Today was a day of parent teacher meetings. I met with Justin’s preschool teacher and reviewed where he was at and the progress he’s made during the year. He’s right on track to go into Kindergarten. That was 9 a.m.
At 10 a.m., I had another meeting. This one with Maxine’s teacher and Maxine’s principal. And from the time the secretary called last Thursday and left a message asking me to set up a meeting with the teacher and the principal, I knew. But I asked anyway. When I called and talked to the secretary, I asked what the meeting was about.
“Maxine, I asuume,” the secretary replied totally unhelpful. Well, duh! I really didn’t think I’d be meeting with Maxine’s teacher to talk about Autumn or Amanda.
“Is it a disciplinary problem?” I asked.
No.
“Is it parent-teacher conferences?”
No.
So I went into today with a pretty good idea about what it was about, but still, hearing it was hard.
Maxine has struggled with school every since she began. It was only in the last few months that Maxine has realized school is a place where she learns things. For the past year and a half, my daughter considered school as a place to socialize. Teachers have commented that she acted young for her age. She didn’t concentrate well. The most frustrating thing for me (and her teachers) is one day she’d seem to know her letters, but the next day she wouldn’t have a clue.
The last meeting I had was in December. It was after my dad had died and they called the meeting because Maxine who had been progressing suddenly fell behind again. She was having problems with reading and math. She’d see the number 12 and say 21. But at that meeting we talked and the teachers all agreed that if Maxine was making progress by the end of the year, that she should go on to second grade.
Fast forward to now. School is out on May 28. Maxine is reading, but she is still struggling with numbers. Her reading level is a 10 and a student going into second grade should have a reading level 18. She’s further behind in math. Her teacher recommends holding her back.
I talked with Maxine about the possibility yesterday. She doesn’t want to do a grade over again.
I knew it was a possibility. It’s still a hard decision. It is basically up to Steve and I. I guess I have some researching to do.
Have you thought about testing for dyslexia? She sounds a lot like my oldest Madeline. She couldn’t read or work with numbers. She started the third grade with an IEP and now she’s graduating the fifth grade having made the honor roll all year. She’s a hard worker, but the school has been terrific too! I’ll be thinking of you
((hugs))
Good luck coming to a decision. You’ll figure out what’s best for her, but knowing that doesn’t make the process any easier. Kids! Who has the nerve to tell us they keep us young?