This #SUPERHEROWITHSLD needs a pet...

THE SUPERHERO NEEDS A PET!

So this weekend we decided to take the kids to the Humane Society to look at pets. They are so eager to get one that I was like "OK, sure lets go see what they have". Of course each one of them wanted something different. The only thing I wanted was to not have to clean up after them. "Good Luck on that one" I can almost hear you saying.

I have to admit this was definitely a good time but the funniest part of all, as always, was when my superhero decided that he wanted a "FAT LAZY CAT."

Picturing fat lazy cat here.... hahahaha!

      I mean we almost died laughing, cracking up, everyone could hear us as they walked by. We got a hold of ourselves and promptly asked him why he wanted a FAT LAZY CAT. Figuring that it had something to do with his obsession for reading Garfiled, I thought the answer would be along those lines. 

He says something along the lines of ----"Mom, you know I like to eat, and I like to relax... If I get a fat lazy cat we can both chill and relax and I wont have to do much to take care of it. It will like to lay with me while I read in my room and this will make us both happy." ---

Retrieved from: http://www.latimes.com/style/pets/la-he-pets-obesity-20150620-story.html

Mind you we looked and there was a fat cat that surely looked lazy. However, there are other things to take into consideration along with the fact that the website that they looked into states that my apartments do not accept pets. They are so wrong. Maybe it just wasnt time to get the cat at this point. 

Meanwhile, I will continue looking and my #superhero is working on proving that he is responsible. Every day, we hear another reason as to why he should be able to have a cat. If it was up to them my house would consist of 4 kids, mother, father, mother in law, a cat, dog, bunny, and well I'm not quite sure what the other one wants. 

Retrieved from: http://amandascreativestudios.com/portfolio/celestial/

P.S. Both my husband and I attended the meeting with the school and they have moved up the date for the IEP meeting to 1 week after school starts. Thankfully, my advocate accompanied us and we are moving forward with our requests for re-evaluation. This year is going to be great, I know it. #superherowithSLDs rock!!!

A LITTLE SOMETHING DIFFERENT and EXCITING!

A LITTLE SOMETHING DIFFERENT!

Today we did something super exciting.

Because my company is celebrating its 30 year anniversary, we were able to watch the #Marlins win over the Cardinals. We were able to take the kids to the stadium and they couldn't contain their excitement. My #superherowithSLDs was especially excited.

His #1 goal---- CATCH A BALL!

We were in the Lexus Level which put us right by 3rd base (Foul Ball Section.)His plan was to catch a foul ball sometime during the game. Funny thing is, it was pretty exciting for everyone.

For the past couple of days, I have been so anxious that my mind has not stopped going over the IEPs, meetings, and the homework the tutor gives him in order to try to catch up. This game gave us a little time to take our minds off of all these things.

My #superherowithSLDs was singing along, clapping, and watching for those foul balls. As the innings went on, we all got more excited. Little did we know that the ball was coming our way. The pitcher threw it, and the batter slammed that sucker right over our heads. Thankfully, the guy sitting behind us had butterfingers and the ball rolled close enough for me to grab behind and get a hold of it. I did have to struggle a little, but, a mother's determination is something #fierce. Everyone cheered and the kids got their ball. A little something to take away from this: STAY POSITIVE and work as a team to reach your goal.

HIS SMILE WAS WORTH IT...

This is what I see... and I CAN'T BELIEVE IT!

This is what i felt like today as I reviewed my son's IEPs for the last 4 years. #stressed #frustrated #disbelief 

As I review them I found inconsistent scores. I cant believe that I waited so long to try to make sense of this. This is so frustrating. I never knew how much I was missing. 

My #superherowithSLDs is so dang smart that I guess it was difficult for me to understand why it wasn't showing on paper. Little by little, I get more frustrated. I read and I realize that I should of noticed it sooner. The school was not helping me, it was my responsibility. 

I have found mistakes in the IEPs. I've found missing information from the IEP. Why don't schools have training classes for the parents so that we are better informed. To me, it would make sense that as soon as it is recommended or requested for an IEP to be completed or the child to be tested, parents should attend a seminar or workshop to learn how to read, decipher, to learn the rights and responsibilities, what are the accommodations and modifications available, what the process is.  BUT, I guess this is asking too much. TO ME---It should be a requirement not an option.

The more that I read, the more upset that I get at myself. I have found my husband watching me and telling me that I need to step away because there is nothing that I can fix by being upset. 

Knowledge is Power and I intend on using it. 

I would love to find out from others regarding the following: 

1. How long did it take you to figure it out? 
2. What have you found to be the most important tool to take with you to these meetings? 
3. What has worked for you and dealing with the school? 

SN - Today my #superherowithSLDs tells me that he forgot his assignment and what he was supposed to do for his tutor for tomorrow until I told him that we had rescheduled for Monday. It was funny the face he made but in then end, this is an organizational issue. 

I am looking for the best way to schedule his day so that he is able to check off a list as he completes it. That has seemed to work before, maybe it will work now. I guess it doesn't hurt to try. 

Carmen--

This Summer made a difference

After receiving that call from the school, telling me that they wanted to retain him, my world shut down, my anxiety sky-rocketed, I started to doubt myself... but I knew I couldn't give up. It was time for some tough love.

One thing that I have learned from my #superherowithSLDs is that we keep going, we fight harder. For mom, its not always that easy.

I have gone through many websites looking for more information. I have called multiples places looking for help but each one led me back to a place where I had already been.

My goal was to go into this year prepared. I wanted to know how to ask for the accommodations and or modifications that he needed. I wanted him to be scored on his knowledge, not his lack  of ability to write or spell. I wanted to know that I wasn't crazy for thinking that he would be better off having a scribe and using a computer for things that were not testing spelling or his legibility.

I wanted to somehow fill this void that I could be doing more.

I often wonder how many more parents feel this way day to day. How many parents do not have the blessing of knowing someone who can lead you to someone or something that might help.

I have found what I called to be my angels this summer. One was my #superherowithSLDs 's tutor, who just happened to be his previous ESE teacher (this was when he getting on the honor roll) and my blessing of a #parentadvocate.

I have also joined 2 Facebook groups that provide great information regarding ESE and SLDs. This has helped with my research as they are resources provided by knowledgeable people or parents of other children.

The #parentadvocate has definitely helped me. I was able to sit down with her and go over all of his previous IEPs. She better explained the process and the accommodations that he should be receiving. She has also suggested additional testing when I return to ask for a reevaluation. This was amazing. I finally fell like I am getting somewhere.

So I followed her advice and sent a letter to the school and GUESS WHAT!!!! They replied the next morning at 9:00am.

I am happy. We are moving. This IS going to work and its going to be a GREAT year.

Welcome to my Journey!

WELCOME!

So I am the mother of 4 wonderful children. I embarked on this journey 11 years ago with my husband. As time went on, we sent our oldest child to school and little by little we noticed that although he was sooooo smart, things just were not that easy for him. 

He had to work triple hard to keep up. When we noticed little assistance from his teacher in 1st grade and the easy response of "well, we will just hold him back one year" we decided to change him from public school to a charter school. I know, some people say that this was not a wise move but at this time it seemed to be a better option for him. 

We have stuck with this school for years and the last of my 4 kids is going into kindergarten in August. Although, we thought that our eldest was making progress, this last year was tough. Grades dropped dramatically and as a parent, I felt like a failure. Why is it that I was so involved with him and yet he was not making any progress? Eventually we got that call yet again... They asked us if we would consent to hold him back. 

"NO" I replied...

This was the last drop to an already overflowing cup along with the fact that the person on the phone was not aware that he had already been held back. UUGGGHHH!!!! 

So I did what I do best. I put on my research hat, made a couple of calls and got him a tutor and was on my way. 

We are in this together my Superhero with SLDs. 

Retrieved from:

11 Inspirational Quotes From Superheroes That Might Just Give You Superpowers

www.huffingtonpost.com

And so our journey began...

As I move through this journey, I would like to share my findings and I hope that by me doing this, you will feel less alone and lost in this system we call Education.