Mixed Nuts: Off to a Good Start

Quotes

"There is no better way to thank God for your sight than by giving a helping hand to someone in the dark." - Helen Keller
When I stand before God at the end of my life, I would hope that I would not have a single bit of talent left, and could say, "I used everything you gave me." ~Erma Bombeck
You may never know how strong you are, until being strong is your only choice.- Unknown
Keep your face to the sunshine and you cannot see a shadow' ~Helen Keller
Promise me you'll always remember: You're braver than you believe, and stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think.
Don't cry because it's over, smile because it happened."- Dr. Seuss
"Life is 10% what happens to you, and 90% how you react to it."
"God doesn't give children with disabilities to strong people: He gives them to ordinary, everyday people, then He helps the parents to grow stronger through the journey. Raising a child with special needs doesn't TAKE a special family, it MAKES a special family."Author Unknown
I have been driven many times to my knees by the overwhelming conviction that I had nowhere else to go – Abraham Lincoln
Be always at war with your vices, at peace with your neighbors, and let each new year find you a better man. ~ Benjamin Franklin
There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as if everything is a miracle - Albert Einstein
The journey of a 1000 miles starts with a single step
Sometimes in the middle of an ordinary life, love gives you a fairy tale
Where there is great love, there are always miracles - Willa Cather
The Difficult we can do immediately, the impossible takes a little longer
Doing what you like is freedom. Liking what you do is happiness
There are two lasting bequests we can give our children. One is roots. The other is wings.
Be the change you want to see in the world
Don't tell God how big the storm is, tell the storm how big Your God is..........
Everything has beauty, but not everyone sees it
Fall down seven times - get up eight - unknown
Despite our differences, we sink or swim together
Life may not be the party we expected, but while we are here, we might as well dance
"The man who moves a mountain begins by carrying away small stones." -Confucius

Friday, September 19, 2014

Off to a Good Start

The other night, we went to the elementary school's "curriculum night" for 2nd graders. Each fall, there is a chance for parents to come into their kid's classrooms, meet the teachers, learn about the year's curriculum, and what the teacher has planned. We get to see what the kids have done so far (which was quite a lot considering they have only been there 2 1/2 weeks) and leave a note for our kids on their desks (the kid's favorite part).

I had a chance to speak to Finley's teacher (Mat went to see Cainan's teacher) and she was so excited about how well Finley is doing. She said she has been a super star - getting all of her work done, and being a role model for the class. This is exactly what we were hoping for, so I hope it continues.

I have to credit her teacher and her creativity for this great start. I don't think I blogged about the fact that her teacher made fairy houses and placed them on trees on the playground after school one night for the kids to "discover". And that she made an "artist corner" on the blacktop area of the playground so that Finley will have kids with similar interest to join her in drawing.

Her teacher goes above and beyond for Finley and for all the students. I see this time and time again in our school district. I feel that we are very lucky here in Massachusetts to have an amazing public school system where our kids can grow and become confident learners and members of society.

We repeated 2nd grade to give Finley a better chance for the future. Her teacher is giving her the tools to make this a great year to make Finley see how great she really is. That she can do anything she puts her mind to. And for that - we will always be grateful.

If your child has a great teacher - tell them so. They don't hear it enough. In an age where public school and teachers tend to get a bad rap, what parents don't see is what those teachers do that is beyond the basics. That most teachers will do ANYTHING to get a child to learn and LOVE learning. That they are building your kids up. Even when they have 24 different personalities to deal with.

Finley's teacher has 20 kids all with their own needs. Finley's needs are high, but her teacher has taken her time to know her and REACH her.

It is wonderful. It really is. I am proud of our school system and so glad that my kids get a chance to experience it.