g.j. (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
in_the_blue) wrote2007-09-14 02:23 pm
in_the_blue) wrote2007-09-14 02:23 pm
So that's it? The secret to the universe is so simple! By the way, just who am I anyway?
I find today that I have a resurgence of faith in the process at the public school here.
The counselor for the TAG (Talented and Gifted) program just called to tell me that she was reviewing Hannah's schedule and test scores and they don't match up, that Hannah's in both the wrong math and reading classes. Effective immediately, she's being moved up to pre-algebra (which is where she belongs, as she's already done what they're doing in math) and is also being moved up to the level 3 (most advanced) reading group for her class. The counselor wanted to call and let me know before she told Hannah. This is exciting, because she's also now a member of the TAG program there. It's a fairly small group, but they have their own lounge to hang out in during lunchtime and have a special TAG-group Home Room on Mondays. This will give Hannah a few things: first, an infusion of self-confidence; second, a group to officially belong with at school and a bunch of like-minded kids to know; third, she'll be sad because she loves her current math teacher. But a challenge will be good for her, so I gave it the go-ahead and was very glad for the call.
The counselor was very apologetic that this hadn't happened earlier, but you know what? It's just the second week of school and I'm glad it did happen. I'm new to the school system if we don't count Hannah being there in Kindergarten, and I don't know the ins and outs, but I know they just had placement testing for reading last week and Hannah was going to be moved one way or the other (either they would do it as a result of testing or I'd be in there having a few conversations with people). I didn't know there was another level of math, or I'd have been in there demanding that too.
So look! My tax dollars at work! The school system pulls through and shows that it works!
For those of you familiar with TAG, they don't have what's called a pull-out program at this school: no separate TAG classes. However, they are a cohesive group and apparently have some vigilant counselors overseeing things. I'm glad: I'd talked with this counselor in June, but she told me they wouldn't be looking at things until August. I figured it would just take its time to settle out, and look ma, no hands! It did its thing.
I'm a proud mama bear today.
The counselor for the TAG (Talented and Gifted) program just called to tell me that she was reviewing Hannah's schedule and test scores and they don't match up, that Hannah's in both the wrong math and reading classes. Effective immediately, she's being moved up to pre-algebra (which is where she belongs, as she's already done what they're doing in math) and is also being moved up to the level 3 (most advanced) reading group for her class. The counselor wanted to call and let me know before she told Hannah. This is exciting, because she's also now a member of the TAG program there. It's a fairly small group, but they have their own lounge to hang out in during lunchtime and have a special TAG-group Home Room on Mondays. This will give Hannah a few things: first, an infusion of self-confidence; second, a group to officially belong with at school and a bunch of like-minded kids to know; third, she'll be sad because she loves her current math teacher. But a challenge will be good for her, so I gave it the go-ahead and was very glad for the call.
The counselor was very apologetic that this hadn't happened earlier, but you know what? It's just the second week of school and I'm glad it did happen. I'm new to the school system if we don't count Hannah being there in Kindergarten, and I don't know the ins and outs, but I know they just had placement testing for reading last week and Hannah was going to be moved one way or the other (either they would do it as a result of testing or I'd be in there having a few conversations with people). I didn't know there was another level of math, or I'd have been in there demanding that too.
So look! My tax dollars at work! The school system pulls through and shows that it works!
For those of you familiar with TAG, they don't have what's called a pull-out program at this school: no separate TAG classes. However, they are a cohesive group and apparently have some vigilant counselors overseeing things. I'm glad: I'd talked with this counselor in June, but she told me they wouldn't be looking at things until August. I figured it would just take its time to settle out, and look ma, no hands! It did its thing.
I'm a proud mama bear today.
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The only thing I know for sure is not to give up fighting for what our kids need. I was waiting to see what happened as a result of the placement testing this week, but if that didn't resolve things I would've talked to the counseling staff again anyway.
(My younger sister's name is Edie!)
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Glad that's working. N is settling in, but home with a cold today.
That's him sniffling and sneezing in the background.
Some day when everyone is healthy we'll sip lattes.
:)
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That is wonderful all around, so rare to find a school system that actually communicates!
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Though I have to say my wife is as if not more effective than I in such matters. I am just taller.
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That's great news. Too bad about moving away from the teacher she likes, though.
The gifted and talented program I was in had pull-out time, and I can see where that had its pluses and minuses. *shrugs* It sounds like things are looking good for Hannah, ma'am, and it's awfully good to hear.
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I got two turntables and a microphone... I don't mind that it's not a pull-out program, but I will tell you that Hannah's now the editor of the school literary magazine. That's my girl. I'm so proud of her, and she doesn't even really care about being moved away from the teacher she likes; she's more interested in learning new stuff. She was just beaming when we went to pick her up, by the way. So happy.
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And yay for school systems doing their thing on their own, without prodding or haranguing from parents. :)
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