First day of school - FOG DELAY!!!

Avatar for teri_b
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Registered: 03-27-2003
First day of school - FOG DELAY!!!
4
Tue, 09-05-2006 - 8:03am

Of all the things Josh needs...

Our system has an automated phone alert for closings/delays. Being new to the district, my phone number is not yet on the list.

So - I pile Ryan and Josh in the van at 7:30 (school starts at 7:45). Schlep them over to the school. Pull into the parking lot noting a suspicious absence of cars/kids/general first day pandemonium. Don't think anything of it - we ARE 15 minutes early. Walk into the school and are met by a teacher "Didn't you know we were delayed? There's heavy fog in the outlying areas."

So - In about an hour we get to go through the whole "What will my class be like?" 'Don't know Josh'. "Who is my teacher?" 'Don't know yet Josh' "Where is my classroom?" ' Don't know that yet either Josh' panic attack spiel in the van again.

I must say - this will be one for the record book. 2 of the schools in the county that had half days today are closed! On the FIRST DAY OF CLASSES!

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-11-2003
Tue, 09-05-2006 - 9:16am

We had that happen once here too. Sorry you have to deal with that.

I'm really surprised you don't know who his teacher is or where his classroom is. We are given the names of our kids teachers at registration in august. I then call the teacher and set up a time to bring the kids in to see their class before school starts. It really lessens that anxiety. For next yr you should definately insist on knowing ahead of time.

I hope he ends up having a great first day+++++

Samantha

Samantha
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Registered: 03-26-2003
Tue, 09-05-2006 - 10:29am

I was going to say you can probably find out too in advance. Even for the kids who don't have IEP's we usually find out at least a few days ahead of time, then I take them on a walk of the school to see where thier class is.

For Cait, she met her special ed teachers in advance but not mainstream. We get her schedule and we make a map and walk the school to find everything in advance. I check in with the office and they always ok it for me if I explain to them the situation. The school is always open for about a week before the first day. usually if you call the teachers in advance they are great about taking 5 minutes to meet the child prior to the first day, especially if they know there is anxiety and some ASD going on.

Mike's teachers called me this year to make sure I was taking him in a day in advance to see his desk, teacher, classroom, etc. He has been at that school for 3 years and knew the teacher. I thought it was cool that they did this anyway and it really did help him alot.

Renee

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Avatar for googolplex
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Registered: 03-31-2003
Tue, 09-05-2006 - 12:00pm

Wow! What a way to start. I hope the rest of the day goes well.

At our school, if it's 15 minutes before school starts, you'll see hundreds of cars jamming up the nearby intersections, and people everywhere. One day we rode our bikes all the way to school, and when we got there, we found NOBODY there. It was Columbus Day or something...one of the many holidays that DH doesn't get off, so we forgot about it.

I'm also a little surprised you weren't told who the teacher would be, but not THAT surprised. At our school, they make the class lists like two or three days before school starts, and post it at the school.

Evelyn

Avatar for teri_b
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Registered: 03-27-2003
Tue, 09-05-2006 - 12:08pm

It's just been a crazy messed up summer. I think he spent more time at his step-dad's (my ex still takes him for visitations along with his brothers) or with his grandparents than he actually did at home. Which I know doesn't help the anxiety much. He's actually calmer at my parents house when his brothers are home though, so he spends a good deal of time out there (and Papa is his summer daycare).

As far as getting in early - we got back at 9:40 (school was supposed to start at 7:45, delayed 2 hours) Greeted at the door by another teacher/counselor/parapro (dunno - didn't introduce herself to me OR Josh) and are told that "Students have to wait outside until 7:45." I explained that it was his first day AT CV and I wanted to help him find his class before the crush. So then she decided that was ok "just for today", looked his teacher's name up for me, and sent us down the hallway.

LOL - part of her directions were "the Fifth grade hall is the right just past the double window". We get to the window and there are FOUR panes of glass, not two. "Mom - she said DOUBLE window." as I turned down the hallway. SO we start checking out classroom signs and the first one (in the 5th grade hall) says *gasp* FOURTH Grade... "MOOOM - we're not in the right spot." Another (much nicer) teacher asked him who he was looking for, and of course he clams up and shrugs his shoulders. I told her "Mrs. S" and she says to Josh "You're almost there - it's the door just past where all those kids are standing." (One of the entrances)

VERY nice teacher. Rather large class (25 kids) but we'll see how it goes.