacher myself. I know for a fact that their budget failed. I met with the principal and he again let me know there will be NO specials for kindergarten.

I do have a question?

My cousin tried to get into the fire department and while in high school was labeled as having ADHD. He told me he was told he couldnt get on the FDNY because of that. Is that true? I dont want Gabe to be excluded from anything down the line because of what happens in kindergarten.

I would like to have Gabe in the inclusion class because he is very embarrased with his tics. He sometimes jerks his head to one side over and over and over, sometimes clears his throats every 5 seconds or so for an hour... etc..
He is at the age where he knows something isn't right and the other children are starting to notice too. i figured if he was in the inclusion class along with many other different student he would notice not every one is the same. A lot of students are different and not feel so bad. I also feel the other children in the class seem to be more tolerant.

Anyway, its not going to happen. I really hope the teacher is very firm and class is very structured and routine b/c thats what Gabe needs.

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My DH has ADHD and he is on the FDNY.....I don't think that is true. AND he is a recent hire so it isn't something that was changed recently.

You used to have to have college to get on the FDNY and that is why maybe your cousin couldn't get on while in high school?

Also, I think getting him tested may be a good idea. My cousin waited to test her son and he is going into the 5th grade with a lot of issues that could have been dealt with earlier. On the flip side, my MIL had my BIL tested when he was four, he was diagnosed with severe ADD and now, at 11 he is not medicated and was mainstreamed last year. He is a really good student and very well adjusted. I feel like since he received his services starting in kindergarten he learned to manage himself.

This isn't easy for you and him, and I am sorry if I sounded judgmental, I hope you feel better about the whole situation, you sound like a very involved mother and he is lucky to have you

Early intervention is so important. I would do your best to get him what he needs. I personally would fight for the inclusion placement. If they def. have a kindergarten inclusion, why can't they place him in it. At least you will have attention from both a general and special educator.


Good luck!

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Posted by N.Y.bride

I tried to get him into the inclusion class. they said they couldnt promise me anything and we werent placed in inclusion :(

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If he was tested and had an official diagnosis that requried him to be in inclusion, then he would be. IEPs can be updated. You are his mom and if you feel he needs inclusion, do what you can to get him in it!

MY DH is phys ed certified too. And they cancelled his course this year in a city school. He is trying to figure out how they can do it and if there is anyone to contact. In the meanwhile since he is tenured, they gave him a third grade class. He is certified for elementary ed too, that was his first masters, but he hasn't been in a classroom in a few years. He is not very happy. Don't get me wrong, it is a teaching job, but the kids in his school NEED phys ed. The principal doesn't get it. She thinks all specials are worthless. I can understand that she thinks music is wasteful since she is deaf and it is a deaf/hard of hearing school, but COME ON!!!!

When he got there a few years ago all they knew how to do was throw around a basketball. And they didn't even know the rules!!!!!! He introduced so many sports to them that their head is spinning. It is so pathetic. Makes me really sad for kids in the city and eventually when we have kids. What is it going to be like by then?!?!?!

edited for spelling

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Posted by Goldi1021

I would also say that not only does phys-ed have a a direct effect upon a child's physical health but it certainly has an effect upon discipline in the classroom. Children have to learn turn taking, sportsmanship and teamwork and other skills. Most of my students have some form of attention deficit whether ADD or ADHD. If they do not get a certain amount of physical activity each day, it makes it very hard for them to focus on table top tasks. I have stopped lessons in the middle in order to give my kids an opportunity to simply stretch or take walks. It allows them to regroup and effectively complete assignments upon returning to their desks. Again, I wish you luck.

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SO true leslie...

fh has add, it was so bad when he was diagnosed that they told his mom that he'd be lucky to graduate high school and to not even think about college. she didn't listen though and got all the help he needed. now he has 2 college degrees and doesn't take anything. =0)

being labeled *****, but not being treated ***** even more. the best thing to do is to get him tested. no one has to know and he doesn't have to claim it on anything if he doesn't want to, but it helps to have it.

as for specials - i can't believe that! if it's really affecting him (coming home all hyper b/c he's been in one room all day) maybe look into a sports team, class at the ymca, or some ot (kids LOVE it and i've seen it work wonders)